Just a little update

 I've been really avoiding updating my About Me on the sidebar, but it really is time. The thing is, whenever I look at it, I'm reminded of the change that has happened in the last 6 weeks. 

I won't go into detail here, because I've shared this enough times with friends, but our dear little chi Enzo passed away on December 7th after a prolonged seizure. Those of you with beloved pets know how hard it is to say goodbye to them. Let's just say, I still think of little E and miss him daily. I guess having his photo on my phone homescreen can account for that, in part, anyway! 

Last year, I commissioned a friend to create a cut paper art print of a photo I sent her, and then I framed it. I'm so glad I did that. This little guy found a place in our hearts and in our family, and that won't change. 

And, so I will update my About Me soon... but there's another change happening any day now, so I'll wait for that! My daughter in law will be giving birth to her third child soon! She is due on January 25th. I'm getting excited to meet my freshest grandchild! 

J is for Joy

The other day I took my grandson and Enzo the Chi outdoors for a little romp in the backyard. It was a warm, sunny day-- the kind of day you imagine when you think 'spring'. Well, Enzo couldn't contain his joy. He zipped up and down the yard, and ran back and forth past us as I played tag with him. I swear he was smiling! Little C and I both had a good laugh over watching this little canine go crazy.

I wonder when was the last time I literally jumped for joy? Well, my heart was full of joy when I met my new granddaughter for the first time yesterday, but I didn't jump. I got a little emotional and quiet, to be honest. Joy can be expressed that way, too. 

Moments of wild abandonment and letting loose are healthy for anyone. Little children and happy dogs remind me what it's like to express joy without reservation.

F is for Friends

What is the definition of a friend? Essentially, it's someone who enjoys your company. Usually, if they like being with you, they are kind to you  and treat you well. They accept you for who you are. Of course, it's as important to BE a good friend as to have one.

 Little Enzo the Chi is happiest when he's physically close to his people. His big eyes often look up at me and I stroke his fur. He sighs audibly and deeply and settles down into his blanket.  He is definitely our little fur baby!

I recently enjoyed reading The Grace of Dogs: A Boy, A Black Lab, and a Father's Search for the Canine Soul by Andrew Root. In it, Root mentioned that studies have shown that dogs prefer being with people rather than with their own kind, which is unusual in the animal world.  As well, they are one of the few animals that constantly make eye contact with humans. They crave the connection with their human friends. We all know stories of friendship between humans and animals. There is definitely a special bond there.

A life lived well includes being a good friend as well as having them.

~Influence~ (Five Minute Friday)

Influence

My parents’ love and care for animals when I was growing up, has influenced me to value them and see them as an important part of creation. My dad was a gentle man who was always kind to animals. He never kicked a dog or was rough with any animals (or people). My mom has the softest spot for animals. I’m sure she gives them human qualities without even thinking about it!

This past week my husband and I were away for a week, visiting my elderly mother and other family and friends in Alberta, about an 8 hour drive from where we live. I had asked a good friend in my semi-rural neighbourhood if she would watch our little chihuahua Enzo. She happily agreed. She is a kind and caring person, so I had no qualms. In fact, this isn't the first time she’s helped me out in this way. As everyone in my family knows, Enzo is a big part of our family. He was a rescue dog at one point. It’s a long story, but let’s just say, we love him to bits and he’s a little coddled, haha!

Midweek, my girlfriend called me on my cell.  I knew something was up. “Enzo is lost!”, she said, obviously quite upset. Enzo is not an outdoor dog by any stretch. He wouldn’t survive long in our Canadian winter. “He bolted when my son let him outside, after I left to go to yoga”. She had scoured the neighbourhood.

Now, Enzo has never bolted before. He was obviously distressed at my friend leaving without him, I surmised.  I gave her the name of our vet clinic (which was on the dog tag), and asked her to call them.

My mom was with me when I heard the news. “Oh no!” she gasped. I felt sick.  My first response was to quietly pray and then text other family members as well, via WhatsApp (they all know Enzo). Her first response was to pray audibly, right then.

Happy Ending! Within minutes, my friend texted me back and said that she had called my vet. A kind soul in our neighbourhood had found Enzo and taken him to the clinic, where he was waiting to be picked up.

My mom and I hugged (and I may have shed a few tears).

My mom’s influence in my formative years has given me a firm foundation that God is interested in all that goes on in our lives, including the ‘little things’ like little lost pets, lost keys, or an available parking spot.

a loved dog

a tiny dog! 

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday community.   (I'm a day late, I know!) You are welcome to join in, too!

~Belong~

Day 6 Belong

Everyone wants to belong somewhere and to someone.

 I have a little 9 year old Chihuahua who’s been mine for three years. Everyone knows that he belongs to me. Even my husband. If I’m away for a few days and my husband comes home at the end of the day to let Prince Enzo out of his crate, the first thing the little critter does is rush right past my husband, and out the front door to see if I’m home, too. 

“Don’t I matter at all?” my husband asks him, his words falling on deaf ears of course. Enzo just wants ME.  He knows he belongs to ME. I am the one who feeds him, the one who gives him treats, takes him on walks, and takes him to the vet.

 It’s not that he doesn’t like my husband. He’s happy when he sees my husband and enjoys relaxing with him.  But we all know who he really belongs to. We all want to know that we belong, don’t we?

 I’m so glad that I belong to God and am loved by Him unconditionally.

Footnote: For all of you celebrating a Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend (I'm one!), remember to   look around your dinner table and give thanks for all those wonderful people you belong to in some way! Happy Thanksgiving! 

I’ve  joined the 31 Days of Five Minute Freewrites. Read more about it here.

It's Summer!

This is the time of year where it's really, really important to let everyday count. Enjoy the moments because in a very short time, the busyness of the Fall season is going to loom large.

And it'll feel like everything is moving ahead at a breakneck pace.

And it'll be hard to control.

I know that feeling all too well. It's almost like my heart constantly beats a little faster when the end of summer approaches. But enough of that! Time to focus on... SUMMER!

It's the NOW I intend to relish. Everyday, I hope to do at least 3 simple things that bring me joy (it's good for the soul!).

So far, today it's been...

A morning walk around the neighbourhood with Prince Enzo. Here he is on one of our hikes earlier this Spring. He's the best little companion!

Puttering around the pool.  It's been cool and rainy the last little while, so no pool days lately. But today, it's sunny-- it was relaxing and almost meditative to simply walk around the perimeter of the pool, manually vacuuming it, taking in the warm sunshine, and listening to the little neighbour girls happily splashing in their new above ground pool.

Number 3 yet to come.. tonight I'm heading out to the library for a FREE workshop on still life drawing. I'm really looking forward to that!

What simple little things are you enjoying today?

When I'm not working...

Finally! I have finished knitting the pair of socks which took me over a year (they were mostly sitting in my knitting basket, biding their time). Funny how letting things be sometimes is the best idea when one is frustrated. I was able to fix my mistake without pulling my hair out or frogging the entire sock, AND I combined two very thin blue fingering weight yarns to knit matching toes for these socks. Yes, this meant I had to undo the first sock's toe and use the new yarns, but the color combination looks just fine to me.  These are thicker, comfy socks and will be great for cooler days. 

Almost done, but running out of yarn! 

Done and pleased with the results

 And now the knitting bug has been biting again.. small projects are my favorite right now. Something I can pick up easily when I'm watching a program on Netflix or on my CTVgo App. And a welcome change from the fingers tap-tap-tapping on the keyboard.

A new pair of socks forming here (these have cotton in them, so they'll be good for warmer weather). I've given myself plenty of time to finish them! Actually, things are moving along quite quickly. I had this yarn in my stash, so I thought it best to use this up before I buy more.

ONline sock yarn - love the color!

The Prince is not pleased with his new cardigan. He just sits and sulks when I put it on him. Hope he gets over that! When temperatures get even cooler, maybe he will welcome it. But I doubt it.