Now I understand...

When I was about 2 years old my parents got me a puppy. I named her Candy, and she was my buddy growing up. Being that I was an only child, she was my playmate most days. After 13 years of being the neighborhood pet, Candy died. Being a teenager, it didn't really bother me much, as I had so much else on my mind. I was sad, yes, but I was so wrapped up in my own life, I had forgotten about my precious Candy. I don't even remember if I cried.

About a year later, in October of 2000, I was given another puppy as a gift. Dixie, as I named her, was a precious baby Boxer, was given to me as a surprise. I had always wanted a Boxer, and I was SO excited! I got to watch her grow up, and I got to take pictures of all of the funny memories along the way. She developed her own human-like personality and emotions. I came to love her as if she was a family member.

In February when I moved out of my parents house, I couldn't take Dixie with me for 3 reasons. First, I was going to be living in a small apartment that would be too small for her. She had been used to living outside in a big yard, she would not be happy pinned in. Second, she was just as much my mom and dad's dog as she was mine. They would have been devastated had I taken her. Last, we have a black Lab, Wes, who loves her so much. There would have been no way to separate them. Needless to say, I left Dixie with my parents, and I moved out. I do get to come back everyweek and see my babies, but I miss them so much!

About 3 years ago, Dixie developed 2 growths on her neck. Immediately my mom and I took her to the vet to have them checked. He told us that they were very similar to human zits, and that they would eventually "pop" and go away. Unfortunately they never went away, and one became an open wound. We never thought much about it, because the vet told us it was just a zit.

Saturday, I called my mom to talk, and she told me that she and my dad finally broke down and took Dixie to the vet to have the open sore checked out. Dr. Patch, the vet, came in and immediately told them that most likely Dixie's zits had developed into CANCER! They immediately admitted her for surgery to remove her cancers. He said that this is very common in Boxers, but we were all stunned. Cancer? Can dogs even get cancer, we thought. The vet told my parents that there was nothing he could do for her. She could have chemo and radiation, but it can really debilitate a dog. He said he would never recommend that for any dog. As my mom told me these things over the phone, tears were streaming down my cheeks. At that minute I really understood the "man's best friend" phrase. Our pets are like our family members, and honestly we treat them as such. I thought, if we lose Dixie, we will be losing part of our family! Dixie had to stay at Dr. Patch's office until today, and then she could come back home.

I met my mom this morning at the vet to see her. I honestly was expecting the worse, and I didn't want my mom to have to go alone. We went in and told them we were there to pick Dixie up. So we waited and waited for what seemed like an hour (but was really only about 10 minutes) to get her. Suddenly, the door opened, and out came our Dixie girl! She was so happy to see us, and she was OKAY!! It seemed like nothing was wrong! My mom and I, although neither of us acknowledged it, were so relieved.

We haven't found out for sure if she has cancer, but we will find out when she goes back in 10 days, just what the prognosis is. We got Dixie in the car, and she and my mom were headed for home. As I drove away from the vet's office, I began to cry. I don't know if I have ever cried tears of joy, but today I did. I was so thankful that, at least for now that Dixie is okay.

I didn't understand until this weekend, how much joy and love, pets bring to our lives. I love my dogs, and in some way, my life is happier because I have them.