Transitions

The Magic of Digital

The Magic of Digital
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~ Nicaragua at last

Melissa who is here in Nicaragua from Colorado with her husband Patrick is surrounded here by young girls wanting to see themselves. They will be here for 6 months and have been super volunteers. Alex is photographing her. Alex is a very special boy to many of us. He works very hard, and has done so since he was extremely young. he has ADD as well and no father. Many of us have a special place for him in our hearts He struggles each day through school. I invited him to our photography workshop next week which will be during the week of vacation as he always wants to use my camera and I often let him. In this case he is using Patrick's. Anyhow, he is excited and I am too! Can't wait to see how he does, more than just is photography results, it will be great to see how this affects his esteem and interest in school.

All Smiles

All Smiles
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~ Nicaragua at last

So I am hear at last. Saturday we did our mid year distribution of school supplies. This is one of our participants who is happy to receive them and go to school.

Traveling Nun

Traveling Nun
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~ Nicaragua Bound

Life in Nicarauga is often naturally humorous and I am looking forward to moments like this again!

The Smile of Hope Part II

The Smile of Hope Part II
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~ Nicaragua Bound

Tomorrow I am off to Nicaragua. Leaving with a heavy heart, smiles like this are sure to brighten it quickly.

My very best friend and teacher, a tribute.

My very best friend and teacher, a tribute.
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~ Nicaragua Bound

He found me in Costa Rica almost exactly 10 years ago as a puppy. Abandoned and neglected but full of life and intelligence, he managed to win my heart immediately. He became my first dog and my very best friend. I always joked that I was looking to get a German Shepard but got a Buddy (his name). He was by far the most amazing animal I have met and know there will never be another Buddy. The things he did over the past 10 years were sometimes unbelievable, even to me, and only because friends were there to witness them can I myself believe them. He pretty much thought he was a person and did his best to interact as one communicate as one with me and many others. He won the hearts of many people, and many who were non-dog lovers. Just before I was to move to Nicaragua with him he was diagnosed with terminal cancer just 5 weeks ago. This was shocking as he was very, very healthy and could hike 12-14 mile hikes then come home and play some more. While he was 10 even veterinarians thought he was at most five due to his youthful look and demeanor. The cancer moved fast, much faster than any of us imagined, and only gave us a few short bittersweet weeks together. It just goes to show cancer and other things can hit us at any time and sometimes when we think we are at our strongest and healthiest. So thanks to Buddy, it is an ultimate reminder that we are only here so long...so live life to it's fullest. Follow your heart and dreams. Don't waste a moment. Do what you came here on earth to do That is what Buddy did, and .that is my advice. It is with good fortune I have found what I am here on earth to do and will dive in even more fully (if that is possible!). Wednesday I leave for Nicaragua to do what I am here to do...serve others less fortunate in ways that empower them, from a place of humbleness and gratitude, and with a willingness to receive all the gifts the locals we work with have to offer me as well. Buddy will live in my heart forever, and for now, I miss dearly his physical presence as does his sister Nieve.
Thank you Ana for your incredible support and love and understanding through this time, you have been such a friend. Lani
thank you for your love and prayers. Brooke, thank you for the most lovely dedication and tribute. dedication and tribute . Everyone for your emails, comments and calls. With love and gratitude, Buddy shall live in my heart and the hearts of others he touched.

My very best friend and teacher, a tribute.

My very best friend and teacher, a tribute.
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~

He found me in Costa Rica almost exactly 10 years ago as a puppy. Abandoned and neglected he managed to win my heart immediately. He became my first dog and my very best friend. I always joked that I was looking to get a German Shepard but got a Buddy (his name). He was by far the most amazing animal I have met and know there will never be another Buddy. The things he did over the past 10 years were sometimes unbelievable, even to me, and only because friends were there to witness them can I believe them. He pretty much thought he was a person and did his best to interact as one communicate with me and us on many levels. He won the hearts of many people and many who were non-dog lovers. Just before I was to move to Nicaragua with him he was diagnosed with terminal cancer just 5 weeks ago. This was shocking as he was very, very healthy and could hike 12-14 mile hikes then come home and play some more. It moved fast and only gave us a few short bittersweet weeks together. It just goes to show cancer and other things can hit us at any time and sometimes when we think we are at our strongest and healthiest. So thanks to Buddy, it is an ultimate reminder that we are only here so long...so live life to it's fullest. Follow your heart and dreams. Don't waste a moment...Do what you came here on earth to do...that is my advice. It is with good fortune I have found what I am to do and will dive in even more fully (if that is possible!)... Wednesday I leave for Nicaragua to do what I am here to do...serve others less fortunate in ways that empower them, from a place of humbleness and gratitude, and with a willingness to receive all the gifts *they* have to offer me as well. Buddy will live in my heart forever and for now, I miss dearly his physical presence as does his sister Nieve.

Calling All Angels, a Prayer for Buddy

Calling All Angels, a Prayer for Buddy
Originally uploaded by ~ KathyAAdams ~

My very special friend for 10 years has been ill. Now time is running out for my little Buddy. He dove down rapidly and the cancer has reached his bones there is not much more that can be done except tests to confirm the inevitable and meds could keep him around 2 weeks longer. He is like a little old man now and can only hobble around. It is time. He has told me that.

He loves mint and when he was a puppy in Costa Rica he would steal mints from my pockets or purse and open the wrappers and eat them. He always had minty fresh breath (he loves Altoids too!), so I bought him mint ice cream last night which he ate after his buffalo burger. It is nice he is eating until the end. We slept just a little...he was in pain and I was too because of his pain. We took a walk this morning...just the two of us... it was nice, though I had to help him up each step to the driveway, and once he got going he could walk the flats or inclines..he seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. Nothing too far, just a peek over the ledge of the neighbors house so he could take in the view, as he loves high places. It amazes me how even in his pain he managed to quicken to a pace that if he kept at it I would not have been able to keep up. He is such an athlete even with his now fragile bones. There is a peaceful and tender pain in the air right now.

6:30 MT tonight is the time. The town vet will come here and release him from his body. Please say your prayers for my little Bud and the love of my life. He taught me so much about loving and being loved. He is the ultimate non verbal communicator and even now he is telling me what he wants and does not want. It's also true...he *did* tell me it's time just like some said he would. I am glad I heard it. It makes this easier. There is a silence and stillness so deep in the air right now and it's hard to believe but there is a certain peace as well. The suffering will end. He lies next to me now, finally sleeping after a night of pain. The wind blows outside on this hazy smoky day. It should make for a great sunset on his transitional night. I was told by an animal communicator (whom was not able to meet with us before he was to pass) that this is a great time to go, there are many angels to help souls cross over right now with the solstice and full moon. I don't know if it's true but maybe it is...and just maybe Buddy will tell me. Who knows...he is after all my great communicator. I will stay open to it!

Note this photo was taken just a short time ago and no signs of cancer. Until the last 5 weeks he showed no signs, got all the treatment my close friends could buy, but his time is up so it seems. We have had a full lives yet the time was short in comparison to his weight age ration. He has seen more countries and hiked more mountains then many people, that by no means takes away the pain I feel as he lies he next to me.

Nothing is straight forward

Nothing is straight forward
Originally uploaded by ~KathyAAdams

Never have I felt so tested as the last few weeks. My move has been post poned as my best friend and 10 year companion, Buddy (who is my dog) has been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer. Our move to Nicaragua has been post-poned until his treatment at Colorado State University Vet school is over. After many nights of research I found some herbs and a diet to put himon in conjunction to his more western treatment. Today he is symptom free and it's only been two weeks! It's hard to believe he is sick and I almost want to just leave for Nicaragua! But we need to wait until at least 9 more weeks until his treatment course is complete. I am calling him my miracle boy.

Now, here is the difficult part, how does one explain to those who never had pets, or to poor Nicaraguans that I stayed for my dog? Not sure some would understand. The great thing is I can take advantage of my time here to work closely with our new BOD member and work on new prospects and doing more USA type work. Either way it's a win win for our organization. It's harder for me to live here though financially!

Take my hand

Take my hand
Originally uploaded by ~KathyAAdams

It's amazing how people show up in our lives. My friend Ana Lee is amazing and has been such a wonderful support to me in what seemed like the darkest hour. I dedicated this photo to her in flickr.