Skye in a prairie with chocolate lilies
Compared to an insect,
our lifetime spans generations. Compared to a mountain, it’s rather
instantaneous. I imagine the secret to life is to experience it to its fullest,
share it, and help build it for others. For me it helps round out any sharp
edges by realizing that my worst day is better than 70 percent of the world’s
best day. As depressing a statistic as that is, it also reinforces that we shouldn't waste the breath we each have.
O.K. so that concludes
life 101.
I wonder if it’s
natural or even normal to guard our fondest memories. Is it selfish to revel in
the experience that warms us in the coldest times? Well, let me share one that
just ended.
When Caleigh was four
years old, we thought. “Hmmm, It’s probably time we got her a puppy.”
There was an e-mail
going around the office where Cindy worked, it showed this pup that was offered
to a good deserving home. As no one else answered the ad, she then invited us to
come look at the dog. We got there and Cindy and I went to the door. We left Caleigh
in the car. The woman who had placed the e-mail answered the door. We
introduced ourselves, she smiled weakly and we started talking about the dog.
“Well, the first 18
months of his life he was kept in a kennel…the kennel called the owner and
demanded that the poor soul be picked up and taken to a normal home. The woman
arrived and picked up the dog and drove down the road a few miles. She stopped
at another kennel and placed the dog there. Well kennel one finds out from
kennel two that this is one and the same dog. They are rightly pissed and so
they contact the woman who rescues dogs. She picks up the dog and re-socializes
him. (Yeah I asked…she couldn't help me…but thanks for thinking about that.) The
dog is wonderful and we all turn as we hear Caleigh open her car door and she
gets out and stands by the car. The nice woman continues talking about the dog and its wonderful
personality and we all stop talking as we notice this beautiful dog walk down
her farm road from one of her barns. Caleigh is standing by the car watching
the dog, she’s fine, relaxed. Then the dog sees her and puts its head down
slightly and walks over to Caleigh. He sits right next to her and leans gently
on her. She starts petting the dog. The dog smiles…it never ceased to amaze me
of that trait. It had the funniest expression, it would slightly open its mouth
and its tongue would hang out and he would gently pant.
We’re all watching the
most genuine Hallmark moment for a couple minutes and we pretty much said at
the same time.
“Wrap him up we’ll take
him.”
Australian Blue “Skye” Shepard
Skye 2001-2013
The best dog I’ve
ever had, sleep well young prince
