joyful paws

I Want to Be the Female Version of Jon Katz

Posted by Barbara Techel

Kylie on the path behind our house

As many of you know who follow me here on my blog, my all time favorite blog and author is Jon Katz– no kidding, right?

Sometimes I wish I were him. But in a way I guess I am.  We both like to write. We both like dogs and animals.  We both enjoy trying to just enjoy the simple moments and joys of life. He is (well) known as Bedlam Farm.  I am (not as well) known as Joyful Paws.

So let’s see.  He lives on a farm in NY. I live in a little cottage style home in WI. He has three dogs. I currently have one. He has three donkeys, many chickens, a few barn cats, and sheep.  I’m really short in all those departments I’m afraid to say.  But I do have wild birds and hummingbirds.  Lots of bunnies.  Some squirrels and the occasional woodchuck.  Even had a Sand hill Crane family in my backyard last summer.

Everyday he walks his three dogs on a path on his property. Though that will soon change and a new path will be forged at his new farm house. I walk Kylie on the path behind our house when it is not too hot– which hot it has been most of the summer so far– so not much path walking has gotten done.  And to this day she still is not the most enthusiastic walker- never was, and I suspect she never will be.  I’ve accepted that about her.

I may not have all the animals and life that Jon Katz has, but I know enough to find happiness in what I do have. It is all a matter of choice, afterall. It is where I am in this moment at this time and I’m pretty happy and content.  When I need a donkey or farm fix, I get lost in Jon’s blog.  But for the most part I really do give thanks for the simple, sweet life I’ve carved out here with my supportive and loving husband, John. I feel a wee bit short in the dog department right now, too, but that will hopefully change as I continue to move forward.  Though as promised to John, not until after our fall trip to Vermont.  Hey, maybe I’ll run into Jon Katz and his wife, Maria there as I know they like to escape there, too.  Now wouldn’t that be something?

So I’ve decided, yes, Jon is great and I love learning from him about his writing and his life. I take it and sift it and adapt to what is right for me. So I guess this then means I would just rather stay me. Yup- I like me and I like my life.  It has been something I’ve worked hard on the past ten years and wouldn’t trade where I’ve come to the place of mostly peace and acceptance about who I am and what I do have. Life is good.

 

George and Jane Jetson Have Landed in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Posted by Barbara Techel

With the weather warming up nicely we are preparing for more guests during the spring and summer months. Winter can be a lonely time with very few visitors.

Saturday I spent the day preparing to welcome our guests. I brewed up a lovely, tasty concoction. I also purchased a pretty potted bright pink geranium for them to feast their eyes on when they arrived at our front door.

They were coming back to the Midwest from the South and if the weather cooperated it wouldn’t be too long before they arrived.  Since they don’t carry cellphones with them they were unable to let me know there estimated arrival time.

So I waited… and waited… and waited.  I sat with Frankie looking out the front door early Sunday morning, gazing out into the yard hoping to see or hear some sign that they had finally made it.

I grew impatient so called my Mom to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day. As I was expressing my concern to her (still looking out the front door) that my special little visitors had not yet arrived, it was as if by magic, Jane zoomed right up and made herself right at home…. she perched her delicate  little self atop the red metal flower holding the special nectar I had made just for her and George.  Later that day George finally arrived. He wouldn’t ask for directions so had gotten lost along the way. Jane just shook her head.

Yup, George and Jane Jetson are the yearly hummingbirds who flit in and out all summer long, drinking to their hearts content (sometimes we even join them) ha!  The Jetson’s was one of my and John’s favorite cartoons when we were young so it seemed fitting to call our little feathered friends George and Jane. We love to sit in awe of them as they zoom in and out and all about. This is one of my many moments I call Joyful Paws.

 

 

What Joyful Paws Means to Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

In pictures this is what Joyful Paws means to me

In words, Joyful Paws represents all I’ve learned about life from my four legged friends. Cassie, my chocolate Lab led me to search for more meaning and joy in my daily life. I am grateful to her for helping  me find the courage to hire a life coach  to do just that. This led me to becoming a writer writing about what I love most–dogs and animals!  Next on my Joyful Paws journey is Frankie. Well, if you’ve been following me for any length of time you know that Frankie has been one of my biggest teachers after her diagnoses of IVDD. She helped expand my purpose to working with kids teaching powerful lessons through Frankie’s positive example. She also helped fill the empty void in my heart when we become a therapy dog team and started giving back to those in need.  She has also helped me become a stronger and more confident woman.  And then there’s Kylie, my dog who continually teaches me to slow down, soak in the moments,  and enjoy the view through her beautiful brown eyes. She is always the quiet in any storm.

Each of my dogs, as well as many animals I have met along the way always remind me to “paws” and reflect on all the joys of life… and to live as many of those joys as I possibly can.