animal human bond

To the Sea – You and Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

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There we were. Me in my big, floppy periwinkle hat, sitting in the sand, my knees hugging my chest. In the space between my thighs and chest, is you, peeking over the top of my knees, with the brim of my hat acting as an umbrella over your soft, petite head.

The sun is setting as we gaze out into the ever darkening sea. The waves gently lapping up to touch my toes every few moments.

Something about the water as if spirits are dancing on the waves reminding us that we are all connected. We can visit this inner place any time we want whether sitting on the beach, out for a walk, lying in bed, or wherever. It’s always there.

Each time this has happened, I feel this warm glow of knowing rise up in me. It makes me smile. We don’t speak, yet we know there is something real happening between us that needs no words.

This last week I began practicing what I was trained in a few years ago, which is Reiki. It means spiritual or universal energy. Practicing Reiki, which is like a meditation, is holding the space for another to accept and take (or not), whatever it is they wish for their own healing.

Miss Gidget has been the recipient of my practicing this again. And the last three days I find us on the beach as I described above during the Reiki session.

At first, like our minds always try to do, I tried to analyze it. Why are we on the beach? Why does this scene keep popping in my head? Were we once there together in another lifetime? Am I crazy? Why have I pictured this scene three days in a row now?

But then I let it go and sink down into my heart. This is the place I want to be. This place of no explanation. This place of feeling loved, safe and secure. And this is the gift. Not only to me, but to Gidget as well.

This is our connection – a bond between you and me that is ours and only ours – and it is real- and beautiful.

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A Blossoming Friendship: Gidget’s “Unofficial” Therapy Dog Visit with Miss Marie

Posted by Barbara Techel

miss G and Miss MGidget isn’t a certified therapy dog, nor do I particularly think she would be cut out for that type of work on a consistent basis. But she does love our friend, Miss Marie. I guess you could say that Gidget, at her age, has learned to set her boundaries and is particular about who she is going to spend her time with.

I’ve written about Miss Marie before. A dear lady I’ve been getting to know better, who before this, was always the mysterious woman to me who lives downtown in our small village, in the big white house on the corner. Fascinated by her artistic flair for quite some time I was, and then through a series of events, we have now become friends. I’m so grateful as I love spending time with her.

She was gone for a month and a half as she traveled to see family and to spend some time in Arizona. I admire her get up and go as she just packed up her electric green SUV and drove the route by herself.

I’m happy to have her back again. She is now recovering from some foot surgery. An email came later last week kindly summoning a visit from me, but most importantly, from the little 10 lb. dog, known as Miss Gidget, to accompany me to brighten up Miss Marie’s day who has been pretty much house bound since her surgery. Seems Miss G has burrowed her way right into the heart of Miss M who has had many cats in her life, but never a dog.

For years I’d been curious about what the inside of Marie’s house looked like. And today I got to find out! In many ways, it was just as I imagined, and I was tickled pink that it fit what I had been imagining in my mind for so many years. Eclectic with a twist of artistic flair (of course!), thrown in with 2nd hand shop finds over the years, and a dash of cottage style, I wanted to stay there forever among her treasures and the inviting, cozy atmosphere.

Still a bit weary from her surgery, after we at our Chicken Caesar salads I brought for us, Miss Marie said to grab a chair and come sit by her as she nestled back in bed, propping her foot up on pillows.

As we talked, Gidget napped happily and quite contently in the pink pouch that hangs like a sling around my neck and shoulder, like a little Joey nesting in a mama Kangaroo’s pouch.

Miss Marie, comfortable in her own skin and not afraid to say what she needs or wants. She tells it like it is too and I like that about her. Her laugh is endearing and her wisdom is something I soak up and take into my heart.

I brought along Miss Gidget’s beret  as Miss Marie often wears one now and then. I asked if I could get a picture of them together in their berets. Miss Marie was more than happy to oblige– anything for her little furry friend.

There are times I miss the “official” certified therapy work I did with Frankie, which we did about three times every month for three years.

But in a way, I too, am a bit more selective with my time these days and setting more boundaries. And perhaps Miss Gidget is my reminder of that for me at this time in my life. And I’m so happy for times like these where I can experience the joy of sharing the love of a dog with someone like Miss Marie.

So we may not be an “official” certified team, but our hearts are certainly in the right places as we brought joy to Miss Marie today. And in return, we came home with double the joy in our own hearts.

***

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Life with Dogs: Somersault Moments

Posted by Barbara Techel

20150122_092941eI remember being a kid and how I loved to do somersaults. Isn’t there just something so magical about them? Head pressing into the soft grass—ready, set, go, as you begin to roll, your feet and legs flow up over your head— over and over you go, down the hill, lost in what feels like another dimension.

These days, somersaults don’t sit well with my stomach or my head, though my heart at times wishes once again for those sweet, warm and breezy somersault days.

Instead I now experience them in a new way. Life with dogs gives me the same feeling of rolling down a hill, my heart leaping with joy, and lost in a world that time does not seem to exist.

Watching Kylie fly through the snow, or the look on Gidget’s face as I leave out the door, as if to say, “Please don’t go.”

The wag of tails greeting me when I return home. Snowy nights sitting on the sofa, next to the crackling fire in the woodstove, Gidget’s head resting in my lap.

Sitting next to Kylie as she sits at the front door, gazing out into the neighborhood. Patting her head and feeling a warm gush of what can only be unconditional love that fills my heart like nothing else.

Seeing Gidget’s black eyes peaking out the top of her kennel at me as I place my feet on the floor each morning. Scooping her into my arms and smooching her on the side of her silky soft face.

Kylie greeting me with her still puppy dog eyes as I open the bedroom door. Hugging her gently around her big ole’ bear of a neck.

The drool hitting the floor from Kylie, and the impatient pitter-pat dance of Gidget’s tiny feet as they await their breakfast. Listening to the crunch, crunch, crunch as they eat their kibble.

Walks along the path that helps to assure me that everything in life is right. Kylie’s curious exploring nature often having me turning around, calling out her name, watching as her ears fly behind her, a smile spread wide across her face, and in a full out pony run to catch up.

Gidget’s tiny feet and lopsided get-along gait, trying to keep up with the pace of everything her nose wants to take in.

The content look on their faces as they nap away the day.

Tucking them in at night. Telling each how much I love them. Thanking them for being my friends.

Looking forward to the next day and doing it all again. These are my somersault moments of today.