The Life Lessons I Learned the Day We Almost Lost Our Dog
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 11
- 6 min read
Greg Singleton is well known for his ability to get the best out of the person across from him. He is the founder of CSB Coaching, and he has transformed his experiences into a powerful coaching framework designed to help others empower themselves to live fulfilling lives.
We were an hour away from saying goodbye. The appointment had been made. I had spent the morning quietly crying, lying beside our thirteen-year-old retired racing greyhound, my couch companion, my walking buddy, our family.
We were woken at 2:30 a.m. when our Penelope couldn’t use her back legs, had wet the bed, looked unresponsive, and was showing signs of a possible stroke. We rushed her to the emergency vet, and after three hours of consultation, the vet gently recommended that we begin making preparations.
When we got home, we made the arrangements and let everyone know. People came to say their goodbyes.
And then, like a spark reigniting a flame, I lifted her up and placed her on her shaky legs one last time. She stood, trembling but upright. She drank water. She walked. She ate. She wanted to live.
An hour before we were supposed to put her down, she overcame what we later learned was an adverse reaction to a new medication, an interaction that had left her nearly incapacitated.
It shook something loose in me that had been asleep. It reminded me of four essential truths about life, truths I live by and want to share with you.
Don’t put anything off: You don’t know what tomorrow brings
We think we have time. We build our lives around that illusion. I’ll call them next week. I’ll take that trip when things settle down. I’ll tell them how I feel when the timing’s better. But the truth is, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring or even the next hour.
None of us knows how much time we truly have in this thing called life. The sooner we wake up to the idea that tomorrow might not be what we hope it to be, the sooner we begin to live a lighter, more intentional life.
If she hadn’t shown that spark, if we hadn’t waited just a little longer, if the day had gone the way it was supposed to, our lives would look very different right now. We did everything we could for as long as we could, and the outcome means we’re living without regret because we used the time we had now.
This isn’t about living in fear; it’s about living in action.
If something matters, do it now.
Say it now.
Show up now.
Because “later” is often too late
Be present: Every moment counts more than you realize
When you almost lose someone or something you love, time slows down. You start to notice the little things, the way they breathe, their quirks, the way they rest their head on your lap. The things you once took for granted suddenly become everything.
Every moment is a chance to experience what truly makes life meaningful. We build a life we’re proud of, one we’re happy to reflect on, not through big milestones, but by stacking tiny, minute moments on top of one another. If you continue to stack beautiful experiences that turn into meaningful memories, you'll have a lifetime of happiness to reflect on and that, my friends, is true wealth.
Take the time to slow down. Really take in the conversations you have, the interactions with loved ones and friends, the drive home, and most importantly, the reality of the present moment.
Since that day, I no longer multitask on walks. I don’t rush through routines. I don’t just own a dog, I experience life with her. And I try to bring that same presence to the people around me.
I’ve even changed the way I speak.“I have to walk her” has become “I get to walk her.”“I have to feed her” has become “I get to feed her.”
That simple shift from have to to get to has changed everything.
Change your wording around the things you do in life, and I promise: you’ll begin to find each day more fulfilling.
We waste so much of our lives looking ahead, planning for a future that’s never promised. But the present is the only place we can truly live.
Don’t miss it.
Live with reduced regret: Make the choice to act
Regret is heavy, not because of what we did, but because of what we didn’t do.
When we keep kicking the can down the road, hoping we’ll eventually get around to that one thing, we’re really piling up a list of future regrets. The things we choose to put off are often the very things we should be making a focal point right now.
Had we gone through with it that day, I would’ve carried the weight of wondering if we acted too soon. If we missed a chance to let her recover. If we let go before she was ready. That thought alone is enough to break a person.
But that final hour gave us clarity. And that clarity gave us another chance.
We made the decision to give it one last try to gently lift her up and see if she could stand on her own. That single choice made all the difference. The results spoke for themselves. When faced with difficult decisions, make sure you’ve exhausted every avenue before throwing in the towel. We knew that helping her stand, whether it worked or not, would give us the final piece of truth we needed to make the right decision. No second-guessing. No guilt. Just clarity.
Whether it’s ending a relationship, chasing a dream, or saying “I love you,” make the choice that lets you sleep peacefully at night. The choice that doesn’t leave you asking “what if?” years down the line.
Life is far too short and far too precious to live in hesitation. Do all you can, while you can. Because you’ll never regret doing everything you were capable of. You’ll only regret doing less than you knew you could.
Gratitude makes life much lighter
Seeing life through the lens of gratitude creates opportunities for you to decrease stress, fear and anxiety. Much of what we experience in this life has already happened or is a story in our heads of what we think might happen. Take a few moments right now to think about all the things you have to be grateful for in your life. Keep adding to that list while subtracting the amount of things you regret.
I’ve always loved my dog, but now I love her with more intention. I’m grateful for every slow walk, every wag, every nudge of her nose against my hand. I’m even grateful for that painful day because it reminded me just how much she means to me, and how much I still have to be thankful for.
Gratitude doesn’t just come from the good times. Sometimes, it’s born in the darkest moments, the ones that almost break us. Gratitude doesn’t always arrive right away in hard moments, but the sooner we acknowledge the struggle, the sooner we can be thankful, knowing we’re on our way to the other side. And when we practice gratitude daily, it has the power to reframe everything: how we show up, how we connect, and how we live.
Final thoughts: Choose to live like it matters
You don’t need a life-altering moment to make a life-changing choice. Don’t wait until you’re an hour away from losing something you love to realize how much it truly matters. Let your past regrets become the lessons that shape your tomorrow.
Sometimes we all need a wake-up call or a reminder.
Let this be yours:
We only get one chance, one shot at this life.
And when the sand in the hourglass runs out, we take nothing with us.
So go do the thing. Grow your gratitude. Live with purpose. Reduce your regrets. That was the reminder I needed when I stood on the edge of a terrible day, possibly saying goodbye to my best friend.
Whatever’s on your heart right now, do it.
You’ll live a lighter life because of it.
Read more from Greg Singleton
Greg Singleton, Perspective and Mindset Coach
Greg Singleton is a certified NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) peer-to-peer leader, and his coaching guides people with the correct perspective and mindset to overcome imposter syndrome, build confidence, and embrace a healthier mindset. He has dedicated the last 10 years to helping others overcome their fear and embrace their inner confidence to become who they strive to be. He is the CEO of CSB Coaching. His mission: Celebrate others, don't Alienate others.
