"THE PAINFUL IMAGES OF RESCUES"

After the death of my longtime love, Sunday, finally after 1.5 years alone, I had the honor of inviting two RESCUES into my life. 

Lucy was the first. The 12 year old Mini Shnauzer was cast aside on the sidewalks of Long Beach with a 5 lb tumor tugging at her groin attemping to swallow up her small frame. Animal Rescue Mission stepped in, rescued her, sent her for surgery. 

Lucy with herculean strength, was able to lighten her load for a brief period, bask in the sun, inhale the fresh air, and heartily tip toe through life for another 6 weeks, until her fate came a knockin' with a Cancer reoccurance. 

Lucy trotted, no longer weighed down by illness, towards the Rainbow Bridge April 1st 2024.

Stuie, the second, a 6 yr old Mini Poodle was left behind blackened with filth, like a piece of trash in a vacated apartment in Watts----unknowingly, will leave my home today after nearly 7 weeks as a Foster to Adopt (ESA animal). Due to a fictitious complaint in my building that he barks all day while I work (part time).

In lieu of being banished to the streets myself for his "part time" barking offense---he will return to LOVED AGAIN PETS Rescue, hoping to find a furever home that has more than one person, and one more doggy to quell his fears and terror of being abandoned again. 

All these loving, happy, beautiful dogs and cats, once the joy of someone's life, become a burden to their person's hardened heart. And without thought, guilt or shame, throw them into the cement wilderness of urban life, confused, frightened and in shock. 

How can a vulnerable domesticated animal recover from this crime by the hand that once fed them and stroked their soft body?

We can't speak their language, and only surmise, how broken their minds or hearts have become. Only time, trust, love, understanding, compassion, empathy can hopefully wipe away a fragment of their suffering long enough for the hope to spring from their eyes again, and the joy spread itself across their smile, tickling their tail once again---to wag. 

If more people were "awake" to the fact a majority of humans are cruel, vicious, thoughtless, mean and violent to vulnerable domestic & wild animals---maybe, just maybe, they'd be justice and love of all living beings. 

Then you, would NOT have to close your eyes, or ignore, the plight of the innocent animals that are victimized hourly, and these creatures, happen to live beside us on this earth. 

We did not grow them like a plant. Their paws walked through our lands before "we" even knew this land existed. If you want to do something to prevent these types of posts.....then help by donating to reputable animal non profits, or adopt an unwanted, cast aside, abused pet.

---R. B. STUART

"LOVE IS NOT BLIND"

My best friend, protector,  companion, team mate, sleeping buddy, TV pal, dinner partner, Volvo riding Shot gun cohort, beach bum, flea bag, handsome fella, 4 legged gymnist, runner, with chicken legs and doggedly patience...has become blind at 16 years old. 

                                      SUNDAY, 2019

The cataracts cloud the sensitive, stirring brown eyes that laid upon my face every sunrise, and each twilight. Never to capture my expression again. 

May your mind remain vivid with images of me, the rains blessing your face, the wind  floating through your ears, salty ocean waves chasing your tail, the airplanes lighting up the sky, the arrogant squirrels that taunted you each day, and fields staking claim to your squeaky balls. 

May those pictures from your life keep you warm as you lay down beside me in the dark.

I Love You Sunday...Our life will never be the same. 

XOXOXOX

"MY DOGGY, MY LOVER, MY FRIEND"

SUNDAY WAS MY BELOVED & MY FIRST TRUE LOVE.

ALMOST 20 YEARS TOGETHER JUST HE & I.

HE WAS THE MOST HANDSOME, DEVOTED, DUTIFUL, PATIENT & DETERMINED FRIEND, COMPANION, PARTNER, WITH STRONG CONVICTIONS & LOYALTY TO ME. 

HE WOULD FOLLOW ME TO THE EDGE OF THE EARTH, WHERE WATER MEETS THE HORIZON, OR TO THE CITY SIDEWALKS IF I WERE DOWN ON MY LUCK.

AS LONG HIS HIS EYES REST ON MINE...HE WAS CONTENT & AT HOME, FEELING SAFE & AT PEACE. 

HE WAS UNDETERRED,  AND UNSTOPPABLE TILL THE VERY END. 

HE WAS A MAJESTIC GIFT BORN UNTO MY HEART & LIFE.

HIS PRESENCE & AFFECT ON ME WILL BE TILL ENTERNITY.

THROUGH SICKNESS & HEALTH.

TILL DEATH DO US PART.

HE IS MY DOGGY, MY LOVER, MY FRIEND. 

I LOVE HIM SO XOXOX.

27.SEPTEMBER.2022

"MY SOUL DOG"

My Beloved, Majestic One True Love Sunday Jean:

Marking the first two weeks without you by my side.

Crying every night reaching for the spot on the bed where I used to rest my hand on your back.

Weeping every morning not seeing you rustle around groggy while I prepare to leave for work. Giving you a scratch message to wake you up.

Hearing your teeth clink against the water bowl as you slurped up every drop.

Still saying goodbye to you...telling you I love you and watch the house for me. 

Blowing 3 kisses in the wind, which were meant for your soft face no longer pressing against mine.

I've been trying to continue walking our route every evening, able to make it through tonight without shedding a tear.

I sprinkled your ashes every block or two last week at your favorite marking spots....remembering you were at my heel every step, even though your arthritis made it a struggle as your life neared the final laps.

Always remember: Shy of 20 years, you were the most devoted, dutiful, determined dog, with strong convictions, extremely patient, attuned to me, adoring, conscientious, playful, smart, happy, protective, praise motivated, had unstoppable prey drive, boundless runner & agility, and a dedicated walker.

By age 2 you learned 30 words, were incredibly smart, perceptive, able to communicate with me with a glance of your emotional, brown eyes. 

At 16 lbs and much later 13 lbs, you were a real Tuffy. Whether a 190 lb man, or 70 lb German Shepherd, if you felt they were out of line you had no problem putting them in their place. You were unruly about it.

I am sorry that JR coming into my life in the last 4 years interfered with our union, and closeness. 

He was a bad man. 

You detected it early on, and expressed it up till the very end. 

I suffered. And so did you. For that I am truly sorry. 

The last 6 months was just you & me like old times. Sleeping on my chest. 

Being a baby and wanting me hand feeding you.

Wrapped in my arms we danced in the sunshine. 

Ate Pistachio ice cream, nibbled on peanut butter cups, drove with your head hanging out of the window.

Aahh....life was bittersweet...as I could see it ending.

I love you Fronky, Skittles, Lil Fella, Donkey, Cutie Canootie, SJ, PaPa and will never forget your pawprint on my heart.

Aunty xoxoxo

10.OCTOBER.2022

"A SONNET FOR SUNDAY"

To My Lil Fella,                                                                                                   My companion even when there's no fanfare.

My father, 

My mother, even though they died long ago, your warmth only they would know. 

My friend till the last grain of sand, you've become a stand-up man.

My sister,  

My brother, as well as we know each other you'd think we were lovers.

My moonbeam, always brighten my day with a hello from your tail, a bark at the mail.

My confidant, 

Even when I'm upside down, you transform into a Vaudeville clown.

My partner in crime, 

Always first climbing vines towards adventuresome times. 

My sweet litlle froggy,

With your chicken legs and  still loves to beg.

You'll be 16 in April,

Fifteen Christmas' together, and our birthdays we have weathered. 

My donkey, 

Once striding by my side as soon as a foot is out of the door.

My furry lamb,

You'd rather stay in because now you get cold and legs maybe cramp.

My walk has slowed its pace,

The soft glow of age has covered our face. 

This tribute is for you my bugaloo,

Your eyes follow me through time, even if your ears can no longer hear the windchimes.

My doggy till the end,

Thank you for teaching me how to be patient....and to bend.

My love for you knows no bounds,

And I'm quite happy you're a Poodle and not a hound.

Put your paw in my hand lil' Papa,

And let's see what's in store for this next....chapter. 

Happy New Year! 

Love, Aunty XO

Copyright, R. B. Stuart December 2018

I SEE YOU....Snowy Girl

On Sunday, November 8th 2015 while I was writing post #5 about my dog Sunday and his mother Snowy, unknowingly 3,000 miles away my sister in New England was contemplating putting down her love, Snowy, a 15 year old snow white poodle---due to failing health. I wrote whilst my sister tried to abate the emotional and mental convulsions that attempted to possess her.

Snowy greeted everyone. Her stout body contorted with joy and happiness, her under bite smile sparkled with excitement, she was a doting mother and a fierce protector of my sister. At the age of three, Snowy brought four babies into the world, two would stake claim on the hearts of me and another sister down south. We spent the last 12 years watching Mama Snowy and Papa Buddy grow older, as their lineage continued to bring joy, love and comfort to others.

But Snowy's health at 15 became precarious. My sister observed her beloved girl struggle seeing, walking and remembering. And on Sunday November 8th 2015, Snowy would take her final compromised breath and leave this earth. Within moments my sister headed home in a cold, dark, empty car images of her girl swirling around her head. The still warm blanket permeated the car with her scent. But Snowy...she was bouncing her way off to Heaven where she skipped through the cottony clouds, her ears swaying with the breeze of freedom.

When she reached Heavens Gate she was greeted by a pack of dogs who eagerly awaited the bevy of stories from her fulfilling life on earth as Snowy Girl. The first to greet her were the dogs born into our family decades earlier; Lady, Sandy, Jackie, Smokey, Luv and Spookey. They listened intently as she reminisced. They showered her with approval and adoration for living such an exciting and courageous life, for loving unconditionally, forgiving, and being a great friend. They escorted her over to a thin, gentle bald man draped in a brown linen gown with a rope tied around his waist, St. Francis of Assisi, and waving an extended arm welcomed her to his flock.

Snowy was no longer handicapped by age, girth or failing eyes and heart. And as St. Francis stepped back, Snowy saw a garden of dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors with sheer white wings fluttering on their backs. They were immersed in ham bones, chocolate chips, chicken livers, greenies, sirloin tip and ice cream. Her body was young and pain free again, her eyes as clear as Tiffany goblets. Snowy skipped---then leapt over to Heavens feast where she found a home---with a new, immortal family. A pale pink satin ribbon cascaded from her chest, it scrolled down her legs and paws and drifted thousands of miles away. It is invisible to humans, but the other end is attached to my sisters heart, where they remain bound by love and devotion...until they meet again.
--R. B. STUART



       We'll see you soon girl...Thank you for spreading the love....Love Aunty   xoxoxo


                                                            Snowy Girl #6

                                                     Sunday & Mama Snowy

                                          
                                                 Mama Snowy & Papa Buddy

                             
                                                               Snowy Girl
                                        May You Howl at the Moon in Peace
                                       11 September 2000 ~ 8 November 2015
                                                            Bye Girl.... xoxo
  

I SEE YOU....Sunday

Since my childhood, I had always loved dogs but spent my adult years living in urban environments and believed a dog being a more natural creature needed the soil and grass under its feet in order to remain in balance. 

I knew many friends in New York City who had dogs on drugs because of anxiety disorders or depression. I felt it was because of the constant grind of the city, soulless cement under foot, the lack of nature being nurtured---twas the culprit of a variety of emotional and psychological turbulence in their pets, coupled with excessive vaccinations. 

Without the peaceful and whole vibration of Mother Earth penetrating their physical body and being---in which they are naturally tuned into as wild creatures, there is a propensity to sickness, illness and disease. 

If the city noises violently thrash us out of balance as humans, then it is magnified with an animal who can hear and vocalize of up to two miles away. As we absorb those echo's of unnatural environmental litter of audio disturbances.... then imagine its impact on an animal that's unable to diffuse them.

As the universe taketh away it also giveth such as the case in 2002 when my mother had her third stroke and was faced with a nursing home. 

It didn't take much reflection for me to abandon New York City, the mother of all cities to rescue my own in New England. I was aware I could always have NYC...but I wouldn't always have my mother. I anticipated to live with her for years and work on a book....except the cruel hand of fate had other ideas and took control by evaporating her auto-pilot of breath three weeks later.

I remained in the country where I mourned my mother while trying awkwardly to reinvent myself in the silence of a rural environment. 

My sister and her husband generously allowed me to move in and do just that. She wanted her Miniature Poodle, Snowy to have a litter and searched for a mate. A virile 8 month old handsome, apricot gentleman was up for adoption and Buddy became her beloved. 

Within months she was pregnant and on Easter Sunday 2003 gave birth to four dark, furry eggrolls; one female and three males.

I was attracted to the homeliest one with cauliflower ears, whom to me resembled 1940's tough guy, actor, Edward G. Robinson. 

For six months I wrestled with my inability to make an emotional commitment to the pup that I named Sunday. He mirrored my ambivalence and was standoffish, and rejected my need to cuddle. 

Finally I rescinded, and like the Grinch my heart grew five times the size, as I accepted him as my doggy; to protect, to heal, to love, to treat with respect, to nurture, to learn everything about his animal lineage. 

He became my partner, my friend, my trainer, my soft shoulder, my playmate, my daily dinner guest, my funny bone, my dancing partner, my driving companion, and traveling mate. He taught me patience, and acceptance.

And as he grew...he became the swan...the most handsome in the litter.

Now as he has become a senior citizen at age 12 [60 in human years], I couldn't live without him. And it is because of Sunday that I have stretched emotionally to understand the dog mind, body and spirit [influenced by the teachings of Cesar Millan], and it is my empathy and compassion that fuels this campaign to see one million dogs...in four hundred days.              ---R. B. STUART

                     
                         Sunday far left
                           
                  
                 
                      



            

                       Edward G. Robinson

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                        

                                                                   Sunday #2