...Lexie's Birthday.

Today is Miss Lexie's birthday! She is 6 years old and has been with me since she was 3. I'm sure she woke up this morning with no idea that this was her special day. For her it's just another day in the cycle of "feed me...love me... play with me... feed me some more... throw the ball... can I have another biscuit... love me... play with me, and feed me some more!! Her day will be filled, as usual, with all that she loves and enjoys, for our pets live in the moment (or so they say), which is probably something we should all try and practice in our own lives. For me, this day marks another wonderful year with her by my side. In the scheme of life, it is cruelly unfair that our pets live such short lives. Having lost my first dog, Tyler and the early age of 9, it reinforces to me how precious each day is with our furry friends. There is a poem on my bulletin board that says it all:

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. - Anonymous

So whether or not today is your pets special day, take the time to give them an extra kiss, hug, pat, biscuit or that special place on the sofa. You will be rewarded for that love ten times over.

...a glimpse through my window.

In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence.
- Robert Lynd

I woke up on Saturday morning knowing I needed to make a Birthday card for a dear friend who loves all things "bird". I had been trying unsuccessfully for months to sit quietly in my back yard and capture some fluttering friends to add to my photo collection. With three finch feeders and a forest of trees and flowers, you would think this would be easy. Absolutely not!
What elusive little creatures!
Well, as luck would have it that Saturday morn, I woke to an unusual amount of chirpy chatter coming from outside my bedroom window. There on the bush outside, were dozens of tiny little birds, scurrying for their breakfast. They seemed to be enjoying an avian gourmet feast. I ran to get my camera, and of course when I got back, not a feather in sight. There I stood for what seemed like eternity, camera to window pane, waiting patiently for their return. As you can see, I was rewarded by one little fellow who landed on a piece of garden art and turned, almost posed, in my direction. Maybe he knew just how wonderful he would look on a card, and what pleasure he would bring to the Birthday Girl.
Thank you little bird, I am very grateful.