Chooch, our sweet and spirited pup, had a really tough week—and it showed in every little sigh, slow tail wag, and those tired eyes that normally sparkled with excitement. It all started on Monday, when he woke up feeling a bit off. His usual zoomies were replaced with a slow shuffle, and he didn’t even bark when the mailman came. That’s when we knew something wasn’t right.
A visit to the vet confirmed it: a mild stomach bug. Chooch, who usually devoured his food in seconds, barely touched his bowl. The medications helped, but they made him sleepy and even more withdrawn. He wanted to be close, curling up against our feet or hiding under the blanket, just wanting comfort. It was heartbreaking to see our usually playful buddy so low.
Then came the thunderstorm on Wednesday. Chooch has always been afraid of loud noises, and this storm was a big one. The sky lit up, the booms echoed through the house, and Chooch trembled the entire night. He buried his head into our arms, panting and shaking. We stayed up with him, whispering reassurances and playing calming music just to help him through it.
By Friday, things slowly began to shift. He started to perk up, gave a little bark at the door, and even wagged his tail when we said the word “walk.” It wasn’t a full recovery, but it was a glimmer of the old Chooch. And that glimmer grew into full sunshine by Sunday, when he finally grabbed his favorite toy and gave us his signature goofy grin.
This week reminded us how deeply animals feel, and how important it is to be there for them—just like they’re always there for us. Chooch had a rough time, but he got through it with love, patience, and a lot of cuddles. And now, he’s back to being our happy little shadow, stronger than ever.
