In honor of our next-door neighbor’s little 12 year old canine, Pepper, I am doing a dog post today. Pepper went to doggie heaven this week and we grieve the loss of our neighbors sweet pup. Tahoe will miss running to the fence and visiting with you Pepper! I always get ‘doggy contemplative’ whenever a friend loses a beloved four-legged friend.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a woman, or because I’m just weird, but on occasion my thoughts drift to what it would be like without my Tahoe or without Brent. My gratitude for Tahoe and Brent is more intense in these times. Brent is such a wonderful doggy dad and neither he or Tahoe can be taken for granted.
You know, I might not be married to Brent if it were not for my former ‘Brent magnet’, I mean ‘helper dog’, Murray. Brent is attracted to all canines and they are attracted to him. Let me just illustrate how much Tahoe loves his dad and how much his dad loves him!
When we travel Brent is with Tahoe and me almost 24/7 and Tahoe spends so much quality time with him you might think he’s his helper. He snuggles up for a nap at the Lodge when we visited Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA.
…when I go for a swim, Tahoe and Brent relax.
Brent is the best at taking a cat-nap, or should I say ‘dog-nap’, to recharge for ten minutes. Brent needs his naps because I inevitably disturb his sleep at night…more than once. Yes, he is a saint.
It must have been a long night for both of them.
Brent always calls Tahoe to come join him at nap time.
Tahoe snuggles up after his after bath.
It’s not just Tahoe who loves Brent – all dogs love Brent. Here’s our neighbor’s dog, Zeek, visiting with Brent’s size 15 feet. He is 6’6″ after all.
Dogs are good judges of character.
I’m jealous on the rare occasion it snows because I can’t roll around very well to play,(or tolerate the cold for long) so I watch and drink hot cocoa! There’s enough Tahoe love for both Brent and me.
After a tough day running around town with me, picking up my pen, keys or cell phone one more time, and fetching his Kong with us, Tahoe’s sleepy and snuggly…and doesn’t care how silly he looks.
At night Tahoe gets himself all snuggled to me, believe it or not…it’s probably because I don’t move or snore like his dad.
Tahoe has a ‘pink’ nose in the winter – it’s black in the summer. Precious Tahoe and Brent, my blessings, make me smile.
As the year comes to a close we regroup and refresh our goals – living each day with gratitude is a continued goal for 2012. We work together on family direction in different areas like health, finances, ministry, marriage, travel, home improvements, etc. In my personal life, fostering my gratitude attitude continues to be on the radar in every area. Sometimes it’s harder than others to refrain from complaint and discontent – it’s worth the effort to thank, even when I don’t ‘feel’ like it. Today it’s easy to be exceeding grateful -Tahoe and Brent rank at the top of my blessings!
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:18
What are you most thankful for in 2011? Are you ready for 2012?