Purrfectplay

The Broken Open Heart

 

"And just imagine how an open, unprotected heart can touch the world. No barriers, no boundaries; love pouring in and out, self to self. An empty vessel that is also full… and limitless."      satyashanti.com

I am learning to live with a “broken open heart”.  Many of us who give our hearts to others will suffer a heart broken open by sorrow when that loved one leaves us.  As pet companions we are almost guaranteed this experience. If you are a pet rescuer you will be heart broken by all the pain and neglect.  You will cry and rage against the cruelty and suffering. Your heart will break open. 

This is a strong and sometimes beautiful experience.  You will not be able to sleep, drink, or laugh it away. You will never be the same. 

How to go forward from this broken place is a challenge. You are more powerful now and more vulnerable.  You see more, feel more, experience more.  Hold close the “fierce love” which can come from having the heart broken. There is much to see,  much to feel, and so very much to do.

It's About Passion

So, you know from my last post how blown out I was at the Renegade Handmade show. That brief experience has me thinking about passion, love, and returning to the fleshy beating center of the heart. Creating from a place of integrity can stir deep reservoirs of old knowledge. By "old" I mean both my own solitary hours of crafting as a child and our history, as humans, with creation and production.

For some reason I keep thinking about Blade Runner. In this movie the world is full of junk-- lots of noise and confusion. Any "thing" can be made, even humans. But people have forgotten how to identify what to keep and what to throw away. Junk transforms into useful objects and back into junk, continuously.

So, Purrfectplay does this weird thing. We consciously regard what we do. We do not widgetize our toys, not in our heads and not in our hands. I am not bragging-- this may be a stupid business model. What I am asking/saying is where is our world's experience of production going? What will this experience bring us?

The handmade movement is not necessarily refined or exclusive-- it is instead a call to touch, try, smell, and taste our everyday.  Stop objectifying and start experiencing.   You may ask (I know I do!) what this has to do with our pets and the environment. I think it has everything to do with it.

Again, what do you think?

Ode To The Joy of Companionship

Pictures tell many stories. This peaceful scene comes by way of one of our readers/customers. The kittens wrapped around their big brother are Simon and Zoe.  I am reminded of a series of poems by Mary Oliver. In them, she speaks of the love and connection she receives by living with her dog, Percy. Many of us feel this way.        
For your pleasure: 

Percy Two

I have a little dog who likes to nap with me.
He climbs on my body and puts his face in my neck.
He is sweeter than soap.
He is more wonderful than a diamond necklace,
which can't even bark.
I would like to take him to Kashmir and the Ukraine,
and Jerusalem and Palestine and Iraq and Darfur,
that the sorrowing thousands might see his laughing mouth.
I would like to take him to Washington, right into
the oval office
where Donald Rumsfeld would crawl out of the president's
armpit
and kneel down on the carpet, and romp like a boy.
 
For once, for a moment, a rational man

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LITTLE DOGS RHAPSODY IN THE NIGHT
(PERCY THREE)

He puts his cheek against mine
and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I'm awake, or awake enough

he turns upside down, his four paws
in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent.

Tell me you love me, he says.

Tell me again.

Could there be a sweeter arrangement?
Over and over
he gets to ask it.
I get to tell.

~ Mary Oliver ~

A Force of Nature

Chesterton EF2 Tornado
Originally uploaded by Jason Cales

We had an EF2 Tornado cut through our hometown last week. Caused quite a ruckus. Purrfectplay's workshop and our home were not effected. Some houses did get clobbered but no one was hurt. Almost a miracle.

As the tornado moved in its narrow track it took down many trees. Squirrels in town will talk about this one for generations.

Our home lost power but since no siren went off (the tornado developed too quickly) we were not concerned. We went to bed early, we had no idea. Our sweet dog Rosa panted and was hyper alert all night. She is a sensitive being, and she felt this event deeply.

Rosa may not be able to read and write but she is connected to the world in a way I am not. She is part of the force of nature. I sit outside this force, in my modern cocoon. Who is more aware of the life around us? My vote goes to Rosa.