Long term disease

I wish there was a pill for gloomy days.  The type of gloom that shows up suddenly and is always brought on by external factors.  In this case, the factor is Piki.  Aside from having sick teeth, he has liver disease.  Blood work, ultrasounds, biopsies, pain, medication.  We've been through it before.  With our previous dog, Goldie.  Impotence is a rude awakening.  What we pray for is time. From now on everyday is a gift.   Fourteen well lived years. As much as one prepares for this sort of thing.  The end always takes you by surprise.  These last days are hard.  The highs are so high and the lows are devastating.  Tiredness, impotence, constant change of plans.  It takes a toll.  We only ask for strength and support.  And sometimes we get it in torrential amounts.  This blog might suffer a bit, until we go through all the testing and adjusting necessary.  Thanks for understanding.

Grandpa's old farm

Growing up, grandpa's old farm was the idyllic place to spend the day during weekends. Through our innocent eyes, the farm was a place full of mystery and animals. My grandfather's mare was our ride of choice, and we could feed the pigs in their piggy quarters. There were chickens, fowls, and occasionally a few wild rabbits roaming everywhere. Today the farm animals are gone, with the exception of the 30 something year old mare, who gave birth to a colt soon after my grandpa's passing, and a old mule.  The colt is of no particular breed, more like a mutt, because we don't know who the father is.  He's what you call a country horse, goes by the name of San Miguel, and is my mother's fancy.  There are also four female dogs, formerly homeless and now living happily in the farm. 

My grandfather passed away three years ago. The lives of these animals are deeply anchored with the still beating heart of this farm. The farm may not be what it was once. But the animals give it life, and as long as they are here, the farm will too.

Little by little I'm learning to take pictures. It's not easy, even with a good camera. Sometimes, the picture you see in your head is not possible through the lens. I'm learning to appreciate the background, and see the possibilities. Photography is a school of self-discovery.

Series: Woman and Dog

Source: thelsd.tumblr.com via Patricia on Pinterest

No photo credit available

Piki and me, photo by Edgar M.

Source: she-dolce.tumblr.com via Patricia on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Patricia on Pinterest

Source:  Photo by Foxy Photog (Flickr)

Source: fromportlandtopeonies.blogspot.com via Patricia on Pinterest

This post was inspired by Piki, my dog companion.  He has been getting the short end of the stick ever since Emilu was born.  Don't get me wrong, he's still spoiled and loved to death, and is the number one canine in the world to us.  He sleeps with us and goes everywhere by car in the front seat  He's still our baby, but number two on the rankings. Have you met Piki? What about you?  Did you affection toward your pets changed when you had a baby or was it just a small adjustment?  The truth is, people who love their pets know that when it comes to having children and loving them, it all comes from the same place in our hearts.