Inspiration on Three Legs

Bystanders stare. Small children point and shriek. Similar pairs stop and ask myriad detailed questions.

So goes an afternoon walk for my sister Theresa and her dog, Carter. He's a three-legged hound. To the pessimist, Carter's story suggests that not all attention is desirable. Amidst this onslaught of attention is Theresa's intense science program and work schedule at the cow barn. She feels uncomfortably challenged every day.  What does memorizing soil science terminology and shoveling cow poop (literally) have to do with saving furries? she asks herself and the barking, peeing, chewing hound underfoot.

Underneath the inconveniences of Theresa's life, however, lies a hardened layer of inspiration and perseverance. Wanna know more? Would a picture of Carter's cuteness encourage you?

Theresa’s caption for above photo: “Carter’s magic trick. Look, Ma, no leg!”

Understanding how Theresa and Carter met requires at least a tantalizing tidbit of Theresa's professional background. Theresa cared for the lives of furry, scaly, and feathered critters of all stripes and sizes at BEBT Veterinary Clinic. She worked there for several post-baccalaureate years while boosting her science background. When her veterinary school applications did not achieve her desired outcome, she applied for a master's degree in Bacteriology at Wisconsin and was accepted. Her professional path is more like a circle or a spiral than a line - more interesting to walk alongside, no? :)

Her time frame for achieving the D.V.M. has elongated, but she will still reach her goal. I'm continuously impressed by her steadfast love and dedication to "all creatures Great and Small," if I may borrow the title of James Herriot's famous book. (Theresa's bookshelf has a copy. Highly recommended.)

As she prepared for her big move and transition to graduate student life, she worked a grueling and fateful night shift. She saved a seriously injured dog who stole her heart. Carter was a beagle mix pup who found himself in big trouble after one of his owners backed his car over him. For such a young animal, he was lucky to survive. Theresa noted that on the night Carter came in to BEBT, business was completely chaotic.  She was assigned to the ICU when the on-call vet came back with "this damn puppy." Theresa felt angry - she already had patients that NEEDED to be seen.  The owners, in a typical frustrating fashion, had no money. Thus comes the ethics vs. business dilemma. Do you save the animal without compensation? Services rendered without pay devalues the work involved. On the other hand, needy cases are deserving in the eyes of many compassionate clinicians. The doc was new, so she absolutely agonized over the situation. She didn't want the Bergers (the vets who owned the clinic) to get mad at her for bringing in another charity case.

Theresa was angry about the delay. Many supervising vets often rescued critters, made the techs do the nursing work, then take all of the credit. All she wished was that they would just "euthanize the damn thing and get it over with" so that a doc would look at HER patients. Finally, the vet decided to take him into the hospital as a charity case. 

In order to save him, the veterinarian amputated his front right leg. The owners did not pay the veterinary bill. Either they could not afford it, or did not want to handle the expense. As compensation, the veterinarian possessed the animal. Carter needed a new home. Thus, an unlikely friendship began in the clinic ICU - and remember, Carter was not one of "her" patients that night :)

Theresa was not looking to get a dog at all. Since she was moving and starting school, our parents urged her to avoid the extra responsibilities of puppy ownership. She respected but ultimately declined their advice. She has no regrets.

Balancing the duties of being Carter's mommy with school and work challenges Theresa, but a close examination of their current successes yields some general principles:

1. Get plenty of exercise!
Doctors have been telling us for years about the physical benefits of exercise, but the intellectual, emotional, and social effects are just as profound. Carter is much calmer and more agreeable after a long walk, and the time he spends with Theresa while walking is special. He knows that she cares about him.

If we all set aside special times to walk with our partners, friends, and family members, how would we feel? How would our relationships develop and deepen?

2. Make lots of friendships with positive, active individuals.
Carter enjoys socializing. At doggy day care, he plays all day long with similarly energetic pups. Without these friends, he would spend his days in a kennel. He plays well with others. Their time together is mutually beneficial.

Like Carter, we cannot depend on one individual to fulfill all of our needs. Theresa helps Carter meet his exercise and socializing needs by finding him doggy playmates. How can we nurture others and be nurtured in return?

3. Carpe diem!

Dogs live fully in the present moment. To our canine pals, each game is the best game; each walk is the best walk. Sometimes, we need to let go of the comparative analysis. I often find myself wishing I were elsewhere, doing something else - x, y, or z sounds preferable. I resist my current situation and feel depressed.

Let's fully accept the moment for itself. Create some positive effort toward the good. Strive for the best, but also settle into where you are.

School and work represent excellent opportunities, but even small events at home offer lessons. I will notice them and share. May you also be attentive and successful.