The other day I posted about the great autumn to be found in the midst of spring. We are constantly immersed in the rising and falling of our lives, as close as our own breath. Tune, aka Abbess Petunia (or more commonly, “The Abbess”), will be turning twelve in June. We have had her for nearly two and a half years and what a treasure she continues to be. When we adopted her we thought if all we do is give her the best retirement, then that is enough (after spending her life neglected in a breeding kennel). She is my Abbess and Muse, my devoted companion, the one who has taught me about healing from old wounds and the tenderness required for her, for myself. She teaches me about sheer delight, embodied joy, and the grace of napping. She is a poignant reminder of the preciousness of those we love.
In the last few months she has had two surgeries to remove malignant tumors from her mammary glands and both thankfully have been low-grade with clean margins, meaning it doesn’t seem to have spread and hasn’t required further treatment. She has remained quite spunky although in the last few weeks has had some noticeable slowing on her walks. She is not quite as enthusiastic about walking as far, often deciding after a few blocks to turn around and head back, so we have stayed closer to home.
Yesterday I found another lump in her chest, near where the two others were found. We are going to the vet this afternoon to see how to proceed this time. I continue to practice being present to this moment and celebrating the gifts of her warm body to me right now. My heart feels tender and full of love. If you have a companion animal, pull them close for a moment, and please send some healing to Tune.
May your own weekend be filled with love and tenderness.
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Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts
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17 Responses
Oh all of your comments make me smile in the midst of this unknowing and tender space. Thank you so much for all of your kindness and care. Updates about the Abbess will be forthcoming when we hear more from the vet.
Rainy and I send all possible love.
Oh Christine, what a mixture of blessings and heartache our beloved companions bring us. Hugs.
Tho they are temporarily living with other families, Hershey, Brita and Kendall send their love along with mine. Tune continues to show us much, and blessed are we who know her through your eyes and heart.
Our lives connect in many areas Christine – and my Daisy, also rescued from breeding at a puppy mill, sends her love with mine. We pray the Abbess will soon feel better and send healing thoughts, hugs, and a wee treat.
Basil, Bruiser and Abbey (my precious cats) and I gathered in bed this morning for Vigils and prayed and sent healing love to the Abbess, you and John.
Thank you dearly for all of these warm and wonderful comments. My heart is warmed and Tune is basking in the healing glow. I am so grateful for fellow companions who understand the profound bond. Tune went to the vet yesterday and we ran some tests and should know more next week whether to proceed with surgery again.
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