A new companion
When your doctor gives you the grim prognosis that you have cancer, you can take the news two ways.
First, you can walk around with a dark cloud over your head, becoming a human buzz kill for your family, your friends and your co-workers.
Or, you can put on your boxing gloves and get ready for the fight of your life. You can be positive. You can try to support other people in your situation.
Readers of this blog know that I have chosen the latter.
I would like to know, however, how those of you out there are coping with your diagnosis.
We really don’t have many choices.
You can turn to your family. My parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles have all been amazing. It still warms my heart when my youngest niece, Brianna, rubs my bald head for good luck.
We can turn to our friends. You have no idea how many people have stepped up to offer help or a kind word during my 18-month battle. Besides friends, I’ve had tons of support from co-workers and many, many people who play Texas Hold ’em in and around Janesville.
We can turn to God. Some may say it’s hypocritical to “get religion” or “see the light” when you’ve been given a serious or even terminal medical diagnosis. After a lengthy discussion with Father Steve at St. Mary’s, I’ve been convinced that’s not the case. Which means another lapsed Catholic has returned to the fold.
I feel lucky to have been accepted by the warm community at St. Mary’s. I look forward to being more engaged in the parish outside of weekly church attendance.
And, I have recently found another way to make the days go by faster and with more enrichment than I ever thought possible. I’ve been single all my life, but I’ve filled the void for companionship by rescuing a terrier from the Rock County Humane Society.
I had never visited the place until the afternoon of the Indianapolis 500. I didn’t think my job hours or my irregularly scheduled lifestyle would allow me to be a responsible pet owner.
But after thinking long and had about the idea of owning a dog, I decided to go for it.
I’m sure when visitors walk through the two dog kennels at the facility, they find it almost impossible to ignore the barking from the dogs waiting to be adopted. You can practically hear each dog saying, “Pick me! Pick me!” with its plaintive yelps.
I know I couldn’t resist the little female terrier, named Tally, who was trying to act tough around one of the pit bulls. I spent about an hour with Tally that day, and then adopted her on Wednesday, May 27.
Tally is highly intelligent, energetic and, like most dogs if they’re treated well, loving. Her favorite snack, I hope the vet isn’t reading this, is Kraft American cheese singles. Tally is relentless when it comes to chasing a tennis ball around the backyard. Best of all, she’s great when riding in the car—except when I have to use the windshield wipers.
Anyhow, Tally and I have now discovered TV programs such as “The Dog Whisperer,” “It’s Me or the Dog,” and “Dogs 101.”
Yeah, those are niche shows, but entertaining and highly informative. I’m not sure who my favorite host is yet, the dog whisperer Cesar Milan or the dog trainer Victoria Stilwell.
Everybody keep fighting.
We’ll see you soon.
Jun 18, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
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John,
Thanks for sharing. I have two rescues from Illinios Bird Dog rescue, and have fostered for them. I honestly believe these dogs (and cats etc) know that they are rescued. They are so full of love and joy. Keep up the fight, I'm sure Tally will be with you all the way. Have you tried Paw Print Park yet, a great place for dog lovers!
Jun 18, 2009 at 8:21 a.m.
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Wonderful story. I'm so glad you have Tally. She'll give you a tremendous emotional boost as you proceed through your illness. I lost my 16 year old black Lab, Sugar, on May 19th (I adopted her almost 10 years ago from RCHS). On the same day, I discovered and adopted 5 year old Maggie May (an owner released Lhasa Opsa) who has filled a tremendous void in my life. She won't take Sugar's place in my heart but has her own place there. I don't have close family so my dog is my best friend and companion. Good luck with Tally ... enjoy each and every day with her.
Jun 17, 2009 at 11:57 p.m.
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Hey John just found your blog and sorry to hear of your battle. Noticed you wrote at 5:25 A.M. ?? is that correct? Don't recall you and Wiley ever seeing a sunrise or even 9:00. See your playing poker, sorry still can't compete with marathon "RISK" games with modified rules. Congrads on Tally, shelter dogs are the best ours is named of all things "CY". Keep up the good fight and take care.
Jun 17, 2009 at 11:54 p.m.
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I hope the two of you live a long and happy life together! Even if (God forbid) that isn't the case, just knowing you have given that animal even a PART of its life in pure happiness is something to be very proud of. My parents keep saying, "We don't want another pet. If something happens to us, what will happen to it?" And I say, "You are at least giving it a much nicer PARTIAL life!" (and one of us kids would always take it in if needed).
Something to think about if you're over 60 and stalling....
Jun 17, 2009 at 6:33 p.m.
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John - First of all, I echo the sentiments of many of the other posts. This may sound odd, but your attention to detail made the story more personal to me. You said "I had never visited the place until the afternoon of the Indianapolis 500" and of course I immediately rewound to where I was at that date and time, and realized that you were picking out a pup at the same time, thus making your story that much more real to me. Keep up the great work!
Jun 17, 2009 at 3:36 p.m.
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Great story! Hope you and Tally have a good long life together!
Jun 17, 2009 at 3:28 p.m.
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John,
Thanks for sharing the pics. I'm sad I missed the day she came to work.
Our first Great Dane, Alex, loved Kraft American cheese slices as well as carrots and ice cubes. He was an odd duck, but we were happy to have him; we got hime from a rescue and gave him a "forever home" for four years before he died of lymphoma.
And now our second and third Great Danes, Toby and Murphy, are filling the home with love.
Good luck with the pooch.
Kayla
Jun 17, 2009 at 1:56 p.m.
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i absolutely LOVE this, John...you have just blessed yourself with an enormous heaping of good Karma! Enjoy your new found Love. Sending you tons of healing energy and happiness.. much love, Loren.
Jun 17, 2009 at 1:19 p.m.
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Pets help us heal emotionally and physically. I have no doubt about this. Best wishes to you and Tally, John ... may the two of you have many, many happy years together. P.S. Just the image of Tally and those windshield wipers has me laughing outloud!
Jun 17, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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Your story made my day! Stay strong and God bless you and Tally!
Jun 17, 2009 at 8:48 a.m.
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What a wonderful thing you did. I am sure you will bring her as much love and joy as its clear she has you.. I like her SMILE!!!!!
Jun 17, 2009 at 8:46 a.m.
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John-
Great post, and great decision to rescue a dog. I grew up wanting a dog more than anything, and finally, when I was 28 and my wife and I had bought a house, my dream came true.
We've had Snickers for nearly four years now, and my wife and I agree that adopting her is probably the best decision we've ever made. We don't have any kids, so Snickers gets spoiled beyond belief.
Best of all, we know deep down that Snickers appreciates the fact that we gave her a "forever home." She was 1.5 years old when we adopted her, and we became her third set of owners. Although it's sad to think that not one, but two other people gave up on our best friend, but everything happens for a reason, right?
Anyway, keep up the fight against such a horrible disease. If nothing else, you know there's a wagging tail waiting for you when you get home.
Jun 17, 2009 at 8:32 a.m.
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John--> I took my first trip to the Humane's Society a year ago in January. I had just moved out of my parents,and decided besides having the 8 or so horses, that I needed a companion at home. I walked through the first two kennels thinking it was hopeless and that I would NEVER find a puppy. I walked into the 3rd kennel and found "Mickey" as they called him, all the way down at the end. He was about 8-10 weeks old, tiny, and scared. He looked up at me with those cute little eyes and I was smitten. I literally jogged up front, filled out my application, and picked him up the next day! I re-named him Rusty. He's a retriever/weiner dog mix, about 35lbs, and FULL OF ENERGY! I honestly couldn't have made a BETTER decision. He has already, in the short time we've spent together, been with me through some good and bad times, and can always cheer me up!
*******
I think it's great that you adopted Tally instead of going through a breeder ( no offense to them) as you "saved a life" so to speak. You two look very happy!! Good luck and keep fighting John!
Jun 17, 2009 at 8:07 a.m.
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Keep up the good fight John! Tally and St. Mary's will both be strong allies in your battle.
Jun 17, 2009 at 8:06 a.m.
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There is NOTHING better than a dog. I am so happy for you!!!! I watch the same shows that you do and I will also recommend Saturday nights Animal Planet *Groomer Has It* and *Beverly Hills Groomer*. Anyway, I don't know who is luckier, you or Tally. Again,,,I am SOOOOO HAPPY for you. I am sure she will bring you much happiness during the troubled times as my dog has.
Jun 16, 2009 at 7:46 p.m.
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It was a big day when you brought Tally to the newsroom.
Thanks for posting the pics!
Beth
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