Now you can purchase my art and photography on some really cute items on my RedBubble Shop! My Etsy shop has images suitable for cards or to use however you wish!
I will continue to post images on my social media pages but you can view them all in my shop. Be sure to bookmark my shop and check back often for new items! Don’t see what you want? Message me for custom items! I can draw anything!
I truly hope you enjoy my unique perspectives, humor and love of nature and animals. You can support my artistic endeavors via Redbubble and Etsy by following the links below. I would love your comments and feedback! Happy browsing and shopping! Please be sure to share!
“If you so choose, even the unexpected setbacks can bring new and positive possibilities. If you so choose, you can find value and fulfillment in every circumstance.”
— Ralph Marston
I awoke this morning to the moon shining brightly in the morning sky. Still too sleepy to form any expectations of the day, I was taking in my surroundings without judgement. And what a delight to see the nighttime moon bright and shining in the deep blues and pinks and purples of the morning. If I wouldn’t have bent down to pet my dogs, I may not have noticed the view of the moon juxtaposed to my hanging pot of flowers; the only ones that have survived the hot, dry summer we are experiencing. My view of life this morning was one of joyful happenstance.
It reminded me that prior to March of this year, I may not have been where I was, experiencing the beauty of a sleepy, unplanned view of the sky from my own backyard. I would have been too busy, racing from commitment to commitment. And while I’ve so often grieved over the life I’ve lost forever, I’ve had some beautiful moments of feeling inexplicably alive.
Life in the pandemic is as terrible as it is beautiful. The moments where I can escape the rat race, the fear, the masks and the lost jobs and opportunities have been some of the most inspiring I can remember. I was truly present this morning with nature; in my backyard, in my breath, and with my dogs. We were all connected as one, and the morning and it’s possibilities seemed as endless as the sapphire blue of the sky. I’ve always loved mornings and this morning that love made my heart so full. My pets and I were in harmony and the morning stood completely still. I felt myself breathe.
These are those moments where I know that the tragic setbacks and losses of the pandemic and the choices being made that are out of my control, can one day lead to something better. In my heart I have to believe this. I feel more inspired, energized, creative, compassionate, patriotic. I want to transform my world and I want to transform the whole world for the better. One beautiful moment, one breath, one person can make one small difference.
For the first time in most of my adult life, I have been dragged, at first kicking and screaming into a life I didn’t expect. It happened as suddenly and unexpectedly as if I had painstakingly created one of those intricately colored sand mandalas and someone came along with a large broom and swept it all away. There’s a pile of dirt that remains of my past, and that’s about it.
Gradually at first, there was an awakening to beauty that was equally unexpected. It was a little like rubbing the sleep out of my eyes this morning. Instead of focusing on who and what are never coming back, my eyes opened to what is here. Maybe I was too busy rushing around building my sand mandala to notice it.
As a result, the sky has opened up. There are new relationships to be had; a new career, new friends, renewed friends, new experiences, a heightened creativity. I am moving into the realm of the present, of acceptance. Maybe the difficulties will suck but will actually make me better. The things I used to be afraid of hardly seem scary any longer. How can I; a living, breathing, creative human being; wake up to the moon in summer sky and feel afraid? Many moons have arisen and set over many setbacks that have come and gone, and the world is still here. I am still here. Life passes so quickly. Maybe now I won’t miss it completely. Right here, in this moment, I am blessed.
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“Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend obviously never owned a dog.” -Unknown
It’s a Dog’s Life
This past Christmas, once again I was going through a very challenging time and felt very alone. Almost Home No-Kill Shelter, was going through an equally challenging time, having lost their shelter building due to some really unfortunate circumstances and politics in the City of Southfield. Daily, I watched them desparately trying to find foster or adoptive homes for their remaining animals. One day I noticed they were urgently begging for help to save a sweet-looking guy named Henry, who was about to be euthanized at a high kill shelter. Almost Home has a heart of gold and could not stand by and let this guy be euthanized, so they pulled him from the shelter. The dedicated Almost Home staff has faith that would move mountains, and somehow knew that someone would step up and help this guy out! Well that faith definitely moved me. At the 11th hour, and just a day or two before Christmas, I found myself driving to pick up Henry the min pin mix. I may not have been the best person for the job, but I could not stand the idea of Henry ending up back at the kill shelter. I had a little extra time off from teaching during the holidays and perhaps doing a good deed would make me feel better. Besides, staying with me had to be better than being euthanized. Fostering Henry changed my life! He was so appreciative. He snuggled me every night that he was with me. Of course having another pet to take care of was quite a bit of work, but I wouldn’t have traded the experience for the world. It also made me appreciate my own dogs more, and I vowed to have a better relationship with them. I am happy to say that Henry found a wonderful “furever” home. I also kept my promise to my guys, and we are currently doing obedience training with Sit Means Sit in Rochester Hills. I may have been unable to improve the other relationships in my life, but I can have a WONDERFUL and REWARDING relationship with my dogs! Once again, what began as a simple good deed has led to another life-changing experience. The day I made that trip to pick up little Henry for Christmas, has changed my life for the better, in ways too numerous to count.
Growing up, I never had a dog, let alone dogs. I always loved animals: fish, frogs, birds, squirrels, rabbits, crayfish and horses. I often dreamed of befriending wild animals so that they would become my pets. I fed squirrels from my hand, and tried to talk my parents into getting me a horse. During the summers, when we stayed at our cottage in Brighton, there was a Beagle, Nixon, across the road who would escape his dog house weekly so that he could come over to play with me. We became fast friends and had many fun adventures together. We would swim, go fishing along the shore, float on an inner tube together. I made sure he got plenty of treats and petting, before his Dad called him to come home. Nixon was the first dog I ever loved.
It wasn’t until my late 20’s that I got my first dog, Comet, followed by Chili, both Goldens. After this I knew I would always have a dog. My dogs were my life and I wanted to take them everywhere with me. They were wonderful family pets who even helped me raise my children. When Comet and Chili passed away, we had CJ, another Golden. It was when he was alone that I considered becoming a foster parent. I thought this would be a good way to deal with the grief of losing my other pets, while doing a good deed in the process, Once I visited Almost Home No Kill Shelter, I discovered the unexpected joy of fostering a shelter pet! It is no surprise that on my first attempt at fostering, I became a foster failure and adopted Pete. Pete was no Golden Retriever; he was a scruffy terrier mix who thought he was a German Shepherd. He had been a stray and had some behavioral issues. I felt right away that he needed me. I couldn’t stand the thought of what would happen to him if the wrong person adopted him. It turns out that I needed him as much as he needed me. Pete was the best snuggler I could have hoped for, and comforted me through a bitter divorce. He was meant to be my dog.
Here we are with our Buddy Bandanas and matching headband for me! Very cute!
After my first foster failure with Pete, many years have passed. After being moved to do a good deed in fostering Henry, I have ended up fostering two more dogs. My next foster dog, Odie, was a wonderful guy who was given up by his family. Most people would rather give up their pet instead of training them. Happily, Odie very quicly went to a loving furever home with a family dedicated to taking him on walks every day. I was SO happy for Odie! I have no doubt that at this very moment, he is enjoying his winter on the beach in Florida with his new family.
My current foster dog is a Corgi mix named Emmage, who was also scheduled to be euthanized. This is a familiar theme. How many dogs are dropped off at shelters to face a similar fate. When Almost Home asked me to foster another dog, a part of me really wanted a break so I could spend time training my own dogs. I work several jobs and sometimes end up spreading myself too thin. It occurred to me that what for me is a mere inconvenience, means life or death to this dog. I had a moment of clarity when I faced this reality. Of all the regrets I’ve had in life; none of them were for something I did. Rather; all my regrets were due to the things I DIDN’T do, I regretted the times I could have helped but didn’t. After all, this was about a dog’s LIFE! I said yes to fostering Emmage. Even though I don’t have as much time with him as I would like, I can at least give him a chance at life. In mid-March he will begin training with Sit Means Sit, through their generous and amazing “Don’t Leave Me A Stray” program. I wish with all my heart that this will help Emmage find the home he deserves.
When we say, “It’s a dog’s life” we usually mean a life of ease, a life of lounging around sleeping and eating; a life without want. Sadly, this is NOT reality for many dogs, and definitely not for shelter dogs. Every dog deserves a dog’s life. Together, we can make a difference. We can help to end the misery inflicted on unwanted animals. Animals DO feel,. They are happy, sad, depressed, scared, excited, content and everything in between. Most importantly, dogs are designed to be our companions. They look to us as leaders. They know how to give and to receive unconditional love. Through supporting animal rescues such as Almost Home, and through supporting training programs such as Sit Means Sit, we can make the world a better place for animals and their humans! I encourage you to donate, to foster, or to adopt! Train your dog so that you can enjoy many happy years together.
Almost Home No-Kill Shelter…the most compassionate, loving and selfless humans you would ever want to meet. They help the dogs and cats that no one else will help. Tell them Pete sent you! http://www.almosthomeanimals.org/
Sit Means Sit, Metro Detroit is amazing, generous, compassionate and effective! They will help you to train your dog to be a happy family pet. They really do love your dog as much as you do. Because of Sit Means Sit, I can go on a relaxing walk with my dogs. They have changed my life in a huge way! https://sitmeanssit.com/dog-training-mu/metro-detroit-dog-training/
The Buddy Bandanas http://www.thebuddybandana.com This is a fun and stylish way to support animal rescues as they donate to rescue organizations. You and your buddy can wear matching bandanas and headbands or scrunchies. You will receive 40% off your bandana order plus free shipping if you order using the code: lifewithlisayogini
If you live in the Rochester Hills/Troy, MI and surrounding areas, an AWESOME place to buy your dog food and treats is Uncle Luke’s Feed Store! Great prices and amazing service! They are a place that will know you by name whenever you walk through the door! http://www.unclelukes.com/
Remember, “It’s a dog’s life!” Please adopt and don’t shop!
Lisa Calice, E-RYT 200 and Dog Lover Extraordinaire!
Life with Lisa Yogini 