January 2024

🎉 Happy New Year! 🎉

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        As I welcome in a new year, I can't help but reflect on the previous year and how bitter sweet it was for Denis and I. After loosing Dagger in January, I felt my purpose was suddenly taken away from me. In an instant life changed for us. I've often thought about the song "What a difference a day makes...twenty-four little hours..." It's so true. Looking back I guess I took my days with Dagger for granted thinking that Dagger would always be there by my side. WOW! What a shock it was when in a matter of 24 hours he was gone from us!! It's never easy when we loose someone that we love. Whether it happens suddenly or due to an illness over a long period of time. It's still very difficult. I know this past year has been challenging for many people.

But, as we ring in a new year, I feel it's important to keep the faith and move forward.  I feel Dagger by my side in a different more spiritual way now. I know that he's with me and I also know that when and if I enter the pearly gates of heaven when I leave this earthly life, he's going to tell me that he was instrumental in sending Barney and Picasso to rescue Denis and me. They both entered serendipitously. Barney through many angels that got him to our home and Picasso through many other angels who raised him, trained him and saw he was too sensitive to be a CC Service Dog. Both of whom entered our lives needing a forever loving home. Both came to a home in need of being rescued.   

So, now we look forward to a new year and a new beginning. Dagger's studio is being used almost everyday now. I'm training Picasso to be a Therapy Dog for CC and to paint with the help of his CC professional trainer, Alex. I'm finding my purpose again. It's a good feeling. Grief never, ever leaves. If we shut down after a loss the only path is sickness and depression. That's not healthy for anyone. There were things that I did throughout the year of 2023 that I felt gave me comfort in the mist if my great loss. I cried whenever I felt like crying...I didn't hold it in. I had a Service of Thanksgiving in Dagger's Memory at St Rose of Lima Church. We were invited to Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury, Vermont to film an up-coming PBS episode of Shelter Me which concentrates on grief and loss. Barney will be featured in it. The release date is scheduled for early 2024.  I also collaborated with Anna Roy, The President of The Animal Heroes Hall Of Fame, and created a day on Dagger's birthday, October 6th, to honor him and all of the Talented Animals all over the world.  The website has an Art Exhibition and currently has a Podcast called "Howling Talent" which is up to its 7th Podcast now. We are so very proud of it!!  Check it out! It's available on Apple, Spotify and www.HowlingTalent.com

I'm excited to witness what's serendipitously in store for us as we enter this new year. If you have any suggestions and/or guests for our future Podcasts please let me know by clicking HERE. 

In the meantime...
Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Happy Tales to you,
xoxo Yvonne