Background: "Up, Up, Up on the Sky" by Kitty Designs
Frame, Glitter, Branches, Flower: "Blessed" by Sahlin Studio
Fonts: Text (Architect); "waiting" (Susie's Hand); title (Mom's Typewriter).

Journaling reads: Everyday, Karley and I wait. I sit on the front steps with the newspaper; or maybe a good book. She sits in the yard--her eyes intent on the passing cars. I know when to expect the sight of his car turning the corner onto Bridge Street even before I can see or hear the engine. Karley's shiny black ears tilt upward--so much more sensitive than mine--she hears him coming minutes before she can see him. Sometimes I imagine she knows the minute he climbs into his car.

The moment is special for us both, but for me, it is almost sacred. Oh, how I love to know that she misses him when he's gone. Oh, how I love to see her caring so much for someone other than me. For too long she kept her heart hidden; afraid of most people; distrusting. This little ritual--this waiting, day by day--is a sign that she has finally learned to love again. (end)

Karley was once a very badly abused dog and for years, I was everything to her. She didn't trust other people and didn't care to bond with anyone but me. In fact, she taught herself to come to me at the sight of any stranger passing by. I don't know whether I was meant to protect her or she felt she was protecting me. This past year, Karley has had to share me with another dog, our Border Collie, Penny, who is, unbelievably, in worse shape than Karley ever was. Perhaps Karley felt neglected, or, I can hope, she was simply sensitive enough to understand Penny's needs, but whatever the reason, she has turned to my husband for companionship--it was like opening a door for her. Suddenly, she has learned to make friends with strangers, our relatives, the neighbors' children--I don't know where my cautious, oh-so-protective dog has gone, but I hope she never comes back.