Dogs have feelings too...

Since the last post, Chanc has been feeling a bit under the weather, but thankfully she is doing much better now. I hesitated to write about what happened, but I think it will put that much more perspective on why she and other dogs are therapy dogs and especially why humans and animals have such a special bond.
About four weeks ago, Chanc showed all of the signs of being pregnant. However, after watching her health go downhill for a couple weeks I knew something wasn't right. I took her to the veterinarian and after a full day of tests and x-rays it was determined that Chanc had gone through a "false pregnancy". I won't bore you with all the physical reasons why this happens, but I think it is important to mention the emotional reaction she and other female dogs have when this occurs. Their deepest emotional reaction is one of mourning. Chanc became very depressed because she felt as if her own baby pups had died. Many times when a momma dog goes through this they will bury their toys as a coping mechanism because they think they are burying their very own pups who have passed away. Chanc still isn't herself, but I believe she needs time to process what she has gone through. She feels as if she has had a death in her life and it is teaching me the importance of human mourning and of us being there for one another through our difficulties. It isn’t just that I am watching her go through this, but I am also walking through it with her. I am reminded that her instincts are allowing her to process her emotions and she is a perfect example of what it means to be gentle with yourself when you are feeling down. I think many times we learn emotions are weakness but in essence they give us that much more strength, and we can’t always just ignore or “stuff our feelings”. As in Chanc’s case, they have to be expressed somehow.
As I was writing this update I was thinking about the movie "Marley and Me" and the part when Jennifer has a miscarriage…Marley is at her side through every tear and all of her mourning. Chanc will begin her work as a therapy dog at the Regions hospital in a couple of weeks and I hope that she will be able to be at others sides as they mourn as well. I am convinced that animals can feel emotions just like we humans can, and because of this it produces a bond that nothing can compare to.

Happy Holidays and thank you for reading Chanc's blog! ©