adoption

The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

Charlie relaxing in the Dog Days of Autumn – October, 2018 – Mars, PA

The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post.

Who says dogs like summer best?
I say hold your horses…
The dog days of summer
are for the birds!

Maybe it is the elephant in the room,
or maybe you consider me pig-headed,
but I’m going to let the cat out of the bag
and tell you Fall is the cat’s meow!

It just makes me mad as a hornet
and really gets my goat
when folks don’t realize the lion’s share of enjoyment
weasels out in the crisp breeze of Autumn.

Are you like a fish out of water when the leaves start to turn?
I promise Autumn is not a one trick pony.
You’ve got to believe me – I wouldn’t hurt a fly…
Fish or cut bait, and enjoy the beauty.

So when summer’s gone to the dogs
and I get ants in my pants,
I watch like a hawk
for the smoldering heat and humidity to quit cold turkey

And I head out on a wild goose chase
and let sleeping dogs lie
for the red herring is truly
the Dog Days of Autumn!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

You May Hear Me Being Called… A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 66 Comments

You May Hear Me Being Called…  A Charlie Guest Post

My mom calls me “Char.”
My niece calls me “E!”
My brothers call me “Chuck.”
My dad calls me “Buddy.”

But at different times,
and in different circumstances,
you may hear me being called….

“Bed Hog” in the middle of the night.
“Mooch” when someone is eating.
“Bad” when I steal food from the table while nobody is looking.
“Pest” when I want breakfast at 6am on Sunday mornings.
“Good Boy” when I allow my niece to take a bone from my mouth.
“Silly” when I chase my own tail.
“Noisy” when I want to play with my squeaky donut while Dad is still sleeping.
“Stinky” when I roll in something wonderful in the yard.

It’s a wonder I even know my name – huh?

You really can call me anything you want,
but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
don’t
ever
call me
late
for dinner!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

 

Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Dog: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 56 Comments

Charlie celebrating The Year of The Dog 2/16/18 with a delicious bone

Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Dog:  A Charlie Guest Post.

Hi Friends!  It’s your buddy Charlie here to wish you Happy New Year!
Chinese New Year that is.  And OH What a YEAR it is!

It is the YEAR of the DOG!
What could be better?!

Chinese New Year officially started on Friday, February 16th, but Mom and I were off on Friday.

Luckily Chinese New Year is typically celebrated for about two weeks, so it is not too late to join in on the party.

And this is a very special Year of the Dog.
It is the Year of the Earth Dog.
And it is the first one since 1958*.

Earth energy is all about getting grounded, creating security, and finding your balance as you move forward*.

People born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are also known as Dogs.

And guess what?!

Dad was born in 1958, so he is a Dog too!  WOOOHOOO!
(Mom is a Tiger – Roar!)

Mom and I did some internet research, and guess what else?
This story just keeps getting better and better.

Dogs are most compatible with rabbits, TIGERs, and horses.
Dogs are often pessimistic and need a Tiger’s reassurance.
Tigers also need a Dog’s loyalty.

(Sounds like Mom and Dad are a match made in “Chinese New Year” heaven!)

So Happy New Year from our family – two Dogs and one Tiger – to yours!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl

/ Jodi / 48 Comments
This week leading up to Christmas, I am sharing a few of my favorite posts from the past.  This post is a special one.  It celebrates a very special event in my life.   A Journey back to Daddy’s Girl…

The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl – Happy 4th Anniversary Dad!

 

Today is a very special Anniversary…  A day that brings back floods of memories…  floods of emotions….  reflections on time missed…  but celebration of time and love shared…  from here on…

You see – Today is a Father-Daughter Anniversary.  Today is the 4 year anniversary of my reunion with my Dad (my “birth father”).

And I  thought it deserved a special anniversary card to send to Dad to help us cherish the day.

word traveler train cherish dad anniversary 4 card

So you might think that sounds a bit odd…. Father and Daughter Anniversary???

Well – I’m going to share a kinda big chunk and pretty personal part of my heart today.  So – if you’re not into that or not interested, you may just want to skip this blog.

So here goes…

On July 17, 2010, I was reunited with my Dad (my “birth father” Dad so as not to be confused with another great man in my life that I also call Dad – I know – a bit confusing – and on top of that both of their names are John!).

It was a day neither of us will ever forget.

The reason(s) for our separation for 39 years is really not the point or purpose of this story, nor do I feel appropriate to share, but the joy in our reunion is the focus here….  And oh what JOY we have shared.

For our second Christmas together again in 2012, I presented Dad with a book I wrote for him.

dadbook

I called it, “The Journey Back to Daddy’s Girl.”  The book is a celebration of our initial exchange of emails leading up to our reunion that covers the course of only a few short weeks, but close to 70 pages of exchanges.  It chronicles how we discovered each other again – an adult daughter close to 50 years old – and an even more adult father – close to 70 years old who last saw each other when the little girl was 9 years old and the Daddy was just barely past 30.

We (well mostly I) asked each other questions (sometimes difficult ones) and our exchanges evolved from closings with “John (BF)” to “Love you, Dad”s.

Let me share the “Introduction” with you here.

———-

“Once upon a time, there was a little girl.  Jodi had a Mom and a Dad and a little brother.

Life was good, until one day when Daddy left.  Then Jodi just got to visit with Daddy on the weekends, until a day came when Mom introduced Jodi and her brother to a new Dad, and told her she would not be seeing her other Daddy any more.

Jodi lived a good life.  Her new Dad and Mom took good care of her and her brother and her new baby sister, but Jodi always felt something was missing.

She thought of her first Dad throughout her life.

She dreamed of bumping into him on the street… their eyes would lock, and they would immediately recognize each other.  Dad would tell her he loved her and missed her and was so proud of the woman she had become…..

Sometimes dreams do come true…”

———-

Marty (for those new here – the hubster), was instrumental in helping me find my Dad.

It is so much more incredibly easier than imaginable with the internet and people search software these days.

Marty has known for years – probably before I even realized – that there was a part of me missing – that there were unanswered questions – that there was a dad out there that I needed – and who needed me.  He has asked me over the years about it – ever since we started dating when I was a mere 16 year old high school girl and he was a “mature” 20-year old “man.”  (That story is a whole blog post for another day).  When Marty realized my yearning had grown so strong, and my need was so great, he was the one that took the step to reach out for me, and the resulting reply is etched in my mind and on my heart forever:

“Hi Jodi – Yes. I am your “Birth Father.”  It was an answer to prayer hearing from you.  I hope that you and John are both fine.  To this day, I regret the worst decision I have ever made.  I was talked into doing something, but I had my own mind.  At the time, I thought I was doing the best thing for your two.  Can you ever forgive me?”

And so began my Journey back to Daddy’s Girl.

And now we celebrate four wonderful years of being a reunited father and daughter, which began on July 17, 2010 when my Dad showed up to my house with a huge bouquet of flowers, a face that looked exactly like mine (and resembles Tom Jones I think only to me 🙂 ), immediately telling me he loved me, and he missed me, that I was beautiful (only to him I’m sure 🙂 ),and he was so proud of me.  You see – he wanted to fulfill my dream…  He wanted our reunion to be the wonderful event I had dreamed about over the years…

We both cried – happy and sad tears.  And we have talked almost every day since then.  We’ve spent  birthdays and holidays and Father’s days together.  He was with me at our son Jake’s wedding.  He loves my family as his own.  His family has embraced me as their own.  They have always known about me, and they welcomed me with open arms.

I will never forget the first time I met my Dad’s wife, Carole (aka Mom 2).  The first thing she said to me was, “Your Dad always promised me a daughter, and now I have one.  We’ve been praying for you for a long time.”

The epilogue of my book closes with:

———-

And so it began …….

With a simple email …

A journey back to Daddy’s girl.

And now, two and a half years later …

… we write each other almost every day

… and talk every weekday morning at 7:05

We’ve spent Father’s days together and holidays and birthdays and are part of each other’s lives again.

Our families love each other and we love each other.

‘What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life’

Dreams do come true!

this is not THE END.”

———-

071710

Father & Daughter Reunion Day – July 17, 2010

I hope this message will encourage those adult children who were separated from birth parents – at whatever age (birth, childhood, teenager, young adult) – for whatever reason – to reach out and try if it is something that has yanked on and ached in your heart for years.

Maybe your ending will not turn out as good as mine did  (and of course there is much more to our story than I’ve shared here so far) , but can anything hurt more than the emptiness and not-knowing that you feel every day?  Could the potential rejection be any worse than what you have imagined or decided or dealt with for years in your heart?

Love is worth the risk.  It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.  Closure or resolution or answers to decades of unanswered questions can let you sleep at night…  can bring you peace… can make you right with yourself!  I’m certainly not an educated or trained professional in this area, but I can only speak of my own personal experience.

I wish you joy.  I wish you peace.  I wish you resolution.  I wish you wholeness of heart – no matter the ending.  YOU are worth it.  YOU are here for a reason.  YOU are loved.

Happy 4 year “Anniversary” Dad!  I love you, and I cherish you!   (And I’ve been listening to “our song” again this week.  I’m betting you will too.)  ❤  “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life!”

Cheers and Hugs,

Jodi

Watching and Waiting: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 57 Comments

Watching and Waiting:  A Charlie Guest Post.

Early in the morning
after a long night’s slumber,
I peek out from under the covers
to see if a new day has begun.

I stretch, and I shake
and gobble up some breakfast.

I then head outside
while the fog is often thick,
and the sun is beginning to shine…
to watch and wait…

I watch and wait
for the UPS or FedEx delivery truck,
or Cliff, the mailman.

I watch and wait
for my friend, Jager to wander up to play,
or his grandma, Tracy, to go for a walk.

I watch and wait
for a deer to wander by,
or to chase a squirrel sneaking food from the bird feeders.

I watch and wait
for the neighbor kids to play in their yard,
or the other neighbor dogs to bark from their yard.

I watch and wait
for my mom to come out and throw a ball,
or my sweet, baby niece to visit (if it’s Friday!).

I watch and wait
for a stick that needs chewed on,
or any other thing that smells good in the yard to eat.

I watch and wait
for my brothers to come visit,
or my Dad to come home for dinner.

My days are very busy…
watching and waiting.

It’s a dog’s life…
and this is my domain.

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jager the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Lion

/ Jodi / 48 Comments

Lion.

Have you seen this movie?

After a busy few days this wonderfully long holiday weekend, hubby and I settled in by a warm fire, Christmas tree lights lit (yep – I put it up this weekend), pizza delivered from our favorite shop in Mars (Posti’s – Bacon, Onions, Mushrooms on hubby’s half, and extra cheese!), and a tall pour of red wine, and we watched one of the most amazing movies I’ve seen in a long time – Lion.

I really had no idea what it was about, which is unusual for me when watching a movie.  Hubby always gets exasperated when I want to pick the Friday night movie at home.  My routine begins with scrolling through the entire list available on Pay Per View and Netflix’s new releases.  When I find a title that appeals, I go to my iphone or laptop to google the movie and read the synopsis and reviews.  When I finally choose one (about a half hour later), it is usually not the best movie…. I fall asleep halfway in… and hubby ends up watching it and waking me at the end to go to bed.

But Lion is one our youngest son has mentioned a few times as one he thought we would really enjoy, so when I began scrolling and came to the title, I simply chose it – no synopsis – no review – no clue what it was about – just figuring it was about a Lion.

Ha! Not about a lion in the way I thought.

First of all…. Dev Patel.   (happy sigh) Such a gorgeous, gentle, sweet-spirited actor and human being.  You may remember him from Slumdog Millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (two other wonderful movies if you haven’t seen them).

Second… the cinematography!

Third…  the story!  A TRUE story.

I think many of us will relate on different levels, but for me, I could relate to being “lost.”  Maybe not in the same way Saroo was, but nonetheless “lost.”  I can also relate to the reunion, the brotherly love, and adoption.

But what I was completely blown away by (and driven to unstoppable tears in the end), was the powerful spirit of this 5-year old boy who survived his ordeal, and then his journey at the end of the movie (which I don’t want to spoil for you), so I won’t say what happened.

I can’t imagine anyone who would not be touched and inspired or their heart warmed and literally nourished by this movie.

Take some time, and give yourself the gift of this movie.

And then, if you feel so inspired, you can give a gift to help the over 80,000 children who go missing in India each year by donating to the #LionHeart Campaign.   The #LionHeart Campaign has collaborated with extraordinary organizations working on the ground to protect children in India and around the world. Contributions will provide critical financial support to enable the charitable organizations of Magic Bus, Childline India, and Railway Children India to do even more.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Being a Best Friend: A Charlie Dog Guest Post

/ Jodi / 69 Comments
charlie-and-jaeger

Charlie and his best friend Jaeger, February, 2017 – Mars, PA

Being a Best Friend:  A Charlie Dog Guest Post.

Here are some things I have learned about being a best friend.  I hope you find these helpful:

  • Always act like it has been a hundred trillion years since you’ve last seen each other (even if it’s only been a day)!  Run around like maniacs and chase each other and jump all over each other.  It shows how much you’ve missed them and love them.
  • Share your “stuff” (including your donuts and bones and balls) – even if it is difficult – and its even okay to play tug with them for a while, but always take turns giving in.
  • Share your food and drink – more will always be provided.
  • Invite them into your home – and visit their home too (even if you have to sneak!)
  • Love each other’s families – they are the ones who helped make them the way they are.
  • Tell each other secrets (use secret signals and languages if necessary), and make sure you keep them secrets.
  • Take walks together – its good exercise and company.

These are just a few things I have learned along the way since I met my new best friend about a year ago when he moved into my neighborhood.  Jaeger (that’s my best friend’s name) is a year younger than me even though he is bigger.  Isn’t he handsome?  I love Jaeger, and he loves me.  We are best friends.

Mom tells me that to have a best friend you have to be one, so I try really hard.

Everyone needs at least one best friend.  I’m glad I have Jaeger.

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Lap Doggin’: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 47 Comments

charlie-closeup

Hi Friends –

Happy Sunday!  It’s me – your buddy, Charlie – back with a guest post.  I hear some of you have been missing me!  😉

Let’s talk laps today.

Mom is always trying to coax me to sit on her lap in the evening.

She begs…
she pleads…
she bribes…
she pretend cries…

PUULLLLLEEEEZZE!  Sheesh!

I’m just not a fan!

I much prefer to sit in my own seat – especially when it is lined with my favorite soft, chenille blankie.  I am, of course, within close enough range where Mom is very welcome, and even highly encouraged, to scratch my chin and belly and rub my ears.

I do, however, like to sit on the laps of guests that come to our home…

especially those that aren’t particularly fond of dogs and don’t understand how amazing doggie kisses are.

These are the laps I am particularly drawn to…
so I do choose to jump into those laps.

Even when they push me away.
Even when Mom says “Down Charlie!”
Even when Dad says “No Charlie!”

A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do – right?

I wholeheartedly believe my purpose is to teach all humans that dogs are wonderful and doggie kisses are the best!

We all need a purpose – and until someone comes up with a better one.  This is mine!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Charlie Charlie Pumpkin Eater – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

charlie-pumpkin-eater

I have the best Mom ever!

She went to the office yesterday for a meeting and left me home to play.

Not only was it a beautiful Fall day….  she made a whole toy box out in the front yard for me to play with.

Isn’t she awesome?!

She put all these great little pumpkins on a bail of hay surrounded by flowers to make them smell nice.   It really did look pretty, but I’m sure she wanted me to feel free to play with all these fun things.  Right?

I had a blast tossing them around the yard.

After playing with them for a while, I discovered not only are they fun to roll around the yard, but they are DELICIOUS to eat too!

So I ate a few.

Seriously – am I the luckiest dog on the planet?!

Thanks Mom!  The yard might not look quite as decorative as you left it, but I sure had a fun day!

pumpkin-decorations

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

National Dog Day – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 48 Comments
charlie and jager

Charlie and Jager

Did you know?
I’m sure YOU did!

Seems everyone knew!

It was all over Facebook and Twitter.

Seems everyone knew…. (sigh)
Except Mom.

Not sure how she could have overlooked the most wonderful day of the year…

Yesterday was National Dog Day!

August 26 – EVERY year!  DUH!!!

You knew – right?!!??

And as much as I hate to admit – I do need Mom’s opposable thumbs to help type as I dictate my – err- “regular” blog posts here.

So thank you, Debi, for asking about me to remind my Mom I am missed by our lifeinbetweener friends here!

Sheesh!  What is a dog to do?

Well – anyway –  how did you spend National Dog Day?

Even though Mom overlooked this important day, I have to admit – I had a glorious day!  My day included breakfast, naps, treats, donut time, jump on the bed time, a walk, dinner, some ear scratches and belly rubs, and a visit from the pizza delivery girl (it was Friday after all!).

What more could a dog want – right?

Here is a picture of me with one of my dog friends.  This is Jager.

Jager is just a puppy – not even a year old – (even though he is quite a bit bigger than me already!) – so I have a lot to teach him since I am already 2.  Jager can be a little bit annoying, but Mom tries to remind me that I was a pup once too (and annoying to older dogs – Really??!!).   And puppies are really “exuberant!”  They don’t quite understand when it is time to just “walk” versus time to “play.”  They don’t quite know when it is time to “quit.”  Pups don’t always understand boundaries and seniority and whose toys are whose, but I’ll teach him.  That’s what older dogs do with younger dogs.  It’s my job.  I like jobs.  It’s important to have a purpose.

We all have a purpose.  Isn’t that great to know?

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: https://lifeinbetween.me/.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.