Woody's Garden

****
There Must Be Gardens in Pet Heaven
I am at Lowe’s Garden Center, wrestling with a Bird of Paradise. I just want to find the price. This Mutha is huge.
Woody’s headstone arrived and I’ve decided to plant the biggest, most beautiful tropical plants I can find around it. Woody may have been small, but I just know he is huge now. After all, he is in everything I see.
Plus I need something to water and tend to every day or I am going to lose my mind. Rebecca is low maintenance; I love her, especially now as she shares my grief, but she’s an independent kinda gal, as most cats are.
The Bird of Paradise is ninety dollars, plus it won’t fit in my car, so I chose a smaller version called heliconia: same huge green leaves and smaller, but no less beautiful, orange flowers. I set the pot of Confederate Jasmine we brought with us from North Carolina next to his headstone, as sort of a connection to when he was alive. I also buy a yellow flowering shrub called Esperanza, which means “Hope” and a Kalanchoe plant with teeny white flowers on it, because they remind me of Woody. The last thing I buy is some kind of snake plant with brilliant red and orange and yellow-speckled leaves reaching up to the sky, much like the flowers and plants in my niece and nephew’s card.
I have finally changed my clothes. No laundry done yet, though. Change takes time.
I drive home in a stupor - again, change takes time – and I go to work.
To call me “crazy with grief” at this point is an understatement. Even though it is 90 degrees and sunny, I dig the holes for the plants and plant them in fifteen minutes flat, even adding soil conditioner to keep them healthy. Bugs are everywhere: attaching themselves to my arms and calves, flying up my nose, even sticking onto my contact lenses. Undaunted, I weed as I go, all while balancing on one foot so as not to disturb his gravesite. The finishing touch is a little wooden sign I made with a little drawing of Woody on a cloud on it that read, “Woody’s Garden.” No way I’m going to call this spot in my yard “Woody’s G-G-G-Gr-Grave.” Uh-uh, no way.
As I water the plants, I keep hoping I’ll see Woody peek out from behind one of the plants in his garden. Wacko.
Rebecca appears next to me and suddenly leaps over to the heliconia. She rubs past one. She sniffs Woody’s new headstone and plops down on it.
She closes her eyes as I pet her head.
I think of my niece and nephews’ card. “Angels and bugs….” I whisper.
*

BLACK FRIDAY

From

Woody's Garden
An Illustrated Book for Pet Lovers of All Ages
www.xlibris.com/woodysgarden
(Not to be confused with this blog, Walks With Woody)




“ And, greatest gift of all,
Odin gave them souls that live and never die,
though the body itself has turned to dust.”

- ODIN’S FAMILY: MYTHS OF THE VIKINGS
Retold by Neil Philip

I wake up hearing panting. The excited, Spring fever kind of dog panting :Woody running full force around trees in our backyard in Michigan, years ago when he could do that. No matter how cold it was outside, he’d run circles on the grassy patches in between the snow until, exhausted, he’d sit, and one of us would scoop him up, and bring him inside to rest and lap up some water.
This is just too hard. Thinking about him is just too painful.
So I started thinking TO him instead….
I closed my eyes as quickly as they opened this morning in bed, and tried to clear my mind. Slowly, I pictured him, content, in the lap of Peace….
Me: I miss you.
I imagine he would cock his head to one side, trying to understand.
He is suddenly a beautiful man angel, like a Nordic god.
He: But I never left. And you still haven’t left me. We’re still together.
Me: True. You are in my thoughts, always. I guess what I mean is, I miss your little body.
I picture him shrugging and the thought comes quietly to me, as if he said it directly to my mind.
He: That body caused me a great deal of pain for a very long time. I’m glad to be free of it. I couldn’t run for a very long time.
And suddenly I realize what he is saying is true. His arthritis left him unable to run in years.
He looks at me and without words spoken, and I know: he hung on for a very long time, longer than he might have willingly. Maybe he would have “gone” after his first syncopatic episode – a surprise, too soon, to be sure. In his unconsciousness then, perhaps, he heard the desperation in my voice, felt my wildly trembling hands, and he knew he couldn’t leave me like that, so he pawed his way back to us. Away from the freedom from pain and those grassy fields of Heaven that he finally could run through again. Through another heart attack and several mini-strokes, he stayed with the old ticker as long as he could.
I don’t know if this is true. But…
I also don’t know that it is not.
*


I miss the physical likeness of Woody. I miss his smell (wheat toast) and the feel of his fur (boney angora). I miss the way his head popped up when I’d pass him in his little dog bed; I miss the way he would hold a wedge of rawhide and chew it with gusto; the way he’d smack when he would eat Pupperoni treats.
But if I believed in Spirit, had an ounce (or 3.3 pounds) of faith, I’d know, indeed, that he is in a “better place.” Without the burden of a sick body, he can run again, breathe again, and finally, finally be free.
Thinking of Woody always brings me full-face with those last few frail days, with all the guilt of having him put to sleep, but at the same time knowing that I would never expect David to let me suffer any longer than Woody did. I just don’t know.


*
Me: When are you coming Home?
He: I am Home.
Me: But – I don’t –
He: I’m already with you.
Me: Please. I miss you.
He: Check more. Inside. Around you. I never left.
Me: How can I be sure?
He: You don’t have to be.
Just know.


* *
On my morning walk this morning I heard a rustle of leaves and was rather pleasantly startled to look over and see a Mini Pinscher puppy poised and staring at me, head cocked mischievously to the right.
Oh, God, this is a busy street, I am thinking. “Where did you come from?” I ask him. He darted back, through a hole in the fence.
I walked on.
Rustle of grass. Mini pin, back again.
“C’mon. You can’t play on this busy street, Sweetie. You’ll get squished.”
I consider carrying him to a side street, where I can knock on a few doors, find his real home.
As if reading my mind, he leaps, fakes me out, and darts back into the hole again.
I walked on.
I keep looking back for him, again and again, just in case. But he’s gone.
He must know where his Home is, even though I don’t.
*

His eyes are half closed and he is half-turned, this stunning white-blonde man. The contentment on his face is something I have never known, and I feel guilty disturbing him from it, but –
He turns to me. Tears are streaming down my face but the grapefruit that’s been blocking my throat for the past two weeks has shrunk to the size of an apricot. He looks so lovely; he smiles the kindest smile I have ever seen in my entire life, with sparkling blue eyes the color of the South Florida sky.
Me: I still look for you when I get home and… it’s like being stabbed.
He: Mmm. Yes.
He hugs me with strong, smooth arms enveloped by cool, white sheet sleeves and I cry into them and worry about the mascara stains and I tell him, and he laughs a little and hugs me tighter – big, white, safe arms.
I cry and cry and laugh a little because suddenly I think of him as a puppy, biting my grandmother with tiny teeth and a tiny growl to match, and she giggled.
Me: I spoke to Nannie yesterday and she told me she had a dream about you. She said Jesus was sitting in a chair and He called to you and patted his lap, and you sprung right up, all white and fluffy. But your hair was curlier. Does Heaven curl your hair?
He: (smiling) Only the angels’.
Me: Really?
He shrugs.
Me: Anyway, even though her memory fails her a lot, she remembered that you had been born with a gimp front leg. But in her dream your leg was perfect and you were wagging a lot.
He: Yes. My legs are strong as trees now.
Me: I miss you.
He: I am here. I am here.
He hugs me tighter and…
… I wake up.
*
On my walking path this morning, a man I had never seen before smiled and said, “Hello,” and startled me out of my thoughts of Woody. I looked up to the “Hello” and it was the face of the man-angel in my dream. Except his hair was white, not golden blonde, and he wore a yarmulke.
I ring my sister Jen the minute I get home.
“Woody is a Rabbi living in Delray Beach!”
I tell her about my dream and the man I saw on my walk.
“Uh-huh,” she says, carefully.
“Really! What are the chances of seeing the same man the next day?“
“You haven’t been sleeping, have you?” she asks.
Bitch. Don’t pop my bubble.
“It was the eyes. The eyes were the same. Sky blue. They twinkled.”
“’kaaay,” she said.
*
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PAWPRINTS IN SAWDUST

Throughout his life, Woody loved to walk through the sawdust aand wood shavings of my now husband, David. When I met David back in San Diego, he was sweeping the floors of construction sites. Since then - pretty much spanning Woody's life - he has won the Sir Waleter Raleigh award for historic renovation; built us a home converted from an old store; had news stories written about him and even been on TV.

Anywho, here's a photo of some of his wood work. if you want to see lots more, check out his blog:

http://customwoodfurniture-david.blogspot.com/

WOODYS GARDEN READERS PET PORTRAITS

Send me an e-mail with your favorite pet and/or person ATTACHED, please,
and receive
$10.00 off
the price of a custom color drawing
5”x7”
or
8”x10”
Cream or White Matte

daraboland@bellsouth.net

FOR PET LOVERS

PET LOVERS: Check out my new book for kids and adults:

WOODY'S GARDEN

An Illustrated Book for Pet Lovers of All Ages

WWW.XLIBRIS.COM/WOODYSGARDEN

Let me know what you think!

daraboland@bellsouth.net

and receive a $10.00 coupon toward the purchase of a custom pet portrait!

$10.00 off
the price of a custom color drawing
5”x7”
or
8”x10”
Cream or White Matte

daraboland@bellsouth.net

WOODY'S GARDEN

A NOTE TO THE WHOLE FAMILY


A Pet Garden is a happy place, unlike a grave, which can be a sad, somber place.
It is a celebration of your pet’s life and your love for him or her. Designing it, planting it, making things for it, and above all, keeping it well-tended, is sure to help kids and parents alike in dealing with the grief of missing a much-loved pet.

A few pointers:

Above all, plant only what you can maintain. If you are pressed for time or have little faith in yourself as a gardener, plant only a few shrubs and plants that grow well in your area.

Plant perennials (plants that come back every year) and shrubs, even a small tree.

Plant annuals (plants that last one year) at the front of the garden or in pots for easy replacement next year.

No need to go overboard with plantings. A simple arbor, garden ornaments, a bird bath and pavers fill lots of space. Plants expand as they grow.

And, of course, fill in the bare spots with pine BARK chips or mulch.

HEY, KIDS:

Caring for a Pet Garden is a lot like caring for a pet:

It needs water, food, an occasional trim and your attention. Keeping your Pet Garden in beautiful shape is your way of showing your pet how much you still love him, and how thankful you are for all the fun he gave you.
It’s also a great way to show Mom and Dad how well you can take care of another pet in the near future!
Pull a few weeds every day . Water the plants and the bird bath. Scatter some birdseed around. And soon, you will see how much life your pet and you can keep…

Together…

Forever.


HOW TO PLANT A PET GARDEN



1. Take a walk together around your neighborhood and look at the trees, shrubs, and plants you see. If many people have them, and they are healthy, chances are good that they will fare well in your Pet Garden.
2. Note if the plants you like best are in sun or shade, and plan your garden accordingly.
3. It’s nice to lay out your garden on paper before you plant. (See last page of this book for a sample). However, it’s not necessary, since you may add plants and garden novelties later .
4. Visit your local nursery and ask questions. Usually there is a garden savvy expert who will give you helpful tips. Your local agricultural extension center can also be a great source of free advice.
5. Choose the spot and dig up any weeds or grass. Add fresh dirt and mix it all together so that your new plants will have a healthy, long life.


I. Trees and Shrubs

Start big, near the back or the center of the space you have chosen.
Plant a small tree.

Plant smaller bushes in front of and around the tree.
Flowering trees and bushes attract birds and butterflies, who love to drink the nectar from their blooms.

Trees with fruits, nuts, and blooms that squirrels and birds love include:

Oak Crabapple Apple
Walnut Hickory Plum

Trees and shrubs birds love to build nests in include any of the above and:

Pine Fir
Holly Juniper


II. Ornamental Grasses

Some birds love to build nests in tall masses of grass. Grasses are usually easy to grow, inexpensive, and create a beautiful, natural border around the garden. Two that grow easily:
Pampas grass
Liriope (Monkey Grass)


III. A Few Easy Additions
Stone and resin sculptures of piglets, frogs, turtles, rabbits and other wildlife add whimsy to your garden.
To add depth, it’s nice to pot a flowering or colorful plant that was in your yard or patio area when your pet was alive. Flowers and plants with similar names to your pet can be a way of letting him or her live on, too. A few suggestions:

Woody- Dogwood; sweet woodruff Glory- Gloriosa Daisy
Bucky- Bottle Brush Buckeye Penny- Pennyroyal
Dusty- Dusty Miller Sargeant- Sargeant Juniper
Elmo- Wild rye (Elymus spp.) Coco- Coconut palm

For any floppy-eared friend, consider:
Lamb’s ears Joseph’s Coat
Sunflowers Snow-on-the-Mountain
Blanket flower Swan River Daisy

Other suggestions:
Labrador violet Phlox (for a sheepdog or curly-haired pup)
Catmint Spotted or Striped plants
Persian epimedium Any large, leafy plant that “wags” when the wind blows

So…
Plant, keep it well-watered and trim away any dead branches or blooms. If any plants die, replace them as soon as possible with something else.


And, of course…

DON’T FORGET THE BARK CHIPS!





Your Pet Garden Planner


My Favorite Plants: Supply List: To Do:
_____________ ____________ _____________
_____________ ____________ _____________
_____________ ____________ _____________
_____________ _____________ _____________
_____________ ____________ _____________
_____________ ____________ _____________
_____________ _____________ _____________

A Small Garden is nice, too!

Suggestions for a Window Sill Pet Garden:
Suncatchers
Paint-Your-Own Planters
Mini Birdhouses
Ceramic Ornaments
Little figurines and statues of dogs, cats, frogs, turtles, etc.
& Potted Plants to stick them in.
How to Make Your Pet Garden Sign
The Cardinal Rule in making the sign for your Pet Garden is to use materials that will stand up to outdoor weather.

You will need:

~ Paper to practice on
~ Two Small pieces of light-colored wood, such as Pine or Balsa Wood, shaped like a sign (An extra one, just in case!)
~ Paint Markers
~ Wood Glue (such as Elmer’s WOOD G;lue)
~ A stick or yardstick to use as your sign post
~ A Fine Point Permanent Black Marker OR Black Ball Point INK Pen, medium point
~ Colorful INK pens
~ Small jar of light-colored wood stain
~ Small jar of clear topcoat OR Clear Gloss Spray Paint
You might need or want:
~ Letter Stencils
~ Stamps and Ink Pads
~ Sponge shapes
~ Paper Towels to clean up with and Newspaper to work on



How to Make a Pet Garden Sign


1. On the paper, trace the shape of your sign. Sketch or stamp or stencil what you would like the final sign to look like.
2. If you want your sign to be a color, now is the time to paint it and let it dry. Otherwise, natural is nice, too.
3. Now, copy your sign design IN PENCIL onto the wooden sign:
4. Start with the words. For example:



SKIPPY’S GARDEN


And design your sign around the words.


SKIPPY’S GARDEN


5. Trace over the letters with the Permanent Marker OR Black Ball Point Pen. It’s OK if it’s not perfect. Slightly crooked letters are a nice touch.
6. Draw, paint, stencil or stamp on the rest.
Simple designs stand out the most. If you are making a more detailed design, paint markers and colored ink pens work well and last a long time.

REMEMBER: It’s not important to make your sign design look exactly like your paper picture. Any mistakes can become paw prints, ladybugs, daisies, or a leafy border.
Some of the world’s best ideas were “fixed mistakes”!


7. Once you’re done, wait a day for the ink to dry and then rub some stain over the whole thing…gently.
8. With Mom or Dad’s help, apply a clear gloss to protect it from the weather.
9. Glue the stick onto the back of the yardstick. Let it dry lying down with a book on top. Then stick it in the middle of your Pet Garden.

HEY, KIDS:

Caring for a Pet Garden is a lot like caring for a pet:

It needs water, food, an occasional trim and your attention. Keeping your Pet Garden in beautiful shape is your way of showing your pet how much you still love him, and how thankful you are for all the fun he gave you.
It’s also a great way to show Mom and Dad how well you can take care of another pet in the near future!
Pull a few weeds every day . Water the plants and the bird bath. Scatter some birdseed around. And soon, you will see how much life your pet and you can keep…

Together…

Forever.

A HAPPY BLOG FOR PEOPLE LOVERS

If all this grief stuff is too much, check out this happy blog:
http://noahstrek.blogspot.com

Love it!!!XXXOOO