I grew up as a guide dog in training. My 1st year of life was pure bliss living and loving with my family at the 7 Acre Wood. I went EVERYWHERE and did EVERYTHING with my Mom Person. She taught me about the world – the good and the bad. I was a curious pup and she encouraged my curiosity about the world and how best to relate to it. She opened my eyes and my heart to all the wonder and love that the world contained.
Then one day we got on a plane and flew far away to Florida. We took my best girl, Brenna, and stayed in a hotel with a whole bunch of other dogs. All my Guide Dog Puppy friends were there. We visited the beach and played in the park and went on a really long walk through town. Then we went off to visit the place where I was born. Southeastern Guide Dogs. My Mom Person had been telling me for some time that I was going off to college to learn how to be a Guide Dog, but I didn’t really get it until I saw the campus. And the next thing I knew, I was being led away by some stranger. I looked back at my Mom Person and she was crying. What was going on?
I didn’t see her again for a year. At least that’s what she says. For me it was infinity and beyond. I watched for her everyday. I tried to be a good college student. I did all I was supposed to do, but my heart was locked away.
We have a book by Oliver Jeffers called The Heart and the Bottle that seems to be all about what that year was like for me.
This book was published in 2010 by Philomel Books.
It is the tale of a girl whose life was filled with all the wonders of the world. She shared it all with a man who must be her Dad. They went EVERYWHERE and did EVERYTHING together. But one day he wasn’t there. And he wasn’t ever there again. She wasn’t sure what to do with her heart so she put it in a bottle to keep it safe and hung it around her neck. She was no longer filled with curiosity and the bottle was heavy around her neck. She went through infinity. Then one day she met a little girl who was still curious about the world, and she decided it was time to take her heart out of the bottle. But she didn’t know how. The little girl did know and showed her how. The big girl put her heart back where it belonged and all the wonders of the world came back to her.
You just can’t lock your heart away forever.
After my infinity time (a year) I was brought out of my kennel one day and there was a familiar scent in the air and then a familiar voice calling my name and then I saw her — My Mom Person had come back! And this is what it was like for me —
Nobody thought to take a video of our reunion, but this is exactly how it was. JOY!!!
And now I spend my days with the Mom Person and we share the wonders of the world together again. Life is Bliss. And my heart is where it is meant to be.
I am truly blessed to have had the life that I have been given. I hope you have found your bliss this Thanksgiving weekend.
Open up your Heart
Rhythm
Reading With Rhythm 
Dear Rhythm,
you mad me cry!! I have goosepimps all over, what a touching post, my dear! I’m so happy that you’re reunited with your Mom person. 🙂 🙂 I’m not sure if I can read that book, I always suffer when I read about partings and hearts being closed. Do you think I could give it a try? If I got lots of handkies?
Big cuddle, lots of pats and LOVE
Dina xxx wet yes still …
But it all turns out good in the end! We all experience loss at some point. My Mom Person does over and over again with her dogs. But it’s the wonder and strength of the heart that you have to think about. I locked mine away for a long time, but now I know that I can trust my heart with my Mom Person. Now I know that if she leaves she’ll always come back.
That’s a good feeling, Rhythm! 🙂
🙂
Made me cry too. I know just how it feels. I wonder if a lot of us know just how that feels…
I think that everyone feels that pain of loss at some time. I think that you need to in order to really know what love is.
Love your sweet post and the video! I had to fight back tears, too:)
I really didn’t intend to make everyone cry. It’s actually a happy tale of finding JOY in the world.
Well you certainly did bring tears of joy to my eyes. Such an aspiring story. And, I loved the book you shared. Can’t bottle up your heart — needs to be out there — wide open!
Amen Ms Tilton!!
That doggie college must’ve been tough without your Mom. Lucky she came back for you. Some things just don’t work right without Mom.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
That’s the truth Cupcake!
Rhythm,
This picture book really moves me, too. My kids aren’t into it as much as I am, but it really tugs at my heart. It is on my list of books to write about, too. I can’t imagine a year apart –for you AND your Mom person. I’m glad you were reunited and are together forever now!
I think that the book would only mean something to someone who knows that loss. Most kids would rather read a funny book, I think.
YAY Rhythm! 😀
😀
Beautiful, this was a sheer joy to read!
Well, thanks Sir! Then I’ve done my job – spreading JOY!
Rhythm, Your story is so sad and wonderful at the same time. It is scary being separated from the ones we love. I am really glad that your Mom Person was able to find meaningful work for you and to take you home forever. Bottled up hearts are not a good thing. – Lorian
That’s for sure! I now keep mine right out in the open!