December 31, 2022

 

A Year in Review

"Dad, this has been a year of great sorrow and great joy," Zsofia gently commented. "Life here at home will never be the same since I arrived here so many years ago as a tiny puppy. I miss Momma so much." "Zsofia, Momma loved you dearly. She held you gently on the short ride home when you joined us. Momma and I even visited you just to see you with your litter mates when you were only a few days old." I remembered wistfully.

Zsofia at eight weeks old

"I'm glad that Lilly came to live with us this year. She was a little intimidating at first because she was kind of wild, but now we run and play in the yard and sleep cuddled together during the day and have treats next to each other and bark at the mailman all together in the watching chairs." Zsofia and Bailey vocalized in unison. "Remember how thin Lilly was when she came to live with us?" I asked. "She's still thin enough that I can feel all of her ribs, but she's filled out nicely across the year."

Lilly and Diva last March

"Dad, what will the new year hold?" asked Roman. "I can't predict the future, Buddy, but I will tell you what Momma would say - that the New Year is filled with hope for a world without war; hope for good health and happy times; that we have the courage to try again;  that we develop resilience in overcoming obstacles; that we feel humility to learn from others; and we are filled with kindness to ourselves and to each other. Now it's time to go to sleep. When you wake up, it will be a new year."