Zoo!

Thought I'd share some pics from a zoo trip this past week. Borias loves the zoo so much. Great place to walk him around, seeing all the animals. It's so interesting seeing how they react to them, and vice versa. It's amazing, I just realized that Borias has been going to the zoo since he was 5 months old! I've lost count of how many times we've been.

You would think that he'd get used to all of the animals by now, but some still freak him out a little. The big cats who look like they want to stalk and eat him specifically. One can be pacing back and forth, and that's fine, but if they glare with eye contact in a certain way, he wants to bark. He also succumbs to the teasing of the primates. The worst being the Bonobos. The little chimps throw things at the glass, leap up and hit it, and generally do whatever they can to get a rise out of him.

It works. He crinkles his nose at them, like he's saying "don't tease me!" Falls for it all the time. Everyone gets a huge kick out of watching the interaction. I know I never get tired of it.

Shadowfax

Borias has had the privilege to meet more than a few actors and performers in his life (or, are they privileged to have met him?) Sometimes they have more than two feet. "Lassie", a few years ago. An icon I grew up with, being a dog-crazy kid. And now recently, the four legged thespian came in equine form. "Shadowfax", from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

That was a thrill for me, because not only is he gorgeous, I'm a big fan of the films. I remember seeing this with Borias, and him watching scenes with horses in them with interest. Horses fascinate him. He's not quite sure what to think of them. The horse's name in real life is Blanco, and he's now 21 years old. And, as his human said, very opinionated.

I had to laugh at that, because alas, that's all too familiar. Blanco seemed to have a ton of personality, just as my lovely boy has. I could tell that he was incredibly intelligent, as well. I could swear that with some of the folks who came up to pose with him for a photo, he would actually lean in, as if he was thinking "cheeese", though in a sarcastic way. He gets cranky with people wanting to pet him all the time, and it's only ok if he initiates it, and reaches for you. Luck was with me, and I got to touch his muzzle. And Borias nosed him.

Also cool, is how his human, Cynthia Royal trains him. Using positive reinforcement, and no coercion. It's all about relationship, motivation and communication. I would love to go take more photos of him, and maybe even do a painting.

Here's a couple I took at this event, the Blessing of the Animals in Old Town San Diego.

Happy New Decade!

Man, I really need to try and post more often! Time flies so fast this time of year. I can't believe now it's already a week into the new year. New decade! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

As usual, I spent New Year's Eve with my heart dog. We wandered and people watched in Hillcrest, stopping off at Gossip Grill for a drink and some cheer. When I wished Happy New Year to people passing us, Borias would bark after, adding his greeting, which really made everyone laugh. What a doofus. Course, his translation is a bit longer. Being a German Shepherd, nothing verbal is short, sweet, and to the point. Oh well, gotta love him : )

We then walked all the way to North Park via University Ave., tackling a very steep hill that I haven't tried for a good two decades. Now I know why. Yah, that was one last time for old time's sake LOL. Then we made it home in time for midnight, when I played some Pearl Jam, and welcomed the new year with a few of my favorite things.

As for resolutions. Well, I hope for Borias it's to wag more bark less ha ha. For me, it's to live life more fully. I sure have a great role model in my best friend : )

Get Your Hanky Ready

I'm making a renewed commitment for the New Year, to help be ONE of the voices for the voiceless animals. Maybe you'll watch this, and be moved as well.

Borias' Christmas Present

Borias loves to open presents. In fact, he's gotten quite greedy about it lol. Reminds me of a little kid, saying "that's mine!" and scrambling off to rip it open. Well, witness for yourself : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo_lt7_n48A

Fundraiser

My fabulous church is helping me out with a fundraiser. It's scheduled to be mid-January, around the 12th. Come one come all! There's going to be food trays passed around, and raffle items, and some of my photos framed for auction. I'll keep you posted with details.

If you don't live in San Diego, or can't attend, you can donate through PayPal. I can have a tax receipt sent to you from Mission Gathering church.

Have a blessed holiday!

Christmas Miracle!

Today, I woke up in a deep funk, unable to get my mind off all those photos I lost. I got ready early, and went to a coffee with our councilmember Todd Gloria, who expressed his sympathy for my plight, and offered some helpful contact info. Then I took Borias for a walk in the rainy weather in his beloved Balboa Park. My mother called, and my funk deepened as we talked about her recent tests that weren't showing good signs in her year long battle with a second round of breast cancer. We were just wrapping it up, when I got a beep of call waiting...

"Is this the person who lost the hard drive?"

My heart leapt into my throat..."yes.."

"Well, I have it, and I'll wait for you on this street corner if you want to come get it"

I burst into tears and said I'd be right there.

Warp speed ahead.

On the street corner of my alley, that I traverse daily, an older man waited by his truck. He totally didn't look like any kind of criminal. He handed over the little white box, that was my hard drive, containing all those many thousands of precious images I had feared lost forever. I hugged him through my car window. He didn't want to say how he came about to have it, but had seen my signs I put up in the neighborhood, and wanted to ensure I had a good Christmas.

It was a Christmas miracle.

I just couldn't believe my eyes. And the goodness of some people. I told him the thieves knew I was in a wheelchair-and he didn't even know I was. I said that my pastor had been robbed, and another lady almost was, and the car was a blue-grey compact. He said it was interesting, in a strange way, kind of like he knew who I meant. Perhaps it's family, or a tenant. He said he was a property manager.

Well, I got the irreplaceable thing back. I'm forever grateful.

A huge weight is lifted from my shoulders, and my spirit. I am thanking God for blessing me. And for the lessons I'm learning from this. It didn't break me, as my best friend wrote on my Facebook page, oh, it caused damage, but it didn't STOP me. I grew even stronger.

I suppose sometimes events happen in our lives, that seem beyond something we can handle. Yet, we learn we can surprise ourselves. And that keeping even a little bit of faith can be rewarded.

Merry Christmas.