Thirteen-year-old Hudson, recently diagnosed with inoperable canine cancer, is a model of resilience, positivity and grace in the face of sickness.
A month ago, when he was first diagnosed, he couldn’t stand up without help. But that didn’t stop him from meeting me when I came home. He crawled his way out of the kitchen–where he stakes out his food bowl–to the front door to greet me.
It didn’t stop him from jumping at the opportunity to go on two-mile walks on forest trails near our house.
Once we got him a Help ‘Em Up Harness, I could lift his hips, and away he ‘d go–stopping to visit with people who passed by and leaning into those he especially liked–a classic Golden Retriever move.
When a friend , Susan, and her dog came over to walk with us, I told Hudson, “Your friends are here.” This set off a frenzy of excitement. Hudson barked and begged to go outside, then hobbled out to greet them.
He didn’t hesistate to gobble down his food when I started adding new ingredients, like bone broth, to his meals.
Never grouchy, he welcomed grooming by our cat, Indigo, and when she stepped up her attention–as if realizing he needed extra kisses and love–he…well…tolerated it.
Here’s the good news. Since we began giving Hudson, GI Fortify, Turkey Tail mushrooms and Max’s Formula Teapills, all recommended by our holistic vet–he began to improve.
His fur isn’t falling out anymore. His deep bark is returning (although sometimes it’s still a croak) and his mobility has improved. While he still needs the Pull ‘Em Up Harness to get up the stairs at night and to walk down the stairs in the morning, he generally can get up and walk around by himself. It takes nearly an hour to trek two miles on our forest trails, with lots of ball-catching, treats and rests, but he’s always eager to hike, and hike some more.
And he’s wagging his tail more–when he greets strangers, when I come home or when it’s time to eat. He’s also gaining weight,
When a friend recently told me, “Hudson is so lucky to have you as his best friend,” I had to correct her.
No, I’m the lucky one.
Even when I’m helpong him up, hand-feeding him his meals (to help get his medicine down), or checking his breathing, he’s my cheerleader, my hiking companion, my anchor.
Even when I’m worrying about his panting, stumbles or energy level, Hudson makes me feel safe.
You can listen to Hudson bark in the last two of our four audiobooks. We’re releasing the fourth very soon, stay tuned!