This just might be my favorite piece I've read all week. So sweet it made me tear up. I didn't know you had two dogs, and I'm so glad I do now. Dogs bring such joy. Yours are bringing some to every person who reads this wonderful piece. Thank you for writing it.
Thanks, Nancy! I love that little girl so much! I discovered about 12 or 13 years ago that having two dogs is wonderful. They need one another as much as we need each other. I think it’s important for them to have another being who really understands their language. My pups are so bonded. They sleep in a big crate with two little beds and often opt to sleep squeezed together in one of them. It’s totally adorable. I call their crate their puppy pad and I sometimes refer to it as their apartment! I have a cat too! All rescues.
She melted mine as well. Now she's almost 7 and on the occasions when I find myself in bed with my two pups, she will still do that. She settles, under the covers, curled in a somewhat bigger ball, and falls asleep. I have to stretch my arm out to accommodate her size! xo
No wonder we clicked. I've adopted more "special needs/high rish" critters...I don't always mean to, but we gravitate toward each other. Caretakers find being that need care. 💕
I'm sure it's probably one of the reasons...I can think of a few more...Still trying to learn to take care of myself, though. I should be as good to myself as I am to the critters. That would be true recovery. xo
Maisey's origin story! They say you don't pick the dog, the dog picks you. You both scored ❤️ That pic of her and Hugo looks like it was done at a portrait studio. Hope to see all three of you on the Zooms soon ❤️❤️❤️
We did score. I think we really did choose each other. She's exactly who I wanted, what I needed. I needed to provide safe space. And I'm learning how to create that for myself. Animals are a major blessing in my life. ZOOM soon! Can Big Frankie come, too?
I agree. And yes, Big Frankie is very independent. He sleeps, eats, wanders outside less and less, and then pleasures himself before passing out for the night, right by my side. He's a hedonist for sure. He could offer a workshop on pursuing pleasure. xo
Love this! Dogs rule. Nan, I work with a Mexican rescue (where my Roxy came from) and I'm a rehoming coordinator for Elder Dog, a national org in Canada: we find homes for elder dogs and/or rehome dogs when their elderly person can no longer look after them...wish more people like you adopt rescues and put an end to puppy mills.
How wonderful, Jane, that you do this work. I love adopting rescues...I'll never buy a dog again. I did it twice, for bargain basement prices (siblings 13 months apart) mostly to rescue them from a situation where a woman was breeding two of her unneutered dogs, and knew very little about what she was doing. Her fee was comparable to what a shelter requires as a donation. I still laugh at all the people who are buying designer dogs at outrageous prices (thousands and thousands of dollars). Have these people ever stopped to consider that they're just buying high-priced MUTTS? Slapping my knee, howling with laughter. I know I'm being harsh, and I've know a few of those dogs who ARE wonderful, but still, there are way too many shelter animals who need homes. That's my go-to. xo
I'll never buy a dog again either. My travel writing stopped during COVID so I started dogsitting - mostly labradoodles and Frenchies, designer dogs with brains bred out of them. And no access to dog trainers. Most socialized and smartest dogs are generally mutts. I wrote a few stories about Mex-Can Pet Rescue, which helped me raise $25K on a gofundme. Heart-breaking that so many dogs are in shelters. Thankfully here in Canada they are all no-kill.
I spend much of my time working in with fearful and feral animals in rescues (with TTouch, Reiki and more), so I really appreciate that you took the fearful shy sister and that you are so kind and patient with her❤️. My cats are former ferals, and I also have worked with many pets and pet parents helping them get acclimated to the people and to their home. Helping a fearful animal to feel safe and loved can be one of the most beautiful experiences a human can have .
Thanks, Sarah, for your comment. I have a former feral (still a little feral, honestly) cat who was taken off the streets of NYC about 15 years ago. He's a tough guy, but over the years I've learned the most effective ways to communicate with him and now, he's slowing down a little and starting to show a softer side. I understand his cues, know his likes and dislikes and though he sometimes inspires a tiny bit of fear in me, we do understand each other, and I simply adore him. How does he feel about me? Well, as long as there's wet food and plenty of it, I remain on his good side! Four-legged pals are the best friends a person can have as far as I'm concerned! Thanks for working in rescues. Goodness knows, they need the love. I related so strongly to Maisy's anxiety that I couldn't walk away from her. Love her to bits. xo
Love the story about your cat. I had a cat named Garbanzo who was from the street and he was very affectionate with me but could quickly get overstimulated and bite! I adored him and wanted to see how I could help him so he was the creature who led me to TTouch, then Reiki and other modalities. He got better in time, but I always had to watch his body language. He was such a good teacher and we will always be a part of each other, though he departed this earth years ago. I agree, our four legged family members can be the most amazing friends and can connect with us in such a incredibly deep ways❤️
Yes, the biting! He does that to me in the morning, when I'm in the bathroom. He let's me pet him and then he gets a little overwhelmed and nips at my legs. And don't get me started on his latest proclivity. He's become a regular and lascivious masturbator (hope this isn't TMI). Every night. He gets into bed with me, does his thing while staring at me intensely, never blinking, finishes, rolls over into a little cat ball right next to me and goes to sleep. It's the part about sleeping next to me, right up against me, that blows my mind. It took him almost 15 years to cuddle up to me. It's a great reward, though I could do without the sex part. It tends to be little unnerving, but I won't cut him off. He deserves pleasure, too. xo
Dogs are THE BEST - such a pure form of unconditional love! How wonderfully perfect that you found each other, Nan. Wishing you many more happy, healthy years!!!
They certainly are. We're a good team, and Hugo––the insecure and loving Shih-Tzu––is a star player in our little family...And then, there's Big Frankie, the old curmudgeonly cat. He's a bit of sidelines guy, but we all manage. xo
Oh, no. Hugo is the big brother, and Big Frankie is the biggest and oldest brother. Hugo and Maisy share a crate. Two little beds in one big wire apartment. They often opt to sleep together in one of the beds. It's the cutest thing to see. xo
Thank you for your writing. What a lovely story to open the day with, and what a lovely creature Maisy is to open your day, your heart , your life to. Animals are the most remarkable bridges between worlds. The most underated ambassadors of love and good will.
What a precious doll baby. She's very lucky to have landed with you. And she perfectly matches your floors!
She does! And I noticed that, too, about the floors. No one else has said that besides me...Love that. She's sitting in my lap right now. xo
Thanks for sharing your sweet morning routine!
My pleasure, always! xo
Hi Nan,
This just might be my favorite piece I've read all week. So sweet it made me tear up. I didn't know you had two dogs, and I'm so glad I do now. Dogs bring such joy. Yours are bringing some to every person who reads this wonderful piece. Thank you for writing it.
Thanks, Nancy! I love that little girl so much! I discovered about 12 or 13 years ago that having two dogs is wonderful. They need one another as much as we need each other. I think it’s important for them to have another being who really understands their language. My pups are so bonded. They sleep in a big crate with two little beds and often opt to sleep squeezed together in one of them. It’s totally adorable. I call their crate their puppy pad and I sometimes refer to it as their apartment! I have a cat too! All rescues.
What a beautiful piece, Nan, all that your sweet girl teaches you. Radical acceptance. Oh the things we can learn from our fur babies, right?
Yup. She's a dream girl. Love her so much. And Hugo, too. It's a different relationship for sure, but just as wonderful in all the ways. xo
Great post, you so captured our love and joy for our cherished buddies. Dogs are THE best, I couldn’t live without them
Thanks, Heather. They are indeed the best. People can learn so much from dogs if they also learn to listen to them! xo
She melted mine as well. Now she's almost 7 and on the occasions when I find myself in bed with my two pups, she will still do that. She settles, under the covers, curled in a somewhat bigger ball, and falls asleep. I have to stretch my arm out to accommodate her size! xo
Such a sweet friendship, Nan. To read how she snuggled into your armpit that first night melted my heart!
No wonder we clicked. I've adopted more "special needs/high rish" critters...I don't always mean to, but we gravitate toward each other. Caretakers find being that need care. 💕
I'm sure it's probably one of the reasons...I can think of a few more...Still trying to learn to take care of myself, though. I should be as good to myself as I am to the critters. That would be true recovery. xo
Maisey's origin story! They say you don't pick the dog, the dog picks you. You both scored ❤️ That pic of her and Hugo looks like it was done at a portrait studio. Hope to see all three of you on the Zooms soon ❤️❤️❤️
We did score. I think we really did choose each other. She's exactly who I wanted, what I needed. I needed to provide safe space. And I'm learning how to create that for myself. Animals are a major blessing in my life. ZOOM soon! Can Big Frankie come, too?
Animals are the best teachers. Feed me, hug me, keep an eye on me while I play...those are their priorities. Not a bad list for peoples as well.
BIg Frankie is always welcome but cats usually have better things to do. Like nothing :)
I agree. And yes, Big Frankie is very independent. He sleeps, eats, wanders outside less and less, and then pleasures himself before passing out for the night, right by my side. He's a hedonist for sure. He could offer a workshop on pursuing pleasure. xo
Such a beautiful, tender piece, Nan. And the photos are great. The crossed paws got me. xx 💜
Thanks, Rhaine. Oh, those paws. She's been with me for almost 7 years and every time I see her sitting like that, I swoon a little. Delicious girl! xo
Love this! Dogs rule. Nan, I work with a Mexican rescue (where my Roxy came from) and I'm a rehoming coordinator for Elder Dog, a national org in Canada: we find homes for elder dogs and/or rehome dogs when their elderly person can no longer look after them...wish more people like you adopt rescues and put an end to puppy mills.
How wonderful, Jane, that you do this work. I love adopting rescues...I'll never buy a dog again. I did it twice, for bargain basement prices (siblings 13 months apart) mostly to rescue them from a situation where a woman was breeding two of her unneutered dogs, and knew very little about what she was doing. Her fee was comparable to what a shelter requires as a donation. I still laugh at all the people who are buying designer dogs at outrageous prices (thousands and thousands of dollars). Have these people ever stopped to consider that they're just buying high-priced MUTTS? Slapping my knee, howling with laughter. I know I'm being harsh, and I've know a few of those dogs who ARE wonderful, but still, there are way too many shelter animals who need homes. That's my go-to. xo
I'll never buy a dog again either. My travel writing stopped during COVID so I started dogsitting - mostly labradoodles and Frenchies, designer dogs with brains bred out of them. And no access to dog trainers. Most socialized and smartest dogs are generally mutts. I wrote a few stories about Mex-Can Pet Rescue, which helped me raise $25K on a gofundme. Heart-breaking that so many dogs are in shelters. Thankfully here in Canada they are all no-kill.
I spend much of my time working in with fearful and feral animals in rescues (with TTouch, Reiki and more), so I really appreciate that you took the fearful shy sister and that you are so kind and patient with her❤️. My cats are former ferals, and I also have worked with many pets and pet parents helping them get acclimated to the people and to their home. Helping a fearful animal to feel safe and loved can be one of the most beautiful experiences a human can have .
Thanks, Sarah, for your comment. I have a former feral (still a little feral, honestly) cat who was taken off the streets of NYC about 15 years ago. He's a tough guy, but over the years I've learned the most effective ways to communicate with him and now, he's slowing down a little and starting to show a softer side. I understand his cues, know his likes and dislikes and though he sometimes inspires a tiny bit of fear in me, we do understand each other, and I simply adore him. How does he feel about me? Well, as long as there's wet food and plenty of it, I remain on his good side! Four-legged pals are the best friends a person can have as far as I'm concerned! Thanks for working in rescues. Goodness knows, they need the love. I related so strongly to Maisy's anxiety that I couldn't walk away from her. Love her to bits. xo
Love the story about your cat. I had a cat named Garbanzo who was from the street and he was very affectionate with me but could quickly get overstimulated and bite! I adored him and wanted to see how I could help him so he was the creature who led me to TTouch, then Reiki and other modalities. He got better in time, but I always had to watch his body language. He was such a good teacher and we will always be a part of each other, though he departed this earth years ago. I agree, our four legged family members can be the most amazing friends and can connect with us in such a incredibly deep ways❤️
Yes, the biting! He does that to me in the morning, when I'm in the bathroom. He let's me pet him and then he gets a little overwhelmed and nips at my legs. And don't get me started on his latest proclivity. He's become a regular and lascivious masturbator (hope this isn't TMI). Every night. He gets into bed with me, does his thing while staring at me intensely, never blinking, finishes, rolls over into a little cat ball right next to me and goes to sleep. It's the part about sleeping next to me, right up against me, that blows my mind. It took him almost 15 years to cuddle up to me. It's a great reward, though I could do without the sex part. It tends to be little unnerving, but I won't cut him off. He deserves pleasure, too. xo
Dogs are THE BEST - such a pure form of unconditional love! How wonderfully perfect that you found each other, Nan. Wishing you many more happy, healthy years!!!
They certainly are. We're a good team, and Hugo––the insecure and loving Shih-Tzu––is a star player in our little family...And then, there's Big Frankie, the old curmudgeonly cat. He's a bit of sidelines guy, but we all manage. xo
I had wondered if Hugo was paying a house call or if he lived there. What a wonderful group you have under your roof!!
She’s a sweetheart, Nan. Just like you. xoxo
I was JUST thinking about you, Mary! How are you? I think we're overdue for a chat. xo
That we are! xoxo
I'll reach out by text. xo
Oh, no. Hugo is the big brother, and Big Frankie is the biggest and oldest brother. Hugo and Maisy share a crate. Two little beds in one big wire apartment. They often opt to sleep together in one of the beds. It's the cutest thing to see. xo
something we have in common! See my email.
She's adorable....
I just looked. Great pic of your baby! xo
Thanks!
❤️ 🐕 ❤️
❤️ 🐕 🐈⬛ 🐕 ❤️
Thank you for your writing. What a lovely story to open the day with, and what a lovely creature Maisy is to open your day, your heart , your life to. Animals are the most remarkable bridges between worlds. The most underated ambassadors of love and good will.
Thank you for reading, Nile. Animals are the best, and wisest teachers if we are willing to learn from them. xo