LIDDLE WOLF CUBBIE

Three years ago last month, he wove his way into my heart and claimed me as his very own.  The pup who has never met a stranger, happily greeting anyone who comes his way, still has an innate need to check in with me and remind himself that he is Totally and Forever mine.

I truly do not believe that I deserve a love this strong and pure....But it is a gift, and Mom always said to graciously and humbly Take the Gift....So, it is mine, and because of it, I have grown and learned and experienced a dog like none other.

The Standard for the Collie includes a major portion devoted to "expression."  It is the subject discussed by the Best of Colliefolk, and its interpretation is as vast as there are Colliefolk....But the main component in a Collie face is summed up in the Expression.  And, even tho he has entertained us with his silly antics and eternal puppyhood, SOMEtimes, through that dorky little face I am beginning to see traces of wisdom and even a bit of elegance.

Man, it has taken a Long Time!

He's actually learning how to pay attention, how to respond gently, and how to receive guests without jumping up. Why, we have even completed a visit to PetSmart without peeing in the store.

Next month he will qualify for his second "leg" in AKC Rally Obedience. Off leash.... "No net" as Bikeman calls it. In March we will dance in the upper level at a World Canine Freestyle event. April finds us at the Collie Nationals and completing that Rally title.  May is an Animal Communication workshop in New Hampshire. And, of course, June is CampGoneToTheDogs.

In the meantime, we still take time to do a few therapy visits....

This is my "kennel help" who assists me when we load up the van at the Retirement Center.  The boyz do whatever he tells them to. And the Wolf Cubbie doesn't jump up....I'm thinking that he might be a pretty good ambassador for the breed....Dorky smile and all....

FORTY Years Ago

Do you remember what you were doing 40 years ago?  How OLD were you? Do you remember the fashions you wore back then (certainly something Very short if you are female!).....How old was yer Momma? Your sisters and brothers? Who was president then?  What car did you drive?

Forty years seems like such a very long time ago, and when I was 19, the folks who were 59 seemed ancient and Quite Stoopid and out of the loop.

I turn 59 this month. The last year in my decade of fifties....And as I look at that Ancient Age, I look back to that young woman who was 19 and so desperately in love. In love with Life, with herself, and with a very handsome and kind Sailor stationed at the Naval Base in Memphis Tennessee.

I married that kind man, and we have been on a Roller Coaster Ride for the past 40 years. It doesn't look like there is any hope of things being much different.  We speed up, we slow down, we rocket downhill, we fly to the top till we are almost out of track, and there have been Very Few non-breathtaking moments in the whole dam ride.....

Together, we have lived thru 8 presidents, several wars and rumors of war, 4 college degrees, 2 mortgages,  countless cars, vans, dogs, cats, and various other animals. We have gained and lost weight. Grown our hair out and chopped it off (well, that would be ME, Bikeman's hair has stayed the SAME all these years.  Really). We have argued over children, money, the thermostat setting, schedules, who gets to mow the lawn...

I Love mowing the lawn! I LOVE it! WHY does his "manly duty" get in the way of this wonderful activity?

I wanted to write something about Wisdom and Knowledge and give Sage Advice about Something, ANYthing in this Blog, but, honestly....well....I don't feel much different than I did 40 years ago when I knew everything and believed we would someday be Famous.....It was only Yesterday when I first laid eyes on that blonde, blue-eyed handsome sailor.  Only yesterday when we embraced each other and "Knew" that this was the end of our lives as we knew it.....Hours after that, we had children and minutes after that, they finished college and married and gave us grandchildren. Seconds later we were retired and riding bicycles nonstop and teaching dogs how to dance.

HOW can one learn something Important in so short a time?

Fifty-nine.....Apologies that I do not have any Wise Words to go with my Advanced Age....

I will tell you one thing that I have learned, and truthfully, I did Not learn it from the Dali Lama...tho I do have his book  The Art of Happiness and have digested every word...

I believe that it is Very Important to be happy.  My Mom quoted Abraham Lincoln as saying that "Most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be." She also handed me her Dale Carnegie books---"Act enthusiastic and you will be enthusiastic." and "Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude."

 Grow up with those attitudes in your face everyday, and some of it is bound to sink in....With or WITHOUT the Dali Lama.....It also shows on your face, and in your relationships and in the manner in which people react to you. When you are Happy, you will accomplish much, you will benefit many, and you will allow the Love of the Great Creator of us All to shine outward and warm the planet.

That's about all I have to "give" you of my nearly60years....

Figger out a way to Be Happy, then spread it all around.