FBF 11: Four-legged Family (and a note about 3 years of blogging)

This edition of Flasback Friday is in honor of the four-legged friends that find their way into our hearts and become family members.

I am an animal lover through and through, but mostly I am a dog person. I don't really do cats. Mostly because I am allergic, partially because of the whole litter-box thing and secretly because I just plain don't like 'em. I don't wish them any harm, but they are not for me. My poor son is constantly asking for a cat. My husband isn't a cat-person either and we just laugh that the child was just born into the wrong family pet-wise.

Back in 1998, around the time of our first wedding anniversary, I told Rudy I wanted a dog. He thought I was crazy, but I knew we were nowhere near ready for kids and I needed something to nurture and snuggle with when Rudy was working those late restaurant hours. We went down to the Town Lake Animal Shelter in Austin and found this guy:

(Rudy and I with Weasel, Mt. Charleston, NV Christmas 2003)

He was a pathetic-looking, emaciated mutt that the shelter had dubbed 'Weasel'. We had planned to changed his name, but after busting out of the backyard after squirrels a couple of times and sneaking his way into our bed at night, we decided the name was a good fit and we left well enough alone.
Weasel was an amazing companion to us through some of the toughest years of our lives. Anytime we were upset, he could sense it and would come over, push his nose into our laps and rest his chin there as if to say, "I'm here, and whatever it is, I'm with you."
When Aron came along, a lot changed for Weasel. Poor guy got demoted overnight! But he and Aron had a special relationship that was so touching to witness. "Doh" (dog) was Aron's first word, and he eventually called him "Deedle". This is one of my favorite pictures of them and is framed in Aron's room:

(Aron and Weasel on our patio in Las Vegas, Summer 2005)

We had to say goodbye to Weaz back in 2006 and it nearly broke my heart in two. I think I cried every night for about two weeks. But we cherish our memories with such a special pet and are just now contemplating adopting another dog. I hope we will find one as loyal and with as much 'personality' as our first pet.

A note about blogging: I cannot believe I have been doing this blog for 3 years! Life has certainly been adventurous since that first post in February of 2006. It has been so much fun and I have met and shared life-stories with so many people. Thank you to all of those who follow, or stop by and/or comment. You are a big part of what makes this hobby worthwhile.

Humbled

My previous post was about my sweet friend Marcy who will be moving way out west next week. Blogging about someone you care about and who has touched your life might seem silly to some. You might like there is a better way to show someone how you feel-and maybe there is. But today, I was deeply touched by someone's words about me on their blog. I was left with tears in my eyes and the only word that came to mind was, "Wow."

http://thisiskristin.com/2009/02/17/positive-post-tuesday-lori

I share this with you, not to boast or brag or pat myself on the back. I share it with you in hopes that you will tell others how they have touched your life-whether it be via phonecall, text message, blog post or good ol' snail mail.

It could be just the encouragement their heart it needing. I can tell you first hand, that it meant the world to me.
Pass it on!

A Friend

I knew I wanted to post about my sweet friend Marcy. And I knew there was a verse that spoke the sentiment of my heart right now. But, I am horrible with Bible addresses. I remember the phrase, and sometimes the book, but the chapter and verse are hard for me to make stick in my memory. Thank you, Lord, for on-line concordances! I knew it was in Proverbs and when I saw the numbers I had to stop and smile. See, 17 is my favorite number and the verse I was recalling is Proverbs 17:17,

" A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity."

There are a handful of people that God has put on my path that I know almost immediately will be in my life for the long haul. And invariably He has brought us together and then separated us by long distances. Yet, each of these special friendships has endured and even strengthened despite the miles between us.

Last year we signed up Aron for T-ball. I though it would be a great way for him to get some exercise, learn a team sport and get to know some other people in our community. Marcy had registered her daughter, Trinity, and volunteered to be the team's coach. When we first met, Marcy was so shy, but the more we talked, the more we had in common. Marcy was from Texas, but moved here via Las Vegas. I said, "Wait a minute! That's my story!" We soon discovered that we had lived less than a mile apart while in Las Vegas and that Aron and Trinity were born just two days apart!

Our new and fast friendship was sweetened by the fact that our two kiddos adored one-another. As Forrest Gump would say, they "was like peas and carrots." See what I mean.

So, once again I find myself preparing to say goodbye to someone I have really connected with. She has been a Proverbial loving friend at all times, but better than that she is like a sister, born into my life at just the right time. She has supported me and prayed with me. She's made me laugh out loud and been a comfort just by being in the same room.

I love you, Marcy and I will be praying for you and your family as you return to Las Vegas. I know that our friendship will continue for many, many years and I look forward to hearing about what God has waiting for you out west!