Tangible Affirmations

Never deprive someone of hope — it may be all they have. ~Author unknown

Recently, it occurred to me that, rather than suffer through negative feelings over the lack of a puppy in my life, I needed to do something positive to prepare the way for a new wee one to arrive.

An affirmation, if you will.

So I went to the store and purchased these:

Now I realize some might question my sanity. Who buys a dog collar, leash, and puppy toy for a dog that’s not even here yet?

But one day he will be, and he’s going to need these things.

New things, not hand-me-downs from Dallas.

Because, in truth, I donated most of Dallas’s things — feeding bowls, toys, leash, and more — to our local animal shelter after he went to the Rainbow Bridge.

Donating to the “poor dogs” was something I did regularly when Dallas was alive. Despite not understanding it, he didn’t balk.

I see no sense in not continuing the practice. Just because a dog has the misfortune not to have found a forever home yet doesn’t mean he/she shouldn’t have toys to play with and warm towels to curl up in.

In all this, however, I’ve discovered something odd: I don’t have clear recall of Dallas’s puppy-hood some 14 years ago.

Oh, I remember his Gotcha Day; it’s the day-to-day housebreaking and feeding and training that escapes me.

Maybe it went by too fast. Or maybe it’s living so long with a senior pup, tending his changing needs for food and medication.

Or maybe bringing a new pup home is akin to childbirth, and you only remember the blessing of having new life in your arms, not the pain.

At any rate, I’ve been preparing my heart for a new furry friend; these items are a tangible way for me to prepare my space for him.

Do you make affirmations?