My name is Miguel, and Mas Torrencito, my home, is much more than a farmhouse in the heart of l’Empordà. It is a magical corner where souls find calm, where time seems to stop and where, for 16 years, a special presence filled every corner with light. That presence was Manuela, my faithful companion, my friend, my teacher. Today, without her, I feel that the world has changed forever.
Manuela came into my life when she was just a puppy, a whirlwind of energy with disproportionately large ears and overflowing enthusiasm. I remember the first day she set foot in Mas Torrencito. Her little paws sank awkwardly to the ground, and her eyes sparkled with an almost human curiosity. From that moment on, I understood that she would not only be a companion, but an essential part of my life and of this place.
Over time, Manuela became much more than a pet. She became the beating heart of Mas Torrencito. Her presence permeated every corner, from the hallway to the gardens, from the fireplace to the paths surrounding the farmhouse. Every morning, she was the first one to wake up. When I opened my eyes, she was always there, sitting at the foot of the bed, with that look that said: «Come on, the day is waiting for us». It was she who reminded me that there was a world to explore, to enjoy.
When we walked through the fields of l’Empordà, Manuela was my guide. She had a special gift for pointing out what I, in my daily hustle and bustle, overlooked: the murmur of the wind among the olive trees, a curiously shaped cloud, the sound of a nearby stream. It was as if she understood that the important thing was not to reach any destination, but to enjoy the journey.
Manuela was also a born hostess. The guests at Mas Torrencito adored her. Some came here seeking peace, others escaped from routine, but all, without exception, fell in love with her character. There was something about her that connected with each person in a unique way. Children laughed endlessly at her games, adults found in her calmness a kind of balm for the soul. She knew when to reach out, when to offer comfort and when to just be.
Time, however, does not stand still. I knew it when Manuela began to walk slower, when she preferred sunny corners to rest instead of chasing butterflies through the garden. Her eyes were still the same, full of love and wisdom, but her body began to betray her. Even so, she never stopped being there, faithful, until her last day.
The day he left, something in Mas Torrencito changed. The silence was different. When I woke up, my gaze instinctively sought the foot of the bed, but it was gone. I went down to the gardens and felt that something was missing. It was as if the farmhouse itself had lost part of its essence. For weeks, everything reminded me of her: the sound of the wind through the trees, the rustle of the leaves under my footsteps, even the laughter of the guests. Manuela was in everything, but at the same time, she was no longer there.
In her 16 years of life, Manuela not only filled my days with companionship and love. She taught me to be a better person. She taught me patience when I was frustrated, empathy when I was self-absorbed, and joy in the little things when I was caught up in useless worries. If there had been no Manuela, I think I would be a different man. Perhaps more closed, more impatient, less connected to life.
Now, as I walk the paths we shared so many times, I feel her presence in every corner. She is in the spirit of Mas Torrencito, in the way this place continues to welcome people who are looking for more than just a vacation. Manuela taught them to live in the moment, to enjoy the calm, to find love in the little things. Although she is no longer physically here, her legacy lives on.
And now I want to ask you, who read this:
What do your furry friends mean to you? How have they changed your life and who you are?
Think about those everyday moments that they transform with their unconditional love. What would your world be like without them? What have they taught you that you would never have learned without their company?
Share it, because their lives, like Manuela’s, deserve to be remembered and celebrated. Because even though they are gone, their love never disappears. They are always there, in the echo of our memories, in the warmth of shared moments. And that, in the end, is what keeps them alive. 🐾💛
From MasTorrencito we wish you a good day and may your dogs be with you!!!!
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