November 11, 2008 – Lady Lenore is nearly 18 months old, and she still has the aura of a puppy, but is looking more mature these days. She still loves to play, is still the Hound of Love, a true Love Dog. She sleeps more, is quieter. She is a great dog, and we are about to resume some hospice volunteer work and training.
  I was thinking today about the power of encouragement, especially these days. It helps when somebody tells you that you can do something, that you can follow those voices, free the creative spirits that are urging you to live your life. There are lots of scary things out there, plenty of bad news to discourage and alarm people. As wonderful as dogs are, it is worrisome to put too much of a burden on them. They are not therapists, wizards, miracle workers. A dog like Lenore does remind me to keep perspective, to keep creating, to keep focused on the real meaning of life – money, fulfillment, the power to see the world and to open up the creative parts of ourselves. Encouragement helps, and often makes the difference. I am not into sappy protestations of happiness, but I do believe that happiness is not about money, and neither, ultimately, is security.
  I believe those who say that is internal, and can only come from inside of us, and is a gift and miracle when it happens. Thanks for the encouragement of my work, please accept some in return, from me and anybody who offers it.