My Other Girl

 

Super Lulu and her crime fighting side-kick, Foster



Even before I had a two-legged kid, I was the proud “mom” of four-legged, fur kids.  Yes, I am one of THOSE people.  As difficult as that may be for some folks to understand (I know it is for my mom), I just love dogs!  To me dogs’ have the characteristics I wish to have one day. 

For years, I volunteered with a breed rescue group, a shelter and a community animal welfare organization. I even worked at a shelter.   I saw the best of the best and the absolute worst of people. You might be familiar with that quote from Gandhi:

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I am not really sure where Tampa would be on the scale.  Honestly, I try to block out of my mind those years spent in the shelter. But, I have four constant reminders at home of the decade I spent volunteering. 

 

 Last night, I came home from work and my girl “Foster” was a mess.  I won’t go into detail, because it was gross—but I will say we rushed to the vet: a panicked Mom (me), an 80 pound dog that couldn’t walk, and a terrified (almost) five year old.  What a sight it must have been for the neighbors!

The life of a dog in our house! 

Through all the prodding, poking, shots, vomiting—my girl, STILL wagged her tail.  Now if she was human, would that happen? I can tell you, not if it was me!  

 

When I finally got a chance to sit down with Foster, she put one very tired head in my lap, either looking for comfort, or to give me comfort, (knowing her, the latter)  it reminded me of a dog I met years ago, despite my best attempts to forget him.   

 

He was a Harlequin, Great Dane.  When I first saw him, it actually took my breath away and I just started crying.  There was no other reaction to have (except anger—which was my only emotion during the 90's).  You could see every (and I mean every) bone in his body.  Only his head remained somewhat normal.   I sat down, to make myself as small as possible, so I wouldn’t make him nervous.  He came over immediately and put his gigantic head in my lap and again, I just lost it!  After all he had suffered at the hands of humans, he trusted me. . .or was it, he wanted to comfort me? I know there is a danger to applying human feelings to animals, but they most certainly are aware of our emotions. 

 



St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals



Pets add an intrinsic value to our lives and to our physical and emotional health. They instinctually seem to want to help us. Like the pets that save their families from fires; the k-9 units that protect their officers; the bomb sniffing dogs in Afghanistan and Iraq, that they now realize also suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; sheep and cattle dogs that help our ranchers; therapy dogs and cats brought into hospitals, schools and nursing homes. . .

 

I know there are many different kinds of pets and different kinds of “jobs” making an impact on people everywhere. For me though, it’s all about dogs and their unbelievable trust, loyalty, tolerance and unconditional love.   I have another favorite quote: “Lord, help me to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.” 

 

Can you imagine what the world would look like if we loved as unconditionally as our dogs? That is what we are each called to do but often a struggle, for me at least.  Today I will try harder!

 

 

 

 

 

Finally Here! Can We Wait?



Lulu's Self-Portrait



Today was the day.  I spent the past month reading, researching and talking to other parents about preparing.  We spent the entire summer casually introducing the concept of a new school.  We shopped, we organized, we ironed and we said a special prayer—and finally the big day arrived this morning.  And I lost it!  Yup, I cried like a baby as soon as Lulu walked out the door lined up with her new fellow classmates.  I wish I was as brave as her, but seeing her little face just brought me to tears.  



 

“What if I get a bloody nose, will they know what to do?”  “Yes” I answer. “The teacher will help you and they have a nurse.”

Always the practical one, or just testing me to see IF they really do have a nurse, “What’s her name?” 

 “I don’t know, but I saw her once.  She seems really nice and she was helping someone with a bleeding ear, so she knows all about that stuff.” 



 “When will we go on a field trip?”  "Will we have art today?" “Is my PE teacher a boy or a girl?”  “Can I just go to my old school?”  Ahhhh, the root of the first day jitters!    

The thing is, at my advanced age---I feel the same way too!  I am nervous about meeting the new moms and making new friends.  Of course I can’t admit that. . .can I?  That even when you get older, things can be a bit intimidating, but that is okay!  Life is an adventure—whether it is your first day of kindergarten, or the first day dropping your first child off FOR kindergarten!  I pray my daughter has an adventurer’s spirit her entire life and for all the children who begin a new adventure this year (and for their parents and teachers!!). 

Now, when can I pick her up? 

Kindergarten or the End Times?

Why preparing for the first day of school seems like preparing for the apocalypse.  Well, the truth is I haven't really prepared for either but I am going on a hunch formulated after a summer of looking at blogs and articles related to all things kindergarten. Please bear with me as I explain:

1) Research what supplies will be needed.

This could go either way--End Times or Circle Time!

2) Prepare your list before you hit the stores! 

Have you seen a supply list for school kids recently? Seriously, short of a water filtration kit, it looks like a prepper's  list for a family of five! I remember when I was in school I had five notebooks, a pencil box and a Trapper Keeper (now that is bringing it old school!).  Last year when the kiddo was in EC-4, she actually had to bring paper plates at the beginning of the year!! Whaaaat?!

Photo  from Prepared LDS Family Blog

3) Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit for your child.

This "tip" just made me sad and wonder if it was really time to talk to the kiddo about emergencies (I'll wait till she's six to tell her about terrorist, nuclear threats, climate change, pandemics, Planet X. . . .). The whole idea something could happen and I couldn't get to her and she would have to fend for herself in a post-apocalyptic society formed on juice boxes and fruit roll-ups gives me goose bumps!



Lu and her buddy from her "old school." She has
grown up so much this summer!



Maybe I am a bad mom, but I'm just not ready for emergency kits; let alone the fact I may be implanting the idea in Lu's head that each day she heads off to school may be the last time she sees her family.  Holy panic attack!

But honestly, I am not sure I am even ready for the litany of play dates, orientation, welcome back events and everything else that comes with starting school. . .and my baby growing up!

How are you getting your kids ready for school? Do you have any family traditions you do before starting a new school year? Is this your child’s first year in “real” school? Share your thoughts on ways to start the new year on a positive note.