Finding comfort in what remains the same

As I've noted in previous blog entries, it often seems as if everything has changed and that nothing is the same. Today I was reminded that many things have not changed. I took Cassie, our 11 year old rescued Cocker Spaniel mix, to the doggy ophthalmologist who is only in town for 2 days every 2 weeks. Cassie has had an ulcer in her eye for several weeks and despite the wonderful treatment our local vet gave her, the ulcer kept returning. When I took her to the specialist today, I was not seen until an hour after my appointment was scheduled. Although irritated by this, it was also a reminder that not everything is affected by my hearing loss and that some things have absolutely nothing to do with it such as being forced to wait at the vet's office to have my dog seen. I am fortunate in that the vet knew exactly what was wrong with her eye as he sees several cases it every visit and we should be able to treat it. Moreover, it was nice to focus on something else: talking to others in the waiting area (and doing so with little back ground noise with the result that I had no difficulty hearing) and being concerned about and comforting my dog. Little else mattered, certainly not my hearing loss, and that was nice.