My mom has told me this story about when I was born, full-term, and still only 5lbs, and with a heart that had doctors concerned.

She says there were many tests and worries in my first days/weeks. I remember my mom telling me that after being given nothing conclusive time and time again, she said some version of: “Look, she fits perfectly right here in my arms; everything is fine.” And then, for the most part, things were.

This story popped into my head when I woke around 4 o’clock the other morning and found Zara (my rescue pittie) curled up perfectly against my legs.

“Look, she fits perfectly right here against me; everything is fine.”

And then, for the most part, things were…and I went back to sleep for a few hours until the day really needed to get going.

I am genuinely taken aback by how much I love this dog. How much she and I need and depend on one another. When I was in the hospital, I don’t know who had it worse, her or me (and I had brain surgery!). Everything happened so quickly, and she bounced from loving trusted home to loving trusted home, but still, she ended up with hot spots and massively shedding and over-the-top anxiety…even for her.

On my first days back from the hospital, it was hard to keep her at the house because she wanted our typical routine of early two-mile walks and lots of neighborhood adventures, and I just didn’t have the stamina. While she was away, my sleep and joy were definitely impacted.

I won’t pretend she isn’t a fair amount of work – because she has her own issues too, but maybe that’s part of what makes us such an excellent pair. She gets me outside, often during the day and brings me an abundance of peace and security – especially at night and I will forever credit her with helping me find my way through this now normal.