The old dog, Mr. PJ, is tired. He is just plumb worn out. He did not go on a long hike, chase squirrels from the garden nor chase a ball up and down the hill. He did none of these except maybe in his dreams. He is just frazzled from life and there is nothing I can do other than let him rest. He does. In reality, that is just about all he does these days. He whiles away the hours in deep slumber. That is ok by me since it is what he needs. If he wishes to snooze the day away, so be it.
Mr. PJ is actually my daughter-in-law and son's dog. They had to move to an island far way and could not take their beloved dog with them. Where was the next best place? Here, evidently. I accepted his "visit" with open arms and a heart full of love. He returned the love tenfold. He and I are good. We understand each other and respect each other to the utmost. All of us were in hopes that his family could come back to take him home some day and I still hope that will happen. It has just taken longer than they expected. In the meantime, however, he is tired...really tired.
I have tried to help Mr. PJ in every way possible. We have done vet visits, had a major surgery, plied treats, taken long hikes and basked in the sunlight on the pier. Happy times there! Perhaps with enough sleep, we will, once again, do his favorite things. But, for now, I shall let him rest to build strength. I have truly grown to love this old dog! What a fine fellow! What a fine friend. Feel better soon, my friend!!
As a kid, I was taught in grade school that butterflies only lived one day as an adult. They had to morph, find a mate, eat, lay eggs all in twenty-four hours. By morning, their lives ended and a new generation took over. My later years proved this "fact" as fallacy. Most butterfly species live at least a week and some live up to a year! There may actually be a "one day wonder" but not according to most butterfly websites. School taught me a lot of things but, the older I get, the more I find that what I learned was not always fact.
That said, if butterflies do live longer than one day, they have a lot of time on their hands! Then came another question...if butterflies live more than twenty-four hours, do they sleep? Well, yes. Butterflies do sleep. In fact, it would be rather ridiculous to think they do not. At night, butterflies find a safe spot under a leaf or branch or in the midst of a shrub to hang upside down. There, they do sleep. In inclement weather, they will find a more sheltered place (thicker shrub or under the eaves of a building if available). The butterflies will stay hanging in this manner until the morning sunshine warms their bodies allowing them to fly. As the day begins, the butterflies flutter about the area seeking sustenance from flowers and letting us admire their beauty!
This small Gulf Fritillary Butterfly was found on my pre-dawn hike around the lower part of the property. The path led past some weedy spots and I was fortunate enough to spot the beauty. Since the sun had not risen, the butterfly stayed put and I was able to photograph it quite easily. This is how butterflies spend the night! Butterflies do sleep!
Every now and again, even the best moms need a break. A little "Me Time" is in order just so we can get things in perspective. This does not mean that we do not adore our roles as mothers nor does it mean that we are not coping well. It just means that occasionally we have to do something for ourselves so we can be on top of things. A bit of a break makes us all better mothers than before. After even a few minutes, we can focus more clearly on our duties.
I was out near the marsh edge by the old, dead pine tree when I noticed a poor mama doing just that. She obviously was a good mother but had just been ragged about to wit's end. She needed a break. A nice outing was in order so she escaped far enough away to be by herself, yet near enough to be available if the need arose.
Mama Squirrel eased her way out of the hole in the dead tree and made her way to one of the only limbs left on the tree. Here she spread out on the limb to soak in a bit of the bright sunshine. I watched as she actually dosed a bit. Poor dear, she must be exhausted. Since the female squirrel is the sole caregiver for her litter of up to eight babies, it has to be tiring. She not only has to nurse and clean the little ones, she has to be on constant guard against the many predators that could raid the nest. This mama was smart. She had her little ones in an old woodpecker hole high up in the dead tree. At least here, it would be difficult for a snake, fox, bobcat or even a large hawk or owl to get the babies.
I smiled as I thought about Mama Squirrel. She needed this break....as we all do occasionally. Then....another thought. Happy Mother's Day, Mama Squirrel. I hope you can sneak out for another nap in the warm sunshine tomorrow!
