Loving Dog

[Guest guest]

and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a real character.

Whenever and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their

friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to

whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would

come up missing.

or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the

treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his

finds

in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she

was going to die of this disease; she was just sure it was fatal. She

scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A

thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog

liked Jim, he was 's dog through and through. " If I die, Lucky will feel

abandoned " , thought, " He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. "

The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double

mastectomy was harder on than her doctors had anticipated and was

hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully,

but

the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for to leave the hospital. When she arrived home,

was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom.

Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching but he didn't come to her when she called. It made

sad but sleep soon over came her and she dozed. When woke for a

second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and

her

body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when

realized the problem. She was covered, literally, blanketed, with every treasure

Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to

the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He

had covered her with his love.

forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking

further and further together every night. It's been 12 years now and is

still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy

box but remains his greatest treasure.

Those who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most

credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that bring

toys.