The dog and I

 The little dog has arthritis in one back left leg and hip. She’s been in pain and is currently on a course of weekly injections from the vet. It’s costing me a lot of dollars and I can’t help but feel guilty at spending money on a dog, when there are humans in need. But what can I do?
Matilda and I share a special bond as I once saved her life.
 When she was half-grown, we also had a (very naughty)
rough-haired Jack Russell with whom she (Matilda) played a lot of games and generally ran amok. The two dogs used to love playing tug-o-war and, if there was not a suitable piece of old rope or a doggie toy with which to play this game they were only too happy to use one of my socks, or a glove or, even in one case, my sun hat. One day there was obviously no toy available and Chappie, the Jack Russell decided to simply tug little Matilda around by the collar. I was unaware of this game until it was almost too late. I glanced out a window to see Chappie flinging Matilda around. It didn’t look right to me, so I raced out to see what was happening. Chappie’s large canine tooth was caught in Matilda’s collar buckle and, in his effort to dislodge it, he had spun poor little Matilda around so much that her collar had tightened and choked her. By the time I
managed to unbuckle the collar, Matilda had ceased breathing and her eyes, though bulging, had rolled back in her head. Her tongue lolled and her gums were white. 
I put her on her back & rolled her from side to side, then gave CPR pressure on her chest, reminding myself that she was only the size of a human baby so as not to press too hard. I thought I saw a glimmer of life and there was only one thing left to do: give her “the kiss of life”. 
 Cupping my hands around her muzzle (I did not put my lips on her mouth!), I puffed in little breaths at intervals, while I kept up the gentle, rhythmic CPR. Suddenly there was a slight sound from within the little  dog and her eyes seemed to flicker. I ‘roughed’ her around a bit and she
regained consciousness. Very unsteadily, she attempted to get up on her feet, so I carried her inside.
 A check-up and overnight stay with the vet saw her back to her lively self the following day. That was over eight years ago. There was no sign of brain damage after her ‘near death experience’, but now she has  arthritis. She is such a loving and faithful little dog, there is no way I can not spend money on relieving her pain. I hope I am doing the right thing. 
 

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