The Reflective Pen

Simple Wisdom – Because Life Can Be Complicated

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  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Wisdom from Dekker in Autumn

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    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    As I, Dekker the observer, lie with my nose near the door and my paws outstretched like a proper gentleman, I can tell… something is changing. The air…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker,  Life Challenges

    Wisdom from Dekker

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    Dekker, the dog who has a lot of wisdom

    When the Days Are Slow and the Heart Is Full, As I, Dekker the ever-faithful, stretch out beside my person’s feet (finally!), I must tell you something: she...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Wisdom from Dekker

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    Dekker the Service Dog waits by a fog with mist

    As I, Dekker the Service Dog, settle in with my nose tucked under one paw and the other stretched out just far enough to feel the cool tile,…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Wisdom from Dekker: What Our Pets Leave Behind (and What They Don’t)

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    Dekker, the dog who has a lot of wisdom

    Wisdom from Dekker: What Our Pets Leave Behind (and What They Don’t) As I, known by all as Dekker, lie in my favorite sunspot by the window, I…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Writes Again

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    Dekker sleeps on organ pedals, rest

    Slowing Down, Stretching Out, and Smelling What Matters  As I (Dekker—service dog, squirrel whisperer, and expert in naps) stretch out in a sunny patch on the floor, I…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Wisdom from Dekker

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    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    As I, known by all as Dekker, lie here in my favorite sunspot by the window, I think about the curious human problems people ask me about.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Writes Again

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    Dekker A service dog with all the answers

    Once a month the task of producing a blog post is turned over to Dekker, a class-A service dog who much prefers to contemplate people problems than abide…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Speaks HIs MInd

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    Dekker

    Usually I introduce this blog post by introducing Dekker, a service dog with many special gifts—one of which is sharing his wisdom with humans. Today, I said I…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker-225

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    Welcome to Dekker’s monthly post, where he brings canine perspective and wisdom to questions people ask. Dekker is the service dog of the creator of this blog a…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Opens His Heart to a Grieving Widower

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    Dekker

    Dekker, a service dog with many unique talents, responds to readers' questions with the wisdom he has become famous for. Today he responds to a man in grief...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Wisdom from Dekker

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    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    Welcome to Dekker’s canine counsel for issues that plague people…but not often other dogs. Why is that? We may never know, but listening to our furry companions can…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker speaks

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    Ardis sits facing Dekker to listen to his wisdom

    If this is your first time visiting The Reflective Pen, you may not have heard about Dekker. He is my service dog who, during the pandemic, when there…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker responds to humans…and dogs

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    Dekker standing up on fence

    What follows is a bit of canine wisdom from Dekker, the service dog. Dekker considers questions sent to him by both humans and their pets, giving his wisdom...

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Writes

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    I invite you to pretend for a moment that you see paw prints, a bit of drool and some kibble crumbs on this page. Such is life when…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    Dekker Answers People Questions

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    Ardis sits facing Dekker to listen to his wisdom

    Welcome to Dekker’s page of puppy-dog wisdom for humans who have questions. Better than a therapist, Dekker is always faithful in The Reflective Pen to hear you ...

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • woman journaling to-do list and goalsJournaling as a Path
    Creativity, Life Challenges
  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabWisdom from Dekker in Autumn
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • older man listening to bring comfort, memoryMemory as Both Gift and Grief
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • Walking away from religion
    Spiritual Growth
  • man who knows how to live fully lifts his arms to the sunsetFinding Sacred in Everyday Life
    Spiritual Growth

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