Dog Named Lucky

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky. Lucky was a

real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come

for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to

not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help

himself to whatever struck his fancy.

Inevitably someone would forget and something would

come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy

box in the basement and there the treasure would be,

amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always

stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very

particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer.

Something told her she was going to die of this

disease... she was just sure it was fatal. She

scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her

shoulders. The night before she was to go to the

hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck

her... what would happen to Lucky? Although the

three‑year‑old dog liked Jim he was Mary's dog through

and through. If I die Lucky will be abandoned, Mary

thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to

leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking

of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her

doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for

over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk

faithfully but the dog just drooped, whining and

miserable. But finally the day came for Mary to leave

the hospital.

When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she

couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim

made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to

nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to

her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon

overcame her and she dozed.

To the animal lovers in the group.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand

what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her

body felt heavy and hot. Panic soon gave way to

laughter though when Mary realized the problem. she

was covered, literally blanketed in every treasure

Lucky owned! While she had slept the sorrowing dog had

made trip after trip to the basement and back bringing

his beloved mistress his favorite things in life. He

had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began

living again, walking further and further together

every night. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still

cancer‑free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and

stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his

greatest treasure.

Live everyday to the fullest, because every day is a

GIFT from God!

Which is why we call it the PRESENT!!!!