
One of our newest additions to the family is a rescued mixed boxer, German shepherd, hound mix. He is the absolute naughtiest dog we have ever brought into our family, yet we still adore him, I mean, we all have our faults.
Recently while I was away, someone let him out of his crate and he climbed onto the dining room table and brought down a fountain pen and went to town. After he drained it of all its glory, he proceeded to walk around the house and explore to see what else he could get into……..my room, the bathroom, kitchen, family room, entryway. You are probably wondering how I knew where he had explored, well, his footprints showed me his path. The mess he made of the ink not only pooled onto the carpet where he initially devoured it, but all over his paws and he went on a journey around the house leaving his adorable calling card with every step.
I have to be honest, I just wanted to cry. Living with chronic illnesses makes normal cleaning difficult, but the thought of having to get down on my hands and knees for days on end was overwhelming. But, I reminded my self that even though it was a huge mess, it didn’t have to be cleaned up in one day, some messes are just too big to be resolved quickly.
So you are probably wondering why in the world I am sharing a story about my dog leaving ink footprints all over my house, well, it is because it’s life. We all end up with a huge black ink spot in our lives at times, our health, finances, relationships and even if the mess was created in minutes, it can take a lot more time to clean it up, remove the mess that was made, and restore it back to it’s original state, if that is even possible. We need to encourage ourselves to see that no mess is too big, it just takes time. It takes hard work, dedication to see it through the process, and to be kind to ourselves while we are taking care of it. And, the messes that are of no fault of our own take a lot more fortitude to see through to the end.
Wishing you a day with few, if any, ink spots.
This post really resonated with me, as I am a dog lover, and fully understand what mischief they can cause.
Thanks for reminding us that is best to tackle any ‘mess’ through patience and perseverance. 🤗
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Awww……….thank you so very much Sally! We also love our rescue pups here…….we have 3 so they keep us very busy. 🙂
I appreciate your kind words, thank you and God’s blessings.
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Thank you Wendi, that voice of wisdom will always appear when needed. You have answered my call, I shall indeed take my time ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
And great to hear your voice again, I hope your time away was some sunshine among the ink blots dear lady 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋 😂 🤣
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Oh Mark, thank YOU so much for always having a kind and uplifting voice here. I treasure each comment more than you will ever know. I will be visiting you soon……….
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Thank you kind lady, and I hope the ink is lifting with just a thought. You may be surprised in the power of love to move it 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋 😂 🤣
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……….thank you……..and the love to just accept it! 🙂
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Wise words dear lady, wise words indeed 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋 😂 🤣
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Thank you Mark and I have prayed God’s blessings over you……….
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Thank you kind lady, your ‘giving’ is a blessing indeed 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
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🙂
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This absolutely resonates!! I feel for you. Hopefully, you had some help with the clean-up.
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thank you for your understanding………to be honest, I am not sure everything is going to be able to be cleaned. It’s pretty darn bad. It’s a good thing he is so darn cute!
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Nice to see you posting! As you see I have returned, too!
I think messes like these can sometimes also simply be accepted as part of a new, imperfect landscape and a testament to the messy nature of life. I totally get not having the energy to clean them and lately I have learned to see things as adding charm or character.
I’m so glad your dog has a loving home and you adore him. 🙂
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Oh Averyl, it is so good to “see” you and that you have returned. Yes, I have learned to accept a lot of things too………..I can have a clean house or I can enjoy my kids and pets………I definitely the later 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by, I will be around soon!
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❤
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delightful story and wise conclusion Wendi … you did not need those ink stains but then none of us really do! I often think we are never given any ink stains [tests] that we don’t have the resilience to rise above. It does take time, persistent effort and being kind to ourselves but it can be done 🙂
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Oh Kate………I always appreciate your beautiful insight! I have missed your comments so much. I hope you are welll and I will be around soon. Thank you for stopping by…..it is good to “see” you! 🙂
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lol when you’ve finished cleaning up all that ink, the naughty minx! Take care precious 🙂
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Thank you so very much! 🙂
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Inky paw prints throughout the house?! Yikes! Good thing your pup is so cute!!! 😏
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🙂 Yes, thank goodness he is so cute because the mess is soooo bad! thank you so very much for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.
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Well this post certainly hit home. The day before Ric came home from hospital, one of our dogs pooped and vomited everywhere. Like you, I felt so overwhelmed. Then when Ric came home and was having similar issues, I broke down and sobbed like I haven’t sobbed in forever. And then, like you, I came to the conclusion that I do what I can and carry on.
Our little buddy is better and hubby is back in hospital. Hope your little one is finding less chaos .
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Oh VJ…………I can NOT imagine how overwhelmed you were with all of this………cleaning up one mess after another becomes so overwhelming and can feel so defeating………I am so sad to read that you beloved is back in the hospital. I will begin praying for him this evening.
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Thanks Wendi. I am glad that he is where he can get proper help.
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I sent up more prayers for both of you this evening.
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Thank you.
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truly my pleasure.
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Aaaack!!! Oh, my! And you write about it with such grace and humor. 🧡😊
That’s quite a life lesson you packed in your post. Lots of wisdom and patience. I must tuck this one away to bring out again and again as needed. 😉
Wishing you strength and a good cleanser.
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Oh Kathy, thank YOU so much. I believe God used this event to teach me these lessons in a very profound way as I just sat down and the words flowed……….this is unusual for me. And now, much of his prints will not come up so we will be living with the imperfections……..just like life. Thank you again………I have missed interacting with you.
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I’m so glad you were able to put up such a good post. And how nice that God blessed you with “lasting” memories. 😉
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thank you so very much Kathy! I hope today is treating you well!
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We’ve been well below freezing outside, but the sun has been shining – what a difference the sunshine makes!
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Sounds like we are experiencing here…….cold, snowy and today, sun! Such a blessing to help clear the roads. 🙂 Stay safe Kathy.
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LOL… I’m laughing because I know how this goes. Yes, life is messy, especially a well-lived life.
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Oh my goodness, YES! Life is very messy especially if you are going to take chances. Thank you so very much for leaving such a wonderful comment!!!
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Haha…whoops I didn’t mean to laugh, but I did… a mischievous doggie with 4 dirty paws… here’s a song for you Wendi..
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🙂 what is accomplished in such a short amount of time was truly impressive! thank you for the song 🙂
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Spilled ink- when I was very pregnant with my first child, living in our second hand built, not-quite- finished home, my husband and a friend were carrying a desk downstairs when a bottle of unsecured ink tumbled out and spilled all over the stairs. I wailed at the mess, and being just a week away from my due date, I was frantic to clean up the mess in order to satisfy my nesting instincts, despite my bulk which prevented me from doing a good job. When the baby arrived, of course, I could have cared less about the ink stains and my husband I never worried about them again in the same way. Yes, we have to take time to get the worst of our stains out of the fabric of our nation, and yes, we must keep applying ourselves to prevent future crisis from spreading.Over time, we will see it done and pass the baton on to our children and theirs.
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Oh my Judi………….I remember being pregnant and you just want every so. That desire to nest can be so overwhelming and deep cleaning like that at that time must have been very challenging. Thank you for sharing your story and your comments, they are beautiful lessons and I am touched that you would share them here. 🙂
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There you are young lady!
Hope you’re doing better!
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awww……….thank you so very much for noticing my break! that is very kind of you………I am doing ok, thank you! I’ll be visiting soon. 🙂
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Dogs left alone get bored and he obviously found something to interest him.. like you said its all a part of life. sometimes we learn the most through the messes we make or unwittingly create.. ❤
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Yes he did……….lots of somethings 🙂 🙂 and yes, life is very messy and I wouldn’t trade this naughty creature for unstained flooring! The stains remind me of love, forgiveness and providing for another. Thank you so very much for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.
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Yes they teach us those lessons don’t they?
Dogs really do teach us love is more important than any kind of ‘mess’ which come to think of it is just a human judgement. God bless him and you ❤
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🙂 thank you so very much…….
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If you don’t have to clean them up right away… Don’t! I painted D.o.g.’s paws black to make her foot prints for a tattoo…then I let her “run around” the house with the paint…just because…not sure I will ever clean it’
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oh my goodness, I LOVE THIS! My puppy must have been channeling your household!! 🙂 How did your tattoo turn out?
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I have to have an MRI next week and have to wait to get the tattoo until it’s done….Who knew there could be a reaction?
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That is so interesting! I always wondered why they ask me about tattoos every time I go get an MRI…….aka torture chamber! I hope yours goes well and I can’t wait to see your new tattoo.
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Oh Wendi, thank you for sharing the lessons God gave you in the midst of the mess. And yes, it seems like the messes are too big, and need to be dealt with too swiftly when we ourselves feel like a mess! Thank you for this precious reminder that God doesn’t rush, and we don’t have to either. He will help us so much!! Blessings and love, dear sister!
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Oh Bettie, thank you so much for your kindness. I always appreciate your thoughtful, gentle, and loving comments…..and…I always feel better after reading your words. I hope today is treating you well and I will be by to visit soon!
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😉
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🙂 thank you so very much for stopping by!
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Oh dear. Ink is so difficult to clean.
I love how you bring a life lesson into it.
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thank you so very much……….this event has taught me more than I ever could have imagined.
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Aww, I feel you my friend. If you’re something like me, you’d be itching to rid of these stains. Love your philosophy on stains. Take care.
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thank you………..yes, before this event I would have been almost obsessed. This little event has been used by God to teach me so many things. Thank you for always being so kind….
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You’re welcome! Take care my friend. I hope you’re keeping well?
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thank you so very much!
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You’re welcome 😇
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I was wondering where you disappeared and btw I’m not wondering at all. I think this is a great story with a great moral. I’m sorry about the mess, though we can’t always apologize for the mess we made in or out of our lives so…Yes, it’s life and congrats on that lovely mix. I’d say that’s a dog with a personality.
We eventually forget about the mess (and all the other shit he’ll do), but the bottom line is he still remains. Best friend ever.
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OK, something really weird happened as I was replying to you and I can’t tell if it “went through” or not………..thank you for noticing my absence, it brought happy tears to my eyes! You are always so sweet and encouraging and have a special take on events because you, better than most, know that life is not easy. Thanks again……… 🙂
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Oh Wendi, this is such a beautiful analogy. Those ink stains really are the stuff of life, aren’t they? Like you said, sometimes they only take a little while to make and much longer to clean up, but with time, focus, and some hard work, we can get those messes cleaned up. As far as your naughty pup goes, we had one like that…. His name was Luke, but he got into so much trouble, he started to think his name was Luke Dammit. 😁 That’s still how my Mom refers to him whenever she talks about him. Sending lots of love and hugs your way!
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Oh my goodness Terri, thank you for the laughs. I love it, Luke Dammit…….I tend to use much stronger swear words but I try to stay calm……..he is such a stink pot.
Thank you also for the kind and encouraging comments, they are deeply appreciated. I hope you and yours are well and I will visit soon. 🙂
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Thank you so much. The months of Jan and Feb always kick my butt. Both financially and general coldness/lack of sunlight. And today after once more going over my budget and figuring out where I could finagle here and there I was ready to cry. Overwhelmed. I kept reminding myself that it was not forever. To stop looking forward to when everything will be back within the budgetary confines and the sun is again rising daily with warmth and beauty. And then I read your post and it speaks to me so much I am crying. You are right that not everything needs addressing nor worrying and fretting over. That it will be taken care of eventually and there is a plan in place. I cannot tell you how much your words meant to me today, 🙂
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Oh Jay-lyn……..I read your comments last evening and was brought to tears and had to sit back and think about how to respond to such gracious words. My heart breaks that you are struggling, life can be so difficult and overwhelming and my desire in life has always been to ease the pain of others. I wish there was something I could do for you and I did send up prayers for you and all that you are dealing with……please know that I am deeply humbled by your comments and if I wrote anything that eased your stressful thoughts, I am beyond thrilled. I hope today is being kind to you!
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It seems that today is a day of blessings. Between my fur baby being back to normal and realizing I don’t have to pay something yet leading to less worry. And additional good news helped too.
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sooo happy to read this! prayers answered……….here to tomorrow being even better!
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I had a doctor appointment today to get results from blood work and well ya know that womanly thang. I was given a clean bill of health and of all my liver function is good. Having been a heavy drinker this comes as great relief to me. Am going back when it has been a year. About five more months. Thank you so very much.
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woohoo!!!! this is awesome news, congratulations!!!! 🙂
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How beautifully said, we all get “ink spots” and how we deal with them makes the difference in getting through them with ease. What I always keep in mind is that, this too shall pass and that helps me to get centered and get through. Beautiful post thank you xo
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Thank you so very much for your kind words Masha. I love your outlook on life! 🙂
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I so hear you and had a similar issues just a few days ago. I got a now seven month old puppy too and let’s just say while I love her to pieces, I’m also reminded of how much work it is and how dealing with a chronic illness throws more than one wrench into to it day to day routine. Something unexpected is often too much and puts us over our limit. Sending much love and light your way dear Wendi and also an invitation in thought to join my weekly Reiki healings. Sunday’s at 7PM PST. All you need to do is to be open to receive light and healing. I would love to send you some to help through the rough bits. Hugs
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Congratulations on your new pup!!! This is so very exciting…….and yes, the amount of work is quite overwhelming at times.
Thank you so very much for your kind words and yes! thank you for the reminder……….Sunday at 7pm PST! see you there!
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Thank you dearest. She is worth it and brings so much joy.
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I completely understand this……..
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That would be so discouraging! Like you say, we can only take care of things a bit at a time, and eventually it will get done.
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Thank you Barbara……..yes, life is messy and without the messes we can appreciate the calm! Thank you so very much for stopping by!
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Indeed! Life can sometimes trample our plans, leaving a mess to clean up. But thanks be to God, His love is faithful. Taking away the blemishes, to leave a impression of His love… to overwhelm our needy hearts! Welcome back, God’s blessings to you and your family!
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Oh Warren……….I really missed your amazing comments and posts! Thank you so very much…..every time I read your words I feel like I am being cheered on my God. 🙂
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The breadth of His love always speaks, just so we can always know His heart! 🙏🏽
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……beautiful!
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Hi Wendi! I’m wondering if you received the mail I sent you. I know that snail mail has been super slow lately, but hopefully you got the Valentine’s Day card! 💕 I also sent an email… happy to see that you’re blogging again!
As for messes, scratches, and stains, I can relate. When something gets destroyed, it really bothers me. My husband says I’m the type to toss something if it is broken beyond repair. I’m still upset that my cat used my office chair as a scratching post and our Vitamix as a chew toy ☹️ he has his own scratching post and chew toys for this very reason and yet, he chooses to be naughty.
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Thank you so very much Hilary for the heads up. No I haven’t received the card yet but mail coming from out of the states is taking even longer. A fellow blogger from Australia sent me a card and it took 2 months to arrive. I thank you in advance! I also didn’t see any email but that is something that I could have missed………..
Your cat sounds a lot like my puppies……..always finding something interesting to do they are not suppose to. Thank goodness they are so darn cute! I hope life is being kind to you and your family. 🙂
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I can relate to this post. As my own puppy has just discovered she can play with her own poop (she’s tiny and it’s too brutally cold outside so she has a special cage with a special bottom where she can relieve herself, for now, till better days ahead). Yup, she took a piece of poop and “played” with it in the kitchen and on my new living room rug. I was beside myself. Thankfully the puppy eats very well thus having very good poops. Easy to clean up. No residue. No stains. No smell. BUT I now watch her like a hawk. Never again!!! UGH.
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Oh my, the fun of fur babies………..so happy to read it was an easy clean up!!!
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Thank you for sharing and what a wonderful surprise!!… glad to hear from you!… here on the path I call those ink spots “storms” and “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. (Author Unknown)…. wishing you many years of happy dancing!.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
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Thank you so very much Dutch! It is so good to see you again too……..I took a long break around the holidays……..Thank you for always leaving uplifting comments, they always make me smile. 🙂
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I’m never on time but I’m glad I didn’t miss this. I don’t know how I would react to ink stains all over the house but learning no matter what happens, there is a lesson in it. Sweet puppy was just doing what puppies do. Being curious. Kids often do the same things. I”m so glad you saw the bigger picture there. Thanks for sharing a sweet story. Made my day.
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Thank you so very much………you are so right, my kiddos and puppies have always had a way of finding all kinds of trouble! 🙂 hope today is treating you well.
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What a good illustration…I think we all feel the way you do when it’s time to clean up our own messes in life.
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Thank you so very very much for your kind words! I hope life is treating you well!
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I thought I left a message the first time I read this but obviously did not. Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most. You are a good puppy mom in the face of that kind of damage. I’ve heard of puppies eating whole sofas out of boredom. Ink stains are usually permanent just like the love they leave on your heart. I miss having a pet more than anyone can imagine. I still miss the 2 dogs and the cat I had. Such special creatures.
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🙂 awww……..you are so very kind, thank you. I am very sorry that you are having to miss your beloved pets. I love what you wrote, that they leave a permanent mark on your heart and that is so very true. I still cannot talk about past fur babies as I will break down into tears. They are friends, buddies that you share your lives with, especially the hard parts.
My pups have eaten part of a loveseat and chair……..and I still love them. I hope today finds you well.
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How are you? Hope you are doing well.
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thank you so very much for stopping by and asking, I deeply appreciate it. i am doing ok at the moment, how are YOU!? I have been praying for you and your complete healing…….
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I am doing very well. Careful with my diet and getting plenty of sun and exercise.
Thanks for asking. 🌹
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I am so happy to read this………prayers answered!
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Smiling. Thanks
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I have not been online much and even tho you posted it some time ago, just by some magical alchemy it was what I needed to see today! Hope you’re well and that your pup has started settling in. I, too, have a rascal but Chance is so full of personality it is hard to fault him!!
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🙂 it is sooo good to hear from you! I am not online much either but these thoughts laid heavy on my heart and just had to write them out. To read that these words are what you needed to hear makes my heart so very, very happy and I thank you for taking the time to let me know. I hope you and yours are well…….and enjoy Chance!!! 🙂
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This is so true, Wendi. Life is full of problems and they take much longer to unwind that to make. On the bright side, sometimes things are even better once the mess is cleaned up. Take care and stay well.
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beautiful words Roberta!!! thank you so much for sharing.
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