Today is Somerled: "Highlander's Earl of Somerled"'s Birthday.
This may not seem like much to the world at large but, it means the world to me. I had a black lab named Shannon that our family inherited from the Wilkes when I was 12. My world changed with that dog. It changed again when my neighbor ( I lived in the boon-docks so I had neighbors you could count on one hand) said to me after his constantly chained sheepdog died: 'It's just a dog'. That dog didn't deserve his chain or his owner.
Somerled is the second love of my canine life and the closest thing I have to a non-judgmental friend since my Grandma-Mac died. To say he is loved is to say I breathe.
We spent more than $3,000.00 in a weekend to keep him well when we were told his heart was giving out...thank God I had my 'what if' fund. That was four years ago. Somerled has owned my heart since we met. He's taught me love and loyalty matter more than where you live or how fine your mattress. He's kind and always greets me at the door. Unconditional is so trite when it's applied as a descriptive. Somer's more than that, he's present. Every moment of every day he's present giving his support, his love and his humor. Beauty is a funny thing...when it manifests in your life and it greets you at the door, you are Blessed.
I've been gifted with spirits human and animal who have graced my life and added depths to it. I thank you, One and All.
Happy Birthday Somerled. May I be as worthy a human as you are an ambassador for your breed (Scottish Deerhounds) and dogs everywhere. I'll see you when I pass, Dear One.