animal human bond

Oh, Kylie: Outside Dog, Looking In

Posted by Barbara Techel
Oh Kylie: Outside Dog, Looking In
Kylie peeking into my writing cottage

I was so excited to get this shot of Kylie. I’ve tried before, but every time I’d reach for my camera she’d move away.

And goodness knows I’ve tried oodles of times to have her come inside my writing cottage.

Even propping the screen door open so she could come in at her leisure.

But every attempt has failed. Every. Single. Time. Sigh.

She just won’t come in.

Some fear that lurks in her mind that I’m not aware of always has her on the outside, looking in.

If only she knew how much I’d welcome her with open arms into my space. How I’d love to have her here with me.

And for goodness sake – she could even sit in my over- sized wicker chair if she wished.

I’d bring her tea. A good book to read. A pillow to lay her pretty head upon. A soft blanket to keep her warm on cold days.

And best of all I’d snuggle with her.

But it’s just not meant to be I suppose. So I admire her through the screen door sending her lots of love.

And maybe…. just maybe, someday she will surprise me and prance right in and sit beside me.

A dog loving girl can dream.

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On a different note:  I just wanted to share with you that my writing cottage is featured in an article on ABC News by reporter Emily Shapiro of Good Morning America! Seems these ‘She Sheds’ are all the rage right now. Here is the link to take a look for yourself.

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Frosted Face: Aging Gracefully

Posted by Barbara Techel

frosted muzzle

Raindrops fell this morning as I sat next to Kylie looking out the front door, her fur extra soft after she dried off after being out in the rain earlier this morning.

Every now and then I notice a little more frosting on her face, slowing spreading to all corners of her still puppy dog look.

She is so beautiful. Frosting becomes her, as I think it does all dogs.

There is a lesson here — to embrace our own sprouts of gray, too.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed our neighbors taking down their gated trellis that had been there for years. I always loved when the gate was open — as if an invitation to a secret garden.

Standing near the lot line I said to my neighbor, “Oh no, no more gate?”

“No. It was getting rotten and encroaching on the tree.”

“I’ll miss seeing the gate open.”

“It’s getting old just like the rest of us,” she said.

I felt this heaviness as I smiled and walked into my backyard.

I’ll be 52 next month and my neighbor is only a few years older than me.

Wait a minute, I thought. I’m not getting old. I’m choosing to age gracefully.

With that shift in choosing my thoughts I felt lighter and empowered.

And as I sat in stillness with Kylie this morning, oh, what a precious reminder she is of just that.

To embrace all the gifts of aging gracefully.

The gained wisdom.

The freedom to stand in one’s truth.

The slowing down.

The taking in of what really matters.

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Working Dog on Lunch Break

Posted by Barbara Techel

The Working Dog

As I often do, once or twice a week, I head into town to our popular cafe, Off the Rail, for a little bite to eat. It’s a nice break in my day and I also like that I can be among people for a little while since I often work alone.

Today as I pulled up I saw this adorable dog. He appeared to be waiting for his person.

I chuckled to myself and just had to get a picture, because it looked as if he too was on his lunch break.

I was pretty sure I knew who he belonged to, as I’ve seen him hanging out in the back of a pick up truck now and then when I’ve been at Off the Rail before. Though I’ve always wondered what his name is.

But sure enough, as I was walking through the door of Off the Rail, Joe, a local landscaper was leaving with his brown bag of goodies.

I asked him if that was his dog waiting for him in the truck. He said it was and that his dogs’ name is Nitschke (not sure on the spelling).

As I drove back home I pictured in my mind these two working buddies sharing a bit of lunch together and then heading back to work for the day. It brought a smile to my face and my heart.

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