Millie Jane is an amazing girl. She was named by my youngest daughter who wanted her chance to name a new family member, and she liked the name Millie. Jane I believe is from our favorite father daughter song Zoey Jane.

Ruff Beginnings

Unfortunately, before we rescued her, she spent a few years in rough conditions. Force bred with a poodle and never being allowed to be inside the home. Once the babies born and weened, they were taken from her. To this day she always tries to be a mother to other animals.

She had a massive fear of all men. It took about six months for her to warm up to me and be my best friend. To this day she is very timid around some men, especially ones she senses actual dark inside them.

Trust her instincts. Thats the first lesson I learned and the one I ignored one too many times.

Why take Millie Jane?

I recently took Millie on a 4500-mile adventure to Denver and back.

From the French Quarter in New Orleans to the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo Tx we went for quite the adventure.

Some asked why did you take Millie Jane?

From the Path of Maya, you can get a sense of what she means to me.

Little did I know then she would end up being a mental rock in my health again like she was in the previous story.

Heart as Big as Texas

There are many times I go on short trips, and I take Millie and Captain both. They love to stick their head out the window and the world smiles at them. I have purposefully driven in busy rush hour streets with Millie and Captain to make people stuck in traffic have something to smile at. It brings me so much joy just to be driving and watching other reactions. Most the time I have nowhere to be at that moment. I just chosen to bring them out to drive around at that time.

Captain isn’t a fan of long-haul rides. Millie on the other hand is an amazing co-pilot.

One particular incident that stands out was in Dallas, Texas. I visited the beautiful ISKCON Temple there while Millie hung out in the car. (A/C on and running). Afterwards as we were back on the highway heading towards Denver a message appeared on my google maps. The message simply said, “accident ahead redirecting”.

So, I adjusted and followed. Next thing I know we are heading right into downtown Dallas during 8am morning rush hour. I didn’t have any “Illusions of Time” issues and was content on the time we would take to get through it. No need to rush.

As we pass the main Bus terminal in downtown Dallas, I see this older African American man in a wheelchair. The look on his face caught me by surprise. I will never forget the defeat in his eyes and looking like his life has nothing more worth living. His sadness really hit me.

I stop behind the bus in front of me because I need to turn right. As the bus starts to move forward, I start to crawl forward.

A foot appears in the passenger side mirror as if someone is rolling their wheelchair with their one leg.

I completely stop all traffic.

Up rolls the man who I just passed.

With a SMILE the size of Texas itself.

Man: “Oh you are such a good girl” “I bet you are an amazing Co-pilot” “Oh look at those beautiful eyes”

I tried responding back to him. But I don’t think he heard a word I was saying. He just had a joy like no other. Millie Jane took this random man’s sadness and turned it into the most joy I personally felt from another human in a long time.

So “Why take Millie Jane” is NOT the question. But “Why NOT take Millie Jane?”

Yours Forever Grateful and Millie Jane