When my eyes wander along the images of homeless dogs before I say my prayers a young whippet-cross stares into the distance from the screen. My heart skips a beat when I see the red coat with sheepskin lining. Those of you who read ‘Spirit Companion’ will know that I donated Seamus’ old coats to the shelter after his passing. The young whippet-cross has been picked up as a stray, just like Seamus. He has been reserved for adoption and while I look at his sad brown eyes and thin body under that familiar coat I say to him: “God bless you sweet boy. Seamus would have loved you and his coat will keep you warm in Winter. We wish you a happy and healthy life in your new home. Everything is going to be just fine.”
he leaves the shelter
with more than good wishes
around his shoulders
© Xenia Tran
With love to you all,
Xenia xxx
Photograph of rescue whippet-cross in the red coat taken at shelter by SSPCA.
Photograph of Seamus wearing his red coat underneath a newer coat in sub-zero temperatures by Xenia Tran, unedited.
Camera: Lumix Panasonic FZ38, setting: iA
Carpe Diem Universal Jane #2 – The Moon Rises Each Night
dVerse Poets Pub Haibun Monday #24 The Bridge
This is just wonderful-it brought tears to my eyes-what a wonderful way to commemorate a special companion’s memory-
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Thank you so much Meg, I had a lump in my throat when I first saw it and then I was so happy, especially as this dog had already been reserved for adoption. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed rest of the day xxx
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Seems like the Autumn leaves are falling now Xenia? Lovely….
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Thank you Whitney ☺
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It’s such a beautiful post…Seamus’s coat is like an allegory of continuum. Nothing really dies, nothing that has existed stops being present in some form or other. A really lovely post, thank you 🙂
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Thank you Alex ☺ Much love to you, Lily and Brian 💜
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Lovely post, tears in eyes too :)Seamus would have been pleased xx Love the haibun…something to do with the number of syllables? : ) xxx
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Thank you Samantha, we believe he would have been pleased too ☺ A haibun is a paragraph of prose followed by a haiku. I have written a few before on this blog. Much love to you all from all of us 💗 xxx
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Yes I recognised the pattern..just didn’t put the name to it…lol! I’m having a “Thickie Thursday..”
Lots of love to you all : ) xxx
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Thank you Samantha!☺💗 xxx
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What a lovely story ❤ I’m so happy to see another shelter dog find a home. And a wonderful way to celebrate Seamus. Perhaps he came back to enrich another family’s life 💕 🐾 Much love xxx
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Thank you Cathy, we are so happy this dog has a home and there are a lot of similarities in the background stories. Thank you for stopping by and much love to you and Finn 💗 xxx
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oh that made my heart melt, he looks so sweet xx
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Thank you Elaine, he looks like a real sweet boy ☺ Much love to you 💗 xxx
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I am sure he will have a happy life too x
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This must have made you feel so good. The coat is good luck; this little one find the perfect home. ❤
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Thank you Lois, it is so wonderful when you see another wee soul getting adopted and this felt a bit special. It is a lovely thought that the coat is good luck ☺ Much love to you all 💖 xxx
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So lovely and heartfelt. I have a special place in my heart for rescue dogs.
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Thank you Miriam :o)
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So lovely..
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Thank you Bella :o) xxx
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My day feels better now,after those great great news!
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Thank you Rodo, that is great news too! :o)
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Lovely, lovely post.
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Thank you so much Laurie :o)
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She/he looks very sad… Seamus’ spirit will be with him/her.
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Thank you Amy, this boy has gone to his new home and I hope he will be feeling a lot happier by now. I believe Seamus will watch over him too :o)
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❤ Thank you for the post. ❤
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It is a pleasure Amy :o) Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful weekend xxx
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xxx
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Beautifully bittersweet. What a wonderful way to keep the Seamus’ love alive. I hope the homeless dog finds a loving forever home soon. Bless it’s heart.
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Thank you E.C., he has already been ‘reserved’ and hopefully he will be in his forever home soon ☺
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A beautiful haiku and story Xenia. That is a sad little face in the image but as you tell he has a bright future.
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Thank you Denis, he has a new home and new life waiting for him ☺
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This young dog is blessed by your kindness. This post is quite inspirational, to use what we have for those who need it.
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Thank you for your kind words LuAnne. It made us happy to see the coat was used to keep another dog in need warm and it would have made Seamus very happy too :o) Much love to you xxx
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Oh how beautiful and poignant and heartwarming.
From one animal lover to another.
xoxo
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Thank you so much for your kind words Peta and Ben :o)
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I have not thought about a connection with a coat like that… wonderful how you can give joy to those dogs at the shelter in more ways than one.
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Thank you Björn :o)
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And so nice to see it put to good use ~ You have a kind and loving heart ~
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Thank you so much for your kind words Grace :o)
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Lovely write ❤️
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A coat of many colors covered by a red coat left as a bridge to help those in need. A bittersweet story but one that touches.
bright red leaves falling
confused eyes seek adoption
memories wrap tight
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Thank you so much for your kind words and your beautiful haiku Brian. Blessings to you from the chilly Highlands :o)
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Very original take on the prompt… and touching too!
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Thank you so much :o)
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Another animal saved. Wonderful story. It brought tears to my eyes.
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Thank you so much for your kind words Sara :o)
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That coat is a bridge – between dogs, and between dogs and humans – and such a beautiful one, Xenia.
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Thank you so much for your kind words Kim. There are so many beautiful bridges in animal rescue :o)
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even a second hand coat
can be a symbol of love
– a second chance
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Thank you Bryan, it is so true. We have always passed the coats from our rescue dogs who crossed the rainbow bridge to dogs in need and they are always gratefully received by the shelters and hounds.
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The shelter as a bridge-lovely thought. And the coat, Oh my how sweet
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Thank you for your kind words Debi :o)
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Wow! A beautiful connection.
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Thank you Rosemary ☺
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