The Paws
© 2024 24 Paws of Love
Current blog look inspired by and dedicated to Chance, Blaze, Fiona and Zappa who all kicked ass against cancer and liver disease.
Brut Quote
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Friday, June 24, 2016
The Beautiful Gift
Now that Brut's anniversary has passed, the hurt is slowing melting away. It is time to move pn with his spirit into tomorrow. I'll never stop missing him, but I know Brut is only a heartbeat away from me. A heartbeat I will always treasure forever.
Maybe you heard that we have 5 other dogs? lol Seems like it's been eons since I wrote about them. We have been spending a lot of time together, bonding even closer than before.
It's really hard to put into words what Zappa, Fiona, Silver, Chance and Blaze have meant to me going through this grieving process. In part because they all are a part of Brut being their father and Silver his girlfriend. But it is as if Brut is still here and is being the good leader he tried to be. We have all grown together, richer and stronger because of Brut, of having him in our lives and it is a beautiful thing, watching 4 puppies really mature and grow together as a family. Even with the separation of two packs.
They have become fuller as if sucking in Brut's spirit. They are more confident and compassionate. Some of their fears and anxieties died with Brut, as if given a second chance. There is a wholeness to them as if Brut's death gave them the last missing pieces to their souls. And there is joy and happiness, more peace and more hope, as if they are really getting the chance to live.
I think Brut is proud of his kids and Silver.
Almost as much as I am.
Brut resonates through them and around them, while not overshadowing the kids and Silver's own personalities and uniqueness.
It is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed this past year and I have been so blessed to be a part of their transformation. I'm so very grateful for all that has happened. They bring a richness to my life that can never be taken away, just when I think God can't blow my mind any more than He does. He gives me these beautiful creatures to share in my life as we grow together.
Beautiful, isn't it? :)
Maybe you heard that we have 5 other dogs? lol Seems like it's been eons since I wrote about them. We have been spending a lot of time together, bonding even closer than before.
It's really hard to put into words what Zappa, Fiona, Silver, Chance and Blaze have meant to me going through this grieving process. In part because they all are a part of Brut being their father and Silver his girlfriend. But it is as if Brut is still here and is being the good leader he tried to be. We have all grown together, richer and stronger because of Brut, of having him in our lives and it is a beautiful thing, watching 4 puppies really mature and grow together as a family. Even with the separation of two packs.
They have become fuller as if sucking in Brut's spirit. They are more confident and compassionate. Some of their fears and anxieties died with Brut, as if given a second chance. There is a wholeness to them as if Brut's death gave them the last missing pieces to their souls. And there is joy and happiness, more peace and more hope, as if they are really getting the chance to live.
I think Brut is proud of his kids and Silver.
Almost as much as I am.
Brut resonates through them and around them, while not overshadowing the kids and Silver's own personalities and uniqueness.
It is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed this past year and I have been so blessed to be a part of their transformation. I'm so very grateful for all that has happened. They bring a richness to my life that can never be taken away, just when I think God can't blow my mind any more than He does. He gives me these beautiful creatures to share in my life as we grow together.
Beautiful, isn't it? :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Brut: A year ago today
Dear Brut,
All I ever wanted for you is, peace, love and happiness.
I tried my best to bring this to you
and now you have the ultimate in all three.
I have been blessed ten fold because of this.
The richness continues in our new relationship...
All I ever wanted for you is, peace, love and happiness.
I tried my best to bring this to you
and now you have the ultimate in all three.
I have been blessed ten fold because of this.
The richness continues in our new relationship...
Brut: Oct. 11, 2006-June 18, 2015
Forever my friend
and the Forever Father of the 24 Paws of Love
Monday, June 6, 2016
My Observation-Blaze's shift in the pack
Before Blaze was spayed two years ago, she was driven by her hormones. Her purpose was to reproduce, be a mother and carry on her genes. Because of this drive, she never cared much for treats and food wasn't a priority as her meals were provided. This left her to focus on other things in order to seek out her purpose.
Then we had her spayed and her role in the pack changed. Blaze became a foodie.
Our vet has made this reference a few times about "her role in the pack changing," and I didn't totally understand what she meant by that.
It has taken a year of Brut being gone to start to grasp this change and how spaying Blaze at seven years old changed her role in the pack.
When Brut died, all the dogs went through changes in their packs and as a whole, but the one that stuck out the most was Blaze. She thought she still had that same purpose, that hormonal instinct because Brut was still intact when he died. With Brut still able to reproduce, Blaze still had her same drive only it was weakened by the drastic change to her hormone levels and she still went through the motions of having her heats. It was when Brut died that Blaze lost that "hope" of being a mother and having a family, the only thing she knew she was born for, to reproduce. Her soul purpose was eliminated and so the her role changed from Alpha dog to Beta dog where getting food became her soul purpose. So it wasn't just Brut's attitude and snarls that kept the order intact, it was that hormonal flow that permeated the packs. It was biological.
It was Brut's death and my grief that led to her gaining about 6 pounds last year. Six pounds is a lot for a dog who should only be about 63 pounds.
My grief crippled me those first few months and instead of walks, I played treat games so as not to have to leave any of the dogs. I needed them as a group to help with the loss of Brut.
I might have noticed the weight gain by fall, but still stayed in denial about it. It wasn't until this spring that I noticed how heavy Blaze had gotten and the vet made that observation about changes in her pack role when the light bulb went off.
Spaying Blaze changed her purpose. She went from a hierarchy position where we felt equal with each other to second in command. THAT'S what was so amazing for me having dogs that are intact, there is an equality between you and them, especially emotionally and spiritually. They are no different a species as you are and I find it kind of sad that it is so quickly taken away from them by one trip to the vet because people are so irresponsible. There is nothing better than that feeling of being on the same level with someone, but it is quite special to be one with your dog. It is probably why Brut and I were so keen on each other and understood the other's moves.
I know there is more to this role changing than Blaze becoming a food obsessed dog. This change didn't effect her personality or our relationship, but it is like an invisible shift that took over my sweet girl and now with Brut gone it is even more noticeable. I am intrigued with the changing of Blaze's role in the pack. I will be observing further into what this means for her and if there is more to this story.
Fascinating stuff!
I know there is more to this role changing than Blaze becoming a food obsessed dog. This change didn't effect her personality or our relationship, but it is like an invisible shift that took over my sweet girl and now with Brut gone it is even more noticeable. I am intrigued with the changing of Blaze's role in the pack. I will be observing further into what this means for her and if there is more to this story.
Fascinating stuff!
Thursday, June 2, 2016
3 Generations of Paws
We weren't sure if we'd see Bear this year, as Silver is 13 years old and we didn't know how old her dad was. Well it turns out he's 15 and doing just fine! I can see where Silver gets her energy, spunk and friendliness. There are some good genes in that boy and we were proud to see them passed on to Silver and her kids.
Silver's son Jack is doing well also. He lept on us when we came in, he was so happy to see us. Same energy and spunk as Silver and Bear. But what is it with these white muzzles? Time flies so fast now adays. Sigh.
We had a wonderful time visiting Jack and Bear and we are so glad to see them doing so well and that they are with loving families.
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