A Circus Circus Carrot sprouts from seed in the shade of a Russian Mammoth Sunflower.
Between obligations, I make time to nurture myself in our backyard sanctuary by spending time in the garden. Yesterday’s hours were spent extracting grass from the strawberry patch, transplanting tomatoes, decommissioning sweet peas, and pausing to appreciate the bright green hope of new growth in old dirt.
© 2015, Theresa Mae Funk. All rights reserved.
Stella will be four years old on Valentines Day, according to the date of birth that is listed on her Circle of Hope K-9 Rescue adoption papers. Bianca, (her former name) was one of five puppies that were left in a box near the Rescue’s kennels. At least whomever abandoned the baby dogs had the sense to leave them in a location where they knew they would be cared for.
How could I not give this dog a home?
Also noted on Stella’s adoption papers was her breed. Rat Terrier/Pomeranian mix. Pomeranian? Highly unlikely. She is an American Ninja Terrier through and through I thought, as I looked at the photos of the litter that had been sent to me. Adorable? Absolutely. Garden guard dog potential? Possible. Knick knack, paddy-whack, give the dog a home? Definitely. And so her journey from Milan, Tennessee to Middlebury, Vermont began.
Yoda?
I adopted Stella in March, but had to wait until June to receive her. The adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, first round immunizations, complete health assessments, and transportation fees. Once given a clean bill of health, the adopted begin their journey to their new home.
Stella and her litter mates share a crate for the journey.
1,200 miles later, Stella and her fellow travelers arrive safely to their destination in New Hampshire where they are released to their adoptive families, or foster home volunteers. It is an amazing network of compassionate people that willingly give of themselves to make these types of programs work.
A shy Stella and her human are united.
I’ll be making Stella a special batch of her favorite dog treats for her birthday next week, and will be making a donation to the Circle of Hope to express our gratitude and support. The little dog, I think, approves.
© 2015 Theresa Mae Funk. All rights reserved.
Being laid off for the last six weeks in 2013 threw me into a slight depression, and I exerted a lot of energy countering the negative internal dialogue with an optimistic outlook for 2014. Joan Baez advised that the antidote to despair is action, so I am taking action every day to find a means of income beyond the $300 a week that unemployment insurance currently affords me. Without the love and support of my partner, I would very likely be in a much darker emotional place which would, with time, surely defeat me.
This morning, I reflected on The Flame, a song that I wrote in 2011. Reading the lyrics helped me to move away from the negative and doubtful thoughts that I almost allowed to infiltrate my positive attitude today, and inspires me to sing a song of sustainable hope for the world in the new year. May your new year be filled with more light, love, and well being.
The Flame
©2011 Theresa Funk. All rights reserved.
Where you are going will be where you’ve been.
Its all the same place in the end.
Words spoken are ideas uttered,
sometimes in vain and then forgotten.
But sometimes,
they make a connection
and need no clarification.
If one
small
push
puts you over,
let one good turn lead you to another.
One chance is all life requires
and one dream
can be inspired by the
one spark that catches another,
and that spark will feed
the fire’s flame.
~T.
THERESA MAE FUNK 