Author: Jeff Shapiro

I have super-powers, do you?
I have a reason for sharing this with you
Because I want to let the genie out of the bottle
And never let him back inside
 
These powers are unfathomable
Just outside all comprehension
When you see me all you can describe is my appearance
But imagine, there is an entire universe inside
 
My powers make me one of the sweetest creatures in this world
A creature of mildness
As fluid as melting ice
And from every angle, showing the perfect view
 
Let’s go! Let’s discover your super-powers
We must search like an 8-month-old crawling into a new day of adventure
Start with a fairy-tale
And keep everything in easy-listening words
 
There they are, do you see them? They are like a mountain hiding beneath the fog
At the base there is strength, then purposefulness, then hope and faith
On your summit I can see endless views of love and compassion
Ha! I knew they were in there
 
Now, go show the world!
 
I love you,
 
Annie

Today I think I’ll be the color purple …
Not green or yellow or red …
Why purple?
Because it feels like a purple kind of day.
 
I’ll flow like a long purple stroke on an endless canvas …
Without any beginning or end …
You may ask, if I have no beginning where did I come from?
From the master painter’s pallet and brush, of course …
 
I have no idea where this purple thing might take me …
It is only one color in this multi-colored world …
I know that I’m being woven into some eternal tapestry …
And each day I’m just a little more complete
 
Maybe it will lead me to my butler’s ice cream face …
To me, she tastes like blackberries …
It is all something of some magical rhythm …
I’m hoping that the love in our eyes will catch.
 
So, are you with me?
Today what color do you want to be? (You can be anything but blue.)
Believe me, it will be like coming home to meet a long-parted friend …
Sort of a special surprise.
 
I love you,
 
Annie

I’m happy that I can’t climb a real ladder …
Isn’t that what humans constantly do?
I don’t know what is at the top …
But, by the lack of happiness in this world, I think there is nothing but hot air.
 
Can I talk to you for a second (You know pup to person?)
What I want to say will be either brilliant or rubbish (rubbish can be very tasty … )
You can be the judge …
For me, a ladder is the opposite of peace and tranquility.
 
My four paws are always on the ground (unless I’m on my butler’s lap or on a step stool … )
I see the whole world as myself …
I love the whole world as myself …
And my only measure of success is how well I’m doing in these two things.
 
Ambition or envy steal your greatest gift …
This gift was given to you when you were born and is always within you …
It is something different for every pup (and I’m guessing humans alike … )
Come on! You must have encountered your gift along your way.
 
Whew! I said it … what a mixture of gratitude and relief …
Now, if you think this is true here’s what you need to do (If rubbish, it’s okay to take a bite … )
Break away from that eternal repetition happening in your brain …
Come down from the ladder …
 
And come back home.
 
I love you,
 
Annie

Today my little mind is as open as the sky …
Filled with smiles, cheerfulness and contentment …
I’m living in such a comfortable vibe …
Please, please, don’t poop on my golden moment.
 
Maybe I’ll venture into that thicket of truth …
Studying what a pup should be studying …
Be taught by an old oak tree (my teacher of everything genius) …
Stop thinking that trees can’t speak!
 
It is all yours and mine …
Just let the morning words swing like a child at a playground …
Live like you are in that dream …
And watch the magic happen in your mind’s eye.
 
What’s that?
Your mind is full of worry, anxiety and regret?
Don’t you know that when you fixate on any of these things …
The second hand of your life stops moving.
 
Put away all these amateur theatrics …
Don’t be a thundering dunderhead (you’re a person not a Boxer!)
There is a real stage just outside your door …
Just let your mind be open like the sky (like me).
 
I love you,
 
Annie

This morning, I came to a stark realization …
Everyone on this planet talks down to me (except maybe, Boo Boo the chihuahua … )
They bend over, say I’m cute, pat my little head and mock my little legs …
But to me it’s a small matter (no pun intended.)
 
I know that I have no control of the wind (or my size … )
I don’t control what makes my little heart, beat …
I’m just bobbing along in an endless sea …
Just the same as the greatest Great Dane in California (Hey, there goes one now).
 
My size doesn’t affect the love that I can give you ….
But, worrying about it, might …
Following what other’s think is like depending on the wind …
It will make some days good, and other days not fit for sailing.
 
Aren’t we all just clay being tempered into different size pots?
So, what difference if I’m tall or short?
I’m still free to mingle with my friends …
And to say boo to my favorite goose.
 
It’s okay … You can talk down to me because that’s where I dwell …
I’ll always be down here dragging my favorite blanket behind me …
Just hoping and praying …
That I can snuggle next to you just a little bit longer.
 
I love you,
 
Annie

Whew! What a celebration!
People everywhere in tents and on chairs …
This holiday is all red, white and blue …
One where everyone loves me because they leave me scraps, scraps, scraps.
 
It’s like I died and have gone to heaven …
I went to go pee and poo and the ground was covered with French fries (No kidding) …
Of course, I had to clear a path (You can’t pee on French fries … )
Shame they didn’t leave any ketchup or mayonnaise.
 
But boy did I hate the booms, flashes and cheers …
I’m afraid of anything that make my tail move (other than me … )
I have to concentrate on happier things …
Like the scraps, scraps, scraps.
 
I’m not the only one that likes this holiday …
I have to battle with the seagulls, pups and rats …
Sometimes you can’t take time to distinguish between paper and food …
I’ve just got to hope in the end it all evens out.
 
We pups have our own Independence Day …
It starts every morning when we open our eyes …
A yawn and stretch and off we go …
Into the sunshine and play …
 
Happy July 4th
 
I love you,

Annie

P.S. Check out my video!

The wedding is over …
I now have two mamas …
Events took their own course …
Turning the page to a new chapter of joy and discovery.
 
I now need a new game plan …
And step back from my own little mind …
One thing I know are the laws of the heavens …
And that change is just moving to a different nest.
 
My new mama’s lap is like resting under orange maples …
My fortunes have definitely multiplied …
I’m not yet able to judge this new melody …
But I know it is a happy one.
 
It’s like the only good seats for the show (I love musicals) turned out to be mine …
Can I ever really measure the value of this gift?
For me, gifts never speak for themselves …
I have to spend my life interpreting them.
 
Now, I see nothing but light …
Summer days full of sunshine …
Containing only the characters of genuineness …
I love my new mama … her name is Jana.
 
And I love you,
 
Annie

I was thinking this morning that, music is such an important part of my life …”
When I listen, I can dance (I prefer the Texas 4 step …)
When I listen, I can sing (I’m a howling alto soprano …)
And best of all, when I listen, I can solve my problems from other people’s words.
 
For me, it can be the path to peace …
The right song can sketch my entire life in charcoal …
And even though it may mean something different to every pup …
When we listen, we stop fighting over who will push the elevator button (You can because as high as I jump, I can never reach).
 
Music fills my bowl to the brim with invisible kibble …
Each line of my favorite song takes me someplace more beautiful …
It unclenches my little pup heart …
And sometimes is my only friend.
 
If I listen closely, I can see the precious fruit of the heavens …
The fruit a recollection of my favorite memories …
Reconciling all of my tears and complaints …
As it echoes off the sky.
 
Music is fun!
The start of everything from a ball game to the Olympics …
And to make it even better …
It allows us to sing together the same song.
 
Close your eyes and listen … music is everywhere!
 
I love you,
 
Annie

Today my mama is getting married …
I don’t know why but I’m not included …
I love my mama’s new partner …
But I’m not sure about her pesky dog.
 
Yep, the dog’s name is Ella …
Always, twisting herself, always wagging …
Her spine does the most unusual things …
I hate it that she is so darn cute.
 
I’m not sure if Ella’s included in the wedding …
It pains me to think about it …
I can just picture her with a basket tossing flowers …
And eating all the tasty ones.
 
And Ella at the reception … OMG!
Chomping on a bowl full of steak and potatoes …
Drinking my Grandpa’s wine …
Giving the opening toast (she’s a good public speaker.)
 
Aha! They just dropped Ella off at the same sitter …
No steak on her breath, no wine on her lips …
Now I can go back to my dreaming …
And wishing my mama a wonderful day.
 
I love my mama and Jana.
 
And I love you,
 
Annie

Today, I’m going to give this day everything it wants from me …
I’m not going to censure anything or blame anyone …
I’m going to lift  my paws to the heavens with joy …
And understand nature and follow Her.
 
Today, my kisses will be accurate and sweet (no more going for the nostrils …)
Slimy, juicy, perfect (yup as disgusting as it sounds …)
Love all things …
And simply be content to be myself.
 
So, let’s talk about what you’re going to do today …
I’m here to remind you that there is a bloom inside of you …
You are it’s interpreter …
It can be beautiful, or it can never see the sun.
 
This bloom is your most valuable thing …
If not, near the top of the list …
Within lies complete emancipation …
Shiny, colorful, precious (you can see an example with me …)
 
Don’t worry, I too am sometimes sweetly disheveled by regret …
But those regrets are water under the bridge …
So, why do you keep building new bridges?
Just let the water carry all that unhappiness away!
 
Bloom today with the unique flower that is you.
 
I love you
 
Annie