animal wisdom

The Man Who Sold Me a Bird Feeder Forgot to Tell Me Something

Posted by Barbara Techel

Here’s a hint with this photo above of what the man who sold me a bird feeder forgot to tell me…

You see, I bought this feeder to fill with peanuts for the woodpeckers. And I’ve noticed an occasional wren will stop by to peck away at the peanuts in the shell to score their feast.

The man I bought this feeder from at the Farmer’s Market at the end of summer told me how he designed the feeder to be squirrel proof with the pin that slides through the chain to hold the cap in place on the top. To refill the feeder I have to take pliers to pull that pin out of there and use it to put it back in!

But it has become quite clear that it isn’t chipmunk proof…

See how the cap is pushed to the side (does he carry pliers in his back pocket?!?) Yup, this one tenacious chipmunk has figured it out. I’ve seen him with his cheeks gorging out to the sides as he works to gather as many peanuts as possible.

Grrrrr….I was feeling frustrated this morning as I watched this play out yet again, though in all honesty I couldn’t help but be a bit amused too.

But it was in my frustration after knocking on the window a few times and he’d run away to only return again within seconds, that I found myself in admiration of his determination.

I’ve recently been feeling a bit frustrated by some things that haven’t played out as I’d hoped. When I pondered why I was feeling frustrated, which led to my feeling disappointment, I realized I didn’t need certain things to occur in order to keep moving forward. I’m in charge of making my life happen!

So thank you chipmunk for helping me see that I can do anything I set my mind to.

xo,

Barbara

Animal Wisdom Oracle Guidance – Your Choice Today

Posted by Barbara Techel

I’m doing things a little bit different this week!

Take a moment to think about a question and/or challenge you are pondering.  Then pick the card you are most drawn to of 1, 2, or 3.

Then watch the video below for the particular card you picked and its message for you. Enjoy!

xo,

Barbara

A Man and His Dog

Posted by Barbara Techel

Each and every time I see this scene play out in front of my house it causes a swirl of loving emotions in my heart. Often times, I will stand at the kitchen window or front door and take the time to watch this man and his dog walk by – it’s such a sweet moment that brings me so much joy.

For many years, having two dogs of my own, I didn’t interact with this man and his dog if I was outside. It was hard to do so because both my dogs were often barking at the ‘intruder’ walking by.

About three months ago I was putting something away in my car when I saw them coming down the street. I waited. I wanted to catch a closer glimpse of this tiny dog who is often decked out in either a purple polar fleece coat or this red jacket she is wearing in the photo.

I also wanted to know her name. I enjoy finding out the names of dogs and so often they seem to fit just perfectly. Not having a dog of my own right now, it makes me happy when I can interact with another dog if even for only a few short moments.

The man shuffled toward me and was chuffing on a cigarette as he often is. I suspect that when he walks the dog it’s also his smoking break and perhaps he’s not allowed to smoke in the house.

I said, “Your dog is so cute. What’s her name?”

The man’s face lit up as he excitedly said, “Her name is Ruby!”

“What kind of dog is she?”

“She’s a min-pin. She’s our second one. We rescued her.”

“She’s adorable. I love seeing you walk by with her.”

“She’s a good girl,” he said.

“I can see that.” Crouching down to the dog’s level I said, “It’s nice to meet you, Ruby.”

She wasn’t so sure what to think of me and hid behind the man’s legs. So I let her have her space.

The man bent over and picked her up. I could then see her face which was as tiny as could be with her dainty ears that bent forward and her soft black eyes. This endeared her to me even more.

“What a sweetheart,” I said.

And off he shuffled, inhaling another puff of his cigarette as Ruby’s spindly legs paced beside him.

I smiled watching them walk away. Her name fit her just right, I thought. Ruby with her red coat quite magical is she as she just does her thing being a dog and this always impacts my heart with so much love.

XO,

Barbara