And this…
this is what turns a frown upside down,
what fills a troubled heart with love,
what stands the test of time as true,
what never disappoints,
what offers support with no questions asked,
what gives with every fiber of their being,
what grounds us to what is real,
what never fails to heal,
this…this is the love of DOG.
Thank you, Kylie and Gidget… you are two of my greatest JOYS!
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My favorite time of the day is one-on-one time with Miss Gidget which happens most days shortly after she eats dinner at 4pm.
Yesterday as she lay on her back on the sofa and I gave her belly rubs, as often happens, I felt a huge wave of love wash over my heart.
It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
And I thought about how rough the road was when I first got her two and a half years ago trying to understand some misinformation I was given that she was in need of a pacemaker.
After a visit to the UW of Madison Vet teaching school and an expensive bill I was relieved to find out her heart was perfectly fine.
And just when life seemed to settle into place her seizures began. That was definitely a test of my will and understanding. I honestly thought I’d lose it during that year of trying to figure out why she was having them, and how to best help her.
We are approaching 150 days of no seizures and play time yesterday with her had me thinking about what is sometimes called the “sweet spot” in life. Those stretches of time when life feels incredibly good and you hope it will last forever.
While dogs don’t typically know when they are seizing, and it is harder on the people in their lives, I certainly hope she never has another one.
But as hard as it was, I learned a lot from the experience. It was a time of standing more into the truth of things that I believe in regarding holistic care and speaking up for what I felt was best for her.
It was also a time that I believe Gidget was a reflection for me. She had me looking at a part of my soul that I’d been trying to push away for a very long time.
The sweet moments with Gidget have me reflecting on how precious these times with her truly are when all is well– and how they become so much more dear because of the tough times.
A reminder to take nothing or any day for granted. To live even more in awareness of how little time we really do have here.
Each and every dog in my life have brought gifts I don’t believe I would have experienced otherwise. And it continues to inspire me that I learn so much about life through the eyes of my dogs. Their lessons somehow find a way into my heart that stick and change me for the better.
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I never thought to plant sweet peas. But when my friend, Victoria was here this week she said I should plant them so they grow up the wire on the gate in my perennial garden.
This morning I did just that. I can hardly wait for them to bloom! And then in the mail came a lovely gift of remembrance from a faithful reader of my online journal, Debbie.
A glass stone paw print to remind me of Joie’s sign to me after she passed away in August 2013. You might recall that it was a few weeks after I said goodbye to Joie that she sent me a sign that she was well in the shape of a water paw print. There was (and still is!) no doubt in my mind it was her.
As I contemplated where to put the glass paw print it finally came to me. Of course—near the sweet peas I had just planted. I actually put a few seeds in the wrought iron bird bath too.
Then I realized as I stood back, that on either side of the bird bath are two hummingbirds. Frankie, my first dachshund, visited me as a hummingbird a few weeks after she had died.
Then I got goosebumps. It is all so right and perfect. So fitting. Both sweet peas I had the honor of loving and caring for.
Now I think perhaps I shall scatter Joie’s ashes among the sweet peas once they begin to bloom. I’ve been wanting to do something with her ashes, but just wasn’t sure. Now I know what I will do. It feels right and good.
Frankie’s ashes I plan to scatter at Bookworm Gardens where a statue of her resides. I hope to do that on the 3rd anniversary of her passing which is in June.
What a lovely day it turned out to be with what unfolded. My heart feels content and happy. Thank you, Victoria and Debbie for being a part of such a divine plan.
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