“Eight Years, a Thousand Wake-Ups, and a Love Beyond Words: My Austrian Pup’s Journey”
By A.L. Childers | The Freckled Oracle™ – Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom

There’s a sacred kind of love that only exists between a dog and the human who’d take a bullet for them. The kind of love that grows through 3 a.m. potty breaks, homemade meals simmering on the stove, and silent companionship through life’s loudest storms.

My little Austrian pup—my girl—is eight human years old now. The vet called her a senior recently, and I nearly choked on my tears. A senior? Not my baby. Not the pup I once slept beside on the living room floor, who whimpered for me in the night, who eventually climbed those tiny doggy stairs to share my bed. She’s still that same baby to me. Still curls up next to me every night. Still wakes me up when she needs to go. And I still smile every time she lets me know. I’m grateful she communicates with me. That’s trust. That’s love.

She recently had a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on her skin. Let me tell you, hearing that word—cancer—felt like the air left the room. Like I was losing a child. But we caught it, and she’s doing well for now. We chose not to do chemo or radiation. That was a personal decision made with our hearts and our research. And because I’ve always fed my dogs clean, homemade food (yes, I even wrote a book on it—though that’s not what this post is about), I knew I wanted to keep her strong, nourished, and comfortable in the most natural ways possible.

I’m the kind of person who boils chicken thighs with turmeric and parsley, stews veggies, dehydrates organic meats, and stirs it all with love. I cook for them like I do for myself—because they are my family. No store-bought chemical mash in this house. Nope. Never.

People laugh when I say I treat my dogs better than my husband, but I’m not sure what the joke is. My husband is a grown man. He can talk, demand, argue, cuss, and protest. My dogs can only bark or whimper—and yet they offer nothing but loyalty, love, and presence. They don’t hold grudges. They just are. And that is divine.

So yes, I will always advocate for them. I will never apologize for the way I love my fur children. If you know, you know. And if you don’t—well, I hope someday you get to experience a love like this. One that curls up beside you, waits patiently at the door, and looks at you like you hung the moon.

For now, we celebrate each moment. We sniff the breeze together. We cook. We cuddle. We heal. I was told we have six more good years. I’m claiming every one of them.

Disclaimer:
This blog is for storytelling, emotional expression, and informational purposes only. It does not offer veterinary or medical advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for professional guidance regarding your pet’s health and treatment options.

With all my heart,
A.L. Childers – The Freckled Oracle™
Truth, Wit & Wearable Wisdom

👤 About the Author:

Audrey Childers, writing as A.L. Childers, is an ACA-licensed health insurance agent turned full-time truth-teller. With over 200 books published, she’s building a creative empire fueled by fire, freckles, and the freedom to never be silenced again. She’s the voice for the ones who got burned but still showed up. And when she glows, egos burn.

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The other pups are checking her out. 1st day the house

Her cancer surgery–