Okay.  Today its the Alabama Shakes.  They’re not as well-known as they should be, but “Hold On”.  They’re a great sound.

Today I have to write about my little girls.  They are in the order I took them into our home, Paige, then Sarah and lastly Fiesta.  They are three Papillons. 

I love Paige the most of all because she’s been with me through the thick and thin of the last four years.  When my then wife and I separated I cried when I had to leave her behind.  Then I got her back and we’ve been through many talks at night before Libby come to live with me.  Now Libby gets to listen to me.  Paige can sometimes sit and just watch me intently as if waiting for my beckon call, yet when I reach out she backs away.  It seems as thought she mimics my past marriage.  I reach out and she backs totally away.

Sarah came along about a year ago and I thought I’d not ever have another “heart” dog, but there she is.  This dog took to me immediately and is my constant companion, whereas Paige always had to have her space.  Sarah sleeps on the body pillow above my head at night and sometimes lets me know she’s there by licking the top of my bald head.  I had her trimmed yesterday.  She doesn’t ride with me often, but yesterday when we left Anita’s (groomer and good friend) Sarah climbed up on the console and got on my shoulders behind me and against the seat back and let the A/C blow on her while she looked out the window.  Every once in a while she’d press her head against my cheek like to say she loved me.

Fiesta came to our home just a few short months ago because Libby fell in love with her when we got Sarah.  So, when she came up for adoption I asked for her.  Fiesta sleeps on the mattress between Libby and me.  She is Libby’s constant companion.  Where ever Libby is, you’ll find Fiesta.  The kitchen, bathroom, on the couch.  It doesn’t matter, she’s there like she’s ate up with curiosity to Libby’s next move.

Life is full of mysteries, but it’s no mystery with these little companions.  They understand us and we, them.  Love is unconditional.  I like the principle of unconditional love.  It’s because of Libby and these babies of ours that I live each day to the fullest.