A Triumphant Life
By: Maximus (a grateful
yellow Lab)
I was only 4 months
old when I was adopted by my loving family. That was three years ago now that I
was welcomed into a home and life, which I continue to celebrate with great joy
& gratefulness each day.
I was in a shelter
waiting with other animals longing to be adopted. We all felt lonely, sad and
insignificant. I sat there day after day
waiting and hoping that one day I would be chosen to be loved. Suddenly looking up I locked eyes with a woman,
whose compassionate loving gaze gave me a feeling of worth, belonging &
hope. Her smile erased my loneliness, if
even for that moment, because suddenly she was gone. Just then, I felt that loving gaze upon me
once again! She and her husband appeared
and said to me… “ we’ve come to bring you home”. My
excitement kept my thoughts off of my poor health. The mention of my new
name: “MAXIMUS.” instantly made me feel
like I could overcome any illness that I may be fighting. Their loving touch
made me feel strong & loved immediately!
Upon our arrival at my new home, another member of my family
was waiting to greet me. “MAXIMUS has
come home” she exclaimed! Even the way she said my name caused me to feel
triumphant! I had never been happier, I
ran and played and wanted to explore every inch of my new home. They had toys for me. My favorite soon became
a “rubber chicken”. I also love the soccer ball! I had a comfortable clean bed to sleep in
too!
But it wasn’t very long that I began to realize that my health
was breaking down. I retreated into
secluded areas outside the house alienating myself unwillingly from the family
I had already come to love. I felt their concern and constant attention trying
to figure out what was happening to me. Little did any of us realize that I was
dying. They
picked me up and rushed me to a trusted Vet. He took one look at me and
immediately recognized the disease Parvo.
He refused to treat me. He offered no hope for my survival and
recommended that they take me back to the facility I came from because (in his
words) “He is circling the drain”.
My family refused to accept this diagnosis. In the short
time I lived with them I sensed a strong spirit & passion for life! They
were not going to give up on me. Each
day for them is a new beginning, full of love, hope, courage, joy and the
wonder of God’s beauty. They believed
that my destiny was to live and soar, and that together we would believe for a
miracle!” I heard them praying for a miracle”!
So with this determination they rushed me to the animal hospital.
Observing the seriousness of my condition, I was accepted immediately.
Confirming the diagnosis of Parvo, the Doctor did not offer much hope, as she
had never seen a recovery from this disease at this level. At a treatable level
it would take 3 to 6 weeks and still doubtful that I would live for more than 2
or 3 days at the most.
As they left they reminded me that my entire family would be
praying for me. I remembered hearing that my home was built on 18 acres and
that the number “18” symbolizes life. How I longed to return to run with all my
energies on this land with new life! And how it just so happened that I was
adopted on August 18th…LIFE again! My family named me “MAXIMUS” and
told me it meant “strength and honor” and as I fell under the medication I felt
their prayers and the significance of all these signs surrounding me especially
at this critical time.
Prayers were answered. A miracle occurred! I not only
recovered my strength, my recovery in only 2 days was a record for this
hospital! Today I am a very happy and
grateful Lab. I live each day to the fullest! Everyday is new and full of
wonder. My prayer is that all animals would be rescued & adopted into loving
families just like me. We have so much love to give. Love will always lead us all to live a
triumphant life!
