This might come as a surprise to some of you, but life as a quadriplegic ain’t always full of fairytales and picnics. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have more than my share of awesome days and love life, and all that good stuff, but sometimes when I get sick it just really sucks. Now, I try to keep my focus away from these crappier days in life, but figured I might as well share the wonderful difference Caleb made in my life last week when I was a sicky.
You see this whole being sick as a quadriplegic is full of not funness. You know the whole overall restlessness you get when you’re sick, wanting to thrash around and stuff when you’re in bed… well makes you almost feel like a prisoner when you’re paralyzed and can’t thrash around. Then there is the whole not being able to sweat which makes fevers quickly skyrocket out of control. And the the chills which for non-quadriplegics make you shiver all over, but for us with only biceps that activate make our arms contract right up into our face. Lots of fun stuff, and almost enough of the boohoo me stuff, but last week I had a silly little UTI get out of control because I couldn’t feel what was going on and got super sick because of it.
Crazy sick really… 103.9°F fever, shivering uncontrollably, restless, like absolute misery except for one wonderful thing… Caleb the super dog (okay, two wonderful things… Got some really great parents too). It’s like he just knew that something was up with me and did everything he could do to make me feel better. When I was freezing cold and couldn’t get warmed up, Caleb would jump up in bed and help warm me up… yeah he’s a heater. When my arms got contracted he’d help hold them in place. Back and forth, up and down, on and off the bed throughout the night he went as I got hot and cold over and over again. You would think he’d get irritated with all this waking up and getting up/down business, but not a chance he was there to help me and give me comfort however he could.
Even the next day when everyone else was up and at em, eating breakfast and having coffee, Caleb just wanted to stay with me to make me feel better. The comfort he gave me during these crappy sick days was just incredible… Talk about unconditional love!
So yeah, all the service dog things are great… picking up my cell phone when I drop it, tugging open doors, making the pretty ladies smile at me, yeah that’s all great stuff, but where Caleb really saved the day this past week was in the unconditional love and comfort he gave me. Just really feels wonderful to have any living thing love you and to love it back so much!
Aren’t animals amazing!
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Mike- this is fantastic – anyone who doesn’t have a dog has no idea what they do for us humans, physically emotionally and raise our happy meter! – we just rescued another pup – a little shiz who has brought so much fun to our home – Leo also has become a real buddy for our other pup Sydney, who just loves having a buddy to play and walk with!
Absolutely! I couldn’t imagine life without Caleb… would definitely feel like something major is missing. Don’t know how those non-dog people do it! Glad to hear you rescued another, and we’ll have to get Sydney up the street for good play session before the snow blankets us.
Hi Mike! Caleb sure is a stud. It’s amazing how something that can’t even talk can be an absolute best friend. Caleb is a one of a kind soul mate to you and the family. I am so happy you found him 🙂
Me too, but he misses his cousin, Daisy. Opps, just said her name and he has perked up and gone off across the room to rescue his raccoon!
Hi Mike just a line to say I am glad your feeling better.
I am sure Caleb is to, guess there is a storm coming maybe
thur. We will see you before then. gram
Hey Gram, feeling much, MUCH better! 100% myself I’d have to say. And Caleb is liking the hustle and bustle of a busy me much more than a sick me! Thanks for the message!
Love you!
Mike, this is incredible…in tears reading it actually (and I don’t cry easily) :). Anyone that has someone or something in their life that can love you through the tough times like this, is truly blessed. Thanks for sharing. Keep writing…you’re an inspiration. Think we’re due for a drink soon eh? 🙂
Uh, oh… I made a weepy girl! Feel like I hit the jackpot with my boy… Best dog in the whole world. I’ll let him work on his picking up cute chicks game next time you’re in town. 😉 A good visit is long overdue!
Hi Mike! Your Mom told me you were back on-line – so I’m just catching up. I love your Caleb stories – what an amazing partnership you have! Glad he helped get your through a bad spell. Hugs to all!
Hey Karyn! Super excited to know you’re still following along? Expect many more Caleb stories in the coming days :-). He’s sacked out snoozing on the couch right now as I type!
Hey Mike, I guess we were lucky, both sick the same week 🙂 I had a miserable cold & it’s always nice to have the comfort of these great dogs when you’re feeling lousy. Your story is so well written. We able bodied people really don’t know how lucky we are – even when we’re sick. Thanks so much for your willingness to share and your honest writing style. We puppy raisers feel great sense of accomplishment knowing we’ve helped people like you. Give Caleb a big hug for me! He’s fantastic.
I’d give Caleb a great big hug right now if he wasn’t sacked out on the couch enjoying the warm sun blasting in through the windows!
Jim, always great to hear from you and really looking forward to that day when we can meet face-to-face and let our pups out for a good ruckus. Till then, thanks for the kind words and you know… You don’t have to copy me what I get sick!
This is a great picture!
Sorry to hear you have been sick, I spent the last week in Chicago helping my daughter with her condo. Love to hear the story about Caleb and I’m happy that of all the people in training, he picked you to be his bro’mate. Raising him Chris and I new he was special. He was always attentive and knew when something wasn’t quite right and he would let you know he cared. God Bless you and Caleb
Bruce