A Miracle Story

by Heidi Gao

Last summer has been a challenging and emotional time for me as my beloved dog, Lucky, fell seriously ill. Lucky is ten and half years old; typically, boxer dogs only live 8 to 12 years. His black hair around his face gradually turned white, and his eyes became a little dull now. Yet, I’ve always believed Lucky is a guardian angel sent to me by God. No matter how tough my day was, his joyful dance when I returned home always lifted my spirits. Our bond is deep and unbreakable.

Lucky is incredibly intelligent and seems to understand much of what we say. Earlier this summer, my husband promised to take our daughter and Lucky to New York for a week. He was thrilled, but at the last minute, my husband decided to leave him behind because my mother-in-law dislikes dogs. From that day on, Lucky became listless, refusing to eat and lying motionless on the sofa. I knew he was heartbroken, as he usually accompanies us to New York every year.

A few days later, I realized something was seriously wrong. Lucky had fluid in his lungs and his belly swelled, and he barely ate, losing weight rapidly. I rushed him to the vet, who delivered devastating news: Lucky had a mass in his lungs and might not survive the summer. I was crushed, collapsing into tears. The vet prescribed medication and suggested further tests to check for cancer. A week later, the diagnosis confirmed a malignant tumor. Given Lucky’s age, the vet advised against surgery and recommended euthanasia to spare him further suffering.

I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him so soon. Against the vet’s advice, I brought Lucky home. Every day, I carefully fed him, administered his medication, made him chicken soup, and took him on slow walks. I prayed to God every night. Miraculously, God seemed to hear my prayers. Lucky began to regain his appetite, and his belly returned to normal. Incredibly, after two months, he is healthy again and eating like a machine. He survived last summer against all odds.

Last summer was filled with tears, but it also taught me to cherish every moment with those I love. No matter how long I have with Lucky, it will never feel like enough. As the saying goes, “A house without dogs is like a garden without flowers.” Lucky is my miracle, and I am forever grateful for his presence in my life.