Patience: (n) quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care

Living in a place like Texas will make you more patient. This time of year, the humid heat starts squeezing all the enjoyment of sitting on the patio, and I could tolerate that if the season didn't also bring with it insects. If you know me, you know I am a patient person. I have been molded as such by life, but I feel it's part of the fabric with which the good Lord stitched me together. However, after suffering from a rash of chigger bites this week, I'm about ready to board up my bedroom windows and stay in until the oppressive heat of this five month season passes. The severe itching and pain of the bites is only compounded by the extreme heat (at 9:20 a.m. it is 90 degrees).

J and I "enjoying" the sun.

My hubby and I are opposites in many ways related to this topic: he is a professed sun worshipper, I shy from too much sun. While the heat exhausts us both, he can last longer. We both love the pool, and while he can read for hours floating in the water, I can't last that long in the sun. Bugs here ignore him whereas I am eaten like cake. The bugs and heat tend to irritate me, thus I have a very weak chink in my patient armor. 

I suppose I always thought myself to be the patient partner in our house. Of the three of us, I figured I was number one, and our pup trades places for second with J depending on the day. But once summer comes barking, I've decided I'll give myself permission to place dead last.  Patience is no virtue. It's a hard-earned reward.

When the chips are down...

Thought I would post evidence of this morning's playground incident:

Some of Chief's handy work.

"If your dog doesn't like somebody, you probably shouldn't either."

It has been a long while since I posted here, but something so unusual happened this morning that I wanted to post a record of it.
Typically, random accidents present themselves to me, not my hubby, but as my dear man was playing with Chief this morning, they clashed - Chief's snout landed hard against hubby's mouth. The "pop" sound I heard from the adjoining room was followed by a loud "OW!" so I knew someone got hurt. My husband and I are now conditioned to such accidents involving the dog because we have had our share of injuries. As posted at an earlier date on my blog, we have suffered black eyes, bloody noses, bruises - you get the picture. So when one of us gets hurt our initial question always follows: "Are you okay?" The injured one usually says, "Yeah. Chief just hit me (fill in the blank)." Not so this morning. Hubby sat up with a bloodied lip and teeth and said, "Chief chipped my tooth." He bared his teeth to show a noticeable chipped front left tooth where his perfect smile had just been. I managed to hold back any trace of a smile because I knew that was a painful accident, and J seemed distressed. Having had a chipped tooth as a girl, I knew what a dentist could do to fix the problem. As he checked himself in the bathroom mirror I assured him I would get him a dentist appointment as soon as possible, AND told him I had to get a picture. Without missing a beat he rinsed out his mouth and I snapped a couple of photos.  He went to work with his newly chipped tooth and a cut upper lip. Poor guy.
No matter how careful we try to be or the caution we take while goofing around with our sweet Boy, accidents are going to happen. Will it stop us from the play? Heavens no! I know come this evening when J gets home, he and Chief will be horsing around again, only with a bit more care. You see, Chief and J are puppy soul mates. They know each other very well. I'm almost convinced they knew each other long before they met a few years ago. And I am also confident they will be together in heaven. Jay has told me as such himself. I will be there too of course, whether it is before or after is in God's mighty hands.
I have experienced many "accidents" but am solely invested in God's all-knowing guidance for my life. This includes my husband's as well. Our pack members have come up against its share of challenges, as everyone has, and it is this comforting knowledge that helps us bear the victories, defeats, and all the in-betweens. J and I are currently awaiting some important news which will bring more change to our lives. The ever-present question right now is will we or won't we? It hovers back there in my brain leaving traces of hope and excitement, but I am also bracing myself for a let-down of sorts. If that let-down comes my way, my comfort will be in knowing God wanted us where we are. He is ultimately our Father, and a good, loving father wants only the best for his children. So, are there really "accidents" which occur? Accidents, luck, good fortune...or God's will and all-knowing power? Well, I know the path I follow. God is good and I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Broken teeth and all.

I'm All In

Heard a song on the radio today which reminded me of what I aspire to, and what my dear dog already lives. He lives each day with such unbridled enthusiasm!
This morning I woke up to Chief's bouncing on the bed to alert me with a wet nose and several licks that morning time was here and sleeping was over. At that drowsy point, I have to decide to stretch and play/snuggle or "play dead". Oh, I'm not above playing dead or unconscious just to get a minute more of sleep. But Boy is just too smart. My stillness doesn't really buy me anything except a second's hesitation from the horse who hovers over me thinking, "She must think I'm stupid..." Then he's right back to trying to lick me in the face. So...I stretch and play and then get out of bed, shuffle to the bathroom (after tripping around the Boy a few times), and try to remember where I put my sweats because heaven knows I can't put pants on while in the presence of my dog. I've tried that and he will boink me with is wet nose or step on my pants before I can get them on. Most days I goof around with him when this happens, but sometimes, and I don't care who you are, a cold wet nose to your warm backside is just a jarring jolt! I could see Mother Teresa getting irked at that.
But that's how Chief is. "Let's go! Let's go! I can't wait to _________________," (fill in the blank). With the exception of going to the vet or having his collar put on, he loves just about anything, anytime, anywhere. And if we were all perfect creatures - as dogs ARE - we would all feel that innocent gusto for life and all it's routines or surprises. I aspire to that. I'm working on that. With the help of my Chief.

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." - author unknown

Since moving to Texas over a year ago, my pack has weather several changes and transitions. My J, with his job and business responsibilities, and I...well, I am the same but yet so different. The one constant in our lives is Chief. His playful, energetic nature and curious persistence can be counted on daily. A nudge of my hand from his wet, eager nose when I'm not keeping pace with his expectations never surprises me. And he is forever wanting some of whatever J or I have on our dinner plates. However, I still marvel and stare at how he shows and shares his complete love and adoration for J.
When my hubby and I decided to get a dog, it was silently understood that this dog would be his. He had always wanted a dog of his own, and his family had had pets but mainly cats. J and I had a wonderful pet in Hobbes, and after his passing I suppose I closed off that part of my heart. I was affectionate with Chief and cared for him, but at a distance and on purpose. Should I have showered him with all of my love and affection when we first brought him into our home wouldn't have mattered though. His soul mate was J. The day those two met, well, neither would be the same.
Today, nearly three years later, that bond and love is only stronger and more concrete. I will watch Chief with J after J gets home from work. My man works long hours and treasures his time at home, and don't get me wrong, I know J looks forward to seeing me in the evenings. But when J comes in the house and Chief greats him, it's as if the sun is shining right inside our house! It is truly something to behold. The energy level explodes and the world is right again. The boy can't get close enough to J and well, I can barely get close to him because of it. I'm convinced that dog simply lives to spend time with his master. He prefers J to walk him (I'm sure), as well as feed him and sleep with him. Those are facts I find adorable.
When Chief looks at me, it is entirely with a different glint and perspective. I know he loves me and considers me a pack mate, and there are no problems with who is in authority. I am his caregiver on all levels - food, walks, play, cleaner, shopper and vet (at times). I am very necessary to my boy's life and happiness. When I'm not there Chief knows it and shows it.
If only our roles in life were as crystal-clear as my dog views my husband's and mine. I struggle at times with how our new location has affected me. I want to be my best and to perform to my potential for my own peace of mind, to feel that accomplishment and pride. Plus, I know it would put the other members of my pack at ease. There is a small part of J that senses my unsettled nature. Yet, Chief, in his innocent wisdom, already knows what I am capable of and has complete confidence in me. He knows how powerful and strong am, more so than I do. My dog really knows no fear. I am working on being able to say the same about myself one day soon.

As Halloween is almost upon us, I'd like to consider our furry zombie friends...
Okay, I found this funny picture on Google. It's just a riot! Oh come on, you know you laughed.

"All of the good things that have come to me have come through my dog."

Our pack is now in Texas as my husband's job transferred us last year. The differences between Pennsylvania and Texas only begin with the weather. Critters, terrain, culture, housing, you name it. I don't exactly hate it here, but we lived in PA for about 17 years and I considered it home. We had good friends and I loved my job, but I would (and did) trade it all for my pack. We are together and happy.
Hubby and I found a dog trainer who has helped us finish up Chief's training. We joined their dog club as well where we enjoy hanging with people who have a similar interest in dogs.
I am substitute teaching in hopes of landing a teaching job, but I am enjoying my time at home with the Boy. Since moving here I have earned my Texas teaching certification and am studying for an ESL certification coming up in October. Jay is working hard, 10-12 hours a day, in a culture that poses many challenges for him. He's very good at his job, but it comes with some obstacles and other stresses. He is handling it exceptionally well.
Meanwhile Chief has adapted to everything. He is golden! Both J and I find him the perfect companion, even when he's trying to kill a pillow or letting off some of the most foul-smelling farts I've ever smelled.
We have embraced Texas within the past year and it hasn't been easy by any means. But our being together as a family here makes our bonds stronger. Home is wherever our pack gathers.