On this page are just some of the amazing beings I have been blessed to know in this life...
I say "beings" because dogs became a big part of my life in the 1990's when Betsy and I met.....
The Story of Willie, or, How I Came to Love Dogs
We went into a pet store for cat toys one day, and came home with "Ollie", (who we soon renamed "Willie") rescued by Ayres Shelter in upstate NY. He'd been wandering around the streets of a small upstate New York mill town, probably lifting his leg on brick buildings and eating scraps such as hot dogs left on the street. The shelter had him for six months; folks passed him by (it's a fact that cats and dogs with black fur are less likely to be adopted), and Ollie had stopped grooming himself and become depressed.
One day, they took him to a pet store adoption clinic, and the rest is his story.
I had never had a dog in my life before; I was a total cat woman--independent, cuddly, standoffish, playful, and proud to be part of the Tribe of Tiger. Since Willie's been in my life, I can say there were things I never knew before...things like loving life fiercely, and accessing the most gentle and trusting places within. Willie lives to provide Joy. He shows off. He entertains. He comforts. He is Love embodied in a little elf dog body. He doesn’t understand conflict, it makes him quiver. He is protective and will defend his people (with a benign nip on the heel, such as letting the cable guy know who is boss).
He is stubborn as a gentle burro. He is adoring to his sister Ruby, and cat tribe clan of Joey, Banjo, Luna, and The Doctor, and of course, to us, and to those who show him kindness in return. You can see paintings of Willie and his siblings on Betsy's website, www.rubysartstudio.com.
Life's a Ball, Get Willifed!
willie is now beyond the stars, entertaining sick kids. yeah.
(written sometime before the departure of Ruby, the 4-Cat Clan, and before the arrival of Skye, Willow, and Lela....)
