Six years ago today I saw my shaggy bestie in real life for the first time. I saw her on Facebook the day before and Brandi, the young woman who worked at the local shelter, had texted me, “Martha! This is your dog!” or something to that effect.
I wasn’t sure. I had two dogs and was thinking maybe I didn’t need a dog who was likely to grow to be very large. “Do I need a 100 pound dog?” I asked myself. I asked people through this blog, too, and got good advice from people who had owned what this pretty puppy was supposed to grow into — that is Great Pyrenees. The shelter thought she was a mix because of the blue eyes and they really did look like they eyes of my beautiful Lily T. Wolf, the Siberian husky I’d had to put to sleep the previous March. She was 17 years old. ❤
So, I met her. She was in a cage apart because she was on “hold” in case someone came to claim her. I walked toward her. She walked calmly toward the fencing of her cage. We made eye contact. She sat. She looked at me as if she knew me and I brought her home to see how she’d do with Dusty and Mindy when I was free to adopt her.
Brandi’s job was dangerous. Witness, the scratch… 
“You KNOW you want to like me.”
Now she’s six years old, and these big dogs don’t have long lifespans. Thinking of that this morning it made me realize — again — how much courage it takes to love something, but what a loss if we don’t.
In other news, I have a new book project. No illustrations, just designing a book. I’m looking forward to starting. I decided that while I believe that a handshake is enough to seal a deal, I should grow up and execute a contract. I’m working on that today. It’s a sweet project, the kind that historians love, a book that an old sheep rancher published on his own hook some 30 years ago which now a small, local museum wants to republish.
The way I feel for “the west” is mysterious. My mom could have been a better mom, but she left me with some real treasures, one of them an interest in, knowledge of, and love for this world. I was thinking this morning that though I’m no farmer and no rancher, I’m definitely an appreciator. Farmers and ranchers need fans, too.
Women's Wilderness Legend “Summer is the season of inferior sledding” - Inuit proverb 
Another great post about bear. Which reminds me our sketching prompt today is animal or pet I think….
“Bear! Come in! Chris needs to draw you!” 😉
I might do later… Xxx if I do I’ll post it here x
“OK Bear, you can go back outside. Chris will let you know when she’s ready for you!” ❤
💕👍😘
Just trying to find an up to date photo of her on your blog….
I’ll put one in this post…hang on.
Thank you x
Any time. I’m doing a painting right now that has scared me for at least 2 years. 😀
Yes, I’ve got a few of them..
Happy Anniversary Bear and Martha 🐾👣
Beautiful Bear
Inside and out. ❤
Happy Gotcha Day sweet Bear, wishing you many more blessed years together 🐾💛🐾
Thank you. Please give my best to Eivor and Pearl ❤ PBYT.Dog
🐾💛🐾 xxx
How could you resist?
There was NO WAY I could resist and I’m SO GLAD I couldn’t! 🙂
😎
Bear is adorable! But then, every dog is adorable if you love dogs.
Yeah, I pretty much love them all.
Can’t resist a Bear story. Thanks for joining in Martha 🙂 🙂
Bear stories are not nearly as irresistible as Bear herself. ❤
Maybe you can get Bear to help with your painting.
[video src="https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1417957032666312709/pu/vid/576x1024/vCc9Aw6YbCBm4wsd.mp4" /]
The video won’t load 😦 Bear does help me paint. She give me moral support. So does Teddy. ❤ ❤
I don’t know how a post could be any better~Bear and a book. Looking into his eyes nearly brings a tear to mine. I love the names you choose for your loved ones. ❤️🐾🥰🤗
Bear is just an extraordinarily loving dog. ❤
❤️🥰