A Battlefield.
Katie, thanks for this!! (For those who didn't notice, last week, Katie mentioned that my Love Is... Friday's always have her singing Love is A Battlefield.)
And some days it sure seems like one, doesn't it? I'm deviating from the romantic relationships in our lives with this post, though even they can seem like a battlefield at times too, but this week has posed a different kind of war zone for my family and I find myself relying on unconditional love to get me through.
Now, first, let me define my definition of unconditional love. It's loving even before you achieve any measure of bonding. It's loving despite anything, and I do mean, anything, because that's what makes the world a happier place!
Well, this week, my family, which is mainly me since I'm the one home alone all day, each day, has been working on integrating these two little rescued bundles
Noelle a.k.a. Bella & Emmawith these two well-established, well-loved, and very set-in-their-ways furs
Tucker & Tippy
As a result, there has been a lot of hissing, spine curling, spitting, barking, and chasing going on around our home. And all in the midst of my annual juicing. Oh what amazing fun! So, yes, love is a battlefield quite literally in our household as of late, and it's only love that is getting me through it!!
And praise God, it seems to be working. There are far longer cease fires between the open fires as the days pass by and so far no eyeballs have been plucked out, either. All's good when the animals still have their sight, even if their brains seem to be MIA!
So when was the last time you were involved in a battlefield? Did you have fun making up, or in our case, celebrating (what we hope to be doing soon with our integrated pets--oh, please Lord, let it be soon!)? And what did you learn from the whole experience? A better understanding of a loved one? Patience? How to use earplugs? That perseverance pays off? Oh, the list could go on and on...
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
28 comments:
Oh, Eileen! I'm just cracking up imagining you tearing around your house trying to break up dog-cat fights all week! Would love to see a video of that!
So, where did you find the kitties? I bet your daughters are having fun with them! And yes, I know about dogs bothering cats. Our Golden seems to take pleasure in trying to sniff our cats to craziness!
Have a great weekend!
Good question! I don't do well in battlefields. In the past I've tended to be MIA, or what's that word when someone runs away? Um yeah. Yellow-bellied.
I'm all for unconditional love though and try to use my God-supply everyday. :-) Sometimes I forget though.
Very cute about the animals! Eventually, I hope, they all love each other. :-)
Very sweet! What a team they'll make when they get used to one another. I can see it now...
The regular battlefields at our house are between my daugthers, who fight like siblings do. Oy. :)
Hi, Ladies, We adopted these two from the SPCA- Humane Society. Emma is 4 months old, and Noelle is 3 years old. They were just recently spayed by the SPCA, so they still have their stitches in.
I noticed this morning that Noelle is now venturing to explore the house a bit even when the dogs are inside--good sign!
I really liked your definition of unconditional love...even before the bonding. Right now, I'm working on not complaining as I take on much more than I used to due to husband's work stress.
~ Wendy
They'll all be best of friends before you know it! We adopted a cat from the H.S a few years ago. She'd been in a cage there for 4 months, and when we saw her, we knew she was waiting for us. It took time for her to acclilmate to her new home, but her sweet heart finally shines through :)
Wow, what a story! I'd love to see the cats and the dogs together--I bet it's hilarious! (Or that it will be once they are all friends)!
Have a great weekend!
I've learned that love is hard work and a whole lot of comprimise and humbling myself and what I want all the time. Love is selflessness which goes against my flesh! :O)
integrating animals can be so tough! don't envy you that task...but i do wish you well with it.
as for being in a battlefield...i'm there now with my parents. you love them so much...they've done so much for me....i'm who i am right now b/c of them. but they can forget to let go. and that's such a battle....even though i'm about to be 31! such a battle.
anyway...great post. katie's comment in your past last week cracked me up 1) b/c its so katie and 2) b/c i totally have that song in my head when i see your "love is..." post titles, too. i think she and i were spearated at birth.
jeannie
The Character Therapist
Sounds like you have quit a crew lol! My battlefield is much more metal as of late. It all takes place with my WIP's vying for my attention. My main WIP is currently being butchered. I'm worried I won't be ale to piece it together.
My four-year-old likes to draw on furniture and I don't like that very much. She is a sweet little thing so I have to be careful to discipline her with love, because she gets her feelings hurt easily. Ultimately she is way more important to me than any piece of furniture, and I have to remember that when I go into her room to find red marker all over her dresser. :)
Oh, my! That's a lot of animals. I just have the black lab. That's enough for me.
My kids are home today. They are fighting like crazy. I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm trying to find a way to get through it. HELP!
Eileen,
Your work is cut out for you on this battlefield. Best wishes for a "truce" among your pets.
I guess my last battlefield would be the mini one(s) we waged against our 3 teenagers. My husband and I make a great united front and that is what it took on some days. Because we "stood our ground" our challengers soon gave up the fight. We are all in the same platoon now that they have gotten older.LOL
Oh, they're sooo cute!! And I'm laughing at the battlefield. Cats vs. dogs! Ha!
Good luck. They're worth it!
Eileen,
Thank you so much for your sweet words on my post today -- that was so thoughtful of you! I love making new friends, and it warms my heart that you decided to become a follower! :)
Your new kitties are adorable!! I have two as well and love them to pieces! Your puppies are precious too! I hope that everyone gets adjusted very very soon! :)
Have a blessed weekend!
Lauren
My battlefield is usually inside my heart and head. Lately, I've been winning a few skirmishes in there, thanks to some divine assistance :-)
So cute! Thank you for sharing pictures. They all look so peaceful right now. ;)
I don't always feel like I do a great job with the unconditional thing...but today I had a friend thank me for my unconditional love. That was such a gift! Maybe I do a better job of keeping the battle inside and others don't see it. But I do need to work on the inner unconditional love too!
"Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria."
That line from Ghostbusters is hitting me right about now!
Oh I love the pictures and wish I had them all in my house! You are awesome to take them on!! I tried to get a dog at Christmas last year and three days later, we had to return him. It was the battle of refusing to do his thing in our own yard! Not in the house or the neighbor's driveway!lol
Boy if I had to list out my recent moments in the battlefield, I would start a therapy session.
One thing that happens to me repeatedly is the realization that writing was more fun when I wasn't concerned about publishing. Go Figure.
p.s. Love the music on your blog.
Hi Eileen -
First of all, congrats on reaching 100 Followers!
Cute pets! I know they'll call a truce when they see there's enough love to go around for all of them.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Eileen! That is so funny for us reading it. I can't imagine it's all that funny at your house. Integrating mature animals is no easy task. Good luck. I hope your unconditional love wins out.
Halarious! Love it. :) See...now you're going to sing that song everytime you do your Love Is Friday posts!
Eileen:
You have a lot of patience and your house must be bigger than mine (:)).
I'm sure once the dogs get used to the cats and vice versa everything will be calm again.
Hilarious! My wife dropped a package of meat on the floor today. Our two dogs both ran for it, and began fighting among themselves to get to it. My wife couldn't even get in to get it and had to call me. Funny thing, the dogs never touched the package - neither would let the other get to it. Thought of doing a blog post about this myself!
Really like your def of unconditional love.
Eileen: May the Lord bless you as you try and break up the fights. We have four cats, and the older female cannot stand the youngest male--she resents him living in her universe!
As to unconditional love, mine is tested every day. My husband has a teaching gift, and loves to EXPLAIN things in minute detail. I already know that kangaroos are marsupials and Brazil is in South America, but he remains impervious to the fact that he is sharing knowledge I already own.
I chose to pray for friends he can explain his every thought to, rather than that I'd grow in patience. God gave him a great bunch of guys at a mens' Bible study, but he continues his teaching to me. Oh well. I get to practice unconditional love, eh?
Your kitties are gorgeous, Eileen! We have two cats. One is a very large white female with an endearing character (except she doesn't like strangers!) We also have a male brown tabby with a stub tail who thinks he's a dog. He loves his belly rubbed and likes to lick ALL THE TIME! My cheek gets worn raw from him.
They started off at odds and now get along quite well other than the occasional power struggle!
Good luck with them all!
Sue
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