After developing symptoms of POTS in 2014 I struggled to get out of bed and was home a lot, most of the time alone. It was very disheartening going through the process of trying to get a diagnosis and not knowing what was wrong with me. No one knew how to help me and I was only barely capable of getting out of bed to go to the doctors office. My dad must have realized that I was losing hope with the constant rejection from doctors and the big question mark my life had seemed to become. It wasn't easy going from a very active teenager to one that could hardly take care of herself.
My dad added some joy back into my life when
he surprised me with a cavalier king charles spaniel puppy. He had done his research and decided that this was the best dog breed for my situation. He figured she would provide me with a companion and give me purpose. She was perfect. I vividly remember the day that I got her, it had been one of the best days I had experienced in a long time. She was 3.5 lbs when we got her and had been given the name Starz. I did not care for that name and wanted to give her something that seemed more fitting. After going back and forth on possible names with my dad, we came up with Sunshine. I felt like it was the perfect name because she made life seem light and fun again.
Sunshine has been the best thing that has happened to me since the start of my chronic illness journey. Sunshine was not a difficult puppy at all , but I'm not going to lie trying to navigate potty training for that first month or so was not easy especially since getting out of bed could be difficult. It was so worth that struggle though because Sunshine is one of the happiest and most loving dogs I have ever met (yes I know I am biased). Everyone who meets her truly falls in love with her and her ability to truly live up to her name.
Sunshine fit into my life and what I needed so perfectly it almost seemed like she was meant to be mine. Ever since I got her she has always been there to make me laugh when I have had a particularly rough day or to give me comfort during a bad flare. Ever since she was a puppy she has had no problem with laying in bed with me all day because she can sense what I am going through. She just lays next to me and snores her little heart out perfectly content just to be with me. She also helps motivate me on the days that I feel good enough to go for walks and get out of the house. She has helped me get through a lot and I am so grateful I have been able to experience the last six years of my chronic illness journey with her. I don't know what my life would be like without her big personality and all of her love.