It has been such a blessing this summer to be around so many pups for days at a time. Maybe some do a pet sitting job just for the sake of the job. For me, I am learning that GOD can open my heart big enough to let all the love in from each sweet pup I take care of.
My heart still grieves for the loss of my sweet Charlie who we had for 11 years. I can think of him and instantly the tears come....
I certainly won't forget all the fun and love I received from a Freedom service dog named Cinder. She was one of a kind and will someday be a Therapy Dog for Camp Bow Wow.
And I won't forget seeing Gander graduate with Lonnie, his new owner on stage at Freedom. He was nominated for Service Dog of the year and came in second place. He is becoming very well known, has his own Facebook page and is on Instagram as well. It was a joy to meet him and now follow all that he does for Lonnie and as a therapy dog too!
Over a year ago I retired from teaching Figure Skating.... and now I have a new passion. Dogs and cats too, are such a gift for us of unconditional love. If you are one of the lucky ones to own a ball of love, may you never take it for granted!
And on my free days, my Molly and I go for long walks together.... she never leaves my side and we are so blessed by this dog who we rescued... but I really believe she found us!
In the early morning I reach for my coffee and devotionals and sit quietly in my office. Molly loves to run upstairs before me, and she always brings her toy along with her. I know she is planning on playing with me. We bought her a Kong which seems to last a long time with all the pulling and biting on it. Kongs are great for dogs and well worth the money!
This particular morning she was looking at me and I was able to catch this cute picture shown above. When I call her sometimes, she lifts her head and listens to her name being called.
We are enjoying our daily walks together and on the last few we have had a lone deer run right out in front of us. Both times we were surprised by this and I did grab hold tightly of Molly's harness since I could see she would love to be able to run after the deer.
I have learned from volunteering at Freedom Service Dogs, that the harness is best for dogs. A leash on a collar can do damage to their necks and a harness is very secure. We purchased a Kong harness for Molly..... it has an extra handle on the top of it which I love to use.
Kong products are wonderful and you can buy them at any local pet store. Make sure to take your pup out for a walk this weekend. You both will benefit!
I don't know about you, but I love sunflowers. It is the time of year where they are blooming all around the paths that I walk on with Molly in Idyllwilde. She of course doesn't see them as I do, but they are a welcome sight. Did you ever notice that a sunflower is ALWAYS turned towards the sun?
I love their color and their stalks are tall and sway with the wind.... they seem so happy and full of joy too! I love when I see a bunch together, all looking at me as if to say: have a day filled with joy!
There are many wildflowers blooming as well, and if you walk early enough you will see the deer. The other morning we saw a baby and it's mama. The baby ran off, but the mama keep her focus on Molly and I. I am positive she wanted to make sure we didn't come too close and that her baby was protected!.
Even though we are bound to get hot days here, I love the cool of the early morning and so does Molly. We seem to walk faster and cover more ground together. Enjoy this time of year.... it will be gone before we realize .... it is truly a blessing for us all!
Not too long ago, I had the wonderful privilege of fostering sweet CINDER. I was asked to take care of her for Freedom Service dogs and her foster dad who was out of the country at the time.
She was with us one week, and then another four....long enough to get attached to her. I cannot tell you how she took hold of my heart. I also had her for one week when she was a small puppy....she was extremely cute!
She presently is in the Canine Prison training system to be a therapy dog for someone. I don't know why, but I think about her every day. I wonder what she is learning and how that trainer will learn to love her just as I have.
There just was something special about her.... her look and her nature. She had a gentleness about her.... a kindness.
Everyone who met her thought she was special....I don't know why I was so lucky to have her, but I just know that there will forever be a hole in my heart where she was, and I will never forget her time spent with us!
How lucky I have been this week and weekend to be able to watch a sweet pup named Maeby. I was hired by a family to come and spend time with her each day. Of course that involves playtime, feeding, petting, and walking.
Right now the Hero Dogs Awards are taking place with the opportunity to vote each day for some very special dogs... but in my mind, ALL dogs are heroes to their families. They are heroes in a way that they are loyal and loving to those around them. I can tell that Maeby misses her family, but for now I am the next best thing. She continues to greet me at the door with her tail wagging and a loving lick on my hand when I reach out to pet her.
Dogs come in all shapes and sizes and temperaments. If you own one, you are so blessed! Take good care of your pup, because they do care for us in so many special ways. Their unconditional love for us makes them all heroes whether they are in the battlefield, or leading the blind, or just an average family pet.
DOGS = HEROES!
Blessings,
Maxine & Molly
My Molly and I are so blessed to be able to walk daily together. I always see something new. There is much building going on with new homes in Idyllwilde. Richmond is building behind us and Village as well. Looks like Toll Brothers will start a new area soon. So there are many changes around us going on. We usually walk by the beautiful Idyllwilde pool that is now open, pictured above. It seems to be busier on the weekends and empty during the weekdays.
But one thing never changes and that is Molly's love for me. She gets very excited when I take out her leash and she jumps up and down with anticipation for her daily walk with me. And so we set out together and I always wonder what we will see.
Yesterday, I noticed all the beautiful potted plants on porches. I love the porches in Idyllwilde. Everyone takes care to make them inviting! I try to picture myself seated on each one. All have wonderful views.... all are a blessing. Yesterday I officially put out my rocking chair on my porch which always invites me to sit and stay a while!
I have started to take Molly earlier in the mornings before it gets too hot.... she doesn't seem to be bothered by the heat. I take water along for her and she sips here and there....don't forget that water for your pup!
Get out and take a walk and see our beautiful area.... right now all the flowers are in full bloom. Even the wildflowers are popping up! You won't be disappointed at all. I know Molly and I are not.... walking daily is good medicine for you and your dog!
In the days of a dog, I watch and pay attention. I am reminded of Charlie.... it has now been one year since we lost our precious yellow lab! There are many things that Molly and Charlie have in common, but there are many ways in which they are very different from one another. And that is a good thing.
My grief is teaching me that what all dogs have in common is a gentleness and sweetness, that can only come from Heaven above. Their unconditional love for us is a treasure that we should not overlook. They seem to just know when we are sad and when we need that special lick on our face as if to say: "I love you when no one else will."
My Molly is very much like Charlie in that she is forever by my side, wherever I go in the house. So really, I am never alone. Her constant presence is a comfort and peace to me no matter what I am going through.
If you are lucky enough to have a dog in your life, don't take them for granted. When they are gone, you will surely know it and realize what a big presence they were in your days.
So hug your pup today.... they are waiting for you to scratch their belly, and rub their ears. They will WAIT on you for anything.....dogs of grace are like that!
Blessings,
Maxine
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