proportion

I am sharing my favorite recliner.  The decision was not mine. As if by an unknown divination,
my Dachshund altered my side of the chair to accommodate his length and breadth. Guess who
is happily squeezed into the narrower space?  This arrangement is sometimes punctuated with an additional Dachshund or cat.

My comfort is not a consideration. Neither is adjusting the reading lamp or lap quilt any indication
that I have ownership of this over sized, over stuffed really comfortable chair. As I survey the remaining furnishings in this space, I am hit with a cold hard fact.  My life is complete because
of them.  And the old one, not mentioned yet, sprawls on the carpet where she will gain
steady footing and balance before she traverses the linoleum or slate floors.

I perceive animal companions as complementary benefits of living selflessly in a world challenged by
the desire to stand out rather than to stand within. I am doing my part to understand my purpose as an integral piece of the living puzzle.

My memory perhaps exceeds my current life form and I know that companion animals have always
been with me.  Their experiences enhance mine.  Their knowledge complements mine and their love
is without end and is transparent and tangible.  I shudder to think of my journey without them. Thankfully, I have always been surrounded and sought out other like minded people.  I respect those of differing opinions, but I don't necessarily LIKE them.

Today, I received a message that my bff's dog, "W" is in the clear after emergency surgery last week.
Love by proxy is what I am feeling and I am grateful for his recovery and the opportunity to visit with him in a few days. When I am in his house, which he shares with his dog and people, their furniture is proportionately arranged to benefit all species.  No matter how often you plump the cushions, tell tale divots remain - signifying the people only spaces.  It's a home overflowing with love.  As is mine.

My legacy, which is already infused in the hearts of my children, will be to sew kindness into the fabric of their lives; to live disproportionately and unselfishly.  I can't think of a better example than sharing their homes with an animal...or two.