Carol,

Firstly I'm on no mail so I'll not be able to see any response, and 
secondly I'm headed out of town for a number of days where no internet is 
found... yahoo. Well that is yahoo the voice of celebration not yahoo the 
web site haha. But was trying to catch up on some late email reading 
before a day or two of busyness and then scooting out. It is tough to see 
our animals age, recently our pup was feeling down and it is tough. In 
fact our pup has had a couple times of not feeling well. Once we think she 
had a pulled neck muscle or something wrong in the neck because you just 
lift her chin ever so slightly and she'd yelp, and she'd not move unless 
prompted. But there's one thing I've learned from the dogs I've had 
through out the years. When they are feeling good and all is well with the 
world, they are tail wagging, bone chewing, fly snapping, bird barking, 
happy little personalities. And when they are feeling down, they are 
subdued yes, but they still wag the tail and try their best to do as they 
normally would. What a valuable lesson for us as we find ourselves in 
life's throws. They live out scripture and don't even know it. God must 
have created them as such and because they are, or seem to be, animals 
born to please, they seem to  focus past their issue and wag the 
tail  nonetheless. It is tough for us to do this as we have the capability 
to instill other thoughts, fears, projections of "what will we do now", or 
"if this happens then what will I do". We tend to build up the things gone 
wrong in life and stack them up like cord wood for a sizeable burning of 
our joy and faith. It isn't easy to take our troubles and burn them where 
they sit and get it over with, sweep off the ashes and get on with our day 
at times, but  what a benefit it is when we find ourselves able to do just 
that. When I found out about  my vision condition and prognosis, I 
couldn't see passed it for a long time. Now and then, I'll be honest, it 
bugs me and even times I get miffed  at some of the things I can't see or 
do any longer, but over all, life can still be enjoyed a great deal, more 
than I imagined at the time, and in some ways even to a more detail 
than  before. It's my prayer that you too can work it out passed those 
times that we all have, and again begin to look at those things which we 
are enjoying, the potential we do have despite our challenge, and well... 
hmmm I was going to bring in the analogy of the dog wagging it's tail  but 
I better give that one a miss lol, might be a bit off sounding, but you 
get my meaning hopefully of smiling through the trials, finding joy 
despite them, not letting the fear of the unknown or immediate rob you of 
your ability to enjoy life  right now, this minute. I know you have run 
through a fair bit of bramble in your lifetime for which I don't presume 
to know what that was for you, nor make judgement as to your reaction to 
it, just wishing to encourage you to strive towards that puppy-like 
attitude God has blessed us with as well if we don't let our mind get in 
the way. Just so I'm not being unfair and speaking out of a one way mirror 
here with my nomail setting and inability to see a response, if you wish 
you can reply to me at:

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and if I'm yet in town I'll get it, if not when I return.  You don't have 
to reply, just wanted to  give an option if you chose.

Brad








on 02:42 AM 6/28/2006, Carol Pearson said:

Hi all,

Well, I think I'm one of those kinds of people for whom nothing (almost) 
goes really well, without hitch, and lots of things never happen because 
of others that come in the way . . ..  Get the picture?

I just wanted to share with you all that my ex-guide dog, Fabian, has very 
bad arthritis.  It started to get very bad about the middle of last week 
and, just when I thought it could get no worse, today he is literally 
creeping along.  The vet has given him steroids but they're quite 
difficult to get down him.  For a few days I just didn't react then, when 
Mike said something to me today I just started to cry and cry.  The "in 
pieces" bit, with which I'm very familiar, is beginning to set in - for 
how long I don't know!

Meantime, I had to go away for a meeting on Monday and took Fabian with 
me, being the best out of all solutions.  I had to carry him upstairs - 
and those who know me well enough will know where that left my back, 
wrists, etc.  Next Monday starts our week of camp, following which we're 
supposed to be at another friend's, with stairs to climb.  The vet will 
see us on Friday and by that time we really ought to make our decision 
about next week, but it's not looking good, whichever way I go!  I'm not 
even sure that I can cope with it and it may be another thing I just don't 
do after all.

Your prayers for us all would be much appreciated.  Please write me also 
if you want.  Will things ever get better?  I am beginning to think that 
that won't happen for me until I reach Heaven's door so please, Lord, 
hurry up with that one!


--
Carol
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