Tag Archives: best friend

Your Mantra

Posted on by
Reply

10246489_10201216107163091_8976429548950898098_n

Mantra is a mind projection created in either a spoken or mental manner. Mantras can be a word, phrase, syllable or sound. They can be recited, sung or repeated silently in the mind. It is a technique for regulating the mind. There are many mantras each one having its own quality, rhythm, and effect. For thousands of years, mystics, meditators and yogis have used mantras for mental and spiritual transformation.  If you search the web you will find web site on top of web site full of inspirational and motivating quotes; mantras, if you will.  Well… here begins the story of Pink Nation and our mantra.

“In rodeo, to ‘cowboy up’ means to suck it up in times of adversity and carry on when you are injured or down and the prospect of doing whatever you’re about to try is so bleak that the best you can hope for is to live through it.” ~ Tuff Hedeman, World Champion Bull Rider

Mantra: any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodying some aspect of spiritual power.  I am a proud card-carrying member of the Pink Nation Marathon Training Team.  We begin our “family reunion” each year in June.  We hold “church” each Sunday morning to get our sweat on and push ourselves towards a goal in November that most would never even consider attempting… start and finish 26.2 miles.  We have a phrase we use when faced with adversity when we head out for training runs, during our lives and especially on race day when we set out to conquer 26.2 miles. Our mantra is “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“. 

You see, Pink Nation is not just a running training team; it’s a family.  We take care of each other and look out for each other.  We welcome new members into our family every year in June.  When one of us has a tough road ahead in any aspect of our life, team members shout our mantra from the roof tops (well comment on social media and other forms of communication, but you get the point).  Throughout the year many members of Pink Nation take part in other races around the stated and even throughout the country; races of varying distances.  No matter the length of the race team members are always there with a rousing “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“.  It sticks in your head.  It becomes your “wingman” never leaving your side during a race.  When you are feeling beat up it is comforting knowing there are people out there who know just what to say to make you suck it up and keep pushing ahead. They know what to say that makes you not quit.

We all need a kick in the butt every now and then to keep us pushing forward in life, in work, and in reaching goals of all kinds.  What is your mantra?  Do you have a phrase that keeps you going? What gives you the kick in the butt you sometimes need to “get through it”, to make it across whatever finish line lies ahead of you?  If you do not have a mantra, I think it would be okay with my fellow Pink Nation family members if you borrowed ours.  But, be careful as it is a powerful phrase.  There’s no telling what you might accomplish once you use it.  “All Go, No Quit, COWBOY UP“, my friends. 

My Maddie-Boo

Posted on by
10

487482_4595685098891_1790815750_n

It was your world that I was fortunate to exist in. I miss the mornings rubbing your eyes and your gentle nose nudge to let me know I wasn’t finished yet. No more saying your prayers at night, no more dinner time “let’s say grace”, and no more drool on my leg when I say “Amen”. I miss your snoring and noises while you sleep. I see a shadow of you belly up on your sofa. Sticks are piling up and my yard clean up crew isn’t here to help me.  Your fire pit movie night blinkie collar blinks no more.

Your baby pool is dry, your lion hasn’t roared, your Kermit hasn’t croaked. Your Booda sits where you last tossed it at my feet.  My routines have been turned inside out. No more tail wagging in circles, butt throwing side to side “welcome home, Mom” greeting when I walk through the door.  Your collar sits with no one to decorate, your golf balls haven’t been touched. No more guarding presence next to the shower, no more night time snuggles and morning massages to give.

I miss my stretching partner, my escort to the mailbox and my back seat driver.  I haven’t said “eat your breakfast”, “want some dinner”, “load ’em up”, or “I love you, Maddie-Boo” in 2 days. Your bed is empty, as is my heart.  No more greeting the neighbors with the biggest stick you could find.  No more watching you sniff the same old tree, no more barks at the back door saying “doorbell!” and no more closet doors to open and squirrels to retrieve.

My office assistant is gone, my grill mate has left me.  Morning coffee just isn’t the same.

No more silent glares to let me know it’s time to get up or go outside. Your life was full of friends, both puppies and humans. No more phone calls asking if you could come over to play for the day. My house is empty, yet full of the love you left.  My world was made the day you entered my life.  My face lit up and my smiles were big each time someone asked, “How’s Maddie?”.

No more watching you jump off docks, swim in the pool, raft surfing and climbing the ladder to get out.

You had more friends than you ever knew, some never actually met you.  Your life, personality and love of all things in the world were evident to all who saw your pictures. People you never met have shed tears for you.  You left a mark in this world like no other before.  Your pictures and videos are reminders of your amazing life and love you had for all and the world.

Your final resting place is here with me among the trees, the sticks you carried, the path we walked, with Moose snuggled next to you.  You are in heaven now surrounded by those who have gone before you.  All your friends are with you. All of you are happy, healthy and will play together forever.  Your pool is open forever now, your raft is always afloat. The sun will shine always for you, your water bowl will forever be full.

Your last breath, your last heart beat… the most precious moment in my life.  There will never be another you.  “She was special” said by so many. Rest easy, my baby girl.

I love you, Maddie-Boo.

Man’s Best Friend

Posted on by
Reply

photo

“The faithful dog – why should I strive

 To speak his merits, while they live

In every breast, and man’s best friend

Does often at his heels attend.”

The New-York Literary Journal, Volume 4, 1821

On the day of my puppy dog’s 7th birthday, I am inspired to chat about Man’s Best Friend. The following words come from a summation speech given by an attorney representing a man who was suing for damages after his dog, Old Drum, was shot and killed: “The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.” (1870 Warrensburg, Missouri, George Graham Vest).

How many of us can say they have or had a dog who helped them get through some really tough times? I know I can! They know when we are happy. They know when we are sad, sick, angry, and had a tough day. They can sense our emotions and feed off our moods. Dogs have a brand of loyalty that is very unique. Dogs are used in therapeutic situations and to comfort the terminally ill. We hear stories of how families have been saved by their dogs when their homes caught fire. You’ve all heard this one: A family dog gets displaced from his or her family on a vacation and miraculously makes its way all the way back home to his or her family on their own. It’s a connection that amazes all. The connection to their human family through their senses is incredible. Their expressions are mesmerizing at times.

Dogs have incredibly expressive eyes. I often wonder what Maddie is thinking when she looks at me with her big, brown eyes. I often think how great it would be if she could speak English… what great things she would have to say! Recently, Maddie lost two of her best friends. The sadness that her eyes showed was heartbreaking. When she is happy her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. You can see all of her moods and intentions in her eyes. Does she want to play, go to bed, go outside to lounge around, go outside to go potty, snuggle? What kind of mood is she in? Her eyes tell all.

Your dog’s manners are a reflection of you. And your manners may well influence how others see your puppy. I was brought up in a family that insisted on proper manners. This included everything from the dinner table to calling adults Mr. or Mrs. to using Aunt or Uncle when addressing your relatives. Please and thank you were, and still are, a must. We said grace before family dinners. My friends and family can attest that my Maddie has manners. She says her prayers, says grace, yes please, yes ma’am. She does not beg for food at the dinner table. (Yes, I am bragging just a bit about my four legged child!) When I tell her to focus, her eyes are glued on me ready for what I am about to say. I have taught Maddie proper manners as I would my own child. I am someone who loves to have fun with my friends and family. I am a very active outdoors person. Likewise, Maddie is a very playful, fun loving dog. She loves the water (as do I). She loves to run (as do I). She loves fire pit movie night (as do I). She loves children (as do I). Yes, she is a reflection of me and my world.

So, on this day I celebrate the birthday of my puppy dog. I can’t imagine the past seven years without her. Maddie and I have been through so much together, good and bad. She has helped me and I have helped her. Maddie is my absolute best friend! Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!