September 20, 2010 Ode To Mandy

Today was another sad day in our lives.  11 years ago, I brought a puppy home that actully got lose and took and hour to get her to come into the house.  She was named Mandy, by Megan.  Mandy was born Dec 25, 1997.  The cousin to Beethoven.  She was a very teritorial animal, but also very independent.  She ask for little but gave her all. 

Mandy came to me an Rick on Saturday September 17, 2010 and in a very odd action from her, she wanted to be petted an would not be ignored.  How were we to know at the time She was saying goodbye in her own special way.

Monday night Mandy had a stroke and also had cancer.  The choice was not difficult as she was completely disoreniented.  We took Mandy to the vet and now she rest in the house of the lord.  At peace, now and forever.
I know everyone thinks of our friends and family every day, but the one who accepts us, love's us unconditionally is our pets. Mandy has left our lives but not my heart.

If only I could be more like her, I have always thought.
Mandy's outlook on life.

Get up in the morning,

Go outside and take lesiure walk around see the wonders of her yard

Go inside find food and eat, take her time, if there was a treat she would covet it.

When it snowed this was her favorite play time to go and make Mandy angels in the snow.

Say her name and she was right there for me, whenever I needed to have companionship, fun, or a good cry. She always understood and patiently waited until whatever emotion I was feeling was done, and then would go and find her favorite place on her blanket.

When I would come home she was always excited to see me, no matter how long I had been gone.

Simple things made her happy, it makes me want to keep in mind during this time of caos in our challenged world to remember all the wonderful gifts we have, every day in our life.

Never take for granted the blessing that life gives us and be enthuastic about the simple things that are around us.