"Smile"

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky,
You'll get by
If you smile,
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear
May be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.

 I stumbled across these lyrics late the other night. I have zero clue as to who composed this song, but thought it was beautiful!! These lyrics express optimism despite life's countless negativities. I like that. A lot.

 

I dedicate this song in memory of my dear, sweet Blogging Friend, JesseJ. He was a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog, who passed away just yesterday. Our hearts are broken. It is such sad news!! Jessej was among my first Blogging Friends. I earned not one, but two awards from him. Jessej/M also wrote sweet and encouraging comments on Beautifully Unique. He will be missed dearly....   

 Do, pay a visit to http://bernertails.blogspot.com/ and leave comments for his grieving family.

 

Outsmarting The Shoe

 

Infuse laughter. No matter what occurs. Whether it be a friendly tease. An embarrassing moment. Or somebody's lame joke. Infuse laughter, anyway. For cracking up always, always, always lifts one's spirits!! "Laughter is the best medicine"!! I am progressively beginning to learn this truth. Honestly? I can be so serious sometimes during such cases as a friendly tease, or an embarrassing moment!! But I am working on that. Slowly.... Throughout the Summer months, our neighbors' tree drops something prickly. I am not certain what, but it is tiny and thorny. One afternoon, I was walking Rose. Suddenly, sans warning, she began to limp. My heart stopped. "Are you limping?!" I asked Rose as though she could answer me. Common sense immediately replaced panic. I then checked Rose's troublesome paw, hoping to find something. And there it was. A dropping from our neighbors' tree. Stuck in Rose's paw!! Poor baby!! I gently pulled it out. No blood, and Rose's limp stopped!! Immediately!! What a huge sigh of relief!! After that experience, we started to avoid passing our neighbors' house. So. To create a little fun, we began running--full-speed!!--across the street. Downhill. On loose gravel. While wearing baby blue crock-like shoes. Plus, Rose is securely attached to my right wrist!! Yikes!! This all equals a dangerous risk of falling for someone like me who is clumsy!! Had my sometimes irrational mind even thought about that? Yes. Because I will never forget last November, when I was running, full speed, on a curve, while wearing navy blue crock-like shoes, in our muddy backyard. Why? Because I crashed, my right leg buckled under, and something popped!! I cringe just remembering that!! I could have broken my leg, ankle and foot.... All at once!! Oh, it hurt like no other injury that I have ever experienced!! And, I've sprained both ankles, dislocated a knee, tried to throw out my right arm--three times during one year!!--so, I know pain. I tolerate pain!! But my psych refuses to forget that agonizing pain after making impact with our muddy backyard. Gravity. You cannot break the laws of physics, as my Dad always says. Well. I am hard to break!! Trust me on that one. This theory has been tested!! Repeatedly. And, the injury? It was bad. Really, really bad. But, I can now flex my knee sans difficulty. Point all five toes without sharp pain. And, although I still experience occasional leg/foot/heel discomfort, I'm long recovered!! Anyway. Returning to my story. Okay. One morning, Rose and I partook in our dangerous-yet-fun high-speed dash across a downhill street of loose gravel, this nervous expression written across my face, the primary goal being not to collapse. Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall, don't fall!! And, suddenly, with little warning, I lost my left crock-like shoe!! That's right. Lost it!! Like Cinderella with her magical glass slipper!! It fell off--still-attached heel strap and all--in the middle of our street!! "Aaah!!" I squealed. Obviously, I was caught completely off guard!! Then, with this bewildered expression on my face, I stared at the crock-like shoe for a few fleeting seconds. Finally, I crossed our street to retrieve it. Rose always anticipated these runs. But I oft wonder if she knows the truth about me: I am weird and crazy!! I slipped the crock-like shoe back on. I crossed back over toward a neighbor's sidewalk. And then, I laughed!! What else was there to do? I infused laughter!! I have zero idea, exactly, how my crock-like shoe slipped off.... Or why it happened again during our next run!! So. For our third dash across the street, I had a plan: Outsmart my shoe!! Prior to running, during lovely Autumn weather, I slipped them both off. And, crock-like shoes in my left hand, I ran. With dangerous abandon!! The bottoms of my feet stung a bit afterward, but that was worth it!! Absolutely!! I then walked on sidewalk, feeling its rough cement upon my bare feet. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!! I wore a self-satisfactory cock-eyed smirk across my face. So what if I am weird and crazy....?                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dog Lovers

Blogging Friends.... I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude toward all of you for your comments on the other day's post. Wow. What an amazingly loving accepting community Blogville is!!

I also wanted to elaborate on something. I was born a "cranio baby". I emerged from my mother that way. But this medical condition was long-ago surgically repaired!! I do not suffer from craniosynostosis anymore!! Just learning disabilities and premature short-term memory loss. I have also since thought up twain other reasons to tout a "terrible privilege" regarding being born different. One I forgot. The other, I thought of just yesterday!! Oops. Due to my "developmental delays", I have a younger-than-"normal" brain. It is "elementary" as I always tell people. Because of this, I am young at heart. Thus, I can entertain and play well with children, as the "favorite" one!! That is a terrible privilege. Plus. 28 years ago, when I was facing a third scull operation, my poor Dad complained to somebody at work about our problems. Bemoaned them, most likely!! This very bold man simply said: "Take your daughter to church. She will be prayed for. She'll be healed!!" My parents did. I was prayed over. And I no longer needed that third scull operation!! A miracle performed. Just like that!! Then, my parents asked the Lord into their hearts. Which was another miracle. And we have been Christians ever since!! All because of my craniosynostosis. That is a terrible privilege. The ultimate terrible privilege.

Some people are naturals at certain things. And it requires little, if not zero, effort. As though they were born to be that way. Like an actor's theatrical skills. A mother's maternal instincts. Or an author's writing. And some people can also be natural-born dog lovers. I was!! As a little girl growing up in this busy city, we would be walking to Fred Meyer's, for instance, and there, perched on some outside bench, is somebody with his/her canine. Ooooh!! Immediately, my little hands touched the beautiful four legged creature. Against Mom's wishes!! After all, some canines are "mean" and will "bite". I should always "ask his owner" if it is okay. Those were valid reasons. And very good rules!! But I am a rebel. And I love canines!! What can I say? My nearly eight-month old niece is--like me--a natural-born dog lover!! It's so adorable!! Initially, Rose was curious about the baby. A new friend!! Oh boy!! Rose seemingly thought. My canine's first encounter with our niece was sniffing her tiny feet. And those bouncing, happy limbs bopped Rose's ebony nose!! Whoops!! Not that this deterred my crazy girl!! Nope!! Because, the other day I was cuddling with our sweet chubby-as-a-cherubim baby, while sitting in a comfortable red chair. And miss "Jealousy, thy name is Rose" decided to see us!! She balanced her front legs upon the chair. And was face-to-face with my niece. Nose-to-nose!! Sheer delight in her voice, my niece giggled!! It was cute!! Now didn't Rose just make her entire week!! Then, yesterday, we baby-sat my niece for a few hours!! She is crawling now, getting around quite independently. Already!! My niece crawled her way toward where Rose was sleeping. I watched closely, while sitting on our great room floor. Rose will start awake should the baby touch her!! And, of course, she grabbed my mutt's tail!! Bad idea. Never touch Rose's tail. She hates that, for reasons beyond my comprehension!! Sometimes, when I'm feeling like a pain-in-the-butt, I will gently grab it. What happens? Rose's head whips around in a rapid motion, as though she is ready to attack me!! Well. Serves me right for being a pain-in-the-butt!! So. I snatched up our niece and lifted her onto my lap. Away from Rose's tail!! My little girl seemed reluctant to meet-and-greet with the baby. At first!! So Rose walked away. But I encouraged her!! And she obeyed!! I reached my hand toward Rose's velvet-soft fur. And.... My niece instantaneously followed suit!! What a bright girl!! Then, my nearly eight-month old niece giggled with delight.

 

1 Out Of 2,000

Blogging Friends.... This post is a "work in progress". Of the sorts. I feel ready to write this, however, I'm still dealing with and sorting it out....  

Statistics. They back up factual information. Serve as significant tools when learning about a subject. Significant tools. Such as 75% of canines which enter shelters nationwide are mutts. Beautifully Unique mixed breeds. Canines like Rose, my "Mystery Dog". A potentially random-bred Beagle/German Shepherd cross. My mutt. My Heart Dog!! I happen to love statistics!! As a "journalist at heart", an artist who "paints with words", they fascinate me. Immensely. Several months ago, in June, I wrote a Blog post about how Tony Stark's line from "The Avengers" ("You know, I've got a cluster of shrapnel, trying every second to crawl its way into my heart.
[Stark points at the mini-arc reactor in his chest]
This stops it. This little circle of light. It's part of me now, not just armor. It's a... terrible privilege.") has left this lasting impact on my life as somebody who lives with an unwanted learning disability. A lasting impact. Especially those final three words. "A terrible privilege". Because. My learning disability--being born different--is, in fact, "a terrible privilege". This has since become more than just some movie line. More than just a quote by Tony Stark. Yeah. It has evolved into something far more beautiful than that!! Far more beautiful. "A terrible privilege" is now some mantra of mine, this silent chant which I repeat whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself. Throwing yet another pity party, wishing I were "normal". How motivational those three words!! "A terrible privilege." They resurface within my mind, like some fish's little head in water, at the most appropriate moments!! Every time!! Such was the case several days ago. I threw myself a pity party. They come on quite suddenly, those pity parties, like some surprise enemy ambush. And I am rendered defenseless. There were tears, mood swings, excessive hours of low self-esteem. Because I am different. My "baby sister" is much more capable than me. Why am I not "normal"? Blah, blah, blah. "'A terrible privilege". 'A terrible privilege'. 'A terrible privilege'. 'A terrible privilege'. "A terrible privilege'." I softly chanted to myself. The mantra proved useless. I was still basking in self-pity!! Oh, if only I were not different!! If only I didn't have premature short-term memory loss!! Which, most likely, is resulted from craniosynostosis. Wait. What?! It is a birth defect. Craniosynostosis means I was born sans any soft spot. Twain separate scull operations--one of which he removed bone from my forehead--is probably responsible for any and all "developmental delays". Not that I am blaming our skilled neurosurgeon!! He did save my life, or so I have been told. Our Dad teasingly referred to me as "Frankenbaby" because of sutures that are now scars. Ugly-looking scars which prove as indelible reminders of my unwanted medical past. Dad was not joking!! I have seen pictures. I did look like a Frankenbaby!! Craniosynostosis, according to medical facts 28 years ago, mostly affected boys. Based on some Web site that I recently found, this still stands accurate. And I am, most assuredly, female!! That is a terrible privilege. According to an Internet research study, one out of every 2,000 live births are afflicted with craniosynostosis. I highly doubt that this statistic has changed throughout the course of 28 years!! Statistics are seldom ever altered!! That is a terrible privilege. The cause of craniosynostosis remains unknown. It is, for the most part, sporadic, happening by chance, according to one recently updated Web site. I was "chosen". That is a terrible privilege. So. I suffer from premature short-term memory loss.... And have my entire life. But. I can relate to and easily befriend 40-50-60-70-80-90-something people whose memories have weakened. Older beings with lifelong wisdom--and should my stubborn ears listen--I glean from. That is a terrible privilege.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying New Things

"Try it. You'll love it!!" How many times has a mother or father rehearsed those very lines in endless efforts to encourage their children's nutritional eating habits? Followed by bribes. My parents never needed to employ such an encouragement. Not for me!! I was always the adventurous child who would try anything!! To everyone's amazement!! But, remember, I was also that oddball kid who would ingest Play-Doh!! Yep. Home-made Play-dough only enticed my "habit", because it had this delectable salty taste!! Yummy!! But store-bought Play-Doh tasted much like it smells: Of chemicals!! Not that that stopped me!! My point? What is it? Do I even have one? Here it is: Anything could get past my lips as being "eatable". For the most part. And Rose, my "food-lovin'" Beagle cross is not exempt from this!! For the most part!! There are--believe it or not!!--certain food items which Rose either snubs or refuses altogether!! Like honey. Or lettuce. These food items must be written on some "list" within her head, however minuscule that "list" may be!! Well. The other day, I discovered yet one more food item that Rose dislikes. Pecans!! I was chopping up eight cups of the nut for some dessert that we were baking, a Taylor Swift CD blaring loudly in our stereo. Eight cups?! It was for some church event, so we needed enough. Rose, ever the beggar, wanted those pecans!! Please, Mama? Can I have some? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Can I? Pleeeease? Oh, those colossal deep brown eyes!! Who can resist them? So, I set one aside, just for my little girl. However, Rose had to wait. Patiently!! Otherwise she will return and beg for more!! Plus, I had a huge task to complete!! So. As soon as I had nearly eight cups of the chopped nut--we ran out!!--I kept my promise to Rose. Her one pecan awaited!! Rose, who had moved on to chase squirrels in lovely Autumn sunshine, was visibly eager. I do get one? Really?! I had just about given up hope!! I tossed the raw pecan into Rose's expectant mouth. She spit it out. Immediately. Only to pounce on the nut, and throw it around our great room like some hunting feline with a mouse!! Repeatedly!! This carried on for seemingly the longest time!! I laughed, and laughed, and laughed!! So hard, in fact, that my abdomen muscles ached afterward!! Which, of course, was a good sensation!! Meanwhile, I felt like that parent--that mother--who encourages her picky child to "Try it. You'll love it!!". How so? Following Rose's little "game" with her pecan, I found myself nervously asking: "Aren't ya gonna eat it? Well, eat it!!" Come on. You'll love it!! She tried. First sniffing the pecan with her ebony nostrils, then licking it. I waited. She picked that pecan up, and chewed on it. Eventually. But then, she spit it out!! What?! After "playing" with the pecan, you are not going to eat it?! Rose!! Hasn't your mother ever told you not to play with your food? Apparently not!! At least she tried the pecan....  

Telling Him Off

Life can be unpredictable. Correct? It can produce experiences that are quite unforeseen by we mere human beings. Whatever the event. In this same sense, it is my experience that canines, also, are unpredictable!! We drove Rose to our veterinarian yesterday. She was due for a vaccination of some sort. I do not recall what!! Our minuscule-sized veterinarian's office is located in an outlet mall, with various businesses ranging from some oriental restaurant, to a hair salon. And Salvation Army. Unbeknownst to us, the second-hand store was hosting their 1/2 off sale. Uh-oh. As resulted, the parking lot was crammed with cars. Bumper to bumper, tire to tire. Great. I said a swift, silent prayer that there would be a space--one space--preserved for us. We had an appointment to keep!! Then, there it was. One vacant parking space!! It was ours for the taking!! Score!! Unfortunately, however, this preserved parking space was also several shops away from our destination. Ugh. So, after I wound Rose's red leash tightly around my right wrist, we were forced to embark on this dangerous trek through a busy parking lot!! All the while pulling poor Rose away from every sniffing opportunity!! Sigh.... Oh well, we managed!! Once inside the veterinarian's waiting room, I found this chair which was positioned next to a large window. I always fret about every canine which enters the clinic. Every ill, injured or stressed canine. Will Rose see them, grow excitable, then bay on the top of her vocal chords? So. We were conveniently positioned in a corner!! Rose was so well-behaved!! A few pitiful whines here, a few pitiful whines there, but I stroked her velvet-soft fur, flying it everywhere, comforting my little girl. No high-pitched baying!! And Rose certainly enjoyed that window!! They were a bit backed-up at the clinic yesterday. So, we waited. Waited. Waited. And waited some more just to hear Rose's name be called!! This was a first. Usually we arrive on time, then somebody calls us in immediately!! Eventually Rose became bored of waiting, window-watching, plus whining at other canines. She lie down and fell asleep!! Twice!! Good girl? Huh. Heedless of our acknowledgment, my "perfect little angel" was holding some "bad dog" behavior within her!! And I mean "bad dog". Because Rose was putting on a little "innocent" act. Her "plan"? Unpredictable!! Nobody could have guessed what Rose had in mind!! Sneaky, sneaky.... After finally hearing Rose's name be called, we followed some lady down their narrow hall, weighed her canine patient on a scale, then entered this vacant room. Which, of course, my hound dog's ebony nostrils inspected!! Every corner, every crevice!! When our busy veterinarian simply passed by the doorway, Rose let out this low, resounding growl. I firmly, yet patiently, scolded her. It meant nothing.... Right? Rose sometimes growls at our neighbor boys through the living room window before remembering that they are friends!! Silly girl!! But there was a negative vibe at the veterinarian's office yesterday. A negative vibe. As we were waiting--patiently!!--for our balding silver-haired senior experienced doctor to step through the door, some poor woman was euthanizing her canine. We could overhear their somber conversations. From across the hall. Then later, I saw her--an emotion-wrought face, empty collar and leash in hand--on our way out. My heart breaks for this poor woman. We have all been there, done that. Okay. Back to my story!! The second our veterinarian walked in, Rose's mighty vocal chords let out this series of loud, ferocious barking!! Followed by aggressive growling. More barking. Further aggressive growling. Weird. Rose's behavior was "out-of-character"!! And mean!! Rose is my little sociable "pacifist"!! She loves everybody, and would not hurt a fly!! Ever!! Nonetheless, if my reflexes were not well-trained, I am afraid that Rose would have bitten our veterinarian!! What a frightening concept. But, I yanked Rose back so fast!! Then I scolded her. Eventually, she settled down. We lifted her up onto this tall, silver examination table. He injected his syringe into Rose's thigh. By then at least she was calm and relaxed!! The doctor asked a few questions. We answered. And, within seconds, his task was complete!! Just like that. So, Rose's temporary "mean streak" was for naught!! Or. Was it? She had "opinions". This balding silver-haired senior experienced doctor with the syringe is not her friend!! A canine died here, for Heaven's sake. She does not like this man!! This murderer!! So Rose "told him off"!! She was only expressing freedom of speech, after all!! Is that such a bad thing?    

 

Adopt-A-Dog Month

October. How I love this month!! Trees' leaves gradually transform into bright, cheery hues. Pumpkin patches reopen. The mornings become crisp, our days get shorter. Constant rainfall is inevitable, as we go about life silently awaiting its downpour. Mmmm.... October also happens to be Adopt-A-Dog Month!! That's right. Adopt-A-Dog Month!! Rose is--thus far!!--the first canine that I rescued from our local shelter. Allow me to express something. I hope that every canine who enters my existence from here on is adopted!! Every canine. Either from some shelter, or a rescue organization. Adopting Rose, our then-three-year old "second chance" mutt, has been, personally, one of my life's most rewarding experiences!! How so? Because I provided a loving home for this Beautifully Unique four-legged creature!! She was once kenneled like some convicted criminal. Homeless and desolate. Now, she is mine!! I am so very, very, very blessed to own Rose!! I'm also feeling inspired now. With this being Adopt-A-Dog Month, I want every future canine who enters my existence to be rescued throughout October!! Why not? There are seemingly endless canines available for adoption year-round. Plus 31 days in October!! 31!! This may sound like some eccentric, far-fetched notion, but to me, it is really quite logical!! I am serious!!  

 

This is taken from a HealthyPets e-mail. I received it last year, but the information should still be up-to-date!!

 

--Adopt A Dog Month--

 

If you feel like there's a void in your life, you can make a difference in two lives as October is Adopt-A-Dog month. The ASPCA started Adopt-A-Dog month to promote and raise awareness of the millions of dogs that live in shelters, places not fit to be called a home. Shelter dogs don't nearly have the amount of space or the amount of love they deserve. Also keep in mind that thousands of pets that do not get adopted are euthanized due to lack of shelter space. You can do your part in many ways; here are a few helpful ideas to get the gears going.

 

Adoption:

 

The best way to help a shelter dog is to bring one into the comfort of your home. Visit local shelters and share that love connection that will keep you and your new pooch's relationship going on for years. For those who absolutely prefer purebred varieties, an estimated 25% of purebreds are found in shelters. (And, where does that leave mutts? In the 75 percentile!! So, do not exempt mixed breeds from this!!) Some shelters offer discounts or waive adoption fees. Contact local shelters to find out what they offer.

 

Donations:

 

Not everyone has the time or money to invest in a new pet - you can still do your part by donating supplies, money or your time. Local animal shelters depend on the kindness of strangers' help aside from what little government funds they receive to keep the shelter going. You can do your part by volunteering to help walk dogs, clean cages or whatever tasks that may be needed.

 

Events:

 

 

Attending and volunteering in pet-related events is a fun way to participate in pet awareness. Attending shelter fundraisers and pet fairs are ways to help people understand how important pet adoptions can be. Even if you are unable to adopt a pet, you can help bring awareness to those who can devote their time to a new family member.

 

Other Ways:

 

 

Information is key to preventing the growth of pets being admitted into animal shelters. Pet behavior trouble is one of biggest reasons why owners turn dogs into shelters. You can do your part by informing new pet owners what struggles they may face in the early stages of owning a pet.