Bedtime

Every night at bedtime, Bruce and I head to the bedroom. When we get to my bed, I give him a head rub and a kiss on the nose and tell him "Goodnight, baby." Then he goes under the bed and gets comfy. 

Tonight we headed for the bedroom and he raced to the bed. Then he stopped and looked back at me as if to say "Are you coming?"  When I reached him I gave him some love and as soon as I said "Goodnight, baby" and stood straight up he dove under the bed. 

I just love him. 

Bruce's Bad Hips

It was raining last night.  It was nice and cool and the plants needed a break from the heat.  But I noticed Bruce was walking a little slower than usual.  His back end did a kind of hop and his hind legs were stiff.  He walked almost as if he had a volleyball between his hind legs.  His hips hurt when the weather cools.  It made me sad to see him hurt.

Dogs are so good at masking pain.  Even though Bruce was obviously hurting, he followed me outside.  When I sat on the couch, he laid on the floor at my feet.  It didn't matter where I went, if he thought I was going to be in a certain room for longer than a minute, he was at my side.  Regardless of his pain.  I gave him a kiss on the nose and decided I'd try my best to help him.

I heated a compress and applied it to his hips.  He was curious about it at first and at times he'd squirm away but overall he was a good sport and he let me massage him for a little while.  I felt his legs loosen up a little while I rubbed him down.  Every once in a while his legs would tremble.  After a while, however, he relaxed enough to fall asleep.  And, as I often did whenever I massaged him, I fell deeply in love for him and regained an appreciation for dogs that people often fail to have.

My dog would walk with me throughout the house with stiff legs and painful hips.  Not because I ordered him to.  Not because I lured him around with treats.  But because in his mind he is my dog.  And as a dog, I am his priority.  I ask myself, if he were a human would he do the same?  Probably not.  I wouldn't.  And not because I wouldn't care for my other human.  But because as a human, we have to really work hard on ourselves to be as dedicated to others as our dogs are--while dogs do not.

I truly believe dogs were given to us by God to show us how to love.  They love unconditionally.  The way we cannot.  We are so blessed to have been given such a gift.

As I headed to the bedroom for the night, Bruce followed me and stood by my bed.  He waited for me to get in the bed before he crawled under it for the night.  Laying on my belly, I reached under the bed, found his head and gave him a gentle scratch.  "Goodnight, baby," I told him.  A few thumps of his tail on the carpet told me that he said it back.

Lessons From Dogs #5

Be as goofy as you can.

Life is meant to be filled with love, kindness, mistakes and learning.  It is GOOD to be goofy. 

 

Dance whenever you can-- it is proven to be healthy for you. 

 

Sing when it gets quiet-- it's contagious! 

 

Be silly when you play with your kids. 

 

Get down on the floor, lay on your back and grin as if life couldn't be any better.

 

 

Hang out with your dog as if he really is your best friend. 

Besides, you're HIS best friend.

 

Upcoming Holiday!

So it's a day before the Fourth of July and it's beautiful out.  The sun is out but the breeze is so wonderful that I just have to take my kids and Bruce on an outing.  I snuck about ten work minutes to look online for things to do this holiday.  I found a few things I could do.

There's a place called Garden of the Gods, which many people go to take pictures of giant rocks and gorgeous scenery.  When I hear "giant rocks" I think of dirt.  Lots of it.  And I'm not really that fond of getting dirt all up in my eyes.  But I've never been there and it's dog-friendly so as long as I bring a portable doggie bowl and some water, we should be fine.  I'll have to think about it.

Then there's a place called Manitou Springs.  It's a little town that is so charming, filled with outdoor farmers' markets, food and music.  I'm hoping it's dog-friendly because I'd really love to check it out.  It seems like it might be cooler with more opportunities for shade.

There are tons of other things to do in Colorado Springs and many of these things are dog friendly.  I'm sure I'll find something fun for all of us to enjoy.  If not, I'll settle for taking Bruce to a dog park and a visit to the groomers... don't tell Bruce, though.

Ah well, sorry this is a boring post.  Just a ramble of thoughts, really.  I was hoping that if I typed out ideas more would come to me.  But it didn't work out that way.  Ah well. 

May your Fourth of July be filled with love, family and friends.  Please remember our fallen who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Much love,
Bruce's Mom