A Lesson in Adapting from my Dog

 

I learned a few lessons in the past few years about “adapting” and believe it or not I learned some of it from walking my dog, Sparky. A very long story short– my puppy broke his little leg when I first got him. Now you would look at him and never know the difference. He jumps, walks, licks and runs. He likes to be cuddled, and he loves beyond measure.


He is a 9lb. Papillion and he used to have a large heavy cast on his leg. It broke my heart. He couldn’t walk, and he looked so sad.

I was shocked within a few days he went from not walking and crying… to a funny, awkward hop here and there to walking. Then after a week or two, he had a full run happening all over the apartment- cast and all! He acted just like his old self and you would never know the difference. He acted the same with 3 working legs as he did with four. Same adorable loving personality.

My puppy didn’t think about adapting – he just did. He wanted to run and play- so he found a way to. As I started to think about this. I realized how much I “adapt” in my daily life. How many things I just do differently and don’t even think about it. How I schedule my day, how I dress.. my choices have become adaptations. A little extra blush for days I am pale… or sneakers and flats instead of tall shoes.

People who live with any invisible disease become masters of adaptation. The funny thing is I don’t think they give themselves credit for it. They live their life and constantly have to rearrange or plan ahead to overcompensate for certain limitations of their given disease. They are never given the credit this skill and juggling deserves. As I took the time to notice my little puppy making great strides in his recovery- walking with a cast– I realized that so many of my friends living with Lupus (and other invisible diseases) adapt on a daily basis. We do not get praise or recognition. We do it because we know no other way.

So here is my personal appreciation for those out there who “keep up the act”, who keep on smiling, and who adapt with grace and style.
My puppy is now a dog, and you would think he was fine. I guess you would think I am fine too as I walk him down the street…. but we both have a cute little limp.
Written by Christine Miserandino, ButYouDontLookSick.com

©2024butyoudontlooksick.com

  • Such a sweet story and HOW TRUE! They simply adapt, while I moan and complain about it, resent that I need to choose sensible instead of fashionable, Hell, just waking makes me angry that I have to adapt. I figure your pup’s got it right!

    Thanks for sharing and many spoon filled hugs!

  • Thank you for this sweet article. I enjoyed reading about your puppy’s adaptations. It is amazing to me how pets and wildlife always find a way to adapt, when some of us don’t get it quite as quickly. Animals don’t seem to go through the mourning period that many of us are burdened with.

    I am glad to be through my mourning period and on to my adaptations… walking with a limp, using a cane, wearing my braces, but still trying to keep smiling, and living in the present moment.

  • Debra Colorio

    Thanks for the acknowledgement of how so many of us do cope daily. I have a dog that has blessed me with his sweet lovable upbeat personality. I learn from him often to seek what I can be happy about, even for the smiles he brings to my heart.

  • Sherrie Nelson

    Day by day, sometimes hour by hour – – you do what you have to do to stay as active as you can. Nobody would know that you hurt so bad, every step you take, everytime you reach for something, or bend to pick something up –

    Sometimes standing there with a blank expression – you know you were going to do something – but can’t remember what it is – how do you explain to someone that you just forgot what you were thinking? Immediate family is easier to be with – but when you are out in public, sometimes the looks – or actions of others make me want to say I am sorry for being in your way! I try to not cry when I talk about my lack of energy, my pain at every movement, the reasons I don’t want to be active – really not because I don’t want to, but because I am unable to –

    Blessings to all that are suffering with an invisible illness – – and love their families too – they do suffer too!

  • Lisa Currall

    Thank you. Getting on the site today and reading this was perfect timing. You put what we all do in the perfect words.

    Blessings,
    Lisa

  • We do it because we’re alive. There’s only so much of being sick anyone can stand. People call it courage and it winds up being boredom, eventually some idea works and adaptation happens.

    I didn’t know any of my disabilities were physical till I was in my forties except for my scoliosis. But as I look back, all of my quirks, habits, tastes and specific, personal ways of doing things were adaptations that let me do things at all. Far from being apathetic, I was intense, passionate, active – whenever I could manage it. And when I rested up, I followed this lesson from my cat, from every cat I’ve ever known.

    I meant to do that. Of course it’s what I do, it’s because I do things my way. Bit of a shock to find out how much My Way was My Disease’s Way… but I’m starting to bounce back from it and reflect that’s still a good attitude.

  • Kristen

    When I read your blogs (and/or guest’s blogs) it often makes me stop and think how true your words are. Most of the time, you wouldn’t think anything was wrong by looking at me…(or perhaps, one might think “gee if she only loses some weight.” when I am walking tenderly or limping slowly up or down stairs).
    But most of the time, I am adapting to my environment and changing what I do and how I do it so that I may accomplish it to the best of my abilities at the time.
    Not many people know I have RA/Lupus/Sjogren’s. I am not sure how I feel about people knowing…I don’t want the pity, I would LOATHE the comments from uneducated, well meaning “friends” and more often than not I push through any pain or difficulties I have so they may not even believe I have an illness anyway.
    I guess what I am trying to say is thank you for your website, opinions, insight etc…
    It’s nice to be able to read other’s words and know what I am going through.
    Continued success!

  • mer

    🙂 I call myself an actress 🙂

  • luv sharma

    hey there, as i sit and wait to pick up my pup from the vet’s, your story brings tremendous hope.
    it’s probably not serious – he fell down some stairs and the vet saw the x-rays and said nothing major was apparent. she’s going to send it to a radiologist tomorrow to see further growth plate issues.
    But here again, thanks. it’s been just 10 days since i got my boy and im really upset at having let him climb those wretched stairs.