SUPER LANCE THERAPY DOG

I punched off the alarm and lingered in bed, feeling the warmth of our dachshund curled on top of the blanket.

Lance always slept on the bed when my husband, Caio, was away in Brazil on business. Four and a half years old, Lance was intelligent, playful, affectionate, with a slender tail that never stopped wagging.

But for Caio and me, he was more than just good company. We’d been unable to have kids, and Lance filled a big place in our lives.

I climbed out of bed and set him on the floor. “Maybe you’ll come to the office today,” I said. The ad agency where I worked was dog friendly. Halfway to the kitchen I realized there was no patter of paws behind me. I went back to the bedroom. Lance was in the same place.

“Come on, let’s go for a walk!” I said. Even this magic word failed to budge him. He stared at me with a strange pleading look in his brown eyes. I went to the kitchen and came back with a treat.

“Ground turkey, Lance!” He heaved himself up on his front legs and lurched toward me, dragging his rear legs. How had they suddenly become useless?

Frightened, I wrapped him in his blanket...read more + video