Saturday, July 2

seeking center

Hi all,


if you haven't noticed, it's July 2nd,
and in my last post I announced giveaway which I was going to draw a winner for yesterday.

I've decided to give you all, and myself, some more time
because a lot has been happening at this end that has left me in less than a festive kind of mood.



Zana,
our pup of 18 years, is in her days of decline.
She's got cancer and is having a great deal of difficulty with normal life functions.
She still has a good appetite, but I've been hand feeding her every bite.
Sometimes she walks, and unsteadily follows us around the kitchen;
most times she must be carried around and held while she drinks,
or goes to the bathroom - a rather frequent occurrence.

Her care has been my full time job.
Then this week she slowed way down.

I really thought her time to cross over was about to happen on friday.

The giveaway slipped my mind,
and the timing for it feels wrong,

so I think I'll do the drawing when it feels right.
I just don't know exactly when that will be!



I've been working on this mandala over the past week
while Zana sleeps.

It has brought me a great deal of peace
and pleasure.

While working with so much color

I thought about our endless games of frisbee
and her whirling dervish greetings
when returning home after being away
for even an hour!


sweet dreams dear girl

29 comments:

  1. Oh this is so sad. I loved every family dog we had since I was a kid. I remember all of them. I love Daisy so much. I even love the stray puppy my son just picked up even though I am telling him to find a home for it. I know how you feel. Losing a beloved family member is terrible. I hope you find peace in the sweet memories you hold dear in your heart, Karin. Maybe you can paint her?

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  2. Oh Karin, I'm so sorry your little baby is ailing. Strange you posted this because I just did a post today about a dream I had about my little family pet member. I know how hard it is because I've had my Chorizo who passed in 2007 and it still hurts. Plus other family pet members. My heart goes out to you. Sending you hugs and well wishes for your Zana and also to you and hope you are feeling well. :(

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  3. My heart breaks for you! Truly. We lost our beloved English Bulldog, December 31, 2010.

    You remain in my prayers for this and your health.

    Thank you, for sharing your life.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear Zana is sick. Our pets are just like other family members, so I know this is a terribly difficult time for you. Your mandala, though, is gloriously luminous and perfectly centered, just like you are. I'll keep you and Zana in my thoughts and prayers.

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  5. our pets are really our children! I know how you feel! dont let her suffer! give her a kiss for us.

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  6. Oh so sad Karin. A gentle pat from me to Zana.
    Your mandala is so beautiful. No surprise that it has brought you comfort. Thinking of you. xxx

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  7. Of course you need to be spending this time with Zana as she ends her journey here. It is so hard when they leave us...their love is really the sweetest kind, isn't it ?
    Sending you and dear Zana lots of light and love.

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  8. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so sad for you and Zana. I imagine she still chases frisbees when she dreams.
    Take care of yourself and Zana.

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  9. Karin, I did not get this. I am so sorry about Zana. Sending hugs and gentle pats to both of you and prayers going out as well.I remember sleeping on the floor with Max in his final days as he could not get up on the bed near me and it worried him so the floor with him we both felt better.I love you hon, I wish I could take it all away, Sea

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  10. Pets are the dearest of family members; they love and give unconditionally. This is your time to be with Zana.
    There will be time for other things later; the blog will be here and the art you are producing is beautiful and is joy to my eyes and heart.
    Take care...♥♥♥

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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  11. thank you everyone, for sending all your loving support zana's and my way. i think she's feeling your energy - she's been stronger, following my husband and i around in the kitchen - unsteadily yes, but unsupported on her own four feet! she's one tough spirit... xoxox

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  12. hugs to you and zana...how my heart goes out to you! the mandala is magnificent - so vibrant and alive!

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  13. Enveloping you and sweet Zana in Love and Light, Karin. My Maya has been very ill recently and it's just heartbreaking, I know.

    On a brighter note: while taking Maya to the vet, I ran into an old friend of ours (who used to hang out in church basements with us)...Larry Singer!! Small world, isn't it?

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  14. Very sad to hear that. I have 2 dogs, one is really getting on :-( It's heart breaking. But then, so much in life is!
    I do love your mandela and I'm happy to see your work again after a busy/ lazy absence from my side.
    Hugs

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  15. I'm very sorry to hear this, our animals are our babies and we want only the best for them. I read this today, the same day there is a Buddhist pet blessing at our local dog park. I couldn't make it to the blessing, but I realized that all my fur babies really need is for me to do my best to be a blessing to their lives. They are such a blessing to our lives, they deserve our whole hearts and souls. Thank you for being a blessing to another creature's life.

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  16. i am so sorry karin. i understand only too well: my stella is unable to use her back legs very well and i know the time is soon. it's heartbreaking to love a beloved family member like this. but i believe you will see your zana again. i won't say more about that because i know it will make you cry.

    your mandala is so vibrant. it tells the real story....

    love to you always karin
    kj

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  17. Oh Karin, always such a sad time, although she has lived to such a wonderful age. always best to remember the best times.
    I love the mandala and am glad you had something to work on.

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  18. Gather every second of loving strength with Zana...she is almost ready but she has to know that you will be okay...it is strange how we think we own them but from the moment our hearts united they have us in their entire being. I am sending you loving hugs...my little Rosie is under the weather and I have not left her side since Friday. Peace be with you, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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  19. your mandala is beautiful...and I feel bad for your dear pup....I know how it is, dear...my dear Sweet Sox died last year from intestinal cancer....please read my posts about him and I hope they give you comfort....much metta to you!

    hugs....

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  20. I feel for you Karin--and send you and Zana healing wishes for this time together. The bittersweetness of caring for someone you love (person, dog, cat) as they are decline creates such an ache in the heart. I'm so glad that you've found comfort and peace in drawing. That gorgeous mandala seems to contain a rainbow of love.

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  21. So sorry Zana's not doing well (though eighteen years, wow, how wonderful to have her in your life for so long...though I don't know if that's much consolation at this point). Such a beautiful mandala...

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  22. So sad to hear about Zana. I am thinking about and sending out my best to both you and your pup.

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  23. I'm glad to see some color on your blog, though I'm sure it's a stark contrast.
    Thinking of you!
    xo

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  24. The mandala shows such spirit... just like your dear and perfect Zana. Sending blessings during this time of letting go.

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  25. I hope Zana is staying strong..Your art is strong and it is coming from your home and heart.
    Hugs,
    Katelen

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  26. So sorry to read about your much loved dog being unwell and then passing.
    I'm making this comment also because I can't get over how much your Zana looks like our Harry the hound who passed away late last year at the ripe old age of 18... I know how much they can be missed.
    We have another dog now, because we can't bare to live without one. I hope another finds its way into your life too.

    best wishes and I also love your creativity
    Robyn

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