dog wisdom

Why I Went to See the Boycotted Dog Movie

Why I Went to See the Boycotted Dog Movie

I heard about, and read, the news regarding the boycotting of the movie, A Dog’s Purpose. Honestly, I didn’t watch the video as I don’t watch other videos of animals being abused and I wasn’t going to watch this one either. I’m not so sure that serves in a positive way to help animals.

I also have to be honest and say how disheartened I felt when I heard this video was going around and that a dog in the film had possibly been abused. I’d never, ever condone that type of behavior, and it makes me incredibly sad when animals are harmed and even killed because of humans.

But what also made me sad was that so many would now miss out on the message of the movie….because of some human that did (or didn’t, as I’m not so sure if there was a definite conclusion to this) something cruel and terrible.

I’ll admit that I was also a bit nervous that someone may see me at the theater yesterday and think bad of me being that I advocate for dogs in wheelchairs… and how could I then go see this movie?

But I followed my heart on this. I don’t know for sure what happened regarding that video — and I do have questions as to the validity of it. And if a dog was truly harmed or put in harms way that needs to be dealt with.

But I’m glad I went to see the movie. I thought about the author, Bruce Cameron, who wrote the book, and which the movie is made from. I believe with all my heart his intentions pure and good -to help us to see animals in the way in which we should, and the many gifts and teachings they bring to our lives.

The movie did not disappoint. It was simple in so many ways, but yet so deeply touching. Dog’s give of their whole selves to we humans, who have much to yet learn about unconditional love and compassion. They truly want us to “get it” and as Bailey does in the movie, he keeps coming back, in different dog bodies (and even as a female at one point to his dismay which was hilarious!), to serve and share the meaning of what life is all about….

To have fun and to be here now.

While this was a movie I wanted to see, and my birthday gift I finally got since there wasn’t anything playing (to my interest, at least) last July when it was my birthday, the message and gift of seeing this movie revealed itself on another level this morning.

John said to me with a bit of a frog in his throat, “Seeing that movie made me love our dogs even more.”

And this from Bruce Cameron’s facebook page that someone shared after seeing the movie, “The emotional impact left me stronger and even more appreciative of why we have dogs in our lives.”

Whoooosh, went my heart!  This is it…this is the message…and the magic…to love them as deeply as they love us, and extend that to our fellow human beings….

and why I’m so glad I went to see the movie that so many called for others to boycott.  I don’t regret it for one single moment.

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A Moment of Wisdom from Dog

A Moment of Wisdom From Dog

In a previous post I wrote about finding a soft place to land during this time that feels so unsettling. And it’s my belief that we have to each do our inner work to open to those soft places, those that stop us in our busy, wild and crazy thoughts, and tracks. When you pay attention, you will begin to notice more easily when they happen.

Just as it did for me this morning as I was off with a start preparing for an upcoming workshop, listening to a podcast with women being interviewed who are feeling the call to live a soul directed life, and the feeling I can sometimes get that things aren’t happening fast enough or that I’ll run out of time for all that I wish to yet accomplish while here on this planet.

A million thoughts were flying through my mind when this site of Kylie and Gidget caught my eye. And in that moment my heart filled with pure love. There they were, Kylie’s leg slung over Gidget, lying in complete peace.

And it became my soft place to land in that very moment. I soaked it into my entire being and I felt at complete peace. I absolutely took it as a divine sign that all is well and all will be well.

A reminder that the more we can build these small moments into our lives, recognizing them as signs of wisdom of what is real, the more we can become settled within our souls. 

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The Wisdom of Eleven

The Wisdom of Eleven
Today. Kylie’s 11th Birthday.

Winding up and down country roads through Tennessee we found our way to you eleven years ago December 2005. And this day, today, you were born into this world.

Eleven – a number that stands side-by-side as one, creating a strong foundation. Or when one needs to lean into the other one – that is you, my dear girl- a grounding and steady bedrock you have been, and continue to be.

That first time holding you, a big, soft, cuddly ball of fur that you were, my heart tumbled a free fall that enveloped me with a joy that I wanted to hold onto forever.

And JOY you have continued to be. Truly, one of the most selfless dogs I’ve ever known. Your work has been in keeping a calm and steady rhythm within these four walls we call home to what is important.

You, our daily reminder that life is meant to be captured in the simple moments and that when life throws us a curve ball that going with the flow will helps us find our way back to the center sooner, rather than later.

Eleven – it shows in the gray mask around your face – but your heart, forever young and ever expanding – that unending love that vibrates outward from you each and every moment that has been one of my greatest teachers of what living is all about.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. I love you so much.

Eight weeks old
First Winter
Graduating from puppy class
Who loves her papa?
Frisbee anyone?
Six years old

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