We’re cycling out some winter prints to make room for the new. Last chance to shop the full collection is now. Use code SPRINGCLEAN15 for 15% off!
This week Miko turned one year old. There’s so much I want to tell you about her. Like, when she was a baby and we went somewhere new, I would squat down and she’d dart in, parking herself under me to watch the world and learn.
I was reading this week about how mammals are distinct from other creatures because we can seek connection in response to stress as an alternative to sustained fight, flight and freeze, and this has made it possible for us to do hard things.
Here’s Miko, looking at a chicken coop with chickens that were all bigger than she was:
She is the penultimate little art buddy and falls asleep in my arms to the lulling sway of making brush marks. She understands how art is a tactile, body thing and she is down for it.
She loves a conversation with eye contact. She’ll come up close, gently paw my face and look me in the eye while I tell her all the things I like about her. We talk about the day, about our plans, we use some of her favorite words. She’ll stay as long as I’ll talk.
She has done so much to reach out to Elsa, who is old and had retired from playing when Miko first met her. Miko is gentle. She brings Elsa toys. She play bows and coos and gets Elsa to chase her. Elsa is now out of retirement, though she does occasionally look to us for a rescue:
And never once has Miko said, “Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, why am I so tired?” when she needs a two hour nap after 30 minutes of playing with all her heart. She never feels bad about taking the rest that she needs. And wow does she look good doing it:
For years I worried about having a dog because I did not know if I could handle loving someone with such a short lifespan. My fear of loss corralled my love. I thought the prophylactic to grief was holding back, but now I wonder, since grief comes either way, if what I need is celebration, more love. I used to squint my eyes closed during the good part, bracing for the bad. Now, I’m trying something else. Here I am, eyes wide open, noticing everything, and throwing dog birthday parties.
Cheering for whatever is going right in your world today, and for the connections we have that make it possible to go through the hard things.
love,
Brit
PS. Next week we’re releasing new prints, and will be taking down some prints to make room. It’s the last chance to shop the full winter print collection at 15% off with the code SPRINGCLEAN15. Thank you for supporting our tiny art business!
PSS. I have thousands of photos of this little dog and while part of me is like, no one wants to see these, the rest of me is set on emailing them to you anyway. So, here you go!
Runner up cute napping photos:
The first time she got wet!
She has always loved being a little scarf. She’s twice the size now, but will still lay her head on my shoulder any time I pick her up.
One more cozy nap in my arms:
Hope you have a happy Sunday!
i love to see the little dogs!!! they are so precious. thank you for sharing them with us 💕
I this gives strong pets-of-millenials-are-living-their-BEST-lives vibes, and I’m VERY here for it! 🥰