Thursday, April 2, 2009

Life Is Good

Sometimes I think we could all learn a lot from our pets. They appreciate the little things in life that we take for granted. They are happy to see us when we get home, no matter what sort of foul mood we may be in. They enjoy taking a walk with us even if it's covering the same route we walk every day. They never find it boring, there's always something new to experience. They often eat the same food day in and day out, yet how excited they are when dinner time rolls around.

I had a wonderful uncle, my mother's younger brother who I grew up with. He was twelve years older than I and we were good friends all our lives. For the last twenty or so years of his life he battled leukemia. For the last of those years he also had lung cancer, yet when asked how he felt, he always responded "great". He never complained about how he felt although there were times when we were all terribly worried about him.

One morning he and I were drinking coffee on the porch watching the dogs play, I was complaining about something. I'm sure it was minor as I don't even remember what it was. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Sue, every day is a good day. They're all we have, make the most of each one." I've never forgotten his words and I try to appreciate life each and every day. If he could do it suffering as he was, then I can certainly do it.

Samba enjoying life to the fullest.

What could be better in springtime than rolling in the new grass?


Remember when you were little and you would roll down a hill or jump in a pile of leaves?








When you're done you have to stand and shake as hard as you can.


Lola is taking a lesson from her mom and having a roll in the grass, too.


That must feel so good.

Here is a picture of me and my Uncle Bill when we were kids. Excuse the quality of the print, it's been around for quite a while.


Be sure to visit the doggies on Dogs On Thursday. DOT is sponsoring a special drive to donate goods, time or money to the animal charity of your choice. There will be prizes, too. Be sure and let one of us, Nat, Nichole, Chan or me know if you have made a donation so we can enter your name in the drawing.

16 comments:

momsue84 said...

A very profound post. I have often thought that life's lessons are best taught by our pets. They appreciate everything, take nothing for granted, and give love unconditionally. What's better than that?

SissySees said...

Incredible post, and weren't you an ADORABLE little girl?!

I've said more than once that my dogs have taught me more about being a good person than all others combined.

Cat said...

I love the photo of you and your uncle! I have an uncle I am close to, too; he is 14 years older than I am and he was 14 years younger than my mom (his oldest sister). His youngest daughter was born on my 21st birthday, which was also her other grandmother's birthday. She was given my middle name and her grandmother's maiden name as her first and middle name. Special bonds indeed.

I agree - live full!

Unknown said...

It's already been said - what a fabulous post. Sometimes we just need the reminder that no matter how bad it seems from our perspective - it's really good. I love your fur kids and can't wait to have tea and watch the menfolk work together. I'll plan it within the next year or so (seriously). g

Mo said...

What a great post.

Those two look like they're having SOOO much fun! Thanks for sharin' this, and Happy DoT to ya!

~Dolby & Murphy (Mo's 2 hounds)

Lapdog Creations said...

What GREAT happy-dog shots!!!!! LOVE them!!!!!

Great post! :)

soulbrush said...

all so true, 'life is not a rehearsal' is one of my favourite mottos! tell me what i can do from this side of the pond...

soulbrush said...

aha an animal charity of my choice, so i wll look and see what our rspca is doing round here. happy dot my friend.

Dianne said...

Wonderful post. It sounds like your Uncle Bill was a gem!

dreameyce said...

Beautiful post, and something I try my darndest to live by every day.

Galaxy says she and the Portes should have a grass rolling playday!

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Sue, what a touching story....and a great philosophy, we all need to stop and smell the roses more!
Great photos of your gang enjoying life as only dogs can :D And the old photo....what a treasure!
Slobbers xx

Anonymous said...

Your post touched my heart ♥ Thank you for sharing this story with all of us.
Dogs are wonderful teachers aren't they. Your dogs look like they are enjoying life to the fullest.

Sonya said...

Pure joy is rolling around on the ground. People need to stop and do that themselves.

LizzieJane said...

A lovely post today Sue. I think we all need to just stop for a while now and then and think about how lovely this world is and how lucky we all are. Even when things are not going so great I always try to find the best in a situation. It isn't always easy though.
Seeing your lovely doggies having fun in the garden can put a smile on my face even on my grunpiest of days.
x

Vivian said...

What a lovely tribute to your uncle. From time to time we all need a reminder that we need to put things in perspective. It's so easy to let the day to day annoyances take over our minds, and forget about how precious life really is.

dogyarnfun said...

Pups sure do know how to live life to the fullest.
Love the b/w picture of you and your uncle. I'm a huge fan of b/w pics.