So.
Last week I had to catch Dorothy Barker’s pee in a ladle 6 different times to get enough for the giant sample I needed to take to the oncologist and two different neighbors drove by and stared at me as they tried to figure out how the lady with a full-sized bear dressed as a wizard in her living room could get any weirder and I was just waiting for the all clear on the test to share that funny story, but.
But.
But unfortunately Dottie does have bladder cancer.
Which sucks. It’s about the worst cancer dogs can get. There isn’t really a cure. Usually dogs live for 6 months or less after diagnosis. Because we caught it so early our oncologist thinks that with drugs we might be able to slow it down and could possibly have a year with her.
So yesterday I cried a lot. Then I told Hailey and we cried some more. Then Dottie looked at us like we were crazy and tried to distract us so we took her swimming in the pool and she had a blast.
And so did we.
A year is a long time. It’s not long enough, but it’s something. And at the moment Dottie is still the same crazy dog as ever so we are grateful. And we will enjoy her and each other and all the fleeting things we take for granted when we think they will last forever.
Hug your pets. Hug each other. Remember to enjoy every moment. And then remind me to do the same.