As everyone celebrated St Patrick’s Day, I hope you also joined me in celebrating my Gotcha Day!
As I expected, it started a day early when I got a bowl of ice cream after church, with my favorite little boy feeding me with a spoon. I licked it fast until he found it easier to just let me lick it from the bowl. He laughed and laughed at how efficient my long tongue was in reaching every last drop! 
I also got burger bites and chicken too!
Then on St Paddy’s Day and my own second Gotcha Day, I got a tasty rice and chicken cake.
I even shared a little with the cats, after I’d eaten all the hot dogs off.
We have had a few serious winters since the golden leaves last blew off the trees. Maybe that is why I’m burdened with overwhelming optimism; it should just be warm and sunny – the calendar says it should be spring now – but where is it?
But sadly, it is only March. Our high snowfall months are March and April. 
In the 2 winters I’ve experienced here, we’ve had many blizzards piled deeper than my little cowdog legs – in April and May. Even one in June.
We had a little warming, but now it is windy and chilly. 
There is less snow, but more turkeys.
There is little sun, but deer a-plenty.
I like rolling in the snow, though it is still too deep to explore like I should.
What is a dog to do, but practice patience – with purpose.
You see, it is not enough to grit it out and just endure. I need a gentle patience, contented to wait, but making good use of this day.
Why should I wish my life away? I need to make the best of discomfort and trouble – or just cold daily drudge.
Patience is good for self-discipline, calming, hope. It helps me value every small moment of this brief life.
While I practice patience, I find purpose in the moment.
In every frigid moment, I can find a little more open ground, hear a few new birds, smell many new scents in the warmer mud. 
Purpose in the jobs I’ve tired of by now – feeding horses, feeding chickens, feeding, feeding feeding.
I swear there is hay in my fur that may never come out!
And chopping ice, plowing roads, always knowing I have a purpose in helping get the jobs done.
Look for small purpose, seek added patience.
Sit and stay – here in this time, whatever it is.
Because nothing comes to stay forever and moments move into memory.
Practice patience pup – with purpose.
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
