Friday, December 2, 2011

A loving heart.





Out early for our morning walk. The folds between the hills still wrapped in mist and shadow. As we turn off the ridge a huge low flying owl brushes my cheek with the tips of its wings. My heart misses a beat . Not a car to be seen, not a sound to be heard . Just a Scotsman talking away to what seems to be a small , very slow moving polar bear . Friday morning rush hour in deepest Tarn-et-Garonne .

The sun is up by the time we get home . Madame Bay has recovered from her bout of the flu and is already hoovering happily away to the sounds of Petula Clarks 'Downtown ' . Today our saintly housekeeper is dressed in hide cowboy boots, jeans , a white nylon jacket and a paisley patterned turban fastened at the front by a large piece of red costume jewellery . For some reason she is also wearing a pair of sunglasses . Some questions are best left unasked .

Two in the morning . Wilf wanders into the dressing room , crashing into a table as he arrives . I get up and lead him downstairs . He stands in the hallway by the open front door , a look on his face that says " Why in heavens name would I want to go outside ? Week by week the confusion becoming more pronounced. So what ? Even the bravest dog sometimes needs reassurance when the world suddenly turns dark . Time to sit and have a mano a mano . A quick tickle under the chin , a few words of praise and he's soon sound asleep again. That old PON certainty - a loving heart is the truest wisdom.

25 comments:

  1. Oh lovie, you look so sweet with your teddy. Sorry about the mid winter wake ups, you sound like my dad.

    Smooches to you Wilfie.

    Julie and Poppy Q
    xxx

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  2. You and the font alos possess loving hearts...

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  3. ditto to what rottover said.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra, Bella & Roxy

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  4. What a lovely post and lovely pictures.
    Poor Wilf, I know how he feels. It's so confusing when you get to the top of the stairs and have no idea whether you're on the way up or on the way down, let alone what you came for !!

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  5. So true - mano a mano - he looks so adorable with his sheep toy - love him - hugs from Southern Italy Susanne, Daisy and Foxiie

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  6. What a loving and understanding relationship the two of you have, Angus. Give a special hug to Wilfey from me.
    With love,
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  7. Hello! I read your blog every day. Having a PON with an eye illness, also going blind, and another one with a heart condition, I feel I can somehow understand your experiences. Every day is apprectiated so much. :-)

    Wishing you a good December, I want to share with you the link to my PON Christmas Calendar:

    http://www.advientos.com/destinatarios-publico.php?codigo=5804-8935

    Best wishes!
    Majka & Borgakers PONs in Finland

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  8. In his last years, my dad became confused at night. Once, after making a wrong turn, he was found by my mother urinating in her dressing room. She did not handle the situation with loving reassurance.
    No dignity lost, precious love. There is a saying that old age is not for sissies. You remain our brave, courageous PON. Our special love.

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  9. Sweet Wilf - we love him so. Your description of Madame Bay reminded me...it's time to pull out my tackiest Christmas costume jewelry. Hurray for the holidays!

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  10. Wilf -- and you and the font -- teach us about what it means to have a loving heart every time we open your blog.

    I hope the low-flying owl didn't have breakfast on his mind!

    Joan

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  11. I tell my patients' families, no matter how little one may respond, their loved one knows their presence; LOVE cuts through everything - confusion, trauma, dying....Wilf is blessed with the love in his home - and so are we, Angus, because you choose to share with us.

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  12. To have one's cheek brushed by the wings of an owl. Surely the sweetest good omen.

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  13. i could not add a single thing that the other commenter friends have said...
    you will be blessed for your loving patience by happy memories and no guilt.
    bless you now angus, for being you and sharing him and your life with all of us!
    i love that wee bear that soldiers on, showing us all what loving life is truly about.
    huge hugs to all three in the france profonde,
    love,
    tammy j

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  14. As long as he has his guides with him, Wilf will be safe and sound! He always knows he's safe and loved! Keep on going Wilf!!! Love the soft toy!

    With love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

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  15. Lovely photos of the boy with his toy ! Many thanks for sharing your beautiful words, Angus.
    Bonne soirée à vous trois. Bisous to my beloved Wilfee.

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  16. Dear Wilf, so lucky to have such a patient and reassuring protector.

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  17. An owl encounter. Very exciting!! Wilf is so loved and so lucky to have such a patient, caring home when he especially needs it.

    Cleaned by the never boring Madame Bay...

    Love the last picture of Wilf.

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  18. There is little left to say. All the above comments are right and true. Finney the old Sussex and Skye the deaf bull terrier send their love to Wilfie, and you. Thanks you for the softest touch of soothing beauty every day.

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  19. I'm sorry that Wilf gets confused... but I'm so glad that he has you and the font to guide him. Your posts are so filled with love and good humor.

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  20. Thanks,another beautiful post. It brings home what's really important in life.

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  21. There is nothing but love coming from this blog. Hugs for Wilf.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle, Maggie Mae and Max

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  22. That's really all there is to say! The heart knows with a certainty that the brain can't comprehend.

    Have you ever been tempted to see what's under that turban of hers? I'd probably have been in trouble long ago!

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  23. Your encounter with the owl was positively AMAZING! And I am in complete agreement with Pamela Terry! Stay strong, sweet Wilf. So many of us out here pulling for your continued survival. Not a one of us willing to abandon the journey. Love and prayers continue always.

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  24. Dear sweet Wilfie, you make me love my springer spaniel even more. We follow your journey and are grateful for Angus' loving words.

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