Real Men Love Poodles

When Scooter first joined our family, Ed had no problem showing him affection - PRIVATELY. What he did in public, however, was an entirely different story! I'd be carrying Scooter with me, and if I had to use the restroom and ask Ed to hold him, Ed would exhale loudly, and hang on to the dog as though he was holding a lump of clay. There was NO WAY this guy was going to act even remotely affectionate - or even tolerant - of a Poodle in front of people! After all, what would people say about a guy holding a...a...a...POODLE?!?!?!?!

Fast forward 1 1/2 years and two Poodles later....

There was a local agility event that I'd hear about, and one of Ed's co-workers also mentioned it too. So, I groomed all three Poos and we managed to make it at the end of the day. I had Max on the leash, was carrying Scooter, and Ed was happily carrying his little girl, Chelsea. That's not too big of a test - after all, it's a dog event with dog people.

After we'd watched the competition dogs racing around and enjoying the courses, Ed & I decided to head into town and grab some dinner at Rosa's Cafe. There's a nice outdoor eating area there that is very dog friendly. Ed went and cleaned up first, and when he got back, I handed the Toy Poodles to him to hold. It was quite a site - Max laying on the chair next to Ed (yes, at the table!), and these two "high society" Poodles (that's one someone at the agility event called them!) in Ed's lap. I had to hold a chuckle, thinking how far we'd come. When I returned to the table, I overheard snickering from nearby customers. They obviously found it funny to see this guy at the table with not just one, not two, but THREE Poodles! The best part was Ed didn't even seem to mind. I guess he's now a Poodle convert too!

PEACE and an intro

As what I plan to be an end to my private journal and the beginning of my new blog, I thought I'd take my last journal posting, tweak it a bit, as a start of where I am today!

Often things become clear to me at the strangest times - when showering, doing mundane chores etc. The other day was no exception, and from out of no where Psalm 34 came to mind, specifically verses 12 - 14:

12 Who is the man who desires life
And loves length of days that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

Peace has not be easy the last ten months as it has truly been one of the most trying times of my life, both professionally and personally. My mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2006 after having vague symptoms for at least a year. While she was in the hospital, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. In a conversation with my husband which was devoted to my self-pity, I told him that nothing could make my life more stressful than if the state surveyors showed up at work. That really wasn't true - there are a lot of things MUCH worse than that - but nevertheless, my worst-fear-at-the-time came true - surveyors arrived in the lobby at work at 8:30 a.m. while I was driving to the hospital to visit Mom. It turned out to be one of the most grueling surveys, made more difficult the fact we had a new manager who was only four days on the job, our Clinical Director was on a medical leave for treatment of breast cancer, and I had to put Mom first as much as possible, taking absences from the survey process as oncologists and other specialists met with her to reveal her condition and explain her options. While the worst unfolded for Mom, we found the news at work very dismal as well - we were placed on Tier II and would be resurveyed later in the Fall.

Mom came home from the hospital on August 18th and stayed with me while on Hospice. She died September 12, 2006, just three weeks after her diagnosis. With the passing of Mom have come other changes as well. My sister and I have had some rough spots and our relationship will never be the same, although I'm trying to reach out to her and be there for her, despite the things that surfaced after Mom died. Other relationships have changed too. In March, I learned that my best friend and business partner in rescue had been dishonest with me. It completely shattered the relationship destroyed the foundation of our friendship. How can you be business partners or friends when you can't be completely forthright, especially when it involves legal issues?

Yes, it has been exceptionally difficult over the last 10 months, but I find myself constantly amazed at the peace and tranquility I'm experiencing. And then that verse came to mind and with it the realization that I have been seeking peace, and I have been pursuing it. I have made conscious choice in my life to make more time for my family, to cut back on other things that rob my time, and to analyze my priorities. In addition, while it's not always popular, I've taken a stand of integrity. There have been situations at work that could have cost me my job - and still may - but I will do the right thing. I did the right thing with my friend as well. Although it was very painful, I put her interests ahead of mine and made an amicable split, allowing her to continue the Golden Retriever rescue while I started from scratch with a different breed, my beloved Poodles.

The peace I am experiencing, however, is greater than simply doing the right thing. It's knowing the Lord is there for me in the Valleys of my life, even though I may not necessarily feel the exhilaration of presence as I do when on the Mountains. I have sensed his Hand working in my life, in the midst of struggles and chaos. I look at things that I once thought were random, and realize something as simple as having Scooter, my precious rescue Poodle, enter my life were part of His plan for me. One of my favorite hymns is "How Great Thou Art," and I find myself singing this song as a prayer, thanking the Lord for all His goodness in my life.