Devotion

COTIE

A friend told me about Cotie. He needed a home and thought we would be perfect together. I had Misty, a border collie, and didn’t really want another dog. Decided to spend time with Barb, so we went to visit the place where Cotie was temporarily living. She was right! As soon as I walked in the door, Cotie came to me and I fell in love at first sight. Yep, he came home with me.

Shortly afterwards, brought both Cotie and Misty when I went to visit my parents, who lived nearly two hours away. Misty reacted to my dad the same way Cotie reacted to me. Told my dad, Misty chose you. Dad repeatedly said Misty was my dog. So, I told him I would prove my point to him. We both walked the pathway from house to trail with both dogs following us. I asked dad to go to the right while I went to the left. Cotie immediately followed me. Misty looked to the left and then turned right to follow dad. Yep, Misty did not return home with me,

The love was there between us, but we had several months of challenges to overcome. Was told he was crate-trained, so decided to verify that fact. He nicely entered his crate, and I then walked to the nearby post office. Dogs normally keep their living space clean. When I returned shortly, found both dog and crate a brown mess. Took a while to clean both. Yep, no more crate for him. Another time, just as I was leaving, he stood in the middle of the living room, looked directly at me, and “gifted” me with a brown pile. Took him a while, but finally learned he had a forever home.

My beloved Cotie was my four-legged soul companion. Wherever I went, there was Cotie. When I was sad, he would curl up next to me and stay until the sadness passed. If I began to slip on the ice, Cotie was immediately by my side to help. We spent many hours enjoying each others’ company. My grief was profound when he passed.

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SARRA and VENSEE

VENSEE on the right
When I lost my beloved Cotie, I was struggling to remain on the Earth plane. My Guardian Angel must have been working overtime. During one of those bleak days, I heard a knock on the door. My neighbor stopped over to give me a newspaper ad he came across. There was a sheltie litter recently born in a kennel relatively nearby. That is how Vensee came to live in my home.

I pondered quite a while to come up with a suitable name for my miracle sheltie. Then, in a flash of inspiration … Heaven Sent … Vensee

Vensee was quite inquisitive. No matter what you were doing, there would be Vensee … “Whatcha Doin?”
With his inquisitive nature, he was easy to teach. I filled a kong with treats and gave it to him whenever I was enjoying a snack. Then I simply asked him to Bring. He would search, bring the kong to me, and place it in my hand. Even when the kong ended up under furniture, he searched until he found it. Sarra enjoyed her kong, but left the bring to Vensee.

SARRA
Stopped by the SPCA to give a donation while in the area after delivering something nearby for a neighbor. It was there I saw a sheltie up for adoption. She had been returned to the shelter several times and was, of course, very wary. My heart went out to her and I offered to adopt her providing she was ok with Vensee, still a pup less than a year old.

When I neared her, she barred her teeth and squatted, unfortunate behavior indicating she was abused. With patience and love, Sarra began to trust me. Several months later she knew hands were for loving not hurting. Throughout our life together, she often nudged my hand.

Sarra and Vensee loved to travel. I had a double leash and Sarra remained by my side wherever we went. Vensee was an explorer and would have wandered off if not for Sarra. At night, she was always on the bed sleeping with me. I sure do miss her unwavering devotion.

Sarra, Vensee, and I visited BFF Barb and her beloved soul companion Mac, who was always up for a belly rub.

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MOONBEAM and SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE on the right
After first Sarra and then Vensee crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, I experienced another period of great loss. Again, I know my Guardian Angel was working overtime because I discovered a live feed of sheltie pups. I called and adopted a pup. Then my grief slowly lessened as I observed the pups daily until it was time to bring one to his/her forever home.

Thought I would give him a cozy den as seen in the photo below. He wanted no part of it, keeping his feet firmly planted outside, and stretching until he reached the treat inside. His passion is food. I found this out early in his life. All I had to do was think about having a snack, and there was Sunshine looking up with adoring eyes and expectations. Today he surprised me by using his nose to pop the lid off their food tote. Not easy! When I checked on what made the popping sound, there he was chowing down. If Moonbeam leaves his treat, Sunshine is ready to claim it.

Len, Sunshine, and I went to area Nursing Homes where the residents saw, heard, felt, and experienced a bit of Sunshine each time we visited. He was always ready to cuddle and give kisses. All enjoyed our visits. If ever you visit, be prepared for doggie kisses!

MOONBEAM
Moonbeam is very energetic and often spins, his version of jumping for joy. His passion is attention, often wanting an ear scratch or a belly rub. He is also very vocal with a considerable range of doggie vocabulary. If I call him and he doesn’t respond, all I have to do is call Sunshine … Moonbeam comes a running.

One of Moonbeam’s favorite activities is trying to herd the birds going to and from the feeder. Too high for him to reach, but that doesn’t deter him from barking and circling round them. Once in a while, he is surprised when one flies so close to almost touch him. A moment of stunned silence, and then back to barking.

I am thankful to have them both as we enjoy this earth journey together.

See blog post for another of his entertaining antics.

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When it is their time to cross over the Rainbow Bridge, I know my Guardian Angel will guide me to another sheltie companion. I already have a home prepared if I should pass before my four-legged angel(s). What a joyful reunion that will be when all of us are together again romping in Heaven’s green pastures.

A dog is God’s way of proving he doesn’t want us to walk alone.
I often sang this tune to each of my four-legged angels as I was holding them in both arms and heart. The love that flowed between us was reflected in their eyes.

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HEAVEN’S DOGGY-DOOR

My best friend closed his eyes last night,
  As his head was in my hand.
The Doctors said he was in pain,
  And it was hard for him to stand.

The thoughts that scurried through my head,
  As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
  And OH…his many charms.

Today, there was no gentle nudge
  With an intense “I love you gaze”,
Only a heart that’s filled with tears
  Remembering our joy filled days.

But an Angel just appeared to me,
  And he said, “You should cry no more,
GOD also loves our canine friends,
  HE’s installed a ‘doggy-door”!

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