Mary, our Miniature Schnauzer, has had a rough few weeks. Which means we have, too. She was diagnosed with diabetes the day after Thanksgiving. A particularly sharp blow to my two diabetic sons. I’m still trying to figure out what I (or my husband) did to karmic-ly deserve a diabetic dog. It had to be him…

Unfortunately, Mary’s health continued to decline after the diagnosis. Insulin didn’t turn things around like it did for the boys. She was deteriorating cognitively, behaved like an Alzheimer’s patient, exhibiting signs of doggy dementia.

Without sliding her into an MRI tube, (Yes, they give dogs MRIs at the University of Utah. Who knew?) a few smart veterinarians determined she has a brain tumor(s). She spent a couple of days at an animal hospital where her fluids were restored, blood glucose monitored, and drug cocktails tweaked. Then she came home so we could care for our beloved pet before she passed — return some of the unconditionally love that she has bestowed upon us.

The first few days were heavy. We carried Mary around, gave her water with a syringe, and propped her on pillows so she could watch us decorate our Christmas tree. The kids bid her farewell with every “goodnight” before bed and at the beginning of each day before heading off to school. Tears were shed.

Then one morning earlier this week, she woke up like nothing happened. I’ll be darned if Mary isn’t surprising us with turning into our little Christmas miracle! We know that Mary’s future isn’t lengthy, and she’s still on insulin and other medications. A faith healer hasn’t slapped her in the forehead, but she’s drinking water, wagging her tail, and isn’t suffering.

Every year Mary wears a costume for Halloween with the boys. She’s been Princess Leia, Wonder Woman, Velma from Scooby Doo, Uhura from Star Trek, and most recently Madonna. We include the photo in our annual Christmas letter, a tradition friends and family tell us they enjoy.

If the doctors are right, Mary’s Halloween wig collection will be completed with the ponytail hairdo from the Blond Ambition Tour.

How cool.

Chrisy Ross is the author of To Mormons, with Love: A Little Something from the New Girl in Utah. She lives in Alpine with her husband and three sons, and blogs at ChrisyRoss.com.