Life Lessons from our Pets
Gentle reminders to slow down, breath deeper, and live with the same presence our animals teach us every day.
Soak in the Sunshine
Zen Master: Dawn
Be present, and let yourself rest in the light. It is the small moments that are often the most meaningful.
Us in the sun
This lesson is inspired by Dawn, one of my most special soul-cats, my zen master, and our beloved pumpkin-head mascot. This was one of the very first, and most important, Life Lessons she ever taught me.
In early 2021, life became heavy very quickly. The world was already unsettled with the beginning of the COVID pandemic and lockdown, and shortly after, Dawn was diagnosed with cancer. In a short span of time, my world narrowed down to what mattered most: her, her care, and the time we had left together.
She became my soul-cat in the deepest sense of the word, and I became fully hers in return. That bond only grew stronger as we moved through her treatment, and life, together. After facing deaths, a world of masks, facetime, and parking lot vet appointments, then CZU complex fire evacuations etc. within those first few months, she became my everything - my light. Because her condition was inoperable, we pursued aggressive radiation and chemotherapy, which gave us eleven more months together, beyond an initial prognosis of eight.
Those months were everything.
We made the most of every single day. Dawn came with me into my home office and stayed by my side while I worked remotely, just the two of us. She basked in the sun through the window and worked her way through a list of Disney movies, while I worked on the computer. We took slow walks in the garden. She was spoiled endlessly, and in her own way, she spoiled me right back with her presence and calm companionship.
One of her favorite places was the front deck of my office. She would stretch out on the warm wood, roll gently in the sunlight and do "biiiiiig stretches," and simply exist in the moment with complete contentment. I would rub my face in her belly and feel the sweet rumbling of her purr and the warmth emanating from her fur, reminding me of toasted marshmallows. This.
That is where this lesson comes from.
Soak in the Sunshine is a reminder to appreciate the small moments that make life so special. To be present enough to feel warmth on your skin, to notice peace and love when they appear, and to let yourself stay in those moments without rushing past them.
Because often, it is those simple pockets of light that carry us through everything else. They are the moments that make everything worthwhile.
I have lost a part of my heart, many times over, and I have no helpful words of wisdom to give to others who have also met the pain that comes from this kind of loss. I'm sorry.
A reminder to feel the warmth while it’s here.
Trigger warning: Pet loss
Take the Lesson With You
Celebrate the little joys of summer with this light and lively "Soak in the Sunshine" racerback tank top. With an uplifting cat illustration inspired by our Life Lessons series, this tank reminds you to slow down, take it in, and embrace the warmth of the present moment.
Crafted from a cotton-poly blend that feels as good as it looks, and available in 10+ color options, this tank is built for everything from active days to lazy afternoons.
Soak in the Sunshine – Women’s Racerback Tank Top
$17.75