Taffy--Heaven Sent?

I lost my big ole collie dog that summer. We knew he was getting old, stiff, deaf, grouchy--sometimes. But I didn't want to face it, didn't really think his death would come anytime in the near future. After all, he wasn't as old as another dog we took in.

We got him as a five month old pup, papers and all. He was adorable. My sons were younger and we enjoyed debating over what to name him. We'd had a female collie years before when the boys were just babies. Now we decided to go with a male. My family has always been big with western stories. It seemed appropriate to call our favorite dog after a character in one of them. Of course, he had his registered name, but we shortened it down to Sabre.

We loved him dearly. I use to tease my sons and tell them Sabre minded better than they. They'd just look at me and smile.

Sabre was smart. Very. He came when I called, even obeyed the hand motion I used for him to come. He loved playing hide and seek with me, and I think I loved it just as much. His big brown eyes were thrilled when he located me, and when I tricked him with a new place, I was as excited as he was.

He'd play fetch as long as I would throw. He'd follow hubby and myself on our walks. He'd ignore another dog we rescued (Mackie). I don't know whether he thought he was better, or just too dignified to get into Mackie's petty arguments over territory.

That last week, he began getting weaker. He had a horrible time moving about. I petted and talked "love talk" to him, telling him how much I loved him and what he'd meant to me through the years. And I cried and cried. I couldn't sleep that last night. Checked on him over and over.
The next morning I said my last good-bye to him.

A couple weeks earlier my oldest son and hubby came home from work. There sitting in the pasture near one of our horses was a small dog. Where did she come from? Did someone lose her? Want to get rid of her?

We don't know. Although son made inquiries we never found out who she belonged to. My hubby called her Squirt. I call her Taffy. She's a beautiful Jack Russell, big eyes, loving, and all. Well, I've never had a JR. We were gone traveling, but when we returned, I began making up to Taffy. She's a doll.

Could it have been heaven knew I'd need something to help me fight the lonesomeness of losing Sabre?

However it happened that Taffy came to us, I'm happy she did. I'll never forget Sabre. But my heart is big enough to love Taffy, too.

Have you ever lost a pet? How did you handle it?

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, she enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?


ABOUT The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman:
How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death?  Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance. This novel was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest. Release date is September 30, 2013 from the Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, an ACFW approved publisher and will release September 30. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499948/

　

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I also am part of several other blogs: Stitches in Time:
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Barn Door Book Loft:
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Romance After Fifty

by Carol McClain

English: Romance icon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You sip your morning coffee and put down the paper. Peering at you from across the table sits someone who looks familiar. You knew that person twenty-plus years ago. Those eyes. The smile. No, not a long lost friend, your husband (wife). Through kids, the jobs, mundane household duties, you lost sight of that young man (or woman) and the passion that couldn't keep you two apart.

But don't despair. Now's the time to re-ignite the passion, desire and youthful love you once had. And it's not hard to do.

1. Compliment your spouse in front of others. I know when I praise my husband to others, he preens. There's still good things he does. Opens jar lids? Kills spiders? Makes the bed without being told? No reason to complain about the dirty underwear on the kitchen counter to others. Believe me. He knows you hate it. (Incidentally, my husband does not do this last thing.)
2. Surprise her with her with something unexpected. Pick wildflowers and place them, along with lit candles, on the bedroom dresser (on a coaster, please--you would ruin the effect otherwise). During dinner, whisper in her ear how lovely she looks. The exotic, sultry whisper adds a little oomph to it. And please, this advice does not mean to bring her home a golden lab puppy or a dozen chickens to raise. (Again, my husband never did the latter).
3. Dress up. I'm not talking girdles or suits or stilettos or ties. Change into your best jeans, your prettiest shirt. Shave (this applies to both men and women--remember, even though he grows stubble on his face,  you got those gorgeous legs).
4. Make a date. It doesn't have to be expensive. A trip to the movies (okay--that is pricey), a walk by the lake, two lawn chairs in the backyard to watch a meteor shower or the eclipse of the moon.
5. Sex. (Okay, I'm online and you can't see me blush). Ask him or her what he/she likes best. Find your sexiest sleepwear--boxers and flannel pjs are okay for a spontaneous, middle of the frozen night rendezvous. Light the candles (the ones by the wildflowers--see #2), put on some sultry music and spend on time before and after to reacquaint yourself with the person you fell in love with all those years before.

You can read more by Carol McClain at http://carol-mcclain.blogspot.com