Posts Tagged ‘Blackie’

Places in the Heart

Monday, March 19th, 2018

Blackie with her rabbit toy

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt in the heart.” Helen Keller

Let me tell you about my Black Lab dog, Blackie. She is much more than just a dog.

Blackie is my walking companion and she is my best friend.

When I come home from work Blackie runs circles around me like a toupee in a tornado! Wagging her tail with her favorite toy rabbit in her mouth. All the stress from my job melts away.

A few years ago, my mother was in a nursing home, shortly before she passed away. I would take Blackie to visit her. It revitalized her like a shot of adrenalin in the arm.

Blackie would put her head on my mom’s leg and wag her tail as my mom petted her head. My mom’s face glowed with serenity. Blackie was completely absorbed in her dog duty to provide companionship to my mom.

I learned a lot about compassion from Blackie. Compassion was not something she turned on and off like a water faucet. For her, it was a way of life.

The other day, Blackie and I began our usual morning walk around the neighborhood, a ritual that we had done a hundred times. We knew every step of the way. What could possibly go wrong?

Crazy Driver

As we approached the church, I heard a car revving its motor. Rrrrrrrrr.Rrrrrrrrrr.

Suddenly, a pickup truck barreled around the corner like a runaway freight train. We jumped back.

The driver stopped and yelled out the window, “Stay off the road, eh!” He must be Canadian.

I saw the hair on Blackie’s back rise up.

Blackie is a big and intimidating dog, but, on the inside she is a little tiny Chihuahua. She instinctively runs from danger, just like my wife instinctively runs when she sees a mouse.

I said to the driver, “Hey Speedy Gonzales? I have an idea. How about sharing the road with pedestrians, eh!”

The driver stared at Blackie. Blackie stared back. I tightened my grip on Blackie’s collar. Blackie appeared to be preparing to attack the driver, but I know she was actually planning to run away in the opposite direction.

Finally, the driver gave us the one finger salute and screeched away.

I looked at Blackie with appreciation. Even though she was no great guard dog, I felt safer when Blackie was with me.

Blackie and I continued our solitary trek with a little less spring in our step.

A few blocks later I saw someone walking two dogs. One was a big brown dog. The other was a short white dog with a long tail. My heart pounded with excitement.

Memories of Spot, My Childhood Pet

The white dog reminded me of Spot, the pet dog I had as a child. I have fond memories of Spot.

My parents did not like Spot in my room. Some nights I was terrified that somebody was hiding in my closet. I’d wake up my dad and say, “I heard something in my closet.”

Dad came in my room, opened the closet and looked around, a ritual he had done hundreds of times in the past.

“Nope. No one in there,” Dad said.

“But, I heard something.”

SLEEEEP!

“Go … to … sleep.” “S-L-E-E-E-P” my dad said in a deep hypnotist voice while slowly waving his fingers.

My dad left the room.

My father’s attempt to put me to sleep with a hypnotic trance failed miserably. I had no alternative but to secretly let Spot into my room and sleep on my bed. I felt safer when Spot was with me, like I did with Blackie.

Blackie Remembers Mom

As Blackie and I got close to our house, an elderly lady walking a little poodle approached us going the opposite way. As soon as Blackie spotted the lady, her tail started furiously wagging. The lady had white hair and walked very slowly. Blackie thought it was my mom.

Blackie still carries my mother in her heart. As long as Blackie lives on this earth, a part of my mother will still be alive.

At the very core of her being, Blackie knows that the most beautiful things in the world are only felt in the heart.

If you own a dog, I challenge you. Treat her like the noble and kindhearted creation she is.

You will never find a more faithful friend.

 

Upcoming Pesentations:

April 14, 2018. “Publish or Perish.” Pen to Podium Toastmasters. Hardesty Center, 1100 S. Alvernon. Tucson, AZ, 9:00 am.

June 5, 2018. “How Abraham Lincoln Used Stories to Touch Hearts, Minds and Funny Bones.” Arizona Society for Professional Hypnosis. Scottsdale Senior Community Center,1700 North Granite Reef Road, Meeting Room 7, Scottsdale, AZ, 6:30 pm.

October 20, 2018. How Abraham Lincoln Used Stories to Touch Hearts, Minds and Funny BonesPrescott Valley Public Library (7401 E. Civic Circle), 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Prescott, AZ.

 

NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Amazon Link

 

Related Links

Like Abe Lincoln, Be Prepared with a “Quip” or a Bit of Humor

Emulate Abraham Lincoln: Make Each Day Count

The “Secret” Daily Affirmations of Abraham Lincoln

Always greet everyone, no matter what they look like

Employ an Affable Lincolnesque Persona

Be a Generous Listener, as Abe Lincoln Was

Deflect Criticism with Self-deprecating Humor

Always Say “Yes”

Be a Master of Disaster – Ponder the big picture

 

 

Use warm memories to replace negative thoughts #LifeLesson 5

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

WALKING DOG AT NIGHT

 

The Journey Begins

It was 5:30 am.

I put the dog collar on Blackie, my 9-year-old Black Lab, and we began our usual morning walk around the neighborhood, only this time things went a little differently.

I had Blackie’s chain in one hand and my flashlight in the other as we side-stepped the puddles on the sidewalk. The full moon cast an eerie glow.

MOON

A Bad Driver Appears

Blackie and I were near the church when a big pickup truck barreled around the corner and almost hit us. We jumped out of the way, but the car splashed water on us.

The driver yelled out the window, “Stay off the road, x#@x!”

I shined the flashlight in his face and responded, “Hey Speedy Gonzales, keep driving like that and you’ll never have to worry about cholesterol.”

The driver flipped us off as he sped away.

You lookin’ at me?

Blackie and I continued our solitary trek, but not with the same spring in our step.

A few blocks later I saw someone walking two dogs. One was a big brown dog. The other was a short white dog with a long tail. My heart pounded with excitement.

Saving Jack

The white dog was Jack, who I had rescued from certain death in August 2014 when he tried to run across a busy street in the rain. I ran out in the street, picked him up and took him to my house. Jack was a houseguest for two weeks until I located the owner. I hadn’t seen him since.

Spot – My Childhood Friend

Jack reminded me of Spot, the small white terrier that was my pet as a child. My parents didn’t like Spot in my room, but some nights I was terrified that someone was hiding in my closet and I would secretly let Spot sleep on my bed. I felt safe when Spot was with me.


KILLER in closet

Now, the stress from the Speedy Gonzales incident was swept away by the warm feeling of seeing Jack again. Like the morning moon, that feeling lit my path throughout the day!

Lesson:

Use warm memories to replace negative thoughts.

Authors note:

These stories are my attempt to glean insights from the seemingly mundane incidents that occur in every day life. My plan is to capture these “eureka moments” and squeeze all the illumination and inspiration from them, before they can slip through my fingers.

Like the storytelling of Abraham Lincoln, I think one’s own personal stories can transform both the listener and the speaker.

———

Related Posts

Yard Sales, Heroic Cats and Zombies

Overcome obstacles and doubts by doing more than anyone expected

Give yourself permission to feel frustration, then relax and let it go #tmoy #storytelling

A feather is better than a hammer to win an argument #tmoy #storytelling

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A Light Heart Lives Long #EurekaMoments 6

Turn frustration into creative energy #LifeLesson 7

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Failures Can Be Transformed into Strength – #LifeLesson 11

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Think for Yourself: Never Ask a Barber if You Need a Haircut – LifeLesson #13

Virtue Is Its Own Reward

Upcoming Presentations

Nov. 13, 2015. “Once Upon A Time: Inspire and engage your audience with stories.” Present Like a Pro Conference. Desert Diamond Casino. Tucson, Arizona.

Nov. 24th, 2015. “Abraham Lincoln: Stories and Humor.” Cholla High School. Tucson, Arizona.

Dec. 15, 2015, 12:40 to 1:00 pm. “Abe Lincoln: The Greatest Storytelling President.” Old Pueblo Rotary Club. Hotel Tucson. Tucson, Arizona.

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Yard Sales, Heroic Cats and Zombies

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

There is more to yard sales that just selling objects that have no discernable value!

The most satisfying part of a yard sale is the joy of meeting our neighbors, or at least some of the neighbors. I could do without conversing with the neighborhood menace “cat lady/newspaper hoarder.” But that’s another whole article.

CRAZY CAT LADY

Saturday, my wife and I had a joint yard sale with our neighbor.

I had Blackie, my mellow-as-a-cello Black Lab, lying next to the table.

Blackie w toy (3)

Blackie w/hot dog toy

Great Neighbors

A lady (we later learned was named Berta) parked her Toyota Prius in front of the house and walked over toward our table. She had red hair, white shorts, and bright blue running shoes, like an American flag with legs.

She saw Blackie and said, “What a nice dog.”

Blackie lifted her enormous head and wagged her tail.

“You can pet her, if you like. She likes people, but they have to be alive. No zombies.”

Berta smiled, patted Blackie and said, “I love Labs. I had Mastiff-Lab mix. A giant sized body and personality. Great dog.

“What was his name?”

“Dexter.”

“This is Blackie.”

Heroic Cats

My neighbor said, “Ellen DeGeneres has a great link to heart-warming animal videos.”

 

“My favorite video is the one where the heroic cat saves the small boy from a vicious dog,” I said. “It sent chills down my back.”

 

Everyone agreed it was a great video and we discussed favorite animal videos.

Berta said, “Animals were put on earth to make us feel happy.”

60 is the New 40

The topic turned to the mixed blessings of growing older. Since we had all crossed the 60-year-old mileage marker, we shall soon be looking for bargains at that big yard sale in the sky, unless 60 IS the new 40 as I heard a Hollywood personality say. Of course, the person who said it had already flown past the 60 mark eons earlier and now appeared to be moving toward the finish line at a brisk clip.

Sally said, “We just have to take life one day at a time”

Berta said, “It’s important to enjoy every day as much as possible and not worry about what lies ahead.”

Berta just blended right into the conversation, like we’d all been friends forever. It made for a pleasant and memorable experience.

Yard sales can be magical events that transcend our original expectations, as long as disagreeable neighbors and zombies keep their distance.

Related Posts

Overcome doubts by doing more than anyone expected

Give yourself permission to feel frustration, then relax and let it go #tmoy #storytelling

A feather is better than a hammer to win an argument #tmoy #storytelling

Don’t let pride stand in the way a brighter future

Use warm memories to replace negative thoughts

A Light Heart Lives Long #EurekaMoments

Act Out Characters to Make a Story Sizzle (video)

You Only Live Twice – Life Provides Second Chances LL #9

Donald Trump vs. Abe Lincoln – #LifeLesson10

Is it better to remain silent, or to speak up and confirm you’re an idiot? LifeLesson #12

Upcoming Presentations

Dec. 15, 2015, 12:40 to 1:00 pm. “Abe Lincoln: The Greatest Storytelling President.” Old Pueblo Rotary Club. Hotel Tucson. Tucson, Arizona.