“Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.”
Ever heard those words before or perhaps even said them yourself?
Often, we say these words or something similar in an awkward attempt to be helpful, console, or to comfort.
Pause reading this just a moment and say these words out loud:
“Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.”
Best-Laid Plans of Mice and Men
We just spoke our collective understanding that we are not in control. Much as we’d like to be, we aren’t.
Here’s the real kicker: thank God we are not! We’d really make a mess of it if we were.
And that’s regardless of what “it” is.
Recently, we discovered when at least one best-laid plan went awry, being grateful anyway helps.
A couple of weeks ago, following my typical morning routine, I went out to feed the dogs breakfast.
On this particular morning, Xena immediately begged for a belly rub, so I sat down by her to oblige.
I will admit, unabashedly, that when I massage the dogs, I talk to them like they’re babies.
For Xena, the more demanding one, I tell her “what a good girl she is,” and how “she’s the prettiest princess in the world.”
You get the idea.
For Xena, the belly rub is like a foot massage for most of us girls.
She lays her head back, closes her eyes, and makes this silly grin where her canines (the sharp, pointy ones) stick out over her lips.
She looks hilarious.
A Plan Goes Awry
In the midst of all this bliss, I felt something strange on her lower abdomen. Thinking at first it was a clump of matted hair, I investigated further.
I was taken aback by what I saw and felt. It was a large lump — over an inch in size.
I swallowed hard. I started to worry.
Without going into too much detail, an anxious moment turned to worry and then to guilt…the “shoulda, coulda, wouldas.”
I was kicking myself for not finding it sooner. This lump was large.
How could I have missed it?
Was Xena going to be OK?
Were our hopes of having puppies dashed? (In a previous post, I briefly discussed our desire to have a litter of puppies from Zeus and Xena).
After consulting with our veterinarian, she recommended having the lump biopsied.
After much soul-searching, we decided to have Xena spayed at the same time the lump was removed.
The surgery was scheduled for early the next week.
In the meantime, I expressed my concern to Rick over Xena’s health: the possibility of cancer. I also expressed my sadness over not having a litter of puppies from Zeus and Xena.
To which my husband said, “Sometimes things just aren’t meant to be.”
Sound familiar?
It was what he said next, though, that meant the most.
“Regardless of the outcome, Xena is loved. She knows she’s loved.”
He even quoted Tennyson:
He was right of course.
Regardless of what the outcome might have been, we would always be grateful to have loved Xena.
Approximately one week later, the laboratory results came back. The lump was “benign.”
We were very grateful a second time.
The veterinarian also told us that we had made an appropriate decision since this type of tumor is usually hormonal in nature. Spaying helps prevent reocurrence.
Xena Recuperating
Loyal Companions for Life
Our Great pyrs are loving and loyal companions that we hope to have for many years to come.
We are also open in the future to the possibility of adding foster Great pyrs to our family.
We realize, though, that even with the best-laid plans, we are not in control.
Thankfully, regardless of circumstances, our God is.
I have had things go differently than I thought they should have but later on I realized that it was for my own good in my situations. And realizing that God knew what was best for me.
So true. Thank you Jean for sharing!
So glad to see that Xena is recuperating and doing well. Thanks for sharing!
She is doing well, definitely a “warrior” princess! Thanks!