How else can I tell you?

I look at you and you smile.
I snuggle close and you put your arm around me.
But it doesn’t help.
I call to you, but you ignore me, getting impatient with my whimpering.
I stumble as I get down, am inspected and the trouble found.
That night, I curl up at your feet, and sleep comes, but by morning, I am uncomfortable.
I cry out, and you are immediately there.
I shiver and shake, not from the cold, but anxiety.
Safe in your arms, I am carried, there is no need to walk.
A stranger gently examines me, but I yelp in pain as he touches the tender spot.
All the while, I lean into you as you hold me close, my Guardian, my Protector.
Again I am carried to the safety of Home, where I am laid down gently, and the salve applied.
It is cold, but soothing, and I sleep.
On waking, I do not like the taste of the liquid in my mouth, but you are kind and try to disguise it with food. I am thirsty, but do not want to eat.
The salve is applied again, and I feel so tired, I rest my head to sleep once more.

After each sleep, I feel a little better.
I do not have to walk far, you carry me part of the way, encourage me and praise me when I do well.
You are close in the night.  I am warm and content to lie in my place, knowing if I stir, your hand will be there to comfort me. I sleep until morning.

Several days have passed and I am walking again, albeit slowly.
You are watching me always, ready to help me should I need it, but I’m doing OK now.

Note:
This is for Maggie.
We noticed the other evening she could not put any weight on her front left foot at all and had to carry her up to do her last wee.
We took her to the vet the following day as she had a cut between her pads which was raw and inflamed, right on a pressure point. We were given some anti inflammatory medicine, a bathing solution and some ointment to apply.
The medicine made her dopey so she has been sleeping a lot, which has helped with the healing process. We carried her up to do her business, and made sure she was warm and comfortable when we got back.
Today, we are only applying the ointment after bathing the area and she is walking from the boat to the car, still sleeping a lot, but her appetite is returning.

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