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 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.

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"

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.

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.

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.

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!

Life, Love, and Friendship

Life, love, and friendship. Three separate facets all very important on their own. When blended they become a harmonious pleasure of delight and contentment. It is almost as if you can hear the harp and the angels in heaven singing a love song just for you. My wish is that everyone reading this today can feel warmth in their heart, the angel's songs, and abundant affection overflowing and reaching the very soul of the one that makes your life brimming with love and friendship.

Remember to always hug your dogs because only God loves you more.

Perfect Love

I always thought for sure there was no such thing as a perfect love, but now I think differently. A broken heart from a loved one hurts, it stings, and it burns, but it can be repaired with new promises made and old mistakes cast aside. A new future plan laid out for the continued journey and a promise of the two hearts are 100% in agreement that this love affair is what they need, want, and are willing to work at, a perfect love is possible. Nothing is ever the best it can be the first time around, it takes falling down and asking for forgiveness and giving of yourself to make it move past the hard times and into the new beginning. Love is a very difficult emotion, it can make you feel the most unparalleled best you have ever felt in your life or it can make you crawl into the deepest darkest place in your soul. I find that honesty, communication, trust, a giving heart, and forgiveness, can make a relationship sustain for years, but the look in each others eyes, the closeness of a hug, you know the snuggle factor, a soft kiss, holding of hands, a whisper in the ear saying "I love you", and a beautiful smile also make the love grow stronger. There is no one answer for all, but if you can love with an open honest heart, soften your tone when a loved one is hurting, listen to your loved one, and always end your written sentences to to your love with a sign off of “I love you” even if you are a bit upset at that moment then I think you can be pretty sure your love will last forever. Never give up, and always make your loved one feel as if it is the last day you will be together, because some day, it will be.

Remember hug your pups because only God loves you more than your dogs.

Why Does it Hurt So Much?

I am in daily pain so naturally when I am online I seek blogs and articles on pain; a very sad revelation for me was to realize so many people like me are in pain.

Since I was told of my RA I have asked God and anyone listening, why does it hurt so much? It is not only a physical pain it transfers over into every aspect of my daily life. I have not received an answer to my question on why it hurts so much, and to be honest, I don’t expect one, sad to say I do find comfort from the knowledge that I am not alone in my battle. People grieve over a lost loved one or friend, but people also, like me, grieve over the loss of good heath.

So I, as many others do every day across the world muse, why does life have to hurt so much? Children our the innocence in our lives and their little brains are always asking questions like, where does rain come from, why do dogs bark, how did they build such a tall building, or where do babies come from? The children grow and go to school and are taught the answers to all these questions and given answers to questions they had not even asked yet. But there is one question to which we never get an answer, why does suffering exists?

I have learned from all my reading that we must all find some part of this answer ourselves, from within. As we live our lives we continue to seek the knowledge to advance forward, reach upwards, and never stop looking for an answer…for if we do, our very souls establish we are forever destined to suffer and become locked into a dark dangerous place where there is no light or hope.

In order for me to feel comfort and to find an inner peace to my pain and suffering, I seek out unconditional love for it is the everlasting hope within me that pushes me onward. I find comfort in my family and loved ones, but it doesn’t measure up to the love I receive from my dogs, every day, every hour, every second, they are there for me with wet sloppy kisses and are willing snuggle babies that can outdo a box of tissues any day for tears and fears. They are such simple creatures, and yet they bring this unequaled reassurance and calm to my life.

We all search for answers and clarifications on how to make it through the rest of our lives when we are faced with grim and radical changes in our bodies. It affects not just us but our loved ones as well. It also engulfs with it our finances, our daily activities, our four legged children, and our friends. Our desires and dreams and all the plans laid out for our life into old age and retirement; taken away with the pain that came washing ashore and went out to sea again taking with it our life expectations and so much more.

So I try to accept as many wet kisses as I can get, try to smile though the pain, and laugh at the amount of pills I must swallow each and every day. Life may not be fair, and it may be full of pain, but I am still here, breathing and alive, able to still ask the question, why does life hurt so much?

I consider myself blessed and thank God everyday I am granted a new sunrise and a new wet sloppy kiss.

A New day

The sun rose today to a glorious spectacle and so did I. You see, we cannot be assured that each day we will awake and be who we are to those that expect us to be, well, who we are to them. Many of my inner circle know that I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis over two years ago. This is not JUST any arthritis as many think when they hear that word. It is forever, The cause of RA is unknown. It is considered an autoimmune disease. The body's immune system normally fights off foreign substances, like viruses. But in an autoimmune disease, the immune system confuses healthy tissue for foreign substances. As a result, the body attacks itself. I have to endure many drugs a day including a chemo drug once a week in a high dose as well as IV once a month called a Biologic drug. These are designed to affect parts of the immune system that play a role in the disease process of rheumatoid arthritis. There is no cure, just medications to help you through the pain, well supposed to help anyhow.

Well, along with this, I seem to have also been losing my memory; is it related, my doctor said it is due to all the medication I am on each day, but my fear is my remembering my grandfather died from Alzheimer’s. So, do I worry about that or the incurable RA…how about neither from this day on. I accidentally took eight Zanax pills Friday night instead of my chemo pills. I knew as soon as I placed them in my mouth as I know the taste of Xanax and the chemo pills have no taste, eight plus my sleeping pill and my muscle relaxer. I told hubby to call poison control and I tired to throw up. My mind was spinning thinking of so many different things all at once.

As it turns out poison control said I would be okay but would sleep a little bit; I slept for 24 hours. But I learned something very important during this “crisis”. I learned that some people I thought I needed in my life I really didn’t. I realized if I had died I had no regrets except for the fact I could not spent more time with my husband who I love more than my own life, I realized I need to concentrate more on some things and less on others. I realized any day can be your last and to not ever take even one day for granted.

I don’t live an exciting life, but I do have a few people that love me and I them. I realized I spend more time with my four dogs than I do my husband, and yet I don’t think I would change a thing right now. God gave me this life almost 47 years ago, and I once (more than once) I asked him to take me home with him as I had had enough, but He didn’t, and I am so glad He kept me here. I may not solve a world crisis, I may create the cure for cancer or even RA, but I did learn Friday night that even if just one person loves you, I mean really loves you, than you are blessed. I have that one person, my husband, and a few more as well so I am very blessed. Never take your life for granted, never take the ones that you love for granted, and always always hug your dogs, they are after all a present from God, and God has blessed with over and over again. Have a great Sunday everyone, and may I soon talk to you again when the sun rises on our newest day. Happy Tail wagging.

Love

When I was a child I used to love to go to the mall with my best friend and just sit and people watch. Granted, I was not always nice in my thoughts and comments in regard to all the people I saw. The words I spoke were not meant to bring harm to the people, it was merely a way for me to take the ugliness I felt about myself and place it somewhere else, if even for just a couple hours.

I was not a loved child, I had an abusive parent, I was fat, I did not like who I was at all. But as I grew up I learned I was who God made me to be and I had better start liking me or my life would be lived in sadness. It was not an easy task, liking myself, my birth mother was constantly telling me what a loser I was, how ugly I was, and that I would amount to nothing at all in my pitiful existence.

I proved her wrong many times over and I still am today. What I have been thinking most about these last few days, is why is she still slandering my name to all she meets and talks to? Why does she get so much delight from being hateful and character assassination? How did I, a kind hearted and loving person ever come from the womb of a evil soul that only wishes to wreck havoc on her on blood for shear pleasure?

Well, to that question I will never have an answer, but I did answer a question about me and my life. I am who God made me to be. I have found my soul mate and married him, I love animals and they love me back 100%, I love to cook and experiment with food, I love hosting children from other countries and having them grow and mature with the guidance of my nurturing and kindness. I love to clean my home and make it a place to snuggle down and find tranquility and love no matter what room you enter. I seek other’s approval, and yet, I don’t need it to feel good about who and what I am.

I matured without a mother’s affection and support and yet I have become a woman whose heart is bigger than the moon, loves those that love me back, and know that I was born from wickedness. But by the grace of God, I have eradicated every last drop of blood within me that contained abhorrence. My life was never perfect, is still not perfect, but I know I am as close to perfect as I can be. I have learned if you cannot share love, create love, or teach love, you will never experience love, and without love, there is nothing but a hollow existence. Start today by loving who you are as a person for you cannot give love away to others if you don't first have love inside you to share.

The Simple Life

God has altered my life in many ways in the last two years. I have had setbacks in my health and yet my heart is overflowing. My health is not as great as it once was, but it could be much much worse, so I am grateful everyday I wake up and can stand and use my hands. I am blessed with inner strength to compel me to keep seeking and giving kindness, searching for those in need of my help, to introduce myself to new and challenging opportunities, to constantly grow in my belief and for the many blessing of love in my life. I have reunited with family members and I have asked others to stay away. I have made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and yes maybe have lost a few as well. I am blessed with a husband that adores me and blessed with all the four-legged children God had adopt me.

My personality has changed as well, I am still very crazy, but mature when needed. I love to laugh and have fun, but know when to be solemn. I try my best to do a good deed everyday, and yet sometimes they bite me in the butt. I am a child of God just doing the best she can to stay focused on the blessings I have and not ask for things I do not need. God has sent to me another daughter, this time from Brazil. Ana Paula is beautiful, caring, smart and sweet as summer corn. A blessing that I did not ask for but God gave to me knowing I needed her and she needs us.

I used to be all about the amount of materials things and how many more could I own. Now, I wear a plastic paw print bracelet in place of the diamond one. I carry a purse that was made by a group that supports and feed homeless dogs in place of the Gucci. Brand names have been replaced with comfortable and affordable. All these material things are pretty, but so is a child’s smile, a puppy taking a nap, or walking barefoot in the sand.

What is in my heart is what is most important not what I wear on my body. I am a softer person now inside, unlike before when I was full of so much hate and anger. I look for the simple pleasures God gave to all of us for my appreciation and to heighten my spirit; a sprouting new flower, a breathtaking sunrise, the picturesque full moon, the dogs all playing and running, the spider spinning her web, the puffy white clouds obscuring the bright blue sky, the vigorous sound of thunder and the rhythm of the rain. A mother bird bring her open mouthed young provisions for breakfast, and the stars I look up to each night as I thank God for my life, the beauty He gave me, the love He gave me, and the know how for doing things to help myself and the attitude to get it done.

So today, as I celebrate the season of Lent, I again thank God for me, simple old me, for who I am, for what I have, and for the love in my heart that overflows each day.

Random thoughts

God closed a door on me

But opened a new window

I walk on up closer

And view through the pane

Of the glass upon my face.

I must not even think to complain

For He gave me this new view,

To look and see what I can see

And change that for which I can

I see so much before me

And the things that I must do

Come with me said my guide,

And keep an open heart and mind

 

To all my friends that need a helping hand and for all the love I have received from my human and animal friends God has bestowed upon me, the door never closes without another opening.

Thank You!

I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers God heard them all! I just got a call from the doctor and I am CANCER FREE!!!!!!! I have tears of joy right now…all I can say is Thank You God.