Can't Win Every One

Well, beloveds, I'm afraid we can't put this one up in the win column. Not 100%, anyway. The vets stabilized our little guy overnight, and proceeded with the amputation surgery this afternoon. But then I got a call from them that just at the end of the procedure, his heart failed. They tried CPR, they said, and everything else, but to no avail. Honestly, it was a gamble from the start. He was so emaciated, the injury was so bad, and the infection so deep, we couldn't believe he was standing upright at all. My friend Hazel gets the Bodhisattva-of-the-Month award for not walking past him and saying, "Tsk, tsk, what a shame." Instead she determined to help, including bearing the cost, for what others might have thought of as "just a street dog." I'm very proud of her. I also have nothing but love for Vet Net, missionaries though they may be. I've found them to embody the finest compassionate qualities of Christ, and I and my critters are sure glad they're in the neighborhood.

All beings that are born, die, and we can look at this one instance from a positive angle. On his last day, he was gathered into the arms of a Buddhist monk who looked at him lovingly, soothed him, and murmured mantra in his ear. At the vet's, he was bathed, given fluids, and a comfortable, warm place to rest while all around the world, compassionate people (including a pretty red-hot lama or two) said a few prayers for him. Not the usual fate of a Mongolian street dog.

Now, if you care about dogs (and cats and parrots and wolves and horses and iguanas and turtles and rabbits and...), and I know you do, KPC has set up an organization to expand our obsessive penchant for animal rescue. It's called Tara's Babies, and it grew out of the efforts we made, under our teacher's direction, to save as many of the suffering pets as we could in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Please visit the Tara's Babies website here and the blog here. The most recent post on the latter details the heroic efforts of some women in rural Arkansas to save homeless dogs from being needlessly put to death. And, of course, our babies need kibble and birdseed and shelter and vet visits and such, so if you're inspired to throw a couple coins in the can, you have my word those funds go directly to the care and feeding of these little lovelies.

Comments

[minnie]

he's not suffering any more. that's a blessing.

[jules]

What a beautiful prayer that is...

It must have seemed so wonderful to that puppy, to finally be cared for so lovingly, to have someone try to help him. I'm so sorry he didn't make it, bless him. And bless you and Hazel for caring for him!

[Ryan]

Well, drat.

[Jim]

:(

[Carol of Seattle]

I'll put my 2 cents worth in here as an oncology nurse. We rarely get to 'save' people. But we do get to ease the pain and fear of their journey, which we hope helps their transition to a better incarnation. And we get the chance to practice compassion in the way that benefits all. Remember how you feel about this puppy, how you would have given anything at that last moment to have helped him. And apply it to the guy who cuts you off in traffic when you're late to work. Because there's really no difference between the two of them.

I have to go to a 'going away' party at my job now. The first person to confirm she was coming is the person who is responsible for driving both my partner and myself out of the hospital. How funny is that! So when she shows up today and tells me how sorry she is that I'm leaving, and I just want to strangle her... I'll remember 'Om Many Puppy Hugs' and try to be a better buddhist!

[sammy in iowa]

Thanks Konchog for the prayer; helped me to cry.

And thanks to Carol in Seattle. i am an occupational therapist pushed out of a job too. i really needed that mantra.

[Linda]

Dear Tomchog (I just can't resist calling you that - I can't):

A very heartening story about the rescue and the comfortable last day and night. I'm off to India in November for the second time and THE HARDEST thing for me over there are the street animals. I take pictures, I offer food, but it doesn't make much of a dent in the misery. I know I will feel a lot of pain over there for them and perhaps chanting will help me. Thank you for that.

[Carol]

That's sad. but at least he had a little love. Even if it was at the end.

[jill]

so sorry to hear that he didn't make it.at lest he was loved.

[minnie]

i don't necessarily want to put this one in the loss column. he died warm. he died fed. he died without pain. he died knowing that someone cared enough to take care of him when he couldn't. isn't that how we all wish to die?

[Tenzin]

I am a buddhist student from India . I am tibetan buddhist monk. and here we are studying buddhist philosophy here in south India . I mean to write you is for just share our interesting different cultures and different places... Today i am very eager to send you mail so we can keep our relation forever if you wish to do. Actually i am very interest to make dharma friendship with new good peoples. I like playing cricket nd traveling. So far i never been out from India . I was born in north India the place called LADAKH. all of my parent are living overthere. But i am living in south India for my studying. All of my parent are living in north India ( Ladakh ), during the summer season in ladakh they have lots of foreigner for visit our place. Majority them are very interest on climb Himalayan mountain. Here the weather is so good nd just few days rainy season was started, so weather is so cool. I always like to peace in the world.. Please try to visit our monastery if you interest www.serajeymonastery.org
One day you would like to visit our monastery then most welcome by all of our monks.

Hope you hear about our tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. I hope you plz support our Tibet Country to get freedom from China....... We are really sad news..hope you knew detail about Tibet. Thank you very much for us to support our Tibet by many westner.

Hope our relation will remain forever...

Your dharma friend
Tenzin