Over the past six years, I have learned that the love of a pet is truly equal to that of a miracle, at least it has been for me. I got my beloved dog Fe June when I was in tenth grade. At that point, I was at my worst as far as cellultis infections are concerned. I had never been so sick in my entire life, and never had I been so sick as often. Whether it was coming home from the hospital or a stress-filled day of school, my dog was always there to greet me with her wagging tail and cuddles.

Never underestimate the love in which a pet can give.  

In fact, never underestimate the health benefits in which pets have been proven to give to those who take care of them. Did you know that pets can help reduce stress and relieve anxiety?

I found an interesting article on the subject entitled Animal Rx: 11 Ways Pets Make You Healthy

Read for yourself to see why house pets are supplemental to a healthy lifestyle and how they help patients of chronic illness. 

On a personal level, I can say that when I am going through especially wicked bouts of depression, my dog helps keep me moving. I put her needs before my own, and no matter how bleak the world around me may seem at that given time, she helps put a smile on my face. Even when I am filled with despair and feel like an utterly hopeless case, she gets me to put my feet on the ground at some point whether it is to fill her water bowl or take her to the bathroom. When in such a low state, the mere act of moving can be that of a tremendous effort. Yet, I have found that once you start to get moving again, each step starts to get a little less hard. 

My dog has been my miracle. She is 13 years of age tomorrow.

Talking to a KT friend who you can be open and honest with makes all the difference (in a positive way, of course). Looking forward to meeting all of my amazing KTS friends at the meeting in a couple of weeks. 


I know it will genuinely be a surreal, life-changing experience.

Death.


Just writing the word terrifies me. Yet, after all the thinking I have done on the subject, I am still completely uncomfortable with it.


The fragility of life is something that I find to be so utterly intimidating. People with chronic illnesses see doctor's more often and, of course, are equipped with more medical needs than the average person, so I guess it makes sense that the subject would cross my mind more frequently than my peers. 


Anyways, while this topic has been on my mind, I came across an article written by the now late Nora Ephron. I did not know of her prior to learning of her death, but based on this writing alone I am now an avid fan. The honesty she displays in her work, along with the engaging writing style is splendid; it makes for a memorable read. 


There was one part that really resonated with me; it felt as though this was something I would have written myself.

"Here are some questions I am constantly fretting over: Do you splurge or do you hoard? Do you live every day as if it’s your last, or do you save your money on the chance you’ll live 20 more years? Is life too short, or is it going to be too long? 

Do you work as hard as you can, or do you slow down to smell the roses? And where do carbohydrates fit into all this? Are we really going to have to spend our last years avoiding bread, especially now that bread is so unbelievably delicious? And what about chocolate?" - Nora Ephron

It's somewhat eerie to see these words in writing, yet strangely comforting for I now have solid evidence that I alone do not often ponder these conundrums, and how fair life can be. 


Like many other people with chronic illnesses, I don't know what my health will bring me on any certain day. All people are victims of this to some extent, of course,  it's just those with an illness experience have a heightened level of uncertainty, one could argue. 






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When every minute is uncertain, do you live for today, or do you live for tomorrow?


Rest in peace, Nora and thank you for the awesome bravery and honesty you possessed in your writing.