Meet Bertie, my 10 month old English Springer Spaniel. Before I can give you the full impact Bertie has made on my world, you must understand my canine history. In the days b.b.(before Bertie) there was Pax, my sweet little innocent old man of a pug that lived to eat and sleep. While he was extremely cute and had a tongue the size of a great dane, he really didn't do anything. He slept quietly (except for the snoring) beside my bed, he ran right out the back door into the non-fenced backyard every morning and did his business coming right back to the door like a good boy becasue that was the only thing standing between him and his breakfast. He never barked (he boof boofed on occasion), never howled, never dreamed of running away, he didn't know what rabbits were (let alone eat their poo), didn't care about flowers, didn't seem to hear thunder...you get my point. I always thought him to be more of a living stuffed animal rather than a dog.
Sadly, my time with Pax came to an end back in the Fall. In an attempt to exert some wisdom and with hole in my heart I knew nothing could replace, I chose not to rush right out and find a new doggy. I lasted about 2 weeks before I just could not stand being in a house with nothing else breathing the same air I breathe. It was so quiet. And so began the search.
I'll skip all the boring details and just tell you that I will never forget going to meet this little female English Springer Spaniel puppy that I had found...the garage door on the house where she lived opening up, and these three adorable, pudgy, brown and white, mopped eared, curly, bundles of energy come tumbling out. They were the cutest things I had ever seen. She came right to me and I fell head over heels in love with her. I think I already knew that I loved her and would take her home since I had brought a pink fluffy blanket to take her home in :)
Bertie is short for Liberty Jane. She was born on 9/10 which is close enough to 9/11 and I wanted to call her Libby so I thought Liberty was appropriate but then her momma's name was Libby and yes even though I will never see that dog or that family ever again and yes I know they are just dogs, I had to name her something different so I went with the other end of Liberty...plus it was Thanksgiving weekend so with a turkey bird and all and she's a bird dog...it just fit. Oh how it fit. She is such a quirky, funny, nutty dog...totally a Bertie!
She's everything Pax was not. In many ways, like going for walks & runs, playing out in the yard, keeping me on my toes, that is a good thing. In many ways, like eating rabbit poo (yes, eating it),chomping off or trampling all my flowers, howling, and barking at thunder, practically shoving me out of my own bed every night,not so much. But all in all, I cannot imagine life without her now. Pax and I experienced a lot together. Standing here at this place in life, thinking about what the next 10-15 years might bring,I think a little quirkiness, laughter, and activity are a good mix.
Don't let her innocent eyes fool you in this picture...I stocked the "Land of Misfit Toys" by sewing up all the stuffed annimals she has attempted to obliterate. The poor horse she is snuggling with was really trying to hold onto what's left of his eyeballs!
I think it's all reflective of the fact that we are blessed with what we need when we need it. We are never given more than we can handle at any point, and even though there are times when it feels like something is trying to obliterate our eyeballs and rip out all our stuffing, we have someone who loves misfit toys with all his power and being and he refills us, sews us up, gives us fresh eyes, reattaches our arms and makes us whole again.
Sadly, my time with Pax came to an end back in the Fall. In an attempt to exert some wisdom and with hole in my heart I knew nothing could replace, I chose not to rush right out and find a new doggy. I lasted about 2 weeks before I just could not stand being in a house with nothing else breathing the same air I breathe. It was so quiet. And so began the search.
I'll skip all the boring details and just tell you that I will never forget going to meet this little female English Springer Spaniel puppy that I had found...the garage door on the house where she lived opening up, and these three adorable, pudgy, brown and white, mopped eared, curly, bundles of energy come tumbling out. They were the cutest things I had ever seen. She came right to me and I fell head over heels in love with her. I think I already knew that I loved her and would take her home since I had brought a pink fluffy blanket to take her home in :)
Bertie is short for Liberty Jane. She was born on 9/10 which is close enough to 9/11 and I wanted to call her Libby so I thought Liberty was appropriate but then her momma's name was Libby and yes even though I will never see that dog or that family ever again and yes I know they are just dogs, I had to name her something different so I went with the other end of Liberty...plus it was Thanksgiving weekend so with a turkey bird and all and she's a bird dog...it just fit. Oh how it fit. She is such a quirky, funny, nutty dog...totally a Bertie!
She's everything Pax was not. In many ways, like going for walks & runs, playing out in the yard, keeping me on my toes, that is a good thing. In many ways, like eating rabbit poo (yes, eating it),chomping off or trampling all my flowers, howling, and barking at thunder, practically shoving me out of my own bed every night,not so much. But all in all, I cannot imagine life without her now. Pax and I experienced a lot together. Standing here at this place in life, thinking about what the next 10-15 years might bring,I think a little quirkiness, laughter, and activity are a good mix.
Don't let her innocent eyes fool you in this picture...I stocked the "Land of Misfit Toys" by sewing up all the stuffed annimals she has attempted to obliterate. The poor horse she is snuggling with was really trying to hold onto what's left of his eyeballs!
I think it's all reflective of the fact that we are blessed with what we need when we need it. We are never given more than we can handle at any point, and even though there are times when it feels like something is trying to obliterate our eyeballs and rip out all our stuffing, we have someone who loves misfit toys with all his power and being and he refills us, sews us up, gives us fresh eyes, reattaches our arms and makes us whole again.
Tracy - such a talented writer...what took you sooo long...LOVING these posts...Keep them coming!
ReplyDeletegreat post! I'll have to come back every day..especially when you talk about Bertie!
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