sleepy dogs and sex in the city reruns

The first few weeks of life for this litter of bulldog puppies involves a lot of sleep. Not for the humans who love them, but for the mommy dog and the babies.
 Eat- Sleep- Poop- and Stay Warm.
Life is pared down to the basics and the simplicity of this is bittersweet. Every day that Violet ( the mother dog) and I work together to care for her eight is a day closer to when they leave us. Children must grow up and leave the nest.

Teething is starting for this group -so that will be nature's way to tell us that weaning is on the horizon. Growth and advancement in the truest sense. It is reassuring to know that Life carries on and moves forward. 

I miss writing this blog. It is enjoyable to take time every day and check in with myself and my dog loving readers. Eventually that will be more consistent too. Time is precious and limited for all.

my disappearance and our new arrivals

The last two weeks have been no vacation.
(insert smile emoticon)

This is not a complaint- it is just the fact that our Violet has delivered her puppies and all are well. We are proud grandparents to six boys and two girls. The grand puppies are beautiful, furry miracles that change every day. Violet is an attentive first time mother. Her well check was today and her pups are on schedule for good health and growth.

The pups arrival means that I have departed. My normal day to day life is on hold while I assist the new mother and her pups. I went through newborn care twice (many years ago) and honestly thought I would be ready for this. I underestimated how intense this is.

I will kick myself in a few months if I do not look up and realize how sweet this time in my life is. My immediate family is well and the children with fur are also! Praise God!
Life is a gift, I am present, and very thankful. 

Sunday is not some day.

Do you think that as an adult you have lost your "child- like sense of wonder"?
I ask myself that question when life seems routine. It helps me get back on track concerning joy in my life.

I had the pleasure of the company of my favorite three year old this week. She came to visit while her Mom and Dad were at work. The visit was relaxed, activity filled, and fun for both of us. I wish that I planned my days like this everyday-whether or not I have special company.

Mr. Rogers always said that play is the work of a child. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood most of us decide that play and work must be separate. This is too bad. I would like to change that in my life. 

Play dough is one of those products that can transport a person back to childhood when they sniff, feel and build with it. This happened to me this week at my house. Why did we stop buying toys? Why don't I have bubbles, silly putty, and the 64 pack of Crayola crayons out everyday for me?  

Our bulldog Violet is missing her playtime also. She tires easily and her movements are slow and plodding. I will be happy for her when she gets some relief soon and feels more like herself.

Muddy puppies and mish mash

This is Gus and Zeke, two of the English Bulldog brothers who live at our house. The third brother is named Charlie. They are older now (the picture is 4 years old) but they still love to play and are best of friends.
Whenever I look at this picture it makes me smile. We have a copy of it on the refrigerator, because it starts everyone's day in a positive manner.

I enjoy the company of my pets more than most time spent with humans. Dogs are present, usually positive, and do not worry about politics. Their eyes tell you everything about yourself as an owner. Their tail tells you how the day is playing out.I am a sucker for a nudge and a lick on my hand.

My dogs do not mind if I sing to them. I can practice my Spanish on Gus and he listens for my pronunciation. The cat runs when I sing to her. Critic. The dogs have an honesty and eagerness to start a new adventure the minute you walk in the door. They are never too tired.

There is a bulldog in our local Humane Society that needs rescue. She is about the same age as my boys and we intend to go and visit her in the morning. I have contacted the main rescue organization in our state and hope to find a home for her soon. My heart breaks for the owner who had to give her up. I understand how hard it is on a dog who changes homes.

My Charlie is not in the picture above because he was living with his first owner at the time. He was a kind gentleman who loved him completely. His owner passed away when the boys were one year old. The gentleman's family returned the sweet boy to the breeder. She was at a loss as to what to do.

We invited her over for the first birthday celebration and asked her to bring Charlie too. We had not seen him since the boys were pups and wanted to see how he had grown. He burst into the house, a bundle of excitement, nerves, energy and stress. He was very unsure of what was going on in his world.

The visit was pleasant and I told Charlie how much we wished he could join our family. We told the breeder too. It took some convincing for her to believe that we were not just being polite. We wanted Charlie to live with his brothers and be a part of our family.

The joy in his face lights up the room every day of his life. We are so blessed to have this big guy. His heart is so big and he loves so deeply. As we get ready for Violet's big day, it is Charlie who is bonded closest to her. He guides her, protects her and watches over her every move. I hope that her human care is as good as her canine.

The vulnerability of the little girl at the Humane Society stabs at my heart tonight. I pray that all the pets will be rescued, but there is something in her eyes. I had seen it three years ago when our third boy came to us. I hope that we can find her the right home.

"If I could be half the person my dogs think I am.."

"Buttons" at the Spokane Humane Society  ID #21227962

It is a pleasure and a privilege.

Tuesdays used to be one of those days each week that were just "satisfactory." Usually, the work week is in full swing, projects are progressing nicely and time is being managed in a productive manner. The routines of the second day of the traditional work week went by in rote fashion. How disrespectful of me.

I often let the rays of sunshine help elevate my mood. On the days when the gray clouds and dreary rain cover the sky, my mood may be gray and dreary too.  What a headstrong and silly way to approach each day.

About fifteen years ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to go see the Broadway musical "Rent" that was touring through our city. I could not wait to see the performance because I knew it was loosely based on Puccini's La Boheme and I am an opera nut. This musical experience moved me.

"Rent" was supposed to open off- Broadway exactly one hundred years after Puccini's opera. It opened one hundred years plus one day after the opera. The creative, young composer Jonathan Larson died suddenly from an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm the early morning of the scheduled opening night. He never got to see the success of his creation.

Why am I writing about a musical that is almost twenty years old? The truths told in this story are unforgettable. Because of the song called "Seasons of Love."

This song asks "How do you measure a year?--- In daylights,  in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee... In inches, in miles, in laughter in strife. In 525,600 minutes- how do you measure a year in the life?" 

We are measuring time by days in our household these days. Our sixty three day countdown is nearing its end. I must say that today after a conversation with our Doctor that I was anxious about how much we still have to do. This evening, I am encouraged. I will stop measuring by Tuesdays or Fridays, or sunshine or rain clouds.

525,600 minutes... 

the prettiest of views

Dogs act in ways that resemble human empathy, such as resting with a person who is sick with the flu, or licking an injured area where a bruise is set to appear. Dogs and humans share the same anatomical parts, so why can't we share the same feelings and emotions?

Each of our dogs have taken turns to help a family member recover from an illness or a surgery. The companionship and their patience is wonderful during the recovery process. Children with fur are the best at watching their owner and offering a snuggle or a lick when needed.

Humans will debate the canine instinct with their range and capability of emotion. Any dog owner can give examples of fear, frustration, anxiety, and even depression experienced by their dog. 

sen·tient

  [sen-shuhnt]  Show IPA

adjective

1.

having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.

2.

characterized by sensation and consciousness.

noun

3.

a person or thing that is sentient.

4.

Archaic. the conscious mind.

Origin: 
1595–1605;  < Latin sentient-  (stem of sentiēns,  present participle ofsentīre  to feel), equivalent to senti-  verb stem + -ent- -ent

"sentient." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 21 Oct. 2013. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sentient>.

Sentience is a term defined as "having perceptions and sensations." If a dog is "sentient" she is aware of her surroundings and aware of what happens to her. She is also capable of feelings and emotions, of pain and pleasure, and can maintain complex social relationships. A range of emotions experienced can be illustrated by when a dog's emotions range from happiness that you have returned home-- to sulking because you left them for a while. It seems the dog remembers that you left and has hurt feelings. 

FYI: The English Bulldog is one of the rare canines that can die from a broken heart. Unfortunately, there are documented cases of loss after a traumatic event. These sweet bullies love deeply.

Dogs may not have our sense of time, place or self. This loss of sense of time or "living present" is natural for them.  Honesty, perceptions, and sensations can be skewed by humans. Dogs are more evolved than humans in this manner. 

To sum this all up I must push myself to "live in the present" like my dogs. At the top of my To Do list will be the words, "Smile- Appreciate- and Look up." 

   

her final two weeks

It has been twenty three years since I have experienced what our Violet is going through. She is uncomfortable, tired and crabby. Her hormones are surging and she wishes that she felt normal. She waddles when she walks -at a much slower pace.

I commiserate with her and explain to her that she is over two thirds of the way there! She is not impressed. She picked a fight with Zeke last night. The poor guy did not see that coming. My surprised husband broke it up and scolded the little girl. I wish there was a way to explain that it is not much longer.

Nature is miraculous and we bloom, and change, and grow. Each experience gives us a chance to learn and become more than we were the day before. You are loved with all our hearts and we will take good care of you.