GUILTY

I’ve tried to teach my daughters about compassion, but nothing seems to hit home unless I introduce a baby rabbit or puppy  into the lesson.

“Be nice to that old man,” I’ll say, but they are dumbfounded until I add, ”He has a hungry puppy at home that he needs to feed.”

 Never before have these lessons been so important in our home. I tore my rotator cuff while ice skating with my 8-year-old (see photo) and my husband is on crutches with a broken foot, which happened a week after my injury while he was playing soccer in the basement with the same daughter. The timing of these painful injuries couldn’t be worse. Our daughters are oblivious to our need to be left alone.

To help them understand our foul moods, I found a helpful article online entitled, “How to Approach an Injured Animal”, which I have tailored to my situation. Feel free to use it when your kids compromise your independence by putting you in a sling or crutches.

1.) Assess the situation and secure the area first. An injured mom is scared and will try to escape. She can bite, claw or scratch you so approach with caution. MY ADVICE: Let mom escape.

2.) Think of your safety first and then your mom or dad before you approach them. You do not want to be injured yourself in the process of giving help. MY ADVICE: Get out of the way! Can’t you see your dad is on crutches?

3.) Observe the mom or dad for signs of extreme fear or aggression –  baring teeth, raised hair, growling, ears flattened against the head. MY ADVICE: Do not interrupt any staring. Daddy’s pain meds are kicking in.

4.) Find something soft to muzzle the injured mom or dad. MY ADVICE: Don’t you dare. Just back slowly away and hand us the remote.

5.)  Approach the injured mom slowly with steady movements. Speak in a soothing voice to calm and reassure them. MY ADVICE: It sounds nice on paper but this will never happen.

4.) Do not look the injured mom in her eyes as this can be interpreted by some moms as a threat. MY ADVICE: I know what you’re going to ask and the answer is no or get it yourself.

5.) Make sure the mom welcomes your approach. MY ADVICE: Do not ever during the course of the healing process ask, “Will you play Polly Pockets with me?”

6.) Continue talking to the mom. MY ADVICE: N0. No talking. At all. Nothing. Silence.

7.) Lift it up with one arm around its chest and the other arm supporting the rump and hind legs and put in the trunk of your car and bring it to the nearest vet. MY ADVICE: I’d like to see you try.