"The Lump of Knowledge"

As I looked at a baby picture of our precious 7-year-old Mr. Wiggles, I was reminded of a phrase uttered decades ago by our then five-year-old son as he stared at the head of another 'former' canine puppy. Our young son petted the 'dome' on this furry former little pup, referring to this creature's curved head bump as the 'lump of knowledge'. Out of the mouths of babes.

As I stared at another canine picture, eyes and forehead only, I melted at the sight of our baby Mr. Wiggles, our 'pink' 5 month-old as he looked at the camera. The past suddenly came roaring up beside me, another moment to cherish.

When I first heard that insightful phrase, I was stunned. A young child had interpreted the shape of a puppy's dome shaped head as being something possessing knowledge and wisdom. Did our son know something I did not? I was moved to tears. So wise beyond his 'childish' years. This young lad seemed to know, then, that dogs, in particular, had many lessons to teach us and the emotional mind to carry it out. The lump of knowledge was talking to us. ... A recent article on animals, dogs in particular, made reference to this creature as being the most unique creature on the planet. I couldn't agree more. (Cats are special, too.)

Dogs' body language tell us a lot about them. But what comes out of the mouths of young children is something else. Full of wisdom and unfathomable insights, our children tell us much, if we dare to listen. The 'lump' atop our pup's head bore knowledge I had not ever considered! Our young son had, however. Time and time again, we hear stories of dogs' mission to rescue children from dangers such as snakes and other predatory creatures, often, at their own peril. They are indeed a special brand of love and courage.

It was a beautiful sunny morning, years earlier, when I asked the whereabouts of our 9-year-old. I was in the room adjacent to the screened patio doors. “I'm combing pretty thing”, he remarked. I smiled. So gentle and so kind. Our senior girl was one of the loves in our lives, an aging Labrador retriever, white hairs framing her beautiful face near the many benign lumps adorning her body, distorting her profile. ... The love in his voice told me all I needed to know. He had been raised by dogs. They all had been. 

 

Health and engagement with 'family' meant everything to them. Our pets had helped shape their hearts and mind. Kindness knew no bounds. We had to be strong for them. Being the kind of people that could give them the life they deserved was an important component to caring for pets. That meant being the best we could be.

The animal mind is a unique entity bestowing upon our children the kindness, wisdom, empathy, caring and deep abiding love that books cannot engender. The lump of knowledge our young son recognized, atop the head of our young dog, decades ago, has stood the test of time. I understood its meaning. Even today, that moment and many others like it have punctuated the early years of our sons' education with the many pets we have loved and raised. The file grew with the inclusion of an abandoned bunny and a 'left to die' by the side of the road kitten, all with their own unique set of skills. My precious kitty died of old age at 16.

Our young son possessed the wisdom, learned from animals, to know what an adult could not see. Animals speak to us in magical ways. They rule our hearts and lives. The lump of knowledge was the road map to it all!

"The Day the Earth Stood Still"

We are living in tumultuous and scary times. Momsey was reminded of the 1951 movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still” a science fiction thriller, starring Michael Rennie, about a visitor to earth who warns of trouble ahead if we do not heed his warnings. On screen, the world 'stops' for a day to bring attention to his dire message. Today, it would seem, we are being held 'hostage', in a similar way, by an invisible deadly 'enemy'. Is this life imitating art?

It's hard to know whether going out for essential services or staying home is 'safe' today. It has been many weeks since the order to stay home was mandated. In that time, I accidentally chopped off the end of my little finger - while making soup. (Dining out has been outlawed!) I had forgotten an important rule of chopping vegetables until I chopped me! The coronavirus was not uppermost in my mind at that moment. But it soon would be.

As blood flowed easily and quickly that day, I wondered if medical help would be prudent. Stopping the blood flow was critical in ending this medical emergency, I knew. On top of that I am an old lady according to society. Applying direct pressure upon the wound was immediate and painful. Our Mr. Wiggles, our concerned retriever, was perplexed as he followed me to the sofa, staring at the 'object' above my head, wondering what I was doing. Going to the hospital, walk-in clinic or my doctor was now impossible. The corona virus had made those choices clearly unwise.

Blood cannot easily flow against gravity, I knew, so up went my right arm to stop the red river in its track. I had nowhere to go with Covid-19 lurking around every corner, anywhere it chose to be. An open wound was an invitation for wide spread infection of some sort. I did not need further complications in my life. I was on my own. After two hours, all seemed quiet, except for the throbbing in the top of my brutalized finger where, moments ago, blood had been flowing.

I never realized what a profound sensation the body made as it attempted to arrest blood flow while trying to repair itself. A call to our 'living specialist'' son for a professional opinion helped quell any anxiety I felt.  I was doing everything needed. Cell regeneration would begin anew. Profound pain enveloped me. But I simply ignored it. That was the least of my worries. I continually sprayed my wound with Silver hydrosol, the magic 'elixir' my family has used for many years to prevent infection. It was working, a stellar recovery, I might add.

No painkiller or antibiotics were ever taken. I monitored my finger for infection, for its possible demise. I did not want to invite gangrene into the mix. I was now my own doctor. I hoped my body would listen. It did. Fifteen days later, I was back to normal - my fingertip completely healed - but suspicious of the knife I had used.

Covid-19 has changed the world and the rules governing it. I was on my own that day while staying 'safe' at home. Ha! Home might be safer but it depends upon who's there and what she's doing.

Next: The children: Special Education during Covid-19