Go-To-Gay: Mabel & Doris

Introduction by Tracey Meyers

On the last night of a recent trip to the Washington, D.C. area, I picked up my phone to find out the time and discovered a text message that included a picture of my cat, Elsie, waiting for me. Upon viewing the text I smiled and let out a faint chuckle. That's when I proudly proclaimed to the friend with whom I was having dinner at the time, "So, I'm a silly pet parent and my Elsie-sitter has been texting me pictures of her throughout my trip."  Thankfully, I was dining with another silly pet parent, so showing off the picture wasn't super crazy in their eyes.

It's been almost 2.5 years since Elsie came to live with me and I often amazed how her simple presence in my life has forever changed me.  I've written about this before on several occasions, I believe, but the lessons she has taught me endure like the love I've come to have for her.

Today, our Go-To-Gay, Gary Edwards, shares with us how some four-legged friends of his have influenced his life.


Mabel & Doris

Life is so simple, and we add so much stress to our own lives. Wade’s mother always used to say, “ Life is simple, the sun comes up and then it goes down. We humans are the ones who mess things up.”

What do you need? Are you grateful? Do you have the basic things in life you need or are you striving for a false world of perfectionism?

Keep it simple and be happy with what you have and look forward to a life full of love and happiness. On days when I am in a funk, I am reminded by my 4- legged family, to chill, to live in the moment.

Wade and I have 2 rescue dogs, Mabel and Doris. We have had Mabel since she was 8 ½ weeks old. She is the most laid back, easy going dog in the world. Mabel is now 7 years old and has not a care in the world. Having absolutely no agenda, Mabel lives in the moment. She can sleep anywhere in the house, often knocking pillows off on the floor as she arranges herself on the sofa to assure herself the utmost comfort. She knows she will be walked and fed, and, well, life is great in her eyes. She is loved and safe and needs no more. Wade and I often look at her and say, “She is so spoiled.” Then we always say, “That’s a good thing and why shouldn’t she be?”

We adopted Doris last year at 9 months. Doris had been adopted by a family as a puppy and left in a garage for most of her puppy years. She was an owner surrender, and on her paper work the family that surrendered here stated, “Don’t have time.” Her time in the shelter was short and she was soon adopted by a family who had a 2nd home in our area. They then returned 2 weeks later returning her saying, “We are allergic”. When we adopted Doris she was in foster care. She is the most loving dog in the world but was scared of almost everything. So full of fear of abandonment she would follow us from room to room, looking at us with an “is this for real?” expression. In the past year she has grown and is no longer afraid. She loves Wade, Mabel and especially has bonded with me. I think of what her bneeds are: food, shelter, the basic things in life. But she needs more, she missed out on hugs, being brushed, held and loved. She can’t get enough love. I am so happy she is in our house where we work from home and can give her a pat on the head and the reassurance that she is in her forever home. Whatever happened to Doris in the first 9 months I am for certain that I will make up for it and fill her little puppy love tank to the brim.

So on days when I am in my head or am complaining about some silly thing, Mabel and Doris come to the rescue. They let me know to live a simple life and that I can slow down. “The sun comes up and the sun goes down.”

Gary Edwards is the marketing and events manager for bestselling author Wade Rouse. Edwards arranges Rouse’s tour schedule, speaking engagements as well as coordinates and facilitates his writing workshops and retreats.  Additionally, Edwards has helped market and promote all five of Rouse’s books. Edwards also has a background in hospitality, and sales as well as design. 

With his vast professional back and a love to listen and help friends he is a perfect storm of love and nurture. Edwards is Martha Stewart meets Dear Abby with a dash of Mrs. Doubtfire.  For more, please friend him on Facebook and Twitter.