Lily Gives Her Report on These Blessed Days

Oh, my goodness. Am I ever busy!! Workers from the gas company in and out and all over installing new lines for our home; contractors digging, to make room for the lines. All of this for over one week! I had a challenge keeping my eye on them. Then, my housemates organizing and packing and people coming who are in need of items—well, I’m sooo busy. My Ma’m and I had a talk, and she told me we were going to be ‘roomies.’ She said I might have adjustment problems and she outlined our restrictions. But, hey, I’m someone who was in a shelter in Georgia (yes, I am a Georgia peach) which was very sad for me and then I was transferred to a northern Ohio shelter. It was a bumpy and sad ride with other dogs from Georgia to Ohio. We bumped around in the truck, and I felt sick at times. I also felt lonely and my heart was deeply grieved. Why was I surrendered to another family or place? The ride was hot and extremely uncomfortable. The second shelter – the one in Ohio – was like any other shelter: noisy, clanging, constant barking. I was taken into a hospital-like room and prepped for a surgery. Yep. Had to be spayed. So, I’m homesick, physically sick, and alone. The kind lady who wraps me in a blanket says, “I think I have a wonderful forever home for you.” She called my future Ma’m, whom she knew, and said, “I have a wonderful dog for you!” And in a short time I arrived! 

My life these past five years has been so full! I never know from one day to the next what I’ll be asked to do. One day I’m a nurse, another I’m a co-pilot in the car, then I keep Sr. Helen occupied, then I guard our property. Now I will be a residential visitor to all the residents at our new living place. My housemates had to move from their beloved old house to an assisted living facility nearby. Fortunately, I get to move with them. I’m told I will be a therapy dog. Yippee! I love people and can’t wait to start my new job. My new motto is, Join the convent and your life is never boring!

In the meantime, my mailbag has been bulging. Lucy in Tallahassee asked me how to get over her fears of alligators now emerging in yards and streets around the city. Girl, I say, show some pizzazz. Don’t go anywhere alone and if you see an alligator, you bark your head off to warn your human, and the alligator will saunter away. And never, never go out alone at night. Be sure your human is with you. Bo in Nebraska is confused about his elderly farmer-owner. It seems the owner wanders into the barn at night, and his wife is often not aware. I say Bo – get on it buddy. Soon as your beloved owner starts for the barn just run and tug his darling wife to get him. Finally, Sadie, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, is falling into a deep depression. Her humans are being taken to a residential senior center, just like where I’m going. Well, Sadie, I know exactly how you feel. Fortunately, some homes allow pets under strict regulations (such as mine) but  nearly all allow visits as often as needed. Make yourself visible as needing to be with your humans. Don’t leave their sides. They will see your need and the needs of your owners. If you can’t move with them, at least you can visit and have a glorious time. Most of the time, this works. Have hope.

Reflection

This is Lily’s Ma’m. Lily is so eager to learn and to be part of a community by totally giving herself. She runs around Sister Helen’s shop welcoming customers, and she accompanies Helen as Helen and volunteers sort and organize shop items. Whenever I leave my room for work elsewhere, I will take this little gal to her happy place where she will be fulfilled and where she will help staff and residents be fulfilled as well. 

One can dread thinking of completing one’s life in a communal setting and yes, there are realities of not having familiar people or objects around, of not doing things on our own time or the way we’d like to do them but we have no control over how our lives will change because of age; we only have control of how we will change to accept this. I think Lily’s eagerness has grown out of her past rejections – intended or not – and her immense joy at ‘having been found’ and using her talents to the fullest. Would that we could all say the same. It’s a lesson in spirituality that an animal can teach us.

“What do you say to this my fine little Lady?” I asked her Fluffiness. “Ma’m, I say you have to make yourself happy no matter where you are. I guess that’s how that lady in the shelter recognized I’d be a good fit to live with you. Didn’t matter where I went as long as I made myself and others happy.”

“Ok. Let’s pray we make a good transition and that we make other people happy.”

“Got it.”

To all my readers, my beloved Anonymous Angels, make an effort to be happy and bring happiness to others. Take sometime this week to resolve that you will find God and happiness in whatever challenges you face despite how hard they may be. You can do this!!! Lily did.