If you're guilty and you know it...

We received this link in an email and thought it's really hilarious.

Have you watched this video?

http://maniacworld.com/which-is-the-guilty-dog.html

The face of innocence

Do I look convincing enough?

(excuse the lousy image fr mobile phone camera)

Please Help Stop This Cruelty

It's just a dog.

This comment came from some who responded to the news about the abuse of a poodle named Sushi that caused quite an uproar recently.

If you have not watched the video or heard about it, here's the video.

It really breaks your heart watching the helpless little poodle pleading with his fearful eyes. Can you imagine the fear he goes through each moment of his life? He doesn't even understand what he has done to deserve such a treatment.

Is it really just a dog? What has become of humanity? Animals are God's loving creation too and they are a gift to us.

To date there is still no news about the abusers and the whereabout of Sushi. No one knows if he's still alive.

Please pray for Sushi to be saved and given a new lease of life and a loving home.

Please help to sign the petition too:

http://www.petitiononline.com/SOSSushi/

Let us all help to be the voice and protector of the helpless and defenceless.

Who Loves Ya Baby?

We're still here. How hard do you think it is to start blogging again after such a long break? Think we must've rusted here as we don't know where to start.

So...while we're still trying to gather our thoughts together and crank up this blog, here's a video to watch. Do treat it as a re-run if everyone has already seen it ;-)

What do you think of this video? LS said the look on Wilson's face at the door made her cry but she was glad it ended well.

Oh by the way, I dedicate below to you, LS. Hope you get the hint, LS! No more neglecting this blog!

Busy life, not enough time
To look in the mirror
Life in the fast lane...
Look around and take note
Who really loves you?
Don't get caught up in the clouds
Or you'll go insane
When it seems everyone is needing something
Remember who's always been there for you

Who loves ya baby?
Who really loves ya baby?
Who's always been on your side morning and night?
Who loves ya baby?
Who really loves ya baby?
Who's gonna see to it that
You're treated right?

Who loves ya baby?

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

When Visitors Come

I'm in dull park at the moment. Since there's nothing to bark about, thought I'd share this email.

We're reaching year end soon. A season when our homes are subjected to a lot of visiting... So here's something to help our humans cope with visiting guests. Especially the ones who has yet to have the privilege of getting acquainted with charming us.

Excuses for Your Dog's Bad Over Friendly Manner

1. Your dog jumps on little Aunt Millie at the front door.

a. Such a sweet doggie. He loves his Aunt Millie and can't get enough of her.

b. Now don't spoil her, Aunt Millie!

2. Your dog steals the roast beef off the counter.

a. I guess he was tired of waiting for us to stop chatting.

b. There must have been something wrong with the meat. He eats anything questionable so we don't get sick. (Funny, it is usually the meaty main course).

3. Your dog begs at the dinner table.

a. He never does that!

b. He must really like you.

c. He always pick the thinnest person at the table!

4. Your dog barks at each newcomer for several minutes.

a. Don't pay any attention to him.

b. He never usually barks at our guests.

c. What did you say to him?

5. Your *large dog jumps up on and lies across the sofa - and your friends.

a. Just ignore him.

b. Does he have enough room?

c. Just push him off if he gets too heavy.

*small dogs included*

Would you like to contribute an excuse for this?

We are stopping this blog...

...for a home security reminder.

This message is brought to you by the furry paws community.

Burglars beware!

We'll be back to regular posting once LS gets off her lazy bum.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Friday Funnies

TGIF! Aren't you glad the weekend is almost here?

Thanks for everyone's well wishes for my grandpa. I hope he gets better really soon too.

I guess LS' photography skill is that bad as most of you couldn't figure out what was in the previous post picture LOL! But Parlance and Peggy got it right after all!

We always see this man and his three dogs in the park. The biggest of the three (on the far right) is always tasked to carry the poopy bag on his tail.

Tsk...tsk...poor guy...We've seen some people laughing at the dog. I wanted to laugh too but LS said she'll hang the poopy bag onto my tail if I did.

See my straight face?

Let's laugh over something else instead. Got this in the email a while back.

This is the reason why email was invented.

Look at all the fun they had. Christmas sure came early for them. Now we know why they were playing jingle bells in there. I never get to do fun things like this. Do you?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday Funnies

TGIF! Things have been rather quiet here. Can't wait for the weekend though.

I'm sure most of you would've watched this video before. How about a re-run?

Anyone of you can play dead? I know I can't.

Have a good weekend!

Friday Funnies

Thankful Time

LS :

This week I'm thankful for this story sent by a friend who thinks of me, knowing that I enjoy reading about dogs. I'm thankful for thoughtful friends.

After reading this story, I'm thankful for puppy size :-) Ok, my dog is not a puppy anymore. But she'll always be a puppy in my heart...

This is a terrific story. You will know what this little girl is talking about at the end.

PUPPY SIZE

"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.

"Puppy size!" replied the mother.

"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."

''I know... we have seen most of them," the mum said in frustration...

Just then Danielle came walking into the office.

"Well, did you find one?" asked her mum.

"No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

"You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.

Over the next few days both Mum and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular.

"It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size, either," Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, mum sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.

One by one she said, "Sorry, but you're not the one." It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

"Mum, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" She screamed with joy. "It's the right puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mum said.

"No not size... The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said.

"Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!"

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mum didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

"Mum, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said.

Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, "Mum, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.

They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

Hope your life is filled with Sighs!!!

Happy:

I'm thankful that I can sigh! I'm also thankful that LS can always tell all my different sighs.

When I sigh in contentment, she'll cuddle me a bit longer.

When I sigh in boredom, she'll pay me a bit more attention. Of course, this sigh doesn't work all the time.

When I keep sighing after dinner, she'll know I want my dessert.

What do you sigh for?

Hope everyone is having a thankful time!

You know you're a dog person if...

LS was going through her files when she saw this. Yes, she has a file on dog humour. Some or all of you would've probably read it before as it was published quite a long time ago.

When LS read this a few years back, she went "Oh no, I don't think I do many of that".

But when she read it again minutes earlier, she went "Oh no! I'm doing most of that!!!"

I have trained LS well, haven't I?





Can your humans relate to these?

~ You have a kiddie wading pool in the yard but no small children

~ Lintwheels are on your shopping list every week.

~ Your freezer containes more dog bones than anything.

~ You hang around the dog section of your local bookstore way too often.

~ Your non-dog friends won't eat food prepared in your kitchen.

~ Your parents refer to your pet as their "grand-dog."

~ You have baby gates permanently installed at strategic places around the house but no babies.

~ You open your purse and that big bunch of baggies you use for pick-up pops out .

~ You skip breakfast so you can walk your dog in the morning before work.

~ The trash basket is more or less permanently installed in the kitchen sink, to keep the dog out of it while you're at work.

~ You can't see out the passenger side of the windshield because there are dog nose prints all over the inside.

~ You don't go to happy hours with co-workers anymore because you need to go home and walk your dog.

~ You don't think it's the least bit strange to stand in the back yard chirping "Molly, Pee!" over and over at your dog who tends to play and forget what she's out there for.

~ You go to the pet supply store every Saturday because it's one of the very few places that lets you bring your dog inside, and the dog loves to go with you.

~ You get an extra long hose on your shower massage just so you can use it to wash the dog in the tub, without making the dog sit hip deep in water.

~ You and the dog come down with something flu like on the same day. The dog sees the vet while you settle for an over the counter remedy from the drug store.

~ You not only have dog toys strewn about, but your guests also have to be careful not to trip on the dog jumps. (well we gotta exercise them in the winter somehow)

~ Your weekend activities are planned around taking your dog for a hike.

~ You refer to yourself as "mommy" and "daddy".

~ Your dog sleeps with you.

~ You'd rather stay home on Saturday night and cuddle your doggies than go to the movies with your sweetie.

~ You keep an extra water dish in your second-floor bedroom, in case your dog gets thirsty at night.

~ You avoid vacuuming the house as long as possible because the dogs are afraid of the brain-sucker.

~ When your dog is getting old and arthritic, and you go buy lumber and build it a small staircase so it can climb onto the bed by itself.

~ You shovel a zig-zag path in the back yard snow so your dog can reach all of his favorite places.

~ Your have 32 different names for your dogs. Most make no sense but they understand.

~ Your dog eats cat poop but you still let him/her kiss you (but not immediately after, of course)

~ You never completely finish a piece of steak or chicken so the dog gets some too.

~ Poop has become a source of conversation for you and your significant other.

~ You are the only idiot walking in the pouring rain because your dog needs his walk.

~ You send birthday, anniversary and Christmas cards from your dog.

~ You like people who like your dogs. You despise people who don't.

~ You lecture people on responsible dog ownership every chance you get.

~ You keep eating even though you find a dog hair in your pasta.

~ You carry dog biscuits in your pockets all the time.

~ You make popcorn just so you can play catch with your dog.

~ You talk about your dogs like other people talk about their kids.

~ You have your dog pictures on your office desk. (but no one else's).

~ Your license plate or license plate frame mentions your dogs.

~ You match your furniture, carpet and clothes to your dog.

Source : The American Bloodhound Club Bulletin Spring 1996

Thankful Thursday

Hosted by Iris

"A glad heart makes a happy face" Proverbs 15:13

In recent days I've listened to way too much about the hard times we are in, from the rising cost of fuel to an impending global recession. From how much one should be earning to how much savings one should have...Think you get the idea. LOL! Oh yes, it dampen the spirit...after a while. A lot. So much so that I've begin parroting those words to others and losing focus on what's important in my life. Simplicity and self contentment. Most importantly, trust in God!

I was still mulling over them this morning when "ping" I received an email. No, I received several emails which I didn't pay any attention to, except this one. Ok, maybe the word "dog" got my attention LOL!

This is the email I'm thankful for and what a lovely reminder.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and 'wag' your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Happy: I'm thankful that once again, we dogs get to impart wisdom. Heh...

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!!

Top Ten Things No One Told You

Received this in the email and thought it's really funny and true. Not sure who the original writer is though.


10. A large-breed puppy is fully capable of eating your brand-new, hideously expensive, as-yet-uninsured digital camera.

9. By the time your puppy is a year old, you’ll be on a first-name basis with all of the vets and staff at the local animal hospital.

8. You don’t have to worry about the sock your puppy ate because it’ll come out all right in the end.

7. A small-breed puppy is perfectly capable of getting up on top of your fridge if he really wants to.

6. It is no longer safe to have an elegant and attractive arrangement of candles on your coffee table.

5. You follow safe food-handling practices and thaw meat in the refrigerator because you no longer have a choice.

4. Even the smallest puppy with gas can clear a room.

3. When your puppy reaches the age of six months, you will no longer be physically capable of wearing him out.

2. While you’re teaching your puppy basic obedience commands such as “Sit” and “Stay”, she is quietly reorganizing and running your entire household.

And the most important thing no one told you about your first puppy:

1. No one sleeps until the puppy sleeps.


LS said she sure can relate me with No. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7! I'd like to stress that I've never climbed on top of the fridge before. Although this has just given me the idea. Hmm...

Which one(s) can you relate to?

Thankful Thursday

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Today we are thankful for a friend who sent us this wonderful story on love.

We are thankful for having love in our life.

THE LASSIE DOG

As Kevin sat intently in front of the old 19 inch Zenith television set with 'rabbit ears' and poor reception, his mother watched her little seven year boy move almost theatrically as he cheered Lassie on. “Go get 'em girl, go get 'em!” He'd look forward to each episode as Lassie would save the day on each and every airing of this show. His mother had memorized Kevin's question as it was sure to follow at the end of every episode of “Lassie.” Per usual, he quickly spun around while sitting cross legged on the floor and asked, “Mom?, Can I have a Lassie dog? Please mom!?”

As she gazed into his eager eyes she replied, “Honey, I'd love to give you a dog like Lassie, but I've said it before--dogs like Lassie like to be outside and run.” Desperately trying to convince him she added, “Kevin, I have told you over and over again that our yard is too small for a Lassie dog!”

Kevin appeared pensive for a moment and then excitingly exclaimed, “I have an idea mom! I'll teach the Lassie dog to stay by me all of the time so she won't get lost or hurt!” His mother appeared surprised that Kevin could creatively think on his feet so quickly.

“That's a really neat idea sweetheart, but Lassie is what's known as a Collie and you can't teach a Collie to stay by your side all of the time because they're outside dogs and I'm afraid your Lassie dog would run away. Do you understand what I'm saying honey?”

Kevin looked down and was clearly disappointed by what he felt was his last ditch effort to gain his mother's favor as it would relate to his getting his youthful mind's hero -- a dog and friend like Lassie.

Months passed and Kevin stopped asking his mother whether or not he could get a dog like Lassie. She noticed his increasing quietness and sadness with each passing episode and thought back to her childhood. Her parents surprised her one Christmas with a little scroungy mutt that she adored. She got this ugly little dog that Christmas when she was about her son's age and the guilt of not allowing Kevin to have a dog to be his best friend finally got to her.

One afternoon after yet another episode of “Lassie”, she decided, right or wrong, to give in to Kevin's earlier repeated desire to have a dog of his own. “Kevin?”, she asked, “How about us going down to the dog pound today and getting you a dog? The dog won't be as pretty as Lassie, but I know we can find a dog that you'd love.”

Kevin's eyes lit up like a 50 watt bulb with no lamp shade as he exclaimed, “Really mom?! Yes, I don't care anymore about getting a Lassie dog! Can we go now?”, he enthusiastically asked. “We sure can honey! Put your shoes on and let's go on down to the dog pound and find you the perfect dog!” Kevin jumped up and hurriedly put his shoes on and headed directly to the car.

Upon arriving at the dog pound, she asked the old man who ran the shelter which dog out of all of the dogs there would be the most loyal and well trained dog for her eager little boy. Without a moment's pause, the man replied, “Oh, that's an easy question to answer. Follow me back and I'll show you the perfect dog for your son.”

Kevin and his mother followed the old man back to the last cage on the right. “There she is ma'am. This would be the dog I'd choose and I'd already have her myself but we have a half-dozen dogs at home and just don't have room for 'Fire'. She was taken back as she looked at this homely dog with little hair as the mutt looked like she had been badly burned.” After she got over the initial shock of such a sight, she asked, “Has this dog been burned and are you sure this would be the right dog for Kevin?” The old man looked at Kevin and noticed his eyes were misting with tears. “Oh I'd bet my life on it ma'am!”, he confidently replied.

“Ma'am?”, he inquired, “Did you not hear about the dog that laid on top of the little girl during the forest fire up on Red Bird Mountain? This was the dog that they featured in the local paper. This rascal saved the little girl's life and just about lost her own by covering that little girl with her body!” She thought for a bit and answered, “Well of course I did! Are you telling me that this is that dog?” “Yes, it sure is. No one has taken her because of how she looks and I would have put her to sleep but it's hard to end a life that saved one!”, he somberly replied.

“Do you want this dog Kevin? Sounds like you'd have yourself a hero like Lassie if we brought her home.” Kevin's eyes had full-blown tears in them now. “I want her mom! Can we take her back with us?” She quickly glanced at the old man who was moved to tears himself at this point. “She's ours sweetheart.”

They took 'Fire' home and she never left Kevin's side and was his constant companion--never once even attempting to leave the yard or run out of the gate if mistakenly left open. Every night Kevin would say his prayers when his mother would tuck him in and he never failed to pray that 'Fire' would be healed and get her hair back. After about five weeks, Kevin's constant prayers were obviously being answered as the once terribly disfigured mutt's hair rapidly began to grow back. Perhaps it was Kevin and his mother's imagination, but the more 'Fire's' hair grew back, the more she resembled Lassie.

Kevin's mother opted to call the old man at the dog pound as her curiosity was overwhelmingly piqued. “Hello,” the old man responded on the other end of the phone, “Corbin County dog pound. My name is Joe and how can we help you today?” “Hi Joe, I came in a month or so ago with my son and we got the dog you named 'Fire'. “Yes ma'am”, he replied happily, “I'm glad you called...been wondering how old 'Fire' has been doing. How can I help you?” She took a deep breath and asked, “Well Joe, I'm curious about just one thing and thought you might know the answer. What kind of mutt is 'Fire'?”

The old man softly chuckled before replying. “Ma'am, 'Fire' isn't a mutt.” Confused she continued, “If she's not a mutt, what kind of dog is she?” He chuckled again and replied, “Fire's momma' and daddy are both show dogs. Fire is a full-bred Collie.”

By Brian G. Jett

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris at Sting My Heart.

Zoey's home!

Great news! Zoey's home safe and sound!

More details can be read at Tnchick.

Thank you everyone for all your pawsitive thoughts and prayers!

Please help

We read at Iris' blog that her friend at TNChick recently lost her beagle, Zoey.


Lost Beagle Hound Dog in Franklin, KY.
Last seen Madison St. / Cedar St. area Tuesday night 4/22/08.
Female. Tri-Color. Spayed. Age 4. Wearing a black harness.Family lives in TN and desperately seek her.

For more contact details, please visit her blog at TNChick.

Would appreciate if everyone could help to pass words around and let's keep our paws crossed that Zoey will be found soon.

A big Thank You!

Can You Do This?

Isn't this cool?

I don't think I can even stand on a skateboard at all. Although sometimes I can skate on my bare paws though.

How is that possible? LS takes the credit for that.

Sometimes she procrastinates in trimming the hair around my paw pads and I go all slip sliding away right after I had a bath and she blow dried me. Yes, even my paws got blow dried! Nutty LS!

Are your humans nutty sometimes?

I think I'm in for some skating this weekend. Have a great weekend everybody!

Happy and The Leaf

It has been raining here everyday. I've been missing my walkies too. Sigh...My human granny isn't well so she's here for a while. I'm happy she's here except that LS said I'm not allowed to make too much noise. Her definition of too much noise is actually no noise at all. Yiish...

So what's a dog that's bored out of her mind supposed to do? Surf the net.

And guess what I've found on the net? A funny story about another doggie. What's more funny is that he shares the same name as me - Happy! His owner calls him Hap for short, and that's how LS calls me too at times! Happy reading!

Happy and The Leaf
A walk is a walk until a hapless fallen leaf appears.
By Peter Gerstenzang

I have my dog well-trained these days. He can sit, give me his paw and, when he hears a Ramones song, slam dance. I’m trying to change this to the pogo.

Happy weighs 55 pounds now, and I’m running out of stories for the plasterer about those dog-shaped holes in the walls.

Generally, my Golden is settling down – with one horrifying exception. It’s called The Leaf. I know, it may seem harmless when it simply sits on the lawn. But when the breeze blows, Happy chases after The Leaf like it holds the Secret of Life. Since I’m usually attached to Happy by a leash at these moments, off I go. So, forget the plasterer. How about when your orthopedist looks at your injured rotator cuff and asks what baseball team you pitch for? I’m too embarrassed to tell him my dog caused this. Plus, I’m running out of excuses about why he’s not getting free tickets to my games. Help!

Initially, our walks were reasonably good. Happy tugged me along like there was a sale on Beggin’ Strips down the street. I didn’t panic. I read that if you keep reversing direction, your dog will stop pulling. It didn’t mention that if you do it too often, he’ll stop walking altogether, implying, “The street is spinning. Make it stop!” But, it was manageable.

Then Hap discovered his love of leaves.

Certainly these objects seem innocent when just sitting there. So do landmines. One day a few months ago, a breeze kicked up, the leaves moved, and off we went, Happy running, me looking like the tail of a kite. I tried every command to get him to stop. In every language. I’ll tell you, if saying “Anschlag!” won’t halt your dog, nothing will.

I’ve tried training Happy to not chase leaves, but he’s savvy. If I throw some into the distance, he doesn’t move. Alright, maybe the living room isn’t the ideal place to test this theory. But even out on the lawn, if I toss a leaf, Happy just sits and stares at me – sympathetically. I know that look. They give it to Blanche Dubois in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” right before she’s carted off to an asylum.

Recently I read something that gave me hope. It said to keep treats with me and bargain. Whenever Happy wants to chase a leaf, give him a treat instead. It worked – briefly. However, the ratio of leaves to treats is very disheartening. It’s, like, 50 to one. Eventually, I run out and off we go. So, unless I can get a dump truck from The Blue Dog Bakery to follow us, I’ll just have to wait until Happy gets older. They say this chasing business abates – eventually.

That’s encouraging. But then, again, spring is coming. You know what that means. Yep, leaf blowers! So friends, say a prayer for me. As hard as things have been, I still think soon, I’m going to be in for the ride of my life.

Source

Who is this?

Someone peemailed me this funny video.

Does anyone know who this is? Thought this dog sure had a lot of self control there heh heh...

Have any of you ever been provoked or disturbed by the cat in such a manner before?

My Dog Towhee

A story to share.

My Dog Towhee

Jerome K. Jerome said, "He is very imprudent, a dog is. He never makes it his business to inquire whether you are in the right or in the wrong, never bothers as to whether you are going up or down life's ladder, never asks whether you are rich or poor, silly or wise, sinner or saint. You are his pal. That is enough for him."

I have vowed to be more like my dog. No, not in that way.

Each day when my faithful canine companion goes outside, she is so excited to see the outdoors. She can't wait to sample the new day. She rejoices in having another chance to walk the earth. I need to be more like my dog.

My faithful canine companion's name is Towhee. She's a Heinz 57. I knew her mother, but her father was an anonymous giver. I believe her to be half-pit bull and half-poodle. She's a vicious gossip. It doesn't bother her not being a purebred. She's happy that she doesn't have to wear a sweater.

She is the official greeter at the Batt Cave. She's like an over-zealous, drooling Wal-Mart greeter. She's a good dog, but she does have her bad habits. I have my bad habits, too.

She eats things she shouldn't. I do, too. She snores. So do I. She's a few pounds overweight. So am I. She likes tennis balls. I like meatballs. She likes the sound of the refrigerator door opening. I like the sounds of Billie Holiday and Louie Armstrong. She licks herself in front of company. I lack the flexibility. She has conspiracy theories involving squirrels. I have conspiracy theories involving lutefisk. The dog and I are sensitive, caring creatures. We both cry when my wife leaves the house with the credit card.

Towhee is no Rhodes Scholar. She's more of a roads scholar. She loves going for rides. She goes with me when I haul our recycling. She may just sit in the car, but to her it's like a trip to Disney World.

She doesn't play tug-of-war. She doesn't like confrontations. If you try to play keep-away with her, you keep it.

She knows how to sit and how to shake. She turned down a scholarship to a fine Ivy League obedience school.

She makes up for whatever she lacks with her boundless enthusiasm. She is always happy to see me when I come home. She jumps and runs in circles. It's her patented spin-move. It's her dance. Her dance of joy.

I say a little prayer each day, wherein I ask to become the kind of man my dog thinks I am. Andy Rooney once said that the average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

Towhee has never told a lie. She doesn't complain, except when I forget to let her back in the house. She doesn't sulk or bear a grudge. She forgives, quickly and completely. To err is human. To forgive is canine. She never worries about who will be winding her wristwatch after she's gone.

If I make a fool out of myself--a specialty of mine--Towhee makes a fool out of herself. That's a friend. She's a good listener and gives me good advice. She talks to me, but never when others are around. Towhee expects good things to happen to her. She is like Seneca, who said, "Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes."

Towhee would have liked the old Roman philosopher. Plato said that a dog has the soul of a philosopher. To Towhee, the whole world is a smell and each day is a wonder. Each stroll into a different room offers an endless variety of pleasant surprises.

Towhee is happy being a dog. Her tail-wagging optimism is something to be emulated. Towhee is just happy to be alive and to have people who love her. I feel the same way.

~ By Al Batt ~