Sandi and Bridgette, Chelsea, Cody, Savannah, and Casey
Sandi and Bridgette, Chelsea, Cody, Savannah, and Casey
Life Lessons
by Sandi Talbot
After feeling inadequate, isolated, and resentful for many years, I've found my best teachers in the dogs I've been blessed to know through adoption and my volunteer work with a rescue group for neglected and abused dogs. Each dog's personality has shown me a new way to live in peace and honesty, and each has taught me an insightful lesson about how to "be" in my life. My own dogs constantly show me why I should get up and move forward every day. Bridgette, a spaniel/Labrador mix, was with me for nine wonderful years. She gently kept the rest of the pack in line and on time for dinner. Her sweet disposition and comedic antics ruled my heart. From her I learned that a sense of humor will get me through just about anything. Chelsea, also a spaniel/Labrador mix, entertains me as I watch her effortlessly skim our grassy field with her nose down, tracking the tennis ball I've launched for her to find. There's one thing I can say about Chelsea: she lives life with gusto! She loves to ride in the car, and I roll the back windows down just enough that she can lean out and surf the air current. Even when it’s raining, she leans out as far as possible. Once I glanced over and saw that the wind had filled her cheeks, billowing them out like little sails and exposing tightly clenched teeth, her eyes squinky and ears flapping backwards. By the time we got home she was quite the wet-head and a little googly-eyed. But that laughing face! Chelsea's wonderful lesson is to have fun at all times. Feel the wind in your hair, the rain on your face. Celebrate life! Cody, a golden retriever/sheltie mix, is my rocket dog. He is always ON! His enthusiastic, fiery personality teaches me to never give up, no matter what, and to take a bone (or an idea) and run with it! His eyes are bright with life, and his devotion to me is unmistakable. Savannah, an elderly and arthritic yellow Labrador/shepherd mix, has an enormous heart and will adopt and care for any animal species. She frets and worries and follows her charges around, gently poking and checking them. Her arthritis makes her outwardly crabby. From her I've learned to be patient with grumpiness because there is usually an underlying reason for it. Casey, a border collie/shepherd mix, has always been a wallflower, waiting in the shadows for me to notice him. During a difficult living situation I attempted to have him adopted, but he simply would not live with anyone else! He's here to stay now, and I learned that those who love you the deepest may be the most in the background. These life lessons have been lovingly offered by my canine guardian angels, and I am happiest and most fulfilled when they are close by. I've learned to appreciate my life and to be grateful every day.