Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you
don't and may decide you need one.

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 little dog just drooped, whining and
miserable.

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. 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. But panic soon gave way
to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally
blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned.

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the
basement bringing his beloved mistress all 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. Remember it is a blessing from God.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money, or the most Awards.

....They're the ones who care.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind
of battle."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.

Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.