I’ve talked about it here before, but two years ago this month I unexpectedly lost my beloved life companion Paisley. It was a fast, tragic and deeply severing loss. About eight months later I opened my heart up to love an amazingly tiny little blue-tick beagle I lovingly named Knightley and when he died just three months later…
Honestly, even looking back, fourteen months later, I am not sure how I did it. I love the ones I truly love so, so deeply, and dogs are among the deepest… Even though I had only known my sweet Knightley for such a short time, those were a very dependent few months as his health had not always been the best. He needed me so much and he loved me even more. (I hope you never have to put a puppy down, it is a terrible that exceeds so many others…)
BUT… Nearly twelve months ago my husband brought this little nugget home:
And I’ll be honest… I was not ready. She was this ball of love and energy and cuteness and I just did not want her.
Not long after little Miss Elenor became a part of the clan, my husband went on a super long business trip and I had no choice but to spend a lot of quality time with her.
I wanted to resent her.
I wanted to be so annoyed at her high puppy demands and needs, and I was.
But also, I melted… I knew that it was easier not to love her because someday she’d be leaving too, and my heart just maybe couldn’t take anymore sadness.
But then I would laugh at her, because this girl’s personality is LARGE, and I finally caved because I admitted that my heart would be so much better off to love and embrace her…
I am so thankful for the life, the love, the indescribably happiness and connection that each one of my sweet little fur loves have brought to my life… Through them I have learned TO love outside of myself, to move past loss and heartache and love again. I have learned to laugh when I still feel shattered, and to take time to settle down and snuggle when I really need it, (or they do) and I am so thankful…
DOG DAYS is a hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved fluffy pals. When these human and canine’s paths start to intertwine, their lives begin changing in ways they never expected. This is a sweet film about the joy our furry friends bring into our lives and what they can teach us about treating people with kindness and compassion. DOG DAYS releases in theaters in August 8.
I would love to hear about any dogs in your life, that you’ve loved! You could win a gift card to show them (or yourself) a little love!
Rainy Day in May... 
Oh, Misty! Loving a dogs, and losing them, it’s so hard. We have a sanctuary with a lot of them, but numbers don’t dilute heartbreak. But I know I’ll see them again, for how could Heaven be Heaven without dogs?
So…meet Ladron, a red heeler and service-dog-in-chief. Uniquely, she was bought and paid for…the last of her litter, being sold from a truck at Wal Mart. A tiny cute fuzzball, she soon showed a huge and forceful personality, taking over the care of my PTSD, waking me when I was having nightmares.
Now, with pancreatic cancer added to my mix, she watches my energy levels, and will hide my metalworking tool if she thinks I should not work. Usually she just places herself between me and the workbench (You shall not pass!) but if she suspects that I will try to get around her, the tools will disappear.
She’s trained Sylvia the Big Pit Bull to help her, and is training a couple of others; as I get worse and can’t sleep, someone has to stay up with me, sh she’s organized shifts.
I’d be lost without her.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2018/08/your-dying-spouse-502-father-into-your.html
We had a miniature poodle who we loved and treated like he was our child. Unfortunately he passed away. We hope to adopt a poodle again one day.
Our Yorkshire terrier Mia is so full of life and fun..she brings a smile to your face every day. She loves going for walks, chewing bones, and her favorite is cuddling up with you!
Yet one more thing that connects us. I had to say goodbye to my Mia almost two years ago. We brought Pearl into our lives and has lived in our hearts for over a year. She has brought love back home, a reason to smile to play to have all the fun. So happy you found your way back to this incredible gift our puppies bring to us.
💙