Friday, October 31, 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Humpday Help - A Lesson From the Dogs


You've been working hard all week, your body is spent, your anxiety is high so you plop into your comfy chair. Up trots Furball with that happy-go-lucky face and unlimited enthusiasm. Not able to resist such a cute face you give into the soft whines and head out the door for a stroll. Furball is straining at the leash sniffing about, happy to be in the fresh air.

A dog loves life wholeheartedly, adoringly, without reservation or judgment. He greets each new scent or sight with boundless joy and unselfconscious glee. His world is delightful.

Look around you and see the world through dog's eyes. Apply his exuberant enthusiasm to your own view. Be open to the small joys of living and appreciate what is.

For the rest of the day, set aside negative thoughts. Let your anxiety fade, relax, take a deep breath and find enjoyment in everything - the good, the bad, the indifferent. I think I'll take a walk in the woods with my dog, Maggie. But don't expect me to get on the ground and sniff!

"Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence. It is no more or less than faith in action." - Henry Chester.


Oh, have a Happy Halloween!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Happy Ending to a Sad Day

Yesterday as I waited for the time to pick Devin up from school and filled with dread of the news I had to tell him, I began thinking. My little 8 yr old loved his guinea pig and was really becoming responsible with taking care of his pet and his chores. And there was the possibility Dev would want another pet... so... I called around... just in case... to see if any of the local pet shops had piggies. I found one and it would be on the way home from my eldest son's piano lesson.

Mark took Trevor to his piano lesson while I picked up Devin. I told him that we needed to talk. I think he knew something was wrong because he kept distracting himself with the dog and baby brother and ignoring me. When I finally told him that Fluffy has passed away, he threw himself headfirst into the couch and sobbed.

I picked him up and carried him to the lazy-boy chair; rocked him and cuddled him. 3 yr old Nate knew something was wrong and patted his big brother's back. I spoke soothing words to Dev and once he calmed down I asked him if he wanted another piggie. He nodded his head and wiped his tears. Mark called and we informed him to stop at the shop to pick up the piggie. We cuddled and discussed the Rainbow Bridge and Devin's eyes lit up with the thought of Fluffy playing with Cookie and Ruby while they wait for him.


During the next couple hours, Devin did all his homework eagerly and ran down the driveway at least three times looking for his dad's truck. We talked about names and prepared a fresh cage for the new baby.

Mark arrived and handed a box to Devin. We all gathered around the dining room table for our first glimpse of our newest addition. It was love at first sight! Dev took his baby to the chair and began reading to him. By the end of the evening he was given the name, Champ.



Dev told me that he would take even better care of Champ and love him just as much as he did Fluffy. At bedtime, Dev informed me that I needed to love up Champ for at least an hour while he was at school and make sure I had one of his shirts on my lap when I did so Champ would smell him and think it was he who was petting him. When I checked on the boys before bed, Dev couldn't have been any closer to his piggie's cage.





Saturday, we'll have a funeral. Fluffy will be buried with his brother, Cookie next to my dog & their pal, Ruby.