What am I talking about?
At the end of October last year, while walking my friend Racer (a handsome English cream golden retriever), I noticed a weird rock, off to the side of Gulfstream Road. It wasn’t a rock, but a limbless giant or blue land crab. These elusive native crustaceans are rarely seen. I’ve lived in South Florida over four decades and had never seen one. HERbert quickly became an internet and local sensation.
As we documented her recrabilitation (journey to regenerate her limbs), my TikTok account ballooned to over 125,000 followers.
She was featured in print, here in the Happy Herald, The Coastal Star, Pet Junction, and Seabreeze Publications. Millions more “met her” and became vested in her recovery via German TV, Right This Minute (TV show) and Daily Dose of Internet (nine million followers).
Due to the unknown injury which claimed her limbs, her prognosis from the beginning was grim. Many didn’t think she would make it past the first few days. The love, care, kindness, prayers and well wishes from around the globe fueled HERbert to rally past six weeks. As her nublings sprouted, she inspired and entertained. She entered the molting stage, but it was all too much for her tired little body. She peacefully transitioned in her well-known “tiny house.” She was returned to the water (via aquamation at Gentle Touch Pet Crossing).
No one that followed her or knew her will ever be the same, or think about crabs the same way they once did. She forever remains the family-friendly star on my Tik- Tok and YouTube channels. HERbert was a bright light in the dark tunnel of 2020. She taught me so much! Here are some of her lessons:
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
NEVER in my life would I have thought to utter these words: I’ve got the crab(s). Laugh every day – even at yourself.
Always have hope.
Imagine being dismembered, unable to sit up, seek cover, or feed yourself. Focus on that glimmer at the end of the tunnel. No matter how bad things may seem, THERE IS ALWAYS hope.
When in doubt, bubble.
Feeling nervous, scared, emotional? Bubble (in our case mindfully BREATHE). Crabs bubble to keep their mouthparts moist and aerated, and when they’re content. A bubbly crab is a happy crab.
Expect the unexpected.
Even though we plan, those hopes/wishes/dreams/expectations can go up in smoke. Be open to alternatives. Sometimes, what happens is even BETTER!
Get outside your SELF.
When we give (especially to strangers) without expectation, we share the gifts we have been blessed with. That gets noticed, appreciated and rewarded, often in ways way bigger than we could have imagined.
Maintain Focus
Dogs are great at this: living in the moment. Rather than wondering, when are my limbs going to regenerate? When will we get back to normal? Write it down, present tense. Visualize and feel that end goal. Make positive steps EVERY day toward your desires. Maintain focus on your dreams/goals, and obstacles will melt away.
Stay Positive
We all have “those days” or know “those people,” the ones residing under a perpetual cloud of doom. Surround yourself with dogs and the kind of people that make you feel great, happy, joyful and energized. Put on a happy face, put your best foot (or claw) forward (even if you have to pretend it’s there).
Focus on what you can do TODAY to get you closer to your aspirations.
Take care of yourself, or you’ll end up alone and crabby!