Irony

Irony (incongruity between what actually happens and what might be expected to happen, especially when this disparity seems absurd or laughable.)

I was told a story last night that I had to share. A woman’s daughter, who loves all animals, decided to take a job working in a local pet store. One day the parents went to visit the daughter and in the guest bedroom they were staying a very rancid smell was emulating from the closet. Mom, being the curious type and wanting to eliminate the smell if possible, opened the closet door to see what the culprit was. To her surprise was a cage with mice inside! When she asked her daughter about the mice, the daughter’s reply was, “I just had to save them. I could not bear the thought of someone purchasing them for snake food.” Mom, being an understanding mom of her daughter’s feelings just shrugged and asked that the cage be removed and placed in the garage during their visit.

Well, the next morning mom went out into the garage and yup, it is so…a snake was in the cage and his belly was so swollen from swallowing one of the mice was trapped as he could no longer fit through the cage bars. The mom let out quite a laugh at the irony of the situation; needless to say the daughter did not share in the chuckle.

Ah... life doesn’t always work out the way it was planned; so all we can do is tidy up the messes, wipe them out of mind, smile (and chuckle if you’d like), and continue on.

Remember: Only God loves you more than your dog.

A Hurting Heart Does Heal with Love

Love will heal a broken heart...

I can only pray that someday all the people who hate, lie, and willfully hurt will vanish from the earth and leave the kindred spirits a beautiful place to be. It doesn’t matter how many of “your” friends respond to the lies you write, of course they are going to support your lies, they are YOUR friends and they only know ONE sadly distorted version of the past. It is the guilt you have of your multi-men cheating, child alienation, and hate for a man that has found happiness that has finally seen its Karma.

A relationship, no matter if it is husband and wife, brother and sister, or parent and child, has one door and that door must be opened by BOTH parties in order for the relationship to work. If a child refuses to call, see, communicate, or share their life with one parent simply because they have moved out of state, well then, the guilty party of the lost relationship lies with the child, not the parent who continually and tiredly tried to save the relationship.

A human has a heart, and hearts break; so when a dad has tried to keep the relationship with his daughters alive and flourishing and in return gets an ultimatum, move back or we will not treat you like our dad, to whom does the blame lie? The “dad’s” heart will always love these children, but the relationship is broken just as the heart is. An adult child has a responsibility to initiate and continue to grow the relationship as much as the parent. A parent is still just a mere mortal and he can only be kicked in the gut and beaten down so many times before he simply stops getting up to take another beating. It is human nature that after years and years of loving and supporting his children and being rejected that his soul and heart breaks and he must go into self-preservation or he too will be lost forever. He picks himself up, finds “real” love, buries the hurt, and begins to live life to the fullest surrounded by those that choose to have him in their lives.

Now that Karma has awoken, how can a child expect this dad to be at one event, on one day, when you have forgotten and hurt him for close to fifteen years? This child never even invited or even called to tell “dad” of other major events in her life such as high school graduation, college graduation, getting engaged; so why now do you want him there for just one day in your life that YOU choose him to be there? To me mocked at, to be looked at like a loser? It certainly wasn’t to be an active participant in her “big” day. This I know because he had to find out on Face Book that she was engaged, he never received a call of excitement from her to announce the wonderful news. He never received a call to say, “Dad, I can’t wait to see you at my wedding!” He instead was never even asked to “save the date” as others were, he was finally just sent an invite, as simple and normal as 250 other guests; nothing special at all for “dad”.  He was not asked to be a part of the wedding in any “special” way a dad should be. Such as knowing about the engagement party and being invited, or advised when the festivities of the pre-wedding events will take place and invited to be a part of them like a “dad” should. Hell, he wasn’t even listed as a parent in the announcement!

Finally, I have to ask, when this wedding announcement (shown here) was placed for the entire world to see announcing your big day, where was mention of “dad”? It seems as if this was when YOU choose to think of your “dad” as just a sperm donor, it wasn’t anything “dad” did or didn’t do. So sadly, it is with justification that “dad” will not be in attendance, he can’t be, your announcement clearly shows no love, respect, or acknowledgement of even having a “dad”.

So to those that wish to judge this man in a harsh and hateful way, continue to do so, because you don’t know the truth, the history, or both sides of this tragic story which details a dad who did all he could to save the relationship with his daughters but was always pushed away and never wanted unless it was on their terms - in their state of residence, not where dad worked and had a decent job and ONLY if he left the one true love and soul mate of his life; his new wife.

So the wedding will go on, and life will go on, and yes “dad” is hurting, but he has been for so long now it is just a numb feeling in the bottom of his heart. “Dad” is happy, loved, respected, and should have NO regrets at all for what has taken place over the years, he did not choose this path, he was placed on it by those who wanted revenge against him and to make him pay for leaving a woman that cheated on him and disrespected him for many years. No man has stay in such a despicable and miserable marriage. He left his ex, but he never left the children, they abandoned him long ago and now cry foul when he chooses to no longer get kicked in the gut and have his heart stomped on. He will be here, at our home, on her wedding day where he is wanted, respected, and so loved, verses sitting in a chair as a “guest” as plain and ordinary as the many other guests will be. When you want a “dad” and not a sperm donor, it takes communication, respect, but most of all a desire to have a loving relationship with “dad” no matter where in the world he may be.

For me, I thank God every day that He gave me this incredible, gentle, supporting, genuine, and loving man to care for and share the remainder of my life with. My husband deserves to have all the wonderful and fulfilling happiness life has to offer. God has truly blessed us with all His glory; He has given us fourteen blissful, incredible, and truly loving years together. With God’s love, my love, and all our friends and family’s support, we will continue to comfort this great man and heal over some of the scars left behind by those that tore him apart.

I will protect those that are mine, I will always love those that are mine, and I will always, always, stand by my man.

A Dog's Will

When humans die, they make a will

To leave their homes and all they have
To those they love.
I, too, would make a will if I could write;

To some poor wistful lonely stray
I leave my happy home,
My dish, my cozy bed, my cushioned chair, my toy, my human's bed, my big back yard,

The well-loved lap, the gently stoking hand,
The loving voice,
The place I made in someone’s heart,
The love that, at the last, could help me to
A peaceful, painless end,
Held in loving arms.

If I should die, Oh! Do not say,
“No more a pet I’ll have
To grieve me by its loss”.
Seek out some lonely, unloved dog
And give my place to him.
This is my legacy I leave behind
‘Tis all I have to give.

My "baby" Otis will be 13 in October, and I can't fathom losing my Otis who has brought me such joy and love from day one when I saw his fluffy beautiful face at the RI shelter. I know if he could write, this would be what he would write to me. May God look over my boy and give us a few more years of snuggles and laughs.

Remember, only God loves you more than your dog.

A Blessing From God...

God promised at the birth of time, a special friend to give, this time on earth is short, He said, so love him while he lives. It may be six or seven years, or twelve or then sixteen, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? A wagging tail and a cold wet nose, and silken velvet ears, a heart as big as all outdoors, to love you through the years. His puppy ways will gladden you, and antics bring a smile, as guardian or friend he will, be loyal all the while.

He'll bring his charms to grace your life, and though his stay may be brief, but when he's gone the memories are solaces for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, but lessons only a dog can teach, I want you each to learn. Whatever love you give to him, returns in triple measure, follow his lead and gain a life, brim full of simple pleasure. Enjoy each day as it comes, allow your heart to guide, be loyal and steadfast in love, as the dog there by your side. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again?

As I myself am a true lover of such a creature I believe each of us should say, "Dear Lord I’ll shelter him with tenderness, I’ll love him while I may, and for the happiness I’ve been blessed with, forever grateful stay." “I will never again awake in fear with a cold nose in my ear, give me patience without end.” Help me be my dog’s very best friend.

Always remember, Only God loves you more than your dog.

Father's Day

To Our Master:

Today is Father’s Day and although you’re our master, we like to think of you as Dad. We know there have been times we’ve let you down.

There have been accidents. Mistakes have been made. We do things we are not proud of; and we feel bad about that, we really do. But there isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for you, except maybe go to the vet, and other things we’d rather not talk about.

But if you wanna play ball, we are your dogs. Need a squirrel chased? Ha! Let us at ‘em! Need the heck chewed outta something expensive? Okay, bad example.

But the point is, WE LOVE YOU! We understand each other and we want you to know we will never leave you…well, unless somebody leaves the gate open.

Always remember, only God loves you more than your dog(s).

A Dog's Plea

Treat me kindly my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful than the loving heart of me.  

 Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hands between blows --Your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me those things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my ear.

Please take me inside when I am cold and wet. I am a domesticated animal and no longer accustomed to the bitter elements.

I ask for no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beneath the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water - for I can not tell you when I thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding - -to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, my dear friend, when I have grown old, or become very ill, no longer enjoying good health, hearing and sight--do not make heroic efforts to keep me in this world. Please see that my life is taken gently.

I shall leave this world knowing with the last breath I take, that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Author Unknown

As always, remember only God loves you more than your Dog.

" A Dog"

There have been times people tell me, "Hey relax, it is only “A Dog” or "You spend way too much money and time on “A Dog” and you do/did what for “A Dog?”

It is obvious they don't understand. “A Dog” plays many roles in our lives--family member, friend, helper, defender, and from time to time, psychiatrist. Anyone who has ever felt the familiar warm heartbeat at their feet knows that “A Dog” is the embodiment of the meaning of unconditional love and loyalty.

I have spent many hours with just the company of “A Dog” and not once did I ever feel alone or abandoned.

Some of my proudest moments have been with “A Dog” and sadly some of my bottommost moments were likewise spent with “A Dog.” In my days of despair, it was the gentle touch of "A Dog" that provided comfort and determinations to overcome the sadness of the day.

If you too think it’s only “A Dog," you are missing one of the greatest gifts from God; just as special as a shooting star or a sunrise, just as pure as promise should be, and as warm as a mother’s milk to her newborn.

"A Dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "A Dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person and inspirits my soul.

For me, “A Dog” is more than “A Dog”; “A Dog” is the quintessence of all the optimisms and dreams of the future, fond memories of my past, and the pure and simple delight of the moment.

So when people say to me, oh it’s just “A Dog” they have no understanding that it is “A Dog” that brings me hope and gives me humanity, and allows me to be more than just “A Woman” in this world.

...and always remember, Only God loves you more than your dog.

Thoughts

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heat. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.

Remember only God loves you more than you dog.

Lesson from our fur-children

As humans, we need to try to be prepared for as much as we can to reduce the stress and worry in our lives. But still we worry about money, security, warmth, food, and yes love, as well as many more thoughts that can keep our brains feeling like scrambled eggs.  I look at my fur-babies and I try and decipher what is going through their minds at different times.  My oldest will sit and stare into the unlit fireplace; what does he see in that black cold space he is gazing into with intensity that I don’t? So of course I begin to worry that his age is catching up to him and he is going, shall we say, a bit bonkers.  What about when my youngest is staring at a tiny toad leaping across the grass? Is she thinking food, playmate, intruder, danger? Of course again I worry she may try to play with this tiny creature, kill it and then get sick from it. LOL I guess moms of any variety will always worry about her children, and like newborns, be curious what is going on in their thoughts and dreams that we are not privileged to.

As humans, we also make mistakes and fall down as we walk our life’s path through the good and the bad, the real and the unreal, the disappointment and the elations, the sadness and the glee, and the heartache and the exultation. When we encounter a sorrowful or heart-rending feeling or moment in our lives, we can easily trip and fall. What you do after that fall as you look up from that hurtful place on the ground that determines what will happen next in your life and what you can hope to obtain.

As when we were young children, our parents taught us right from wrong, how to act around others, proper manners, self-grooming, playing nice and sharing, and much more.  We also teach our fur-children similar lessons. My children are very well behaved, for the most part play nice, know how to treat others, and to use their manners; but when they reach an over the top emotion, sometimes all that teaching is replaced by actions that go against all the good we were taught. Emotion is associated with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, and motivation. Motivations direct and energize behavior, while emotions provide the affective component to motivation, positive or negative.  

I sometimes wish that my horrid past experiences and hurtful memories would just fade away into a section of my brain in which I never can access again. That would be nice wouldn’t it? To never re-feel any past hurt, pain, anger, rejection, or hateful actions thrust upon us. This we cannot do, but we can make ourselves learn from our past hurts and advance to a higher ground when we are forced to live them again both physically and emotionally.  Studies on canines, after a series of experiments showed that (similar to us humans) under conditions of long term intense psychological stress, around one-third of dogs do not develop learned helplessness or long term depression.  Instead they somehow managed to find a way to handle the unpleasant situation in spite of their past experience.

So once again dogs prevail over us humans. They seem to forget and move on and be happy in their day and we tend to submerse ourselves in pity and sadness. So today, I, a kind human and lover of all fur-children will climb up out of the black hole of my past and in spite of what I leave there I will be blissful, show love, live love, harbor no anger or hate, and be the pleasantest and easy going joyful  human I can. We only have this one life and this isn’t a dress rehearsal, so live it to the fullest every day. Do a kind deed every day. Love those that love you every day. Don’t allow your past to bully its way back in and wreck devastation and diminish your future happiness. Take a lesson today from your dog, wag your tail, roll in the grass, lick someone you love and forget yesterday because today is a brand new day!

Remember, Only God loves you more than your dog.

Dog Towel

The picture on today’s blog is a towel dog made by our cruise steward, Windsor.  I was thrilled when I saw it on the third day of our cruise sitting so cute on the bed. Being away from my fur children is an honest heartfelt difficulty for me as they are part of my very soul and when apart, I am only a fragment of myself. God has blessed and delighted me with the honest and pure love of dogs and many animals really, but especially dogs.  There is a distinct irreplaceable bond that opens my heart and penetrates deep within my very soul. The relationship with my dogs is very simple and uncomplicated. I give them love, care, and protection and in return they would give their lives to protect me in the name of devotion and love; this is evident when my dog stares directly into my eyes and holds that gaze. It is said dogs come from wolves, and although true, they have been separated and domesticated for hundreds of years that they really have very little in common with their predecessor, the wolf. A wolf will never ever look you in the eye, but your loyal dog will. What does it mean? There are many professionals that  all have their own explanation for this question after many decades of research and science. They can keep their analysis from their experiments and tests, my dog looks into my eyes for one reason only, love; one-hundred percent pure adoring love between us. Dogs have feelings, they have desires, they give a love that can only come from them, they are an amazing gift from God, and every day I am ever so thankful He gave this precious gift to me, for without it, I do not honestly know who I would be inside, for they are the ones that have been my best friends, my protectors, my cry pillows, my laughter, my joy, my life.

So remember, Only God loves you more than your dog.

** Don’t get all upset, I do love (some) people, especially my husband who is my human everything.

Awaiting Playtime!

Well, we finished all seven classes and Marley has graduated from the Good Dog Acadamy. I am very proud of how he did in a large class with strangers, both human and canine. Daddy joined us for all the classes and that made the entire experience family fun!

Today was such a beautiful day, the sun was out and it was pleasantly warm.  If I had been feeling better all four dogs and I would have been outside working and playing. I am looking forward to Wednesday, as they are forecasting 80 degrees here in the South. I need to stay on top of Marley’s training so he can advance into classes for his Therapy Dog accreditation. I want to be able to give back to my community and what better way than visiting the hurt and lonely in the hospitals for terminal care, elderly nursing homes, or children in the cancer wards. Marley will be their ray of sunshine, or at least that is my goal over the next few months.

As for the other three, they are not in need of training so to speak, they all know their commands, what one baby girl needs is to learn a bit of manners and to understand her size is not what she sees in the little twins. Abby is about 80 pounds and still a puppy. She is very rambunctious in her greetings and play, and I need to teach her that she does not need to jump up; she is tall enough while sitting to greet anyone. Somehow also let her know that even if the twins look like small stuffed and fluffy chew toys, they are not.  I may have more of a time with her manners than with Marley getting into the advanced classes for Therapy.

So Wednesday come on in, we are anticipating your arrival and all ready for a day of sunshine, warm breezes, and playtime….oh and snacks of course!

Happy days to all …

Remember, Only God loves you more than your dogs.

Wings of Love

I'll reach for your hand in the cold of winter, Ill reach for your hand in the heat of summer; but if my life can't reach the dawn of spring, I promise, in heaven, I'll reach you with my wings.

Remember, Only God loves you more than your dog.

Today is a throw open the windows, put on your favorite T-shirt and shorts and head outdoors to play with the fur-children. It is so amazing how warm and bright sunshine on my face can make me feel so lively inside. There is a soft breeze blowing across my face and through my hair, almost as if a hand is caressing me.

After about ten minutes the fur-children are all tired out and lay peaceful on the grass as they too feel the caress run over their fur and I really do see them smile.

As they are drinking in the sunshine and taking a break it is now my time to sit in my lounge chair with a cold beverage and do nothing but allow the sunshine to penetrate my heart and bring a smile to my face. Life is not always this simple, but for today it is what God has given to me.

Enjoy every moment God gives you, no matter how small it may seem because everything He gives us is a gift.

Happy Birthday Dad, gone from Earth but never my heart.

Remember, only God loves you more than your dog.

Waiting the Arrival

Well today the sun was high above and the temperature was in the high 60’s. A great day to begin my Spring cleaning, outside that is. The bird houses all need washing out so they can welcome the new families in and allow them a comfort abode for their offspring.

I have had baby birds, in numerous nests, for the last three years while here at the house. They are so downy and adorable and I just love to watch the mom swoop into the nest to warm her eggs or to feed the impatient babies.

There has only been one causality that I am aware of, and it is still very upsetting for me to remember the incident. I know Marley is very sorry for he did not know what he was doing. All four of my fur-children love to sit at the window and watch with amazement as they fly back and forth from the neighboring trees to the birdhouses and to the feeders. While outside, they run enthusiastically towards the feeding flocks and I laugh as the flock vanishes to the tree limbs prior to their arrival. I suppose the fur-children take after me, or am I imitating them, in my love for the birds and their antics and beauty?

Well, to the back yard I go once again, as I have only a third of the flower beds cleaned of the debris of the last fall of the colored leaves. As I am writing the feed is flying from the feeders as the afternoon snack time has arrived.

Remember, only God loves you more than your Dog.

A Woman's Best Friend

If you have (had) a dog who has made you laugh, watches you dance out of step and sing out of tune, brightened your life, snuggled with you, never stands you up, watches any movie you put on while placing his head on your knee, silently accepted your tears without judgment and always has a wet nose to Eskimo kiss you to feel better, forgiven your faults, didn't eat your meatball sandwich from the table when you walked away, sees you naked and doesn't comment, always willing to alert you to danger and will do his best to protect you with his own life, and loves(d) you unconditionally, you know for certain you have a very best friend.
Dogs are gifts many don't deserve, but for those that do...treat your fur- child with the love, affection, and give the time he deserves for all he does for you without ever asking for anything in return.

Always remember only God loves you more than your dog.

Four Paw Quotes

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation. ~Jerome K. Jerome

Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ~Roger Caras

A cat, after being scolded, goes about its business. A dog slinks off into a corner and pretends to be doing a serious self-reappraisal. ~Robert Brault,

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear. ~Dave Barry

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. ~Rita Rudner

The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor. ~Margo Kaufman

Children are for people who can't have dogs. ~Author Unknown

...and remember, only God loves you more than your dog!

My Dog is Forever

A really companionable and indispensable dog is an accident of nature. You can't get it by breeding for it, and you can't buy it with money. It just happens along.

Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

Always remember, only God loves you more than your dog.