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.

Nibbles

Just a short update on the baby Abby. She has taken to biting to say hello…she is adorable with her howl and that she moves in for a nibble. Does not matter to her where the nibble is taken from, just along as she gets a few in. Soooo, needless to say this has to end. I have been nibbled on in a few places that hurt more than others if you know what I mean. I will keep you posted on how this goes.

The other characteristic I have noticed of late is she is nocturnal. I get woken up about three times during the night because she is throwing her knotted rope against the walls, or chewing on the throw rug in the bathroom, or just running around and up and down the stairs just for fun. Again, as amusing as this is, it does disrupt my much needed beauty rest.

But all in all, she has become a faithful companion to her “daddy” and she is a joy to have in the home. The three boys have all finally taken to her and have all become one happy family, now if this family could just get some well needed sleep and a few less nibbles on the nipples!

Wet smooches from the pooches!

Before I was a Dog Mom:

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
I had unstained, unfired clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about
How late I got to bed
or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I cleaned my house every day.
I never tripped over toys,
Stuffies, chewies
Or invited the neighbor's
Dog over to play.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I didn't worry if my plants,
cleansers, plastic bags,
Toilet paper, soap or deodorant
Were poisonious or dangerous.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never had been peed on
Pooped on
Drooled on
Chewed on
Or pinched by puppy teeth.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had complete control of
My thoughts,
My body and mind.
I slept all night without
Sharing the covers
Or pillow.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never looked into big,
Soulful eyes and cried.
I never flet my heart break
Into a million pieces
When I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew something so
Furry and four-legged
Could affect my heart so deeply.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never held a sleeping
Puppy just because I
Couldn't put it down.
I had never gotten up in the
Middle of the night
Every 10 minutes to make
Sure all was well.
I didn't know how warm it
Feels inside to feed
A hungry puppy.
I didn't know that something
So small could make
Me feel so important.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never known the warmth,
The joy,
The love,
The heartache, The wonderment
Or the satisfaction of being
A Dog Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!
- Unknown

My Otis

I have been watching my oldest dog Otis over the last few weeks more closely, and he has become more of a mama’s boy then ever. I think it is the fact that after Sandy died a year ago October, whom was here before him, he had his time to grieve as I did, and then time alone with mommy and then Marley came. It was about 6 months after Marley arrived that Marley’s brother arrived, all shy and looking so pitiful and lonely. So yes, Marley was a new pup that I held on my chest every night and snuggled with, Brock took some time to come around to me but if I had not spent some time alone with him he may still be shy, so poor Otis whom I love to death is feeling a bit left out.

He is so gentle and funny and the most devoted dog I have been adopted by. When we are outside he is either doing his business or right at my side. At times he will go and get his ball to play and we stay out for sometime just throwing the ball and I watching as he runs the yard playing keep away.

When it is time to go in I will call them all and say, “Inside.” The other two will run like the wind or as if there is a big juicy steak inside waiting for them, but Otis, no way, he stands beside me until I take my first step towards the door and then he will begin his decent inside. If I stop, even just get two steps behind him, he stops as well and looks back to see what happened to me.

What a comfort to know that when life gets me down and I have a bad day, my Otis is right there to lick my face, give me a shake, and kiss my cheek as if to say, “it’s okay mommy, you are home now with me and I love you, so please smile for me.” How could I not when he is staring at me with his big brown eyes and goofy grin.