I learned, again, that we can’t plan our lives. We are not at the wheel on everything. We just need to go with the flow. Accept. Adapt.

I have sad news. Our dear Bumble left us yesterday at 15 years and two months. I am heartbroken as I had to say goodbye to my faithful friend. He was my “shadow” for over 10 years, since his rescue at Christmas 2005. It is amazing how this small dog occupied such a huge space in the family. He was like one big heart, all love. He comforted me when I was sad, he forgave me when I was bad, made me smile as he jumped up and down when I came home, and he always inspired me.

I hope his story, Confessions of a Rescue Dog, will continue to bring some help for dogs and cats in the shelter here for some time to come. He “wrote” 18 humorous guest posts here on Tinylessonsblog. I am attaching one here in the honor of his memory. R.I.P. dear Bumble, and thank you for all the love you gave us. We will always love you.

GOOD MORNING FOLKS

It’s almost seven on Sunday morning and you guys are still sleeping. Sniff sniff.  That’s waste of time. Mom, I said good morning to you. I know you’re not working today cause your bag is not at the door. But you have lots and lots to do. You didn’t know that? Sniff.

First of all, you need to take me out now, and I mean nowff. Otherwise I’ll be forced to go on the plush area rug in the living room. I know you don’t like that option. We tried it once. That’s when I learned you can raise your voice…I raise my leg in the house, you raise your voice. Not pleasant, not for me not for you. Maybe you’ve forgotten…let’s go, get up! And put on your shorts and proper shoes. The old silk robe won’t do it, today we’ll go for a run in the park. I run you walk. And when I stop to read my morning paper, you can use your iPhone. That’s ok as long as you can juggle the phone and the bag.

Second, you can make your coffee when we come back. Provided you also give me my breakfast while your machine is making all those noises. No-no, don’t you think dry food will do, it’s Sunday. You better have some savory chicken stew of the right kind: small and toy, mature adult. You’ll need to change my water too, and drop a piece of cheese, will ya. You’re so clumsy anyway, so why not today? Just a little oh I dropped something, and I’ll clean it up for you. That’s a promise…even if it’s a piece of ham.

After breakfast we’d better get some exercise. Don’t think gym, please don’t! We can exercise right here, together is better. We’ll streeetch, run after my toys, jump up and down on the blue sofa in your office. You know the one with the Mexican blanket on it. When we’re done, we can make a daybed of the blanket. You can help me scratch until it feels right…and then you can take a shower. That’s if you absolutely need to.

And then…I’m sure someone will skype. I know the ring tone, you can’t fool me on that one. We’ll both sit down at the computer and talk. I hope it’ll be Amelia, she is a little diva but a pretty one! Haven’t seen her for a while, but it’s good to catch up on skype. Oh, I forgot, you really should upgrade to the sniff and smell version. I’m sure it won’t be that much. And you can always save somewhere else. I know, my next bath is an excellent option, no cost for shampoo. There you go.

See, there is so much to do. I have only one small worry. You may forget what Sundays are for around here, I can’t trust you on that. Bad memories. So I’ll say it again, Sundays are for rest and fun, not for work! I hope you heard that. Get up pronto, will ya! I told you I’m going nowff…