What is the value of a life, when all is said and done? A record of good deeds, or great accomplishments? Being known for honesty, a loving heart?

This is Abby, our five-month-old grandpuppy. She is fighting her her life right now. She went in to be spayed on Monday, but reacted badly to the anesthesia, and then her blood didn’t clot normally–even though her pre-op blood tests were good. The vet thought she might be seeping blood somewhere, but she couldn’t have exploratory surgery and risk anesthesia again. By evening, her labwork wasn’t looking good, and the stress had sent her into acute kidney failure. There was thought of doing a transfusion, but that can bring its own risks for severely stressed puppy.

We are so blessed to have an excellent, dedicated vet. He stayed with her all night at the clinic, adjusting meds, checking her labs. This morning she looked awful–so edematous that her back legs looked like balloons and it was hard for her to move. Her labwork was worsening. The Lasix wasn’t working. This morning I prayed so hard for her to improve….for her kidneys to start working before it was too late.

The vet did more labwork and gently warned us that things weren’t looking good at all….but finally, the most recent dose of Lasix worked. She started peeing like crazy, which is just what she needed to do. Hallelujah! But she isn’t out of the woods yet. She’s diuresing, but her kidneys still aren’t working right, and could fail altogether. She is still under close veterinary supervision. And I am still praying that she can overcome this to return to her wildly joyous, boisterous puppy ways.

The experience, over the last twenty-four hours, has me thinking. What is the value of the life of one of our pets? Whatever it might be to someone else, to me there is no measure. You can have a terrible day and come home feeling miserable about yourself, but your dog still loves you without reservation–with his whole heart. Just by appearing, you fill his life with joy. All he wants, to make his life complete, is to be with you always–24/7 if possible. And how often do you find such pure, honest, unshakable love like that? Our Elmo will sit on my husband’s lap for hours (an interesting feat, since he’s a long, lanky Border Collie mix) and the two of them watch football and baseball games together, completely content. And Harold, our other Border Collie mix, is just as desperate for love and attention.

These two, and now little Abby, who visits our house a lot and often has sleepovers when our son has to travel, hold such a big place in my heart. She is so young, has so many years ahead of her–years of absolute devotion, and love, and companionship. I know that she is receiving the best of care, but I’m also praying for her….and giving thanks for the dedicated vet, who has now had to go through a full day of work with no sleep at all. He is a hero, in my book.

How about you…have you been through some tough times with your pets, but still had a good outcome? It would be nice to hear some uplifting stories!