What is important?

Lately I have not had enough time or energy to think about the horridness going on in our country. I know it’s there — I don’t have to visit it every day. All the terrible things in the world don’t need me to agonize over them — as I said — I know it’s there. And I know I am powerless to do anything about any of it.

We moved in early August, and the day of the move I got sick…it took over three weeks to feel like myself again and at the same time I was grieving what I’d left behind. And then my 12-year-old standard poodle had to be put to sleep — my beautiful Budda who I’ve had since he was 7 weeks old. He’d been sick for a while but I was in denial about it. He managed to make the move and lasted one month to the day. He knew I needed him. And so the grieving began again. I thought I might drown in tears.

And then another dog appeared — an ad on Craig’s list that my daughter noticed and sent to me. A four-year-old female standard poodle who had been used for breeding and needed to be re-homed. I have a strong sense that Budda sent her.

This new dog is a handful — she is prey driven, not entirely house-broken and takes food off the counter. She has separation anxiety. But she’s sweet and given me something to focus on. I still cry but it’s short-lived. Dogs are amazing, as are all animals.