When I brought him home five years ago, I was broken too. His leg had betrayed him, shattering mid-stride when the thrill of the race outpaced his physical capability. His passion had disintegrated into pieces. I, too, scrambled to collect the shards of a dream. Hope for someone I dearly love had collided with her…Read more Shattering Into Joy
dogs
Racing for Joy
That moment when you run… not because someone told you to, not for any tangible benefit, not to prove anything to anyone (not even yourself). But simply for the sheer joy of surging through the grass, under the sky, alive in this moment. When every cell of your being trembles with the present. When you…Read more Racing for Joy
The Deaf Dog Who Heard What Matters
Strange that I would start painting again, after falling off into deep discouragement earlier this year, with Henry as my subject. But Henry was truly special. He was completely deaf. In a household clattering with four active kids, that was a blessing for him. And in a family with special needs kids, his disability endeared…Read more The Deaf Dog Who Heard What Matters
Love – The Search Is On
I once lived, moved and breathed right smack in the heart of the biblical parable of the lost sheep, albeit contextualized for Colorado Springs, Colorado. Now, in these parts, at least in the city, we don’t herd many sheep; but we do have cliffs, frigid winter nights, and hungry predators. And we adore our animals, especially…Read more Love – The Search Is On
Henry the Star
As I begin painting in earnest again, I find myself drawn to a place of simplicity and happiness. I drag out from the shadows a painting I began last spring. At first I think it's a "light" theme, a "warm-up," with deeper visual ponderings to come. And then I realize, the most treasured offerings in…Read more Henry the Star
What I Learned From My Dogs About Attachment
Recently someone asked me to think about and describe my favorite place to be, a space where I am irresistibly happy. Without hesitation, I replied, “Bear Creek Dog Park.” No doubt, it is a beautiful park. Huddled in the foothills with stunning mountain vistas and traced by a gurgling creek, with sunflower-studded hills by summer…Read more What I Learned From My Dogs About Attachment
Joy Comes in the Morning
Early in the morning, “joy” lingers at the door and howls longingly to come in. I can’t resist. I crack the door, and he slips through eagerly. I settle on my chair, and he nestles his silky head on my lap. His front paws creep up to join his head. He lifts his lanky back…Read more Joy Comes in the Morning
Savoring the Simple Things
With every passing year, I grow increasingly thankful for the simplest of things. For blue-gray sky sinking low with snow, for burnished ochre grasses lifting proud rounded heads, for stately tree silhouettes, empty of leaves, but cradling dreams lying latent through cold. For growing children scampering after dogs of gold, brindle, and black with shy…Read more Savoring the Simple Things
Joy in Giving Good Things Away
Photos, above, are from a very fun photo shoot with Kyra and her "pack" whom I met though Colorado Greyhound Adoption. ............................................................ Felix stepped into his fairy-tale beginning last week. His new family is everything we prayed for and more. He was with us longer than we expected, longer than normal for a foster…Read more Joy in Giving Good Things Away
Greyhound Revelry
Today I need to laugh. So, if you will indulge me, I will deviate from my usual deeper-spiritual-journey-fare for purely-fun-greyhound-revelry. About twenty years ago we met our first member of the breed. Rico. He shook and trembled onto our old wood floors and right on into our hearts. When he died, I buried a…Read more Greyhound Revelry
Colleen Briggs Images & Writing 