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.
** Come back on Monday for our next Poetry Party **
© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts
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17 Responses
me too
hugs to you and the abbess. i’m adding my prayers to yours and all the others…
just read this…sending warm love to you and the abbess. xoxoxoox
Thinking of you, tenderly.
Oh! I hope she is okay and makes it through this latest hiccup. She’s a really lovely looking dog. All the best to you and Petunia.
Hello dear Abbess,
Bailey, the Westie-Poo, and I send our healing touch….along with a few snacks :)
Tell your mom thank you for the cute snapshots of you loving life.
Here’s a pic of Bailey and me:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bette_norcross_wappner/2873168359/
Dear Christine;
How sorry I am to hear about Petunia’s health challenges. A friend of mine recently found out that her three-and-a-half year old Rhodesian Ridgeback has severe, advancing glaucoma. They are not sure of it can be arrested, and needless to say, my friend is heartbroken. I pray for her and for you, that things will turn out.
I did have dogs, afghan hounds. They have since passed, and their passing hurt me deeply. But I feel so blessed for the life and soul lessons these hounds taught me, and for the joy and love they brought into my life. I have a cat now. She is 4 years old. And she is a dear, sweet, cuddle bug. I treasure her daily, and love the ways she snuggles right up close to my face, when I am sleeping.
Petunia is a real love. Thanx for sharing her with us.
Our WonderMutt is aging, too, and no longer pulls at the leash for long walks but rests and wanders in the direction of home. Sending you healing thoughts and love, both human and canine.
Grace and paece to you both.
RevAnne and Paraclete Duke, aka Cletus the WonderMutt
My cat, my little guy with so many old age challenges now, is snuggled in my lap as I write this, and we together send our deep, deep healing love. Tune! we adore you!
Dear Christine–
Thank you for keeping us updated on the Abbess’s health and well-being.
‘All manner of things shall be well.’
Love to you both—