Coco has some wise advice for all of us as she continues to enjoy each day doing what she loves best – making people happy.
Here’s Coco…
I went to work with Mom on Friday. Although I cannot work at Mom’s school as much as I used to, I still enjoy my time there. It makes me feel like I have a purpose. And it makes me happy.
When I first got to school, one of the teachers came down to the office to talk with Mom. He has not seen me in quite some time and he was so glad to see me. He talked to Mom about how well I was getting around on three legs, and he said I looked really good. He thanked me for being there and for running over to greet him.
As usual, the custodians came to the office early to see me. One of them always says, Give me some of that, until I kiss his face. He says he is better able to go on with his day after that.
I lay at Mom’s feet while she read the morning announcements over the PA, and then I snuggled with the student who read the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, I lay on the floor in the hallway while Mom collected attendance forms from students. Many of them stopped to pet me and talk with me. I could tell they were as happy to see me as I was to see them.
Later, I went to Mom’s office with her, where we visited with a few students one-on-one. Although my time at school is shorter than it used to be, Mom always makes sure I see certain students – she says my visits are extremely important to them. I think I understand what she means because the visits mean the world to me, also.
Mom had to leave the building for a few hours to attend an important meeting. While she was gone, I spent an hour in the behavior specialist’s room. I lay at the feet of a girl who took a test, and I snuggled with students who struggle with anxiety and/or depression. After my time there, the behavior specialist put me in Mom’s car to rest (Mom had ridden with a colleague to her meeting) because I began to bark. I have mentioned this in prior posts, but I often bark at school when I am not with Mom. I am losing my hearing, I do not see as well as I once did, and I am missing a leg – I like having Mom around. Because of my barking, if I cannot work directly with Mom at school, I usually rest in the car. I actually like my time in the car to regroup and catch up on sleep.
After school, Mom and I went to my oncologist. I have been receiving chemotherapy treatments for approximately three months. Six weeks ago, when I went for a chest x-ray, the doctor discovered a tumor in my lung. We tried another chemotherapy for six weeks, but when he checked my lungs again on Friday, he discovered that the tumor had grown. Mom was prepared to say, “That is enough…we will let the disease do what it is going to,” but then the doctor suggested we try some oral medication that Mom can give me in my food three times each week. At this point, Mom must have figured, “Why not? After all, we have been through a lot already. What is another month?” So that is the plan – we try the medication for four weeks. If the tumor continues to grow, and/or if more tumors appear, we will discontinue all treatment.
Mom is amazed at how much joy and comfort I still bring to people, at how much I enjoy being with them, given that I am struggling with cancer. I try to show Mom that I feel fine. I enjoy my life. I am happy.
If only humans could do what we dogs do – live in the moment. ~Coco