because calorie don’t count when your heart has to wait 7-10 days for a lab report!

Bandit slept well throughout the night. I had to adjust her bandage as it was too tight with the swelling. Once we got that fixed up and her paw circulation returned to good we both dozed off.

My Dad always warned me about tying my wellbeing to an animal (2 or 4 legged). I guess now in my mid 40’s I understand what he meant. But honestly I’m not sorry. I know I’m definitely more feelings driven than many people. I know the heartbreak that comes with loving someone/something so deeply but I also know the joy. I know that no matter how this journey progresses I will never have regrets over bringing this beautiful (anxious, health problematic, bossy,EXPENSIVE) hound into our family. Bandit showed up when I needed her the most and she got me through those excruciatingly long, lonely days when my Dad’s dementia raged the worst. Her soft ears and warm hound squish offered moments of decompression for my exhausted, overwhelmed brain and my broken heart. Shes a living, breathing hound scented weighted blanket!

Sometimes I think Mom and Muffin hand picked her for me. The perfect mix of love and wild anxiety. They sent me a 4 legged version of me! Which is both beautiful and gut wrenchingly horrific!!!

This dog is 1/3 of my whole world. She means everything to me and I want the absolute best for her. I know in my heart that may not end up looking like what I’d planned for but whatever the next page of this journey looks like we will get through it together. Hand in paw! 🐾 💕