I share my life with two beautiful old dogs. Heidi is 13 years old and Echo is 11. Both have outlived their breed life expectancy. Heidi is approaching the twilight of her journey. Her breath is sometimes laboured and she has a difficult time walking because she has what appears to be degenerative myleopathy. She drags her right rear leg. She still loves to eat, play and go for her walkies. Painfully slow walkies. What use to take twenty minutes in the morning now takes forty-five minutes. The walks aren’t painful for her. It’s me. I haven’t learned to slow myself down to match her. I am still trying to just get the morning routine done and get to work. I have forgotten the story of Heidi, how she came to me with her brother Willie as a puppy. How she fell in the fish pond the moment I let her out of the car. How she loved the cat, her first friend at her new house. How she wept with me when the cat died. How she taught me to be humble in the dog show ring. How she has loved me forever and will continue to love me when she is gone.
Heidi came to me to be remembered. She came with a message, like she was an angel, a fairy or a wise woman. My relationship with Heidi has been choreographed by Creator, teaching much about who I am, can and will be. Heidi’s relationship with me has been long and enduring. The lessons have never been gut wrenching but kind and gentle.
I need to take the time every morning to honour our relationship. To not be in a hurry to get my day on its way. the day doesn’t need my help, it happens all on its own. Even in her twilight Heidi, is teaching me something important. Slow down, life goes fast enough. Take time to honour it and the relationships that come into it.
Heidi and my time are gifts.
Amazed With Mystery 