Comments & New Theme

 

COMMENTS:

I have been receiving a ton of spam.  I messed around with my options for discussion and really didn’t change much, but now all of you guys: my buddies, are going to spam.  I have now changed my moderation to: Comment Author must have a previously approved comment.  I am not sure if this counts comments already on here or if this starts from here on out.  I apologize for any delays and/or inconveniences in advance! 

I LOVE MY BLOGOSPHERE!

NEW THEME:

I have always love this four column theme and the picture. It is called Fjords by Peterandrej.  When I would play around with this layout, it just didn’t seem to work for me.  I am going to try it out for a bit!  Sometimes change isn’t good for me.  I hope folkie is ok with this. *wink* She is the only blog buddy that is using this theme.

Old Theme: Digg 3 Column

New Theme: Fjords

I would appreciate any input/comments on this, please.  Let me know which theme/layout you like better for MY blog.

Search Engine Terms

      

       

OK~usually people are searching for poems/email forwards that I have on my site, dog information, or anything that pertains to a mercedes.  Today, someone used the following term to get to my site:

Pictures of people drinking & eating pee

How crazy is that?  And who would want to see that? Pretty crazy…and sick. ROFL~as you can see, I talk to myself and even answer myself!

If a Dog Were Your Teacher

             

 

If a Dog were your Teacher
You would learn stuff like…..

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

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

• When it’s in your best interest-practice obedience.

• Take naps and stretch before rising.

• Thrive on attention and let others touch you.

• Run, romp, and play daily.

• Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

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

• On hot days, lay down and rest.

• No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout… run right back and make friends.

• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

• Be loyal.

• Never pretend to be something you’re not.

• When someone is having a bad day just jump in their arms and bring a happy smile.

This is an email forward.  It has pictures too~but not for every item.  This is so true.  I need to read this daily. How about you?

Great Dog Sites

  

For all of you dog lovers out there~here is a great site: Dogs Naturally!

I really like the author of this site, Dianne Schuller.  If you leave a comment on her blog, she responds in a timely matter.  She has also emailed me personally to discuss issues I am going through with Patch, my dalmatian.  I really appreciate the advice that she has given me.  I like this site so much that I wanted to make sure everyone here knows about it.  I hope you enjoy!

Here is another great place, dogstuff.com! I recently shopped here for various dalmatian items and received my purchase in a timely matter with no difficulties.  They have so much for so many breeds of dogs.  Check it out for yourself!

I Can Poop, But…

 

Hey All! Thank you for your concern about Patch in “I Can’t Poop!” Here is an update:

I called the Doc and talked to his wife.  She said to put grease on his food: bacon, vegetable oil…She told me that Doc was going into surgery (HE is having surgery) in a bit: two hernias~probably from lifting animals.  She said if he had time (he was leaving in 30 minutes) he would call back. 

Another Vet there called me later that afternoon.  I asked her the question that had been on my mind:  Why hasn’t Doc told me to pursue other treatments?  Is it because of the stage of the disease, Patch’s age, the cost???  I like to try to analyze things all the time.  She explained that I could pursue further treatments~but there isn’t a cure~and treatments can be costly and have side effects too (she did go into detail).  She also asked me what type of lymphoma is it-B-Cell, T-cell?  I don’t know?  I told her when she found out, to let me know. I really love Doc and trust him, but do I need to see another Vet right now?  I really would like to just sit and talk to another Vet-talk and ask and ask and talk…Anyone? Anyone?

Ok~so I get home and put vegetable oil on Patch’s food.  This helps tremendously! Patch CAN POOP NOW!  BUT, when he gets in “pee” position (he squats now) and he isn’t peeing (when he does pee-he floods-side effect of the meds I think) blood is coming out-not in a stream either.  The blood is thick-phlegm-like.  GREAT!  What do I do now?  Patch has had urinary infections before where he had blood in his urine-do I need an antibiotic or is this disease related?

I have met another friend, Patty, via wvcobere’s blog (my friend that lost her precious Bill two weeks ago) that is going through the same thing.  She has told me about the meds her dog is on.  He is on Prednisolone, Tramadol, Amoxicillin, and Theophylline. At first I thought Patty misspelled prednisone~prednisolone.  NOPE~that’s right.  So I begin to research prednisolone-researching now.  I just came across an article about the side effects of prednisone (the drug Patch is on) and read this:

Prednisone must be converted to prednisolone in the liver. Animals in hepatic failure should receive prednisolone rather than prednisone.  GREAT!  Doc had said at the last visit that Patch’s liver and spleen are enlarged.  I don’t know what this means-if Patch has liver problems or what. Should he be on prednisolone instead?

OK! I am one to talk about too many things at once, talk to myself and answer back, and always asking questions out loud.  I hope I haven’t thoroughly confused everyone now.  Especially with the prednisone and prednisolone-I know I am REALLY confused-aaaaahhhhhh-lol.

Bottom Line: Patch is doing better~pooping now.  Friday night and last night were much more peaceful-sleeping now-both of us.  Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Do you have any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions for me?

Dog Peeves About Humans

   

1.  Blaming your farts on me…not funny…not funny at all!!!

 

2.  Yelling at me for barking. I AM A FRIGGIN’ DOG! 

 

3.  Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

 

4.  Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose. Stop it!

 

5.  Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons.  Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you are not at home.

 

6.  The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog!  Whooo Hooooo whart a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

 

7.  Taking me to the vet for “the big snip”, then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

 

8.  Getting upset when I sniff the crothces of guests. Sorry, but I haven’t quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

 

9. Dog sweaters. Hello??? Haven’t you noticed the fur?

 

10.  How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth. You’re just jealous.

 

Now lay off me on some of these things. We both know who’s boss here! You don’t see me picking up your poop, do you?

EVERY DOG HAS IT’S DAY! A DOG ALWAYS OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. CATS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT!

Missy the Cat: Is this true?

I Can’t Poop!

 

Patch is having a hard time tonight. 

If you don’t know about Patch and his sickness, you can click on the links to read previous posts to catch you up on the story.

I have been meaning to call the Doc to discuss treatment options for lymphoma-should I pursue cancer treatments-yada yada.  Then, as most of you know, Patch started doing so much better (Miracle Patch).

 Anywho~Patch is having a hard time tonight.  I believe he is constipated.  He paces around and wants to go outside.  When we go outside, he squats (hasn’t hiked in awhile) to pee and nothing happens.  Then he squats to poop (since he has been sick, he poops and walks at the same time) and stays in one place, like he used to do-but nothing happens. 

Fifteen minutes later we go through the whole process again…and again…and again…I took him out about 30 minutes ago and he threw up all over the driveway. Thank goodness he made it outside.  He also did the no pee/no poop move.  We went out about 15 minutes ago and he repeated the no pee/poop move. 

Patch is laying down now and seems to feel better-hopefully.  I WILL definitely be calling Doc in the a.m. to discuss what I have wanted to discuss all along, to inform him of his progress, and of course, tell him about tonight.  I so hope he is better in the a.m.~I don’t want to take him to the Doc again-he so hates it now.

Again, I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers! Please keep them coming. 

p.s.  I apologize for not being here as often.  School’s back in session: report cards, testing, meetings…Also have been visiting various relatives that have had various health issues going on.

 

A Blonde’s Year in Review

 

January
Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.

February
Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels…..
Helllloooo!!!…….bottles won’t fit in printer !!!

March
Got really excited…..finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months….. box said ’2-4 years!’

April
Trapped on escalator for hours …. power went out!!!

May
Tried to make Kool-Aid…..wrong instructions….8 cups of
water won’t fit into those little packets!!!

June
Tried to go water skiing…….couldn’t find a lake with a slope. 

July
Lost breast stroke swimming competition…..learned later,
the other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!!

August
Got locked out of my car in rain storm….. car swamped because soft-top was open.

September
The capital of California is ‘C’…..isn’t it? ??

October
Hate M &M’s…..they are so hard to peel.

November
Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days .. instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!!

December
Couldn’t call 911 . ‘duh’…..there’s no ‘eleven’ button on the stupid phone!!!

Where to Live

      

You can live in Phoenix , Arizona where…..

1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
2. You’ve experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that “dry heat” is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
6. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

You can Live in California where…   

1. You make over $250,000 and you still can’t afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. You drive your rented Mercedes to your neighborhood block party.
5. When someone asks you how far something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there rather than how many miles away it is.
6. The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud, and Drought

              
You can Live in New York City where…

1. You say “the city” and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan .
2. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Columbus Circle to Battery Park, but can’t find Wisconsin on a map.
3. You think Central Park is “nature,”
4. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual.
5. You’ve worn out a car horn.
6. You think eye contact is an act of aggression.

                  
You can Live in Michigan where…

1. You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup, and Tabasco .
2. Halloween costumes fit over parkas.
3. You have more than one recipe for deer.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction.

              
You can Live in the Deep South where…

1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. “y’all” is singular and “all y’all” is plural.
3. “He needed killin’” is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, MARY BETH, etc.

                          
You can live in Colorado where…

1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
2. You tell your husband to pick up Granola on his way home and he stops at the day care center.
3. A pass does not involve a football or dating.
4.The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.

AND You can live in Florida where…

1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind — even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
4. Road construction never ends anywhere in the state.
5. Cars in front of you are often driven by headless people, and have their turn signals on (for miles).

Where do you live?  Where would you like to live?

Letter of Thanks

       

 

Dear All,
 
My thanks to all those who have sent me emails this past year……..
 
I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about cockroach eggs in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing.
 
Also, I now have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason. 

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown), who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.
 
I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.
 
Or from the senior bank clerk in Nigeria who wants to split $7 million with me for pretending to be a long lost relative of a customer who died. 
 
I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa’s novena has granted my every wish.
 
I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.
 
Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
 
Because of your kind concern, I no longer drink Coca-Cola because it can remove toilet stains.
 
I no longer can buy gas without taking a man along to watch the car so a serial killer won’t crawl in my back seat when I’m filling up.
 
I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.
 
I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan.
 
Thanks to you, I can’t use anyone’s toilet but my own because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my ass.
 
And thanks to your great advice, I can’t even pick up the $5.00 I found dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.
 
If you don’t send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00pm this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor’s ex-mother-in-law’s second husband’s cousin’s beautician.
 
By the way….a South American scientist, after a lengthy study, has  discovered that people with low IQ’s and who have infrequent sexual activity always  read their e-mails with their hand on the mouse. Don’t bother taking it off now, it’s too late.

New Drugs on the Market

   

    

St. Mom’s Wort – Plant extract that treats mom’s depression by rendering preschoolers unconscious for up to six hours.

Empty Nestrogen – Highly effective suppository that eliminates melancholy by enhancing the memory of how awful they were as teenagers and how you couldn’t wait til they moved out.

Flipitor – Increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off other drivers.

Antiboyotics – When administered to teenage girls, is highly effective in improving grades, freeing up phone lines, and reducing money spent on make-up.

Buyagra – Injectable stimulant taken prior to shopping. Increases potency and duration of spending spree.

Extra Strength Buy-one-all – When combined with Buyagra, can cause an indiscriminate buying frenzy so severe the victim may even come home with a really bad club music CD or a book by that awful television doctor.

Jack Asspirin – Relieves the headache caused by a man who can’t remember your birthday, anniversary or phone number.

Anti-talksident – A spray carried in a purse or wallet to be used on anyone too eager to share their life stories with total strangers.

Ragamet – When administered to a husband, provides the same irritation as ragging on him all weekend, saving the wife the time and trouble of doing it herself.

My First Award

 

    I have just received this award from my fellow dog blog buddy, Rusty, at Chasing Squirrels With Rusty.  I am so touched!  This is my first blog award and I am so honored to be accepting this from such a wonderful dog…and his Mom~I’m sure she had a little something to do with it! 

Rusty received this award from Ginger, Sparky, and Crikit at Barking Loud. I just visited over there and it is great~I can’t wait to explore more!

I would like to pass this award on to several of my Blog Buddies and I hope each and every one of you know that I appreciate having you in my Blogging World. 

I hope that you will accept this award and feel free to pass it on.  If you do accept this award~please remember to link back to Colin as the original point of reference for this award. 

I would like to present this award to the following Blog Buddies:

Accountability: For being so dedicated to WoYoPracMo!

Krysti: For being such a wonderful person at everything you do! For battling the fight against breast cancer with your mother!

The Canvas Grey: For your knowledge and research on Autism!

Eve: For your friendship during our fight against lymphoma~In honor of Bill!

Free: For starting a blog and informing us on CFS and Fibromyalgia!

Shades of Pink: For your knowledge and info about Mary Kay!  For participating in the Breast Cancer 3 Day 2008!

Angie: For always stopping by! For your knowledge and input on politics!

    

The Pastor’s Ass

                     

The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.
The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he
entered it in the race again, and it won again.

The local paper read:
PASTOR’S ASS OUT FRONT

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of
publicity that he ordered the pastor not to
enter the donkey in another race.

The next day, the local paper headline read:
BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR’S ASS

This was too much for the bishop,
so he ordered the pastor to get rid of the donkey.
The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent.

The local paper, hearing of the news,
posted the following headline the next day:
NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN

The bishop fainted.
He informed the nun that she would have to get
rid of the donkey, so she sold it to a farmer for $10.

The next day the paper read:
NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10

This was too much for the bishop,
so he ordered the nun to buy back the donkey and
lead it to the plains where it could run wild.

The next day the headlines read:
NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE

The bishop was buried the next day.

The moral of the story is:
Being concerned about public opinion can bring
you much grief and misery and even shorten your life.
Stop worrying about everyone else’s ass and
you will be a lot happier and live longer!

 

Miracle Patch

   

Just wanted to update everyone on Patch.  For those of you that don’t know about Patch~he is my 11 year old dalmatian.  Patch got sick about seven weeks ago.  He was diagnosed with lymphoma on January 3, 2008. You can catch up on the history behind this story by clicking those links to his previous stories.

Sickness: So~after Patch’s diagnosis I became an emotional wreck.  Last week Patch has been improving tremendously! When he sneezes there isn’t ANY blood! His sores are healing up quite nicely.  He doesn’t lick his sores or the incision anymore.  His incision has completely healed up~just waiting for the hair to grow back.  He jumps on his bed and sleeps.  He has been jumping on our bed~when Jedd is there.  He still doesn’t sleep on our bed during the day like he used to.

Car Rides:  In the last six weeks, Patch has been to the Doc five times.  This is the only time he has been in the car for car rides.  His car and his daily/sometimes two or three times daily car rides are his favorite thing to do. He seems to have a hard time getting in the car.  We are also worried that he is now associating the car with the Doc~not a good thing. Yesterday, he got in the car without any help (treats). Hopefully he will get in the car this morning to do his normal Sunday morning routine: Go with Jedd to open up the store.

Bath Place: After Patch got into the car I took him to Bath (he wasn’t in need of a bath) because I thought that Miss Bath Lady might want to see him and I thought Patch might want to see his buddies.  When we got there, Patch hesitated about going in…he was trying to decide is this a good place or the Doc’s place?  He decided on the first and went in.  Miss Bath Lady met us and I explained everything that Patch has been going through. Then she took Patch to the back~well for some reason he wouldn’t go to the back so I went with them and when we got behind the door he seemed fine.  It was amazing to see him with cats coming up to him.  He didn’t bother them at all~they were all buddies…whew!  Anywho, I told Miss Bath Lady to call me if things didn’t work out.  Jedd went to pick Patch up after he got off of work and brought him home.  Patch didn’t get a bath~Miss Bath Lady said she couldn’t get him in the tub and she was afraid she was hurting him-he had yelped some.  I felt horrible for putting him through that but after much love and attention Patch forgave me.  I still think it was a good thing because he went for a ride and the ride didn’t end up at Doc’s.

Babies: Patch loves his babies~dog toys.  He isn’t into the plastic/rubber ones but the fleece stuffed animal type.  He hasn’t acknowledged his babies for the last seven weeks.  We assumed that it was because he hasn’t felt good and it might be harder for him to breath with something in his mouth.  Last night I got a baby and squeaked it and Patch took it from me.  He began squeaking it and slinging it around.  This brought joyous tears to my eyes.  He also began running around with his baby and I blocked any furniture for fear of him hitting his head…he is still wobbly/dizzy probably from his medications.

I have more pictures but they are huge and I have to figure out how to downsize them. I want to thank everyone that has been with us through this ordeal. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, kind words, and well wishes.  Please continue to pray for Patch as we journey through this ordeal.  Lymphoma is not a curable disease…we have just been blessed with the medications/prayers/miracles to prolong his life.

Katie Holmes

I read magazines all of the time.  Jedd owns a convenience store and the magazines he doesn’t sale he gets to keep/trash after he cuts out the UPC code and returns it for a refund.  Our library (bathroom) consists of People magazines-TMI, I know-LOL.  Anywho, the following is a letter I read in the MailBag section of People magazine~the December 10, 2007 issue.

MailBag:

I ran the New York City Marathon and finished in a time of 2:36:32. Like many others that day, I earned it the hard way, logging over 100 miles a week for months.  And unlike Katie Holmes, I work full-time.  Running a 5 and 1/2 hour marathon is not impressive, indicates a lack of preparation and is fundamentally disrespectful to the marathon.  If you want to know what impressive looks and sounds like, talk to Paula Radcliffe, who had a baby this year and won the same race in 2:23 and change.

Rory Gilgillan via e-mail

I too heard all about Katie Holmes running a marathon in 5 and 1/2 hours and was seen out afterward in high heels.  Wooptidoo!  My brother and sister-in-law both ran their first marathon last year and their times were much more impressive! They also work full-time jobs~attorneys!

My sister-in-law ran her first marathon last year (the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego ) and her time was under 4 hours.  She kicked KH’s butt! My brother also ran his first marathon last year (Dallas White Rock Marathon) and his time was 3:13.  He almost qualified for the Boston Marathon~just shy of 3 minutes. Katie Holmes~eat their dust!

Sooooo~How does this make YOU feel?

Drug Tests for Welfare/Disability Benefits

    

This is so true and should be required for ones (at least some) that receive welfare and/or disability checks.

I DO HAVE TO PASS A URINE TEST FOR MY JOB….. BUT I AGREE 100%Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me.
I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.
In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test.
Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their ASS, drinking and/or doing drugs, while I work. 
Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check ?

This is an email forward. I used to work at a liquor store.  On the 1st and 3rd of every month, many people that received welfare and/or disability checks would come in to cash their checks.  Many of these people didn’t seem disabled to me at all.  Then I found out that some get a disability check for being an alcoholic.  WOW~and they would come into a liquor store to cash their check AND purchase liquor-alcohol.  Some of the people were cashing their welfare checks (usually meaning they didn’t have a job).  These same people would come in and cash checks written directly to them for WORK they had done…Working without the IRS knowing~getting paid “cash”…benefiting them and their “employers”.  How convenient.  I believe these people should pass random urine drug tests and if the government really wanted to catch some at fraud~hire an employee to sit at any liquor store that cashes checks on the 1st and 3rd of any month. 

What are your thoughts?

An Interview With an 80 Year Old Woman

     

 

Email Forward~This is too funny!

The local news station was interviewing an 80-year-old lady because she
had just gotten married — for the fourth time.The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt
like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband’s
occupation.“He’s a funeral director,” she answered.“Interesting, ” the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn’t
mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they
did for a living.She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those
years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered
proudly, explaining that she’d first married a banker when she was in
her early 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, later on a
preacher when in her 60s, and now in her 80s, a funeral director.The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had
married four men with such diverse careers.She smiled and explained, “I married one for the money, two for the
show, three to get ready, and four to go.”

 

Saying Goodbye to a Good Friend

                     

Doodlebug wrote this~this is a post from my friend Doodlebug

Doodles was getting old, and we knew that.  The first weekend in November when we went to Lake Texoma to visit family, we left him with the vet for his first official full-screen geriatric checkup.  Blood work came back normal for a dog almost thirteen years old.  His knee is still bothering him occasionally, but it’s not getting worse.  Just make sure he’s not jumping up on things too often.  Teeth are still looking decent after the last plaque removal session, and probably won’t need to another cleaning until next summer.  Eyes are a little cloudy, which means he doesn’t see as well as he used to, so don’t move the furniture too much.   Other than that, you should be able to enjoy him for a few more years yet.

And the next Friday morning, I found a mess on the couch.  One of those yucky messes.  The kind that you know you shouldn’t yell at the dog for making because it’s an indicator that he’s sick.  And of course, I’m running late to get out the door.  Come on, Doodles, go outside.  You know the routine.  At least pretend to pee before I pour your breakfast.  I have to practically drag him outside.  So, about ten minutes pass while I’m finishing getting myself and daughter ready, and I haven’t heard him scratch at the door yet.

He’s just lying in the corner of the yard, breathing kind of funny.  Hubby comes out to try to call him back in.  My sweet daughter in her toddler voice calls from the door, “Doo-doo!  Doo-doo!”  He’s just sitting there, non-responsive.  In the pit of my stomach, I know that today is the day.  I don’t want it to be today, but my heart is telling me that it is.  I can’t call in to work because I have a few projects that are due today.  So, we leave Doodles outside with his food and water.  Something we’ve never done.

I am very distracted all day at work.  I can’t stop thinking about him.  So I call the vet and arrange to take him in at noon.  I have to go back to work, so the nurse promises to have the doctor call me later in the afternoon when he’s checked him.

I am an emotional wreck.  I’m in the middle of a meeting with my boss, and the vet calls me on my cell phone.  He can’t make a determination based on blood work, but Doodles is definitely lethargic, non-responsive, and his abdomen is sensitive.  Bless her heart, my boss tells me to go be with Doodles.  I think she can tell by my phone conversation that I probably need to be with my baby.

So by the time I get to the vet, the doctor has looked at Doodles’ x-rays.  They have found a large blood-filled tumor in his abdomen.  Surgery is risky and expensive.  Anesthesia is risky for a dog his age.  I don’t want to say goodbye, but I know it’s the right thing to do.  He’s not even responding when we call his name.  He’s only smiling when he knows that I’m touching him, but his smile is short-lived.  I tell the doctor my decision, and he tells me that he personally thinks that I’m making the right decision.

The last moments with Doodles were spent with some tears.  My husband and daughter were there, but my daughter didn’t quite understand what was happening.  My mother was there.  Doodles was her dog first.  I felt it was only right that she got to hold him one last time before he was gone.  Two shots, explains the doctor.  The first will be a tranquilizer, and he will relax.  The second will be the final, and it will be only a matter of moments.  Do you want more time?  No.  He’s had a good life, and we’ve had a lot of time with him already this afternoon.  I don’t want to say goodbye, but I don’t want to prolong his suffering. 

We chose to have him cremated, and I’ll split the ashes between my brothers, my mother, and myself so that we can each say goodbye in our own way.  Doodles was more than a dog.  He was part of the family.  For my brothers and me, we had known Doodles for almost half our lives.  We have lots of good memories.  And it’s the good memories we cling to.  We miss you Doodles.  Thank you for being a good friend.

Why We Love Kids

      

 

 

Life’s Lessons

      

   

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement, starting with your first  paycheck. 

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don’t worry, God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity par ties. Get busy living or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything, if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, but the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.  Stay in touch.  

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.  

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.  

41. Don’t audit life. Show up for class and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters, in the end, is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Do you have any more Life’s Lessons?

GO SEC!

    

   

Ok~Whose it gonna be guys?  

  OR

 

The SEC record in the Bowl Series is 6-2 and the Big 10 record in the Bowl Series is 3-4.  I’m sure you know who I am rooting for~SEC!  Since my favorite, Tennessee Vols, couldn’t make it…I gotta root for LSU Tigers.  Go Tigers! 

Who are you cheering for?

The Rainbow Bridge

                                   

     THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

   

Just this side of heaven is a place called

Rainbow Bridge

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown

A Faithful Dog

       

    

A FAITHFUL DOG

ANONYMOUS

 

A Faithful Dog Will Play With You

And Laugh With You -Or Cry-

He’ll Gladly Starve To Stay With You

Nor Ever Reason Why,

And When You’re Feeling Out Of Sorts

Somehow He’ll Understand

He’ll Watch You With His Shining Eyes

And Try To Lick Your Hand.

His Blind, Implicit Faith In You

Is Matched By His Great Love –

The Kind That All Of Us Should Have

In The Master, Up Above.

When Everything Is Said And Done

I Guess This Isn’t Odd

For When You Spell “Dog” Backwards

You Get The Name Of God.

This poem is dedicated to ALL dog lovers!

   

I’ll Wait For You

    

“I’LL WAIT FOR YOU”

I got to the gate of heaven today,

after we said goodbye

I began to miss you terribly,

because I heard you cry.

Suddenly there was an angel,

and she asked me to enter heaven’s gate

I asked her if I could stay outside

for someone who would be late

I wouldn’t make much noise you see,

I wouldn’t bark or howl

I’ll only wait here patiently

and play with my tennis ball

The angel said I could stay right here

and wait for you to come

Because heaven just wouldn’t be heaven

if I went in alone

So I’ll wait right here,

you take your time, but keep

me in your heart

Because heaven just wouldn’t be heaven

without you to warm my heart.

 Author Unknown

This poem is dedicated to those who have lost a pet or are going through losing a pet.

      

The Last Battle

     

The Last Battle

   

 If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this — the last battle — can’t be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don’t let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn’t want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they’ll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don’t grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We’ve been so close — we two — these years,

Don’t let your heart hold any tears.

 

– Unknown

This poem is dedicated to those that have had to go through or are going through the loss of a pet.