When I first adopted Cora, it wasn’t because I thought she was sweet or cute. It was because her need was so great. For quite some time that was the basis of our relationship. As we grew to know each other that changed.I got to know her quirks and she got to know mine. She found out I like it when she leans against me and I found that she liked to have her ears rubbed. In the last week or two our relationship has changed again. Cora’s stump has gotten progressively worse since she injured it 10 days ago. It’s extremely painful to her. I keep wanting to help and fix and feeling frantic when I can’t. As much as I want to help, Cora is showing me how to cope. When I let her be, gets on with her life. She’s playing when she’s up to it. She’s exploring and getting into mischief. When she can’t, she sleeps.
Cora is doing more than just coping. She’s growing. In the last week or so, she’s finally mastered something that comes easy for dogs. She can eat her food out of her bowl without struggle. I know, it sounds like such a small thing. Here’s how it goes, first she has to find the bowl. She can’t see it but she can smell the food. She can hear it going in. In the past, Cora would get so excited her brain would shut down. She knew it was there and would just crash around making things harder, sometimes knocking over the bowl, because she couldn’t be calm enough to use her senses and search. Now she’s at the bowl and the smell is overpowering and she’s 
hungry and she doesn’t have much of any sense of feeling on her muzzle. So, not only can she not see the food that’s not there, she can’t feel it hitting her lips. So she would often accidentally push food away while trying to bite it and again, frustration would take over and she’d flail and push herself completely away from the bowl. But the last few days I’ve put the food in the bowl, she’s run up to it and quickly guzzled it down.
I look at the damage to her stump and feel sick, but then I see Cora’s strength and she gives me strength. I feel so awful about the current situation. That Cora is going to have a second amputation but I also feel blessed. I am sharing life with a being of amazing will power and desire to live. I am sharing my life with a being who can love and fight tenaciously. I am sharing my life with Cora the Determined.
You are both determined and already victorious:-) I could not even begin to imagine the commitment that it takes every hour of everyday to meet Cora’s needs. Just this little glimpse into your feeding ritual and the struggles she has with the simple task of eating.
The fact that you are able to continue on This journey and relish in the smallest of victories is a tribute to the special soul you are. You can see the progress and you can see a brighter future.:-) 🙂
The pictures of Cora are beautiful. She is experiencing the happiness of being a dog in nature and you’ve made that happen for her.
Who knows the lessons this journey will open
up to you….who knows the outcome for Cora as a result of your devotion…….you can know for certain right now that you have infused love and joy into a living feeling being who deserves a chance.
Cora is determined and has a will to live like no other. And you are a strong determined woman who has a resolve an commitment to help Cora like o others can!!
Let us help you in anyway when you feel a little less strong or a little less determined. We are all here for you and admire you for all you are doing for Cora.
Please take good care of you:-) 🙂 Sally and Happy Hannah
I am so happy that you & Cora have become such a good team & learning from each other. As I read this I am crying. Not sad tears but Happy that you two are doing so well and that Cora is learning so much from you and you from her. It is an awesome thing to watch. I know you don’t want Cora to have to go through this other amputation but it will help and I think that she will do so much better once she isn’t in the pain that she is from it.
Hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Cora is going to great because she has a great team behind her (you and floyd!). She is a strong strong girl and is going to do amazing and fly through this just like she has everything else! We are all here for you!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Wow Cora, you are a true Tripawds Goddess. I really think that you were put on this earth for a reason, and I can see what a great effect you are having on your Momma. As hard as your journey has been so far I know things will get better and better as you both learn how to cope with life’s challenges with all the grace and courage that fills your soul.
We can all learn so much from you. It’s a real honor to have you here.