16.4.10

Noll Enters Jan's Funny Farm Contest

Jan's Funny Farm is having a contest.  Noll has entered one of his older posts.  Hope you enjoy it.  Please visit Jan & her gang at http://jansfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/ to enter too!

Photo by A.Szabo
Noll: Why She Loves Us

Nurturing is learned. It is a truth. Blessed are they who receive unconditional love; especially children and pets. For the nurtured grow up to love unconditionally. They seek, find and hold onto God's creatures. They love long after their loved one is gone.

My Own was not yet 3 when Spotty became family. From the onset, Spotty owned her heart. He was her first love.

Things to remember: Mild-mannered, gregarious, Spotty loved to roam the fields of Maple Ridge. For him, happiness knew no bounds like a fragrant field full of birds, mice, and rabbits or a long lap from the creek. For her, gathering flowers in his safe company made the sun shine brighter.

On more than one occassion, Spotty's wagging tail stung like a whip. Such was his joy. One chase and one encounter with a car was lesson learned. He helped hunt Easter eggs. He played tireless ball. He patiently waited under the patio table during midsummers eve dinners. For watermelon rind, he would slobber uncontrollably.

Sometimes, when sister and brother went off to play, My Own lingered. Sitting on the brick flower box, she stroked the car scar above his eye, touched his soft ears. Her companion when no playmates were around. A confident who liked nothing more than to have his ears lifted and whispered into; especially the one with the little white spot on the underside. A patient friend who wanted nothing more than a pat on the head and a biscuit, please.

Spotty was a good dog. His legacy unending.

My Own's Brother: In adulthood, he searched for a Dalmatian. The love he shared with Spotty, he later shared with Spot. It was unchanged and unconditional. Brother relived his childhood. In the fields of Maine, Spot romped at his side and Spotty tagged along in his heart.

My Own's Sister: In the gentle chamber of her heart, Spotty's love dwells. It has transformed sister's rustic home into a haven for homeless cats, rescue dogs, horses. Ducks, geese, a goat, rabbits all have passed through and found the limitless nurture in her soul.

Spotty was 12 when the tumor undid him. Refusing to eat. To drink. My Own whispered "Please, Spotty," into the ear with the little white spot. His brown eyes responded with love. But he broke her heart, nonetheless.

This is why she loves us. The truth is black and white. It is Spotty: the dog who opened her heart to love, to lose, and to do it all over again.

15 comments:

Brian's Home Blog said...

That was a wonderful story!

moi said...

That is a beautiful story sharing the love, caring and devotion that passes between an animal and its human friend. It went straight to my heart and brought out the love from my past cats, dog and birds who reside there; I truly hope that I will see them all again one day for their love and devotion have sustained me along life's trails also. Noll's Nip brings out the joys, the tears, the laughs, the love of pets and how endearing they are in our lives. Thank you! =^..^=

JC said...

Well, you made me cry.

Anonymous said...

That is such a beautiful story. Mom's wiping her eyes!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

Rumblemum is sniffling (she says it's pollen in the air, but it's FALL *snort*)

The Misadventures Of Me said...

The moms eyes got leaky - she says it was a happy/sad story.

Molly
Shadow
Trooder

The Island Cats said...

That was a wonderful story! Mom has to go get a tissue now...

Gemini and Ichiro said...

That is a marvelous story!

Jack & Moo said...

Wait a minute till I wipe the tears outta my eyes....
what a lovely beautifully penned story! Took our mom back to her own first dog & first cat, who started her on the path of constant canine companionship.

jack a-roo & moo too

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh my...khwite leaky here -

What a pawesome story!

Thanks fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Angel, Kirby and Max said...

That is a very sweet tribute to Spotty!

Jacqueline said...

That is a beautiful, sweet photo and a beautiful, sweet story; it touched my heart...I think every animal lover will relate to your words and feelings over Spotty because we have all been there...It made me cry.

Jans Funny Farm said...

This is a beautiful entry. We've had two entries so far and both have made us teary -- a good teary -- so we can tell this is going to be a watery contest. Thanks for sharing.

Corrie said...

Unfortunately, I cannot read this story without crying..it's really wonderful, Mom :)

Anonymous said...

How wonderful Spotty was:) Thank you for sharing such a touching story.