Finding Joy in the Journey

These last couple of days have been sad ones in our family. Today we found out that our dog Casey has cancer. I know that we have quite a few family members and friends that just don't understand the whole dog thing. Many of you have heard me complain about having a dog. I didn't grow up with a family dog, and didn't really plan on having one as an adult either. Mike however always had a dog growing up, so when we bought our first home that was the first purchase on his list. A dog can be so frustrating and annoying. They are messy, hyper, they poop in the yard, they are expensive, they want lots of attention, and on and on. But they are also loyal, comforting, protecting, and always loving. We got Casey 7 years ago to replace our first dog who also died of cancer. Watching that dog suffer with it and then be put to sleep because of it was so sad for us. I was convinced that I never wanted to have another dog. It wasn't until she was gone that I realized what a place she had formed in my heart, and how lonely it was without her around. So we decided to try again and got Casey. It breaks my heart to think about doing that all over again. I just loved this past General Conference. One of my favorite talks was President Monson's on Finding Joy in the Journey.  It has been on my mind since hearing it, and ironically I watched it again this past Sunday morning. In it he says "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each one of us will run out of tomorrows." I realize that he probably wasn't talking about pets, but this thing with Casey makes me realize how quickly things can change in life. Mike noticed a lump on Casey's side a week and a half ago and decided to keep an eye on it. He kept acting normal until this past Sunday when he stopped eating and started sleeping all day and night. We took him to the vet today and found out that this growth is past the point of being operable, and brought him home with some medication that will hopefully make him feel a little better so that he will possibly live through the week. He is an important part of our family and the kids love him so much. Noah calls him his best buddy. We are really going to miss him so much when he is gone. I wonder if we have treated him with as much love and kindness and enjoyed him as much as we should have. Things can change quickly like that in any part of our lives. Unfortunately, we usually don't realize it until it is too late. This is true with our family and friends also, and this experience has really made me realize that I need to enjoy each of my today's, and to be more loving and kind in all of my relationships. We are going to enjoy each today that we have left with Casey.