Valentine’s Day can pass virtually unnoticed at our house. Sometimes my husband brings home chocolate and I give him a handmade card. I wish I had a talent for verse so I could write him a poem, but I can usually only come up with verses that begin
Roses are red…
I guess we’re just not romantic people. Still, when I read about the Valentine Essay contest at San Diego Writer’s, Ink, I thought I would write a story about our wedding or the day we met. I sat down at the computer to work, but that’s not what appeared on the page. The love story I wrote turned out to be about Lola.
Surprised? I knew you wouldn’t be.
Bruce didn’t mind. He knows he’s my true valentine, whether we remember the day or not. And he was as thrilled as I was when I called him at work to tell him that my essay Live, Love, Fetch had won second place in the contest. That’s (almost) better than chocolate.
Congratulations Shary! This is wonderful, I love it! I could almost smell the lilacs!
Thanks, Kim. I’m glad you enjoyed the essay. I hope it didn’t make you too sad.
Shary, this is a beautiful love story and a reminder that love comes to us not just thru people, and it is up to us to recognize these gifts that make us smell the lilacs. I was deeply touched!
So true that we can learn a lot from animals if we pay attention. One of these days you’ll have to meet Lola… I know she’ll love you.
Congratulations, Shary! Well deserved. Lovely story! And, btw, you are so cute in that photo. You must have been a teenager, right? Lola was an adorable puppy!
You’re so funny! Of course I was a teenager six years ago when Lola was a puppy.
Awww, that’s so sweet — and of course I had some sniffles thinking of my Abby dog who’s almost 10 now with lots of arthritis…. a friend once said of dogs: “they’ll break our hearts” because they simply won’t be with us forever. Lola and you are so lucky to have one another — and she’s clearly your muse. Congratulations on a contest well won!! xo Julia
Poor Abby. It’s so hard to watch them age and it does break our hearts. I try not to think about it too much, but I can’t help it sometimes. Lola does distract me with her antics, though and she’s definitely an inspiration.
Shary, congratulations! How beautiful for you to have written about Lola pup! Of course Bruce understands! After all, these furry friends of ours are so important to us. I will swing by to check out your story. In the meantime, don’t you and Lola look beautiful in this photo!
Thanks, Bella. I do love that photo of Lola when she was still small. She grew fast!
Congrats on this accomplishment. The writing journey has its own rewards and definitely, it’s cool to have someone rooting in your corner.
Thanks, Totsy. It does mean a lot to me that Bruce is always cheering me on. He puts up with a lot of writing angst.
Shary, I just read your story. How beautiful! While reading I had some Irish music in the background and the whole thing just got emotional, (and I do not even have a dog). Please keep writing my dear and keep dancing as well okay?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it – with a soundtrack. And I’m not giving up on writing or dancing. See you in class tomorrow!
Hey Shary,
How fun!! I am so proud of you! What a great essay! Paul and I both read your essay and we both agreed that this time now is so precious, and our
animals do teach us how to stop and enjoy the moment.
Cheryl and Paul
It’s fun to watch a puppy experience things for the first time. DaVinci is adorable and he’s learning so much – so inspiring.
I am not surprised that your writing received recognition. It is a wonderful story. Congratulations Shary and thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Bassa!
Beautiful!
I wonder if you should take a stab a nonfiction or essay – your descriptions of the places you take Lola and the things you do together are so vivid.
Almost makes me want to give in to the wishing for a new dog but I still miss Andre and I don’t think Einstein would forgive us…
Andre was one of a kind and so is Einstein. Dogs do give so much love, but they also require a lot of care. One day the little girl who wants a dog so much will be old enough to provide that care. Her mama will know when she’s ready.
I love all the detail and description you put into the story. It made for a very fun read. Congratulations on getting second place. That’s so awesome.
Thanks, Bongo. Lola loves to read about your adventures, too.
This is such a beautiful love story, Shary. Thanks for sharing it! And congratulations on winning 2nd place in the contest!
Thanks, Laurie. I was so thrilled when they chose it.
Fabulous! I’m going to go read your essay now.
I hope you like it!
I’m just catching up on reading blogs and was so excited to read this post! Congratulations on your winning story. And I know what you mean. I think I’ve written more about my dogs than my husband
Isn’t it funny how our furry pals inspire us!
Oh, Shary… I loved your essay. I am like you: mad that pets’ lives are so relatively short in comparison to ours. But life without them… well, it just isn’t living, is it? Congrats on the contest win! Woo hoo.
Absolutely! I don’t know what I’d do without Lola.
Oh. Geez Shary! You made me cry! I’ve always been a dog lover, but it took us a while to get our pup when we finally had a place where we could. Its funny, but we didn’t feel quite complete until now. Sweeney has filled our home with mischief and a little chaos, but mostly with love. Thanks for your beautiful essay!
Sweeney is adorable! I can’t wait to meet your puppy.