Ending the year with thanks

This is the St. Francis of Assisi statue in my backyard. My sister took the picture because she liked how the snow looks like a Santa hat. St. Francis was known for the calming affect he had on animals around him. He wrote a "Canticle of the Creatures" which was an ode to all living things. In it he wrote: “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” I Googled some images of St. Francis and found these ones that show him with wolves. If you use Google images you will find these and more. I hope you enjoy them!
Once a year some Franciscan and Catholic Churches offer a blessing of the pets service where animals are sprinkled with holy water. According to American Catholic website, the blessing goes like this:

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish
in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis
to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By
the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always
praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in
all your creatures! Amen.”

I know that everyone who might be reading my blog is here because you have dogs that are special in your life. Possibly even dogs who have been a blessing in your life, making your life different and moving your life in a direction you never expected. As 2009 comes to a close, and we are about to welcome 2010, I invite you to close the year in part, by thanking God, or your source, the Divine Presence, or whatever higher presence moves you - for the people and the animals in your life. Because no matter what we each personally believe, we all share a love of dogs and agree that they play an important role in our lives!

Please allow me to share once again, the story of Thorn. As each year passes, I have more appreciation for the role he played in my life, even though he was an unassuming dog with few titles or accomplishments to boast about. I hope in sharing it to inspire you to think about your dogs and the role each of them plays, as each dog is a unique spirit - and (as Cesar Milan says) we always have the dog we need in our lives.

Two years ago on Christmas Day I lost my beautiful German Shepherd Thorn to Cancer and from now on, every Christmas, I know I will think of him. I have written in my blog about what a blessing he was in my life. He came along and was the first dog I owned after my Mom died, also of Cancer. The first dog my Mom never knew. But in many ways I think she sent him to me, to be my companion. He is the only dog who ever chose me - making it clear from the time he could waddle as a puppy that I was his person.

He was my best friend through tumultuous years in my life, when I was sick, and also had Cancer. He was never very good or even interested in any of my favourite activities (though he was game to give them a go)...his calling was to be my soft furry pillow, that dog always at my side, with eyes only for me - never judging, only loving.

Just before moving to Alberta, he became sick and died - in many ways I believe taking on illness to spare me; and gracefully leaving so I could move on in my life. I now look at Thorn as an angel, sent on a mission that ended when he died on that auspicious day.

When I started to write this post, I knew I wanted to share the idea of sending a New Year's Blessing to the animals as a nice year-end ritual. When I Googled it, I found a very interesting book I would also like to share called Will I See my Dog in Heaven? The book is written by a Friar. I agree with him, that heaven must have animals, because they certainly have souls and are so important to us while we are here on Earth. If you follow Buddhism, you might believe an animal could be a soulmate or a reincarnated soul in a dog's body! Or you might believe that we can make our heaven right here on Earth today, depending on how we choose to live and love while we are here, now. Whatever the case, I think that New Year's marks a remembrance of the past and a step into many possible futures. I know my life would be very different without my dogs. I would not live where I live, nor would I have the many friends I love or activities I enjoy if not for the connections made through my dogs.

I hope that as 2009 comes to an end, you have a few quiet moments to think about those you love - people and animals. Ideally, you can tell them and show them that you appreciate them every day.
In years' past I have written about goal-setting for the coming year. I can't do that this year. I have goals, of course, but somehow it seems more important to just be in the present moment and say thanks to everyone who makes every day a blessing. Rather than set big goals, if we all choose to live each day with purpose, appreciation and awareness of what is important, the year will surely unfold as it should.

Happy New Year to everyone and warm wishes for many wonderful days in 2010.

Down to leftovers

We are at that point where we are getting tired of leftovers. Today we went to Calgary for the day, then had dinner at the famous Canyon Rose Steakhouse in Cochrane, which was a saloon at the turn of the century. Mmmmmmmmm!

The dogs have also been getting turkey and gravy, but now we are down to leftover carrots and potatoes, as I have put the rest of the turkey in the freezer to enjoy later. Here is what River thought about carrots...Bah - Humbug!
How do dogs do this? She discovered the carrots, and then went to sulk behind the curtains!Eventually she came out, probably scoping out what else we might have to offer......and after I broke a cabbage roll into her dinner, she decided she could eat it! But still left the carrots.

No cabbage, but lots of rice, ground beef and bacon - went over well! My other dogs all loved the veggies, but River has always been very fussy, and a bit spoiled!

In fact, River even insists on a treat as a reward when she finishes eating! And of course, I give her one, because she is so proud when she is done! All of the other dogs benefit from this routine too, of course. "Yes, I finished my supper - now hand over a cookie!" says River.

And now for something a little different...

...Pictures of me! Yes, I do exist!

Since I usually take the pictures, I am not in them. However, now that I have officially reached the "50 pounds lost" mark, maybe I won't be so camera shy. I spent weeks sorting old photos from the past 30 years (see my flashback post for the pic of me at age 18). I can't believe how few pictures I am in. It is sort of like I have been missing from my own life!

So I took the picture above of myself, in a mirror, to record my weight loss so far. It was taken on December 20. I look like I am getting younger since moving to Alberta! Is there a fountain of youth here?

With my sister visiting, I actually have a couple more photos of me and I will get her to take more. She snuck these of me on our Christmas Day walk...me taking a photo of Jet and Ted at the dogpark...Below I am walking ahead of her, with the dogs... taking the dogs for a walk on Christmas Day is one of my favourite Christmas traditions!And here is the picture I took of the munchkins, in front of a bird's nest I spotted. I love how Border Collies look in the white snow - so crisp and little black button noses!I took this one of Lori at Three Mile Bend.A few more of her photos from Christmas Day - these are the trees in front of my house. In Alberta they call this a "hoar frost." I understand this is a common term, but never heard it in Thunder Bay! And she snapped this shot of my little church house on Christmas Day! I love this house, it is so cozy and has such good vibes!
Here is "Auntie Lori" with Caden, who just loves her. She drove to Alberta with us when he was a wee pup and he still remembers her!
Here she is with my 6-month-old Caden at the little house I rented in Ponoka when I first moved to Alberta.
And I JUST turned around and took this picture! We are about to have our morning coffee. All of the dogs are competing for her attention - Ted and River share a chair to get closer.
I am enjoying my sister's visit so much! I can't believe we aren't 10 and 12 years old anymore. In fact, I will be 50 in 2010 - wow! I am so happy to be losing weight and feeling younger and happier and more healthy than I have felt in many years.

But can someone tell my eyes that? Maybe it is all this blogging, but I found out I need glasses two weeks ago!! Here is the pair I settled for - a nice copper-framed pair of Oakleys. I'll have them in a week.

Santa Came!

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!

Of course, guess who had to be told they weren't ALL for her!

Here is a cute e-card to enjoy...

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Waiting for Santa

All is peaceful as everyone waits for Santa...The younger dogs are fast asleep, dreaming of 100% digestible pork rawhides,

liver cookies and giggle balls... Jet dreams that Santa will leave her a new bed, as she is sure he knows how much she loves to organize and re-arrange (and chew up) every dogbed in the house - the more the better!
Caden dreams that St. Nicholas sprachens ze Deutche and is appreciative of what a good boy he has been learning all of his obedience commands...When Santa comes, I will Fuss for him, and he will say "Break!" and toss me a treat or a ball, dreams young Caden...And even the older dogs keep a watchful eye for Santa. River even has a present for him - her best chewtoy (my IKEA slipper)...
River is thinking - when Santa shows up, I will parade by and show him that I have not chewed this slipper, so he will leave me extra cookies and tell me I am a Princess... Ted just really hopes Santa will give him a hug - more affection at the top of Ted's list because one can never have enough love, or give enough love!!! And Ted thinks, when Santa comes I will lean on him and put my chin on his arm and smile, so he knows what a kind heart I have, and give me a scratch behind my ear...And all of the dogs in Nanna's china cabinet look on quietly, knowing each dog will get its wish... they have seen many Christmases from their vantage point in the cabinet! The howling wolves on the piano howl something magical that only Santa and his reindeer can hear, to let them know dogs are dreaming here...
The angel sends a blessing to the animals, knowing what joy they bring to this home, and what loving hearts they all have...
The bear and the bunny know there will be special treats in this bowl on Christmas Day!
The little Santas can't wait to see their namesake as he makes his stop this Christmas...
"Do you see what I see?" says the picture behind them! Way up in the sky, litle lamb... And the humblest decoration of all, the little Nativity from my childhood, looks on and is happy that on Christmas Eve, so much happiness and peace fills this house, that was once a church.
Merry Christmas Everyone!

May all of your dreams come true

And may peace and love fill your home this Christmas

and throughout 2010

With love from

Donna, my sister Lori who is here for Christmas

River and Caden

Jet and Ted

Countdown to Christmas! Lights, snow, action!

We are on the countdown to Christmas! Tonight I put everyone out while I untangled lights and put them up. I got these beautiful starlights from IKEA...when I was finished decorating, I looked outside and saw that it is snowing again! Here is River's snowy face in starlight. I took this without a flash. I went outside to get this picture of River with her snowy face. The truth is, she shook before I could take it, so I drizzled this snow on her face to recapture the moment...work with me River, work with me! After patiently posing with her snowface, River said "let me in!" In my haste to get outside with my camera, I closed my curtains in the door! Caden's winter coat is coming in and he is getting very dark.

After finally coming in from the snow, the dogs welcome you into Spiritdance Church! I just love it with the lights up. River poses on the chair with a shot of my starlights behind her. Above in the window is my LOVE sign, and my Christmas tree angel is posed beside it. I remember buying that Christmas tree angel in the mid 80s at a craft show and I have always loved her. Jet and Ted pose in front of the dining room table. They are so cute, and they really hold a pose well.

Here's a glimpse of the lights in the dark. You should not be surprised I found purple lights. This year I managed to run them along the loft as well - I'll have more pictures another night.

Jet waits for me at the top of the stairs. I put some lights on the ironwork in the church vestibule.I'll post more pictures of my special Christmas decorations this week. I just LOVE decorating for Christmas. It is my favourite holiday of the year.

Here are two outtakes...Caden jumped every time he heard the camera beep before taking the picture, and River looks pained...And Ted talks to me, about how he would like a liver square for holding this pose for so long! And Jet looks pained. Funny, it is the boys in both photos being goofy!

Clearly, not much tracking and herding going on, but I can't even imagine Christmas without these guys. And this year, my sister is coming and I am so excited - 3 days! I haven't seen her in over a year.