The Cone

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu

For the past month, we’ve been trying to figure out what’s going on with inflamed skin on Lily’s nose. She’s been on antibiotics, steroids and is wearing “the dreaded cone” to keep from scratching it. On Monday, she had biopsies done. The good news is that she doesn’t have an autoimmune disease but rather a severe allergic reaction to something. Next up is a round of heavy duty steroids and more time in the cone.

The first day or two in the cone, she was disoriented and bothered, but she’s now adjusted and acclimated. She hasn’t let the cone define her or affect her ability to wag her tail, give kisses or run full speed at Molly and I with toy in mouth ready to wrestle and play. She’s as lighthearted and crazy as ever and a bit more snuggly.

Molly has been watching her like a hawk and you can see the concern in her eyes for her best friend. She makes sure to get a toy on the way out so they can play when they get outside, even if she’s going to get hit in the head with the cone. And the sweetest act I’ve witnessed is when Molly slowly walks up to Lily and puts her head in the cone to give her a gentle kiss, letting Lily know that cone or not she’s present and by her side.

“Friendship is one mind in two bodies.” – Mencius

We often can’t solve and fix things in our time. With patience, they must heal on their own. But we always have the power to show empathy and compassion, joining our friend in their “cone” reminding them that they are not alone.