Valentine’s Day at Our House- No Gifts or Cards
Chickie took 1st place at Paws-a-Palooza in FL for her Valentine’s Day Chick costume
Yesterday I received this photo of Chickie and a few more which you can see on Facebook on National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day page. Chickie belongs to Kevin. I’ve never met Kevin, but consider him a friend because of our love of wheelie dogs.
The sweet photo of Chickie made me think of Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow. John and I no longer buy gifts or cards for each other and haven’t for quite a few years. I’m not against Valentine’s Day as after all it is about love. But what I don’t care for is the pressure to do something or buy something for the one you love.
I didn’t always feel this way. Years ago I’d get so upset if John forgot, or if he would ask me what I wanted. I just wanted to be surprised and not asked– and to quote the Nike ad, Just do it.
I’m not really sure what changed, but over time it just didn’t matter to me anymore. I love my life with John. We have so much fun together just about every day. And I’m not going to say it’s Valentine’s Day every day around here, but for the most part, we ebb and flow quite nicely.
It’s also been so heart warming to me to see John expand in this thoughts and love for Frankie and now Joie. One of the best gifts he has given to me is his understanding that my soul needs to care for these special pups- this is who I am- this is what makes my heart sing.
Not only that, he has supported my dreams of writing my children’s books and now my new book. He is the main bread winner as I try to make my way in the publishing world. He also supports my mission and my passion for my continuing efforts of wanting to educate others about IVDD as well as bringing a positive face and voice to dogs in wheelchairs. To me, this is love. No cards or gifts could convey this to me but his actions and support of all that I do.
So this Valentine’s Day I will likely take a moment to say an extra grateful thank you for the love of my life, my sweet Johnnie. And I’ll also hug and kiss Kylie and Joie a few more times than usual… if that is even possible. <WINK>
Adopting a Dog in a Wheelchair On Purpose
This is “I know you want to take more pictures of me, but I refuse to look at you” from Joie
A friend of mine received her invitation to my book launch in the mail the other day. She told me when her teenage son saw it he said, “I thought Frankie died. Did she get a new one? Does she do this on purpose?” She told me he just had no idea there was another dog that had a disability like Frankie.
This surprised me at first. But it also reminded me of why I do what I do and will continue to. It’s important to me to bring awareness to special needs pets and those in wheelchairs. It does happen to other pets- and it happens more often than I think some may realize. There is much work to continue to do. And from what I know, since it is the world of which I’ve immersed myself, that dogs with IVDD that end up in rescue (if they are not full or able to take them) are not so easily adopted out. They require more “work” in terms of helping them with going to the bathroom as well as if they need physical therapy and/or wheelchair. It can be a tough road for them to find a loving, forever home.
So though my friend’s son’s comment took me by surprise I thought, “Yes, I do this on purpose.” It didn’t start out that way as I never imagined Frankie would become disabled, nor did I think in my future I’d adopt a special needs dog, just as I told freelance writer, Deanne in a recent blog interview. But now I just can’t imagine my life being any other way. I purposely adopted Joie and someday (which I hope is many moons away) if I can, I will gladly open my arms and heart to another IVDD dog.