What Really Matters?
I’m sitting in my office and taking pause for a moment to reflect upon the email I’ve just written. The note isn’t of any great importance but it details the importance of www.shopforrescues.com to its recipient. I like that there’s meaning and purpose in my life and that we know of so many who are trying to save animals.
Like here:
... now take a look at the picture; the little boy sitting atop his grandfather’s shoulders is me. In this age of disconnectedness, I want you to feel connected, especially to like minded people from all over the world; people who love animals; especially dogs, cats and horses.
I've personally found that I wish to live inspired by meaning and purpose…and laugh…and I want to be surrounded by animals - and I want to be surrounded by people who love animals.
I’d also like to let others know that I’m here out in the digital ether and that if anyone wishes, they too can connect.
…and as I look up, I see that I’m surrounded by the pictures of the dogs that have been in my life. There are also a series of photographs of my Grandmother and Grandfather.
When I tell you there are pictures, believe me, there are pictures!!! I love the picture of my grandfather, Circe and me best. I am around 4 years old and in Armonk NY.
... and my bestie Gracie is laying at my feet. She’s my little shadow, more than just a silver lining. In this moment she’s happy and comfortable, safe and loved.
... having Gracie near me and surrounded by the pictures of my life... the incredible moments of joy... the reminders of relatives, of family... what incredible memories...
…and as I look I can't believe I survived all of my hair styles (my dogs knew who I was but I’m not so sure I did). Today I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world; blessed beyond belief.
.... look at the picture again. Look at the smile on my face because that’s what joy looks like. It was the summer of ’69.
My grandfather and Circe were an incredible part of my life. I was a rescue of sort … and at 4 years old it was very difficult to understand why everything about me rhymed with wrong.
Circe left for Rainbow Bridge in 1981. My grandfather departed this earthly experience last June.
So as I glance over all the photographs in my office, specifically a photograph of them both, all I can really do is smile and say thank you. Thank you for rescuing me.
There’s a picture Sasha, a Weimaraner that my wife and I fostered whose owner, although unable to take care of her, decided to exert a “property right” after a year or so and took her back. She would have stayed around much longer had he not done so. I still miss her.
She was so funny! One time she climbed onto the counter and ate an entire pan of sauce that my wife was preparing for a pasta dinner and then crawled under the covers on our bed and fell asleep. When we returned home she looked at us with a “don’t look at me, I’ve been sleeping the whole time” kind of attitude. She had a ring of sauce around her lips.
Beside the picture of Sasha is one of Ally. My Buobadeaux as I often referred to her. Beside Ally is one of Ally and Sasha together at the beach on Isle of Palms SC …. and beside that there’s one of Lexi… and of Lexi and Ally…and there’s one of us all during a great snowstorm in NYC in 2006…its actually pretty funny… I was doing my best impersonation of Nanook of the North and they were in sheer bliss!
It’s amazing how dog’s live in the moment, that their only purpose is to love. I now know to let the one’s that I love know that I love them each and every day.
I’ve boosted this post and want everyone to post a picture of the souls (human and animal), that were/are the joy of, and in, their life.
Lastly, I hope that you smile often as you see “like minded” souls ... like one's here on this post. I hope you can tell the ones you love, you love them; especially your pets.
I hope you remember to also play music loud and often… and dance naked when you can… no matter your age… be silly and smile. It’s great not to take oneself too seriously.
I hope you can give freely of what you find and know you can believe in the power of community and please... join me…. let’s make it “us” and place the focus on “we”, because we can do together what certainly none of us could be able to do on our own.
Remember we’re all in this together and the best we’ll ever get is human… and know you never have to be alone (and no matter what you think you’re not).
And like an old boss once said to me, “if life gets to be too much and you feel like your tears are going to carry you away, well, let music play you through the pain."
Our love of animals is the element that connects us. Well, I guess that’s enough. Enjoy. Post. Laugh. Live.
Eric aka Gracie's Go-to