The year 2001 was a challenging one. I went through a necessary but painful end of a relationship, my brother's brain tumor was diagnosed as terminal and my veterinary clinic was very busy. I felt an increasing need to get back on track and balance my life. I decided to get a dog.
My goal was to give my new puppy a safe, secure and loving home. I wanted to make sure that he knew he had an ally in me and that I was his best friend.
During my first visit at the farm, I spent hours sitting on the ground surrounded by half a dozen red-and-white border collie puppies that looked more like little guinea pigs than dogs. I lay on the grass and let them crawl on my head, lick my nose and play with my ears and for the first time in several months, I felt peaceful and relaxed.
Weeks went by and I could not wait to see which one of the puppies would choose me. I imagine that if there is a dog heaven, dogs have a annual general meeting to choose the humans they will live with and the lessons they will teach them.
I was hoping for Pence, a lovely, bright, alert and playful female. She obviously had a different plan because she didn't want to have anything do with me, running away every time I tried to reach out.
Nickel was a very sweet puppy. He always traded a bone or a bowl of food for a pat , scratch or a play. He clearly said: "Take me, I am the one ."
His sister Pence's intention became clearer when she was adopted by a lovely couple Bob and Rook. They decided to rename her Peggy and I gave Nickel the name Skai.
Skai is a living proof that our dreams create our reality. He is exactly as I imagined. Since the fall of 2001 we have been seeing Peggy, Bob and Rook at least once a week for beach walks. Through the dogs, we became family
Living through the cold and rainy Vancouver winters, I often imagined the dogs running on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach, playing in the waves. One of my life passions is test the universal law of attraction and make my dreams reality. Never mind I didn't know how to get there, the books said, just dream and so I did: my partner and I and Bob and Rook purchased each half a house in Maui and we joke that one half is Peggy's and the other half is Skai's .
I still can't believe that it actually happened.
I wake up every day seeing Skai's head propped on a pillow. He loves pillows and sleeping in, however, he is always ready for a walk , car ride or another adventure.
Skai has been a great teacher in so many ways:
He approaches life with joy and excitement and lives in the moment.
The beam of his energy touches everyone in his path: he turns frowns into smiles and darkness into light.
He loves to run on the beach, enjoying his freedom and coming back every time.
He was trained by purely positive methods and still is one of the most obedient dogs I have met.
He is sensitive and in tune with others and shows empathy with animals and people in distress.
He loves his family and friends more than his food and toys his material possessions.
He smiles at the world and the world smiles back at him.
A few years ago, I made my own T-shirt that said: "The best part of my life started with getting my dog." Now years later I would like to add: "and he has been my favorite teacher."
Thank you my dear friend.