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Winnie's Diary

Remembering

The heart always knows the seasons. I've been cranky, and today am teary, emotional.

Check the calendar. A year since I lost my wonderful WinWin.

We still miss you, baby.

I've been looking for another German Shepherd for Owain & the kitties & I, but so far, haven't found anyone.

There's some big, loving booties to fill.

WinWin, thanks for everything. You were a true champion of my heart and home.

A note from WinWin's Mom

We miss WinWin more than we can say. Owain is lonely for her.

WinWin's ashes, in a beautiful box in a velvet bag, sit on the floor next to my feet here at the computer.

I know she is with us always.

Owain and I are returning to the campaign trail.

Love,
WinWin's Mom, Owain Glendower, and her kitties

From WinWin's Mom: Heartfelt Thoughts and Thanks

As I write this, I have tears in my eyes. Yes, the tears of loss, but also, the tears of gain and the sharing of love among caring hearts that beat in both two-legged and four-legged bodies.

I truly don't know how to say "thank you" for the love, the notes, the bones, the gifts, the sharing of your stories, the reaching out. Bless you all.

Looking at all the bright, beautiful colors and designs on WinWin's page with those gifts, the notes, and feeling the physically invisible but very very palpable love that we "dog people" share, I suddenly realized: love is the greatest commodity of all.

They say that you can make a fortune in the commodities market. You can trade soybeans, oil, gas, wheat, corn, hog bellies, feeder cattle--and lots more.

You can trade in the now. You can trade in "futures." You can trade positively, or betting negatively that prices will go down.

You can trade in tin, nickel, or gold and silver. You can sit right at your computer or use your phone and move huge amounts of funds and commodities in markets without ever seeing or touching them.

The commodities market, it's big. Very big.

But I looked, and in a long long list, I didn't see this: love. True, loyal, dedicated, devoted, tail-waggin' happy love, the kind WinWin and all our doggies (and kitties, never mind the tail-waggin'!) bring to us.

I saw various versions of oil to be traded, but not versions of love. You know, that love for your furry friend that makes the sound of a cherished "woof" (or purr) the most wonderful sound in the world. The love that brings a smile to your face, joy to your heart, brightens up your day with the fun of tossing a toy or working together, that warmth of sharing hugs and kisses, and oh yes, the deepest love that is the commitment to care well for these wonderful creatures who are, on the whole, much better souls than many of the supposedly "advanced" species of humankind.

The commodities trading list also didn't have a category for another kind of love- love that prompts total strangers to reach out in caring, to say "I know of your loss, I've been there, you did well for your loved one, we are here" in this unbreakable bond of shared hearts.

Silly traders. All those millions and billions and gazillions of things and monies of all kinds and they missed the most essential commodity of all: love, sweet love.

Not only that, but it's free! No trader's start-up fees, no transations costs, no taxes! It's just free! You just send it on; and when you're in need, as I am, suddenly there's the sound of bells jingling (remember "It's a Wonderful Life?") and the love comes across the wires, through the air, from spirit to spirit, to and from the Rainbow Bridge, and from heart to heart.

And we realize: we're rich. We're rich for having our babies with us; we're rich for remembering them when they're gone, we're rich for having each other, a caring community.

Love: the commodity that powers life itself. Take some, pass it on. I know I will be passing it on, because this commodity grows when it's shared.

I wish there were some tangible way to say "thank you" (want to come over to my house for a picnic?) to each of you for the gifts of love you've given to WinWin, Owain Glendower, the kitties and I. I feel as though we've gained the knowledge of new friends that we hadn't yet met.

Hug your baby, and whisper: this is for WinWin. And when I hug Owain and the kitties, I'll whisper the same, and also "this is for all those friends out there who are experts in love's commodity market; millionaires all."

Bless you all.