Wednesday 8 January 2014

Dog Days


I love calendars. There are always more than one in our house.
I have one by the computer, which serves to remind me when market and other associated fees are due, and supplies need to be bought, seeing as I pay online.

One in my studio, always art related, where I make little notes on what I create, what I need to prepare for, and which days I will be either bisque or glaze firing.

And, one main calendar in the kitchen, on the pantry door. This is the household day keeper. Where birthdays, appointments, events and general reminders are written.

Ever since Jack came into our lives, we've had a "Blue Heelers" version every year - it's now a tradition. Any other calendar just wouldn't be right somehow :)




I try to avoid the big shopping centres before Christmas (shudder), and after the New Year sales craze has died down, I'll venture in and find the sole remaining calendar vendor, usually near the food court.
By then, the calendars are up to 50% off. And there are always plenty of dog/cat/animals still available.
The calendars we buy usually have short quotes at the bottom of the month - lovely odes from man to dog.

This year, I thought it might be nice to include them here on my blog.

When I turn the page on the first of each month, I'd like to post the quote as well.
I'm sorry to be so dog-centric, and perhaps it might be nice if I also found some quotes to add in from time to time, on beautiful cats and other dear animals. Goats too, I love goats. But not too sure how many quotes there are on goats. I should look that up... goat quotes :D

And so, here is January's quote:

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
~Anatole France

This one speaks for all animals, not just dogs. And I so agree, don't you?








25 comments:

  1. I love, love, love that quote, it's so true! I shouldn't be this way, but I'm always a little distrustful of people who don't like animals, now I know why...part of their soul is missing!

    I love calendars, too, and have one on my desk, one in my studio and one in the kitchen. And yet, I still have trouble keeping track of what day it is. Ah, well...

    Blessings,

    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to say Victoria, I'm the same. I too don't trust people who don't like animals.
      When I first met (my now) husband, my words really were, "love me, love my dog/s or it's goodbye".
      We've since raised a wonderful farmyard full of beautiful fur kids through the years :)

      Delete
  2. We too are an 'over-calendared' household. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
    And a home without at least one resident animal is not a home. Or not in my book anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. A house without the presence of (at least) one animal seems very empty to me, and not quite a home.
      I've always liked to live in a rambling farmhouse with at least four or five dogs at my side throughout the days - I came very close for a time, with three big dogs. Bliss :)

      Delete
  3. I've owned (and loved!) both cats and dogs - but when we moved to a small farm a few years ago, we didn't want to lose the native birds and animals already present so now don't have either. It's a coincidence - but this also fits in with being on the road for a few months each year :) Happy New Year, my friend! I look forward to your calendar quotes (Xmas is a FAIL unless we each receive at least one calendar!!) as the year progresses!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Red! I know what you mean, travelling with a pet can seriously restrict the places to visit, as there are so many national parks to venture into for sure.
      And, YOU dear Red, have some AMAZING calendars to choose from! Perhaps I just might buy another - there's always room for one more calendar! :D

      Delete
    2. Thanx Vicki!! It's always a pleasure to read your comments! And thank you for your interest in my calendars - the Original Aussie Loo one is only available through CafePress - please also note that you should be able to select the start month if you want it for a birthday or special occasion! And you're right ... there's ALWAYS room for one more!!

      Delete
    3. Done! I soon will have one of your calendars, Red!
      I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the most scenic places "to go" to :D

      Delete
  4. I just realized that I don't have one single calender in the house! If I need to know the date of something in the future, I look it up online.
    My calender at work is the work schedule. :)
    I have painted a series of paintings and illustrations including quotes and sayings.Whenever I find a good one, I immediately start visualizing what I could paint. I do love that one because how can your soul be complete with the love of an animal? I would be lost without my fur-kids and that's why my home is filled with my gang of rescues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cynthia. I find I don't have the use for a watch - haven't worn one in years. If I need to know the time, I can check the computer or look to the clock.
      I don't wear a watch, yet I make, and sell, many clocks! :)
      I love it when art is inspired by quotes. Words can touch the soul, fuel our imagination and urge us to create. It's a wonderful feeling.
      Will pop over to your blog now to see your gang! :)

      Delete
  5. I don't think I ever loved any pet as much as I loved Mad Max the first, a German Shepherd/ Border Collie cross and later Mad Max the second, a black and gold German Shepherd. I still miss them. Hopefully a kitten later this year will help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you River.
      My first dear German Shepherd was called Max too. I was also a Mad Max fan, and when he used to do laps around the yard with a wild expression, he was often called Mad Max and "maddy".
      No matter how many years go by, our pets are still missed. We never really "replace" our love for our pets. We honour their memory, and make room in our heart for another, when the time is right.

      Delete
    2. I'm glad that they are irreplaceable. It seems only right.

      Delete
  6. LOVE the calendar, Vicki! Some calendars can be pricy, so 50% off is always a good deal. Of course, calendars for good causes, etc. that's something else--so full price feels good. We have sevearl calendars around here too. I still like me a paper calendar to write things on. A great thing has been a calendar set aside just for my creative lift and planning all with that. The A. France quote is sooo true. :o) Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tracy. Calendars are such a great way to keep on top of busy schedules - especially in the studio.
      Have a lovely, inspirational weekend!
      xx

      Delete
  7. I love calendars, too. One year I did a wall of 12 calendars as I get all sorts and some are beautiful works of art. I am inspired by you to post my calendar each month for you! Mine do not have quotes so I will depend on yours! And I do agree with you about all Earth's creatures...it is humbling to have a dog or cat or goldfish around or even a cricket to care for.....it makes for the best connection to this wonder call life......Great post, Vicki.....Have a wonderful weekend......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Twelve calendars would be something to see, it must've been like a wall of art in itself!
      There are some beautiful calendars out there Charlene - mini works of art. Some, I have kept for the images, as they are too lovely to discard at the end of the year.
      I agree, it is humbling to have an animal by your side and in your life, no matter how big or small, their presence is good for the soul :)
      Have a fantastic weekend too!

      Delete
  8. you can be as dogcentric as you like... you know i'm right there with you. and that quote is wonderful and true.
    what a lovely idea.
    and all dedicated to the beloved blue boy with the smiling face. give him a hug for me. i well with tears for some reason! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I knew you'd be on board Tam.
      And, Jack always enjoys his hugs, you know :)
      xx

      Delete
  9. Oh! I missed this post! We were away in Bendigo for the night last Wednesday.

    I absolutely agree with that quote. In fact, I was just lying in bed, trying to go to sleep after watching an epic game of tennis on the TV, and it's still 97 degrees celcius after this stinking week, and I couldn't sleep, and then I got to thinking of my doggy, and then I had a bit of a cry. But really, it's okay. I was thinking - I want him back, but I don't want him to have to be getting around in that worn-out old body. And then I thought I still have him. Which is Hallmark, and there doesn't seem to be a way of saying it that doesn't sound schmaltz and gooberly, but it's true.

    I too am quite happy with docentricity.

    Are you enjoying your non-firing-26-hours-a-dayness? I hope so :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's perfectly OK and so normal to have Hallmark moments like this Sue. When we love our animals so much and develop such bonds, our lives are filled with Hallmark - nothing schmaltzy about it. These soul connections are deep and true.
      Lester came to you for a reason, and you forged an alliance that will never be broken.
      I believe he will return to you in one way, on one day. And, you'll know it ♥

      I'm trying to deal with this wretched heatwave - in vain. I have clay work to do in preparation for Feb 1st market at Red Hill. Ugh. My studio is on the north side, and is like a hot house. I have rivulets of sweat running down me all day. And, I'm awfully grumpy :(

      Delete
    2. Oh, poor you. Your very own sauna studio. I'm not surprised you're feeling grumpy.

      Tomorrow will be so much more of a pleasant experience for you :)

      Delete
    3. Well, I'm now ashamed of my grumpiness, and have just posted about it :)

      Delete
  10. I just popped in from River's blog via a comment you made.

    I absolutely love that quote. Our little dog (a white toy poodle) died a couple of years ago, aged 18 and I've never been so bereft in my life. Having experienced the joy of having a dog, I could not imagine life without one, so of course I got another little companion. I love the way she is always so happy to se me (if only the husband could be half as excited when I arrive home! Ha, ha!) and how she seems to know just how I feel. She knows when I need a cuddle and she is just always there.

    And would you believe that I didn’t really care for dogs when I first came here? I’d always had cats in Adelaide and I rather liked their “cattitude” – there was no doubt that they liked you as the bearer of food. And if that food didn’t meet their standards, then they would just as happily move to the house next door where the pickings were better. Dogs always seemed to me to be dependant, slavishly devoted to their owners and “needy” in a way that I thought would be suffocating. I told my guy before I moved to Sweden that I wasn’t really a dog person. And I particularly disliked little, fluffy dogs. I just couldn’t see the point of them and so many of them seemed yappy, nippy and neurotic. I now know of course, that the owners must project that on to the dogs, because Lambi was gentle and loving. She never bit anyone and she didn’t yap. She was always delighted to see us and danced around with joy. As does our new dog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for sharing about your dear little poodle Lambi. And, I truly understand the heartbreak over her loss.

      Dogs do find a way into a part of our hearts and souls that awakens a deep connection and affection that seems almost other-worldly to me. I can't imagine my life without a canine companion.
      And, even though I know the heartache that consumes us when they leave, I would rather spend those years of joy, than not have them at all.
      My husband always shakes his head when he finds Jack and I deep in "doggy conversation".
      And, yes, I've often told him how nice it would be if he were as excited as Jack is to see me :D

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Marie.


      Delete

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. I would love to read your comments and will reply as soon as I can :)