Hatty

Hatty:  

slang term in hockey when a player scores three goals in a game, resulting in fans throwing their hats onto the ice (also known as a hat-trick).

Meet our Hatty. 

A goldendoodle fur ball that is full of energy and love.

Hatty came in my life through a surprise. I have always wanted to come home and be shocked to see a beautiful new puppy bouncing around the house. It's a dream I've had since childhood. This dream was fulfilled in October when my husband drove to Denton while I was working and bought a goldendoodle puppy nicknamed "Sassy". I felt so much joy and happiness as I hugged our new puppy. Her fur was a fluffy softness and she was so cute with her awkward movements as she was learning her new body. Our time and routine quickly changed when Hatty entered our life. 

Our time now centered around this new puppy and her daily discoveries. We watched as Hatty explored the living room. We cheered Hatty on as she went outside and came back in without prompting. We gave her treats as she finally responded to commands like "sit".We laughed as she learned to play with Georgia, our nine year old labradoodle, and we quickly tried to snap pictures as she learned to cuddle with Georgia on their big fluffy dog bed. Our living room is now full of yarn ropes and chew toys skewed across the floor. Our dining room is taken over by a puppy play pen. The kitchen bar is full of dog supplies like brushes, leases, doggie perfume, and treats. 

When I started nagging my husband for a second dog I didn't know if I really wanted the actual dog or the "idea" of a dog. The extra money for vet bills and the added responsibility of another living thing in the house made me question my true desire. But getting Hatty has been so healing for both my husband and I. Her constant energy and enthusiasm for life is contagious. She just wants to be loved so desperately and she is so eager to love us, unconditionally. Which is that not the desire of every human; to be loved and love others? Hatty shows her love by jumping uncontrollably at the first sight of us and licking our faces while she wags her tail happily. For me, Hatty has represented God in a physical form. Her spirit is a gentle reminder to look outside myself and see the hope in the world. She represents the the human desire- love.   

Lately our life has been full of stress and brokenness. I realized the reality that sometimes I am not enough for my dreams. I actually experienced what it means to "try until you fail" and that experience is not enjoyable. I witnessed parts of myself that I thought I had worked on and improved. But stress and anxiety can bring out my shadow self in an instant. I have recently learned there is strength in saying "no" and value in protecting my personal healthy balance of life. I realized the depth of the journey with a loved one who is battling cancer and the gift I can give my family as I choose to walk presently on the journey with them. This experience has all been so draining. This year has been a rush of stress and anxiety. Highs and low mixed together as I still try to survive daily living. And then...surprise...Hatty! Hatty has started piecing some of the broken parts back together. Through her incredible love and spirit, she reminds my husband and I to look and see the beauty of life in each day. The simple joy of watching Hatty with a new chew toy or the happiness I feel when someone, even a dog, is excited to see me. The warmth I feel as Hatty licks my face reminding me that I am loved. Hatty has been a gift to me. A gift of healing through love.  

So thank you Hatty for surprising us with this gift. Thank you for giving us a tangible example of unconditional love, one we cannot ignore. Thank you for reminding us of life's simple pleasures. Pleasures that are so simple they become complex in our ability to receive them freely. Thank you for the joy experienced as we observe you discovering the world. Thank you Hatty. Thank you.