Bless the Beasts and the Children

Today was our first Pet Blessing at Westside UU Congregation. It was lovely, really lovely. And despite the fact that I could hardly speak because I talked about our dear old Emmathedog, the service went pretty well.

But I realized something pretty big.

I have deep, twining connections with my dear congregation.

As I was telling the kids about our good old dog, and our sweet little new dog there were big events in the story that all centered around our congregation.

When I was really sad about losing Emma, one of our young members told me that I'd never really lose her, she'd be in my heart, but that he still missed his old dog, too. That made me feel much better especially that first week.

As I was trying to find a way to help Emma let go of this world and move on, our Story Time teacher gave me the perfect way to honor her, and then to let her go. I would have waited too long if I hadn't had the way to move ahead.

And when she was gone, my friend and fellow RE Council member gave me a book that let me imagine what Emma would have been thinking......and it let me imagine that someday we might invite a new dog into our lives.

Then when it was time to think about a new dog, it was a mom at church who told me about "Pet Finder" and how to look for the right "little" dog, that's where we found our wonder dog, little Noodles.

How would I ever have done this without my church community? Even though it's supposed to be that "I" serve "them" there's a whole lot of "us" going on.

Thank God!

And thank YOU Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Thank you.

My Dog Noodles

The family father is gone again. Traveling. For work. Yuck.

The family little dog has claimed the family father as her main person. This morning as more and more people left the house, she looked at me and whined. "What's UP with this? Everyone's leaving!"

Then the youngest came home. And he talked her into going out to play. And he raced around the back yard like a crazy......well like a crazy dog. Like Noodles.

She loved it.

And he loved it.

Nothin' like it.

It's true love. Kisses included.

Noodles Update

I had a great meeting with colleagues today, lovely lunch, good conversation. A group pinky swear that we will ALL WORK ONLY THE HOURS WE ARE PAID TO WORK!

And then I had to rush home and see little Noodles. She spent a little time in the kennel while my husband ran to the grocery store, but look what else he got! New chewies! So Noodles doesn't need to chew on checkers pieces.....or retainers.... any more! Oh well, we're much more dog proofed now. She likes to sit on her princess throne in the sun and chew on a chewie. Who wouldn't? Do they make them in vegetarian pig skin? I might just try it.
And someone has noodled her way right into my dear husband's heart. Look at all the work you can get done with a fur ball of love on your lap.

See? It's easy! Just snuggle until she goes to sleep with her chin on the table and there you go! The perfect work environment!
And really, this is what Noodles the dog thinks would be the best solution for that darn kennel.

I love having a little wiggly fur ball in the house! Just love it. Everyone should go get a little dog, just remember to lock up all the retainers in the house! Yep. Love it.

Ooooodles and Oooodles of Wonderful Noodles

We got a dog. A very little dog. A wonderful dog. Her name is Noodles. She's adorable. I was unsure about getting a new dog. Our dog Emma died in January and I still miss her just as much as I did the day we lost her. I'm used to having her gone now, but I don't think I'll ever get used to the Emma sized hole in my heart. But we had a dog sized hole in our house, and it was time to fill that with some warm, furry, wiggling pup.

I knew that if I just went browsing a the local shelter I would come home with a very large, very old dog with behavior problems who was on major medication. My heart is still so raw, I wouldn't have been able to say "no" to big brown eyes and hopeless stories. But this time in the pet market we have some specific needs: I don't think I could handle losing another dog anytime soon, so an old dog was not a good idea. I live with four males. I need a little female energy in the house, so a girl dog was a must. And our lives are so far flung and will probably become more so as the kids grow up and move away, so a dog that could easily travel with us was also important--under 15 pounds so she could fit under the seat of a plane was my benchmark. Picky.

We wound up going through Petfinder and found a little black furry angel ball. We brought her home yesterday and she's already claimed us as her family. Our oldest son said "She's gonna think she doesn't need her legs anymore, you all are carrying her around so much!" So? We gave her a bath, she was "supposed" to sleep in her crate last night but it never even made it in from the garage. She slept with us. In the morning it was just the two of us up, getting ready for work, and she was whining, looking around. I think she knew that there were other people that were supposed to be here, but she didn' t know yet where to look for them. So I took her up stairs and showed her where they were sleeping. Everyone got woken up with a wiggling fur ball bounding on them and licking their face! "OH! THERE you are!" It's been heavenly.



I knew that I needed a dog in the house, but I didn't realize how much everyone else does, too. I can't remember the last time I've seen my husband smile and laugh so much. And I see some "My Dog Skip" type moments with the youngest two. Even the oldest who isn't much of an animal person says "cute little dog" when she tickles his ankles with her whiskers. She's a love, noodling her way right into everyone's heart.

Never underestimate the power of a warm little fur ball of love! Life's good!