Good Things: Lessons from Fur Babies

A few months ago, I wrote a good things blog about the fact that I believe puppies, dogs–really fur babies of any kind–are one of the best things in this world.  (You can read it here.)  I’ve introduced you to Valentine, our very first fur baby who helped me tremendously as we battled infertility.  If you are a regular here at Not So Mommy…, then you know who Maddie is!  Her adorable smiling face pops up from time to time on your Facebook and Instagram feeds.  ? She has been a lifeline as I accept my childless life.  I have learned many lessons from fur babies…

Our Second Fur Baby

Today, I want to introduce you to our second fur baby, Prancer.  I don’t talk about her as much, but I think about her often.  She was only with us for 7 years, but her impact on our life was incredible…

We got Prancer from a pet store in November 2001.  I know, I know.  You should never buy a puppy from a pet store.  But Prancer needed a good home just as much as any other puppy.  We fell in love, and we bought her.

Prancer on Not So Mommy…

She was only 2.6 pounds when we brought her home and fit inside my houseshoe.  She loved to sleep there!  She also loved to chew.  On everything.  Including our carpet.  Thank goodness we were remodeling and needed to replace it anyway!  (My hubby and I always seem to be remodeling…)  She loved her big brother, but he only tolerated her.  (In fact, Valentine didn’t speak to us for a week after we brought her home!)  And she was a ball full of energy that would bolt out the door if you weren’t careful.  She scared me quite a few times doing that!

To be honest, my hubby and I didn’t have a clue what we were doing when we brought Prancer home.  Now, I realize that we had Valentine already.  But we got him when he was 9 months old and the lady we bought him from was training him to be a show dog.  (Yes, I know.  You shouldn’t buy from breeders either.  But man, am I glad we got Valentine!)  So, we didn’t really have to train Val.  He just did what he was supposed to…  But Prancer…  How the heck were we supposed to train this 8 week old puppy?!

Let the training begin…

Well, we tried.  We would take her outside to go potty.  She would get distracted and start playing with the leaves.  We’d finally come inside and she’d promptly potty in the living room.  (Luckily, it had hardwoods.)  We got better, but she never really got trained properly…

But she was just too darn cute and too darn little to punish!  And that was before we knew about crate training…

So, our Baby Girl chewed, made messes, and bolted out the door to run like a crazy woman whenever she got the chance!  But at about 5 years old, she started slowing down because her joints started failing.  She had several knee surgeries, but after the last one, she never walked again.  We would have considered a doggie “wheelchair,” but her front joints were failing as well…

The most difficult decision…

So, Prancer only seven years old, could no longer run and play and explore.  Our veterinarian, whom we trusted completely, told us that we should really consider letting her go…  It was the most difficult decision that we ever had to make.  But ultimately, we let our Prancer cross the rainbow bridge…  I’m quite certain that she bolted through those pearly gates and after checking things out for a bit, ran to her Grandpa Troy for cuddles!  (Thankfully, there are no allergies in Heaven!)

Lessons from Fur Babies

So, why am I sharing what seems to be a sad story on Good Things Monday?  Because Prancer taught us so many lessons, so many good things…

She taught us to live life to the fullest.  To run as fast and hard as you can, as long as you can.

She taught us to get cuddles whenever possible.  Prancer would look at you and bark until you picked her up.  Once she was cradled in your arms, she was silent.  If she wasn’t running and exploring, she wanted to be cuddled up next to you!

She taught us to keep smiling even in the midst of trials.  Valentine was the most regal, well-behaved little boy.  Maddie is the spunkiest and cutest ever.  But Prancer…  Prancer was the sweetest.  Even after multiple surgeries, even when she couldn’t walk, even when she was in pain, she was always, always sweet.

Lytle Family 2007

And, perhaps most importantly, she taught us how to let go.  We didn’t want to say “see you later.”  We didn’t want to go back to a family of three.  But it would have been selfish of us to make her live a sedentary life full of pain and pills simply because we didn’t want to let go…

And that is why I am sharing Prancer’s story with you this Good Things Monday.  Because her life, albeit short, was a beautiful testament to how one should live and how one should let go…

Fabulous ones, what lessons from fur babies have you learned?  Tell us about it in the comments.

Featured Photo:  Elliott Chau of StockSnap.io