The day we brought Summer home, we knew she would never be anything less than a family member. She instantly became the baby of the family. This power-packed Jack Russell Terrier became the entertainer, the clown, and the mediator of our family. Always waggy-tailed, with her cute frown on the top of her head, she never ceased to make us happy. Ooo she was my savior from the wrath of smelly, disgusting roaches. In fact, they were her play toys. She quickly learnt the word roach in many forms “cockroach”, “roach”, “kat chat”, or just “AHhhhhhhhhh” (our screams). If she heard any of these, she’d dart out from any corner of the house, and the next thing you know, CHOMP, there goes the threat – annihilated!
So, she has been with us for 6 years now, still very young for a small dog, they usually live up to 15. And we sometimes take her for granted. She is the welcome committee in the house. Regardless of what time, how many times, or whoever it is that comes home, she’ll always be the first to wait by the door, and greet you with a hug (she really knows how to! She’ll jump up and put her head next to yours) and then turn over for a belly rub. At times when we take too long to get out of the car, she’ll climb up to the sofa, and peek through the window. I really love her…
Last week, Summer started getting sick, she was throwing up everything she ate, and she even stopped eating completely. We brushed it off as maybe food poisoning of her “emoing”. She got worse. Earlier this week, with the insistence of my sister, Summer was finally brought to the vet. First prognosis… not good. She had probable kidney and liver failure. Results came back positive for both. Liver failure is one of those treatable illnesses for dogs, but kidney failure on the other hand… is harder with higher mortality rates.
When I heard the news, all I felt was an aching in my tummy. Because we let her suffer for so long… Summer was then warded into the animal clinic but then brought home. That night, she vomited blood. It was the scariest thing any of my family members had seen (I was at my home so I didn’t witness it). Panic gripped everyone’s heart as we all rushed to the only 24 hours animal clinic. She has been in there since…This is the 4th day. After 2 blood tests, her liver is better, but her kidneys are not. Doctors said it was not a good sign. Scretin (or something like that) levels is 10 times higher. In short, her toxin levels are sky high.
Disaster does hit when you’re least expecting it. Past few days I’ve been trying to comfort myself and build up the faith. Today after the latest blood test results, my confidence and trust in God plumaged… Still a gentle small voice coaxed me to remember who my God is.
My God is the Alpha and the Omega, the creator of ALL things, the King of kings, Lord of lords, Greatest Physician, the comforter, the Almighty, the Rock on which I stand, the One who has been trialed, tested, and approved, the one who understands, Great and mighty is he, the one in whom all things were created by and for, the one who holds all things together. This is my God.
So this is all I have to cling on to – who my God is. Even though at times my flesh struggles for more signs, more assurances, more answers, one thing remains – that knowing and trusting who God is, is more than enough.
