Celebrate!

Warning! Intensive photo post ahead :)

Ten years and ten months ago, this chubby little silver grey bundle bounded into my life... and, I was besotted.

From the very moment I held him, we were inseparable and, he became a much loved member of our family.

Always the centre of attention, he has charmed with his cheeky character, his antics, his intelligence, his utter gentleness, his amazing guardsmandog ship, his unflinching loyalty and his unconditional love.

You're invited to share in the celebration of Jack's eleventh birthday and get to know him a little better.


Here he is, throughout the years.

grrr, you're not so big, you ball you!

I is tired - clothes out, me in

is everybody watching me?

I love yoga - especially the upside downward dog pose

I'm a great singer!

 huh? I'm not hiding anything - I dunno where that box got to!

c'mon in, the water's fine!

 are these mushrooms magic, mum?

 look, I really need a biscuit, I'm starvin' down here!

I collect kindling, one stick at a time

 

my partner in crime...Sunny

I'm a lounge lizard, er, dog 

ahh... cuddle time on the couch with mum and Sunny

Though sweet and absolutely gentle,

I'm real gentle, aren't I mum?

he takes his guard duty seriously.

 halt! who goes there? 

And, his patience is something to behold...

Christmas 2011

can I open it now? can I, can I, can I?

joy!

all right, I'll wear it - 5 minutes, tops!

aww, my ball popped mum!

Many miles we've travelled together - thousands, across the land.

from country bumpkin

to city slicker

 I'm Aussie through and through

We’ve been through many experiences together and hopefully, many more.

Ever by my side. My little shadow.
We’ve forged a bond, he and I.

 buddies 

He’s slowing down now. His walks are ambles and stops are more frequent. 

He spends longer reading the ‘wee-mails’ left by other dogs - processing their news and data, lost in contemplation.

His bursts of energy - or, 'wig out sessions' - are much fewer and farther between naps. 

His right eye sees less than it used to. I take care to approach that side carefully so as not to startle him.

The sparkle hasn't left it though. That knowing is still there, deep down and way back – he doesn’t need good sight for that. When he looks at me, there is a connection that transcends the first level of this sense.

But, the squeak of a toy will rally the puppy in him and the call to play begins! Though, not for too long now, as he tires quickly. 

And, the promise of a biscuit guarantees a smile and a bark of excitement!

Car trips are always considered with him in mind. He loves a journey – big or small. Every outing is an adventure!

We’ve been considering a ramp that we can place in the car for his entry and exits – he waits so patiently for his pick ups and place downs. The result of a long ago injury is beginning to be a constant in his life. He's not to jump in or out of the car - too much potential for damage. At least he loves his vet, Prue - who adores him in return, when he visits for his arthritis shots.

These days with Jack are especially precious. His clan is everything to him. And... the feeling is mutual.
He is such a huge part of our lives and an important presence in our home and, in our hearts. 

And so today, his special day, started with his usual sleep-in on our bed – he climbs on when hubby gets up :)

Then, the big present-ation...

 how embarrassing, but, I'll do wear whatever it takes

A few clicks of the camera and then... it's a free for all!

 yay, new toys! 

Some quiet time while I clean up. 

Followed by a walk down Poet's Lane - a lovely name for a lovely walk.

And, on to the George Tindale Gardens for some sensory overload. 

All in all... 

 ...it was a good day!

Happy birthday wee blue boy - my shadow.  Big kisses on your Bentley Mark. Love you xxx

♥

The Forests in My Mind

Forests. I seem to find myself living in or very near them. And during the periods in my adult life that I didn't, I would visit one. Often.

During the time that my husband and I built and lived in a modern housing - tract - estate, I felt that something was missing.  I needed the restorative effects of a forest to feed the inner me. To balance the visual effects of row upon row of black roofed "show homes", with healthy doses of uninhabited (by man) wilderness.
Somehow, I needed the security that a forest gave me.

Why is this I wonder? Does a forest cocoon oneself? Does it call back to the very primal self lying deep within, forgotten and clothed by centuries of civilisation?

Is a forest a real and metaphorical place to lose oneself?

When I was young, I would bury my nose in my big book of fairy tales. I lost myself in the illustrations - especially those of the forests. To me, they weren't dark, spooky, foreboding places of dread.  They were places of refuge.

As a wee child, I felt exposed and vulnerable. Life was violent and lonely. I longed to find a real forest. To disappear into. To hide.
For a child in suburbia, that was not possible. But, I could do it in my mind.

I created a forest where I could dwell safely, hidden from fear and danger. This was my place of retreat when I had no other escape.

Life often comes full circle. And wishes can come true.

Today, I walk through the undergrowth of the forest. Taking care where I tread. Microcosms of life abound here.
Minute communities go about their lives unseen, unheard. Those who take time to pause and see, really see, will be rewarded with glimpses into the essential roles being played in the ecosystem.

Hidden

Creatures of the bush hide. Avoiding detection. Waiting. Many are nocturnal and in the evening, if I'm quiet and still, I'll catch a glimpse of a forest dweller. Comfortable under the cloak of darkness. Feeling safe among the silent sentinels of the forest.

I know how they feel.

Home

I left home at a young age, travelling and living a truly transient lifestyle and bunking at the grace of others. Never giving a thought to the future or putting down roots, all my possessions in a backpack.  "Home" was where I hung my pack. I was good at adapting to my environment and was content with that. For a time.

Years later, I met a gentle giant. A 6'2" rugby player - a kindred spirit - who was to become my husband. My thoughts slowly turned to throwing down my anchor. The yearning inside to create a sanctuary for the both of us was too keen to ignore.

A small 100 year old wooden cottage, set on just over an acre carved out of natural thick bushland and bordered by a creek, became our haven. Our sanctuary. Our Secret Hollow.

From ephemeral gypsy to bohemian 'home' maker.

During the sixteen years we lived there, we loved, fought, adopted and cared for animals of all kinds - domestic and wild, renovated, created beautiful gardens and most important, raised our wonderful son.
We weren't rich, not in financial terms, but we were happy.

I have the very best memories of that magical little place. It had an enchantment about it. A certain "something" - a Genius Loci.
For the first time in my life, I really felt connected enough to truly honour the title of home. For, I felt I was at home in my heart and soul as well as my physical being.
Time went by in a blissful haze.

Employment opportunities for my husband deemed it necessary for us to move on and the following years have seen us imbue life, love and good vibes into various dwellings - rented and owned.
Lack of connection and security in my childhood years combined with the knowledge of what can truly make a house a home, motivate me to create a sanctuary for my family wherever we go and for however long we are there.

One day at work a few years ago, I was asked by a co-worker, "if you could be anywhere else in the world but here, where would you be?"  Without hesitation, I replied,

"home, in a heartbeat".