A Prayer to St Bernard

A Prayer to St Bernard

Deciding to take a detour to buy coffee on my way to work gave me more than a caffeine boost. It gave me a financial boost.

You can imagine my initial dilemma when I heard the recorded voice announcing ‘notes are dispensed below the scanner’. I looked down to see a crisp new red tenner and its rightful owner long gone. My attempt to run after her was futile as she had already disappeared up the elevator, none the wiser.

A quick flash of guilt came over me. Should I give it to a staff member? Deciding that it may never be claimed I choose to put it in my pocket. God knows I could do with it.

The short walk back to the office gave me time to reflect. Had I done the right thing? What were the implications? It certainly made me think about being more careful of my own resources. In a time when personal outgoings and debts may exceed income, it pays to be prudent.

I have appeased my mixed emotions of optimism and guilt by making a compromise. It’s going to be a 50/50 split. €5 is going to the feel good Trish fund and €5 will go to the closest I can get to St Bernard. Even this is a dilemma though. Should I donate this portion to a dog rescue charity or a Benedictine order in the name of the saint himself? I guess I will just have to look for divine inspiration on that one.

Take Me Out

‘A dog will take you out’, my Aunt is fond of saying. Her wise words never made much sense to me until the arrival of our family mascot last autumn.

Feeling the winter blues, recent life changes and the pinch of the recession but determined to stay afloat, our little Belle arrived to rescue me. Focusing on her issues from an unknown past but obvious neglect, she became our family project. Allieviating some of our collective sadness, bonding us in joy and love.

Days when I felt unable to put one foot in front of the other, I walked on. In wind and rain, snow & ice. My concern for the dogs welfare overriding any hint of my own self pity. Out walking on dark winter nights I feel safe with her by my side. At home, she dances and barks along to our songs and laughter. Hugging, joking, chasing, even shedding a tear together.

So we started to gain momentum. Going from walking to wunning to running. Both of us getting stronger, fitter, happier and healthier. My canine BF has taken me out on more than just 10k runs. She has helped me to feel more love and joy in my life and an excellent reason to put my running shoes back on again.