Brothers and Sisters . . . Oh, My!

       

Brother and Sister

06.24.17.

Lulu has arrived--and she has been here for just one week. Teddy kind of likes her, but is a bit annoyed, in general . . . and I don't blame him.

He's been TOP DOG for over 2 years! Daddy's best (beast) friend, a super-great armpit sleeper! And a ball boy extraordinaire.

I think he's secretly happy she's here, even though she's a bit of a pain.

I wonder if that's how my brother felt about me.

I didn't really get my brother or connect with him until we were in college. We went to the same university--the U of MN--and he was a Lodger and I was a DG. We started school the same time even though he was a year older, because he went to Amsterdam for "grade 13" after he was heartbroken because he couldn't go to Carleton College. My parents couldn't afford it, and they made too much money for him to get scholarship money. But that's another story.

My point is, we don't really appreciate what is right in front of us, because we aren't present. We are planning the future, regretting the past, or hating on all the $#!t that we don't appreciate about life in general. We are generally numb, I believe, and I'm not excusing myself from it, either. 

I hope my kids, Max and Chloe, love each other as much as my brother and me did. They really don't even want to be in the same house right now, sadly.

They are really different from each other, and they don't see that as a cool thing. 

My brother and I were really different, too.

I didn't even get how much he meant to me, until my brother, Chris, died. How freakin' obvious is that? (You don't realize what you've got until it's gone . . .)

Sometimes, I feel like he dies every damn day like a throat-closing, choke, cry feeling. 

He was my best friend.

I hope Lulu and Ted are best friends. I think it's meant to be. ;)

We have a new baby girl!

Tallulah (LuLu) Rose Bradach III

06.17.17.

I remember having human babies. 

When they came home from the hospital to get accustomed to their new surroundings with all their blankies and baby gear.

And time stops.

It goes slow. And we stay up late to watch them sleep, burp, yawn, coo, poop, look around, and breast feed (don't worry, I'm not breast feeding my dog, LOL!).

Those first few weeks feel holy--like slow, time-stop motion, moment-to-moment presence.

And that's what last night felt like. 

Even though LuLu slept most of the time, our whole family--Me, Keith, my two stepdaughters Emily and Katie, and my own two kids, Max and Chloe--plus Teddy, our 2-year old Cavapoo--gathered in the living room and hung out with our new family member. 

Awe-inspiring, to say the least.

What an honor, and so exciting.

Life is so, so Go(o)d.

aCCePt it! (pOOp & ) aLL . . .

dEar fUnFrEE pEE(ps) and poOp(S) and pUps!

I played with two of the yummiest sdoG:Gods one summer! Cody--a super chunky monkey Golden Retriever--and his little sister, Ginger--a spunky thang who was gnawing on my hands (and Cody's tail and ears!) throughout the night! What was so interesting was that when Ginger was "playing" with Cody, it was super clear when Cody'd had enough--he put the total squash on her and pawed her in the face (then it would start over, of course. . .)!

I totally believe that dogs are in our lives for a reason--they are SUCH a metaphor for life! Well, I suppose all animals are, but dog is god spelled backwards, SO THERE!

AnY-hOo---the Pooper Scooper Factor reminds us that with the yummy, amazing stuff of life . . . comes, well, the SH!+ ! You know, the total cRaP-oLalalalala!?

And it's really okay . . . cuz without the dark, we wouldn't know the light (and vice-versa). And we can't appreciate awesome stuff, if we never experience hardship or pain. It's all part of the jOurNeY, yO.

aNd . . . it's part of the great balance of life and growth. 

And really, sometimes, when we are in the total depths of the crap-ola---we know it can only get better . . . (and ain't that a relief?)

LeSsOn LeArNed: pOoP is pArT of LiFe . . . & everyone dOeS it! Why fight it?

HeArTs!--
d-to-the-D-dog

Pets are Presence & (presents) !

SoulPancake: Pet Teachers

WoOf WoOf! 

Barkie, bark, and BaRk and barK!  (you speak dog, so you know what I mean . . . )

So back to the dOg (GOD) thing. Dogs have a lot to teach us.

DoGs (Gods) like I said before, . . . are pReSent. Like, they are right there with you in the MoMeNt, like,...hElLo dog, wag, WaG, lIck, liCk, LiCk . . .

When I was hangin' with Teddy, it reminded me of what it's like to be in the moment, or be PRESEnt. When a dog is snuggling us or licking our lips there is no yesterday, and no tomorrow. Dogs live in DOG time, which is in the now . . . no regrets about where they took their last poo, and no worries about what tree is their next potty victim...when you are with a dog, time slips away (which is why a dog is (wo)man's BesteSt (beastest) friend, right?

Thanks, Teddy, for the reminder . . . (cuz that's the kind of friend I want to be, too . . .). I want to be PRESENT to the people I love, and I want to pAy attend-tion to my friends and family folk. (note: attention has the word "tend" in it, which means to nurture, like, as in a garden . . . we nurture plants cuz we want them to grow and thrive, right?)

Which leads me to the NeXt thing. . . aNiMaLs. . . and (LEAP) nature (more about that later . . .).  Animals teach go(o)d lessons from Go(o)d; watch this video from SoulPancake, about the presen(t)s of pets!

Your pets love you soOoOoOOsoO  mUcH...

and you don't have to do anything to earn it, so cool!

Unconditional LoVe feels amazing !#$!

Love and more LoVe!

;) dana

I'm iN LoVe!

WoOf WoOf! funfreeMe folks!

Barkie, bark, and BaRk and barK!  (you speak dog, so you know what I mean . . . ).

My family and I were so very lucky that Theodore Duncan Curry Bradach III found us two years back. He is the sweetest ever--see above!

We give him baths, and feed him, and take him for walks. He is only a puppy, and he needs attention.

We all know about the dOg (gOd) thing. Dogs have a lot to teach us. DoGs (Gods) . . . are pReSent. 

Like, they are right there with you in the MoMeNt, like, . . . hElLo dog: wag, WaG, lIck, liCk, LiCk . . .

When we hang with Teddy, we have to be in the moment, or be PRESEnt.

When a dog is snuggling us or licking our lips, there is no yesterday, and no tomorrow (and it doesn't matter who is president, btw). 

Dogs live in DOG time, which is now . . . 

No regrets about where they took their last poo, no worries about what tree is their next potty victim . . . when you are with a dog, time slips away

(which is why a dog is (wo)man's BesteSt (beastest) friend, right?

Thanks, Teddy, for the reminder . . . (cuz that's the kind of friend I want to be, too . . .). 

I want to be PRESENT to the people I love, and I want to pAy attend-tion to my friends and family folk.

(note: attention has the word "tend" in it, which means to nurture, like, as in a garden . . . we nurture plants 'cuz we want them to grow and thrive, right? same with relationships, as far as I can figure . . . )

DOG is GOD spelled backwards:sdrawkcab!

Pick Me!!!!

Teddy (2 years ago)

05.21.17.

My daughter and I watched A Dog's Purpose yesterday--what an amazing movie! I am so so lucky that Teddy, our yummy Cavapoo, found us online two years ago.

So, what's the deal? What is it about DOGs that makes them (wo)man's best friend? And, do you find the fact that DOG is GOD spelled backwards a coincidence? 

Well, you already know how I feel about that . . .

We humans can learn a lot from DOGs; here are some reasons why I believe DOGliness is next to GODliness:

• Life is simple for dogs: eat, play, sleep, pee, and poop. No drama, whatsoever. Wouldn't it be great if we could live like that?
• Dogs are present, like, as in, they live in the moment. Have you ever seen a dog with regrets? Or worry about where to take the next nap? No way!
• Dogs follow their instincts. Like, when a dog is tired, it just goes to sleep . . . doesn't matter where---car, sidewalk, lap (more about laps later . . .). And, if a dog gets a bad vibe from a person or another dog. . . it barks! 
• Dogs are forgiving. I don't know about you, but I've never witnessed a dog who holds a grudge. When something happens, a dog just moves on to the next thing!
• Dogs are loyal. They have your back. They will protect you and stand by you. Have you ever heard of a dog leaving home or breaking up with its owner?
• Dogs listen. (. . .without interrupting you, unless they're giving you little doggy kissies . . .). They will hold space for you while you cry about your stupid breakup or your crappy algebra test . . . (they also understand that your parents don't get it a lot of the time . . . true dat cuz dogs just give you that knowing dog look).
• Dogs accept what is. Dogs aren't haters. They don't care what brand of clothes you're wearing or whether you sit at the cool lunch table. They also don't care what mood you're in or if you have morning breath.
• Dogs love and serve. Dogs are full of gratitude and joy. Basically, a dog's job is to hang out, be present, enjoy life, and receive and give love. In other words,  

 Just be(Love)d! 

What if that's all we have to do, too?

Love and be(Love)d?

What if life is that simple?

Just sayin ' . . . Woof!

SAME:EMAS

No dIfFerenCes1.

YalL!
So I was thinking today how sometimes we think we are sooooooo special and different (and BETTER) than other people in our lives. Like, here's how it sounds...

• I am So much nicer...
• I am So much smarter...
• I am SOo much cuter...
• I am SoO much skinnier...
• I am SoO much more cool...
• I am so mUch mOre sPiritUal...
• I am SOo much more aware...
• I am So better at SpOrts!
• I am So much richer...
• I am So much bLaH BlAh BlAAAHhhh...

What if, we are all the SaMe! and we are all exactly where we are supposed to be?

Do you think you could hoNor the Fact thAt the people in YouR liFe are SpeCiAL and okAy where theY r? And could you love them because they are people just like you?

The above is an awesome crazy video that shows that We R OnE. ANimals totally get stuff that huMaNs don't. It's true... (see previous DOG:BLOGs).

This made me cry out of HapPiNeSs!

Meow, and licK!!

Night, night!

Be Love(d) y'all! It's the only way!

HeaRts!

;) dana

Gods & doGs . .

Teddy

Hey All!
So, what's the deal? What is it about DOGs that makes them (wo)man's best friend? And, have you ever noticed that DOG is GOD spelled backwards? Coincidence? (well, you already know how I feel about that . . .)

We humans can learn a lot from DOGs; here are some reasons why I believe DOGliness is next to GODliness:

• Life is simple for dogs: eat, play, sleep, pee, and poop. No drama, whatsoever. Wouldn't it be great if we could live like that?
• Dogs are present, like, as in, they live in the moment. Have you ever seen a dog with regrets? Or worry about where to take the next nap? No way!
• Dogs follow their instincts. Like, when a dog is tired, it just goes to sleep . . . doesn't matter where---car, sidewalk, lap (more about laps later . . .). And, if a dog gets a bad vibe from a person or another dog. . . it barks! 
• Dogs are forgiving. I don't know about you, but I've never witnessed a dog who holds a grudge. When something happens, a dog just moves on to the next thing!
• Dogs are loyal. They have your back. They will protect you and stand by you. Have you ever heard of a dog leaving home or breaking up with its owner?
• Dogs listen. (. . .without interrupting you, unless they're giving you little doggy kissies . . .). They will hold space for you while you cry about your stupid breakup or your crappy algebra test . . . (they also understand that your parents don't get it a lot of the time . . . true dat cuz dogs just give you that knowing dog look).
• Dogs accept what is. Dogs aren't haters. They don't care what brand of clothes you're wearing or whether you sit at the cool lunch table. They also don't care what mood you're in or if you have morning breath.
• Dogs love and serve. Dogs are full of grattitude and joy. Basically, a dog's job is to hang out, enjoy life and receive and give love. In other words,

 Just be(Love)d! 

What if that's all we have to do, too?

Love and be(Love)d?

What if life is that simple?

Just sayin ' . . .

***************************************************

Doggy kissies . . . and love!

;) Dana 

bE Ur oWn (s)HeRo!

Are you settling in life? Is there something greater calling you? 
Heed it's call. There is a great adventure waiting for you if you just say YES with your thoughts, actions and desires. You WILL be supported. You WILL be challenged and you WILL face the death of your own ego. BUT - on the other side of this adventure is self-respect, a Light and a Love about which ALL the epic stories are written. This kind of life is possible for you!
Are you going to answer the call of YOUR Personal Legend?

~Mastin Kipp, The Daily Love

cALLing ALL hEroEs & (s)hero(ines)!

Hark, y'aLL! What are you waiting 4? If you are waiting until you R pErfEcKt (don't worry, life allows you to screw up as much as you need to!!!), or reAdy (never gonna happen!), or oLdEr (the Time is noW!), or _______(blah...blah...blah...) fill in the blank, I chaLLenge you to "Get out there! Sing the song in your heart and NEVER let anyone shut you up!!” (remember the quote from yesterday!!!)

That's why U R here, yo.

Oh yeah . . . one more thing about perFecKtion. I used to pretend I was perfect, and that was uber-stressful. I was chillin' and shopping with my friend one morning (what up Celia--grrrrl!) and she was saying that not trying to be pErfeCkt has allowed her to get closer to people and has made her friendships stronger 'cuz there's nothing to hide. PreTTy smart (. . . for a gRoWnUp! hahahahah)!

Anyway, here's proof that every existence has a higher purpose!--even in the life of a dOg (note to sElF--dOg is gOd spelled backwards!) This amazing creature is named, of course, faItH! Check this out!

Can you imagine the literal LEAP of FAITH when she decided she was going to walk on two legs? Kind of like an acorn becoming a tree, 
or a caterpillar transforming into a bUttErfLy?

What are the poSSiBiLiTiEs fOr sUper yOU!? 

aBsoluTely nO LiMiTs aLLoWEd!!@#%@!#$%@#$$%#

wInK on You!

;) dana

p.s. QUESTion: Would you rather be the (s)hero(ine) of your own journey (U R in large & in charge)? or, the victim (everybody does stuff TO you? ...so sad...)? Personally, I want to be the super sparkly goDdess with the ice cream cape, the high-top pink bOOts, and the cOOl diAmOnd-stuDDed crown!

All bow down! nOw! (jK!)

Your PRESENCE is a PRESENT!

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

hOw gOeS iT funfreepeople?--

Thanks for checking out the blog today . . . 
Yesterday I wrote about how pets can help remind us about how to be prEsEnt--it really is a pReSenT. It's such a gift to spend time with our animal friends who are pets, or to watch them out in nAtUre . . . it's mezmerizing (idk how 2 spell that!). 

BTW--here's Teddy, 

aka "Captain of the ShiP"

So hangin' with animals is one reminder of how to bE pReSenT. We also have to be completely present when we are with babies or little kids . . . you know, like when little Sophie needs her diaper changed NOW, she cries? Or, when a baby laughs, it's CONTAGIOUS! Here's one of my and my kids' favorite baby videos called . . .

Hysterical bubbles!

So what brings you into the pResEnt moment? Usually, it's when we witness something really intense, or when we play a sport we lOvE, or do an activity that is our pAsSiOn (like writing this bLoG for me...).

The go(o)d news, is that we can choose to be present to whatEvEr is in front of us . . . so that whatever or whomever is placed in our pAtH gets our fULL AttEnTiOn.

ANd then, magically, time drops off, just like when we are in the company of a friend, like Teddy the Bear!

tOdaY: give yourself a present--fEeL your preSence!

luv ya!

;) dana

Presence . . .

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have.
Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

hOw gOeS iT funfreepeople?--

Thanks for checking out the blog today . . . 
Yesterday I wrote about how pets can help remind us about how to be prEsEnt--it really is a pReSenT. It's such a gift to spend time with our animal friends who are pets, or to watch them out in nAtUre . . . it's mezmerizing (idk how 2 spell that!). 

BTW--here's Teddy, 

aka "Captain of the Cava(poo)"

So hangin' with animals is one reminder of how to bE pReSenT. We also have to be completely present when we are with babies or little kids . . . you know, like when little Sophie needs her diaper changed NOW, she cries? 

Or, when a baby laughs, it's CONTAGIOUS! 

Here's one of my and my kids' favorite baby videos called . . .

Hysterical bubbles!

So what brings you into the pResEnt moment? Usually, it's when we witness something really intense, or when we play a sport we lOvE, or do an activity that is our pAsSiOn (like writing this bLoG for me...).

The go(o)d news, is that we can choose to be present to whatEvEr is in front of us . . . so that whatever or whomever is placed in our pAtH gets our fULL AttEnTiOn.

ANd then, magically, time drops off, just like when we are in the company of a friend, like Teddy Duncan Bradach the Third!

tOdaY: give yourself a present--fEeL your preSence!

luv ya!

;) dana

Arrival of Theodore Duncan Bradach III . . .

Shhhhh . . . 

Teddy the Cavapoo is here and he is a very good boy! He is taking his morning nap right now, so please be very quiet!

I may need a bit of extra sleep in the next week or so, but I'll still be writing.

Have a beautiful day!

Dana