Hello there everybody!
As Maxdog slowly and steadily deteriorates, I have decided that I am going to convert my heartache and I am going to have a...
"FEEL GOOD MOMENT " DAY!
It's really difficult somedays to watch your beloved companion battle with the inevitable.
Again - I don't know when it will be, but the same angst that I felt on the day the specialists gave me the news, remains. At that point I was lead to believe it he only had two weeks left.
But today is his...
73rd Day of Grace...
I have to continually remind myself that each day is a gift...
but it is sometimes very hard!
So..
Today I invite you to join me in reflecting on some of the moments which give us all a 'feel good' feeling.
As dog owners, I know that there are plenty of them but it would be nice to hear some of yours too....
These 'feel good' moments don't only have to be about our furry friends.
Let's embrace them all!
---xXx---
HERE ARE SOME OF MY OWN 'FEEL GOOD' MOMENTS:
(In totally random order.)
(To get YOU started...)
* A steamy beverage clutched in my icy fingers on a chilly morning.
* The smell of baking bread or muffins wafting through the house.
* Waking up and suddenly realising that it's Saturday and I am able to steal a few more moments in bed.
* Puppy Breath
* The surreal and sudden quiet that settles during the extraordinary phenomenon of an eclipse.
* A wake-up lick from one of my furry friends
(The following photos are all OLD photos...)
* The bright sunlight emerging from the clouds after a sudden shower of rain and the smell of a clean new world.
* The soothing sound of the water feature in our garden.
*Watching smiles explode in welcome at the airport.
* The sounds of the dogs running trenches in our passage before their evening walk.
*The moment when the sun dips below the horizon from the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town.
* The feel of the sand between your toes as you step onto the beach.
* Opening a surprise package from my distant fur-friends
* The feeling of total bonding during MAXDOG's ear rub...
* Watching MAXDOG finish his food
* Having KING TOFFEE relax into my chest in deep, deep contentment
* The Sound of MAXDOG's tail thumping on the floor
* The faces and sounds of my canine 'welcoming committee' when I get home.
* The Sounds of Flapping Hadedah Ibises followed by TAMMY GIRL's frustrated bark.
* The solitary cry of an African fish eagle in the African bushveld...
* Being witness to something quite extraordinary...that very few of us will ever see...
* The last stitch to a quilt
* MAXDOG saying "mmm...Om!" spontaneously.
* Getting a clean bill of health at the Vet
* Cuddling your dog...
* The pack scuttling to the front door in the evening, without barking, indicating that "The Boss" is home.
* MAXDOG producing a 30cm record string of drool whilst waiting for my muffins to come out of the oven.
* Tucking my cold feet under MAXDOG's warm body on a cold winter's evening.
* A perfect recall
MOST OF ALL!.....
* Getting up on this 73rd Day of Grace and realising that it is indeed ...
ANOTHER DAY OF GRACE!!!
So what are YOUR "Feel Good moments"?
UPDATE PS:
My 'feel good moment' of the day is:
(Go and take a look!)
54 comments:
Those were some beautiful feel good moments you shared with us.
The best of all, is that Maxdog is still with you, and with all of us.
He keeps surprising us all.
Lots of love.
Priscilla
Thanks for sharing!
Smell of freshly cut grass
Friday afternoon, getting home from work and knowing there is no rush to do anything so can put your feet up for a moment in the quiet!
But mostly, I agree, coming home to the doggy welcoming committee (I have only one) is one of the best feelings in the world! Knowing that whatever your mood, how your day has been etc, somefurbody is glad to see you!
Koda's Mum
Sometimes, when things are difficult, it is very hard to remember what and where the gifts are. You are doing a wonderful job, and have been accompanying Max so beautifully on his journey to the inevitable.
I've just had a "feel good moment" at the start of my day. Reading your post has once again reminded me of the strength and courage you and Maxdog have. At times like this it's hard to be brave and face what is in front of you, but you have done that so graciously--You're an example to all of us!
Waking and seeing OC's bright eyes looking at me. Gimli giving me a foot massage by licking my toes. The times I can sit back and remember my Mama... her cooking, her smile, her touch, her laugh... and my Tia Rosie's laugh.
BG watching me carefully, begging with his eyes and the wiggle of his tail-less tushie to play, and the delight if I suddenly STOMP at him!
Gimli learning to sit and "down." He POPS up in the air and lands in a sit, and drops with barely restrained shivers of joy that he's done what I ask when I ask for a "down."
Being told of some wonderful thing that one of my sons has done for someone.
Having one of my grandkids climb into my lap for a snuggle.
Hearing of another miracle that God has granted to bless someone I know and care deeply about.
Being hugged by one of my beautiful adult kids, and being told that they appreciate me.
Remembering the wonderful freedom of riding my Peruvian Horse on a beautiful day.
Thanks so much for making me stop and think about the many things that I am thankful for!
And one more... having another day to pray for Max and you together...
Sunday evening, kicked back, surrounded by six very happy, very tired, slightly snowing Siberian Huskies - watching the sunset over the ridges.
The best moments are that simple - and so glorious
A clean agility run in the backyard or at a show with one of my greyhounds!
I will tell you that reading this blog is always a "feel good" moment for me, even when it's bittersweet. Most days I have tears in my eyes reading, because you so willingly embrace all facets of life.
Thank you.
-Kim in Ontario, Canada
Love all the images that your feel good moments conjure up. I have to agree with many of them and will add one more:
That moment when Chester enters a room and unexpectantly realizes that I am there. He does a "bucking bronco" kick and runs to my side. The joy he expresses is a feel good moment for me.
It's always a feel good moment seeing that Max has been given another day of grace.
(((HUGS)))
from Chester and his Mom ;0=)
Thanks for sharing those great moments and pictures - as Kea mentioned above, your posts leave tears in my eyes too.
Special moments (doggies ones, of course):
Waking up and seeing Apples (my 15 plus year old rescue mix) look into my eyes - my gratitude and joy that my doggie is still alive 11 months after being diagnosed with malignant mammary cancer.
Watching Neeli (my Golden) kissing Apples when they come in from a walk.
Watching Apples & Neeli drinking water together from their shared bowl.
Wet kisses from both dogs!
Feeling the warmth of the spring sun after a brutal winter in Philadelphia and being grateful that Apples has had the chance to feel it on her body once more.
Watching Neeli stalk birds and squirrels.
Neeli greeting me with wagging tail, licks & kisses, squirming all over the place after I come home from work and going on the floor to give Apples loving too.
Reading Max's and MaxMom's posts daily.
Greetings from Nadine, Apples & Neeli...
Max Happy 73rd dear friend.
Max's Mom your posts are so inspiring.
Some of my Moments:
Hearing my daughter's voice every Sunday night when she calls us
Madi placing her sweet head on my arm and the little breath she lets out as she settles down....
Baskin-Robbins ice cream cakes
Hot cup of coffee....oh I could go on but I'll stop here
Madi and Mom
The very first snowfall of the season. Clean, fresh snow. And the quiet that precedes the snowfall.
A beautiful moon in the dark starry sky.
Northern Lights crackling and flashing and dancing in greens, magentas, purples and yellows.
The smell of bacon and fresh coffee at breakfast time.
Tourists happy and smiling in the streets of downtown Anchorage in the summer.
PS LOVE the picture of you and King Toffee xoxo
Our feel good moment is reading our friends blogs knowing that we have true friends out there, even if we have never met in person!
-Kira The BeaWootiful, Scampi, Bentley and their Mom!
Woof! Woof! Each Day is truly a GIFT. Lots of fell good moments to be happy n be grateful. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
- my children saying, "I love you , mom."
- my grandchildren's hugs and kisses
- the sun streaming through lace curtains
- a full pantry and fridge just as the snow begins to fall promising to become a blizzard
- a real, paper letter from a friend
- birthday cards and Christmas cards delivered by the postman and not via my computer screen
- feeling Scout's back against mine in bed just as I nod off to sleep
- homemade soup and warm bread laden with butter
- holding sleeping babies
- watching kittens and puppies play
- bringing home new life from the shelter knowing that a life has been saved and an adventure awaits
- a freshly mowed lawn, weeded gardens and a good book to read while I sit on the bench amongst the grapevines
- the dogs getting all excited when they know they are going for a ride in the car, a walk or will be getting a treat
- a phone call from a friend
- a bubble bath, soft towels and Lily of the Valley body powder
- a perfect pie crust
- fresh strawberries and whipped cream
- my kitty Rosemary hopping on my lap each morning as I read my email
- Scout and Freyja laying at my feet wherever I happen to be sitting
- looking out the kitchen window seeing the dogs playing with each other in the yard
- freshly brushed dogs with trimmed toenails
- people I love walking through the kitchen door unexpectedly
- swaying back and forth on the porch swing in the company of a grandchild as we discuss the moon and the stars and the sun
- reading a story book to a child at the end of the day
- the color PINK in any shape or form
- the funny piggy sound Scout makes at the back of his throat when I'm eating something he'd like to sample
- the 'doggy dance of delight' that greets me whether I have been gone for minutes or hours
- clean kitty litter boxes
- ladybugs and bumblebees sharing a little of their day with me when I garden
- Polar Ice chewing gum
- knowing that everyone I care about and love is safe, well and warm
I could go on and on and on. I may not be wealthy by most standards; however, not all wealth is stored in a bank account.
I love this post, Caryl. I ALWAYS look for every opportunity to see good throughout the day. The feel good moments FAR outnumber the bad ones if we pay attention. Like right now...
Sitting here, drinking tea, listening to the birds, with my cat sleeping on my lap, while commenting on my friend's 'feel good' blog who is half way around the world... and knowing everyone who reads her post today is thinking about what makes them feel good. :-)
Happy Day 73, Max! Thank you for all the wonderful 'moments' you've shared with us.
Much love to you and Caryl,
Kathleen and Cloud
Puppy breath is very high on my list too!
Here are a few: • When my dog K snuggles up to me in the morning after everyone else is up. • When either of my dogs looks at me with that deep soulful gaze. • Coffee on the deck, listening to birds sing and glimpsing animals outside our clearing, as the world wakes up. • The smell of my dogs' fur. • Riding my bike like the wind. • Seeing wild animals living their normal lives in the forest. • Feeling my husband's arms around me (but I'm not allowed to talk about him in my blog, so you'd never know it from there!).
Thanks for this post - you're an amazing woman!
My favorate feel good moment is when I'm lying in bed and have Mack and Mia, each 86lbs, laying as close to me as they can possibly get, Mack confuses the definition of sunggling and being close and most of the time ends up sprawled out ontop of me. What a goof ball!
Oh, and puppy smoochies! Nothing beats puppy smoochies, when you are happy they make you even more happy and when you are sad it makes you forget bad thing because how can you be sad when you have these 2 big lugs that love you with their entire being...
One more thing, we have feel good moments everytime we read your bloggy and see that Max is still holding on strong! Keep resting up dear friend, you have a lot more days of grace coming up!
Wags and Woofs,
Mack and Mia
Finding a beautiful post like this that puts all of life's problems in perspective:) Thank you.
For Mom today, a three year old granddaughter arriving and saying, "Hi Grandma, is your back feeling better today?" Sweet and innocent and so full of love.
Thunder, I don't see anyone in there. Isn't it bedtime?
Happy 73rd Day, Max! Beautiful images with feel-good moments to gaze on and read here are gifts to us. Thank you! I have a peculiar love for Sam's just clipped toes clicking on the sidewalk - or floor! And adore watching my grandkids in action - the 17-year old doing backflips for Cheer, the 9-year old playing the piano and the 14 month old trying to destroy the place - Sam follows this one around, since she's figured out that E.'s a free treat dispenser! All great moments and there are so many more too - thanks for the great post!
Big Hugs xo
Sammie and ma
Just this very morning I woke to gentle puppy kisses on my head as I was late to rise.
This from the one who usually swats me in the head with his giant paw when he wants something!
In no particular order:
Playing music with my friends
The smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning
Looking out over Puget Sound at the Olympic Mountains
Kimmy's laugh
Lady crow-barring my arm when I'm engrossed in typing
The Sonoran Desert after a refreshing rain
Puring a 5 iron
Hearing from a good friend when you don't expect it
Golden kissable muzzles
Driving Bob's Porsche on the backroads of Sedona with the top down
Taking an afternoon nap with my dog
>> Go Max, keep strong, we are watching and praying you are blessed with more, quality borrowed time.....KT and Lady
Sending hugs and lots of love to Maxx from all of us!
Woofs and wags,
sitka
Happy 73rd Day MaxDog!
Our feel good moments:
- when mom/dad gives us treats
- when mom gets home from work
- belly rubs
- when Jack(our neighbor's dog) came over to play
Hugs,
Sam & June
thanks for sharing some of your feel good moments! they make me smile. :)
let's see...here are a couple of mine:
* going on car rides with my pups and watching them stick their heads out the window and sniff in the air.
* snuggling in bed with a pup on each side of me. (this is especially nice in the winter!)
happy 73rd day of grace to maxdog!
*hugs*
the booker man's mama
Seeing my dog wiggle and waggle her tail after an agility run is one of my favorite feel good moments.
I am still thinking of you and Max.
Hei Maxdog,
what a gift to have so many days of grace....we are living on them uphere, too...
Today is a not good day for hubby; last weekend his 6th chemo was just done and we both caught an infection (maybe from eating fish?) I felt poisoned and still suffer a little, and hubby had this all upon...
this was, once again, a very beautiful post!
Lotsa love from Eyjafjalla-ashbeaten Europe,
Beatrice and the Furries
~•♥•~ ~•♥•~
My new owner Gail told me to stop by and let you know that she felt really good at about 3pm this afternoon when she actually managed to persuade me to do a poo outside in the garden!
She's told me all about the wonderful Maxdog too, and I'm sending him puupybreath kisses through cyberspace!
Toodlepip!
Bertie.
Hey everyone!
Your comments today/so far are SO INSPIRING!!! - I'm being transported to 'feel good moments' all over the world! How wonderful! This comments section is YOURS - go to town! Feel free to write your heart out! Your comments can be as long as you like!...DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF!
Thank you for making my day! I love you all!
MAXMOM!
How about...
Waking up and knowing Sam will be next to the bed waiting for me. The horses nickering when they see me. Watching a movie at home with Aaron next to me and Sam by our feet... I think the list could go on... We are wishing you another wonderful day!
Sam
great post maxmom! Love seeing what your feel good moments are!
Id say some of mine are:
- planting things in our small garden
- fresh flowers
- balloons and confetti
- surprise parties
- random gifts just because (given or received)
- crossing things off my 29 by 30 list!
- finishing my first scarf!
- learning something new
- finding new blogs
I could go on and on!
Thanks for reminding me that to appreciate the little things!
Too many to paw
Too too many to paw
BUT
*When a plan comes together
*As Khyra's pal Kira The BeaWOOtiful pawed, our blogging FRIENDS
*When Khyra is out in the yard and I say the magic words "Do you want to go for a walk"
*See MaxDog and all of the magnificent wonders in his life that have melded their way into our lives
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra's Mom (for Khyra too)
Meeting Bertie today was certainly a highlight!
Wishing Maxdog another happy day of Grace!
When Stella looks at me and her eyes somehow soften and its pure love coming at me. . .wonderful.
All our blogging friends!
Much, much more of course, but time is not allowing me to write them all. I am making a path for me and my after-surgery walker!
Cheers and Hugs,
Jo and Stella
My favorite thing is to come home after a long, hard day and have my little ones greet me at the front door. My dogs are always happy to see me!
I love it when Chico curls up on my chest and goes into a deep sleep, snoring very loudly for such a little dog. It is times like this that let me know he's a happy boy.
I love that Shiver thinks he always needs to be near me. When he goes outside, he scratches on the door every 5 minutes. When I open the door and he sees me, he runs off again. He just wants to know I'm still there even though he can't see me. When I sit down, he thinks he needs to sit on my lap.
I know how hard it is to watch, but that deep unconditonal love is experienced through their last breath and that made this difficult journey worth the pain of it for me...I am grateful every day for the health of my babies, family and friends, a sunny day, fresh air, the love I give and receive, hugs from my parents and my babies, my blogging friends...Every day I try to be grateful for what I have, the simple things are the most priceless...Blessings and love always.
PS...King Toffee is so adorable lying on your chest and shoulder :)
Oh those are wonderful feel good moments! Let's see, a few I can think of:
When Virgil, who is not a cuddler, decides that he needs to sit in my lap for a while
When Virgil decides that he wants to play with his feather toy, then decideds he is done and carries it into the kitchen (it is unbelieveably cute to me for some reason)
When the cats are together and there is no hissing or growling, just curious sniffing and then relaxing
Any time any of the cats decides to crawl under the blankets with me
Oh, there are so many, but the ones with the cats are always on top!
Happy 73rd day of grace Max!
We are sending you lots of purrs and prayers!
Our feel good moment, is having found you and Max. You have both added so much to our life.
Max's determination to love and your determination to embrace fully whatever time you have.
This is the type of moment that cannot be duplicated but just savored and enjoyed.
We all face moments like these throughout our lives and you have given us the way to travel those roads and enjoy those moments without reservations.
We Love you Max....
Sheila & Bob,
Mom & Dad to
Hamish & Rescue Sophie
My mum says just a few of her feel good moments are:
• Lying on the back lawn with me looking up at the blue sky and fluffy clouds above, with me beside her (also lying on my back) while she pats my tummy
• Seeing how happy I am to see her when she gets home
• My little rituals in the morning
• Nice chocolate (I’m not allowed any, but she says it’s so good)
• Enjoying a glass of nice wine with dinner (again she doesn’t share this one with me!)
• Using me as a paper shredder as I love ripping up paper (I also find tissues and shred those!)
• Finding a photo that makes her smile on the web, or reading an inspiring blog
• The feeling of warm sun on her face
• A phone call from a friend
• Cuddles
• Looking back at puppy photos of me
• Seeing beautiful flowers close up, and spending time in her garden
• Finding a postcard or handwritten letter in her letterbox instead of bills
• Watching me zoom around the front lawn like a crazy dog
• Watching me do almost anything!
• Realising she has been able to teach me things (she is so proud of some of the things I can do now)
• Reading blogs like yours Max, and finding that you and your mom have shared so many moments and days of grace – while wishing you many more.
We love you Max and are thinking of you and your mom.
Woofs,
Riley.
Max- so happy to see your face.
Feel good moments -
the sound of a snoring dogs.
how Ben noses me at 5:30 am to hop into bed for a morning cuddle.
how Lance always puts me to bed.
how Tiger wiggles hello so hard he looks like a slinky about to break.
how Coop has finally learned to wag his tail.
Ben's Momma
What a great post!
Mom loves slipping into her pre-warmed bed every night when the temps are cool outside and hearing Mitch's sweet sigh of contentment to be in his comfy bed next to the radiator.
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
Loved all the special moments .... a fantastic list!
For Murray's Mom - it is any little success that Murray achieves!
We had just put up today's post and then came here so its kind of ironic - our post today more or less says it all for us!
with best wishes
Clive
I loved your list!
Some of my feel good moments, in no special order are:
Bunny's little dance of joy when I get home from work and Blueberry's intense vibration at the same time. It's like both of them can't contain their elation! And then Lilac brings be back to reality by reminding me that she's fourteen and a half and can no longer contain her bladder!
Lilac's way of going over to my husband, gazing soulfully into his eyes, and then letting out a little burp. It never fails to give us the giggles!
Going for a nice walk after work!
Surprises in the mail!
Going to sleep while the rain falls on the roof outside. Or sleeping in on a rainy Saturday morning.
Hearing about somebody's new dog or puppy.
Those were all great feel good moments.
Thanks guys
Benny & Lily
Knowing that you and Max have had another good day together makes me feel very good these days.
Hugs,
Kit
Hi MaxMom and MaxDog,
Happy Day 73!!!
We like what Kira said about having blog friends that love you even though you've never met!
But if we must:
Sleeping late and hugging Josie like I would my husband, but he's already out of bed. She's so cuddly and fits perfectly into my arms.
Having my puppy Blues jump on me and kiss me with his puppy breath which I call "baloney breath"
Listening to the birds sing "any time of day"
Watching the sun come up or go down.
Looking at the stars.
Looking at the moon.
Watching bats fly.
Sailing anytime.
Listening to my husband play his guitar.
Watching Josie and Blues play.
Watching the people smile when I bring Josie to the hospital.
Rescuing another pet.
Reading your blog or any of my blog friends blog.
Looking at any of Kathleen Coy's paintings.
Okay, I could go on forever.
We love you so much, all of you.
May you have a million more days together, that is my feel good wish.
Much Love,
Woof,
Josie and Mr. Blues Jr. and MB
Thank you for sharing some of your feel good moments. I'm sure you have many more.
Luv,
Riley and Star.
Our feel good moment? An unexpected smile, shared between friends or strangers.
Love
Jake and Fergi xxoo
We thank you for this time to share some good feelings.
Something that makes me feel so happy and good is to see my magic bubbles swirl around my feet and land on my nose.
There is something very special about a doe hiding her newborn fawn in your flowers in plain site - and allowing us to baby set.
There is something so very special in finding a new frined in blog world- who really cares and is there for you- through good and sad. (we are there for you)
And I have new friends too.
Another feel good moment is snuggling in my moms arms.
love
tweedles
Max we have just discovered you and were moved by your mum's moments. We are saying purrs and prayers for you because we know how hard it is to loose a loved one. Winston & Manda x
your 'feel good' moments are so precious.
we have many too but none as happy as when we see another post by you...and knowing that you are painfree.
chikisses
coco & tiffy
The joy of having friends makes us feel good every day.
xx
Hello there Max!
It was a reflective moment for us to read through your list.
Here are a few of our feel good moments:
Mommy:
- Getting lots of licks form us when she gets home
- Watching the stars
- Seeing adorable photos of furry friends
- Reading inspiring posts of dear furry friends like YOU
- Feeling the sincerity of furry friends we continue to know better as days go by
- Sharing moments with the Piappies with hooman family
- Puppy breath of each and every piappie
- Taking a good shot of the piappies with the flashy box
Piappies:
- playing zoom zoomies
- getting treats from Mommy
- belly rubs
- facial massage
- stuffies and squeaky toys
- bitey face
- cuddles and licks for Mommy and our hooman family
Mommy & Piappies:
- Celebrating each day of grace with Max and keeping our paws crossed for more blessed days ahead.
Thankies, Max and Maxdog Mom!
-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & the Piappies
Hey Max Dog and Max Mom,
Feel Good Moment - Sunrise on the flight deck at sea; the smell of a baby's head or of a newborn puppy. The lights of the ground from 40,000 ft at twilight.
Laying on the carpet with 6 Golden Retrievers and having your face washed.
Finding that Max has been granted another day of Grace in answer to prayers from around the world.
- TBH&K
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you soo much for sharing.
I will say this - one of mine is having Parker wake me up in the morning, when I am still deep asleep but he is nudging me with his head.
They are our best friends! We are praying for MaxDog!!! Your blog is so inspiring to us all!
Nika + Parker
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