Posted by Teddog_CO on 10/22/05 8:22am
Msg #71864

Lesson on how we should live !

Just had to share this with you all!! My last signing Friday. Arrived to see a large in-door/out-door kennel and any number of dogs. Thinking to myself this has to be good, they love critters. Lady answered the door, inside the home hundreds of beautiful throphies lined every shelf, every table and cabinet. Hundreds of photos of the lady at dog shows on the walls from all around the country and overseas. WOW!! She is retired and now runs a shelter for dogs,cats, anything hooved and pawed .., etc. A 1/2 hour signing turned into a 2 1/2 hr. adventure. I was just fascinated. This woman is the Most interesting, intelligent person I have ever met!! Her blue eyes just sparkled as she spoke covering the her life filled with wonderful experiences. Wish I could just experience half of it. She had been a very famous dog trainer and breeder. The house was filled with her dogs (large dogs) the best behaved I've ever seen(I can't get mine to sit & stay) I will never forget this woman and plan to visit with her again.
Everyone remember this birthdate 1913<her birthdate!! on her drivers license. I could hardly believe it!! 92 years young, no walker, lives alone (with her pups) she has a kennel man to do the "heavy work" as she puts it! and a gal who comes by to help her clean the house. Her words of advice to me "always go for it, work and play at what you love to do. And do it to the very best of your ability." "Always care for God's Creatures as if they were your children."
This women is my Hero. This morning everything seems very petty in comparison to "A life well lived!"
My Best to You All
Teddog_CO

Reply by DellaCa on 10/22/05 8:28am
Msg #71867

Thanks for the reminder to live life!

Reply by Tina_MA on 10/22/05 8:58am
Msg #71868

That's great! I think everyone should have at least one pet -- they do a soul good!

Reply by 1stopnotary on 10/22/05 9:13am
Msg #71871

that is what I love about this job...all the interesting people we meet. and most are the sweetest and kindest people you can meet too!! You never know who you'll run into that will make a big difference in your life!! I really enjoy this job cuz it really gives me a chance to know my community...in a personal way...know what I mean!

thanks for sharing that Ted!!!

Safe hugz!

Reply by Tennessee on 10/22/05 11:22am
Msg #71883

TY Ted, alot of food for thought this morning, I appreicate the wake up call! BTW, beautifully written...

Reply by BetsyMI on 10/22/05 11:44am
Msg #71885

What a great story. I am amazed at how different all of our customers are. One couple that I met this week was so interesting and we got on different tangents of conversation, yet another couple I met with was so quiet and chose not to talk at all, just sign sign sign. I enjoyed the other visit so much more.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/23/05 12:57am
Msg #71962

OT - A bit more philosophizing...

"This morning everything seems very petty in comparison to "A life well lived!" "

Bravo!! Great post and excellent conclusion! I like that philosophy! It's too easy to lose sight of what is really important in life, isn't it? I'm sure we've all dealt with people who get very upset about document errors or delays, etc. (and sometimes that person is US, e.g. late payments, late documents, pick your favorite...) I try to just tell myself that they need to get an attitude adjustment, then move on. One of the great things about being self-employed is that I'm not forced to work with anyone on an ongoing basis that I don't want to work with!

I had an appointment that didn't happen on Thursday with a guy with another very different perspective. When I called him that afternoon to let him know that it looked like his docs weren't going to be ready (per my client), he told me not to worry about it, that he wasn't going anywhere and to just let him know when they were ready. He had just come from spending 1 1/2 hours receiving chemotherapy (which he's been doing for the past 6 months). He has leukemia - 5 years after successful treatment for non-hodgkins lymphoma. He's currently trying to get his insurance company to agree to a bone marrow transplant that could save his life. Interestingly, he wasn't the least bit upset about the documents being delayed... I think he "gets" what is really important! We will probably sign Monday afternoon and I am looking forward to meeting him. (BTW, he sounds like a fairly young man.)

Another favorite quote: "breathing is good..." Be glad that you still can, and when things threaten to get to you -- take a deep breath, let it out slowly and be grateful you are alive!

Point of all this being: "A life well lived" should start today... tomorrow is never guaranteed. However, Teddog_CO, your 92 yo lady sounds like my hero, too! What a strong example to aspire to!! Thanks for posting this.

Reply by BrendaTX on 10/23/05 9:28am
Msg #71977

Ted,

Thank you for taking the time to share this. What a nice way to start the day.

I cannot help but want to know the rest of the story. LOL...what was her hair like, what does she wear...work boots or tennis shoes...did you see her car...was it a Miss Daisy style caddy...and a hundred more things cross my mind.

I love to go in houses where people that age are still living. Usually it is like stepping onto the set of I Love Lucy.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 10/23/05 2:32pm
Msg #71994

Teddog - loved your post and observations, and glad you made a friend with this Lady. Her advice is good for everyone. A great example of someone that's "lived right"!

Maybe she can teach you something about training your own dog during one of your visits