This happened about four weeks ago, and it is difficult for me to
explain it well and I feel funny talking about it. It was a normal
day of two friends meeting to walk their dogs in the park, as we do
on Saturday. We had walked about three miles, and then were
surprised by a sudden violent thunderstorm. We took shelter in a
gazebo along with a family and another man with his pit bull.

My dog is very frightened of thunder and usually hides. I was worried
that she would bolt out of fear and get hit or lost, so I sat on a
picnic bench and held her tightly on my lap to comfort her. I
remember thinking how beautiful and perfect she was, and how much I
loved her, and how lucky I was to have her with me. The man with the
dog interrupted and told me that I was only encouraging her fear by
holding her. I just said thanks, and did it anyway because I wanted
to.

Then, something happened and it seemed like we were surrounded by a
cocoon of a curtain of pouring rain, and everything outside was lit
up with a sparkly light and alive and more vivid. But inside, it was
just me and Holly and nothing else mattered, or was even there at
all. I was in some other reality where time stood still. I felt very
content and at peace with everything. And bliss, I could not have
been happier than I was in that moment! I had a sense that all
things were perfect as they were and we were part of something
larger and everything had its purpose and was important. Most of
all, I felt a feeling of pure love and trust radiating from and
toward Holly. I remember thinking, how grateful I was to share her
life and have this wonderful responsibility for her, and what an
honor it was for me to be entrusted with this perfect and beautiful
soul! Our hearts were joined in a way that is deep and permanent. I
wanted to stay there with her like that forever. It went on for what
seemed like a long time, and I tried very hard to engrave the
feeling in my memory, because I knew it would end and I didn't want
it to. It was like I woke up for a moment and experienced what life
really is, pure love, and what we have forgotten. I never imagined I
could feel like that, and have been happy ever since.

I think it actually lasted 10 minutes or so. What is really odd, is
I had no idea of what went on around me during this time, and my
friend who was sitting about a foot away didn't seem to notice
anything at all! Nothing outwardly happened, but wow, what an
experience!

Since that time, Holly reads my thoughts and has been very
responsive to me, and even more affectionate. I believe at this
moment, Holly realized how much I love her and has given me her full
trust. So, I know that Holly experienced it as well,
and that makes me very happy. We were close before, but are even closer now. When we are out together in the yard, she loves to run and play and investigate things. She would run away from me because she was afraid I wanted her to come
in. Now, she keeps coming and lying right beside me! It's so nice!
And when she took my shoe, I thought to myself, no, not my good work
shoe, and Holly immediately dropped it and picked up her bone
instead! Of course, she doesn't listen all the time, but who does?
lol.:)

Wish I knew how it happened, but I am very glad it did. Holly is
such a great dog, and I am very grateful to have her. I look forward to more wonderful experiences with her, and hope she teaches me how to communicate.