Τύχη: Nominative, feminine, singular. Fortune, luck. Latin: Fortuna.
This month has been rough.
One morning I woke up to one of my dogs chewing on a pen and there were sharp pieces of plastic all over the bed. I am usually very careful about having things around the house, so I was upset and took her to urgent care. The next day, my other dog had a hard stomach and was sensitive in a certain area, and so I took her to the ER. A heart murmur had also been discovered for her and she was diagnosed two weeks later with mitral valve disease.
A few days ago, the one dog who has not visited the ER had to go to the ER because he was vomiting with a distended stomach. They said he is fine, thankfully. So far, everyone is ok!
I also found out my Ph.D. is on a shortened timeline. I may get the originally planned additional year, but it is not guaranteed to me as it is to others. I have had a harder time enjoying my project as a result of this added pressure.
And my stove broke.
Anyone who knows me, knows that my dogs are my whole world. One of the reasons I started this blog, was to express joy amid so much stress. Although I have had a hard time staying focused, I nevertheless persist in my enjoyment of learning and creating.I hope that others going through similar streaks will be able to take moments for themselves and enjoy life in a similar way despite its challenges.
On that note, here are some things I am grateful for:
- I could afford to take my dogs to the vet when I was worried about them.
- I have three amazing, loving dogs.
- I have a roof over my head and a great apartment.
- I have a loving partner and great friends and a support system I can rely on.
- My body is healthy and strong.
- I have several college degrees and I am thankful for my education and the access that I have had to it.
- I am thankful for my access to the internet and the information I can gather at a moment’s notice.
- I am (very) thankful for my access to food.
- I am thankful for my access to clean drinking water.
- I am thankful for my own unwillingness to give up.
In hindsight, these canine emergencies may have been the best things that could have happened to my dogs for their longevity and happiness. The heart condition was caught early, and my dog “barely qualified” (her cardiologist’s words) for the medication she is now on. This medication will likely help her live without hinderance for several more years compared to if we had not caught the heart murmur. My other dog was put on a prescription diet, which has made him livelier and perhaps is relieving some underlying discomfort that I was unaware of. I hope they continue to live as long as possible with health and happiness.
I hope everyone has a good day today. I hope that even if you have a bad day, you can find some kind of happiness at the end of it. Valete!
Vita Vinum Libri 