A Dog is A Blessing!

One of my friends sent me this poster, and, I love it!  I say a prayer each day for my dog.

I seem to be in a story telling mood this week. So I thought that I would tell you a story from six years ago when I had two dogs.  Dog don’t just bring joy to their family, they also bring joy to others.

This story is about my dog Magic, now deceased, and my dog Merlin, still very much alive but a senior now.

The first story is about Magic, a border collie and blue healer cross.  We were having a gathering of friends to celebrate the fall equinox.  One of our friends asked if she could bring a guest.  We said yes to the guest.  When he arrived he was very quiet and reserved.  We asked that everyone sit on the floor in a comfortable position.  Everyone had cushions and we moved into a circle.  While the ceremony was going on, Magic went over to the new comer, and sat down, then placed his paw over the man’s heart.  They sat like that for about five minutes.  You could see the man visibly shift in both his face and in his posture.  Magic then lay down in front of him and dozed.  We later learned that the man recently lost his wife.  Magic recognized the grieving and applied his own “magic”.

The second story goes that Magic, Merlin, and I were out for an early morning walk at about seven in the morning.  The off leash area that we walked in was on the route to different schools and kids would short cut through the dog park. As we walked along the grass, we watched a young man (late teens) walk up the hill to get to the top of the hill where we were walking.  At the top, he turned and walked towards us.  He was using the short cut to the high school.  He walked hunched forward, like all the weight of the world was on him.  

Quite unexpectedly, Merlin started to act silly.  He would jump over Magic and race to me and jump.  I tossed the frisbee and he jumped, twisted and landed, with a big grin on his face.  Soon, the young man was laughing at him and trying to coax Merlin to give him the frisbee.  The two played for about five minutes.  The young man’s shoulders relaxed and he was caught in the moment where nothing matters.  For a few minutes, he forgot his troubles. 

 There are other stories about the dogs that highlight the way they see people and animals and try to help them.  I felt so lucky that I was blessed with special dogs that recognized when someone needed comforting.

I would love to hear your stories of your animals, if you have a story to share.

Many blessings,

Judy.  (In case you missed it, email to lightstationwisdom@gmail.com)

The Kindness of The Mallard Ducks

 

 Picture taken by Judy Hirst in our yard in May 2023

I wrote about our Mallard Ducks in a previous blog.  You can check it out by clicking on the link below.

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/04/mallard-duck-visitors-spirit-animals.html

Today, I want to tell you a story about these ducks.  We call them Mama and Papa Duck.  They have been coming to our yard and our neighbourhood since 2021.  They show up about mid May and their last visit is usually early September.  Both ducks are very chill in our yard and they have an understanding with our dog so that he leaves them alone as they eat at the birdseed area.  They come about ten in the morning and about eight at night.  We can be out on the deck eating or reading, and they don’t care.  When they are not in our yard, they are at our neighbours’ places, doing the same thing.

One day, we observed the ducks fly into the yard in the morning, and, quite strangely, a third duck, a male mallard flew in with them.  Rather than going to eat right away as they normally do, the ducks walked the male mallard around the part of the yard that they hang out in and showed him different places they like to eat grass as well as the birdseed area.  The three of them munched together and then flew off.

Later that afternoon, the lone male mallard dropped into the yard.  He has been popping in about once a day, sometimes twice, and does not come when Mama and Papa Duck are here.  We realized that the Mallard couple were being kind to the lone male who seemed to be without a mate.  They brought him to their safe haven area where there was food and safety from coyotes or other predators.  The lone male eats with the doves and the blackbirds and seems quite content.  

I was impressed with the thoughtfulness and kindness of Mama and Papa Duck.  I am not aware of ducks showing this level of sympathy and empathy for another.  The compassion the couple showed was amazing.  Nature is often amazing.  I hope that very soon all humans show that much compassion for others.

Many blessings,

Judy

Values from the Elders

 Several weeks ago, a friend mailed me a list of actions recommended by elders in several indigenous clans.  I do not know where this originated, however, each reminder strikes a chord in me.  

When I was growing up, my parents were wonderful examples of Reminder 4.  All guests were treated with respect and honor.  Everyone was fed with the best of what was on hand.  This value my parents learned from their parents, my Ancestors.  

As you read through the reminders, check in with yourself to see how or whether you follow these life values.

15 REMINDERS FROM THE ELDERS:

1. Get up with the sun to pray. Pray alone.

2. Be tolerant of those who have lost their way. Ignorance, presumption, anger, jealousy and greed come from a lost soul. Pray for them to find guidance.

3. Find yourself, by your own means. Do not let others make your path for you. It is your path, and only yours. Others may walk with you, but no one can make your way (or walk your path) for you.

4. Treat guests in your home with great consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

5. Do not take what is not yours, whether from a person, a community, from the jungle or from a culture. It was not given or won. It is not yours.

6. Respect all the things that are on this earth, be they people, plants and animals.

7. Honor the thoughts, desires and words of all people. Never break them in, or make fun of them, or imitate them rudely. It gives each person the right to their personal expression.

8. Never talk about others in a bad way. The negative energy you put into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All people make mistakes. And all the mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness to the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us. It is PART of us. She's part of your family in the world.

12. Children are the seeds of our future. Sow love in your hearts and water them with wisdom and life lessons. When they grow up, just give them space to grow up.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of their suffering will return to you.

14. Be true (transparent ) all the time. Honesty is the test of one's will in this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental person, your Spiritual person, your Emotional person, and your Physical person: they all have the need to be strong, pure and healthy.

May each of you have a peaceful, wonderful day,

Many blessings,

Judy