Crocus bloom, ground cover spreads, the rhubarb peek a boos and daffodil stand loud and proud up and out in the sunshine. We are still 11 days out from Spring Equinox but warmth and new chapters are in the air. The dogs stretch out in the sand like they are on a tropical island soaking up every inch of heat as if they've been frozen solid for months. The slow blink as they gaze straight up is pure contentment and peace.
From thundering rains to windstorms that brought trees down around us, it's been a wild couple of weeks. Luck and a watchful hand were on our side when the dog yard fences were spared (this time) in the storms. The skies opened up and the dogs were front and center to be part of this new leaf, new season to flip upside down and to welcome what's ahead.
As the chainsaw buzzes in the background, piling round after round into a tidy tower, the energy is matched from each of my dogs. Ears get sucked on like pacifiers, scruffs get chewed on a bit too much (hence Isla's harness- her chew guard) new toys get 'fought' over, yard projects get dubbed 'king of the castle' and pack 'spring activities' are heightened. Each one whirs with a sense of joy everyday.
Days tick by and we continue to support mother nature in her process of bringing new life to the Homestead hopefully soon. Meiko is perfectly content just loving life and quietly owning the land up on her queen throne. No shift in sight from her yet but we do the happy heat dance daily (the neighbors probably think I'm a little off my rocker), kiss her nose and tell her we all have her back in whenever timeframe mother nature graces us with. We inch closer to Isla and Leia's next timeframe for babes...I cross my fingers Meiko will shift soon so not to pull Isla and Leia early. Isla and Leia aren't due for their next litters until June so we 'should' be ok but I've been doing this long enough to know that girls like to stick together! For now I pour everything I have into Meiko, both figuratively and literally. 3 different natural hormone support balancers are still on board with her to support her where and when the moons and stars align for her. With so much new life around in my surrounding gardens I very much am getting itchy for new pups around here. I know my families waiting for these beautiful pups are also starting to pace a bit. I get it, I fully understand. I calm the itch, soothe the antsy pants and enjoy my down time while I still have it. As much as caring for 6 dogs can be called 'downtime'. I try to be a strong believer in 'everything happens for a reason, in it's own time, in it's own perfect way' This is challenging with certain situations but one thing I know for sure, is this moment is perfect. Not looking backwards, forwards or any which direction other than now. I accept now, perfectly in it's own form.
Anya, the baby of the pack is..well..always 'On-YA" ..on me and on Neema at every chance she can get. These 2 are perfect peas in a pod and always attached at the hip at every moment. Anya meaning 'Grace' has definitely graced us all with her presence everyday since she showed up. She is the sweetest thing since honey and toast. Paws to grow into, ears to follow, a gangly structure to be proud of and eyes that will melt anyone in a 20 yard radius. She's the light of the pack in a wee little package.
She poses nonstop for me and it's obvious she knows she's the sweetest thing around.
Neema, my beefcake of a thick and glorious girl is a crowd stopper. She is everything I tried to re produce and everything I ever wanted to add to my program for my next addition here. Not quite built like a truck, so not to hurt her sensitive feelings, but perfectly made to also 'grace' us all. Tonka keeps her teenager energy in check and when he's tired of her, Meiko steps in with her strong motherly presence and pulls her away from everyone to balance out the energy. She is shockingly good at this and does it constantly in a calm, collected, tactful way.
Isla and Leia my pack sisters are as darling and lovely as ever. They are the glue and the strings that stick and pull everyone together and make this unit shift and change gears smoothly on a regular basis. Both girls are soul searchers and heart menders. Eye catchers and mind soothers. The families waiting for pups from these girls later this year are truly going to be gifted with a little bite of heaven. Remember that families when your land shark gets bitey..."It's a little bite from heaven" and your moment will be perfect.
and then we have our King Tonka who is always the love of the yard, kissing, playing, snuggling, leaning, watching out for everyone at all times. He is absolutely perfect. His update this week is that he is doing everything he is supposed to be doing. Without going into TMI details, he is assessing, being aware and on top of things just the way he's supposed to.
Everyone is knit together here adding in their own spring energy to these warm and balmy days. Anya brings entertainment amongst our feet, Tonka and Neema get caught making out in the corner, Meiko keeps everyone in line, plenty of kitty watching happens before bed and everything in between has graced us with it's perfect presence the last couple of weeks.
Trying to remember that everything happens for a reason but as I missed last week blog post it's difficult to wrap my head around at times. Sorry for the missed week!
Things went a little upside down last week. As Anya made sure my sand pile didn't run away I was working on redoing some of my fencing that lined the bottom of my dog yard. In a very unfortunate freak accident I was challenged with this theory. While cutting a spring loaded roll of fencing, the end wire backfired right into my eye which landed me in the ER and immediately I was transferred to Harborview Trauma Center for immediate repair surgery. Accepting the moment, I tried to take a deep breath and trust the process. Yes, VERY challenging. Thanking the heavens that no puppies were currently on the ground, Arai took over the dog care as I was whisked away on a 24 hr. stay in Seattle. Photos rolled in from Arai.. "Where's mommy?"
The damage was unfortunately extensive but as multiple specialist took over my care I left 24 hrs. later with 20/20 vision but with a road ahead of slow but hopeful a full recovery. Greeting my dogs with glasses, goggles, face shield and almost an astronaut helmet on I know without a doubt in this world that this is a perfect moment. Right here, Right now. Now. Now is perfect and I accept it all. My world as it is in it's own form, it's it's own rhyme, rhythm and reason is perfect. Not to say I won't change my practices moving forward, I am always doing so and will certainly continue to do so, but without driving myself mad I have to accept. I am exactly where I'm supposed to be for a reason. Love to all in the days ahead as we learn to live in moments of 'perfection' while patiently waiting for glorious new beginnings ahead.
