More than "Just a Dog"

I grew up less than 1/2 a mile away from my local police station. I was never fascinated by the human police, but I was intrigued by the K-9 unit. I was a little girl with a love of all animals and was raising a German Shepard/Rottweiler mix, so the outside kennel I would pass everyday, always intrigued me. The DARE program would visit my school and I was always excited that I was able to interact with the police dogs I would occasionally see in that kennel. I understood that those police dogs were different than my dog; they were more than a little girl's "friend."

The occasional seeing-eye dog I would see was held in the same regard. That dog was different than my "friend." That dog was someone's eyes; the light to someone's dark. Those police and seeing-eye dogs were more than just someone's "friend." Those dogs were part of a team; a lifeline.

Fast-forward 15+years and "working" dogs are much more common in my everyday life than they were whilst I was growing up. I see these "working" dogs in action at least 1x a day in NY's Grand Central Station. Sometimes I see the yellow lab puppy getting into trouble by his fellow officer for laying down on the job, sometimes it's the National Guard soldier, a German Shepard, assessing the people with tail wagging & tongue hanging out and sometimes it's the seeing-eye dog helping a person navigate his/her way through the throngs of people. I don't think twice about the police/military dog fulfilling a duty or the seeing-eye dog assisting his partner. They are all on a mission; playing a small, yet huge part in day to day life.

A few months ago, that mission become personal. A service dog became a part of my family and my life. I'm humbled anew by the dedication and devotion that goes into training these service dogs. Pardon the pun, but there is an army of people working to ensure these dogs are experts in their fields and are ready for anything/anyplace that duty dictates. They are dogs yes, but they are so much more. They are our security forces. They are our bomb & drug detectors. They are our eyes and ears. They are a friend. They are someone's confidence, pride & dignity. They are more than a dog. They are someone's partner.  And as such, they and the person/organization that they work with, deserve the up most respect.

I'm deeply saddened to know that these dogs and the partners they work with aren't being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Please join me in standing up for these amazing human and K-9 partnerships, in any form they come in. To some they might just be a dog, but to those they work with and serve, they are a lifeline.

Steve Jobs

There are no words to describe Steve Jobs and his impact on the world. He was more than a visionary, more than a revolutionist. He was Steve Jobs and his loss will be felt for quite some time, but his legacy will never die.

RIP Steve Jobs

Acceptance

On the journey of life, you meet all kinds of people.Some you like.Some you don't.Some stay with you a spell,while others quickly pass through.When I met her,I never knew how much she would come to mean to me or the impact she'd have on my life.She never questioned the whys or hows I came into her life;she just accepted.Not only accepted me,but those that came with me.Always willing to share a story or 2 with them.Embraced them because they were a part of me.Now she's gone.

St.Patrick's Days,Christmases,Bdays,Lazy Sunday afternoons; all with her.Suddenly she was gone.She was facing a battle none of us could prepare for.

Now her battle is over.She's on a new adventure.The greatest adventure humans can ever participate in.The unknown.I wish nothing but god-speed,comfort & peace for her.For me,I wish for 1 more walk on the beach, 1 more bday toast, 1 more Christmas dinner, 1 more anything...And to her I say, thank you.Thank you for your gift of unshakable embracement,acceptance and friendship.May you rest in peace.

What a Wonderful World

As 2010 drew to a close, I toasted to 2011.To a new year.A whole new me.A whole new life.2011 has been filled with change.Embracing new friends.Saying good-bye to old ones.Battling new inner demons;laying to rest old ones.Still not having answers to the problems that plagued in 2010.A new appreciation for the wonder that is life.

The 5th month of 2011 upon us.I'm not where I thought or wanted to be.People I didn't want to nor was ready to say good-bye to are slipping through my fingers, moving onto the next phase of their journey.

5 months in to 2011 and I'm humbled by how insignificant I truly am in the grand scheme of things.Who honestly cares about a 20 something year old who for the most part, has led a charmed life?The most important things are the simple things that get tossed aside in favor of self-absorption.What makes this world so magical is not where a person works, the car she drives, the job she has, the place she lives.What makes this world truly wondrous is the dawn of a new day,the sun slipping into oblivion making way for the moon and all the mysteries of night,a baby's unbridled laughter,the roar of a lion,the buds first appearance after a harsh winter,the laughter shared with loved ones on a random Sunday afternoon,the heartbreak of catching a glimpse of someone's "old self" as they face the ultimate unknown.

As I take stock of where I am,what I'm doing,what I have, I must acknowledge that it is in fact truly A Wonderful World I'm in.

I Get By With a Little Help...

Without music, there would be no me.I live my life via the beat of a drum;the strum of a guitar; the heartbreak often found in the lyrics of a country song;the stroke my ego gets from the sick lyrics of a rap song.Sometimes Bruce Springsteen can speak to me like no-one else.Other times, Eminem soothes my soul and rights my world.But in times of darkness, turmoil and change I turn, always, to Guns n' Roses.

On a cold, windy November day, the iconic November Rain and Don't Cry played over and over on my stereo and in my head.As I sat and watched countless lives be forever changed, waiting for the moment mine would to, and struggled to keep my composure, I found comfort in the haunting lyrics.

To all the musicians that get me through life, I tip my hat and say thank-you.Through your art,I will embrace the newest chapter in my life.

Something is Changing Inside of Me....

October.My favorite month.Halloween.My favorite holiday.Ironically, I haven't had much fun in October the past few years and this year is proving no different.I've embraced the changing seasons, yet haven't ventured to DD for my cherished pumpkin muffin.It's time to protest the circus and yet I feel no enthusiasm.I am going through the motions.Guns n'Roses is on repeat reminding me that it's alright, nothing lasts forever and urging me not to cry. And yet, I find no comfort in the touching lyrics.They simply are not speaking to me as in years gone by.What's different?


Myself.That's what different.I've been through the ringer and am not so easily soothed by a few whimsical lines.Nothing is alright;things do last forever;and sometimes you can't stem the tears.

And yet,as always I'm determined to make it.I've embraced NYC.I've embraced my endless days.I've embraced the outrageous taxes I pay.I now know that I can make it anywhere (or so they tell me.)I'm ready to shrug off the drudgery of the last few years and step back into the light.Operation Bag B is not only in full effect,but it's a mild success.So what that the highlight of my day is catching a glimpse of a person with enough "nervous energy" for 12.He doesn't have Bette Davis eyes...he has kind eyes.For all the "nervous energy," simply catching that glimpse,is enough to steady my world and remind me that not everyone is out for themselves; that things will be alright.

He has indeed,brought me back to life.

At Last

The skies above are blue.I found a dream that I could speak to.A dream that I can call my own.I found a thrill that I have never known...at last....

I found myself in the city so nice they named it twice, the big apple, the place they say that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Since my adventures in NY have begun, I have been alive in a way that I haven't felt in a long time. I spent 2 weeks being a true New Yorker, instead of a commuter, and in those 2 weeks, I lived more than I have in the past 2 years. I met the most amazing people, embraced the serenity of Central Park, danced in front of hundreds of people on 24th and Park,took the 7 to Queens to see a Mets game (gasp!) strolled through Strawberry fields, and so much more....

People would be hard pressed to understand the significance and impact of my reprieve in being a true New Yorker.While I was embracing the new direction life had taken me,my "epic misadventure" with the one who shall remain unnamed was crumbling.The aforementioned,signed h
is name on a paper that irrecoverably would alter mine and his lives forever.People say that act is for the best; time will tell.The shock has worn off, aided by a few good friends and Eminem's recovery(especially 25 to Life) being on repeat day in and day out.Shock was at 1st replaced with regret, then anger as an outreach to reverse the decision went unheeded.

Jekyll is gone and Hyde is at the helm.And I..I lay to rest my old friend Jekyll and embrace the Fairytale of New York.