Pippin, my nine year old Gordon Setter mix, had surgery last month and after a couple rough days seemed to have a smooth recovery. Last night when I got home she was whimpering and just not her playful self. I knew something was especially off when my husband said he had to call her to come eat dinner. That is just not Pippin!
My first guess is the standard with a dog her age, pain. I know she has some arthritic pain sometimes in her legs and she had opportunities the last couple days to have aggravated it. But pain medicine did not seem to bring her relief last night. So the mystery continues as I notice other clues to this puzzle and do my best to help her feel better.
I'm grateful to have doggie pain killers on hand for her. I'm grateful to be tuned in so I can recognize some of her signs of distress. I'm grateful to have a couple more ideas to try and I'm grateful for the hope they will help her feel better. I'm grateful for her patience and cuddles as we try to figure this out. And I'm grateful to know that if needed there is a vet to solve anything I cannot on my own. I'm grateful for all the loving prayers she is receiving in this process because I know that the positive energy helps.
When have you made due with your best guess? How do you ask for help when the best guess doesn't work?
We all have moments of needing help and I haven't met anyone yet that is an expert at everything.
May today bless Pippin with health and healing. May we all reach for the help we need without judgement and may we accept that our best guess is sometimes the best we can do in that moment. Have a beautiful day!