Grace, a soul with heart and spirit
In his book "Dog Stories", James Herriot writes of an old woman whose only fear is that she may never be reunited with her animals after death.
Here is an excerpt from the short story "The Card Over The Bed" A very touching and beautiful story.
I went back and sat down by the bed. Miss Stubbs looked out of the window" for a few moments, then turned to me. "You know, Mr. Herriot," she said casually, "it will be my turn next.""What do you mean?""Well, tonight Ben has gone and I'm going to be the next one. I just know it.""Oh, nonsense! You're feeling a bit low, that's all. We all do when something like this happens." But I was disturbed. I had never heard her even hint at such a thing before."I'm not afraid," she said. "I know there's something better waiting for me. I've never had any doubts." There was silence between us as she lay calmly looking up at the card on the gas bracket. Then the head on the pillow turned to me again. "I have only one fear." Her expression changed with startling suddenness as if a mask had dropped. The brave face was almost unrecognizable. A kind of terror flickered in her eyes and she quickly grasped my hand."It's the dogs and cats, Mr. Herriot. I'm afraid I might never see them when I'm gone which worries me so. You see, I know I'll be reunited with my parents and brothers, but ... but ..." She gazed at the two cats curled up at the end of her bed."Well, why not with your animals?""That's just it." She rocked her head on the pillow and for the first time I saw tears on her cheeks. "They say animals have no souls.""Who says?""Oh, I've read it and I know a lot of religious people believe it.""Well, I don't believe it." I patted the hand which still grasped mine. "If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You've nothing to worry about there."
"Oh, I hope you're right.
“You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” Robert Louis Stevenson ☺️
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Monday, March 4, 2019
And All Through The House, Not a Stir π
Karson will be 15 years old on May 3rd
Karson is the last surviving pet of
"The Three Amigos"
This morning, all through the house, not stir. All three cats were sound asleep and just looking at Karson sleeping it's very clear he knows Grace is gone.
KARSON
The little ones, they too know she is gone.
MAGGIE
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Friday, March 1, 2019
Grace and Karson
Grace
July 1st, 2005 ~ Feb 27th, 2019
Mary Oliver, Dog Songs
Labels:
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Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Goodbye, Grace π₯°
Grace ~ July 1st, 2005 ~ February 27th, 2019
For Beau: 'I'll always love a dog named Beau', by Jimmy Stewart - 1981
27 July, 1981, New York, USA
He never came to me when I would call
Unless I had a tennis ball,
Or he felt like it,
But mostly he didn't come at all.
When he was young
He never learned to heel
Or sit or stay,
He did things his way.
Discipline was not his bag
But when you were with him things sure didn't drag.
He'd dig up a rosebush just to spite me,
And when I'd grab him, he'd turn and bite me.
He bit lots of folks from day to day,
The delivery boy was his favorite prey.
The gas man wouldn't read our meter,
He said we owned a real man-eater.
He set the house on fire
But the story's long to tell.
Suffice it to say that he survived
And the house survived as well.
On the evening walks, and Gloria took him,
He was always first out the door.
The Old One and I brought up the rear
Because our bones were sore.
He would charge up the street with Mom hanging on,
What a beautiful pair they were!
And if it was still light and the tourists were out,
They created a bit of a stir.
But every once in a while, he would stop in his tracks
And with a frown on his face look around.
It was just to make sure that the Old One was there
And would follow him where he was bound.
We are early-to-bedders at our house -- I guess I'm the first to retire.
And as I'd leave the room he'd look at me
And get up from his place by the fire.
He knew where the tennis balls were upstairs,
And I'd give him one for a while.
He would push it under the bed with his nose
And I'd fish it out with a smile.
And before very long He'd tire of the ball
And be asleep in his corner In no time at all.
And there were nights when I'd feel him Climb upon our bed
And lie between us,
And I'd pat his head.
And there were nights when I'd feel this stare
And I'd wake up and he'd be sitting there
And I reach out my hand and stroke his hair.
And sometimes I'd feel him sigh and I think I know the reason why.
He would wake up at night
And he would have this fear
Of the dark, of life, of lots of things,
And he'd be glad to have me near.
And now he's dead.
And there are nights when I think I feel him
Climb upon our bed and lie between us,
And I pat his head.
And there are nights when I think I feel that stare
And I reach out my hand to stroke his hair,
But he's not there.
Oh, how I wish that wasn't so,
I'll always love a dog named Beau.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
The Spider and The Cat
A Little Caturday Fun playing with the famous poem "The Spider and The Fly" by Mary Howitt 1829
The Spider and The Cat
“Good morning, my darling love”. said the Spider to the Cat;
Don't be frightened by my skinny, spidery legs and all of that.
These hairy limbs surely will give you a tiny tickle;
When I scurry across your back, you'll be in such a pickle.
Go away, go away! said the pussycat; your not my kinda of chap:
I'm unto all your flattery and your spooky, kooky, trap.
The Spider and The Cat
“Good morning, my darling love”. said the Spider to the Cat;
Don't be frightened by my skinny, spidery legs and all of that.
These hairy limbs surely will give you a tiny tickle;
When I scurry across your back, you'll be in such a pickle.
Go away, go away! said the pussycat; your not my kinda of chap:
I'm unto all your flattery and your spooky, kooky, trap.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The Dreaming Tree π³
The morning's temperature is -17.
Still icy in the lull of early morning.
I look out the window, a crystal stillness meets my eye; the form of a tree- A Dreaming Tree***** Nature's art is magnificent!
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetie ♥️
Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetie ♥️
♥️ I will make you brooches and toys for your delight
Of birdsong at morning and starshine at night
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests and blue days at sea
Robert Louis Stevenson
♥️ I will make you brooches and toys for your delight
Of birdsong at morning and starshine at night
I will make a palace fit for you and me
Of green days in forests and blue days at sea
Robert Louis Stevenson
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
SNOWCAT
Home Sweet Home is especially nice in Stormy Weather. While hubby and daughter watched Monk, I listened to music and played on the computer forgetting all about lighting the fire even though my husband had brought more than enough wood inside to last us the entire night. I found a picture of a Snowcat, “SnowBall The Cat” someone built out of snow and it reminded me of the Snowcat I made a long time ago made with felt, applique, and embroidery. In the past when the kids were little we built a real SnowCat and although it would be great to have a Snowcat in the front yard now, I really don't want to venture out in the cold and build one all by myself, not much fun.
The painting, “Michetto Hill” that you see at the back of the SnowCat Pillow, I painted a long time ago but it is different than the one I have posted online, it's missing Michetto, so eventually, I'll need to paint him in and fix a couple of mistakes I forgot all about.
The good thing about stormy weather, it makes me spend more time on my art.
Labels:
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