When Lana was a puppy, I thought her favourite places would be the beach, the dam, or the off-leash parks where she could run as fast as her golden retriever legs could carry her.
And don't get me wrong. she absolutely loves those places.
The moment she sees water, she lights up. The moment she sees an open field, she looks like she's just won the lottery.
But over the years, I've noticed something. No matter how exciting the adventure is, she's always happiest when we're all back home together.
I · An ordinary evening
The moment that stopped me in my tracks
A few evenings ago, I walked into the bedroom and found Lana stretched out on the bed while Marshie was loafing nearby.
Neither of them was doing anything particularly interesting.
Nobody was playing. Nobody was getting treats.
There wasn't even any food involved. which, if you know Marshie, is quite remarkable.
They were simply... there.
Comfortable. Content. Home.
And it made me realise something.
From the heart
That's the thing about Marshie — he always finds his way to wherever Lana is. No food, no encouragement. Just the two of them, settled in together like it was always the plan.
Just there. Comfortable. Content. ♡
♡
II · The big moments and the small ones
The best moments happen on ordinary days
We spend so much of our lives chasing the big moments.
The holidays. The celebrations. The exciting adventures.
Yet some of the best moments happen on completely ordinary days.
A quiet evening. A sleepy golden retriever. A bunny who has somehow appointed himself part of every family gathering.
Wherever Lana goes, Marshie follows. He was never asked. He just decided. And now I can't imagine it any other way.
A house that feels full, even when nobody is saying a word.
From the heart
The moment Lana settles somewhere, Marshie appears. Every single time. He has never once waited for an invitation — and honestly, I think that's exactly how both of them like it.
Never asked. Always there. ♡
"One day the walks become memories. The muddy paw prints disappear. The toys get packed away. And what remains are the moments that seemed ordinary at the time."
III · What loss taught me
The everyday ones are the ones you miss
When I lost Chrystal. my Labrador, my soul dog. one of the things I missed most wasn't the big memories.
It was the everyday ones.
The sound of paws following me through the house. The familiar presence nearby. The comfort of simply sharing life together.
Maybe that's why I treasure these little moments so much now.
Because I've learned they don't stay little forever.
One day the walks become memories. The muddy paw prints disappear. The toys get packed away.
And what remains are the moments that seemed ordinary at the time. The moments when everyone was simply together.
From the heart
Chrystal taught me everything I know about love that doesn't ask for anything in return. I carry that with me every day with Lana and Marshie.
♡
IV · What they keep reminding me
Dogs know what really matters
Dogs have a beautiful way of reminding us what really matters.
They don't care if the house is spotless or a mess. They don't care how you're dressed or whether you're wearing makeup. They don't care about expensive furniture or matching scatter cushions.
They certainly don't care how many emails are waiting to be answered.
What they care about is being with their people.
Having their person nearby.
To them, that's what matters most.
And honestly, I think there's something we can learn from that.
From the heart
On the days when everything feels like too much, Lana's answer is always the same: come sit with me for a bit. She's usually right.
"Home isn't our favourite place because it's perfect. It's our favourite place because the ones we love are in it."
And if Lana and Marshie could talk, I have a feeling they'd agree.
Lana and Marshie, exactly where they belong. ♡
So tonight, if your dog is curled up beside you. take a moment to appreciate it.
Not because it's a special occasion.
But because one day you'll realise it was.
From the Heart ♡
This is a quiet corner of Light Paw Studio where I share personal notes from life with Lana and Marshie. No lists. No steps. Just the small, true things.
