Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the month having my “Creative Coffee Break” with my dear artist friend, Cassy.  It was made even more special with the loving gift she presented me with–a shadow box of Frankie memorabilia.  While I knew she was working on this for me, nothing prepared me for the emotions that came to the surface seeing the actual finished piece.

The shadow box contains one of her vests she often wore, her medal for being inducted into the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame in 2009 as Companion Dog, her therapy dog tag, her paw print, a favorite photo of her, and a surprise of miniature versions of the books I wrote about her.

All within this box, held in my hands, are years of tremendous growth for me, with a little dog on wheels leading the way.  I feel tears rise up again as I write this post.

While I’ve moved forward in my life with Frankie as a soft spot that lies peaceful in my heart, these moments of tears and overwhelming emotion remind me again of the deepest love of a dog. How hard, yes, it was to say goodbye to her, but the reflection of the utmost joy she gave me. I wouldn’t trade one single moment of all that we shared despite feeling a hole in my heart at times like this. But what Frankie gave to me is such a gift– and in that gift, I opened my heart to do what she so lovingly taught me- to love again, and love another little wheelie dog.

Cassy (and her framing assistant, Lisa) capturing this for me in this beautiful shadow box means so much to me. A reminder for me to sit in moments of silent reflection on how incredibly blessed I am to have been chosen as Frankie’s mom– but also the love and understanding of a dear friend in Cassy, who understands and gets my heart.

The shadow box now hangs on the wall of my writing cottage beckoning me to sit in the joy of all that Frankie was, and now the joy that Joie brings to me. I am indeed so very blessed. So very blessed.

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I’ll be on Pets Teach Us So Much blog talk radio tonight with Robbin and Joseph Everett at 5:00pm CST.