I was at the river, hidden in the reeds, hoping to take photos of wildlife when I espied a man tenderly carrying his dog into the water and gently setting her down. The old dog seemed soothed and contented to be in the water and moved around using her front legs.
When she got into deeper water, the man lovingly scooped her into his arms again and brought her back to shallow waters and there they stood together in companionable quietude.
I approached the man as I was leaving and shared that I couldn't resist taking photos of him and his dog. I learned that the man's name is Tony and his 13-year-old dog is Maya, who slowly lost movement in her hind legs after an accident five years ago. Tony had inherited her from his son who went into the Marines 11 years ago, and he and Maya have been inseparable since that time. He likes to take her to the river where the water makes her light enough to move around easily on her own.
As Tony and I visited, Maya made her way over to me for greetings and quiet caresses. I gave Tony my number in case he would like to have photos of a candid moment between him and his Maya. I sent him these, and he sent me a very kind note.
Out of the river and back into the fray of everyday life I went, strengthened by the Grace I had witnessed.
A Man Devotes His Entire Life To Adopting Elderly Dogs Who Are Unable To Find Permanent Homes!
In the last couple of weeks I've learned from the police / media if I want to avoid going missing or being murdered I need to:
Not be too ambitious or high-achieving.
Not earn more than my partner (too late)
Not go to a park.
Not to drink alcohol.
Not to go through menopause.
American people are calling me fat on the internet. Which is whatever but I really do feel like it’s a time warp here in terms of cultural societal expectations of femininity. I’ve struggled with disordered eating my whole life and I cba to feel shite anymore about a body that is
Will you please share my story and help me find a home. To adopt me please read my full story and visit me at the shelter https://t.co/Rxrs3WOuZ3 🐾 #AdoptDontBuy#DogsOnTwitter
When you’ve got an itch you just can’t reach 😂 Lulu has very much settled into life here with the pack 🐶
Happy New Year’s Eve from our kennel-free rescue everyone. We’ll be spending it with our beloved dogs as always 🥳🥰
Someone needs to hear this: the perfect partner doesn't exist. The perfect relationship doesn't exist. Human beings are flawed. We're all doing the best we can. Release the illusion of perfection and embrace the messy, vulnerable journey we call love.
Jamie - "I know about Santa"
Secrets out for Jamie. The magic has died. It's been spoilt by a bastard older brother. He seems fine with it though. Almost as if the pressure of 365 days of being "nice" has lifted. He can finally be himself without the threat of losing presents.
- working past our egos
- learning how to communicate, directly
- learning to meet your own needs and the needs of your partner
- learning how to navigate life as a team
- consistent forgiveness of self and partner
Mature love involves:
- transparency, authenticity, and vulnerability
- understanding each other's trauma and how that shows up in the relationship
- creating a safe space for self expression (something few of us had or witnessed as children)
The goal of a relationship is actually to create a safe space for mutual freedom and evolution--whatever that looks like for you, as a partnership.
Otherwise known as mature love.
At least once a week since it happened, I think about when the boss of ITV called up Dominos Pizza to complain about that tweet they did taking the piss out of Phil and Holly and it’s such a great reminder that no one’s got their shit together anymore. Our heads have gone lads