August 26, 2014

White Dog whispered in my ear..."I hope you remembered today is National Dog Day." 

National Dog Day (Also known as: International Dog Day & National Dog Appreciation Day) is celebrated August 26th annually and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, and acknowledges family dogs and dogs that work selflessly each day to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for a child who is disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and drugs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage. 

My White Dog Army is treasured and appreciated. I thank them every single day for making my life extraordinary but on this special day I want to acknowledge the special characteristics of each of the WDA and how they enrich my life...

Siku Marie, White Dog, my Daemon, the connection of my soul between heaven and earth. It is she who has walked my journey since before there was a White Dog Army. It is she that is the embodiment of all things good in the world. She is strong and wise and giving; she is the model I follow in my own life.

Puff The Magical, Still Another White Dog, is patient and tolerant. Quietly she NEVER surrenders and is tenacious enough to never quit. She has had a tough life and fights the physical results; at 16 she shows no signs of wanting to retire. She does not complain.

YoYoMa, Yet Another White Dog, is blind but he is NEVER a victim. HE is the one who goes running with Steve. He is my fierce protector. He inspires me with his grace and his ability to be compassionate without ego (do not mistake that for being submissive)! He is my special comedian when I need a face in my lap and a goofy expression.

Taiko The Tender Heart, Oh Yes! Another White Dog, a gentle and caring soul, tortured and broken, reminds me daily of the amazing power of hope and love as he pushes himself to trust and give even when part of him still wants to run away and be invisible.

Bella E. Premuroso, Tiny White Dog, is my constant companion. She is always near me or at my side even in the middle of the night when I awaken; she is there.  She allows me to cuddle her closely into my arms and breathe my chaos into her fur. She is my protector and my delight.

Sachi The Undaunted, Of Course! A White Dog, is our clown. He never fails to make me laugh as our Little Man with the Napoleon complex courts our new friends, or wrestles with Zsofia. He is a total cuddle love bug and is my reminder to not always be so serious.

Zsofia The Sky-Eyed, White Dog At Heart, thinks every second of being alive is an amazing discovery and she bounds from one wonder to another. Watching her embracing and savoring each moment fills my heart.

The Mighty Quinn, The Other White Dog, founded the White Dog Army. And the Rainbow Bridge Platoon. Not a day goes by that I do not thank my gentle boy for the awakening he brought to my life and the loving elegance that filled his being.

Nuka Angel, Another White Dog taught me that the power of love sometimes is unbearable. My beautiful ugly duckling could not see a reason to wiggy-wag after Quinn left. Her stunning stubbornness brought home the truth of the saying "if you want it badly enough you can make anything happen"...even flying over the Bridge.

Oso The Fearless, Oh, Another White Dog, was just that....fearless. He walked into the pack on his first day like he had always been there and no one raised an eyebrow. He was an expert at that, never letting any one see you sweat, just calmly faced every challenge and marched through. 

Sheena, our first rescue, our first "couple" dog. Our tutor in how to be grownup paw-rents. She taught us how hard learning to trust can be and the damage meanness causes. It is she for whom we fight the good war against the c monster.