When death means life...

It's been a pretty traumatic couple of days. You know I breed English Bulldogs and my dam's temperature plunged on Saturday leaving us to do the emergency c-section on Sunday afternoon (instead of today as planned).

Everything went according to plan and we were blessed with 7 amazing English Bulldog puppies. It was breathtaking as usual to watch the process and to help the little buggers start to breathe, eat and live.

Day 1. Unfortunately it didn't start off as well as the last litter. Peanut's milk was slow coming - but nothing a few shots couldn't help. Bam! We were back in business.

Day 2. One of the males, Patrick, began to weaken. He lost interest in eating and suffered from low blood sugar. I did everything I knew to do. I cranked up the heat (about 95ºF in the room), feed him Karo syrup, massaged his back and neck to stimulate suckling and swallowing.

My little Patrick was suffering from Fading Puppy Syndrome (FPS). It's a common problem with bulldogs, but my first experience with it.

By 8:00pm he had passed.

How could something I only had for 30 hours be so precious to me?

We were---we are heartbroken.

So, Day 3. I take little Patrick's lifeless body to the vet so they can properly cremate him.

Devastating.

But then ...there was hope.

Hope? You say? What hope is there in the loss of life? What hope is there in death? What hope... only frusteration, sleep deprevation and feelings of failure? What hope?

The other 6 puppies are doing great. They are eatiing well, gaining weight and being adorable. They are full of life and vibrancy. Going potty and gnawing on each other as if they were Mama.

The death of little Patrick on the day before St. Patricks Day (ironic?) gave me a new, refreshed outlook on life.

What evil had planned for bad, God made it good.

I looked my other two dogs with freshness. My swollen eyes dampened from the tears and throat closing from exhaustion didn't mean a thing as I held on to both of them tight... "I love you..."

Every moment we have with a loved one.

Every moment we have with those that bring us joy.

...that bring us life.

Is a moment worth breathing in. Taking in. Being enveloped by.

Little Patrick came into our lives for a reason. And I believe it was to show us the life around us. To intensify our appreciation. To expand our love for one another.

That gratitude and compassion I hope to pour into all areas of life not just with pets.

We can have that zeal for our marriage, our children, our business partners, associates and colleagues! And hold onto it so tightly not to forget it or let it pass us away.

I encourage you to take the next few minutes (hours, days, whatever you want to commit)...

1. Right now, grab a pen & a piece of paper.
2. Write down three people (or even a pet!) that you are insanely greatful for. Those individuals add such abundance of love in your life.
3. Take 5 minutes each and write a note to them. Can be an email, but ideally a card or a handwritten note or letter.
4. Send those out to them and the world and it will return to you 10-fold.

The death of Little Patrick has been one of the hardest things I've experienced in a long time. My little man. But he has shown my life again.
Happy St. Patricks Day.

From me and the rest of Chandler Bulldogs.

Rachel Jackson
480-664-8090
rachel@thecardteacher.com

P.S. Check out the amazing testimonial video with Leatha and her bulldog "Ollie" and their real life experience with Chandler Bulldogs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5w4MDijH8