Day 79
7/31/22
Dog Tired! If you Googled the definition, you would see this picture of Sweet Ranger! We had a wonderful weekend up at the cabin with family and dogs. Ranger and Lilly swam until they couldn't look a tennis ball in the eye! Happy, exhausted and still a bit damp behind the ears. They are both sleeping on the living room couches as I write. Gus, on the other hand, is ready to go!
I remember what an amazing feeling it is to be "Dog Tired" after doing a labor of love or a fun project. Working in the yard, painting the walls of a room, loving babies into the wee hours of the night, helping friends with a move and so many other times, being tired has felt like the epitome of a wonderful accomplishment. Your mind finds peace while the muscles of your body simply relax and ache in the best possible way.
There are other times when I have been "Dog Tired" without feeling rewarded or fulfilled. When I have been supporting a hurting loved one during hours typically reserved for sleep, fighting a broken water pipe upstairs that basically flooded every floor of the house, picking up after storm damage and a few other times I have amazingly blocked from my memory.
Today, after a full day on the beach with dogs and my grandson, a number of walks with the goldens and packing/unpacking from the weekend, I started to be aware of that "Dog Tired" feeling. Knowing I needed to water trees and plants at home, I finally found the oomph and willingness to do one more task. Just as I was about to start moving hoses, there was a clap of thunder, and I caught a whiff of the promise of rain not far away. Putting the hose down, I went inside, but didn't have much hope of any real relief for the poor plants in the yard.
Looking out the window, I saw a few drops of blessed rain. Just as I was thinking it was just a tease, it started in earnest and then POURED down! Torrents of rain!!! I could almost see the plants opening their "arm leaves" in thanks and also imagined their gulping sounds as they drank in that life-giving water.
Sometimes, when you are "Dog Tired," something much bigger and grander takes over and helps you along the way. I have been supported that way more times than I can count and it humbles me.
Today, I am thankful for my exhausted pups (even wide-awake Gus), the many beautiful gifts that need me to push forward to keep them safe and healthy, and that serendipitous surprise which helped me along the journey. I can head to bed with a smile of gratitude on my face. I know my goldens will be smiling as well.
