Lord, help me!

Dear Campers,

As a day trader you will regularly take a battering from the markets. Perhaps, you think you've mastered an instrument and then it turns on you like a rabid dog... Which leads me to my next essential skill; resilience. I'm sure there are things, situations, people or animals which may be able to help you develop this skill without you even having to click into your broker's platform. Let me introduce you to my personal trainer...

Sam—that's his real name, I'm not protecting his identity because he's a jerk. That dog, that diabolical dog has tortured me for over ten years. Found wandering the streets (little red flag), he was then passed to us from another family (we're just idiots at this point). Unfortunately, the damn thing was subsequently microchipped so we can't even lose him anymore. Whenever he goes for a wander in the village (generally the pub) someone carries him back! The last time he pottered off he went to the pharmacy, it's an enigma how he even got in.

We originally got Sam as a friend for my beloved dog Lil (may she rest in peace). I had two weeks to settle him in before I had to go to London on a contract. Two weeks later, after realising that Sam was a dog who 'sticks it to the man', I told Husband that he was no good and to give him back. Three months later, I return to find our luxury duvet ruined and Sam's paws well and truly under the table. I nearly got shot of him to the Dogs Trust when I was pregnant with our first. I stupidly told my mum, who had no idea of the piece of work I was dealing with, and who lovingly but very naively talked me out of it.

One night, whilst being tortured by his pathetic, no-need-for-it howling, I exclaimed, "Lord, help me! What do I do about him? He's driving me nuts!!"

I heard the answer... "Love him more."

WHAT?! I thought, more?!!... Okay.

I spent the entire next day petting him, treating him, saying nice things to him... How did he repay me?

Vomit.

At this point, we think he's actually made out of dust; he must be nearly twenty by now. I keep asking Husband if we should get him tested. A while ago, we thought he was finally on his way out. He started having fits and foaming at the mouth, he couldn't move the left side of his body. I thought he was having strokes to be honest. So we took him to the vet and got him some anti-seizure meds and back at home I dutifully carried him up and down the stairs to pee, helping him to rehabilitate his left side until he got more strength. I even prayed over him to help him heal (I will never do that again unless I'm entirely surrendered to the will of God) because that was about three, fork-in-my-eye, years ago. Forgive me Lord—I was not expecting such generosity!

He definitely has mental health issues. He gets terrible separation anxiety, which I don't really understand when he's happy as Larry to wander off here, there and everywhere. Sometimes, he'll look at me straight in the eye while he plants a bucketload on the lounge carpet. I reckon he just plays the geriatric card now because like the stubborn little old man he is, he just cannot be arsed going down a flight of stairs to pee. His one and only saving grace, is his unwavering love of children.

That dog. That bloody genius, indomitable dog.

Human thought for the day: Always trust your instincts and don't listen to people who don't have to clean up the excrement.

What in your life has helped you to build, or is helping you to build resilience? Is there anyone who has inspired you? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Much love,

P.S. I include a picture of us all... before we all got old and grumpy (and dead).

When we were young