About Mara and her life’s work;
Teri (human, Alfa and trainer/puppy raiser extraordinaire) and her pack had Mara join them in the first week of Oct. That pack helped Mara to reach her full potential, and she’s met that and will continue to go above and beyond. She had the best 4 weeks of her life so far with Teri and the others. She knows all the “tricks” of the trade she was born to be considered for, but her talents (her heart and soul) are elsewhere, and she is ready to enjoy the success that PADS is setting her up for, for the world to fully exploit her talents – her true calling.
She visited me at Thanksgiving. She let me know it’s been nice and she loves us, however, for a complete and happy life – should she not become a “working girl”- she’d rather live in a place with energy galore – the variety that comes from uber, exuberant personalities to keep up with her, and her with them; people who love being outside and other beings too; dogs, cats, horses, butterfly’s…oh my! Those, just like her, that NEVER stop, but ALWAYS smell the roses.
You are the one who is just as excited to meet and greet any of us after just a few hours apart as you are for the very first time- and who greets every stranger as though you’ve held them tight to your heart forever and is overjoyed to see them again. The one that’s personally selected and delivered a gift to each of us, every morning, (and sometimes more) of each day; the one that brings the party 24-7 (168-49 in dog hours). And played more than a couple of jokes. Like the time(s) when you were not done our yard play/training and let me know because when I turned to put the toys away, you pinched the seat of my Lululemons… it was not a ‘full moon’ that evening…but I’m glad the ‘brief’ look, was not very long- except you did it again …and again…and on many other evenings too. You are a goof, and I’m glad for it.
Your compassion is remarkable; when Perry was bedridden with Covid or flu, or whatever; I noticed you’d go up to the side of the bed, where his head lay and just check on him. When I was laid up on the couch at various times with a torn ACL and other torn muscles throughout my hips, a bruised rib, a badly sprained ankle… Covid, you’d rest your chin on the couch and touch my back with your nose, or you’d put your front legs on the cushion (the back legs still on the floor- so technically not on the couch), to let me know you were there keeping me company… gently. You knew not to bite the seat of my pants on those days. Just as you knew not to bite the long-legged flying, daddy long legs, who was resting on the living room floor – you saved it (summer ‘24 pupdate refers), and all the other insects too. Butterflies – you knew they were out of the reach of your choppers when you jumped into the air to be like them. The spiders which you’d bring to me, so I’d set them free outside. Your nose right in there, making sure I’d not do them any injury, as I caught them in a glass and you followed me out onto the doorstep. And the frog that you’d brought to me, still whole, and you slacked your jaw to let it plop out in front of me, and we watched it hop away. (Pupdate of spring ‘24 refers). Likewise, your ears perk and the wavy creases on the top of your skull become defined, when one of the 3 humans of our pack of 4 walked too far away from us.
Mara, you have served PADS well, and you have done your duty. And you did it just by being you. You’ve taught everyone you’ve touched – licked-jumped up on, pulled on the seat of their pants – including this new furry charge of ours, that you gently played with this past weekend – just the way your Mom Valentine played with you.
You’ve reminded us how to work hard, celebrate nature and family, be physically active… and take care of others and celebrate THEM, -PADS included – PADS and the sponsors made it possible for you to BE, and for you to be theirs, – for them to help you develop your full potential as a master class …dog…you’ve taught us so much -prepared us for this next puppy ‘The Zoe’. (Seen in the photo where you pass the torch to her). And hopefully, more after her.
It’s been an honour to have raised you, Mara. So grateful you joined us on our journey. You can’t choose your family, Mara- and you can’t quit one either (at least not ours), we get you- we got you, and you are always continuing to BE- the ‘other sister’ of the Family Fledwards. The blonde with sloppy kisses and a wild sense of humour. A generous and compassionate member of the Greater PADS community and the small village where we sleep and eat and live -that is all the more a ‘ home’, having had you here with us.
Miss Mara, we love you -always will.
Dog-speed
Submitted by: Charly Flesher
