Quote for the Day

 Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. 
The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Quote for the Day

I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself.

~ Brittany Renée

Lessons from the Hospital Bed

     Some years ago, I was afflicted by an extreme form of a common disease that affected forever how I think about life, illness, wellness and care giving.  It was also the start of the long journey that led me to hospice work and animal hospice care specifically.  Over the course of that 2 years, I visited the emergency room 14 times, was admitted to the hospital six times for stays of 3-7 days each, saw more than a dozen different doctors/specialists, tried more than 60 different conventional treatment options and at least a dozen alternative modalities.  There were many days when I thought I would never get better, some days when I thought I would die, and more than a few when I wanted to give up.

     I had doctors who distrusted me, doctors who were intrigued by me, doctors who sadly shook their heads and said nothing could be done, doctors who said I just had to accept my "new reality", doctors who excitedly wanted to test out their new theory or treatment on me. And one who kindly and compassionately stood by me always and persisted, eventually successfully, in his goal to cure me.

     Through all the ER visits, all the days and nights in the hospital, all the trips to specialists and new clinics, my husband and I encountered hundreds of caregivers from doctors to nurses to technicians to fellows to residents to administrators.  Whenever we set out to get help, the one thing that was on the forefront of my mind was this:

Quote for the Day

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

~ Confucius

Suffering: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

     When it comes to end of life care for animals, it is inevitable that the discussion focuses on the animal's suffering.  What kind of suffering does the animal have?  Do we have a way to alleviate the suffering?  Can we afford the remedies or treatments that might reduce suffering?  When is the suffering so great that the animal should be euthanized?  How do we know if the animal is suffering and how do we quantify that suffering?

     In my mind, no matter how genuine and well-intentioned these inquiries, debates, and intense moral struggles may be, they are missing the point.  To use a favorite animal-expression, when we go down that path, we are barking up the wrong tree.

Quote for the Day

     After a wonderful weekend of fun, support and camaraderie with our staff, family, friends, supporters and many new 2 and 4-legged friends, I am feeling incredibly grateful for the people and animals in our lives, the opportunity to live my passion, and the joy of bringing peace and love to those in need.

     May gratitude fill your heart today as well.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  

~Thornton Wilder