Sharing the ups and downs of life with your dog.
Yesterday I used the phrase, “A number of domestic circumstances are taking priority at the moment …” and I wasn’t overplaying that. I can’t say anymore at this stage other than to say that a very close family member has been diagnosed with a terminal illness (and it’s not Jeannie, my son or my daughter.)
Naturally, it has been dominating my thoughts and emotions these last 72 hours but my ability to comprehend what has happened and to weep from time to time would have been impossible without the love of my sweet, dear Jeannie and the emotional sensitivity of our dogs.
For example, yesterday morning when I swung myself out of bed a little after 5:15am, the room still dark, and then sat on the side of the bed wondering what the diagnosis would be from the consultant in London, Brandy came up to me and just buried his head in between my slightly opened legs. With his head held down he pressed himself into my crutch and I then bent my own chest and head down and buried my face in the warm fur of Brandy’s neck just behind his ears.
So on to a short film that has been shown before here on Learning from Dogs but is still worth seeing again.
Published on Mar 27, 2015Hey:)
Thanks for watching my film. I really hope you share and comment as we love your feedback also feel free to email your thoughts as well. www.ShawnWellingVisuals.com for more info and my email.
The Director
-Shawn Welling
Full Synopsis:
A friend to share the ups and downs of life with him — and, soon, his family. “If I Could Talk” gives this dog the one chance he wants to share his thoughts.
Director: Shawn Welling AXI
Story: Mark Galvin / Shawn Welling
Screenplay: Shawn Welling
Starring:
Max Welling / The White Lab
Shawn Welling / Shawn Welling
Michelle Simmons / Michelle Welling
Grace Calabrese / Grace Welling
Kalyssa Lauer / Kalyssa Welling
Music:
Reuel
Composer:
Phillip Glass
Cinematographer
Shawn Welling
Art Giraldo
Scott Budge
Thinking of every one of you and what your dogs mean to you!
Learning from Dogs 
I am very sad about the dreadful news concerning your family. I don’t know what to say at this point other than that I’m very concerned. The film is one that I have watched in the past somewhere along the way. It always makes me cry. The video is excellent in showing how dogs are wonderful creatures that complete our lives.
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Thank you so very much.
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Excellent video dogs r my favourite.
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Yes, Jean and I could watch it many times and still be very moved by this beautiful, short film.
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So sorry about the bad news….Dogs really help us to cope with all the drama. Hang in there. Best to you and family
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Thank you very much. I will in the coming days reveal a little more about what has happened.
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An emotional but beautiful film, it moved me to tears. Our dogs mean so much to us.
I am sad that your family are going through a terrible time at the moment Paul, and Brandy knows it too as he tries to comfort you; our dogs know these things. I will keep you all in my prayers.
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Thank you, Barb. Even this old secular humanist appreciates being mentioned in the prayers of others! 😉
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Paul- I will keep your family in my thoughts. I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I were deeply moved by this short film. This October it will be 2 years since we had to put our beloved American Bulldog to sleep. I hope she knows how much she meant to my husband and me. Thank you for posting this beautiful work.
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Dear Susan, what a wonderful reply from you. Thank you so very much!
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Send you healing thoughts and hope for the best, Paul.
Really an emotional and beautiful movie, brought tears to my eyes. Our animals are pure love and your dog knows, how you are feeling.
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Yes, the sensitivity of dogs to what we humans are feeling is wonderful. Thank you for your healing thoughts and your lovely words.
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I am so sorry to hear of your news, I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. It’s lovely that our dogs can bring us such strength and empathy in these times.
The video is beautiful, so dreadfully sad but also stands as a good reminder to make the best of our time with our loved ones.
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Thanks Laura. As I have just implied in my reply to Irene our dogs are so valuable. Indeed, their short life span provides so many lessons for us including the reality that for all of us, dogs, animals and humans, death is inevitable. Life is no rehearsal! As you so wisely say, make the best of our time with our loved ones.
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I’m sorry to hear about your dear friend Paul. It knocks the wind right out of our sails and waked us up to the fact that life cannot be taken for granted.
Our dogs are such a comfort and can teach us so much in accepting the cycle of life.
Hugs, xo
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Your kind words and hugs reach across to me. So pleased you dropped by because you were in my mind when I was replying to Laura just a few minutes ago. The importance of the middle way!
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Finding our center in times of trouble can help us get through it with awareness and grace. Take care Paul 💕
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Paul sending my thoughts via the airwaves to encompass your family and so sorry to hear this sad news Paul..
I know the love and support from Jean and your beloved four-legged friends will help you through this time..
Love and Blessings to you all..
Sue xx ❤
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Dearest Sue, your such kind words and thoughts are precious. Maybe later on this week I will explain a little more about what is happening. Thank you!
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No need to explain at all Paul.. Hugs to everyone
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