There’s always time for gratitude

/ J. F. Riordan

Spoiler alert: Auggie gave us another scare this week, but instead of the worst possible news, it turns out he is experiencing the aches and pains of a middle-aged athlete.

You know how difficult it can be when you’re waiting for someone’s medical diagnosis. You flip restlessly through a book, if you have one, you play games on your phone, if you do that sort of thing, or you ruminate madly about worst case/best case scenarios. It’s important to find something to do.

As I waited for the surgeon’s diagnosis, there was an odd little stand with a drawer in the exam room. I had been in this room at the hospital before, and it suddenly occurred to me that I had never looked in this drawer. Part of it, maybe, was just knowing it was none of my business. But then it occurred to me that maybe it had something meant to be helpful: a pack of tissues, a roll of lifesavers, hand sanitizer, Gideon’s Bible…so I opened it. It was disappointingly, boringly empty.

I had come equipped to wait, so of course I had paper and pen, and I was very much in need of a distraction. So for some reason it occurred to me to do this. Too bad I didn’t have a packet of candy or something to add. I wonder how long it will take someone to find it—someone else who’s worried, bored, and needs distraction.

Auggie was a good boy, but he’s learned to be nervous about these places. Luckily, happily, joyfully, all was well, and we went home together, armed with a little bottle of pain pills. We played ball when we got there.

49 thoughts on “There’s always time for gratitude”

  1. THAT is the bestest, sweetest, most perfect thing Auggie could have done! Thank you for being his writing arm! That is just perfect! Blessings, Auggie, and Eli too. You are loved by many. As is your mommy.

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  5. Tanner has been on Desaquin since he tore his CCL which healed with laser treatments and a brace for a month, but he is going to be 9 and has arthritis in the joint so the Desaquin really helps.

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  6. OMG! So glad to hear Auggie’s okay. We of a certain age like to say we’re in good shape for the shape we’re in.

    As always you captured the atmosphere, the anxiety, the hope, the everything of waiting for your pet and news from the vet. To channel that anxiety into a message of hope is such a positive touch and one that will provide solace toe to someone, someday.

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  7. How sweet! I am so happy Auggie is well and back at home. Perhaps if you are in the area of the hospital soon, you can take something to leave in the drawer. Although nothing will be better than the note ❤️🐾

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  8. It’s great to hear that Auggie is alright. The thing about getting old is sometimes the “good news” is the best “bad news”. Last week, I started experiencing excruciating shoulder pain out of nowhere, pain to the point where it woke me up in agony. The pain is right in the right shoulder blade. I hate going to the hospital but I thought it could be something serious, a bunch of scans later and like Auggie, it’s basically just age. A doctor recommended an orthopedic mattress/bed. I said to him: “That’s for old people.” The look he then gave me was: “WELL..” (That bed costs more than my first two cars combined!)
    Such is life. Play the cards you are dealt.
    Give Auggie a hug and a treat for us. 😊🐾🥩🎾

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  10. So glad that it was good news. And I would have loved to find something like that during some of our past waiting marathons. You will have made someone’s mind a little easier.

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  14. Dear Auggie, Keep moving! So relieved that it’s just the part of aging. I know it well. You’re the best! So is your Mom! Good weekend all. Eli, please pamper your brother.

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  17. A friend of mine has a large dog with arthritis. The vet started her on Librela injections, and she’s responded well. Less pain. More active. Sending kisses to Auggie.

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  20. I agree! Always time. We did our taxes by sending everything to our CPA online. When everything was finished, I felt something was missing. If we’d gone to the office, the procedure pre-Covid, I would have thanked Jon for his work. It felt to wrong to just walk away, so I sent him a thank you email. He seemed delighted when he responded, and I felt much better.

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  21. Oh good news! ❤️Our boy Milo had bad legs from neutered too young by the shelter. Arthritis and other problems as he aged but carprofen kept him going for 15 years but by the end we had a leash that held him up on the hind legs as they just weren’t working.

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  23. We had used Rimadyl to good effect for a long time in two separate dogs, found Galliprant to not help much, Glycoflex 3 definitely helped, and were going to go to Canada for Librela (before it was available in the US). Gabapentin caused one dog to hallucinate. Just throwing all this out to you guys in case it’s helpful. Best to you and Charlie and the pooches.

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  25. I am so glad to hear that Auggie is okay and like the rest of us has their daily aches and pains that come with old(er) age. That was so nice of you to leave a note in that drawer. Hopefully it will help someone who will need a positive thought at a difficult time. Bless you!

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  27. So glad he is ok. I know about arthritis, I can sympathize. I love Auggie even though I have never met him. I know nothing stays on this earth forever and every minute is precious. Thank you God for Auggie.

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  28. Love your poignant note to a future visitor, who shall find solace in that drawer, no longer empty, but filled with a peaceful hopeful thought♥️♥️♥️

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  29. Oh, Jan. I’m so relieved the news is good for your beloved Auggie. Hopefully with his medication and other treatments, he’ll be happily chasing green ball soon, weather permitting. And, what a lovely thought to place that note from Auggie in the drawer. I have a feeling it will be much appreciated by everyone who reads it. Please give him and Eli a kiss from me. 😘

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  33. So glad the boy is ok! I love your sweet note to whomever. When my mom started chemo I put those stick on googly eyes in various places for people to find. 🤪

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  34. So glad Auggie is ok! I’m happy he’s with such caring pet parents! Many of us have some aches and pains and soldier on! We will rust up if we don’t keep moving! Have a great weekend!

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  35. I know about the aches and pains of growing old. He is a strong dog and I knows he will be able to handle getting old graciously.

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  37. You are so right, there should always be time for gratitude. Thank you for sharing. I was beginning to be concerned that Elon had reinstated you 😬 and you weren’t writing your blog any longer. 😆

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  39. Relieved to hear that it is something they can treat for dear Auggie Doggie!💚So like you to take time to think of someone else who might need support in a similar situation! You are a very caring soul!

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  40. I’m glad to hear he’s okay. Sydney has been dealing with arthritis for a couple of years & luckily one of the vets at our hospital does acupuncture as well as herbal treatments, which have helped quite a bit.

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