(c) Gary R. Jones If life were easy we wouldn’t get stuck. Or laugh. It’s all in our perspective. Which reminds me of the bald eagles who share our beach with us. I love these birds, and I sometimes think it would fun to be one. And then I think: “raw fish.” Eww. Yes, […]
bridging species
Getting Unstuck with Bald Eagles
What inspires you to keep going, no matter what? Is it an admirable person? A dynamic leader? A work of art? Bald eagles inspire me. Watching them in my Seattle neighborhood reminds me to keep going, no matter what. Yes, bald eagles. Why do I write about nonhuman mentors? Because my business is about challenging […]
Living the Bald Eagle Life: Our Challenge for Greatness
Who are your role models? What challenges you to greatness? Okay, easy if you’re thinking humans, but my work is about creating community with all life. I tend to draw inspiration from the world around me. Like bald eagles. Let’s take a look. Bald eagles regularly perch in a scraggly Madrona tree above our Alki […]
My Dog Is Dying: The Real Life Crappy Choice Diary, Entry 15
How civilized are we, really? As things stand in our society, grief is a reality largely reserved for humans. By humans. My grief is not. Neither is my family’s. I was at an expo last weekend in Portland, a place where people come together to celebrate and explore metaphysics, from crystals to healing arts to […]
Daily Rituals with Our Animals: Saving the World One Family at a Time, Update 3-2012
I first published this article on January 17, 2011. On March 8, 2012, the story changed: that was the day I lost my beloved Cavalier, Murphy. In the coming days and weeks I will have much to say about grief, dying, death, and loss, but for now, perhaps this says it best. Twice a day […]
My Dog Is Dying: The Real Life Crappy Choice Diary, Entry 14
Murphy Brown Fritz July 16, 1998 – March 8, 2012 Beloved companion Devoted sister Terror of squeaky toys Friend to the universe AMBASSADOR TO THE DRAGON KINGDOM Our hearts are broken. We have lost our beloved Murphy. Our thanks to the wonderful people who have both honored Murphy and tried to ease our […]
My Dog Is Dying: The Real Life Crappy Choice Diary, Entry 13
So here we are, at Part 4 of a four-part series on dying dogs and veterinarians. Like life, the series hasn’t been quite linear, so you can find the other parts in this diary here: Entry 6, #1, where we lose our long-time vet; Entry 8, #2, where we meet up again with a former […]
Our Beloved Murphy
Murphy Brown Fritz Murphy Brown Fritz. July 16, 1998 – March 8, 2012. Beloved companion. Devoted sister. Terror of squeaky toys. Friend to the universe. AMBASSADOR TO THE DRAGON KINGDOM. My beloved child and friend. Soul mate. We rocked the universe at her funeral. “This is fun!” she yelled, as she danced with us. It would been […]
My Dog Is Dying: The Real Life Crappy Choice Diary, Entry 12
Not every moment in an old, dying dog’s life is grim. Far from it, or neither humans nor animals would, or should, put up with it. Way back when, Murphy was a puppy. Now, at over 13-1/2, I think about the funny moments. Many of those involve that chew toy, Kong. I got it so I […]
My Dog Is Dying: The Real Life Crappy Choice Diary, Entry 11
We were just sitting on the deck together, and I was reminding Murphy of the very first time we were in that exact same position: back in October 1998, when she’d just come home to live with me. She was 11 weeks old, my introduction to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Today she is over 13-1/2, and […]