Fruit of the Spirit - GENTLENESS Layout

We have a dog - a wonderfully sweet, Cocker Spaniel named Clifton. Clifton is my FIRST dog - we got him before kids so he was our first "baby." He chose us - at the breeder's kennel, he trotted into the room... I was sitting cross-legged on the floor, and he walked right into my lap and snuggled down. From that moment, we were hooked - Clifton was to be our dog.

Now Clifton is 12 years old, and over the last 3-4 years, he has deteriorated. He is about 90% blind; he is deaf. He has had cancerous tumors removed twice. He is prone to warts all over his body and has had 20+ removed already. He goes through periods where he has seizures, and he sleeps ALL of the time. He still has some "life" left in him, though - he searches out the bunnies that live under our patio - he snuggles up with us to watch TV - and he can still rip through ANY diaper bag to snag the snacks... even if they are in a Tupperware container!

We do know, that his years (months?) are limited. I've described him as "blind, deaf, and 1/2 dead" for at least the last 3 years! But until he cannot take care of himself or is in pain, we will continue to love him and care for him. He has been a good and faithful dog - especially to my children, and his GENTLENESS is the focus for this layout:

I love the quote that says, "A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life." I know our life would not have been as full without Clifton.

:) Mags