When our entry beds were sketched and planted, it took imagination to see what they would become.
But in that dirt were the seeds of this towering symphony of purple, white, and silver.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoin de St Exupery, The Little Prince
Victor came to us in the fall of 2014 from an area shelter. Surrendered at the age of 10, he was a hot mess of chronic ear infections and flea allergy dermatitis. He had literally scratched and rubbed his coat away from the constant itching.
Most people would have a hard time seeing past his scabs to his sweet personality and the potential he had inside. Barbara, however, sees with her heart and not her eyes. She took Victor home knowing his challenges. Add to the list, Vestibular Disease, which struck about a month later. The disease causes sudden loss of balance and disorientation that might be mistaken for stroke. While symptoms often resolve in a couple of weeks, it can result in permanent head wobbling or tilt. Welcome to Victor’s 45-degree world!
When he came for a visit yesterday, I did not even recognize this furry, fluffy boy. Only the angle of his gaze would give it away.
A garden teaches us to see potential beyond what is visible to the eye. With imagination, work, and love, its shape takes form and its true personality comes to life.
“At the heart of gardening there is a belief in the miraculous.” ~ Mirabel Osler
Victor’s miracle was as simple as one woman with a heart that sees.
Gardens For Goldens 
Victor’s face is pure joy — another wonderful story from the Gardens for Goldens!
He’s so happy! What a wonderful match.
He is beautiful and your two humans are beautiful beyond compare.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him. What a wonderful job Barb has done with him!
Victor is a lucky boy! And handsome too! The gardens are beautiful!
Yes, he is! And thank you. 🙂
I loved this post – thanks!
Thank you!
I wish more people saw with their hearts. What a sweet story.
🙂
Wonderful story. Lucky, beautiful boy!
Indeed he is!
Goosebumps, you gave me goosebumps ‘again.’ 🙂 I’m raising my coffee cup to Victor and Barbara. By the way – where did you get that bone garden art work? I love it.
The wood bones are plaques, cut to shape and “engraved” with a wood burning tool. They have messages for dogs that have passed, or just about dogs in general. And they are all sitting in a pile at my home because every couple of years they have to be sanded, re-burned, and re-varnished. Touching…but work! 🙂
What beauty! Miracles worked by love everywhere, and you always capture this with your photography!
Thank you, Kitty!
What an awesome transformation!
Amazing what a little love will do!
What a wonderful story all around. I am a big believer in the garden as a place of transformation and to see it also in Victor’s sweet face is also just lovely. A little love and patience really does work miracles. So special!
Barbara has done such a wonderful job with him. And I love the look on her face as well. Pure joy.
They are all beautiful. He looks so happy!
Monty and Harlow
So sweet. Thanks for taking good care of him, and for never giving up.