I haven’t written in a while. My head and heart have been filled with grief over my pup and navigating all those things that go with it. I felt stalled creatively for a bit, but the wind has picked back up, gently moving me forward.
The wind I speak of is actually more of a hurricane. We have a new puppy in our lives. My son and his girlfriend added another dog to the mix, and this pup, Nana, despite vowing to never open herself again for heartbreak, has fallen in love.
If you have ever had a soul animal, you know what I am talking about. The vulnerable state of knowing they will, in fact, leave this world in a time measured by years, not decades.
But then you realize those years are some of the best you’ve ever had.
So I am embracing the sharp shark-like teeth that only a teething pup can have. The constant lookout for her under my feet. The scratches on the furniture and occasional accidents on the floor. The Velcro tends to be a problem because she is just a baby and doesn’t want to be left alone, even when it’s just a quick bathroom break.
Paper has been found and shredded, but my heart is being healed.
The best part is… when we go on the boat, the little shark is her parents’ problem, not mine. Her vet bills for vaccines and other things…not mine. Food gets dropped off at my house and late-night potty training is all on them.
