Each moment an occasion
Pasha looks out on the beautiful waters of Lake Tahoe, California, August 2004
My dog lives freely
each moment an occasion
to cherish and leave
Years ago I found this haiku, along with several others, among some handwritten drafts and school papers saved from Drew’s 10th grade year. He was probably around 15 years old when he wrote this, and I doubt he even knows I saved it. I loved it immediately because it captured the very essence of what dogs and other animals have to teach their human friends.
Today, I hope each moment for us will be an occasion to appreciate, enjoy or maybe even cherish– one that we can pass through with gratitude and remember without regrets.
Happy 16th birthday today, to our aging but still lively Pasha!
This post was originally published seven years ago today. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
- Posted in: Uncategorized
- Tagged: carefree, contentment, dogs, freedom, fun, gratitude, joy, Lake Tahoe, mindfulness, moments, pets, serenity, sunlit waters
Defeat Despair 
Good morning, Julia!
Drew’s inspired words are good to note, especially now. There’s plenty to worry about, but at this exact moment I’m warm and comfortable. Now is the moment to cherish!
Yes, one thing I’ve started doing in recent years is just stopping to relish the COMFORT that we all have learned to take for granted. Whether sitting by a toasty fire or cuddling up with a book or magazine in our favorite easy chair, or walking outside in PERFECT weather (for me, that’s sunny with a mild temperature and very light breeze) I try to soak up the sensations and give thanks for them. It really does cut through worry and stress.
There is nothing like gratitude, to heal the soul; especially after a day of hard physical work, like I had yesterday moving things (grass, pavers, plants) around my yard.
I totally love the healthy exhaustion I feel after a day of hard work in the yard. It’s especially sweet if I have managed to make a visible difference, or have taken care of things I’d been putting off for awhile.
Hi Julia. I’ve loved every photo that you ever posted of Pasha. Yes, I remember both our beloved dogs left us so close together in May 2013. I’ve been so busy today that I haven’t turned my calendar page yet. That’s unheard of‼️ I must do that now! Have a good weekend and know I’m thinking of y’all and all we’ve shared. ♥️
Sheila, that April verandah was so appealing that it’s understandable you wouldn’t want to leave it. But I’m enjoying the serenity of watching those distant sailboats on the blue, blue sea. Hope your week is going beautifully! ❤