“the One you’ll Truly Miss”

He’s always made his morning mosey over to my chair or bed with his puppy eyes and big head nudging me to be led to the kitchen so he could be fed. But instead he gets all the petting in all the right places and makes those euphoric faces with his wagging tail and is amenable to the quick sale of free affection. This care and protection has been our thing with all the loving memories that bring a drizzle of despair when I forget he’s not there. This image I’ll cherish just a bit more. I sometimes still anticipate he’ll be waiting at my door. There is perhaps, true bliss, when the one you truly love is the one you’ll truly miss...
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© Ramon Nayar. All Rights Reserved.
ISO Splash. Words. Images. Storytelling.
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“This Renewed View”

No cold rainy day today so the fall colors can come out and play. A new window array is my new mainstay which led me to rearrange this space to put a smile on mom’s face when she woke this morning to see something other than a big tv. Soon a fireplace will be lit and by the couch we’ll sit to wait a minute or two while the coffee brews. And we’ll look outside and watch what the leaves might do. For there is nothing to hide with this renewed view so open and wide...
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© Ramon Nayar. All Rights Reserved.
ISO Splash. Words. Images. Storytelling.
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“Day’s End”

could this day’s end
have the sky’s beauty mend
the soul’s wounds
where hurt and longing will set in soon
just not right now
for these moments are still fresh
familiar and yet foreign
and i believe i am torn
between being in the present
and living in the past
but this sky won’t last
too much longer
so i’ll try to be stronger
than the minutes before
and keep reminding my heart
to see the next door
waiting to be to opened
even if i’m broken
even after hours of rain
even with this unique pain
of incompletion...
there is a surreal sun- setting sky
with love and hope to send
from the day’s end...
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© Ramon Nayar. All Rights Reserved.
ISO Splash. Words. Images. Storytelling.
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“Healing Teddy Bear Moments”

There is a one-of-a-kind unwind that has to do with a beautiful creature trusting you now going on 17.5 years and still wanting to be by your side. Once cradled as a tiny furry companion, Bosley still looks at me with an expression that truly communicates knowing one’s patriarch to be the familiar anchor that cares for him through and through. Having the honor to establish a forever home for him and his brother, Birkoff, is filled with memories including but not limited to fetching • trips to the vet receiving endless compliments from strangers • road trips & running errands while turning heads as their faces blow just outside the window • lake/beach swimming experiences • lots of hangouts • encouraging play in every season • pondering as to why they must chew and often snack on tree bark • the infamous bathing and, on occasion, luxury groomer pamperings • loving on the Dyson animal vacuum • and appreciating a washed pet bed purged of the super shed. Most of all for me, it’s the joy I feel reflecting on the numerous animal assisted therapy activities volunteering with Bosley at senior homes and with special needs kids and adults. He truly has become and forever will be my boy, and I’m so lucky that in an involuntary, instinctive manner, he naturally has become part of my healing process through this battle I can’t help but feel I’m going to be winning sooner than later. Healing teddy bear moments serve a small yet significant part of how the world is a better place with living examples of encouragement such as Mr. Bosley Bear :)
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r.i.p. Bosley I love you 
6/2/2002 - 10/25/2019

“Companion Canine Conclusions with Color”

the heart bleeds when the soul needs solace for the moment when we know it’s time to say goodbye. I’m more grateful than sad, because Bosley was not only a legendary lab like his younger brother- he was a beacon of hope, wonder, compassion, love and all of the above many times over.

Volunteering our time at the senior homes on holidays became a staple of gratitude and service for years. Seeing the impact animal assisted therapy made with special needs kids and adults was wonderful. And exploring ways to support entire pet therapy programs such as the Hinsdale Humane Society was a beautiful blessing. Even this year, we got to celebrate his 17th birthday with all of the Two Bostons Pet Boutiques while shining a light on senior rescues via the A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter's Wilbur Fund.