C'est la vie...and death

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.

~~ Voltaire (born François-Marie Arouet), French Enlightenment Writer, Historian, and Philosopher,
AD 1694 – AD 1778

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The art of living well and the art of dying well are one.

~~ Epicurus, Ancient Greek Philosopher as well as the founder of the School of Philosophy called Epicureanism,
341 BC – 270 BC

We had some very sad news the other week. Many of you may recall I have mentioned Farmer Bob a few times on my blog. He owns the land, and the bulls, right across the street from where I live. Most of my daily walks, and many of my fun adventures, took place on his land. Farmer Bob was tragically killed in a car accident on the next road over from where we live. My human, K, had driven past the accident twice and had no idea it was her dear friend. He was beloved by many and will be greatly missed. He was a very wise and humble man who truly lived his philosophy on life, rare to find in this day and age. We are all deeply saddened by his loss, and it seems a bit more lonely out here now with him gone.

Silvius and I in our front yard reminiscing about, and missing, Farmer Bob. His property is just across the street, at the tree line.

RIP Farmer Bob. You were always so kind and good to all of us. We miss you!

Another full moon rises, and life continues on its path.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock, [third clock on this spot; the first had been built 1352-1354, and the second had been built 1547-1574], circa 1838 – 1843 (Cathédrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg, Alsace, France)

Lucien Auguste Vérité, Astronomical Clock of Saint Peter’s Cathedral, , circa 1857 - 1866 (The Cathedral of Saint Peter of Beauvais, Beauvais, France)

Back to me...

K has been rather busy of late and per usual, my blog ends up at the end of her task list. I continually woof to K that my blog is, and should always remain, of utmost importance but then she grumbles about "work" and whatnot. Regardless, I have missed all of you and want to thank you for your continued thoughts, well wishes, and crossed paws. It really means a lot to me and I am very grateful to have such amazing, wonderful, kindhearted friends. I know all of your positive, loving support has helped me in my recovery. I am feeling better but have come to realize that my health will never fully recover. My hind legs have arthritis and although the medicine does help it is not a cure. My inner ear has gotten better, so my walking is much better and much more stable. I only slightly lean to the right now when I walk. My cough persists, although it has lessened considerably, and my wheezing comes and goes. I think this is just the new me. It makes me sad, and K very very sad, but we are doing our best to adapt.

Life has its ups and downs and you take the good with the bad. I strive to handle both with grace and dignity.

Everything changes and evolves. I'm down with that.

I love the new me! Because I am still me! Just a bit different, but nonetheless, me!

And, the new me gets to be outside leash free! Sometimes getting sick has its perks. I'm just sayin’…