November 28 2015

November 28 2015 Greetings My Friend Today I am soaking up the love of our fur children. I lay back in the recliner with 3 dogs on my lap and our newest addition Mary a kitten on the top of the chair. Lately I lay back and close my eyes and begin thanking God. Sometimes in the thanking I drift off to sleep. I find myself marveling at each animal’s warmth, their bodies touching mine and feeling them breathe in and out. I crave their touch and find comfort as they respond to my petting. A long ago memory slowly works it’s way to the front of my thoughts. I loved being a mother and I loved how a toddler would find their way to my lap. I remember holding them and feeling them squirm, reach and give me a hug. Sometimes we held this position for a while like when they were sick or scared. Next I recall the squirming to get down. I was not ready for them to wander off yet but it did not matter because they squirmed until I released them from my lap. All of sudden they were bigger than me and lap sitting was just a memory. When I divorced I got Alex my cat and as he got older he often found his way to my lap. Those old memories usually accompanied our lap being filled with love moments. Next Blanko came to live with us our white cat and Junior and I often lamented that we could not go do what we wanted to because a fur child was snuggled in sleeping on our lap. In all of this I see the need to be touched and to touch. Junior and I find joy when we pull up in the driveway and our fur children greet us with such excitement. They are glad to see us and want to be loved on. As they try to follow us in the house these days I tend to put the walking stick between us. Their jumping on me throws me off balance rather easily so I have to push them away until I can sit down. With winter’s coldness our fur children want to be close more often. I tease that they are trying to soak up what heat I have. Alex was real cuddly when the weather was cold and when spring came he was aloof. Those last months before he died though he kept searching me out. I held him and felt the pangs of loss knowing his days were coming to an end. We had shared 20 years of life. His passing was very difficult for me to handle. This may be why we have added to our fur family recently, I am trying to bring Alex home again to me. Mary our newest addition a kitten and Blu our pit bull puppy are filling the “baby” need. They still nap a lot and seek to be close as they sleep. Now that Blu has been with us for a few weeks she is getting secure and growing more curious so our snuggle times are getting less frequent. These kids know that we need these snuggle moments so different ones approach me throughout the day. Daisy and Val watch out for me the most. Daisy stays near me and each time she hears a noise she barks to warn me. Val will follow me around the yard making sure I am okay. All this attention is what motivates me. I want to be there for them much like they are “there” for me. Junior and I have divided up the caring routines much like parents do for their children. I am the nurturer and Junior is the provider and disciplinarian. We love our little family. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet