We will add bits here that we hope you find interesting...

This is a public service announcement...

In a press release today, the National Institute of Health has announced the discovery of a potentially dangerous substance in the hair of certain types of show dogs. This substance, called "Amobacter canidae" has been linked with the following symptoms in females:

Reluctance to cook, clean or do housework.
Reluctance to wear make-up, nice clothes or heels.
Reluctance to spend money on home or car repairs until after "Fido has a new collar, crate, show lead, premium food, and a new toy".

"Amobacter canidae" usually results in long hours away from home and exhaustion which may lead to a loss of physical contact with other humans (especially husbands).

"Amobacter canidae" is thought to be addictive, driving the need for additional sources - this may lead to a "pack mentality" or like the potato chip commercial, "you can't have just one". Beware! If you come in contact with a female human infected by this substance, be prepared to talk about dogs for hours.

Surgeon General's Warning: Show dogs can be expensive, addictive, and may impair the ability to use common sense.

" Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.” Zig Ziglar

I cannot lie by your fire...

I've changed my ways a little;
I cannot now run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you, if you dream a moment,
You see me there.

So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you'd soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.

I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do on the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the nights through
I lie alone.

But your kind thought has laid me less than six feet outside your window where firelight so
often plays,
And where you sit to read - and I fear often grieving for me -
Every night your lamplight lies on my place.

You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying.
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope that when you are lying
Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dears, that's too much hope: you are not so well cared for
As I have been.
And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelity's that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided...
But to me you were true.

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.

Robinson Jeffers

To find fault is easy, to do better may be difficult....Plutarch

"Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death." - Author unknown.

Dear Dog,

I saw you today for the first time, just a couple houses from my own. The school bus stopped to let out your kids, and your mom opened the front door to let you run out and greet them. You are a wiggly, bouncy and happy little puppy with a full belly and a shiny coat. Your kids grabbed you up, hugged you, held you and toted you inside. Your tail was wagging the entire time. I thought to my self, how sweet, what a way to end a long hard day.

I spoke to your mom this evening and she said that they got you from the Animal Shelter, and the kids named you Lucky.

March 10

Dear Lucky,

I saw you today as I always do on my way home from work. You were already outside to greet the kids today, which seemed a little odd. The little girl got off the bus and shooed you away; she appeared to not want you jumping on her. The boy got off the bus and gave you a quick playful pat on the head, then smelled his hand and brushed you aside. You looked confused and sad, as you went to lie by the porch. You curled up in a tight ball on the cold ground and let out a huge sigh. My heart felt heavy that day.

March 21

Dear Lucky,

I saw you today. I was headed home, and the kids got off the bus, walked to the house, and you ran out as far as you could on your heavy chain to let them know you were there. The little girl ignored you, the little boy told you to be quiet, when you barked for his attention. My neighbor commented that they needed to do something with your barking because you keep them up at night. You had a bucket of water and a bowl of food, a relatively nice doghouse, but your eyes were sad and empty. I shook my head and let out a huge sigh.

April 30

Dear Lucky,

I worried for you today. You look thin, your chain heavy on your neck, your coat is dirty and falling out, you don't get up to do much anymore. Your bucket is turned over, and I have not seen your food bowl for a few days now. I spoke to the neighbor and asked about you. He said you still bark at night and he saw the man of the house throw something at you the other day as he scolded you. I shook my head in despair as I went back into my house.

June 4

Dear Lucky,

My heart sank today. I was headed home, and you weren't in your yard. A large part of me hoped you got away, another large part of me was frightened at all the other possibilities. I asked my neighbor about you, and he said your family went on vacation and sent you back to the Animal Shelter. I shook my head and cried for you as I went into my house.

June 5

Dear Dog,

I went to the shelter today. I found you huddled in the back of a cage that had a bucket, a bowl of food, and a blanket for you to lie on. You looked up at me as if you knew me, and my heart broke as I read your card. They did not even care enough to give them your name, and the card simply said, "male, neutered retriever mix. Owners did not want." I cried when a gentleman from the kennel said, "That's a sad one there. He came from here, you know, last Christmas. Guess they just got tired of him. He's too frightened, no one will adopt him." I went to the counter and told them I would be back tomorrow and please don't do anything just yet. They all kind of nodded like they heard that one before.

June 6

Dear Dog,

I brought you home today. You were scared and untrusting, but a small part of you somewhere allowed you to wag the tip of your tail when I told you that you were a good boy and that I loved you. I gave you a new name, "Happy", because you aren't and I hope that someday you will be. You had an accident on the floor, and when I came back to clean it up with paper towel you slunk down and whimpered as if the hand was coming for you. I tried to choke back the tears when I thought of what you must have gone through in the past six months. I reached out and patted you and your eyes closed and your body went limp at such a gentle gesture. "We're going to be all right," I told you. I showed you your food, and you ate voraciously, and you marveled at the treats and toys I got for you.

December 25

Dear Happy,

Good morning my best friend! You woke me, as always, popping out from under the covers on your side of the bed, licking my face to tell me it was time for our walk. We went through the living room and you sniffed what Santa left for us. I hugged you and said, "Last year you were a Christmas gift, now this year, these are all yours!" Your coat is shiny, your belly always full, and even though we found out at your first vet visit you had heartworms, you are healthy now. As we went out for our walk, we saw your old family in the front yard. They look at you each time as if they recognize you in a way, but you don't give them a second glance. --- Then I believe both our hearts stopped as we saw the children emerge from the yard holding a small playful puppy. "Isn't she just precious? We got her from the animal shelter. Hope this one works out, the other dog we got from there was so much trouble." I sighed and refrained from pointing out that you were not the trouble. You looked up at me as if to say, "Thank you, mom." I kneeled down and whispered in your sweet ear, "No, it is I who thank you."

"DOGS ARE LIKE CHILDREN; THEY ACT LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO RAISE THEM" - Author unknown

"The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves" William Penn

Confidence comes from not always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.. Peter Mcintyre

When God had made the Earth and Sky, the flowers and the trees
He then made all animals and all the birds and bees.
And when His work was finished, not one was quite the same
He said "I'll walk this Earth of Mine and give each one a name".

And so He travelled land and sea and every where He went
A little creature followed Him until its strength was spent.
When all were named upon the Earth and in the Sky and Sea.
The little creature said "Dear Lord, there's not one left for me".

The Father smiled and softly said "I've left you to the end
I've turned My own name back to front, and called you "Dog"--My Friend.

Anonymous

"When you're a beautiful person on the inside, there is nothing in the world that can change that about you. Jealousy is the result of one's lack of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance. The Lesson: If you can't accept yourself, then certainly no one else will." - Sasha Azevedo

When I am Old...

I shall wear Turquoise and soft grey sweatshirts...and a bandana over my silver hair...and I shall spend my Social Security Checks on Sweet Wine and My Dogs...and sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen to my dog's breathing.

I will sneak out in the middle of a warm Summer night and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow...and when people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs ...and talk of them and about them...The Ones so Beloved of the Past and the Ones so Beloved of Today...

I still will work hard cleaning after them and mopping and feeding them and whispering their names in a soft, loving way...I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jewel. And I will be an embarrassment to all...and my family...who have not yet found the peace in being free to have dogs as your Best Friends...

These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall...and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to greet you as if you are a God.

With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will stay and hug their big, strong necks...and kiss their dear sweet heads...and whisper to them of your love and the beautiful pleasure of their very special company...

I look in the Mirror...and see I am getting old...this is the kind of woman I am...and have always been. Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me, accept me for who I am, my dogs appreciate my presence in their lives...when I am old this will be important to me...you will understand when you are old...and if you have dogs to love too. - Author Unknown

Ten Favours a Dog Asks From a Man

My life lasts between ten to fifteen years. Every separation from you means suffering for me. Think about this before you decide whether or not to take me!
Give me time to understand what you are asking from me.
Instil confidence in me - I thrive on it!
Do not be angry with me for a long time and do not lock me up for punishment! You have your work, your pleasure, your joy - I have only you.
Talk often to me! Even if I do not understand you completely, I do understand the tone of your voice when you talk to me.
Know that, no matter how I am being treated, I shall never forget it!
Keep in mind, before you hit me , that my jaws could crush the knuckles of your hand with ease, but that I do not make use of them.
Before you scold me when working with me, consider: perhaps I am uncomfortable from digesting my last meal; perhaps I was exposed to the sun too long; or perhaps I have a worn out heart.
Take care of me when I am old -- you too are going to be old one day.
Be with me when my going gets rough. Everything is easier for me when you are beside me.

Author Unknown

Basic Dog Rules

Newspapers: If you have to go to the bathroom while playing in the front yard, always use the newspaper that's placed in the driveway every morning for that purpose.

Visitors: Quickly determine which guest is afraid of dogs. Charge across the room, barking loudly and leap playfully on this person. If the human falls down on the floor and starts crying, lick its face and growl gently to show your concern.

Barking: Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark - a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing your protective bark, bark, bark ...

Licking: Always take a big drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel.

Holes: Rather than digging a big hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig a lot of smaller holes all over the yard so they won't notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they'll think it's moles. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem.

Doors: The area directly in front of a door is always reserved for the family dog to sleep.

Dining Etiquette: Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It's also a good time to practice your sniffing.

Housebreaking: Housebreaking is very important to humans, so break as much of the house as possible.

Going for Walks: Rules of the road: When out for a walk with your master or mistress, never go to the bathroom on your own lawn.

Couches: It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed.

Playing: If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, use the flower bed to absorb your fall so you don't injure yourself.

Cats: When chasing cats, make sure you never *quite* catch them. It spoils all the fun.

Chewing: Make a contribution to the fashion industry ... Eat a shoe.

If you burn your neighbours house down, it doesn't make your house look any better. Lou Holtz

PET RULES

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door: To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

They live here. You don't.
If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

This was sent to me today, I can't vouch for it's authenticity but I thought the words were lovely........

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her "beauty tips." It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's only a dog," or, "that's a lot of money" for just a dog"

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for" Just a dog"

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "Just a dog" Many hours have passed and my only company was " Just a dog" but I not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by " Just a dog" and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "Just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "Just a friend," "Just a sunrise," or "Just a promise," "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog " brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "Just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "Just a dog" but an embodiment of all hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "Just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "Just a man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "Just a dog." just smile, because they "Just don't understand."

Author Unknown

Love all
Trust a few
Do wrong to none.
William Shakespeare.

PUPPY POEM

I love my little puppy he makes my house a home. He always is my best friend, I never feel alone. He fills my heart with love. Did some breeder, breed him or did he fall from up above.

I've never been a breeder, seen life through their eyes. I hold my little puppy and just sit and criticise. I've never known their anguish, I've never known their pain. The caring of their charges, through, snow, wind or rain.

I love my little puppy he makes my house a home. He always is my best friend, I never feel alone. He fills my heart with love. Did some breeder, breed him or did he fall from up above.

I've never sat the whole night, waiting for babies to be born. The stress and trepidation when they're still not here by dawn. I've never felt the heartache of a little life in my hands. This darling little puppy who weighs 120 grams.

Formula, bottles, heat pads, you've got to get it right. Two hourly feeds for this little guy, throughout the day and night. In your heart you know, you're almost sure to lose the fight. To save this little baby, but god willing you just MIGHT.

Day 1 he's in their fighting you say a silent prayer. Day 2 and 3 he's doing well, with lots of love and care. Day 4 & 5 he's still fine, your hopes soar to the heavens. Day 6 he slips away again, dies in your hands day 7.

You take this little angel and bury him alone. With aching heart and burning tears, and an exhausted groan. You ask yourself "why do I do this". Why suffer all this pain. But when you see the joy your puppies bring it really self explains.

So when you think of a breeder and label them with "greed". Think about what they endure to fill another's need. When you buy a puppy and with your precious pounds part. You only pay with money we pay with our heart.

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, "Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door

Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?" He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way." He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."