Beautiful - Imperfections and All ...

I visited a Butterfly House today and took WAY too many pictures!  How amazing each one of them are!  While I was there, I overheard one of the staff members telling people that it was a shame that this or that butterfly was not a perfect specimen because it's wings had been damaged in some way.   I commented to her that they are still so very beautiful to look at, even if they are missing a wing tip here or there.  She stared at me blankly.  I continued on with my visit. 

Yes, there were many near perfect-looking specimens to look at in awe and to photograph.  I got some truly amazing shots.  But this one was my favorite.  This butterfly had landed on the brick walkway right near the entrance door to welcome us in.  It stayed in place while large human feet landed all around it.  Some saw it and marveled at it for a moment before passing on by.  Others did not notice and I warned them before their feet got much too close!  They looked surprised, glanced down quickly, and kept on walking past.

I watched for awhile.  No one really took the time to stop and look at this butterfly, even though they had to go out of their way to avoid stepping on it.  It was not as bright or flashy as some of the others.  It's wings were tattered and plain.  But as I sat on that brick walkway and took its picture, I noticed how the colors and the patterns on its wings were all perfectly aligned together.  I noticed how content it was to sit and bask on a warm brick, to gain some "me" time for itself, ignoring threats from the outside world. 

For a moment, I was reminded of how beautiful and perfect we each are, imperfections and all.  I was also reminded of how infrequently we take the time to notice that about ourselves and others.  I've become much more aware of these things now that Treasure is in my life.  I see how some people treat her just because she does not appear to be a perfect specimen.  I should not have been surprised that they would do the same with this butterfly.  Yet it saddened me for a moment.

This butterfly is most likely coming towards the end of its life cycle.  The younger butterflies are more vibrant and have full beautiful wings.  But thanks to its imperfectness, I found true beauty and was reminded of some marvelous lessons.  And thanks to photography, now I can remind you of those lessons as well.  Thank you, Butterfly! 

May Happenings

Treasure and I have been busy working on her new tricks - jumping through a hoop, rolling over, and shaking hands.  I've been lazy and haven't been working with her on her stays too much, so we've started working on them again.  I'd like to get her CGC certificate, but we need to get her stays longer and so I can go farther from her.  I am also designing a new leash for her which I hope will allow me to give her clearer signals when we're walking together.  My first version didn't turn out exactly how I expected, so it's back to the drawing board.

We're continuing to practice K9 nosework, which she still loves!  We are continuing to make community appearances and do regular therapy visits.  Right now, she is trying to convince me that I should stop typing and come snuggle with her.  She is putting her front paws up on my leg to get me to pet her.  So, I will sign off for now, leaving you with some fun May pictures of us just fooling around enjoying the nice weather. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, from Treasure the Easter Sheltie!  Easter is a great time to practice outdoor k9 nosework using plastic eggs!  Some of the eggs actually have little tiny holes in one end to allow a bit more scent out.  I hid one of Treasure's favorite goodies, vienna sausage, inside some of the eggs and scattered them in the pretty field in front of our house.  The little wildflowers add a pretty background. 

Check this out!

Thank you to Lila Arnold for featuring Treasure this week on her website!  Check it out!

http://www.deafdogsneedavoice.com/

Also please take a moment while you're there to vote in the poll.  Should the AKC allow deaf dogs to compete with other dogs in their many performance events?  They already compete in many different dog sports and venues, but the AKC is currently not open to the idea of including deaf dogs. 

Happy Spring!!

Wow!  It's been a little while since we've posted, but we've been super busy!  Treasure has been very popular this month making community appearances in addition to her regularly scheduled therapy visits.  The picture above was taken in front of the assisted living facility where she visits.  We were visited by a reporter from the Avon Grove Sun newspaper and we hope to see a great article soon! 

We attended the Reading Pet Expo where we met our friends from sheltie rescue.  Treasure got to hang out with some of their dogs on a pile of dog beds and accept attention from all her adoring fans!  She rode around in her stroller and was very well behaved.  She met some more pot-bellied pigs.  I think she is amused by them.  We kept our distance from the tiger, however! 

Treasure has been busy with her k9 nosework.  She did her first vehicle search and her first outdoor searches this month. I found out she likes salmon-flavored cream cheese!  And her instructor gifted her with a new stroller.  This one has a front panel made of mesh, so it can actually be zipped up to keep her inside.  The only place Treasure will not stay in her other stroller is at class, where she knows that her job is to find food!  When the new stroller is zipped up, it resembles a soft crate on wheels and it works like a charm!

And April will be here soon!  Treasure will be attending some Healing Touch for Animals' classes to help the attendees learn new techniques.  She will continue with her regular therapy visits, and we hope to join some fun community events as well.  Stay tuned for more of Treasure's adventures...

Three Little Words

I was watching a movie recently and I was reminded how powerful words can be.  We use words to communicate many things, but I think we sometimes forget their impact.  When we stop to consciously think about the words we hear and the words we use, I think we can be surprised by how carelessly we use them. 

The movie is called “Temple Grandin.”   It’s the story of an amazing woman’s life.  Maybe no more amazing than each of our own lives, except for the fact that Temple has allowed us into her life.  You see, she lives with a condition called autism that has mystified many people for a long time.  Temple is able to answer our questions and give us a glimpse into what her world is like and how she functions.  This has made things much easier for children living with autism today, for adults with autism who spent so much time being misunderstood, and for the animals that she also helps. 

The woman is even more fascinating than the movie, but I would encourage you to watch it if you haven’t already.  This is not an advertisement as much as it is a reminder.  The words that we choose can hurt, but they can also heal, educate, and persuade.  How we use our words can help to open someone’s mind to new ideas. 

There is a line in the movie that really struck me.  Just three little words that I think everyone needs to learn and remember.  Temple’s mother in the movie was talking to her teacher.  She was frustrated that Temple never seemed to fit in anywhere with the other children.  The teacher said to her, “We know how different Temple is.”  And the mother’s reply was very powerful.  She said simply, “Different – not less.”

I love those three words.  How powerful they can be when said together with compassion.  I spend a lot of time trying to explain to others how my life with Treasure and Grace is no better or worse than my life with my other dogs.  Yes, my interactions with them are different, but they are not better or worse than the others.  Nor are they easier or harder.  They are just different.  Now I have a very simple way to explain with only three words.  “Different – not less.”

Vote for Grace this time!!

Grace is now in the Bissell most valuable pet contest trying to win the money for sheltie rescue.  Please vote for her starting today and every day through next Wed!!  Treasure is already in the running for the final prize.  Now let's double our chances and get Grace in that final running too!!

Here's the link!  http://bissell.promo.eprize.com/mvpcontest/gallery?id=51224