Feelings Friday: Goodbyes are always hard

Suki (Lynn) Marotta
2004 - 2015

Suki Marotta passed away quietly of natural causes early Sunday morning.

She was a beloved family member, pet, friend, therapy dog, and "mindfulness muse."

Suki wagged her tail into our life in 2006 as a rescue dog. She completed her Therapy Dog International training in 2008.  Suki worked Wednesdays in my office soothing sadness and calming the nerves of clients and staff alike. Her TDI outreach included comforting grieving children at Trinity School, and easing the stress of midterms and finals with the Alpha Chi girls at the University of Oklahoma.  Suki was a frequent guest on this blog as a reminder to "live moment to moment" in mindfulness.

Suki  loved belly rubs, nature walks, raw carrots,  and attention.  She was vocal in her dislike of owls, power tools, and vacuums.

She was energetic and playful throughout her life. Suki was always happy to see you.

She spent a wonderful last day on earth walking, playing, and being loved on by family and friends at the lake. Suki will be remembered for her compassion, loving companionship, and joyful spirit.

Therapy Dog International says "A dog will love you forever." We will love Suki forever.

I have enabled comments for this post if you wish to share a memory about Suki or a thought about grieving a pet.  Many thanks always for reading and following.

Mindfulness Mondays: Being Present

Suki Claus

Wishing you a Merry (Mindful) Christmas!

Love, 

Lisa & Suki

This week I will remember the best gift of all is being present

Mindfulness Mondays: Each Step Counts

Loving time with sweet Suki and my new shoes

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I was reminded of this quote on Saturday when I called Suki to take a walk with me.  Travel and Oklahoma weather had gotten us out of the habit of a weekend walk and she was reluctant to come.

About half- way down the street Suki looked up and licked my hand. She then picked up the pace and wagged her tail the rest of the walk.  Suki demonstrated what I sometimes feel about good-for-you challenges.  I often forget to enjoy the journey.

This week let go of the goal and celebrate the process!

I WILL SAVOR THE STEPS ON MY JOURNEY.

Mindfulness Monday: Curiosity

Suki is a registered therapy dog, my beloved pet, and our muse for mindfulness.  Dogs have a simplified way of engaging in the world that can teach us two legged animals some new tricks about being present to the moment.

I have captured Suki in "back to school mode." Our mindfulness mutt brings curiosity with her wherever she goes and this attitude toward learning can benefit us all.Whether she is sniffing out neighborhood lawns or craning her neck to see and smell what's for dinner, Suki is enthusiastic in her curiosity.

Happy Back to School Oklahoma!

I  WILL BE A CURIOUS LEARNER IN ALL THINGS

COMFORT: Manage yourself so you can manage the crisis

Suki in her TDI  work outfit OU 2014

This month is dedicated to creative and resourceful coping strategies for all ages. I have noticed over the years that many people (self included) go into overdrive when life gets intense.  In a futile attempt to fake normalcy during crisis we push to get everything to look just like it always does, except there is this pesky crisis thing. We delude ourselves into thinking that we “don’t have enough time” to take care of ourselves in desperate times. If this sounds familiar and you are wondering how to fit it all in, consider this:

YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIT IT ALL IN- YOU WILL HAVE TO LET SOME THINGS GO.  

Manage yourself so you can manage the crisis. A new normal will come and you will get to the other stuff later.

Let go of the ordinary “to do” list when you are faced with a life storm.  Make simple meals. Eat healthy-ish take out.  Forget the laundry. Do the minimum in each of the automatic but wonderful ways that you maintain your life so you can take time to restore your emotional and physical self. Consider breaks to exercise, meditate, pray, talk to a friend, rest, and if you are lucky enough to have a pet - grab some floor time with your quiet confidante.

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Therapy Dog Tales

Last week Suki and I took a drive down to Norman, OK to visit the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house.  The tense quiet was a clear sign that we arrived just in time to kick off the beginning of finals week.  Within moments the entry was filled with girls in bare feet squealing to get Suki’s undivided “puppy love.”  Suki gave them all some one on one time and listened while they shared stories of pets at home, complained about late night studies, and wished aloud that Suki could come back every day. 

The Alpha Chi sisters recognized their need to take a break and receive comfort and support.  Before long laughter, joking around, and lots of smiling replaced the eerie stillness. The break time offered an opportunity to recharge.  There will still be time to finish research papers and cram for the killer physics exam. We were only there for an hour but we left the sorority house a much happier place than when we arrived.

MINDFULNESS MONDAYS: Rest your Mind, Body, and Spirit.

Sometimes we forget that we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS.  The stress we feel from packing too much into one day is contrary to the natural rhythm of energy expended, energy recovered.

Watching Suki this weekend I was reminded that she is completely tuned in to resilience: After a nice long walk- she freely lays down.

Let's not be the only animal on the planet that fails to listen to our internal signal.





I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO REST MY MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.

Monday Mindfulness: Listening

Suki the Therapy Dog at work 2013

Mindfulness: Being mindful is the active practice of paying attention to the present moment.  It is a meditative approach to quiet the mind and still the body.  

Being mindful is counter-cultural in a society that places great value on multi-tasking.  This week make the intention of pausing to listen with both ears.  Listen to your internal dialogue without judgement. Listen to the sounds around you. Listen deeply to people who are sharing their story with you.  






This week I will be still and listen.

Mindfulness Mondays: Rest

An affirmation is a positive statement that guides our thinking and emotional mindset.  Start the positive habit of weekly affirmations!

This weekend Suki and I took advantage of the unseasonably warm Oklahoma weather by taking daily walks.  A family put a bench by the steep hill about 3/4 of the way into our route. The bench welcomes walkers to rest if they need . . .  I was all about the goal of finishing our walk. Suki tuned into her body and saw the opportunity-she was right,  it felt great to rest!

I will listen to my body and take the rest that I need.

Mindfulness Mondays: Patience

An affirmation is a positive statement that guides our thinking and emotional mindset.  Psychologists use affirmations to assist people who are struggling with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and negative habits.

Start the positive habit of weekly affirmations!

I will practice patience today, with myself and others- one moment at a time.

Mindfulness Mondays

An affirmation is a positive statement that guides our thinking and emotional mindset.  

Every holiday season has its share of bah humbugs, long lines, delayed packages, snowed out concerts, ...

You can make the intention to rejoice on a daily basis about the small things that are wonderful, magical, peaceful, and good.

I CAN REJOICE IN THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS