A Heart That Works

by Rob Delaney

Holding a dog (even a small one) and letting it lick your face is absolutely just as important as your chemo, your radiation, or any surgery. Why? Because it fucking works, right then and there. Will your chemo work? Maybe. Radiation? Perhaps. Will holding a little Lola and playing with her make you smile your face off? Yes, it will, right then and there. Don’t need a prescription, and you don’t need to sign a disclaimer before you do it. Do dogs have germs? Maybe? Probably? I don’t care. I recall the doctors and nurses saying that a lot of the infections and illnesses that occur during the immuno-compromising that comes from chemo arise from germs and bacteria we carry in and on our bodies all the time anyway. So, you’re going to get sick from your chemo either way; why not get sick having fun? I remember asking Henry’s lead oncologist if it was okay for us to take him to a local park somewhat early in his chemo treatment. He said something along the lines of, “You better take him to a park!” To which we said, “But isn’t his immune system quite weak?” “Indeed it is, but he’ll enjoy the park and that’s very important.”