Tag Archives: dog adoption

Dec 3 – A Companion Shortens a Road

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Some things don’t make sense until they’re over. In the meantime, friends, human and more-than-human, make life tolerable.

Shiba – photo by author

what will be, will be

years have flown so why pretend

it doesn’t matter

Three muses informed today’s senryu.

“Does Pinocchio turn into a real boy?

In the last moments of the film, as the newfound family walks out together, Jiminy Cricket comes to the end of his narration. He says that many stories were told about Pinocchio, with some claiming he becomes a real flesh-and-bone boy. However, Jiminy doesn’t know if that ever happened. But he says it doesn’t matter. What matters is that Pinocchio was brave, truthful and unselfish and that made him as real a boy as any!“ http://www.thereviewgeek.com/pinocchio2022-endingexplained/

It’s a Long Road to Freedom by Miriam Therese Winter

It’s a long road to freedom, a winding steep and high
But when you walk in love with the wind on your wing
And cover the earth with the songs you sing
The miles fly by

I walked one morning by the sea
And all the waves reached out to me
I took their tears, then let them be

I walked one morning at the dawn
When bits of night still lingered on
I sought my star, but it was gone

I walked one morning with a friend
And prayed the day would never end
The years have flown so why pretend

genius.com/Medical-mission-sisters-its-a-long-road-to-freedom-lyrics

irisharoundtheworld.com/irish-proverbs/

Giorraíonn beirt bother. A companion shortens a road.

When a friend helps time pass on a journey.

Nov 8 – There Will Be Dogs in My Future

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if we are lucky

a dog will give us their smile

and our hearts will melt

Yesterday, I listed the many lost companion animals of my past; most of them were dogs, dearly beloved dogs.

A good friend is a part-time palm reader. They recently read my palms and saw two very clear signs. First, there would be big dogs in my future and second, there would be small dogs. We both laughed.

I’m writing this on a very early Wednesday morning. In a couple of hours, I will be visiting the Stray Rescue of STL facility to walk dogs for the morning. It’s something I look forward to every week. One at a time, I will walk mixed breed dogs that have been abandoned and then rescued for hopeful re-homing.

Last Wednesday, I walked Goten, Supreme, Fury, Luck of the Irish and Pepto. Not sure who I will walk today. I’m always hopeful at least one of last week’s dogs will have been adopted or fostered in the meantime.

Here’s wishing you a day filled with joy and, if you’re lucky like me, a day that includes the love of a dog.

https://www.strayrescue.org/adopt-a-dog

Sept 28 – With a Dog

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I can walk into the night

down any alley, up any flight

or up or down, for that matter,

into the depths of hell

because I know, all will be well …

with a dog.

In season or out, blue skies or gray,

warm or cold, friendless or fourfold,

in good times or bad,

every day, such is life,

I always have hope …

with a dog.

Three more adorable and adoptable dogs from Stray Rescue of STL.

https://www.strayrescue.org/adopt-a-dog

Sept 21 – LOVE IS BUT A SMILE AWAY

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your smile helps me smile

my life is always better

in your company

https://www.strayrescue.org/adopt-a-dog

So grateful to have the opportunity to walk the fur friends at Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Above are the five that reminded me yesterday that love still exists, and we can be a part of giving and receiving it, whenever we volunteer at our local animal rescue facility.

Aug 26 – International Dog Day

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Can you feel the love,

see the desire to be close?

Nose to nose, we see.

“INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY: A SPECIAL DAY TO CELEBRATE ALL DOGS AROUND THE WORLD!

The International Dog Day is observed annually on August 26 to honor all dogs – no matter shapes, sizes, age and breeds – and encourage adoption to all those who have yet to find a home and a family forever.

It is a good and symbolic occasion to celebrate man’s best friend and to remember that every dog around the world should deserve a better life: a life of joy, love, protection, care and respect. A special day to raise awareness about dog adoption because if you are looking for a life’s companion, shelters are full of four-legged friends who are waiting for their chance and will bring just happiness to your days.

Today we also want to give special thought to all dogs that are still left behind in many parts of the world because people, government or local authorities do not care. We should remember all dogs killed, abused, mistreated, but also those who live homeless, in suffering with no care and need to be helped and rescued.

This day was created in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert and animal advocate who chose to celebrate the day on August 26 as it was the date that her family adopted their first dog ‘Sheltie’ from an animal shelter home.

Since the first celebration in 2004, National Dog Day has grown in popularity and is now celebrated across the world as International Dog Day.

Today choose to celebrate by giving your dog an extra cuddle, but also do not forget the others and help them by volunteering in a shelter, making a donation or consciously adopting your friend forever.

Be sure to spend this day acknowledging how wonderful and valuable dogs are and give them something positive back as they deserve.”

https://www.oipa.org/international/international-dog-day/

Jun 28 – One Week Later

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Zorro and me a few months back

Today’s dogryu: One Week Later

miss you so, Zorro

grateful for the time we had

still holding you close

http://www.strayrescue.org

I return to Stray Rescue today to walk some big dogs. Plenty of dogs looking for love and attention. The feelings are mutual.

In his book HOW TO LIVE WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES, Thich Nhat Hanh explains:

“Letting Emotions Flow Through You

Do not be afraid of your painful feelings and difficult emotions. If we try to repress our painful feelings, we create a lack of circulation in our psyche which can lead to depression or other psychological problems. Just as the body needs good circulation of the blood to remain healthy, we also need good psychological circulation. …

Mindfulness is the blood of our psyche. Like the blood in the body, it has the power to eliminate toxins and heal our pain. Every time our pain is embraced by mindfulness, it loses some of its strength; it becomes weaker each time. …

When mindfulness circulates in our consciousness, we begin to experience well-being. We needn’t be afraid of our pain when we know that our mindfulness is also there, ready to embrace and transform it.” p.56

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667266/how-to-live-when-a-loved-one-dies-by-thich-nhat-hanh

The Messiness of Life by Terry Hershey

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Zorro not feeling well (picture taken by me, also not feeling well)

Today, June 21, 2023, I will be asked to decide on end-of-life procedures for my beloved 12-year-old male Chihuahua. To say I am sad cannot express how low I feel.

As an animal chaplain, I have taken a vow to “honor animal lives and heal human hearts.” Today, I will honor Zorro and someday, maybe not today, I will heal my own heart. I know I will need help to do this and I’m uncomfortable asking for help. Giving help is easier for me than asking for it or even accepting it when it is offered.

Life is messy and Terry Hershey’s message below is especially meaningful for me today.

The Messiness of Life

Messiness exposes vulnerability. I will admit, vulnerability is not my strong suit. I do prefer self-sufficiency. And rising above. And yet, self-reliance sounds laudable, but can be an obstacle, because it is difficult to say the words “help” or “thank you.” So, here’s the good news: There is power in embracing vulnerability. And vulnerability never exempts us from the sacrament of the present. Because vulnerability allows us to rest in that touch, that blessing.

—from the book This Is the Life: Mindfulness, Finding Grace, and the Power of the Present Moment
by Terry Hershey

Jun 15 – 3 + 1 = JOY

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I am the luckiest man in the universe and this week I walked three new dogs and one lovable repeater. Pictured below are Elmers, Manifest, Fury (all new to me) and The Supreme (a personal BFFF).

Today’s puppyru: 3 + 1 = JOY

how lucky am i

to meet and breathe air with you

truly JOY divine

All pictures taken by Stray Rescue of STL

Waiting for You

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Today’s pupryu: Waiting for You

rescued and ready

to love you if you want me –

I’m waiting for you

I love walking dogs; especially the beautiful animals at Stray Rescue of STL. Yet, I confess, there’s a sadness at times when you realize you’re walking some of the same animals, week after week, who would love to become someone’s best friend.

Sure, no dog is a perfect for everyone just like no human is a perfect fit for everyone. Maybe, just maybe, your perfect fit is at your local rescue shelter.

Here are three of the four dogs I walked yesterday.

The Supreme, nearly 5-yr-old 50lb+ female Terrier Mix who prefers to be an only dog.

Tic Tac, 7-yr-old, 50lb+ female Terrier – OK with kids and other mellow dogs; not cats.

L.O.T.I. (Luck of the Irish), 3-yr-old, 50lb+ female Terrier. Gorgeous dog with a pleasant personality.

A fourth dog, Skidmore, is a young Plott Hound/Shepherd mix. I will collect a picture next week if he’s still there. Fingers crossed he’s not because he’s been adopted.