The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt with the heart. — Helen Keller
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A few months ago, I wrote how dogs enrich our lives. I shared lessons learned from Gracie, who filled our hearts with joy for more than 13 years.
If you have a pet, you understand their special place in your life.
Not only am I grateful for the experiences I’ve shared with my pets over the past 40 years, but each one has taught me different lessons about life, love, relationships, and the power of resilience.
Gracie taught many. She reminded me daily to:
Greet others with a smile (or tail wag). It spreads happiness.
Stop and smell the flowers. It promotes mindfulness and gratitude.
Surround yourself with the ones you love. It makes for a happy life.
As I remember Gracie’s Gifts, I’m mindful that I’m already learning new lessons from the exuberant puppy that wiggled his way into my heart.
Animals have a way of teaching us something about ourselves that we may not learn otherwise.
Today, I’m sharing a new lesson from Remy’s Realm.
But before I do, I’m asking if you would share one lesson you’ve learned from an animal in the comments below. 👇
Remy’s Realm
Like a special gift, Remy was delivered to us from his home some five hours away.
When my son and I decided to adopt another dog, our hearts were still heavy from the loss of Gracie, but we knew we had room to love another dog, and no time would erase the hurt of losing Gracie.
So May 25 became Gotcha Day for Remy. It was a cool, bright sunny day in Southern New England. I was looking for property for a new client, but I closely followed Remy’s journey through text messages. Traffic was heavy leading up to Memorial Day weekend, and it was late afternoon before my phone pinged and a message appeared, “I’m here.”
I met the young man, a family friend of the breeder, in my driveway just as he exited the back seat with a little bundle of fur. He handed Remy to me like a fragile gift.
I instinctively snuggled him on my chest, as I did many years earlier with Gracie and when my son was handed to me nearly eighteen years ago.
Without missing a beat, Remy gave me a kiss and nuzzled his tiny head under my chin as if he knew he was home. When my son saw the little bundle, his eyes brightened, and a huge smile spread across his face, the one that had been missing since losing Gracie.
In those first moments, Remy lifted the heaviness we’d felt and reminded us that our hearts can heal.
Did I feel guilty for welcoming another dog so soon? Yes, but I knew Gracie would never be replaced or forgotten. She had done her job beautifully, and she would watch over this new puppy to ensure he filled her small, irreplaceable shoes.
What did Remy teach us that first day?
The First Lesson From Remy’s Realm:
You can feel great loss and great joy at the same time.
You can welcome new friends, even when you’re missing old ones.
Your heart can ache and smile at the same time.
Why Soulful Sunday?
I started The Power of Change to celebrate resilience and explore the potential to transform your life in meaningful ways.
Learning to be mindful is the first step. It helps you focus on what’s important every day.
On hard days, each of our dogs over the last ten years got me out of the house. Going to the beach or walking around the block always a great way to clear my mine. Rediscover joy found in clouds, trees, flowers, ladybugs & more. Beautiful write up Tracy 🐾✍️🐾