Today I am a bit sad. And I am usually a very upbeat person.
I am writing this column with tears in my eyes. People who are close to me know how much my dogs mean to me. A few nights ago I came through my gate and was greeted with the usual love from my seven dogs. I felt so guilty about not spending enough time with them lately so I spent some time returning the love and I could see how happy they were.
The next day I found Little Lonely in a listless position panting for breath.

I called the vet immediately and told her the symptoms and she recommended another vet to examine her immediately since she could only come in two hours. The other vet left his office a few minutes after my call but Little Lonely did not survive. I was next to her showing her some love and stroking her hoping to keep her alive until the vet came. I decided to check on the others and found Dirty Mars’ nose bleeding and looking very weak. A feeling of devastation and helplessness engulfed me. I requested a post mortem because I needed to know how she could be gone in a short few hours. I cried so much for my babies.
(I call all of them baby)

The post mortem showed it was poison that caused her system to shut down and the reason for the breathing like that was lack of oxygen. She gets away sometimes if the gate is open and maybe she ate something (suspected rat poison).
Dirty Mars received four injections and she was fighting not to have the last one which ruptured her skin.
When I checked her an hour later she was still bleeding. One of the injections was to stop the bleeding through the nose and I was hoping that would help with the injury.
Early the next morning she was still bleeding and I had every reason to worry and I called the vet again. The earliest I could go to the clinic was 8:30 and that took forever to come. I wrapped her in one of my towel like a baby and she was barely moving.

I always enjoy the smell of jasmine before opening my gate but not then. I was crying again as I got into my daughter Mariska’s car. I know many people who are reading this maybe asking if I’m crazy? Why would she be crying so much for some dogs?
I was one of those persons until I fell in love with my first dog MariYan years ago. `Dirty Mars was of the many puppies she blessed me with. After a couple of tests we learned she has a blood disease and had a 50-50 chance of surviving. I am praying even more because I can’t deal with another of my babies dying.
God always work for our best interests and that does not happen by accident.
Last Sunday I hosted the first BEYOND THE RUNWAY retreat with some phenomenal women; Bernadette James, Clemencio Goddette, Carol Nurse, Vanda Allicock, Liz Devonish and Veronica Glenn.

We were so recharged and had some much needed soul food that day.
Not forgetting the delicious cheese straw, channna, white pudding, roti and puri.
We shared experiences and opinions on various topics that stirred some emotions. We played pool and tennis (Berni and Vanda thought they were Venus and Serena (lol). I started the week with a re-ignited passion for life and the human capital. I am elated I have that deposit in my system so I can manage this recent crisis better.
It was an honor to be part of another stimulating “Fireside Chat and Network Forum “, as we discussed challenges faced by entrepreneurs and how they can overcome them.
Startup Grind Worldwide will be featuring women founders all over the world for the month of May.

Of all the compliments I received after that presentation, there was one I was most impressed with and it’s from a young man who told me he loved my authenticity.
Authenticity is one of the things we discussed at the BEYOND THE RUNWAY Retreat. We studied and discussed the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey which has had a profound impact on my life and my business. We also discussed works of Wayne Dyer and John Maxwell.
“I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, than simply being who you are”. Charles R. Swindoll
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote. com/quotes/keywords/ authenticity.html
Will you Like to be part of our next retreat? Send us an email to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com or visit our FB page as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

DR. SONIA E. NOEL D.H.L
Fashion Designer
Global Ambassador Unite4:good
John Maxwell Certified Speaker
CEO of Guyana Fashion Week
Founder of Sonia Noel Foundation for Sustainable Development
Founder of Women’s Association for Sustainable Development
Tel: +592-684-8129 / +592-226-6554
Email: soniaenoel@gmail.com