time delayed gratification ... aka my dog is the cat I wanted my whole life

I have always said that all prayers are answered, but sometimes the Universe works on a time delay of sorts.  Sometimes it is years before the prayer, as asked, is answered.  And then sometimes it doesn't come the way we expect (I'm sure I've told the Prince Charming Story, so we'll shelve that for now).

When I was a little girl, I desperately wanted a cat.  The one animal my father wouldn't ever let us adopt - something about a cat going shame-shame in his sandbox when he was a little boy.  (I was told if I got a paper route and could afford to buy and board a horse on what I earned, he'd help me pick him out.  Generous, no?)

It didn't stop the dream of something lithe, lean, graceful, independent, beautiful.  In a word feline. Maybe I should have dreamed that about myself, I could have been a ballerina.

Subsequent dreams came and went, but the dream of the cat went unfulfilled.  But a lot of dogs crossed my path.  All sizes, shapes, and various levels of obedience.  Honestly, I have seldom been responsible for creating good manners in my canines; the prior owners or foster parents usually encouraged good manners.  I've been lucky.

Until.

A bit better than a year ago,  a puggle found her way into my life.  More petite than the golden retriever who most recently owned (and as of this writing still owns) me, a joy to play with because she actually plays.

Thing is, she is actually a cat.

She is long, lithe, graceful, independent, and knows her own mind.  I am graced with her presence only when it behooves her, cuddled by her only when she is cold, and sought out when she has a definite need she'd like to have met.  Oh and she only eats what she wants to eat, no matter what goes in the bowl; if it doesn't meet her requirements, she boycotts the bowl until something better is delivered.

Hubby is the one who initially pointed out that it was catlike behavior.

Turns out that this is the right kind of cat for me, for now.

29 days of giving ... day 24 - the gift of story and appreciation

Blondie took 'his' little girl for a walk at the dog park.  I went with him, just in case he had too many admirers ... yeah, that's it.

Ok, so we borrowed K and her mom for the evening, but she who holds the leash and the bag of cookies has the loyalty.

After the boy had consumed most of his cookies and had gone as far as his old hips would allow, we headed back through the softball area.

Blondie met the most gracious man who knew exactly how to rub him and how to provide water from a bottle (I can do it, but it always tastes better if some one else is pouring).The gentleman fussed over Blondie and was very good with K, too.

While the boys were having their love-in, it came to light that he had just given the love of his life away.  It was the most selfless thing he said he had ever done.  Honestly, I think he spent weeks debating about it and choosing the right home for his companion. I know what he does for a living and I understand how a dog wouldn't work there and how h is life changed, but I could also see how much his heart had broken.


Next week, the boy and I are going to take a walk at about the same time and in the same place and hope he is playing ball again ... they could both use the support.

29 Days of Giving - Day 4 - Just a Matter of Time

My mom is one of the most active, creative, and vibrant 60+ somethings that I know.  She usually has so many irons on the fire, we seem to pass each other despite the fact she doesn't live but five miles down the street from me.


Today, I gave the gift of time and true conversation to her. We talked, laughed, and worked on jewelry.  Did I mention that she is a great jewelry designer?  Each piece is unique, textured and layered.  Think of a painting from a great artist and notice that sometimes there is far more going on than just the still life, you might be able to see the reflection of the child in the mirror above the plate or you might notice that the person sitting for the portrait is painted in mismatched shoes.  That is what looking at her necklaces and bracelets is like to me.  Sure, I can look at the stones and realize what she's used, but when I look at the combination of the stones with the seed and other beads, combined with the copper or silver bits it takes things to a different level.

While I have always appreciated the pieces she's made for me, today I took the time to not only look and see, but truly appreciate her work for what it is.

All it cost me was a little time.

Thanks, Mom.