Well… not today, but yesterday. But I still feel the shock, terror, and gut-wrenching feeling that came over me around 3:45 pm, yesterday afternoon. Here’s what happened…
I was inside, finishing up a call with a client, when all of a sudden I heard a whimpering noise. “Oh brother, I thought… what now?” My dogs, well ‘dog’ really, Reggie is known to get himself in quite a bit of trouble. I’m convinced that this was the worst situation he’s found himself in, hopefully for good.
I open the back door to the deck and realize- REGGIE IS HANGING BY HIS LEASH!
Now if any of you read the post from Thursday over on elizabethscala.com, you will realize that Reggie’s hanging there was more than just about the fact that my dog could in fact die right in this moment! 3 years ago, December 16th 2010, my uncle was found hanging in his garage.
Couple that image (that thankfully I did NOT see) with the image I now have of pulling my dog up over the railing by his leash, somehow getting his 65+ pounds back onto steady ground… you could say I’ve had a bit of a rough weekend.
Ok- now that the immediate shock has subsided… I ask myself, “What is the lesson to be learned in all of this? How can I take this experience and teach my readers and followers something good?” Because if you’ve been following me for some time, you probably know, I believe there is a lesson to be learned in every experience.
Just the other day I found myself pondering: What would I do if tragedy struck again? How would I handle it? With all of this ‘self-help’ stuff I practice and preach; would I be able to really live it in time of crisis?
I guess this was a true test of time.
Some people read my blogs or watch my videos and say: “Well, that sounds all well and good for you. But life happens. It’s easier said than done.”
While I do agree that life does happen- I also stand by my belief that it’s how we cope with what life throws at us that matters.
My dog almost died. I found him flailing around, hanging by his leash. Memories of Billy’s death flooded my head. I’m still here. I can learn and grow, hence heal, from this experience. So what can I teach you today?
- Key point: Life does happen; it’s how you cope with what shows up that counts.
- If you are feeling depressed, angry, or stressed out already… you’re probably going to cope a lot worse when ‘life’ comes your way.
- By having a steady base, a strong foundation of well-being, self-care practices in place- you can better cope with the challenging ‘life’ curveballs.
- And maybe I’m human. I did find myself sobbing uncontrollably, doubled over with pain yesterday afternoon. I had to call and tell my husband and sister, reaching out for their support. It still stings a bit, every time I look at Reggie and think about what ‘could’ have happened.
No one’s perfect and through this work that I do I don’t claim to be. I can only be a role-model and example for you. So what have I done about it so that I can learn and heal from this?
- Even though my face was swollen and my eyes were sore from crying; I did go to my Reiki share last night and allow myself to receive peace from the healing.
- Every time I think of this whole mess, I catch myself, and do what I’ve been teaching all of you: think of something positive. (At least he is alive).
- And never, ever leave that damn dog unattended in leashes-reach from a ledge! (HA! Find humor in everything you do…)
And maybe there’s still more to learn… I guess I’ll enjoy the ride to find out.
Have fun this weekend my friends! Do something healthy and enjoyable just for you. Hug yourself and give a big GRIN to you in that mirror. Love yourself and you can love all others.
What a sad but beautiful story of love, devotion and strength on your part! We all have been in situations as nurses in which we reacted to save a life but when it’s one of our own, we instantly freeze. Still that sense of duty kicks in and we do whatever it takes to make things right. It’s fight or flight. The adrenaline kicks in and YOU saved Reggie’s life and don’t think he doesn’t know it! He will be your friend for life and you his. Yes, there is a lesson to be learned from this…….
Well, thank you Marti. You know, that does feel good. To know that I saved his life and to know that somewhere deep inside that cooky-crazy brain of his, somehow he knows it too. Thanks a bunch for your uplifting comment!
Elizabeth,
What a powerful story, and what personal sharing. You are so courageously transparent, and you offer a huge life lesson for us all in translating a potentially tragic story into deep learning.
I lost a dear friend to suicide by hanging in 2009, and have lost several other friends to suicide and one dear friend to murder. Talking about these sorts of events and experiences is important to our healing.
Interestingly, I found my dog Sparkey hanging by his leash from the car back when he was a puppy. Luckily, I found him in time, just as you found your sweet dog just in time as well.
Blessings on you, this deep, thoughtful process of self-reflection, and the lives of you, your family and your canine companions.
Love,
Keith
Keith,
Thank you for coming by, reading the post, and sharing your comment. I appreciate you taking the time; I appreciate your transparency as well. It is scary that both of us have found our dogs hanging… no one should have to go through that. But as I share in this post, as you share in your work and writing, we learn from everything. I am sure there are more lessons still to be learned from this; I am open to receive those as they come.
Have a lovely day,
Elizabeth