Gardening requires a leap of faith. You prepare the soil, plant the seed, tuber or bulb, protect and wait. There are no guarantees about weather, water or rabbits for that matter. Loss is inevitable; an accepted exchange for the joy and beauty we are blessed with.
“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.”
~ Walt Whitman
The Sunflowers and Dahlias are late and smaller this year;
the Campanula did not even show; the Salvia and Rudbeckia, on the other hand, are prolific.
There’s no point in worrying about what might be – we just enjoy what is.
I met a woman in the garden on Saturday. She was visiting with Ned and contemplating adoption.
Clearly in love, she saw huggable in pudgy; enthusiasm in wilfulness.
But she worried a little about his age of eight. We hear this a lot. People think they need a young dog despite bonding with an older dog because they believe a youngster comes with a guarantee of time.
Just like the garden – there are no guarantees.
Loving an older dog requires a certain leap of faith, I guess. But there is no promise that we have longer with a young one. Life happens. Fourteen years; four years. We don’t know. What we know is that the connection is right when we look in a dog’s eyes and understand what is in their heart.
“Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering”
~ Ida Scott Taylor
We work to make each season of the garden beautiful and memorable – no matter what mother nature hands us.
The woman was told that we opened at noon on Sunday if she wanted to return. She was there by nine. By noon, she and Ned were gone together.
“Forever is composed of nows.” ~ Emily Dickinson
Gardens For Goldens 
I love these words, I really love them.
Thanks for sharing that trail of wisdom! 🙂
~Andrea
I love that this woman followed her heart. Ned was obviously in love too. It made my weekend. 🙂
Live happily ever after, Ned.
I suspect he is being a lap dog right now!
I love a “tail” with a happy ending!
Me too! 🙂
Oh Ogee, you made me cry! What a beautiful post. The most important message for each of us I think. Thank you for reminding me.
These pups have so much to give. It’s so wonderful when someone recognizes it.
I love happy endings!
🙂
“There’s no point in worrying about what might be – we just enjoy what is.” That is a beautiful sentence. It’s a lesson that dogs inherently know, but one with which our humans often struggle. I am so happy that handsome Ned’s lucky new human will have the opportunity to enjoy what is with him.
Maybe that is why they are so quick to forgive and so filled with unconditional love. 🙂
This post just change my perspective on the whole day! I wholeheartedly, with all that am, believe that old dogs are the very best this world has to show us. And when someone opens their heart and mind to the possibility of loving one, watch out! Life is about to really share with you in abundance how awesome it can be! Go show her Ned!!!
Well said! Thank you. 🙂
Yay Ned! Grady says old is just senior gold!
Wonderful ending for Ned — and the woman will discover, for her, as well.
Undoubtedly! Good to hear from you, Kat!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I adopted Miss Heather when she was nearly seven years old. Really and truly, I am appreciative of every moment I get with her and I know if doesn’t matter if I had gotten her younger, I love her as if she’s been with me since she was a puppy. Much love, the Scottie Mom.
It would be very hard not to love Miss Heather! Such a cutey pie. 🙂
Thank you for this post! I find myself worrying about how much more time I will have with my Oscar. We’re coming up on his 2nd Gotcha Day next week and I’m so thankful we’ve had two years together so far. I can only hope we have many more years to come, but even if we don’t, I will always cherish every day that I’ve had with him. He was at least 7 when I adopted him and I’ll never regret adopting an older dog. I couldn’t possibly love him more! And congrats to handsome Mr. Ned for finding his furever home! The garden looks beautiful, especially the pictures that include dogs 🙂
They say the older ones actually exhibit gratitude…and I believe it. Lucky Oscar!
This was such an incredible post – yeah Ned!!! Love your gardens – such a joyful place to be, you can see how content and happy the dogs are.
Thank you, Mary! They are happy dogs…but we’re happier still when they go home. Good to hear from you! 🙂
OOooh another inspiring blog! The flowers grew very beautiful and healthy! And I would love to share this fun video, I hope you don’t mind me posting it here, but when I watched it, I can’t help not to think of your blog! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=181113552044437
What a beautiful post – with a happy ending – oops I should say – beginning – for Ned and his new family.
Aw you brought a tear to my eye, Im so happy he has a new home and glad she chose him and not a younger dog, how right you are. Mine is 10 and time is getting shorter with more and more health problems, we treasure every second. Your words are so perfect thank you. x
My own sugar-face girl is staring at me right now. We wouldn’t trade a moment, would we?