Bigger Helpers (Tonight!) – Photo: L. Weikel
It just feels wrong not to write. At the very least, I must yield to the unspoken but palpable need I feel emanating from many of you for a pupdate.
After all, we shared the loss of Sheila. A year later, we collectively mourned the sudden loss of Spartacus. And then I disclosed the dream in which Spartacus showed up and told me – no, directed me – to get another puppy. I confessed how he placed his paw on my arm, looked into my eyes, and said, “You need me.”
I regaled you with the astonishing (and yet not) synchronicity of our Sarah finding a listing for Boston Terrier puppies and how they’d only become old enough to be adopted the very same day I was awakened by that dream. And then…well, we all know what happened next. Karl and I drove all the way across the state and became smitten with the littlest guy in the litter and his only sister.
No, they don’t always sleep, but… – Photo: L. Weikel
Love Triumphed
I think it’s fair to say you shared our heartbreak. And knowing this, perhaps weirdly, I was a little afraid to disclose welcoming these new additions into our family so soon after losing Spartacus. Although we searched our hearts and contemplated our motives, we – or more accurately I, since I’m the one with the relationship with all of you – worried our somewhat impulsive adoption might seem disloyal to Spartacus and Sheila.
I wondered if I should just keep the arrival of our new babies to ourselves.
But as all of you know, love triumphed. On some level, these puppies – Pacha and Brutus – are our collective healing balm. I trusted the internal nudging I received to write about our newest additions to our family. I decided sharing the joy was worth risking being judged.
They do 4 miles like pros now – Photo: L. Weikel
Simple Pleasures
Goodness knows, we’ve shared an exorbitant amount of collective trauma. The past three years have in many ways been like a roller coaster ride through the inside of a House of Horrors. From the personal to the national to the planetary level we’ve been dodging and catching some major body blows. And we took them as a community. Upon reflection, though, I’d say we shared some pretty cool stuff as well.
The truth is, puppies and kittens, regardless of age, make us smile. They remind us of life’s simple pleasures. If we’re lucky enough to have them in our lives, we know the indescribable feeling of being on the receiving end of unconditional love. (We know which species is usually more adept at conveying it, at least un-self-consciously.) And if we’re unable to have them in our lives at the moment, we can share the love vicariously. It’s a fact.
So here I am. Sharing the love. (And missing you.)
Check these puppies out.
Snuggling – Photo: L. Weikel
(T+1)
On Lisa, thanks for the puppy update. They are so cute. I feel that all animals are therapy animals even if they only interact with us a few minutes. The bird that wakes us in the morning with her song, the banquet under the bird feeder of squirrels, chipmunks, and birds all lift our hearts. You are so lucky to have found the puppies and they both of you. Miss your posts, thanks for the update.
Thanks Donna!
The pups are such loves. They bring us joy every single day.
And you’re so right about ALL creatures having the ability to bring us wonder and connection. We’re so lucky to have them sharing the Earth with us!
Thank you, Lisa! I didn’t know how to start my day after these past few days of “radio silence”. Please don’t worry. The Universe wanted you to have those babies. And Boy, are they the lucky pooches to have you and Karl for parents! Please keep writing, your fans insist!
Kate
Thanks, Kate!
I only worried about writing about getting the pups when we first adopted them. The whole opportunity to do so happened so much more quickly following Spirt’s death, it just felt a little weird.
Believe me, I’ve let that go – and hope how happy they’ve made us may inspire others not to ‘wait’ (thinking it’s ‘too soon’).