Re: You forget how sad- Sparky The Dog.......
Sparky The Dog
Because of Sparky’s long hair coat, you could scarcely tell that he was missing two legs –both on the same side of his body. I remember clearly the call I received from Sparky’s owner on a Sunday afternoon:
“Doctor, our neighbor called to say he found our dog, Sparky,” the owner’s voice trembled. “He has been missing since Thursday. He apparently had his hind leg caught in a trap and chewed himself free. Before he could get out of three, he stepped into another trap with his front leg, and that’s how they found him. I’m afraid it’s bad.”
The owner turned out to be right about what happened to Sparky. We worked to keep him alive with blood transfusions, intravenous fluids, painkillers, and other therapy. His hind leg was gone completely and there seemed little chance of saving his smashed and devitalized front leg. After two weeks of intense treatment we were forced to remove the front leg, and were left wondering that kind of life there could possibly be for a dog missing both legs on one side of his body.
We were focused on the loss, the horror, and unfairness. Sparky was not concerned about these things, though. In fact, he spent his time comforting and reassuring the shortsighted humans around him. He also spent his time recovering physically and emotionally. Sparky enjoyed a long and happy life, running, jumping and playing like any other dog. He would go freely on adventures around his family’s farm, chasing birds, taking naps under shady trees and investigating the livestock pens to make new friends.
Every time I stopped by the farm for a visit to the many animals there, Sparky ran to my truck and greeted with a sloppy, wet lick on the hand. Almost as if to say, “Thanks for believing in me, Dr. Kramer. I’m doing just fine.”
You see, we can learn something from Sparky, and nearly every other animal I have ever encountered. Sparky didn’t know that he wasn’t supposed to be able to walk, run and jump. Indeed, he didn’t know that his carefree and happy life was supposed to have been robbed from him that day. He simply accepted what happened and instinctively went on about his life as though there was nothing wrong -- and guess what? There really was nothing wrong. Other animals didn’t even seem to notice that he was different. He didn’t mope or think about “what might have been.”
As humans, sometimes we are faced with difficult and overwhelming problems that are true and compelling challenges. But we often fill our lives with petty concerns about nothing and miss the joy all around us. If we learned to compensate for unfortunate circumstances the way Sparky did, we would certainly be a happier, more productive society. We would understand that life is a precious gift, not to be taken for granted. We would worry less about the shortcomings of ourselves and others, and would have a greater appreciation for sunny, breezy days, loving family members, the miracle of health, and even our own bodies.
Every time Sparky ran up to me on the farm, I was reminded that underneath all that shaggy, unkempt hair, was a dog with half the usual compliment of legs, and twice the heart.
Story by Jim Kramer, DVM
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"You are what you eat, drink, think, say and do..."
