What if He was Dying?

We have the most adorable, frustrating, lovable brown lab.  Jacob came to us after a family divorced and they left him alone in a garage, day after day which gave him abandonment issues.  He got over it nice and fast once he realized he was with us to stay.  (Yes, that's him in the photo...the handsome bugger!)

Jacob has big, chocolate eyes, floppy ears and enthusiasm that never ceases.  He goes after everything with the same passion and joy every single time- even if he's misbehaving.

This past Christmas Eve, Jacob started having seizures.  He lost control of his body and it twitched.  I couldn't do anything to help him.  He'd never had them before and they were really bad.  Blessedly, our vet is Jewish and was in the office on Christmas Day to give us medication to help control the seizures.

It took about a week, but we finally got our Jacob on the right dose of medication and able to go outside to do his "business" on his own.  He was mostly back.

Jacob is, we're pretty sure, around 14 or 15-years old.  He's an old man even if he has no idea about it.

We know our time is limited with him.  Since we've arrived at this point, I find myself thinking differently about him especially when he does something like empty the garbage can.  Sure, I get mad at him, but I don't hold onto it long.  I pet him more.  We have times where he puts his head on my feet and I talk to him.  Time is short between us and I want to make the most of it.

I wonder what would happen if we lived this way with each other.  We all are, in effect, approaching death.  Death is coming.  We are...dying.

Imagine the people you love most are dying.  Would you treat them differently?  Would you look the other way for the smaller perceived offenses?  Would you say kind things more often?  Offer to help?  Smile?  Say "I love you"?

Now imagine if you knew every person you come across during your day is dying- even the grumpy ones.  Would you understand why they might be short with others, not smile or be rude?  Would you treat them differently knowing that their time is limited?

Our time here IS limited.  That's a fact and can't be changed.  What we do with our time CAN be changed!

When you wake up tomorrow, commit to doing your best to treat people as you would if you knew that they were dying.  Give it a try and let me know how it works out for you.  I'll do the same!

Kelly