It’s somepup’s Gotchya Day, today!
Loyal and perfect are the two words that come to mind when I think of you. It may have been fate that brought you into our lives 12 years ago but it was our destiny to grow and learn together. (more…)
Juno Belle Starling
~August 2007-February 20, 2020
Imagine a place that tingles your soul,
Like the sweet taste of an orange popsicle,
After singing the blues.
Delight in a wonderland that rains honey,
Over carnivals of fruit,
While echoes of melodies awaken the ghost.
Then celebrate the symphony,
It plays to the sky,
And dance, just dance, to the rhythm of your dreams.
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I pulled out some of my old writing journals the other day, some dating as far back as 30 years. The timing seemed right to revisit auld lang syne diaries of dreams, thoughts, and stream-of-thought poetry. I don't even know if there is such a genre of poetry. I have no education or experience writing poetry, as you can tell from the mixed bag of meterless metaphors above, yet I seem to have an abundance of it. Digging through pages of random imagery scribbled on crusty, tea-stained pages is a lesson in humility. It makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Like, who did I think I was, that I could put pen to paper and call it art? Thus, it is my resolution to do less chronicling and more creative writing this year on this blog. This is a lofty resolution as both my dogs are battling serious health conditions and I am facing re-treatment of Lyme disease (again). Though I dislike putting promises in writing, I hope I can bring life back to this corner of the world where my imagination created connections with readers around the world for more than a decade.
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A toast to you, dear reader:
May all your joys be pure joys
And all your pain
Champagne.
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Happy New Year Readers!
"I think I'd make a very good adjudicator for Ballroom dancers. Don't woo?"
This is what I came home to a few days after our ballroom showcase. It's our showcase program. I think she liked it.
Benjamin Franklin was wrong. In addition to death and taxes, there's one other thing that's certain in life, and that's change. There's been a lot of change here at Casa Wild Dingo. Change of season means longer walkies for Juno, which makes her happy. She's a bit grumpy in the heat of summer so the fall is always a welcome change. It's also a favorite season for me too. It can be difficult to discern Spring from Summer as they meld into each other. The air is thick and the colors are bright and cheerful. Autumn, on the other hand, stands alone in its magnificence. It's easy to spot it. The colors are warm and the air is crisp. It's strange how death can be so beautiful. Every year it reminds me that nothing is permanent, except change. (more…)
It was Juno's eleventh Gotchya Day with us so we celebrated the only way she wanted to--at the beach! This little girl may look like a husky but she embodies everything the opposite of one. For one, she loves the water and loves to play in the surf. (more…)
Oi. It's been a whirlwind few weeks. Over Memorial Day weekend, Juno told Mr. Wild Dingo, nay, she demanded Mr. Wild Dingo to give her the once over that he normally does every day. He feels around for foxtails, bumps or ticks and Juno is well aware of his job. That Saturday night, she glared at him until he came over and found the bump on her belly that she'd been licking. It was already healed over so I thought it was just a scrape that became infected. As soon as we found it, she never licked it again, knowing that we'd take care of it. (more…)
Happy Anniversary to our best friend! Eleven years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, we made that big drive up to San Francisco to meet you. I'll never forget what went through my head as you barked your first words at us. While you scared the bejesus out of me with your bravado I saw deep concern in your face about your future. "Who are these people? Will they too make me leave their home someday?" I wish you could have understood how committed we were to be your fur-ever family. It took many years for you to retire that deeply held notion that you were unwanted. You spent a lot of time finding new ways to convey the value of your work. I spent a lot of time observing and learning your language until we had that unbreakable connection. Not many people get you, but we do and we'll never take you or your talent for granted." (more…)