Alex's Best Friend, Seamus Dog

Artwork by Michael Schwartz

“We resonate with one another’s sorrow because we are interconnected. Being whole and simultaneously part of a larger whole, we can change the world simply by changing ourselves. If I become a center of love and kindness in this moment, then in a perhaps small but hardly insignificant way, the world now has a nucleus of love and kindness it lacked the moment before. This benefits me and it benefits others.” Loving Kindness Meditation from the book Wherever  You Go There You Are  By Jon Kabat Zinn

Every time I hear Sarah Chang perform with her violin it reminds me to be a better person. Our dog, Seamus, has this ability. He is one of the sweetest beings I know. If anyone of us is hurt he knows where somehow he senses it. Whether it is bloody, bruised or of an emotional nature. He will lick that spot or simply bless you with the sunshine of his company.

My Mom, JoAnne, commented on this. On a recent visit her leg hurt, Seamus knew and licked that exact place. Seamus knows Alex needs a helper dog. While Seamus had “What a good dog” lessons at a mansion close by where a movie was filmed….he only retained the word “off” since we were too lazy to reinforce the lessons learned there. “Off” can be used for jumping with exuberance, a sandwich you want to eat etc…However, Seamus has self-trained himself to be Alex’s helper dog.

Seamus kisses Alex almost as much as we do. Seamus knows his love helps Alex thrive.  Alex learned to pat his knee as a sign for dog. He does this to call Seamus. When Seamus kisses him, Alex reaches for the white fur of Seamus’s neck to pull him closer. This relationship amazes me.  I recently heard on NPR a program about animals and how their personality and relationships are a new area of study.  On the radio program a caller recounted how she accidentally killed a squirrel and the other squirrel came back to the road to say goodbye with sadness.

We sing the song, from Clifford, “Brush, Brush your teeth Brush them every day, Up and down round and round scrub the germs away.” Seamus comes in to help distract Alex. He knows. Seamus is not a dog, he is a personal care assistant in black and white fur.

Mealtime is Seamus’s reward. Alex is still learning to feed himself. Any crumb or dropped cookie, Seamus is on it.  Our new Ikea high chair, twenty dollars versus our Prego two-hundred fifty that Michael accidentally ran over…another blog….  Upsets Seamus because it is harder to mooch crumbs since it is level with the table. It helps Alex sit straight as a ballerina.

The gorgeous bond Alex and Seamus have is like an old married couple. I remember when I brought baby puppy Seamus. Our other dog, Emma Grace, had been hit and killed by a car. Eight days later I appeared at Michael’s office with Seamus. I knew there would be a room full of people so Michael would have to love the puppy. I remember  Sam saying in his best eighteen month old voice, “ My new Bubbie Wubbie bites a little bit.” He is a Border Collie. He was teething then.  He would nip Josh on the tooshie. Never hurt anyone, just chewed a lot!

Now if we say, “Turn off the TV!” It is as if Seamus knows the English. He repeats with the same beat, “Woof, Woof, Woof, Woof, WOOF!” He always emphasizes that last syllable.  He translates in dog. Alex will know, English, Hebrew, Signing and Dog.  Seamus is a huge part of our rainbow of blessings.

Seamus says more without English. I am an ELL teacher and my first puppy, Maggie, was my first ELL professor.  She had no words but we always knew what she meant by her expression, the time of day or her tail what she was communicating. Alex is like Maggie, Emma Grace and Seamus. We know what he says without English. I know it will come. We are patiently waiting for the miracle of his words.

A Mom in my district once told me that a hug is the best therapy. I would add a great dog, Seamus and  love are too. Woof, woof, woof WOOF! Translation, Seamus, We love YOU! 

Sincerely,

As a Guest in the Stork’s Nest~

Mama Nancy