Some of you know that I'm a visiting nurse for pets. Well, Little Ming-Wah is one of my patients as well as my friend. On January 8th, Ming had spinal surgery (a hemi-laminectomy) on three ruptured discs as a result of degenerative disc disease. He's only four years old. This has left him partially paralyzed with no ability to use his back legs or go to the bathroom on his own. At first I was having to express his bladder three times daily as well as "gloving up" to help him with other eliminations. We also do exercises for his physical therapy several times daily to help build his strength for standing and hopefully, walking again. Ming never complains, always willing to do what we ask of him as long as there's a treat involved!
Ming's owner/Mom took a huge emotional and financial leap in making the decision to go through with the surgery knowing he may never walk again. She put her faith and trust in the doctors and people like myself who are involved in his ongoing care.
Every day, Ming continues to take an enormous leap of courage in this long recovery process, and each day he shows us how to handle every obstacle and challenge with amazing grace. I feel blessed to be called to help him and his mom, and I continue to learn from him every day.
New photos of Ming's progress HERE!
For Illustration Friday's prompt: Leap (see my other entry here)
acrylic, colored pencil, rubber stamps and collage in my Moleskine
16 comments:
This is a wonderful thing Laurel. I'm sure Ming and his folks are very happy to have you on their side. What a great entry and how good to see more work in the Lolo Moleskine again.
Ming Wa is a brave and sweet looking little dog, but lucky most of all, because he found Laurel.
A beauty!
A very touching inspiration for your Leap. Fantastic work.
Beautiful stuff - I love your use of colour!
Lovely artwork and a sad little story but hopefully he will keep "leaping"
(Message cut and pasted from Ming's mom)
HI LAUREL,
I WAS LOOKING AT THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURE THAT YOU PAINTED IN HONOR OF LITTLE MINGS AND OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER. I WANTED TO POST MY COMMENTS ON THE SITE BUT WAS NOT SURE HOW TO DO IT. WHAT I WOULD HAVE SAID AND LET EVRYONE KNOW WHO SEES THE PICTURE IS HOW GRATEFUL AND LUCKY I FEEL THAT YOU ENTERED MINGS AND MY LIFE. WE HAVE BECOME FRIENDS AND ALL ALONG YOU HELPED ME AND MY PRECIOUS LITTLE PUP FIND OUR WAY THROUGH A VERY DARK AND DIFFICULT PATH. I AM HONORED TO KNOW YOU AND TO HAVE HAD YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH IT ALL. WORDS DO NOT EXPRESS HOW YOU HAVE TRULY BEEN A BLESSING TO US. WHENEVER I REMEMBER THIS EXPERIENCE IN THE YEARS TO COME, YOU WILL ALWAYS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE CARE YOU GAVE TO MY PRECIOUS MINGWAH AND THE ROLE YOU PLAYED IN OURLIVES. THANK YOU JUST DOESN'T CONVEY HOW MUCH YOU ARE THOUGHT OF, APPRECIATED AND LOVED. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND WILL ALWAYS CHERISH OUR TIME WITH YOU.
LOVE LISA AND MINGWAH.
I'm touched, please forward our regards to Lisa and her Mingwah.
What a wonderful story--Ming-wa is very lucky to have people like you and his mom in his life...
I have a friend who's little dog had a similar surgery that left him paralyzed just like Ming-Wa. They built him a little cart [doggy wheelchair] for him to get around in. He uses his front legs to manuver it. It's been about 3 or 4 years now, and he's doing great. His favorite game is fetch.
I wish the best for your little friend.
Thanks everyone! Ming continues to make progress every day. He's getting acupuncture, physical therapy, and soon he'll be getting hydrotherapy. He may be a candidate for one of those carts, but only time will tell. I'll pass along all your good wishes to him and his loved ones!
oh no, that letter from lisa was too much, had me sniffling,,,what a wonderful thing you're doing for little ming wah, and for yourself too i might add...cos every time you give, you get back too.
I can barely write this, my eyes are tear blurred, especially after reading Ming-wah's mom's comment.
You are not only a fantastic artist, but a fantastic lady. You're my hero!
geesh....(dabbing at eyes)...
Your friends comment and thankyou is a testimonial in and of itself... YOUR illustrations shine... as Im certain you must as well to those whose lives you've touched. Thankyou for sharing..
Love your work.. Great work.. But i love more the story behind Ming-wah's illo. Just make my day to read this. I hope the best of things for you, Ming-wah and mom.
HI, IT IS MINGS MOM EVERYONE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WELL WISHES FOR MINGS. IT ALL HELPS US BOTH. TODAY MINGS HAD HIS FIRST DAY OF HYDROTHERAPY AND THE REGULAR TREADMILL AND HE DID REALLY WELL. THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE FOR HIM TO WALK AGAIN ONE DAY. OUR BELOVED LAUREL WAS THERE OFFERING HER LOVE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO LITTLE MINGS AS HE SWAM IN THE WATER TREADMILL. IT HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD AND I HAVE NOT SHOWED THE GRACE AND STRENGTH THAT LITTLE MINGS HAS. HE HAS BEEN A CHAMPION FROM THE BEGINNING, NEVER QUITTING AND ALWAYS STRIVING TO MEET OUR DEMANDS OF HIM.
WELL EVERYONE, THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WISHES, I TRULY APPRECIATE IT ALL. LAUREL, THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND AND GREAT SUPPORT TO ME AND MINGS.
LOVE MINGS MOM (LISA) AND MINGWAH.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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