© 2014 Michael Fiveson
Now nine years old, Pumpkin continues to bring me joy beyond measure. How I will one day manage to live without her brings me to my knees. For now I love her with all my heart.
(click on image for added detail)
Mike's Look at Life
Photography, memoirs, random thoughts.
Mike's Look at Life 
She looks so sweet!! My 9 year old furry baby had a recent health scare that had me wondering the same thing. How would I get along without him?
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Yeah, at 9 their mortality becomes much clearer. Thank you for the comment.
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Yes it does. Thanks for reminding how special they are!
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I love dogs.. I really do.. I envy those people who are enjoying such privilege to be with man’s most loyal friend… Deep down in my heart, I desire to be such a good friend..
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It is a privilege for sure. Thank you.
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Well said, Mike. Good luck enjoying the “now” with Pumpkin.
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Well thanks Fred.
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I understand, Mike. Two of my kids are 10 and one is 9. I am thankful for every day they bound out of bed, delighting me in unconditional love and happiness. Pumpkin is just as fortunate to know your love… she won the jackpot with you!
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Hi Lori. Yeah, it was a good match all around, Judy, Pumpkin and I. Judy is even better with her than I am. Hope you are well, my friend.
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Oh so cute!!!
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I’ll tell her…she says woof.
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😉
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Blessing and Happiness to you both, Seems so lovely dear Mike, Thank you, love, nia
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Thanks, Nia.
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Pumpkin is beautiful! I know exactly what you mean, I would feel lost without my baby boy Bear, he is German Shepherd and he is 7 years old now. He’s slowing down but forever my baby! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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I went and looked at Bear. He is a beauty!
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Cutie pie…Pumpkin, not you, you big galoot!. Enjoy today, the now, and give her a scratch behind the ears from me.
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Wait! I’m a galoot? LOL. You damn right I am. I am always scratching Pumpkin behind the ears and I will do so for you. Thanks Angeline.
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🙂
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Angeline, believing that a galoot was essentially a thug, I was more than willing to be it. Now that I see it is a “big fat lumbering oaf”, I retract my acceptance and ask that you reconsider.
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I always heard that in cowboy movies said by the cowgirl in an endearing way. Really
And now I don’t know why I’m thinking of Snuffy Smith…
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And I knew you meant it in an endearing way. Snuffy I do not know. Rowdy Yates I know, but he was no galoot either.
“Dying ain’t much of a living boy”
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Dogs do fit so much life into their years and we learn so much from them. Our girl’s last day is creeping closer. 😦 But right now she is sleeping in a sun patch looking peaceful.
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Squeeze the moment, and yes I am open to the lessons Pumpkin brings me. Thanks very much.
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Oh Pumpkin I want to give you a big pat. Tugs at my heart Mike. Nothing like a beloved pup.
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Yeah, Pumpkin is part of my soul. Just got back from our daily 1 mile walk. Thanks my friend.
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You are welcome. We lost our Bruiser a few years back. Still gives me a throat lump. Extra hug to Pumpkin after your walk. 🙂
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What a sweetie, your Pumpkin! You must simply love her, pat her, cuddle with her, every single day, like there’s no tomorrow…
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And that is what I do, with great pleasure. Thanks Amit.
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Awwwweee….love your Pumpkin and appreciate every moment. Having just lost my 18-year old cat, it’s hard when they leave but I’m thankful I experienced the unconditional love. HUGS!
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Hugs, and thanks.
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yw 😀
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She looks utterly huggable.
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Late at night when I should be asleep, I lay with her face on face, breathing together. Every now and again, she will lick me in a tired loving way. It as about as intimate as I can be with any being.
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Enjoy every day of your dog.I hope the story goes right on.
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I hope so too. So far, so good. Thanks Marylou.
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I can’t even begin to imagine my life without Casey and Cody…I lost my first dog, Mojo, over 13 years ago, and it took me along time before I adopted Cody, and then Casey. I would like to think that my dog’s will outlive me, but then, I am not sure how well they would fare without me. Hmm..hugs! 🙂
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Thank you for the hugs. I’m always open to them. We get so intertwined with our dogs. We are all part of the same family and it really is special but the reality of heartbreak and loss is a certainty. Let’s just be in the moment, grab as much as we can, and have something to cherish forever.
And don’t you go anywhere anytime soon!
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“In the moment…” That is actually the only choice we have, yes? Exactly. I love hugs…they are necessary. I’m not going anywhere hon… 🙂
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Well, in my case I tend to stray a bit into the future where I worry about losing Pumpkin, and the reality of my own advancing age. Then there is the past which plays like background music, often too soft to hear but wanting to pull us off center. So technically, yes, we are always in the moment, but actually we are all over the damn place.
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Oh, I totally agree..the statement is actually a reminder to myself…MANY times each day. I too have to keep from wandering to the “future” worry and the “past” music…We think alike.
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Good minds, sensitive souls, those who feel are the most alive.
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I could not have said it better!
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Aw, Pumpkin is beautiful! I’m so glad she adopted you as her human! 🙂
Yes, I can’t even think about life without my Cooper. 😦 He had surgery recently and just thinking about his pain made me sob.
Our furry friends teach us so much about life and unconditional love. 🙂
Enjoy today with Pumpkin and give her some gentle belly rubs for me! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
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We may share a similar heart, you and I. But you are a whole lot nicer, or at least more pleasant.
I have told Pumpkin about this sweet blogging friend named Carolyn and she licked me. That bodes well for you.
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Aw, thank you for telling Pumpkin about me. 🙂 Animals and kids have always loved me and seem to always pick me as the person in the room that will be kind to them. 🙂 I’ve had dogs end up in my lap…and the owner says, “Hmm…he (or she) never sits in anyone’s lap.”
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😉
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Through the years I have lost many pets. It has broken me sometimes for days. They become a part of your life and your family. Give Pumpkin all the love you can!
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Thanks Steve and rest assured that I will continue to love her now and forever.
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It has to be all about the now doesn’t it? None of us know what’s around the corner.. Pumpkin is beautiful and she always will be. You’re a lucky man Mike, as we are to be reminded of that very special bond that has evolved over millenia.
One of the farm collies had pups recently and I so wanted to give one of them a home but I can’t walk a dog now and it would be selfish of me to confine a dog like that. Your post none the less gives me a pang of regret. For now the cat fills that void and she does a pretty good job. We are privileged to have these animals in our homes and part of our lives. 🙂
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Just yesterday I re-read your poignant ‘about’ section and was reminded of how unfair and random this life can be. I have no doubt that many of your students remember you fondly and that you gave them a fair shake and a level of compassion they may not have been used to.
Who you are is reflected in the stunning photographs you take. They show a meticulous craft, honed by patience and care. What does this have to do with Pumpkin? Nothing, and everything.
Thanks Adrian. You are a better friend than you might guess.
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Thank you Mike.
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Mike check out this post http://wp.me/p2sl75-ul as it could be the prefect companion for your own doggie post. It is funny. I love your photos by the way, you have a great eye.
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Yeah, that is really cute and clever and well done. Thanks for that, and your generous comment, Paul.
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Pumpkin looks like such a sweetheart. I hope you still have lots of time with her. We were so saddened when we lost our fourteen-year-old Gracie and it was three years before we could get another dog. But little Chloe, rescued from the shelter, is a delight.
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Thanks Pat. She is crazy sweet, like most goldens. She’ll be around for awhile and just had a good vet visit. Don’t know what my energy level will be for a next dog, certainly no more puppies.
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Thankfully, very few of us have actual expiration dates. Just cherish every moment and enjoy the gift of today. Love this girl. What a beauty!
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Thanks so much. She is a wonderful beauty and a faithful ever loving companion. I’ll stay in the moment.
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That Pumpkin is a girl after my own heart. Those are some fine buddies she’s got. And I think you must be a pretty fine buddy yourself!
Rhythm
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Rhythm, You would like me too and I know I would love you. But I think you are doing pretty darn good with your people companions.
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Yes indeedy Mr Mike! I wouldn’t trade them for anything!
Rhythm
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Awwww. She looks so sweet and adoring (as well as adorable). 🙂
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We are having an affair, she and I.
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I understand. Ours, too, has stolen our hearts. Such loves.
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Thanks Lilly. Such loves indeed.
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Your beautiful photo tells the whole story Mike. It’s beyond words the love we share with our beloved pets. We’ve said good-bye to a few and I still bawl if I dwell on it too long. A broken heart is the price we pay for all their love and I wouldn’t trade it in for nothing.
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All spot on and when Pumpkin leaves I will have a great big empty and hurting spot.
Thank you.
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Excuse me! Does Pumpkin know that her awesome photo (really, her awesome face) let to 67 comments?? She sure draws a crowd!
hopefully she won’t be leaving anytime soon (right?)
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Pumpkin is well, and just had her yearly check up last week. I have mentioned to her how well received she is but she just looks at me, puzzled, and then licks me and asks for a treat. Silly putty nosed Pumpkin!
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Dogs rule!
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Queen pumpkin certainly does.
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Great photo, Mike. And your comments: That’s why it’s hard for me to own a pet at all. We have a Persian who is now almost ten years old. (I’ve posted a couple of photos of him.) The vet has warned us that, as Persians go, he’s an old man. I cannot imagine the grief that we will feel on his passing.
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Yes, I hear that. Fortunately Pumpkin is doing well at 9 yrs but dogs of her size and breed have a predicable life span. I stay in the moment with her but if I think about losing her I am always brought to tears. Hope your kitty stays strong.
Thank you.
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Apparently, I haven’t been here since the middle of January! I’ve loved scrolling back through the posts, Mike. Really wonderful photographs. And, well, this image of Pumpkin… What can I say… She’s Everydog who ever loved a human. And she’s beautiful.
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And I thought you left me…..whimper. Thanks for returning, it suggests that there may be a god after all.
Be advised, if you ever leave again for an extended period of time I will jump from the tallest building around, which in my town makes it safe.
Your summation of Pumpkin is really nicely worded.
How is Cheeky these days?
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OMy – one of Pumpkin’s friends looks VEEERRRY familiar! Would that be a pink panther? Our Lab came to us from a rescue group foster home … and a pink panther came with her. That was 6 years ago – the pink panther is STILL in her kennel. I squealed when I came to this photo. Lovely.
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It sure looks like a pink panther to me. Thanks for looking. How I love my Pumpkin.
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