Tag: Aubree

Living Versus Surviving

Published on by ClaudiaLeave a comment

As promised yesterday evening, I will share a little bit more about Lilly.
She was rescued from a life on the streets of Italy. Apparently this animal lover is in contact with a local animal rescue organisation. They, in turn, made the necessary arrangements for Lilly to travel to Germany, in hopes for a better life.
She arrived at the local shelter [TiNO, which translates to Animals(T) in(i) distress(N) Odenwald(region of Hesse, Germany) about one month ago. There they estimated that Lilly was born in January of 2020. She was given into foster care, where she lived for the past 3 weeks. This private household is also, where I met her for the first time the day before yesterday. She’s quite the little charmer, and has you “wrapped around her paw” in no time flat. Obviously she really doesn’t know much of anything yet, including her name [given to her by her rescuer] but she has all the time in the world to learn everything in baby steps. What she needs first is the time and patience to understand, that the fight for survival is over – forever. Starting tomorrow evening she will learn in due time, what living feels like. This little sweetheart will be well cared for, she will be safe and receive more love than she can probably handle, spoiled to the brim in other words.
I am thankful beyond measure to be chosen for Lilly, to make sure that her future will be sunny and bright, making up for the 5 years of life on the streets. Aubree guided me, because she knew that the time is right. She helped me find Lilly. And I trust my little angel up above, that she found the perfect match for me. Lilly found a heart that wants to love her unconditionally, and a home to keep her safe and comfortable. It is a win-win situation, my heart is full with joy and love 🐾❤

I’m in love with her already, sweet Lilly.
Picure: Claudia Braun 06/2025

Most Precious

Published on by ClaudiaLeave a comment

Daily writing prompt
What personal belongings do you hold most dear?
View all responses

The items most dear to me are related to Aubree. They include a blanket that I made for her for Christmas in 2012. She loved to snuggle up on or in it, especially during the very cold Wisconsin winter months.
Another precious keepsake for me, is Aubree’s last plush toy. It is a dog, that she didn’t really play with anymore in the last year of her life. But she loved to use him as a pillow, and brought him everywhere. Now, a year and a half later, he is a great comfort to me and sits on my couch, always ready to catch my tears when I miss my little angel.
I also made two picture books with precious memories of our 13 years together. And even though I carry them in my heart, it is still nice to look at the photos of her.

Another item of great value is my heavily used, quite beaten and scratched up iPod. Because right along with dogs, music is the greatest source of happiness and comfort in my life.

My rather short list of personal belongings, that I hold most dear may not seem significant or valuable, but they mean the world to me.

Fellow Animal Lover

Published on by ClaudiaLeave a comment
Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
View all responses

I will never forget the day, when my mom and I flew back to Germany with Aubree. Besides the worries about my new beginning back home, O’Hare Airport with its hustle and bustle was challenging enough. But being anxious about how my little puppy girl would get through that 9 1/2 hour flight was yet another emotional difficulty to be dealt with.
While my mom was at the check-in counter I stayed with Aubree, who was in her kennel and quite worked up due to all the commotion around her. And obviously, she picked up on my nervousness as well. I tried to keep both of us as calm as possible, with very limited success. Then, a man came to get Aubree. That’s when the crazy reached a new level. I could no longer keep it together and a full on panic attack became unavoidable. The man tried to calm me, by showing me pictures of his own dogs at home and promised, that he would personally keep an eye on Aubree for as long as he possibly could. After getting my cell phone number, he send me a video about 30 minutes later, holding my sweet little girl in his arms, cuddling her, smiling big. That really helped me relax a little bit. To this present day, that was by far the sweetest gesture of a complete stranger towards me. And I’m so unbelievably thankful to him, for his kindness. A fellow animal lover, who did what he could to help Aubree and myself get through this stressful situation. Aubree was perfectly fine, when I finally got her back in Frankfurt. She was all excited to be back in momma’s arms, and ready to explore her new environment. 🐾💯💗

A-Z Challenge: Butterflies

Published on by ClaudiaLeave a comment
Foto von Meritt Thomas auf Unsplash

These delicate, beautifully colored insects generally symbolize transformation and change.
In different cultures they also stand for lightness, hope and love, or bravery and good fortune.

Ever since my little Aubree spread her wings on September 4th 2023, I’ve been seeing a lot more butterflies. Or did I just not pay attention before? Laugh it off, if you want to. I know it’s my little angel reminding me that she is safe and happy, but also, that she is always with me. Now I am not talking about every butterfly I see for a second or two. These precious moments occur, when I’m going for a walk alone and it is quiet around me. Then sometimes, a butterfly appears and accompanies me for quite a while. Usually, these moments ignite a comforting warmth, or a feeling of peace from way down deep, and I always see the same photo of Aubree, which makes me laugh out loud without fail and it brings such joy.

To some, it may well be a wild imagination or hocus-pocus. That’s fine, you do you. To others, myself included, it is a special and very strong bond with a beloved animal or person, that carries on forever. True is also, that it is definitely easier to believe something, when you experience it yourself. We appreciate butterflies, some for their beauty, others also for the messages they convey.