of cones and men

The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind. Paracelsus

It sounds like a the beginning of a joke, but what do a Sixteenth Century Swiss scientist. a late Twentieth Century scientist,  Dexter and me have it common?   All of us view healing as a natural process aided by experience.

One of the most obvious ways dogs can improve our physical and mental health is via daily walks. Andrew Weil

When Dexter had a growth on his ear last Fall,  we took him to the vet.  Less a chunk of ear tissue later,  he wore a cone while he healed.  Dexter learned that the cone and recuperation time might have its uses particularly in getting attention, scratches, biscuits and in keeping Comet from pushing him around at mealtime.  But he healed faster with cone removed.  A little dust, a little dog hair,  and sunshine later, he is today no less the silly dog he was before.  All of the above and time with family got him through the rough times.  Of course, Dexter has never really known rough times unless being closed in behind a bedroom door for an hour is counted.

After a changed diet,  abdominal surgery, and recuperation (ongoing), over the last three and a half months  I shed twenty-seven pounds!  Halfway to my goal for my birthday and beyond.  With staples and bedrest, bandages and diminishing pain meds, the surgeon’s skill has given my health a boost and held me together for nearly two weeks while wounds close.   But help from nature, time with my spouse and with dogs at my heels,  mind and body are sure to be healed more quickly.

And soon,  Comet and Dexter seem to say, my time for an old man-walk, with dogs is coming.   But I need not wear “the cone” when they take me around.