Love is Abundant

For my birthday, I indirectly got a puppy. It wasn't really an intentional gift, but one that came upon my mom and I as a lovely surprise.  Gracie was a stray pup found wandering at a local school with no identification, and that was turned into a local vet clinic.  She was checked for a microchip (with no results), and her appearance on Pet FBI brought forth no claimants.  She was extremely malnourished, but otherwise in good health and needed a stable home. Our Bella was adopted four years ago when she was two years old, a pure-bread Labrador Retriever, when we still had our precious Zoe Isabella, also a Labrador Retriever. When we had to put Zoe down due to old age and illness, Bella was heartbroken.  

So when Gracie appeared on the Bexley Buzz needing a home, my mom arranged a home visit and said that the ultimate decision was up to Bella and I.  It's been almost 20 years since I've had a puppy, and I've never really trained one. But the night Gracie was brought to our home, she was tiny and sweet, and she and Bella hit it off, kissing each others noses as soon as they met. There was really no decision to be made. Gracie had found her forever home with us, and the past two weeks have been filled with love, frustration, training and sweetness, and my heart could not be more overflowing had the Universe poured a gallon of unconditional love into my soul.  

I suppose the most beautiful part of this experience is my ability to relish each and every challenging yet precious moment with this new addition to our family.  Bella and Gracie wrestle like WWE Smackdown participants, and they cuddle as if they've never been apart.  I'm constantly reaffirming positive behavior, correcting mischief and loving this tiny creature with all my heart.  A year ago, I was too numb to fathom this type of enjoyment, the extent of frustration, the exhaustion of running after what appears to have the energy of a young kangaroo, hopping and jumping from activity to activity every moment of the day.  I am PRESENT, and I love it.  Without the narcotics, I am free to marinate in every beloved moment with Gracie and her new big sister, Bella.  There is no numbness to subdue the frustration of puppy pee puddles, and distract from the pure love that resonates from these two creatures.

Life is beautifully difficult, extremely discouraging, brilliantly magnificent and abundantly fulfilling.  I find myself running after what behaves much like a toddler, and I am deeply in love with the entire scenario.  My mom, my Bella, myself... we have fallen in love with little Gracie.  And by some miracle, I have survived all I've been through to arrive at this moment when love is overwhelming my spirit.  This little creature entered my life at a time when I needed to give of my new self, with all the love that's been wasted on pain all these years.  I could not be more grateful to the Universe and God for guiding Gracie to the home in which she is meant to reside.... my heart.  If I could write a thank you note to fate, this would be it.  My cup is overflowing, and I am infinitely joyful.