Puppy Piles

 2025 is the year of Wood Snake - for me, it is a time for reflection, listening and paying attention to our intuition and shedding that which no longer serves me. A few mornings ago, in my early morning meditation, the pups (Legacy, Ishkode, Migizi) did their usual musical dog bed dance. Most mornings Migizi is the one who chooses to join me in morning meditation practice. She is the one who usual is the first to me. Then most often comes Legacy. Ishka, in princess style, comes in a little later. She then walks over most often to the bed Legacy is sleeping on and instead of squeezing in next to him, she hovers until he gets up and gives her the bed. It takes quite the effort now for Legacy to get up and also to lay down and there is a part of me that wishes my sweet Ishka wouldn't do that to her older brother - alas, Ishka does things the way Ishka wants :). The other morning, it was unique and rare occasion for all 3 of them to squeeze onto a bed. This is how it unraveled. Migizi was alone on the bed. Legacy who had been pushed off the other bed walked away and then 10 minutes later returned and snuggled up next to Migizi. A few minutes later Ishka who was in adjacent bed got up, and this time found the tiny spot where she could squeeze in and used her younger sister Migizi as a head rest. 

My heart got a few degrees warmer as I meditated with the energy of my 3 beautiful pups. This summer Legacy will be 14 years old. He is slowing down and has nerve issues that are affecting his back legs. About 6 months ago I began sleeping in the main level bedroom so that Legacy did not have to struggle with the stairs. I have also been sleeping on an air mattress which is lower to the ground and at night time he is the one who jumps up onto the air mattress and sleeps with me through the night. Of course, he always has to be right next to me or on top of my legs making movement a challenge, but that's okay with me. I am grateful for whatever time I have left with my boy. He is the bridge connecting me to my pups who have since passed - Ahnung, Missy and Mister. When he arrived from Leech Lake in 2011 as a tiny little pup he had Ahnung to teach him. He was so bonded with his big sister and followed her around everywhere. One day in early 2012 I found baby Legacy snuggled up on one bed with Ahnung, Missy and Mister. Puppy pile. Now Legacy is the elder of the pile. In 2012 he was the baby of the pile.

My pups are my family and the best medicine I could ever have ... I can't imagine the day when I will no longer have Legacy with me. When my mind and heart wander there I feel such sadness and grief, and I remind myself to return to the present moment. He is here with me right now. And when he is no longer here in physical form I will continue to feel his presence as strongly in the way I feel the presence of Ahnung, Missy, Mister, Shen, Shadow and Splat.