and shook violently with the effort of each step. I don’t think she would have lived through the night without intervention. There was no question that we would
drop everything and take her on an emer- gency visit to the veterinarian. She needed help. We also wanted to be sure she wasn’t wasting away due to the final stages of disease. As it turned out she was in great health - other than starving to death! She desperately needed food and a safe, loving home. Since she had al- ready stolen our hearts, it was an easy decision to make her part of our family. We named her Ruth. The following day I was petting her
and enjoying the warmth of her small body asleep in my lap. Her eyes were closed and she wore a look of complete ecstasy. All of a sudden I was struck by a thought. The day before she had literally been dying of starvation, with no reason to believe her plight would change. After all, how long must she have struggled to be so wasted and near death? She had no reason to hope. And yet, in an instant everything changed. She had a family who loved her. She had all the food she could eat. She had a home, safety and medical care. Her life had instantaneous- ly been transformed! Ruth’s story moved me deeply. It re- minded me of the sentiment expressed by many people who seek acupuncture in a last ditch effort for relief from some health concern. Often they have struggled with their health for a long period of time and feel a measure of desperation and hopelessness. Some feel their efforts will possibly be for nothing. Yet something drives them to keep seeking a solution even in light of their despair—much like Ruth dragging her emaciated body onto our porch in search of relief, however slight the chance. I always encourage people to not give up. I believe that there is always a place for hope. When some- one is dealing with health concerns, it is important to persevere toward a solution. That solution may be evident and require committed focus to achieve, or it may not yet be evident. In that event it is important to keep searching for, and remain open to, resolution.
Sometimes dealing with life circum-
stances can elicit feelings of frustration or a sense of hopelessness. It may be hard
Natural Triad Magazine March 2011 41
to even imagine how relief could possibly happen. But who knows what the next moment might bring! I think it is so im- portant to never stop searching for what we need. It’s been a month since Ruth showed
up at our doorstep and she is doing great! She has gone from just 4 pounds to almost twice that – seemingly overnight. She had to have some teeth pulled that had loos- ened and rotted due to severe malnutri- tion, and so she is now able to eat without pain. Her fur is soft and shiny as opposed to filthy, bug infested and shabby. She seems content – and I’m reminded of the
power of hope.
Written by Diane Gross, M.S.O.M., Dip. OM,
L.Ac., CT, CI. Diane holds a license as an acupuncturist in North Carolina and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico. She also has been trained in Chinese herbology, Shiatsu and Tui Na massage. She can be reached at Stillpoint Acupuncture, 614 Pasteur Drive in Greensboro. Call 336-510-2029 for an pointment. Visit
www.StillpointAcupunc-
ture.com. See ad on page 32.
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