I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of people–those who love dogs and those who do not. Oh, I know we can categorize people in other ways, but this works for me. I belong to the former group, having got my first dog right after we were married thirty-two years ago. Aspen, a mutt, graced our lives for thirteen years and since then we have had three other dogs. My current dog, Lulu, is a eleven-month-old labradoodle, and like any proud parent, I am proud of her.  I call her my first-position puppy, because like any graceful dancer she always reverts to first position. Recently, she becamesick, and not just the throwing up sick because she eats anything on the floor she finds because she does not abide by the five-second rule, but sick as to she would not leave my side, wouldn’t eat or drink, and had no puppy energy. Yesterday I was scared because she exhibited characteristics of Jack when he was dying, my beloved beagle who died suddenly almost two years ago. I cared for her, used some Reiki, and prayed to the Divine Mother. And I have to report that she seems better today. She’s licking me and seems to have some energy. I told her that if she wasn’t better by today we’d have to go to the vet. It’s amazing the mind’s will power.

One of the things I love about dogs is that they only live in the moment. Dogs are the divine teachers, showing us how to live our lives. They don’t spend their energy lamanting the past or worrying about the future. All they know is the now, which is how each of us should spend our days, coupled with chasing butterflies, delicious naps, and indulging in treats because life is too short to eat dry bread. Just ask Lulu.