"Who Wants Quigley's Life"

First and foremost welcome to the Fireside and thank all of you for the warm welcome back. What a blessing to open the morning mail and find so many have been to visit and left such heartfelt comments. I thank you so very much.

We are cold here this morning with a light snow and some high winds. The house is quiet this morning. Well to a certain degree with the exception of the snoring happening in front of the fireplace. Mrs Quill is off to a neighbouring town this morning on a nursing course so it is just Quigley, you and I here. The snoring is not related to you or I so that leaves only one person Quigley who has all four in the air and off in her own world.

So there you have the scene, please help yourself to coffee, tea and what ever snacks you can find and know that you are welcome and loved.

The many new people who have come on board there has been a resounding question sent in the private emails. "Who is Quigley... well I thought I would write a shorty on the Quigs as she is commonly called around here. For those of you who know Quigley please bear with me.

The name Quigley relates back to the name of a real character I had come to know in the Yukon who later turned out to be a real friend whom I had come to love and respect. I used to dabble in freelance writing at the time and wrote a column called the "Colourful 5%" It was the category that Quigley fell into as he was very colourful. That is yet another story I have written about in the series of books called "Quiet Reflections".

When Mrs Quill and I decided it was time for an addition to the family I had my heart set on a male dog. We located a breeder with a good reputation close by who specialized in the Havannnese Breed who had always interested me. I elected to have a male name but the night I watched Mrs Quill pick up and hold Quigley we came to a compromise. Quigley would be the name even though she was a girl. Ok its a guy thing I guess.

Anyway Quigley came home with us that same night and took over our hearts and the home. We would be lost without her now. She is so special and faithful and ever present where ever we go.

Within a few weeks she developed a personality all of her own. The first we noticed was the love she had for people. Not a mean bone in her body and faithful settling in no matter where we were.

Some things she so set her mind too and claimed to be her own. Here in this picture is our sons dog "Tia" coming to visit and Quigley claiming the lease as her own. They became fast friends and size difference means nothing too Quigley. Her grows were no comparison to Tia's but it made no difference. They played inside and outside like they had known each other for years.

Only one thing comes to mind in the dislike department and that is the humiliation of the weekly bath. As you can see it is not a happy time. Dad gets one at the same time with the spray she covers the bathroom with.

The wounded dignity is lost with the towel game and the good rubbing followed by the extra treat for having to endure the ordeal. Once dry you had better look out as she terrorizes the entire house in search of Mrs Quill to share the horror I have put her through.

She loves the games. The more you hide the treats the better it is. A favorite is stuffing a treat deep into the finger of an old leather glove. She will work at it for hours until she has the finger turned inside out and the prize is hers. Simple toys made by dad like a braided rope, an old shoe are the best. One thing she loves is packing our socks or gloves around. We call them her people toys, put the socks in the laundry basket where they should be and she will have them out in no time. So our apologies for the socks laying around, blame Quigley.

One game she still has not figured out yet is the marshmallow game. I cut a small piece off and give it to her then stick another on her and she will follow that scent with the laughter. Eventually she gives up and just stands and looks like we are crazy. Maybe we are. Peanut Butter is another stuck to the roof of her mouth, the licking goes on forever as does the laughter.

God has created creatures big and small, some friendly others well maybe not so friendly. I believe there are those creatures who can teach us to love and respect. When I look at the bond that has been established with Quigley and her people I have been taught.

So for those of you who have wondered who is Quigley now you have it. Quigley is as unique as everyone. Once accepted and trusted she has taught us so much about being faithful and loving all who have been placed into our lives.

Thanks for the visit and now you know who Quigley really is... one word comes to mind "Blessing"

© Rolly A. Chabot