A couple of days before an Epiphany

Ok, you are probably wondering what the heck?  A fews day before an “Aha” moment?! No, I am not talking about the moment when someone suddenly is struck with a life changing realization that changes everything.  Truth be told, I have been having an epiphany since the day I was informed I had breast cancer.  Actually, January 5th, 2018, just about 2 years to the day is when I was told.  I have been on a journey since then…seeking enjoyable moments, the little things in life, seeking purpose and meaning.

I am actually not talking about that but rather am talking about January 6th, 2020, which for many Christians refers to the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus and is marked by a feast day. According to Matthew 2:11, they offered symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They were symbolic of the importance of Jesus’ birth..  the gold represented his royal standing, frankincense his divine birth and myrrh his mortality.  I am not really sure how many people celebrate the Epiphany but I am sure the Pope does in Rome.

Anyway, I am sure there is a lot more to be said about the Epiphany but I can’t say I know very much about it other than I have been told that Christmas decorations shouldn’t be taken down til after January 6th.  Makes sense, since the Epiphany marks the end of Christmas and the coming of good news to all and is supposedly celebrated by a feast.  We never really followed the “feast thing” especially because we ate enough at Christmas thru to New Year’s day.  In fact, I took all my decorations down today…the house looks barren.  This is actually a lot later than I usually do it and I know I have never waited til after the Epiphany to pack away decorations etc.   I think you need to do what you need to do and take decorations down when you can find the time to do it.  I know some are superstitious and think it can cause bad luck..  Do whatever you think makes sense for you.   Just be true to yourself…    Enough about that, I really just wanted to wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2020!

Also great start to the New Year for my nephew’s dog Benji!  If you read my previous post, he went missing on December 19th.   He was found on January 2nd… He is back home with my nephew recovering from his ordeal.  His story was actually on the Orangeville banner, a local paper in the little community of Orangeville.   What a story!?  Big shout out to “AID 4 Paws-Search and Recovery”.  He was actually caught the same day my nephew flew into Toronto from out west.

I copied the post from Facebook for those of you that don’t have it.

How a dozen people & a Labradoodle named Du came together to find & secure a Korean rescue dog during the Holidays. Here’s Benji’s story. ❤️

Benji was in care of friends (William & Sarah) while his owners were in BC visiting family, when he bolted December 19th in unfamiliar territory & was gone! They immediately started searching for him, but were quite challenged juggling work, children, Christmas, travelling back & forth to/from Bowmanville (where they live), and caring for Sarah’s palliative dad Peter and all that comes with that. 😓

We stepped in to help Dec 23rd, as we knew this was going to be a very challenging case. Over 60 large neon signs were made & installed, and 400 flyers distributed within a large area near Shelburne. Benji was extremely skittish, as are most Korean rescue dogs. Sightings began, rather sporadic, and at one point he ran along busy Hwy 124 & nearly got hit by cars; folks tried to secure him but he just kept on going. We set feeding stations, and attempted our 1st trapping in an area, but he was a no show. We did get an impromptu visit from a fisher during the day. 😬

Benji was then seen in another area, and this time we set two traps on two properties, hoping he’d show up & come back. He did come to one trap area overnight, but our trap was unarmed. We armed it next day & monitored it 24/7. The New Years Eve celebrations & human activities proved too much for him and he booked it 6kms eastward to a horse farm. We got the call this morning, he was playing with the resident dogs. We immediately went on site, while one of us grabbed all equipment to relocate it if needed.

We spotted him far into the hilly fields, and our team member Norma took her dog Du ahead of his path, in hopes to lure him. She found his tracks, saw where he’d pulled hay from a bale to make himself a nest out of the wind. Clever boy. Then he popped up, and Norma got down to start the luring process using Du. He came close, intrigued with Du, and smelling the food Norma offered. But he was very nervous & scared. After about an hour, Norma took her opportunity & grabbed his collar! Out of fear, he bit her hand (she is ok!). So we went out to help further secure him using our snare pole, and wrapped him in a blanket to keep him warm & calm.

Off to the Graham Animal Hospital in Hillsburgh we went, and Benji received outstanding care from Dr Denise Lukacs & staff. He lost 10lbs (normally 40lbs), had quills in his snout, was dehydrated, had 1 tick and a few scrapes, but otherwise appeared ok. He will be on antibiotics & a strict feeding regimen for a while, and will recover fully. ❤️❤️

Peter (Sarah’s father) was so thrilled to learn Benji was safe, he found the strength to get out of bed for first time in 3 days, and sat in a comfy chair to greet him back. 💓💓💓💓💓

We must thank Ed, Mena & Dominic, and Alan for allowing us full access & use of their grounds. To Greg for assisting, and to everyone who called in sightings, thank you!

Team Benji included us, as well as Kathryn (outstanding young lady!) and Sheryl (amazing woman!), and we thank Diana & Annette for their support throughout! Let’s not forget Du, who played a key part (good boy!) 🐕‍🦺💙

Rest & heal well Benji, and welcome back home sweety. 🐾 🏡 ❤️☺️

Link to news story: 👇

https://www.orangeville.com/news-story/9795524-community-search-party-spends-holidays-on-crazy-adventure-looking-for-benji-around-shelburne/

That’s it for this blog!! Signing off! Stay Healthy and Be Wise!

Please follow and like us: