Category: Rachell’s Thoughts

Support Pet

Rachell decides to run to the dollar store and pick up a few things. This trip she is going to take Chester with her. He loves taking a ride anywhere! She got him a ride-a-long seat just for dogs that is set up in the front seat of her car. She plops him in the carrier and off they go.              

As they cruise along, he stares at her wondering, “Where is she taking me this time?”

As if reading his mind Rachell asks, “Would you like to go to the store with me, Chester?”

She continues explaining, “I can take you most places, buddy. I received your permission papers that say you can go places with me to help my anxiety in public. Your title is emotional support pet, Chester. How about that?”

Chester is not certain what all this means. He realizes he travels with Rachell a lot now. But the rest is not clear.

He knows he will grow to realize what all this means, but for now he really likes the sound of “support pet!”

Bark Whisper

Rachell’s thoughts often include how far along the healing journey Chester is. His recovery is slow, but continuous. That is what Rachell decides when she looks at the good progress he makes week after week.

Today Chester makes a huge leap along the beaten path of recovery when he squeaks a quiet bark that only Rachell hears as he plays out in the back yard .

She looks anxiously toward him and perks up her ears questioning, “What was that sound?”

He seems surprised at the noise that projected from his throat. He sits calmly looking at his mom as if asking her the same thing. Within seconds, Chester is bouncing toward her at lightening speed to jump into her crossed legs. He then licks her furiously knowing this sound is a good thing. Once planted firmly next to her, he repeats a soft bark directly to her.

Rachell picks him up and hugs him close. She knows this sound will be stronger as each day passes and is thrilled at his improvement this day.

He nuzzles to her as close as he can affirming, “That’s my new bark whisper!”

Jump High

Chester runs as fast as he can into the den where Rachell is seated in her favorite blue recliner. She senses he is not going to stop on his way to her lap. And her inkling is right on target. He gets within about two feet of the footrest and launches into the air with front and back legs extended. Much to Rachell’s surprise he lands on her lap bypassing the recliner extension all together.

“Wow!” Rachell exclaims.

Rachell finds it hard to believe his once frail muscles have strengthened to the point he catapults himself to this height and distance for him to be able to jump up and coordinate all four paws at the same time onto her lap.

Smiling at Chester with exuberance in her voice letting him know she is astounded at this feat, she declares,  “You just leaped two feet in the air and made a solid arrival, little guy.”

Rachell continues to talk to him sharing her thoughts.

“What a miracle seeing your brawny health improve so greatly that you fly like superman, Chester. And land so neatly to finish cleanly without skipping a beat like a gymnast during a dismount. Let’s keep rebuilding your muscles and strengthening your body, ok?”

He licks her cheek to let her know he feels her exhilaration at this accomplishment. He knows she is thrilled with the stunt, and he plans to do this for her as much as he possible in the future.

Chester shares his idea with her as he looks into her eyes relaying, “I look forward to each day forward, Rachell, powering up as I improve with evidence of this upshot to JUMP HIGH!”  

My Special One

Rachell places Chester gently on the carpet in her room and asks, “You ready to go out?”

Chester bounces in earnest to let her know he needs to go right out.

He wags his stubby tail to show her he understands what she is asking and that he is excited.

Rachell steps to the doorway of her room and on to the top of the stairs leading to their back yard. Chester is way ahead of her since he knows where to head to be let out. He flies down the stairs pausing at the bottom to sit while he waits for her to catch up.

Chester watches as Rachell carefully descends the steps manifesting, “Be careful, sweetie. Watch each step. Plant that foot firmly in place before moving downward.”

Rachell reaches the landing securely with mental confirmation to him, “Here I am in one piece!”

Chester is beside himself with joy emanating. “I see you. I am thankful you are safe and sound, Rachell.”

He jumps up off the ground toward her telling his desire to do some business and then play in the yard.

Rachell joins him as they walk to the back door to move outside into God’s sunshine noticing he is in step with each of hers. She is tickled and smiles at him communicating her pleasure with him every moment, “You are so special to me young man.”

Chester smiles inside hearing her and wiggles furiously so that she knows his mind is set to that one thought too, “You are MY SPECIAL ONE!”

Stop and Smell the Violets

“C’mon little man,” Rachell chides Chester into the backyard on another beautiful day in the spring afternoon.  She knows he’s got some business to attend to, but she wants him to play a little too. Chester wanders a moment or two sniffing his way around the yard.

Rachell thinks, “He looks like he’s tracking something,” as he stealthily keeps his nose to the ground and goes around the area he normally tracks.

Chester beelines for Rachell sitting on the ground waiting for him with his sniffer going full force. Suddenly, he stops and isolates himself on a small spot in the grass. Rachell looks more closely and sees a patch of wild violets. There are some wild white violets splattering the yard, but Chester has chosen the purple ones to investigate.

“What are these?” Chester inspects. He takes in the smell of the tiny flowers each one individually as he inhales the sweet aroma.

Rachell’s interest peaks and she grabs her phone to take a photo of this unique moment with him.

She records a very special moment with Chester with a picture and a thought, “We should take note, and like Chester, stop and smell the violets!”

Give Her a Paw

Rachell notices a little action Chester begins to use to get her attention. He reaches toward her when he comes in close and touches her gently with his tiny paw. Rachell decides to turn this into a trick for him to get excited about and get his favorite thing, a treat!

She waits as he sits in her lap looking up her way for indications of what comes next. Rachell turns her head from side to side to keep from meeting his eye stare. Next thing, she feels is his paw stretch to her and make contact with her arm to get her attention.

She reaches and shakes his paw while declaring the action, “Shake, Chester, shake.”

Chester looks up inquisitively trying to understand this new word.

Rachell releases his paw and then picks it up again while repeating the word again. “Shake, baby, shake.”

This time she offers him a treat when the trick is done. Chester scarfs up the treat and looks to Rachell for another. Shake, treat, repeat. After several repetitions, Chester raises his paw to her to show her he gets what she is going for. And she gives him another treat as she releases his paw from a successful paw shake.

“Good boy, Chester. Good shake. What a smart boy you are,” Rachell says to him as she raises Chester to her cheek and gives him a quick kiss. He wiggles with delight when he realizes the joy he gives Rachell with this new trick.

Chester knows this fun new trick shows her how quickly he learns and how much he wants to entertain her. New skill in his pocket, Chester logs, “All I have to do is give her a paw!”

Pooch Positive

Keeping a positive attitude speaks volumes to each day as I rise to greet the coming dawn. Focusing constantly on optimistic thoughts has been said to manifest the best ideas into existence in relationships and surroundings. I discovered early in my life that having pets was extremely effective in helping fulfill this setting.

I have enjoyed many dogs and an occasional cat throughout my years. I remember my first family pet as a wagging happy go lucky dog that romped from room to room when awakening the household each morning. Monty would run from my room to my brothers’ rooms to my parent’s room in a routine. If I was up already moving around, he would jump up on me. If I was still in bed, he would hop on my bed and lick my face to awaken me wanting attention. This start made me smile every time and unknowingly created a very uplifting mood. What a blessing this dog introduced to my life that continued throughout all my years to follow.

I owned dogs over the years and can’t really remember a time I did not have one. Some wandered into my life; some were discovered amongst a pile of stray pups in the woods across the street from where I lived. I found homes for four of the strays and kept the runt of the litter. Maxine became a close buddy that I was allowed to take to work with me every day. This close companionship enlightened me about the support a pet can bring to your life.

Pets share their cheerfulness and love with you. They contribute to a very positive environment that will keep you motivated and inspire you to LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST!