Carson's eyes

As most of you know, my English Bulldog named Gus is my constant companion at home. I can count on his presence when I have my first cup of coffee in the morning- through the day, till the house grows quiet and it is time to try and sleep again. I have been his favorite human for all five years of his life, even though my husband picked him out and named him.

With our newest additions of Lil Blackie and his brother named Carson, I have watched as these six month old puppies decide how they "fit in" with our pack.

It is caffeine time again and a not so early morning -which means that Gus is beside me as I write this blog. He enjoys his place at my left foot, resting on the cool, wood floor in the dining room. I enjoy being able to check in with him with a scratch behind his ears or to pet him on his back. Everyone in my household is a creature of their habits, and we appreciate the rhythms of our day.
Carson wants to figure out how he "fits in" each morning.

Dogs enjoy being part of a pack. Most are very social and can have positive experiences if taught from an early age. Our female, Violet is restricted from her daily activities as she recovers from an eye scratch and it is traumatic for her. She loves her "take charge" days and does not understand why she cannot be with everyone else. Her pitiful whimpers at the bedroom door make me wish for a quick recovery. Her pack misses her too.

Gus has decided that it is okay if Carson joins our morning routine and sits at my right foot. He is patient with this wiggly puppy and loves that the pups want to be near him. Gus is the silent, patient uncle that is loving and loyal. They look to him as they figure out how they matter in the pack. 

It is very easy for me to just focus on my work of the day and my efforts to complete it. I can bury my head in my projects and not look up from them. Today I will work hard, but I will look up and I will look down. I will look in the eyes of my loving dogs and be appreciative for the blessing of having them in my life.

and my Gus comes to find me...

I disappeared into the bedroom tonight to attempt to write this blog. It is a quiet evening and I thought that I would try to review, write and create. This took my Gus by surprise and he searched the house for me. I heard his feet pitter patter down the hall and I realized he was wondering about my location.

I thought that he was asleep when I left him in the family room with my husband and his brother Charlie. He seemed quite content on the tile in front of the fireplace. He noticed that I left and that was not okay with him. I appreciate that. To him I matter and I know that  he loves to spend his time with me.

Connections in life are a treasure and we often get busy and neglect them. Life gets too fast and the to-do list is too long and stress and anxiety set in. There are too many bills and too little money to pay them. The "shoulds" make us feel guilty and we get old.

I want to be like Gus.  

The dog pack in our household has parameters and each dog knows their place. We have a couple of "Alphas" as well as the "Sheriff". The little ones are figuring out the roles they will play. For the most part, everyone gets along and life is good. Gus has never worried too much about how he fits in. He is just a part of it.

At times our family has joked about Gus and his meditative stances. It has been asked if "he is all there". There has been much talk about if he notices or pays attention to his surroundings. I am starting to believe that he has always had us outsmarted and knows exactly what the world offers.

He knows what he wants in his life. He loves deeply. He is loyal, funny, and happy. He never worries and he trusts. Each day is new and fresh to him -and he never holds a grudge.

I want to be like Gus.

There is a sticker in my car that says "Two hours at a time." I see it every time I drive and it is a reminder to me to not look so far ahead. Stop stressing about the future. I should stay present tense and focus on what is right in front of me. Dogs like Gus never need a reminder to stay in the present tense.

He matters to me too.