One year ago today…

I was getting dropped off at the vet to have yet another body part removed. I never did find out what happened to my skull when they cut it out. I heard my Mom ask for it, but the doctor just laughed at her. She was serious, but he didn’t seem to think so. Anyway, it’s gone.

So is my leg. We didn’t get that back either. Not so much as the metal plates from my TPLO. She really wanted those.

Good riddance, I suppose. By the time they hacked it off, it was mostly giving me grief anyway. First the knee surgery, then the cancer. If I’m being honest, I really don’t miss it.

Anyway, my Mom made this video of me to commemorate the past twelve months. In case you forgot, when this whole chapter started, my Dad said we we were going to go to our cabin every moment possible to celebrate the Summer of Lincoln. He would have never believed that summer would slide into fall which turned into winter which has now pretty much melted into spring.  We just keep taking things one day at a time.  My Mom has lots of quotes to keep my spirits up.  One of them is by Mary Anne Radmacher and my Mom says it reminds her of me… “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

One year ago today everything seemed really grim. Today seems pretty great. It turns out that we are all a lot stronger than we ever thought possible. We’ve learned that strength can be found in many places.

I’m still here and I’m still fighting. My Mom told me this saying once, and even though some may say Dr. Seuss isn’t really a philosopher, we like his message as much as any of those other writers – he said, “I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”

As long as I walk (or hop) this earth, I’m going to keep wagging and keep swimming, but most of all, I’m going to keep on swinging. My Mom says I just don’t have any quit in me. She’s right, I hope.

Also, I apologize for how long the video is. My Mom gets pretty carried away when it comes to showing me off.

Author: credocanis

Lincoln is a huge golden who has had one brain surgery, two ACL surgeries, and one rear leg amputation. Yikes.

7 thoughts on “One year ago today…”

  1. lincoln, congrats on a major accomplishment!!! you are a rock star (and even a rock and ‘roll’ star!!!). as usual, you give such sage musings – causing us to stop in our tracks and remember what’s really important in this life. thanks for being a guiding light to all us survivors.

    gayle & charon

  2. Lincoln- a one year ampuversary deserves a long video! You look awesome.
    Keep on showing everyone how it is done big guy.

    Karen and the pugapalooza

  3. Oh, Lincoln, happy happy ampuversary, you big, red, beautiful boy. I just know from now on every time someone says, “roll with it,” I’m going to get an image of you.

    Beautiful sentiments and beautiful video.

    Smoochies, high fives, and belly rubs from Catie, Riley and me.

  4. “Quit” isn’t in the Tripawd vocabulary!

    Congratulations Lincoln, we are simply awestruck by your presence and your courage. Thank you for being here to share your Tripawd journey with us.

    Hoppy Ampuversary!!!!

  5. Lincoln! You are so cool. And why must you make me cry like this?! First I got choked up at your quote about courage– love it. It reminds me of one I like about bravery: Bravery does not mean you are not afraid. Bravery means you are afraid and you are going to do it anyway.

    Your video was awesome and I cried the whole time. I am a sucker for Tripawds, what can I say. I just told another Tripawd about you. His name is Dakota Dawg and his mom is Sheri (sp?). Sheri reminds me of your mom, Rhonda: a big heart and moxie! You might have seen their post on the forums– they received Indi’s Ruff Wear harness via Angel Exchange.

    Thank you for sharing your video and your story. A one year ampuversary is a BIG deal! I am so happy for you. Tomorrow I go to California for six weeks. I’ll be with my man for the first week, and friends and family. Then for four weeks I’ll be working on a farm. I’m going to bring some of Indi with me (because all of her is really heavy!) and I just got inspired to wear her tag on a necklace so she is close to my heart and I am never alone.

    I’ll keep checking in on you, sweet red-headed Lincoln.

    Love Raina & Spirit Indi

  6. Lincoln, are you and your mom ever going to write again? Miss hearing from you two.

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