18 March 2012

Sweepy On My Mind . . .

Was it ten years ago?
. . . when this wonderful furry creature came into my life!
"But I can not afford to have another dog!"
I said out loud when I saw him the first time.
And I said the same thing
the year before he was born
when his black brother Bogart was born!
Two dogs was the rule.
We can only care for two dogs.
But I stubbornly insisted on keeping two more!
What a challenge to insist on keeping this family in 2002:
The mother Pica (then 11yo), the father Sumo (2yo),
Bogart (1yo) and then the pup Sweepy!
To do that meant:
less travel, less time-consuming researches and grants,
less meetings, less outings (gimmick nights) . . .
. . . and more of home-time,
more hugging, more laughter,
more heart-tugging experiences,
more discovery in nature,
and finding the divinity within
and not without . . .
How can an animal bring out the best in you?
. . . when you bring out the best in them
and realized that, in turn,
your very best lie in the simple,
the mundane, the genre,
the slow passing of time,
that wild laughter and healing tears . . .
This Sunday, on his 10th birthday,
Sweepy ate the chicken butt!
There is a funny saying in Pilipino
that when people eat chicken's butt
they become talkative!
Haha! I probably ate one in my childhood!
And after much hugging and singing
I watch this active senior dog in my lap,
now without his family except for me,
and touch the 'lump' on his side
(coincidentally, I also have a lump on the same side!)
and kiss his moody eyes
as he left me to go and visit his loved ones . . .
Do dogs grieve?
Probably.
But what I do know is that
I grieve when they grieve
and I am completely goofy happy
just being with them.
Happy Birthday, Sweepy!
Hang on, stay young, stay happy
and make me drooly yours for life!

21 comments:

Helen Campbell said...

Oh, what sweet pictures of your dog friends.

Carletta said...

Happy Birthday to Sweepy!
I love that ear photo Lui!

Barb said...

What a great tribute to your birthday boy. I can relate :)

Marie said...

Lovely pictures on your beautiful Sweepey. Happy birthday from Sweden :-)

Mª Zélia said...

Happy Birthday Sweepy ❣ ❣ ❣
Lots of love here in Rio ♡

Anonymous said...

lui, our old dog had a lump on his thigh and she undergoes surgery last year. i wonder what the vet recommends for sweepy dear.

Molly said...

Proof that the saying is correct, they are indeed man's best friend.

Mollyxxx

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome photos ~ Love all the dogs ~ and you are a delight ~ love the words on your post ~ and Happy Birthday to the birthday dog ~ thanks, namaste, Carol ^_^

The Artful Diva said...

I don't have pets myself now - but as a child we always had a dog - Snapper. He was the best mutt ever. I always had a friend to play with.

Connie Smiley said...

Lui, the perfect post for any dog lover, with all that sweet beautiful visual detail, and the hugging and laughter. Now we all love Sweepy, too. Happy Birthday, Sweepy!

Lisa Gordon said...

Just my opinion Lui, but these are some of the finest images of Sweepy. Each time I see him, I am reminded of a big cuddly teddy bear!

I hope his birthday was wonderful, and what a beautiful post this in, in honor of it.

P.S. Hmmmmmm, never knew about the chicken butt!! :-)

xo.

DeniseinVA said...

Happy Birthday Sweepy! A sweet post to make me smile this morning Lui, thank you my friend. Have a great week!

Gattina said...

These are real sweet dog pieces, lol !

Viola said...

Happy birthday to Sweepy!! =)

So nice to read this post and watch the beautiful pictures! =)
I kissed his nose and shaked his paw :)
Yes I do believe animals do grieve..
The last picture here is so heartbreaking and beautiful! :)

Lovely day to you 2! (but I think it might be night with you..)

TheChieftess said...

A wonderful post...you've captured the heart and soul of dog companionship both visually and in your prose...

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Lovely macro photos.

Regards and best wishes

NatureFootstep said...

your dogs in bits and pieces. COOL! :)

Dianne said...

a love letter to sweet ones everywhere
and beautiful photos

The Nature Jotter said...

really really love it! :D

geetlee said...

I always love reading your posts Lui.
Happy birthday to darling Sweepy ♥

Pat said...

Such lovely and loving photos. Happy birthday dear Sweepy!