How my daughter’s rambunctious mutt preserved my sanity while she was lost to the darkness
. My wife, Chris, and I sought refuge there after she’d returned from a disastrous mother-daughter trip to Mexico in 2017. Shea had banked on getting by with smuggled Suboxone strips, which can blunt opioid cravings. But if the body hasn’t adequately detoxed, severe and sudden withdrawal symptoms can set in. Frantic, Chris had dragged her, sick and groaning, three hours back to the Cancún airport. I picked them up at Logan Airport 24 hours after dropping them off.
Shea squirmed out the door. “Could you please take Hank another night?” I knew where she was going but could do nothing more than plead. “With his barrel chest, tapered waist, and tight haunches, Hank moved with ease and alertness. I could feel my blood pressure drop just watching him run.
The sound of my feet scraping across dirt, the clinking of Hank’s tags soon grew into a chorus that drowned out the cacophony of guilt, rage, and failure. Back in Boston, I continued to find shelter in the Fells. Whatever time off I had, I spent exploring the hollows and hopscotching mud bogs, Hank always leading the way. I brought the meetings with me, replaying conversations and the heart-stopping moments when we learned about someone’s child who had lost the struggle.
“I scraped my knees, jammed my shoulder, and rolled my ankle repeatedly. I kept going. Hank needed this, I told myself.”For years I was convinced that love and force of will would bring Shea back to us. As an endurance runner, I was used to pushing through pain. The more torrential storms, blizzards, and bitter temps the better. But those lessons were useless, irrelevant. Going head-to-head against the addicted brain wasn’t about toughness or self-discipline. Not in the way I thought.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This Crafter is ‘Hooked’ on the Murdaugh Murder TrialOver the last month, the South Carolina elementary music teacher has been following the disgraced ex-lawyer’s trial.
Read more »
Old Friends Detail How Bad Bryan Kohberger’s Heroin Addiction WasNew interviews with old pals of accused Idaho quadruple killer Bryan Kohberger have shed light on his troubling life after high school—rife with lost friendships and addiction, the Idaho Statesman reports.
Read more »
John Travolta's daughter Ella wishes her 'hero' father a happy 69th birthday in sweet postJohn Travolta turned 69 on Saturday and his daughter Ella, 22, celebrated her father, calling him her 'hero' in a sweet Instagram post.
Read more »
Andy Cohen blesses the world with 52 seconds of pure joy — his daughter’s laughterIn a video posted to Instagram, Cohen shared the joy that is Lucy laughing for nearly a minute straight.
Read more »
Hayden Panettiere’s Family Guide: Her Brother Jansen, Daughter Kaya, MoreHayden Panettiere’s brother, Jansen Panettiere, followed in her acting footsteps but he’s not her only family member whose made headlines — meet her loved ones
Read more »
Eva Amurri Engaged: Susan Sarandon’s Daughter Is Engaged to Ian HockSusan Sarandon’s daughter, Eva Amurri, first confirmed she was dating chef Ian Hock in January 2021 — read more
Read more »