Tag: pets

creativity

Wonder: The greatest lesson of life

Christa Avampato

One of the greatest blessings of being Phineas’s mom is that he makes me remember that every moment counts. There isn’t a single walk, snuggle, or smile that I take for granted with him. Yesterday when I had to take him to the ER for his back again, I was reminded, painfully so, that we have only so much time and that every day is a gift that we are never promised. Each day deserves the best we can give. There isn’t any time to waste. While I wish that realization wasn’t so heavy, maybe it needs to be. Maybe that truth is so significant that we need to feel the weight of it to really understand it.

For the next few days I’ll be home for most of the time monitoring Phineas to make sure his medication and rest is working. I’ll be writing, doing yoga, and meditating on just how lucky I am to care for a being that has taught me the most important lesson of life with absolute certainty—that we must do as much good as we can wherever we are with whatever we’ve got, and be grateful for the opportunity to do so.

creativity

Wonder: Blessing of the Animals at Washington National Cathedral

Christa Avampato

“Ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.” ~Job 12:7—10

Phineas and I went to the Blessing of the Animals at Washington National Cathedral on Sunday. It’s been on my list to visit (the Gothic architecture reminds me of Hogwarts) and this ceremony seemed like the perfect opportunity. With Phin’s penchant for chicken bones, he needs all the blessings he can get! At the end of the ceremony, two of the Reverends bent down to bless Phineas because they both love dachshunds. He wasn’t a big fan of the holy water (to be fair he’s not a fan of any water be it from the sky or in the bathtub!) but he appreciated the blessing. “Phineas, may your life with your human family be long and the treats be many. And may your life be an expression of pure joy and love.” Amen to that!

creativity

Wonder: Happy 7th birthday to my pup Phineas

Christa Avampato

Happy 7th birthday to this sweet little monkey. Phineas is my dog who is 16 pounds of love and loyalty. I’m so lucky he adopted me! I’m going to make sure he enjoys his day.

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creativity

Wonder: Zoe

Christa Avampato
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Zoe. “Life”

On Monday morning, Phineas and I are driving out to Virginia to meet Zoe, a beautiful 3-year-old chiweenie (half chihuahua / half dachshund) whom we hope to adopt. Zoe’s mom recently went into hospice care and passed away. One of her final wishes was for Dogs Deserve Better, an incredible dog rescue organization in Northern Virginia, to find Zoe a loving forever home.

Zoe means “life” in Greek. If she and Phin are a match, I promise her (and her mom, foster mom, and Dogs Deserve Better) that Zoe will have the happiest, healthiest, and most joyful life. She will be considered a gift that will be honored and respected and loved, as all lives should be, for all of her days.

creativity

Wonder: Crowdsourcing the adoption of a new dog

Christa Avampato

Gabbi, a sweet rescue pup, wasn’t a match for Phin and I. She’s still very much a puppy and chews everything in sight. Yesterday she chewed through her foster mom’s leash! I’m sad, but also hopeful that we are one step closer to finding our perfect new pack member.

In addition to continuing the search with Operation Paws For Homes & Washington Animal Rescue League, I’m also crowdsourcing our search. Do you know a sweet, small, adult dog who loves dogs and people and needs a forever home? Phin and I would love any referrals!