Much has been happening. For one thing, because of the direct assistance of my boyfriend, LT, Paris continues to do well. Paris is the last remain of the original Blyss Borzoi I owned with my late husband, Bob. March 19th was the third anniversary of his death. This year I grieved more for him than at any other time. It figures I would get that wrong and be late but better late than never. He did mean well for me. Still, our life together was more difficult than I expected it would be.
This week, the week of April 7, 2014, is the Borzoi Club of America’s National Specialty Show in Albuquerque, NM. I had planned to attend it however my physician advised me not to travel. It turns out I do not feel very poorly but who would have known? Still, it is easier to feel well when you are not busy doing very many things. It is another thing altogether when you are busy, moving around a lot, keeping on a schedule, meeting and talking with people, and so on. When you make demands on your body and test it, that’s when you realize your energy fails you. My litmus test is simple. If I cannot stand long enough to apply my makeup, and afterwards I must return to bed, then I know I am too weak to be up, out and about. Although I do not feel that way now, and I wish I were in Albuquerque watching my friends show their dogs, I would probably be spending a great deal of down time in my room. In fact it makes me tired just thinking about it. There is always next year when it will be held in Michigan.
Every year brings its own challenges and events. You never know what will befall, even during the happiest of times, when all seems so well and perfect. Nurturing one’s inner strength and serenity are key. The dogs will always be a great demand, whether there be one or six or twelve. Each one is so important in its own right, in its own special way. I pause and recollect all the Blyss borzoi, all five of them, seven if your include the two Mikhailya puppies that stayed for four months before being given to K S-C, since they were hers. Still, Paris is here, a larger than life creature in his own right. He makes up for all who left with his 24/7 demands. He figured out how to communicate. We will never feel lonely again……. What an interesting concept, not to ever feel lonely again. Yes, that is the gift a borzoi imparts to you while it is yours, a presence, an understanding, something surreal that crosses the human canine barrier….. something so much more than a mere dog or hound.
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And so it is as an afterthought that I write, that having lost Opal, the most special of borzoi, I will feel lonely forever for the loss of her.