I saw this on my morning walk and stopped to smell it.... beauty all around!  It reminded me of one of my favorite poems by the Sufi poet Hafiz.  I invite you to just sit and meditate on what in you is needing a little love to open wider.  
​
It Felt Love
How 
Did the rose 
Ever open its heart 
And give to this world 
All its 
Beauty? 
It felt the encouragement of light 
Against its 
Being, 
Otherwise, 
We all remain 
Too 
Frightened.

Last night, when I left to take Gibbs for his evening walk, he was reluctant to go without our new housemate, Dana.  Dana moved in on the weekend and Gibbs has fallen in love with her!  He gets very excited when she comes home every night, and last night she got home just before we left.  We both greeted her, Gibbs with kisses and a fast wagging tail, and talked for a while, and then it was time to walk.  He ran around her legs as I was calling to him, jumped up on her as I was at the door, every part of his being begging her to join us as she had for a couple of other walks over the weekend.  But she had just got home from work and cleaning up her old space, so we left without her.
 
Thankfully the cat, KukKuk was at the door.  She did not want to go inside, but instead jumped down the porch steps with us.  She rolled around on the road as Gibbs sniffed around.  Then followed me as we began to walk down the street.  Gibbs was looking back at the house, still hoping Dana was going to have changed her mind, and KukKuk, for the first time ever, was determined to walk with us.  Gibbs finally gave up on Dana and ran after KukKuk.  They took turns in leading the way down the alleyway, first one ahead and then the other, and sometimes walking side by side.  I was astounded as the cat is usually very cat like: aloof and not wanting anything to do with the stinky dog! 
 
She ran and followed us to the road, and I was sure she would turn back, but she crossed the road with us and continued all the way to the lagoon we walk around.  Then she jumped up on a fence and stopped, watching us.  Gibbs wanted to wait too, but we had a rent check to deliver to the office, so we continued on our way.
 
We hadn’t gone far when we spotted a man walking towards us.  Gibbs immediately came to my side and let out a growl…. And I trust his intuition on people.  I squatted down and held him so he would not go up to this man, and his growling got louder.  The man pulled his hoodie tighter around his face and walked towards us on the path.  As he got close to me I also felt a strange vibe.  He slowed down.  “What’s your name?” he asked.  I ignored him, stood up, called Gibbs to follow me, who was growling furiously by then, and we walked away from the guy.  Gibbs kept checking to see if he was following us, which he wasn’t, and soon Gibbs decided we were safe again.
 
We dropped our rent check off and wound our way back around the lagoon to where we had left KukKuk.  Someone else was walking their dog and I didn’t see the cat, so I assumed that she had already left, but as we got to the street I heard a loud MEOW.  I called her, and soon she appeared out of nowhere and the two four leggeds raced on home.
 
This is the first time I have ever felt uncomfortable walking where I live, and it did shake me a little, and made me curious.  It made me wonder about Gibbs and KukKuk.  Gibbs wanted Dana to walk with us… because he wanted her company for sure, but maybe because he sensed something was up.  Then KukKuk followed us, which she has never done before, and waited faithfully for us to return to walk back with us.  Did she know someone acting strangely was out there?  Was she keeping watch from her perch on the fence?  Did Gibbs ask her to join us for extra protection?  Those of you who know Gibbs know he couldn’t do much damage to someone, but he is a faithful and protective being for sure!  And little KukKuk would run from danger, but there she was too!
 
So I finished the evening feeling very grateful for these four-legged guardian angels of mine, for while I don’t think anything would have happened, it was nice to have the protection and energy of these two with me.   And the words from the Compline prayers I pray each night ringing through my being (from Psalm 91):
 
Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High
and abide in the shade of the Almighty
say to God: “My refuge, my stronghold,
my God in whom I trust.”
 
Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has God commanded the angels
to keep you in all your ways.
 
They shall bear you upon their hands
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread
and trample the young lion and the dragon.
 
You set your love on me so I will save you,
protect you for you know my name.
When you call I shall answer: “I am with you.”
I will save you in distress and give you glory.
 
 May you know you walk with your angels too… however they show up in your life.  May you know God’s protection.  May you abide in God’s refuge.