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Saturday, January 12, 2013

Belated Christmas

Today, we finally celebrated Christmas. Due to our flu and my pneumonia, we canceled our plans for the actual Christmas date and rescheduled for "later". Today, we got together with our extended family for a celebration.

For me, the best Christmas present of all was watching Shyla be happy, playful, and loving in the midst of the hub-bub of gift opening and numerous people.

Sunrise this morning... Shyla brimmed with confidence.

Later in the day during our belated Christmas celebration, happy nephews...


A favorite stocking gift - Martian mud...

A funny face...

And, finally, the moment when I knew that Shyla had truly learned that the boys are fun and not scary. Today was the first day that Shyla seemed completely at ease.

Occasionally, Shyla needed extra prompting as my nephew put them through their paces but she was so happy.
Today was the product of months of work. During one of Shyla's first days with us in early September, she had a meltdown when a child asked to pet her. She lay on the sidewalk and lost control of her bladder due to terror as he approached. On that day, I felt unsure that we'd ever have a relaxed day like this one with our nephews. I was wrong. Shyla has an inner courage that I didn't yet recognize. That courage has given her the strength to learn about our alien human world.

Seeing my family and Shyla play together was the best Christmas present of the year.

22 comments:

  1. Shyla found that inner courage because you helped her to find it, and blossom--A gift truly worth waiting for!

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  2. Merry Christmas. What a great way to spend it, even if it is a few weeks late. Christmas is not just a day in a month, it is a time of sharing and loving......

    Bert and My Vcikie

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  3. Kim is SO spot on!

    BTW, I bet your nephews are a bit bummed tonight - although we don't watch football due to a certain unhuman, I can't help but know The Orange team lost to The Purple one

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  4. That sure was a great present to be able to have Shyla and your nephews hanging out and enjoying each other's company.

    Cindy

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  5. YAYYAYAYAY for you and SHyla! That's incredible
    Nola

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  6. What a wonderfully beautiful gift. I love that first photo of Shyla and R with your nephew. So attentive and focused and confident.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  7. It looks like your nephew is pretty dog savvy, which helps a lot! I am do glad that Shyla enjoyed all the celebrations, and that you finally had your family Christmas.

    That Martian Mud looks awesome! Where on Earth do you get that?

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  8. Ann....from Outer Banks of NC....said..... What a wonderful day and such a wonderful gift of Love.... nice pics of your nephew with your beautiful babies....so heartwarming that it makes my heart leaps with joy.......Have a great Sunday.... HUGS

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  9. KB, you might have received this present, but you have given so much, and this wonderful day shows how much. A joyous day together, fun, Shyla happy and relaxed, nothing more is needed. Cheers from Jean

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  10. I'm still getting to know everyone, but it sounds like Shyla did a great job and you are one proud pup mom.

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  11. Awesome -- both of you!! A belated Merry Christmas to you, wonderful Shyla, and the whole family.

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  12. We live for those moments when the progress is brilliantly illuminated. It fills the soul with such a sense of rightness and completeness that somehow we are stumbling along on a path that is truly heading someplace awesome! Congratulations to Shyla and to you.

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  13. I am so happy you all had such a nice day. Congratulations to Shyla for doing so well.

    Anne and Sasha

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  14. You should be proud of yourself too for assisting Shyla and helping her learn so much and relax. I'm sure your nephew was a happy boy being able to work with Shyla.

    Glad that everyone is getting healthy and that you had a good although belated Christmas. Just proves it's not the calender date, it's about who you're with.

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  15. aaahhh ...very nice day
    Snorts,
    Benny & Lily

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  16. I'm so proud of Shyla for how far she's come!!

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  17. Hope you're all feeling better and so glad to see you enjoyed your Christmas celebration!
    Kudos to you and Shyla on her growth. She's a real beauty!

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  18. You are amazing, Shyla, and you truly are the best Christmas gift! You are R are such a handsome couple.

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

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  19. We think you proved Christmas is so special it doesn't need to happen on a certain day!

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  20. What a grand post!! And merriest of times! Wonderful... for all.

    ~Andrea
    XOXOXO

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  21. Hurray for Shyla and all the people who are helping her become such a great dog!!!

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