Signs of recovery from addiction

In recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction, we're often not aware of how much we are changing until we see a difference in how others react to us. This is a story of my friend Steve, and when he quit drinking 35 years ago.

Steve and his family had a dog, a red, female, cocker spaniel named Bobbie. First of all, while Steve was still drinking, he was jealous of Bobbie, because in Steve's delusional state, he perceived that Bobbie got more attention from his wife and kids than he did. They cuddled and hugged Bobbie, but essentially ignored Steve, especially when he was drinking, which was most of the time.

Steve also did not like the color red. He'd had a girlfriend with red hair before he was married, and she dumped him for Steve's best friend, er, ah, Steve's best drinking buddy. Therefore, when Steve looked at the red cocker spaniel, whose fur was about the same shade of red as his former girlfriend's hair, his thoughts turned to love gone awry, and he kicked and cursed at Bobbie.

“You good-for-nothing mutt.”

Bobbie spent most of her time hiding in the bedroom when Steve was around.

But then Steve sobered up in October, 35 years ago. His family immediately welcomed and loved their newly sober father and husband, but Bobbie wasn't so trusting. She still ran and hid when Steve came home. This went on for a year-and-a-half or so.

On one particular Sunday, Steve, as usual went to a midday meeting and then returned home to watch football. His family was gone for the weekend and he had the house to himself. He could have his pop and ice, and his favorite snack food, sit back with his feet up, the remote in one hand, and watch football all afternoon, and probably nap.

As he prepared to kick back in his well-worn leather recliner, he felt something against his leg. It was Bobbie, rubbing up against him. This was strange. Bobbie usually hid from him.

“What's the matter, girl?” Steve spoke in a soothing voice. “Do you miss Mom and the kids?”

Bobbie looked up at him with those huge brown puppy eyes, that were starting to water.

“Well so do I,” said Steve.

He reached down and petted her, and she didn't shy away from his touch. In fact, she snuggled tighter against his legs.

Steve took a chance and slowly reached down to see if he could pick her up. Bobbie didn't resist. Steve placed her on his lap where she immediately curled up with her eyes closed. This was indeed strange behavior for both Bobbie and Steve.

Steve was pinned there and couldn't move. But he had his drink and pizza bites close at hand, and the remote. He settled in for a good Bears-Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Oddly, Bobbie wasn't interested in the pizza bites.

Favre, the gunslinger, proceeded to carve up the Bears' secondary. Steve was a Bears' fan, but liked Brett Favre, whom he identified with.

At half time, with his legs cramping, Steve noticed that Bobbie wasn't moving. In fact, he couldn't tell that she was breathing. There was no chest movement. He felt her. She was warm, but her chest was still. Bobbie had died on Steve's lap.

Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking.