I recently took my new rescue to the vet - it was a beautiful day outside, sunny and warm. As I was sitting there waiting for Molly to get her nails trimmed and her Heartworm test done, I couldn't help but look outside the open window and remember....
You see a year ago this week, we had to put our beloved Charlie down and the day was very much like this day in the vet office on that visit.
Of course the tears came..... grief will do that to you. Even with all the love of Molly and all the dogs I am blessed to be around at Freedom Service Dogs, there is still an ache for the one....
Charlie was a loyal lab, full of fun and love. I would give anything to look into his huge brown eyes again. But for now, I can't. He has gone and has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
In my heart I believe there will be dogs in heaven.... their unconditional love for us is a small reflection of GOD'S love for us!
For now then, this is written for you Charlie, in your honor this month. You gave us so much love for 11 years and you will never be forgotten. Thank you for being by my side through all the ups and downs of life. We will always love you. Bless your sweet and gentle doggie heart!
Today my Molly and I went for our usual walk. It was the first time this year that the breeze felt warm to me - yeh! We made our way on one of the back paths and heard many birds singing together - I loved it.
All was well until I came upon a snake... they are NOT my favorite thing to see. It was laying on the path I am sure getting warm. I just am glad that I had hold of Molly and that she was on the other side of me - she always walks on the leash on my left.
We do have a leash law here in Parker so make sure you follow that. Also, pick up after your pet - we will all benefit from that. The summer is a good time to exercise your pup, but now that it is getting warmer, either do it early in the morning or late in the evening.
I am taking Molly in for her annual Heartworm test this week... make sure to give your pet their Heartworm medication this time of year.
Enjoy a walk with your pup and check out all the beautiful paths we have here in Idyllwilde. You will feel great and so will your dog!
We are back from our week away on vacation and we left our sweet Molly with some friends: Katie and Chad. They have 2 dogs of their own: Daisy and Stoli. I knew I was leaving Molly in capable hands since Katie rescued Molly from being turned in to the Dumb Friends League. I shudder to think what would have happened to her, since she is a little older and not a pup anymore!
For a week Molly was able to play and play with Daisy outside in the back yard. I know they had fun because Katie said they were exhausted at the end of each day.
It is a comforting thought to know that your dog is being loved and cared for in the same way you would if you were there. A dog's love comes into your heart, and fills it up completely. As a dog owner, you want that love returned to them 10 fold.
So this is a special "thank you" to Katie and Chad.... thank you for opening your wonderful home to our Molly. Thank you for feeding and caring so well to Molly's needs.
She is home now and back into her normal routine and I can't help but think that while we were on vacation, Molly had a little vacation of her own.
Blessings and Love to Chad and Katie!! XOXO
Oh and Molly thanks you too!
I was so honored this past Friday to go and volunteer at Freedom. After you have gone through their volunteer training, you can show up at will and just say here I am, what can I do?!
This past Friday they had a list of pups that just needed a 20 minute walk, and so I took out one after another and we walked together on a trail close to FSD.
It was a little chilly that day but I soon warmed up.... my little pups walking alongside me just kept looking up at me as if to say, "I am so glad to get out of my kennel!" It was a real treat for me.
My sweet friend who came along with me stayed inside and brushed one dog named HOLMES. He was a sweetheart too, and you could see he loved being loved on.... he was a brown poodle/mix.
I always look forward to my visits at Freedom and I am so impressed by the love of all the trainers on these lucky dogs. They are all rescued from shelters and so it is a win-win situation. The dogs begin a new life of service and someone in need receives a much wanted service or therapy dog.
I have also fostered a few dogs as well: one dog I had for several weeks while her foster Dad was out of the country. Her name is Cinder and she will always hold a special place in my heart.
I get to watch Cinder go through her training now, watch her grow up (she is a year old) and then graduate in the Freedom program. I will be there at that graduation and I am looking forward to meeting the person who gets her for the rest of their life.
If you are interested, please go to Freedom Service Dogs site and they are on Facebook too. You can make a donation there as well if you are led to do so. It does take $25,000 to train a service dog from start to finish. So keep them in mind if you love dogs, want a wonderful volunteer experience, or just want to donate to them.
Dogs are so special and may we always cherish their unconditional love for us!
Molly and I are kinda stuck inside today.... it is cold out, windy and it just seems like winter all over again. I have to wonder if Molly enjoys the cold?
Last night when it was snowing, I let her out to go potty and was doing something on the side, forgot for a bit that she was out.... when I let her in, she had the look on her face of "oh, you forgot me and left me out in the cold!" I wiped her sweet feet and normally she follows me back to the family room. This time she disappeared as if to say: "I am put out with you."
So who says that dogs don't show their feelings!!!
I am back in her good graces today, however, she is sleeping by my side in my office as I type this!! Dogs have that unconditional love that we all could certainly learn from. Their love for us is a gift from GOD. And I am so thankful that my Molly loves me in this way!
Today Molly and I had the pleasure of observing a young deer all by itself on our path. I am sure that Mom was close although I didn't see her.
Molly took sight of her right away.... so I pulled her close on her leash and we both stood very still just watching.
I wonder what Molly was thinking seeing this creature.... but I do know what my thoughts were! I am in awe sometimes of GOD'S creation. How very simple and yet stunning are HIS workmanship. HIS world is revealed all around us.... we just need to look.
And so this deer sighting was my bright spot in my day, Molly's too.... and I am thankful for it!
It was cold today... honestly I woke up this morning to 5 degrees... and I must say what month
is it??? How could we have just had 70 degree weather this week!!
So Molly and I took a shorter walk because the cold air actually stung my face! She was walking rather quickly too! But we enjoyed our sweet time together... we always do!
The cold air is good for the soul however, and the bright blue sky was Heaven sent! Walking in the Colorado fresh air is so good for yourself and your pup! If you walk daily no matter what the weather, the rewards are so worth it.
