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<title>Jamaica Junction</title>
<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction</link>
<description>Dogster diary for the dog Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2013 by Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl &amp; Dogster</copyright>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:31:30 PDT</pubDate>
<generator>Dogster Pet-o-matic Gennie - http://www.dogster.com</generator>
<ttl>360</ttl>

	<item>
		<title>Boy and Dog Each Get Second Chance at Life - Together</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/825202</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:44:14 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/825202</guid>
		<description>By Caroline Golon @ halopets.com

In a heartwarming twist of fate, a boy recovering from a heart t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Caroline Golon @ halopets.com

In a heartwarming twist of fate, a boy recovering from a heart transplant and a dog with an uncertain future are beginning new lives – together.

Angela McGhee, president of S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition in Houston, Texas, knew Scotch, a gentle pit bull-lab mix she had in her care, would be a perfect family dog. She also knew that finding homes for pit bulls in Texas was not an easy thing to do. However, as she always does, she worked hard to find Scotch his forever home through a variety of channels, including Facebook.

She was surprised to receive a query from a woman in Bono, Arkansas. Melanie Leon was looking for a wonderful dog for her 11-year-old son, Gabe, who had undergone a heart transplant a year ago.

McGhee was apprehensive about adopting a dog to a family out of state but, coincidentally, a local veterinarian, Dr. Susan Pickle also contacted her about finding a dog for Gabe. Dr. Pickle knew the family and would vouch for them.
 
Dr. Pickle had met the Leons in Oklahoma City where Gabe had his transplant surgery. Dr. Pickle’s one-year-old grandnephew Liam, was also there for a transplant and she remembered the kind and loving Leon family well.

McGhee says it was amazing how everything just fell into place. “There were powers at work that were way ahead of us,” she says.

McGhee arranged for Scotch to fly to Arkansas via K9 Airlift, which volunteered their services so Scotch wouldn’t have to endure the long drive and…so he would make it there in time for Gabe’s 12th birthday.

McGhee receives frequent updates on how Scotch is adjusting to life with his new family and is happy to report, “Scotch is doing great up there!”

As for Gabe, he understands how special their circumstances are. “I got a second chance because of my new heart,” he told Life+Dog. “I think it’s cool that we can give Scotch a second chance, too.”]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Workers Rescue Kitten In Melbourne Tunnel</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824779</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:21:01 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824779</guid>
		<description>Apr 24, 2013 by Nikki Burns @ theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com

Anyone who has ever had a kitte ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Apr 24, 2013 by Nikki Burns @ theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com

Anyone who has ever had a kitten knows that they are constantly getting into trouble.  They climb into places they can't get down from, they get down into places they can't leap out of, and absolutely everything is a toy.  

But in the Burnley Tunnel in Melbourne, passers-by and traffic cameras caught sight of a tiny kitten in serious trouble: the little orange tabby somehow found himself halfway down the 2.1 mile car tunnel.  Whether he somehow walked the full mile on his own or was dumped there by an irresponsible and uncaring passerby remains a mystery.  The kitten escaped hundreds of high-speed passing cars before an incident response team stopped traffic and went in after him.

There is no doubt that the kitten was terrified, and led his would-be rescuers a bit of a chase before they were able to corral him and bring him to safety.  "They gave it a bit of a cuddle and took it to the control, where the guys on call gave it some old roast beef from the staff fridge..." reports CityLink spokeswoman Selby-Lynn Nicholas.

The workers named the kitten Dodge.  Now at The Lost Dogs Home animal shelter's North Melbourne location, Dodge is looking for a home of his own.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Thank yous from the Rainbow</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824777</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:14:38 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824777</guid>
		<description>Just want to thank all the pups who reached out a paw to me yesterday on my Rainbow Day. You each sh ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Just want to thank all the pups who reached out a paw to me yesterday on my Rainbow Day. You each should have received some sort of bark from me by now. I also want to thank all the pups who left me a bone. I have 220 of them the last I checked! Don't know who you are but the bones are noticed and appreciated:)

By the way, I understand the term is the Rainbow Bridge. But since rainbows tend to be from nature and bridges tend to be human made, I like to focus on the Rainbow rather than the bridge part:)]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Rescue Dog Rescues U.S. Veteran</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824435</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:50:06 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/824435</guid>
		<description>By Caroline Golon @ http://www.halopets.com/freekibble/donation98.html

The following is one of th ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Caroline Golon @ http://www.halopets.com/freekibble/donation98.html

The following is one of the incredible, inspiring stories featured in “Shelter Me,” a PBS film by Steven Latham. Hosted by Katherine Heigl, “Shelter Me” aired nationwide last year and is now available for rental at Redbox. From April 23 through April 29, Redbox will donate 100% of rental proceeds of Shelter Me to the Halo Pet Foundation. The Halo Pet Foundation is dedicated to supporting shelters and rescues and best of all, 100% of foundation funds go to help pets! For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/10QsFHw

When Andrew Trotto, U.S. Army, 168th Combat Action Battalion, came home from Iraq, he was struggling with anxiety, depression and anger. Over time, his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) grew to the point that he didn’t know how he’d survive another day. But a sweet rescue dog named Teka changed all that and gave him a reason to live.

Although Trotto was struggling with PTSD, he didn’t know where to turn. “I was a machine,” he says. “It’s hard to ask for help when you’re in that kind of position.”

He learned about Freedom Service Dogs, an organization that rescues dogs from shelters and trains them for service dogs for mobility issues, soldiers or kids with autism. A dog lover his entire life, he filled out an application to participate in the program.

“We love rescuing the dogs,” says Stephanie Baigent of Freedom Dogs. “There are so many dogs with the temperament of a service dog sitting in shelters. We don’t need a breeding program to have the same temperament and quality of dog to train for a service dog.”

Once his application was processed, Trotto met three dogs but instantly bonded with Teka. “It was love at first sight,” he says. While it can sometimes take up to a year to match a vet with a dog, Trotto says with a chuckle, “I was matched with Teka in three weeks.”

Shelter dogs in the Freedom Service Dog program are trained to sense when their owners are stressed in public and will “post,” or “block,” which means Teka moves in front of or behind Trotto when she senses someone is standing too close or crowding him. “She’ll watch my back and that just takes so much off my shoulders. I’ve calmed down a lot,” Trotto says.

“She knows when I’m upset,” he continues. “She knows when I’m having issues or anxiety and she’ll come over and snuggle up next to me and lick my face and put her paw on me.”

Like many vets suffering from PTSD, every day is wrought with anxiety. With Teka, Trotto feels safe. “I have somebody next to my side 24/7. I don’t have to worry about looking over my shoulder. It’s what she does,” he says.

An emotional Trotto credits his rescue dog with literally saving his life. “If it weren’t for Teka I’d be dead right now,” he says. “She’ll let me know everything’s alright and she just gives me that okay, that you’re good. That you’re not alone.”]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>6 animals with pets of their own</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/823135</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:32:26 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/823135</guid>
		<description>By Bryan Nelson - msn.com
Fri, Mar 29 2013 at 6:51 AM

For many of us, pets aren't just casual co ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Bryan Nelson - msn.com
Fri, Mar 29 2013 at 6:51 AM

For many of us, pets aren't just casual companions. They are cherished members of the family. Sometimes it even feels like we're the pets, and our pets are the masters. So it’s worth asking: Are humans the only animals that keep pets? Or do other animals also keep pets and form deep companionships with other species?
 
The answer might surprise you. Not only do some animals display a great capacity to look after and bond with a member of another species, they also appear to form these bonds for no reason other than companionship. To prove it, here's our list of animals with pets of their own.
 
Koko the gorilla and her cats
Koko the gorilla is best known for being a sign-language speaking ape, believed by her handlers to know more than 1,000 signs. But perhaps her most humanizing characteristic has been the love and affection she has demonstrated toward her pet cats.
 
Koko was first allowed a pet cat in 1985 after she specially requested one for her birthday. She was even allowed to choose a kitten from a litter; a gray male Manx that she named "All Ball." Koko's gentle care and affection for All Ball was astounding to those on the outside who had never seen another animal treat another species as a pet before, but to Koko's handlers, who knew her well, it wasn't surprising at all.
 
Tragically, later that same year All Ball was struck by a car and killed while exploring the world outside of Koko's enclosure. Koko's mourning process after being told of the cat's death showed just how deep her emotional bond to the cat was. The following year, Koko was given two kittens. She named them "Lipstick" and "Smokey."

Tarra the elephant and her pet dog Bella
The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has been home to one of nature's most unexpected odd couples: Tarra the elephant and her pet dog, Bella. The two first bonded several years ago when a stray dog wandered onto the Sanctuary's property. Rather than scare off the intruder, one elephant in particular, Tarra, immediately welcomed the stray with open arms. Before long, the two became inseparable. In fact, Tarra seemed to spend more time with Bella than she did with other elephants.
 
The bond became especially apparent when Bella suffered a spinal cord injury and lost the use of her legs. Caretakers took her indoors to receive medical assistance. For three weeks Bella was bed-bound, and for the entire three weeks Tarra stood just outside the building holding vigil, refusing to leave Bella's side. When the two were finally reunited, their embrace made it clear to everyone involved just how special their bond was. 
 
It goes to show that even a giant animal like an elephant can have a gentle heart.

Amy the deer and her pet dog
This PBS report about animal odd couples showcases many touching stories of animal bonds that cross the species barrier, but perhaps none are as astounding as the story of Amy the deer and her pet dog, named Ransom. The tale takes place at an animal rehabilitation center in Oklahoma, Wild Heart Ranch, which cares for thousands of animals every year.
 
Though many of the animals at Wild Heart are released back into the wild, Amy is a permanent resident since she is a non-native species to the region. She's a welcome resident, however, because of her strong mothering instinct, as she assists in raising many of the orphaned deer that the ranch takes in. But her mothering skills go beyond other deer.
 
When the ranch took in Ransom, a golden retriever born blind, Amy immediately took to raising him as well. She regularly grooms the dog, plays with him and has demonstrated remarkable patience and compassion in helping Ransom adapt to a world he cannot see. Meanwhile, Ransom is bonded to Amy in a way indistinguishable from the way a pet dog bonds to its human companions. It's truly a touching and inspiring story!

Capuchins and their pet marmosets
This remarkable story has even gotten the attention of those who are skeptical of reports about animals and their pets. A group of capuchin monkeys in Brazil have been witnessed adopting and caring for a baby marmoset, another type of monkey entirely. The baby marmoset was raised as a regular member of the capuchin family, though the capuchins seemed to understand that the marmoset (named Fortunata) was not a member of their own species. For instance, when they played together, the capuchins treated the marmoset gently, as if they comprehended that she was more delicate than members of their own ilk.
 
This case of animals keeping pets is particularly astute because it occurred among animals that were all living in the wild. Also, the marmoset that was kept as a pet was not a human-domesticated animal.

A crow and its pet cat
This remarkable story of a crow that apparently raised a pet kitten shows that its not just mammals that can keep pets. (You may have to see the video for yourself to believe it.) According to the report, the kitten was a stray that probably couldn't have cared for itself without assistance. But the only assistance it could have received was from a mysterious crow that never left the kitten's side. Before long, local witnesses got their proof: the crow was seen regularly feeding the cat with worms and other prey that it had collected.
 
The two animals would often play together innocently, and the crow would protect its pet from dangers (it would even squawk so that the kitten wouldn't wander into the road).
 
It's a remarkable story that shows how other animals can display a compassion and bond toward other species in a way that many researchers never believed possible before.


Tonda the orangutan and her pet cat
Koko isn't the only great ape that has shown the capacity to care for a pet. Tonda, an organgutan that lived at ZooWorld in Florida, took in a stray cat named T.K. (for "Tonda's kitten"), and kept it as a pet and companion animal. The bond between the two was particularly special because T.K. was a true stray that had to be fostered gently by Tonda over time before the cat opened up to the concept. Meanwhile, zookeepers credit Tonda's relationship with the cat as reason why the organgutan was able to live to such an old age.
 
The bond between ape and cat was also noteworthy as a contrast to Koko's relationship with her cats because Tonda was not taught to sign. So it goes to prove that the bond between pet and pet owner runs deeper than what can be communicated through language.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>A Birthday to Celebrate!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/822895</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 9 Apr 2013 06:06:49 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/822895</guid>
		<description>Grandpa is turning 75 this April. The Family decided to do something special to celebrate and booked ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Grandpa is turning 75 this April. The Family decided to do something special to celebrate and booked some rooms at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Unfortunately, Pepper could not be included in those plans. She stayed home and watched the house. It was Pepper's first time being left behind for two nights. She did a great job and the house was fine upon the family's return. She was well cared for by GoodNeighborFriendLady. I know because as an earthly dog I was a recipient of that care many a time.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Dogs befriend cheetahs to aid cats' survival</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/821172</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 06:38:49 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/821172</guid>
		<description>By Laura Moss - www.mnn.com
Thu, Mar 21 2013 at 1:16 PM

Dogs may have a reputation as man&acirc;s be ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Laura Moss - www.mnn.com
Thu, Mar 21 2013 at 1:16 PM

Dogs may have a reputation as man’s best friend, but at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, it’s the cats that are best buds with the dogs.
 
Since the 1980s, the zoo and its safari park have paired cheetahs with companion dogs to provide the cats with guidance and help them feel more comfortable. For endangered felines that don’t breed easily, a canine companion can make a world of difference.
 
“A dominant dog is very helpful because cheetahs are quite shy instinctively, and you can’t breed that out of them,” said Janet Rose-Hinostroza, animal training supervisor at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “When you pair them, the cheetah looks to the dog for cues and learns to model their behavior. It’s about getting them to read that calm, happy-go-lucky vibe from the dog.”
 
This relationship relaxes the cheetahs and helps them better respond to each other, so they can reproduce and rebuild their endangered species.
 
The cats are difficult to breed because they’re not social animals. They live independently, and females don't go into heat like other cats — they have to be brought into estrus by a male cheetah.
 
A century ago, there were 100,000 cheetahs in the wild — fewer than 12,000 remain today. But thanks, in part, to its dog companion program, the San Diego Zoo leads the world in breeding the cats. In the past 40 years, 135 cheetahs have been born at its breeding facility.
 
Finding the perfect pups
The dogs are typically rescued from shelters, and Rose-Hinostroza looks for puppies that want to be a buddy. While most of the dogs are mutts, the zoo does have one purebred Anatolian shepherd dog whose name is Yeti.
 
“We love to go to the pound and find a dog that needs a home, but we wanted to get an Anatolian shepherd because they’re such a great conservation story to share with the public,” Rose-Hinostroza said.
 
Decades ago, cheetahs were being shot and trapped by ranchers in Namibia who were trying to protect their goat herds. Concerned for the wild cats’ fate, Dr. Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, trained Anatolian shepherd dogs to protect the herds, and since then, the cheetahs’ numbers have rebounded.
 
Yeti is the zoo’s largest dog, but Rose-Hinostroza says it’s not size or strength that matters when selecting a dog to pair with a cheetah.
 
“My favorite dog is Hopper because we found him at a kill shelter and he’s just 40 pounds, but he lives with Amara, who’s our toughest cheetah by far. It’s not about strength or overpowering. It’s about developing a positive relationship where the cheetah takes her cues from the dog.”
 
Cat meets dog
Cheetah cubs are generally introduced to their canine companions when they’re about 3 or 4 months old once they’ve had all of their vaccinations.
 
“We’re very protective of our cheetahs, so the introduction is a painfully slow process but a lot of fun,” Rose-Hinostroza said.
 
The cheetah’s first encounter with the dog is through the fence of its enclosure. A keeper walks the dog past the habitat to help the cat get used to seeing a different animal. Once the cub is comfortable at the sight of the dog, the two are taken to a neutral location for their first playdate, but kept on leashes.
 
“There are lots of toys and distractions, and they’re like two cute little kids who desperately want to play. But cheetahs are instinctively hardwired to feel uneasy so you have to wait and let the cat make the first move,” Rose-Hinostroza said.
 
Once the animals are comfortable playing off-leash, they move into a shared habitat and spend almost all their time together. The only times they’re separated are when the canines take time off to play with their fellow companion dogs and during feeding times — filet mignon for the cheetahs and kibble for the dogs.
 
“The dog is the dominant in the relationship, so if we didn’t separate them, the dog would eat all the cheetah’s food and we’d have a really skinny cheetah and a really chubby dog,” Rose-Hinostroza said.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Golden Retriever Helps Rescuers Find Missing Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/820212</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 06:09:51 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/820212</guid>
		<description>By Caroline Golon, http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation93.html

When Katie, a German shepherd,  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Caroline Golon, http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation93.html

When Katie, a German shepherd, went missing from her home, her family searched for her for nearly 30 hours. But it was the family’s other dog, Bojangles, who eventually found her – stuck in a drainpipe.

Katie disappeared from home on a Friday afternoon. Because she rarely left the yard, the family was immediately concerned. For the next day-and-a-half, the family searched for Katie in the dense woods on their 40-acre property, calling her name and covering as much ground as they could.

On Saturday afternoon, exhausted from a day of searching, the family’s kids took their other dog, Bojangles, on a final walk of the day. According to the Huffington Post, the kids and the Golden Retriever walked through the woods and out onto a nearby road. Suddenly, Bojangles ran to a drainage pipe and began barking. Katie was stuck inside the pipe!

Katie had apparently crawled into the pipe but couldn’t get out because the other end was collapsed.

The family had searched the area near the drainpipe numerous times, unaware that Katie was trapped inside.

It took rescue workers an hour to get Katie out of the 25-foot pipe she’d crawled into. Ultimately, they had to cut open the pipe to free her.

Aside from being hungry and thirsty, Katie was just fine and is now back at home, snuggling up to her best bud – and hero – Bojangles.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Harley Goes Home</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/819536</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:07:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/819536</guid>
		<description>http://blog.aspca.org/content/harley-goes-home

When Midnight, a six-year-old Labrador Retriever m ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ http://blog.aspca.org/content/harley-goes-home

When Midnight, a six-year-old Labrador Retriever mix, came to us, he suffered from severe skin disease and ear infections and looked emaciated. He underwent treatment at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital and slowly began to recover. When he was ready, Midnight stayed for months in our Adoption Center, waiting patiently for someone to take him home.

 In February, Victoria D'Asto and Michael Pisula did just that, giving Midnight a new life as part of their family.

“My husband and I waited a year and a half after the passing of our last dog before visiting the ASPCA in Manhattan,” Victoria says. “After looking at all the dogs and meeting several of them, we settled on Midnight, now known as Harley.”

Harley has come a long way, but he still suffers from chronic ear infections. With medication and TLC, Harley’s ear infections are manageable.

“Even with his health issues and difficult past, we felt that he would be a great addition to our family,” Victoria says.

And they were right. Harley is thriving in his new home.

“It turns out that we really lucked out—Harley is so well trained and sweet with everyone he meets,” Victoria says.  “He seems to enjoy his new diet and exercise program as he gains those last five pounds to bring him back up to a healthy weight.”

Victoria tells us that Harley loves to go for walks in Manhattan’s Riverside Park, on shopping trips, and enjoys romping around at Victoria and Michael’s country home on the weekends.

“He loves destroying his toys, fighting for the peanut butter in his new Kong toy and lounging by the fireplace,” she says.  “It's been almost two weeks, and he's already become our best friend!  Thanks, ASPCA!”]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Resident Cats Comfort Injured Shelter Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/819398</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 05:54:47 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/819398</guid>
		<description>By Caroline Golon - http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation92.html

Cat cuddles are the best medic ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Caroline Golon - http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation92.html

Cat cuddles are the best medicine! Just ask Nellie, a senior dog who was rescued by Animal Friends of Japan back in November.

According to the organization’s Facebook page, Nellie had been lying by the side of the road for two days before she was found and rescued. “We gave her a bath and discovered she had badly infected wounds on her leg and stomach. We think she was hit by a car,” the page explains.

Shelter vets went about working on Nellie’s wounds and nursing her back to health. But some other new friends also felt they needed to assist in her recovery. A couple of resident cats at the shelter took it upon themselves to snuggle up to Nellie, giving her some much needed comfort.

Apparently some other cats didn’t want to be left out and also joined the snuggle fest. Soon there was always several different cats cuddled up with Nellie!

The shelter reported that Nellie was well on her way to recovery and, even better, on her way to her forever home with a couple happy and willing to take in the sweet senior dog.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Man reunited with dog a decade later</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/818056</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:37:57 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/818056</guid>
		<description>By Laura Moss, www.mnn.com
Mon, Feb 25 2013 at 3:16 PM

Jamie Carpentier, of Nashua, N.H., told h ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Laura Moss, www.mnn.com
Mon, Feb 25 2013 at 3:16 PM

Jamie Carpentier, of Nashua, N.H., told himself “no more dogs” after his boxer died on Christmas Eve. But in January he found himself browsing the Humane Society of Greater Nashua’s website, where he was shocked to find a listing for a 13-year-old basset hound named Ginger.
 
There were no photos of the dog, but her description read, "I have the longest ears and the biggest heart of any dog you will ever meet! I am an older girl, but I still have a lot of spunk left."
 
"It can't be her," Carpentier recounted to The Nashua Telegraph. "It's been so long."
 
Carpentier lost his 3-year-old dog Ginger in 2003 when he and his wife divorced. Then, without his knowledge, his wife gave the basset hound to the Nashua shelter, where an older couple adopted her.
 
But in October — almost 10 years later — the couple returned Ginger to the shelter because they were unable to care for her any longer.
 
Curious if the dog could actually be his Ginger, Carpentier emailed the Humane Society to ask for a photo of the dog. He compared the shelter’s photo with the puppy pictures he’d saved, and saw that the markings were the same. Ginger was his dog.
 
Carpentier visited the shelter on Jan. 21 and Ginger immediately recognized him.
 
"She heard my voice. I walked up to her and she kind of gave me a couple of licks or kisses. And I was like, ‘She knows who I am. She remembers my voice,'" he said.
 
After that, Carpentier changed his mind about the no-more-dogs policy, and he and his fiancée and daughter adopted Ginger on the spot.
 
"She's going to live with me 'til the end," Carpentier told ABC affiliate WMUR-TV. "I just want her to be happy and live a good dog life."]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Rescue Kitty Saves Family From Fire</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/817814</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 05:43:47 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/817814</guid>
		<description>By Caroline Golon, halopets.com

    A rescue cat who was taken in by a Jones County, Ga. family,  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Caroline Golon, halopets.com

    A rescue cat who was taken in by a Jones County, Ga. family, returned the favor by saving the family’s home from going up in flames.

According to the Macon Telegraph, seven-year-old Brendon Rinauro begged his parents to let him keep Mr. Meowy, a sweet white cat from animal rescue group Macon Purrs ‘N Paws. Brendon’s parents, Kayti and Sal, weren’t convinced they wanted to adopt a cat, but reluctantly agreed to foster Mr. Meowy temporarily.

The next day, the family left their home to go out for the evening. As she was leaving, Kayti ran back inside to turn on a light for Mr. Meowy. That’s when she heard the cat meowing loudly from Brendon’s bedroom.

Since Mr. Meowy had been extremely quiet since he’d come to stay with them, Kayti wondered why he was suddenly making so much noise and decided to check on him. When she did, she discovered what the cat was meowing so loudly about: a pillow had fallen on a nightlight in Brendon’s room and was starting to burn.

Luckily, Kayti was able to extinguish the smoking pillow before it burst into flames. She has no doubt that, without Mr. Meowy’s help, she would have left the house again, not realizing there was a smoldering fire in the bedroom. “Everything would have been gone, no question,” said her husband, Sal. “This is literally everything we have.”

Now, the family has no more doubts that Mr. Meowy belongs with him. “We were just going to foster him for a little while,” Kayti told the Telegraph. “Now, he’s not going anywhere.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Stolen Service Dog Returned to Owner</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/817370</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:57:50 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/817370</guid>
		<description>By Ricardo Navarro - kionrightnow.com

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- It was love at first sight for Ernest ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Ricardo Navarro - kionrightnow.com

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- It was love at first sight for Ernestina Saldana and her dog, Honey.

"The way she looks at you is very sweet, its like she can see right through you," said Saldana. 

Saldana rescued Honey 3 years ago. But Saldana needed Honey more than Honey needed her. Saldana is a paraplegic, and she also has a pinched nerve which makes it even more difficult to move.

"At that time I had shared custody so I didn't have my daughters with me all the time and I started relying on Honey a lot," said Saldana. 

Honey quickly learned and helped her get out of bed, turn on lights and even open the fridge, among other tasks.

Two weeks ago all of that was taken away. It was outside the Bagelrey on Maple and Cedar Street in Santa Cruz, where Saldana said Honey was taken. She said she was in the bagel shop for 15 minutes and when she came out, her car door was wide open and Honey was no where to be found.

"I'm not planning on pressing charges, I'm not planning to pursue anybody. I want my dog is my only thing," said Saldana.

The more time that went by the more Saldana cried for her dog.

"She was there for me, Honey is more than just a service dog for me," said Saldana.

However, Tuesday afternoon Saldana got the news she was waiting for. Saldana said someone turned Honey in to Police and the animal shelter. Someone had in fact stolen Honey.

Now, Saldana is crying tears of joy. Honey is back in service. 

The training that Honey went through is valued at almost $10,000. The person who turned Honey in, will not face any charges, as promised.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Good news for Iraq war vet's service dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/815047</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 5 Feb 2013 15:10:36 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/815047</guid>
		<description>By Kimberly White
Santa Cruz Sentinel

Biopsy shows tumor is benign

SANTA CRUZ -- An Iraq War  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Kimberly White
Santa Cruz Sentinel

Biopsy shows tumor is benign

SANTA CRUZ -- An Iraq War veteran has received a slew of good fortune during the past few days -- learning late Monday﻿ morning that the tumor removed from her four-legged, steadfast companion last week is benign.

Devon, a 7-year-old golden retriever, underwent surgery early Friday﻿ morning to have the mass removed from his left front paw. It was shipped to a lab for further testing, and if the results showed a malignancy, chemotherapy or radiation treatments likely would have been needed.

Dr. David Shuman, who operates the Santa Cruz Westside Animal Hospital, donated his services to remove the growth, and when the lab learned of Santa Cruz resident Tori Stitt's story, "they donated their services and put 'STAT' all over it," he said Monday.

Meanwhile, when the community learned the invaluable services Devon provides to help Stitt cope with post-traumatic stress disorder -- including licking her awake to interrupt persistent nightmares -- they eagerly opened their wallets, donating about $8,000.

Shuman and Stitt both expressed their appreciation for the outpouring of support.

"It's amazing to see how the community will come together to support someone like me," Stitt said. "The cards, the checks -- it's like, wow."

Devon entered Stitt's life in 2009, not long after the former Navy lieutenant returned from a yearlong deployment to northern Iraq. During her time there, she trained staff members how to defuse improvised explosive devices and witnessed many of her trainees injured and killed while working in the field. 

Plagued by recurring nightmares, and increasingly isolating herself from society, she sought help from the Assistance Service Dog Educational Center, a nonprofit that provides service dogs to disabled veterans.

Ever since, Stitt has become more outgoing and involved in the community, befriending such staunch supporters as Santa Cruz resident Rachel Boyd, who cares for Devon while his owner works. He was back in Shuman's care Monday, getting his sutures removed and paw rebandaged.

"As soon as the skin heals and we make sure everything's covered over, it's a done deal," Shuman said. 

Meanwhile, the funds donated over the weekend have been set aside in a client account.

"He should be a very well cared for dog for the rest of his life," Shuman said.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Be kind all the time</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/811768</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 9 Jan 2013 06:19:03 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/811768</guid>
		<description>Colly Gruczelak Press Banner 
Jan 03, 2013 

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a fie ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Colly Gruczelak Press Banner 
Jan 03, 2013 

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. 

Looking into the eyes of one of the horses will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to put him down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you will see how she is always checking on him and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn’t too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. 

Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. 

Please listen for my bell, and I’ll listen for yours. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Author unknown 

After reading this story, my 2013 New Year’s resolution became apparent to me. I shall ring my bell as often as possible, and I invite each of you to join in.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Dog demonstrates heroics, alerts neighbors to missing 2-year-old South Carolina boy</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/807669</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 6 Dec 2012 05:41:31 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/807669</guid>
		<description>Dog Saves Boy, A Lassie Story in Real Life
Steve Dale's Pet World at Chicagonow.com

Lassie saves ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Dog Saves Boy, A Lassie Story in Real Life
Steve Dale's Pet World at Chicagonow.com

Lassie saves another life....well, almost. This time, the dog's name is Ashapoo and is an Australian Shepherd, not a Collie; and instead of Timmy falling into a well, it's two-year old Peyton who wanders of.
 
Peyton is a two-year described to be "on batteries." Grandma turned her back for a moment, and the toddler was gone. They had been preparing to leave their home in Clover, SC to sniff out a Christmas tree.
 
Authorities instantly began to search, as did family and the entire community. In all, eventually 400 participated in the search. A helicopter donated by SLED was used to search the woods.
 
Some felt - there's no way this story could have had a happy ending....except that Peyton didn't disappear alone, so did Ashapoo. Peyton's dad, Rich Myrick to local station WBTV, "In the back of your mind, you know the dog is going to be with him."
 
It was getting dark and cold. Mom, Carmen, was expressing concern - despite the massive search effort.
 
Neighbors noticed Ashepoo at their barn a quarter mile away from the Myrick home. He was walking back and forth from the barn several times and the neighbors wondered if he could be with Peyton and alerted the searchers. Once the dog sighted rescuers, he bagan to "do a Lassie," barked and ultimately was saying "follow me." Rescuers did follow - and found Peyton curled up sleeping, and just fine.
 
The two-year-old told his family he was scared, he was going to get hurt, and he was cold. Dad Rich said, "I think he got scared and just lay down and took a nap, and Ashapoo stayed right with him." He added, "I guess he felt that was his job to protect him and be with him." And he also said, "I believe the dog was his guardian angel in fur.
 
You can argue that the dog just stayed with the boy for his own welfare (or I suppose you can)....but how about proactively leading the rescuers to where Peyton was lying inside the barn? Heroes sometimes do bark.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Geo the German Shepherd</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/806876</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:31:52 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/806876</guid>
		<description>Dog Jumps in Front of Truck to Save Boy
By Caroline Golon at www.halopetfoundation.org

He may st ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Dog Jumps in Front of Truck to Save Boy
By Caroline Golon at www.halopetfoundation.org

He may still only be a puppy, but 7-month-old Geo showed his hero instincts when he pushed a 10-year-old boy out of the way of an oncoming truck….and took the impact himself. 

Carly Riley, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex in the UK, was out for a walk with Geo, a German Shepherd-Collie mix, and her three sons, Charlie, Josh and Ben. As they waited at the curb to cross the street, a speeding, out of control driver drove up on the curb, headed straight for Charlie. 

According to the family, Geo jumped in front of the boy, pushed him out of the way and was hit by the truck once, and then again, before it drove off.

Geo sustained a broken leg, broken spine and internal injuries, but the veterinarians caring for him tell iTV News that Geo will make a full recovery. The family set up a Facebook page to share news about his progress. 

Carly says the family is incredibly grateful to their hero dog. “Geo and the boys have a fantastic relationship,” she says. “They always play with each other, whether it be football or Geo’s favorite, jumping on our trampoline with them. He is family.”]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Toby -- the Lhasa Apso</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/800982</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:26:21 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/800982</guid>
		<description>huffingtonpost.com
By Sarah Medina Posted: 10/08/2012

A loyal 7-year-old Lhasa Apso just became  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ huffingtonpost.com
By Sarah Medina Posted: 10/08/2012

A loyal 7-year-old Lhasa Apso just became a real-life Lassie. 

Eighty-one-year-old Derek Ramsden was on vacation in Wales with his wife, Ada, and his two dogs, Bruno and Toby, when he slipped and fell from a small ridge and sank into a thick mud. 

"I managed to get hold of a railing on the bridge. It was frightening. I could not get out and you can't hold your grip for long at my age," Ramsden told the Telegraph. 

According to the newspaper, while Ramsden's Staffie, Bruno, simply walked away, Toby -- the Lhasa Apso -- immediately sprung into action, running for a quarter of a mile to alert security staff. Toby barked at the staff until they followed him to the ridge where Ramsden was holding on for his life. 

"Without the dog we would not have known he was there. That dog certainly has something about it,” Park maintenance manager Ben Thompson said. 

Park staff were able to pull Ramsden back to safety. He suffered only minor bruising to his back from the accident. 

"He's my very own Lassie. He saved my life and I'm very grateful," Ramsden said.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Pooh, the Guide Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/792585</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:09:28 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/792585</guid>
		<description>Dailyhome.com 
by Kenny Farmer 
The Daily Home Jul 24, 2012

TALLADEGA &acirc; Nancy Jones was foldi ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Dailyhome.com 
by Kenny Farmer 
The Daily Home Jul 24, 2012

TALLADEGA – Nancy Jones was folding clothes at her home on Cherry Street Monday morning when she noticed something strange. Her guide dog, Pooh, had brought her leash to Jones, which the dog had never done before. After the poodle’s leash was put on, Pooh aggressively pulled Jones out the front door. As Jones was being led out, she noticed the smell of natural gas and realized there was a leak in her home.

Jones was surprised to see that Pooh had brought the leash to her because the leash was hanging approximately six feet high and Pooh had never tried to reach it before. Jones said that she had always got the leash for Pooh herself.

“That caught me completely off guard,” said Jones. “That was a feat in itself.”

Jones, who is almost blind, said that Pooh was “very well mannered” and has never acted the way she did Monday morning. She also said Pooh’s behavior was “very consistent” and the dog usually walks alongside her calmly, or in heel mode. 

“I was surprised at her reaction,” said Jones. “That had never happened.”

Jones said she got the service dog from the Pilot Dog Program based out of Columbus, Ohio, and that both she and Pooh were trained together through the program.

“They’re trained for a lot of things, but I don’t know if she was trained for that,” said Jones.

Jones said when she smelled the gas, all she could think of was to turn it off. However, Jones said she didn’t know where to turn it off and, because of her visual impairment, she would not have been able to find it by herself. After exiting her home, Jones called 911.

Capt. Ronnie Davis of the Talladega Fire Department responded to the call and said the leak was found to be coming from Jones’ hot water heater. Davis shut off the natural gas and opened doors so that the gas vapors could escape from the home. Alabama Gas later responded and fixed the leak.

Davis said a pilot light was on and, if the home had completely filled up with the natural gas, it could have been a dangerous situation.

As a reward for the heroic act, Jones says that Pooh will get extra treats, new bows for her ears and “a lot of love.”

“I don’t know what I would do without her,” said Jones. “Especially after today.”]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Pitbull Titan Receives Award For Saving Owner Twice</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/790671</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:02:47 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/790671</guid>
		<description>Huffingtonpost.com

Last July, Gloria Benton's husband John was on his way to work when their pitb ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Huffingtonpost.com

Last July, Gloria Benton's husband John was on his way to work when their pitbull Titan blocked the door. Benton was confused. He had just sent the dog upstairs to sit with his wife who was recovering from back surgery, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. 

"He was acting strange, and this dog is not aggressive at all," Benton told the news channel. "He was barking and growling and then ran down the steps and got between me and the door." Benton went back upstairs and discovered that Gloria suffered a brain aneurysm and fallen and fractured her skull. She told reporters, "I had a hole in my head and I told John 'I think I'd better go to the emergency room.'"

Gloria was immediately taken to the hospital where the doctors gave Benton some sobering news. "The doctors said that if it had not been for this dog, if he had let me leave that house she would have either bled to death or the aneurysm would have killed her," he told FOX 5.

Eight weeks ago, the pitbull saved Gloria again. Titan awoke Benton at 4:30 am after his wife had fallen in the bathroom and broken her hip and another bone, the Gwinnett Daily News reported. 

The Humane Society of The United States sought to honor Titan for his acts of heroism on July 24. "I think he won because he saved her life," Humane Society state director Jessica DuBois told the Gwinnett Daily Post. "There is so much negative press about these dogs.. but overall, the breed is an amazing breed." Benton agreed. "It's not about the breed, it's how they are raised," he told FOX 5. Titan was the second runner up in the Humane Society's National Dogs of Valor Award. 

He was also awarded 'Neighbor of the Year' by the Vintage Pointe Neighborhood Association last year.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Autumn</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/788556</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 11:49:46 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/788556</guid>
		<description>TwinCities.com
By Molly Guthrie

An 8-year-old golden retriever named Autumn was lauded as a hero ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ TwinCities.com
By Molly Guthrie

An 8-year-old golden retriever named Autumn was lauded as a hero on the Fourth of July when she located a missing 5-year-old boy a half-mile from his Prescott, Wis., home. 

"I think she knows that she was part of something special," said her owner, Jason Moser, of Ellsworth, Wis. 

Moser and his dog were among hundreds of professionals and volunteers who searched Tuesday and Wednesday for the missing boy. 

Scotty Meyer, who has autism and limited communication skills, wandered out of his family's home south of Prescott around noon Tuesday. 

"My wife saw a story about it and they said, 'If you are willing to help or volunteer, just go to that address (of the boy's home),' " said Moser, a construction worker and father of two boys, ages 11 months and 4 years. 

"I knew where the area was, so we got a baby sitter and we went over there on Tuesday night," Moser said. 

His wife, Melissa, wasn't sure if Autumn could join them. 

"She's not trained as a search dog," Moser said. "She wasn't sure if Autumn would be of any help or if you could even bring a dog. I said, 'They asked for volunteers and I'm sure they won't care if we bring some extra help with us.' " 

When the search resumed at daylight Wednesday, Moser and Autumn were back on the trail. 

"About two hours into our search, we were getting close to the (Mississippi) River, so I gave Autumn a break and she jumped into the water to cool off," Moser said. "We headed back into the woods and after about five or 10 minutes, she started heading off in one direction and I followed her, thinking she knew where she was going.
 
"And then I heard a little whimper, a muffled kind of cry. I stopped to get my bearings and I heard that sound again; I started running. As I got closer to the sound, I could see him. He had no clothes on, and his diaper and bare skin stood out pretty brightly. He was sitting in front of a tree trunk, about two-thirds up a pretty steep hill. I kneeled down in front of him -- I was worried he'd slide down the hill -- and he grabbed the water bottle out of my hands and took a big drink." 

It could have ended so differently. 

"He was about 200 yards away from the railroad tracks and the river," Moser said. 

According to the Pierce County sheriff's office, Scotty was dehydrated, sunburned and mosquito-bitten, but he was otherwise healthy and in good condition. He was being evaluated at a St. Paul hospital.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Sunrise, Sunset</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/786149</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 23:02:00 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/786149</guid>
		<description>When I was about 11 years old a 'new' dog joined the neighborhood. He was not a young dog. His name  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ When I was about 11 years old a 'new' dog joined the neighborhood. He was not a young dog. His name was Milo and the shelter people guessed him to be about 8 years old. 

Both being older dogs we were not enthusiastic furiends nor passionate enemies. We occasionaly walked together with our peoples. We were peacefully accepting of each other.

Milo offered several years of companionship to our GoodNeighborFriendLady. He saw her through the loss of her husband. 

The day before the family left for their trip they knew Milo was having some health troubles. He was always a healthy little guy and GoodNeighborFriendLady thought she would have more years with him. It was not to be. Milo is a Rainbow Bridge dog now. May we welcome him with open paws.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Lil Baby Sister!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/783248</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 5 Jun 2012 21:29:40 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/783248</guid>
		<description>Lil Baby Girl is now Big Sister Girl and she has a lil baby sister! We don't have all the stats just ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Lil Baby Girl is now Big Sister Girl and she has a lil baby sister! We don't have all the stats just yet, but Lil Baby Sister is over 9 pounds, and mother and baby are doing well! Woof-howls, Pepper now has two lil baby girl cousins!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Human Happenings</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/782560</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 1 Jun 2012 08:53:06 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/782560</guid>
		<description>The family has been on pins and needles waiting for the humom's brother's baby to come into the worl ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The family has been on pins and needles waiting for the humom's brother's baby to come into the world. First it was supposed to be last week. Now it is supposed to be today.

Yesterday, the humom got a call from her brother at work and she thought that maybe things on the baby front got started on their own. Unfortunately, he was calling with news that the grandhumom went to the hospital via ambulance! Not the news she wanted to hear!

Grandhumom had some severe abdominal pain and spent much of the day at the hospital. Not going to go into any gory details but she was treated and seems to be ok and was released at about 3:30 pm.

Now humom is on pins and needles about this new baby AND her mother's health. Maybe we'll be borrowing Zaidie's mom's vodka drip! BOL!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Eclipse</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/781072</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 21 May 2012 16:47:11 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/781072</guid>
		<description>The family went up to Half Moon Bay yesterday to watch the eclipse. Folks in the Bay Area were able  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The family went up to Half Moon Bay yesterday to watch the eclipse. Folks in the Bay Area were able to see the sun about 90% covered. The family used welding glass filters to watch without hurting their eyes. Although a mist came in off the ocean to help filter it even more. It was pretty neat!

Don't tell Pepper. She did not get to go. She would have enjoyed it at the beach.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Heavenly</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/780673</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 18 May 2012 22:13:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/780673</guid>
		<description>By Lisa Fernandez
NBCBayArea.com 

updated 5/15/2012 1:48:49 PM ET 

Elaine Bouschard was out o ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Lisa Fernandez
NBCBayArea.com 

updated 5/15/2012 1:48:49 PM ET 

Elaine Bouschard was out on her property in Los Banos Saturday, when something unusual fell from the sky. 

A hawk dropped a puppy from its claws, sending the tiny dog tumbling to Earth. 

Bouschard, a 47-year-old apartment property manager in San Jose, did what anyone would do. She scooped up the pup, which she figures is just a month old, and kept it.
 
"When God drops a puppy from the sky, you keep it," she said. "It was the coolest thing in the world."
 
Bouschard said she has no idea who the puppy really belongs to, but her intention is to add him to her mix of horses, cats and dogs on her sprawling rural property, which is also home to plenty of hawks.
 
"I just want the puppy to be safe, " she said. 

Though there's a lot Bouschard doesn't know about the puppy, she does have an inkling about why the hawk released the dog from its clutches.
 
"He's a wiggleworm," she said. "He's a strong, little bulldozer." 

Still, Bouschard doesn't plan to name the puppy either Wiggleworm or Bulldozer. 

"I'm going to name him Heavenly," she said.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Ozziet goes home</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/779803</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 12 May 2012 20:26:20 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/779803</guid>
		<description>By Jessica M. Pasko - Santa Cruz Sentinelsantacruzsentinel.com
Posted:   05/10/2012 04:45:44 PM PDT ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Jessica M. Pasko - Santa Cruz Sentinelsantacruzsentinel.com
Posted:   05/10/2012 04:45:44 PM PDT
May 11, 2012 12:1 AM 

About a week after his owner was killed in a hit-and-run accident, Ozziet the dog has a new leash on life.

Ozziet, a 5-year-old Cairn terrier mix, was found next to the body of his owner Joshua Laven last Friday on northbound Highway 1, near Davenport. A couple passing by discovered Laven's body as many as 12 hours after he was hit while riding his bicycle. 

"I've known Josh since I was 15," Kimberly Day of Pacifica said Thursday. "I'm happy to take him (Ozziet) - it's the least I could do."

Day, a longtime friend of Laven's family, picked up Ozziet Thursday from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, where he'd been taken after the accident. Ozziet, who was riding in a crate attached to Laven's bike, was being treated for minor injuries there. 

Shelter officials said they'd received a number of inquiries from people wondering what would happen to this brave little dog.

Ozziet whimpered sadly as supervisor Linda Puzziferro carried him over to Day. The 16-pound dog, who resembles faithful canine Toto from "The Wizard of Oz," still has a shock of purple fur on his head, remnants of a dye job from Laven, who'd once worked as a hairdresser. 

Day cradled the nervous little dog in her arms and said it was the first time she'd met him. She wanted the dog to be cared for somewhere close by, where Laven's family would have close contact with his caretaker. 

Her eventual hope is to reunite Ozziet with Laven's family, but she will take care of him until then. 

"All of us are kind of hoping he will go back to Josh's family," she said, adding that she believes the eventual reunion would be healing for all.

Laven's mother, Jennifer Putnam of Massachusetts, said her son was a huge dog lover who was devoted to Ozziet. He'd had to leave the dog with Putnam during a four-month trek to study yoga in India, much to his disappointment. 

Putnam said she hoped it would be healing for Day as well.

"I lost my 15-year-old dog about a month ago," Day said. 

While Ozziet is no longer looking for a home, Animal Shelter officials remind residents that there are many other dogs at the shelter seeking their own happy ending]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>A Little Announcement</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/779213</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 8 May 2012 22:15:06 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/779213</guid>
		<description>Been waiting a while to bark this, Pepper's cousin, Lil Baby Girl, will soon be Big Sister Girl! Her ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Been waiting a while to bark this, Pepper's cousin, Lil Baby Girl, will soon be Big Sister Girl! Her mama is due May 24 and they will be inducing(unless baby decides to come sooner) as s/he is already pretty big. So new Lil Baby Girl or Lil Baby Boy by the end of the month!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dog Named Spike Saves Boy Caught On Spike</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777485</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:36:35 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777485</guid>
		<description>By Richard Hartley-parkinson
PUBLISHED: 09:32 EST, 23 April 2012 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ By Richard Hartley-parkinson
PUBLISHED: 09:32 EST, 23 April 2012 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133961/Real-life-Lassie-comes-rescue-boy-11-impaled-metal-fence.html#ixzz1tJ2UQtTP

A boy impaled on a metal fence was saved after a real-life Lassie drew his owner's attention to the child's plight.

Jack Humphrey, 11, became impaled on the 8ft fence by his wrist when he fell while climbing a nearby tree. In shock, he tried to jump down from the fence, tearing his arm to the bone from elbow to wrist.

Spike, who was being walked by James Harrigan on land between North Ormesby and Longlands Road, in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, ran off in the direction of the injured boy.

The barking dog alerted his owner to Jack's distress and Mr Harrigan, 39, held the child in the air for 40 minutes until the emergency services arrived.
Fire crews then cut down the fence, which was lodged in Jack's wrist next to a major artery. 
Mr Harrigan, who lives close to Jack in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, but didn't know him before the accident, said: 'Spike just shot off right to where the boys were. He was like Lassie.

'I followed him and when I got there, there was a boy on the fence saying he was stuck. He was stuck on three metal spikes at the top of the fence and he tried to jump off the fence before I could get to him, but tore his arm badly. He was still stuck there.
'I called the ambulance, fire and police and I held him up with my shoulder under his bottom. I lifted him right up so he didn't tear his arm any more. He was just so calm and brave. I tried to get him to talk about cars and things.
'I sent his friends to take the dog back and to get Jack's mum and dad and then the emergency services started trying to cut the fence. They tied me to the fence so I could keep hold of him while they got him down.
'I managed to hold him up there for 40 minutes, but then I collapsed as I couldn't hold him any more and one of the firemen took over.'
The Great North Air Ambulance landed at the scene and administered morphine to the injured boy. The spike was left in Jack's arm to stem any major bleeding until he was placed on a stretcher, when it fell out.
He was airlifted to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough for treatment after the incident yesterday afternoon.

Last night, Jack's mother, Anne Marie Stephenson said: 'I just can't thank James enough. To me what he did was dedication. He is a real hero.'
The boy's step-grandfather, Chris Jones, of Carlin How, near Saltburn, east Cleveland, said Jack was due to have an operation today, when doctors would assess the damage.
 He said: 'James Harrigan is a hero, an angel. He was just passing by and didn't have to do what he did, but he was amazing. I really believe Jack would have lost his arm if it wasn't for James. He could have lost his life if the spike had severed his artery.'
He said Jack might have ongoing problems and need further operations as there was severe damage to tendons in his arm.
But he said: 'I have to say Jack is very brave. He was sitting up in hospital laughing about it, although he did have a moment when the shock hit him. I think he has been lucky as the arm is not broken and he hasn't lost the use of it. But that is thanks to James.'

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance, which attended the scene, said Jack was given strong painkillers and a tourniquet was applied to his arm to stop the bleeding.
He said: 'The job showed how well ambulance, fire, police and ourselves all work together, but also showed how a passer-by can make a huge difference in the time of need.
'He was a massive help to us, and kept the patient's spirits up. The serious injury would have been much worse without him. A true local hero.'
Mr Harrigan visited Jack in hospital last night and the family took the chance to thank him personally. He said: 'I just can't get it out of my head. He was such a brave lad.

'And Spike did well too. He took me straight there. He chews everything in the house and isn't a very well behaved dog, but he really came into his own this time.']]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Baby On The Doorstep!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777062</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:25:51 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777062</guid>
		<description>montereyherald.com 
By KEVIN HOWE 
Herald Staff Writer 
Posted: 04/24/2012 04:12:56 PM PDT

A f ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ montereyherald.com 
By KEVIN HOWE 
Herald Staff Writer 
Posted: 04/24/2012 04:12:56 PM PDT

A family of Pacific Grove had a baby arrive on their doorstep Tuesday morning. 

The "baby" was a fawn, born within hours on their driveway. 

James, one of two sons living at the house on Seaview Ave., said his father looked out the window at 8:30 a.m. and saw what at first appeared to be a skunk lying on the driveway, but on closer inspection, proved to be a baby deer. 

He said he took some photos, and called 911 for animal control. 

The animal control officer told him the fawn was probably regaining its strength after leaving the womb, and to leave the creature alone until its mother came to take it away, Chang said. 

When he and his father looked out the window again, they saw the baby was gone from the driveway, but when Chang went out to investigate, he found the fawn lying on the front porch doormat. 

Eventually, he said, the mother doe appeared, the fawn got up on its legs and went to her, and the two disappeared. 

State Department of Fish and Game officials say fawns found alone should be left alone, since their mothers will often leave them to go forage, and then come back.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Earthly Good-Byes, Rainbow Hellos</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777034</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:27:22 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/777034</guid>
		<description>Earthly good-byes and Rainbow hellos
What's in between?
They Angels, they know!
And in this good  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Earthly good-byes and Rainbow hellos
What's in between?
They Angels, they know!
And in this good land the love overflows
While sunshine and rain create such a glow

Is there heartache and pain for those left behind?
Do they wonder and worry and wish for more time?
Do they seek peace and grace they can't easily find?

Perhaps, there is comfort
Perhaps, in a dream
We can show them the things not so easily seen
Like the Love in the Rainbow
and its wonderous gleam

Bitter-sweet moments, when it's time to go
For the mystery whose answer we all come to know
Starts with earthly good-byes and Rainbow hellos

A Rainbow poem 
by Rainbow pup Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Got My Cake!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/776904</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:35:10 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/776904</guid>
		<description>And, being a Rainbow pup, I get to eat it too!

Today is my one year Dogster anniversary and my 4t ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ And, being a Rainbow pup, I get to eat it too!

Today is my one year Dogster anniversary and my 4th year of residency at the Rainbow Bridge.

Coming to Dogster as a Rainbow pup, I've opted to not celebrate my Birthday or Gotcha days. To be honest, the folks don't really know my Birthday(they didn't think to ask, although guess it to be in February) and they don't remember my exact Gotcha day (didn't think to mark it as an occasion, but they know it was a day in April)

So today is a special day for me, two occasions wrapped in one day, three if including my Gotcha Day. 

To mark the occasion, there are two 'new' pictures on my page. Taken on one of those old fashion cameras with no preview, just film. 

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>River otters rebounding</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/776222</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:36:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/776222</guid>
		<description>http://www.sfgate.com
Carolyn Jones
Sunday, April 15, 2012

It's wild times in the watershed.
  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ http://www.sfgate.com
Carolyn Jones
Sunday, April 15, 2012

It's wild times in the watershed.
 
The most happy-go-lucky denizen of Bay Area creeks is back, after a hiatus of at least three decades: the river otter.
 
"They look like they're having a wonderful time out there. It's really exciting to see," said Steve Bobzien, a wildlife ecologist for the East Bay Regional Park District. "Plus, it's a really good biological indicator of the health of the ecosystem." 

From Antioch to Tomales Bay, park visitors have reported otters rolling in mud, gnawing on crayfish, sliding down rocks and generally partying on the creek banks. A Marin group has even created an Otter Spotter website, where the public can log their otter sightings on an interactive map and learn more about the charismatic carnivores.
 
"The more we look for otters, the more we find. It seems like they're everywhere," said Megan Isadore, a naturalist from Forest Knoll who started the River Otter Ecology Project and Otter Spotter website. "It's wonderful - everyone loves otters."
 
Otters were once found in almost every creek and lake in Northern California, but their numbers seriously dwindled until the 1970s because of hunting, habitat loss and pollution. Particularly harmful was mercury, which seeped into the crayfish, clams, mussels and other shellfish that otters dine on.
 
But the federal Clean Water Act of 1972, California environmental laws, antihunting regulations and open space preservation have helped make the waterways more hospitable for otters. They're still threatened, but they appear to be rebounding, biologists said.
 
"There's a lot of doom and gloom out there, but every now and then we get something right," said David Herlocker, a naturalist with the Marin County Parks and Open Space District. "We did something to protect our waterways, and it actually worked."
 
Marin seems to have the biggest concentration of otters, and the population there appears to have skirted the worst of the hunting and pollution impacts. Otters are in virtually every creek and reservoir but especially seem to favor water treatment plants and anyplace with lots of salmon, Herlocker said. They're so plentiful a few have even been hit by cars, prompting at least one "Otter Crossing" sign - on Lucky Drive in Larkspur. 

But they're not ones to linger. Otters will scramble over hilltops and valleys, up to 25 miles a day, to find their next feast.
 
In fact, they usually don't stay in one spot for more than a few days. They might take over an old beaver den or foxhole to nest or relax for a while, but generally they like to keep moving.
 
In the East Bay, they've been spotted at Jewel Lake in Berkeley's Tilden Regional Park, Brooks Island near Richmond, Garin Park in Hayward, Contra Loma reservoir in Antioch and other parks. They're also relatively common in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
 
Scientists don't know much about otters' population figures in the Bay Area - no official counts are available - but Isadore hopes to change that. With her Otter Spotter program, she's encouraging members of the public to help document otters' behavior and whereabouts so scientists can identify their corridors and ranges, eating and breeding habits and general population trends. That kind of information will help show a more complete picture of otters' health as a species, as well as a hint of the general state of Bay Area watersheds.
 
It's not an easy job, though. Otter spotters must be prepared to spend long, silent hours by a creek, notebook and camera at the ready, awaiting a sudden splash off a nearby rock or a furry head popping up from a quiet pool.
 
Cute as otters can be, however, people should keep their distance. They like to play with each other, but they're not crazy about humans. And they can at times display that displeasure with sharp teeth.
 
"They're nippy little buggers," Bobzien said. "You don't want to corner them." 

The rewards of otter spotting are great, though. When they're in the mood, otters are like the Marx Brothers of the forest. 

"They slide and roll and splash," Isadore said. "It appears they do this for no reason at all except to play. Or if there is a reason, they're not telling."]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>When 'goodbye' brings sorrow and relief</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/775682</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:57:25 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/775682</guid>
		<description>Found this to be a touching e-mail from Petfinder. She does a good job of putting into words what so ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Found this to be a touching e-mail from Petfinder. She does a good job of putting into words what so many humans might feel when it is time to say goodbye. I especially like the part about the pizza:)

*****
Dear Friends,
This week I said goodbye to my sweet hound, Jim, after six years together. I met him as an old, starving, toothless community dog in Costa Rica with numbered days, so I don't think either of us expected a long relationship. But somewhere around the fourth or fifth medical crisis in which the doctor gave him only a few months, I began to feel as if Jim, who kept surviving the unsurvivable, might, in fact, never leave me. So I fell in love with this dog and his quirky hound-dog behavior. But last week Jim had a series of strokes that left him finally unable to bounce back. A wonderful hospice vet met us at our home, and after sharing a whole pizza in his favorite bed, we said good-bye. 

Now, my relief and sorrow blur together. Today Jim is not uncomfortable. Today I am not worried about whether Jim is uncomfortable. And although I would never choose to leave Jim, I am overwhelmed by having had the honor of helping him leave me while he felt loved and peaceful (and full of pizza). As for me, I feel smarter, luckier and humbler for having the chance to love my survivor, Jim. *****

This is just the e-mail snippet.
Here is the url for the whole story:
http://www.petfinder.com/blog/2012/04/09/]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Diary Pick!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/774658</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:34:58 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/774658</guid>
		<description>Diary Pick, again?! I have not even been barking much lately! Kind of weird, but thank you HQ! 

A ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Diary Pick, again?! I have not even been barking much lately! Kind of weird, but thank you HQ! 

And congratulations to Lexi & Zak's Wedding Page and Petey, too!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Oh, Dear!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/773007</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:28:11 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/773007</guid>
		<description>My goodness, my diary has been picked twice since I last visited Dogster! Thanks so much fur the gif ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ My goodness, my diary has been picked twice since I last visited Dogster! Thanks so much fur the gifts, bones, messages and comments! And I am so happy to have some new/old furiends! Long time furiends of Pepper's that are now my furiends too!  Plus a thank you to MrJackFreckles and his family fur the nice picture frames to commemorate the honor!

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Champion show dog found neglected in East Oakland</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/772401</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:51:30 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/772401</guid>
		<description>Carolyn Jones
Saturday, March 24, 2012
www.sfgate.com

Once upon a time in Tulsa, Okla., there w ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Carolyn Jones
Saturday, March 24, 2012
www.sfgate.com

Once upon a time in Tulsa, Okla., there was a flaxen-haired princess with a coterie of loving attendants, a three-hour-a-day grooming regimen and a room full of trophies.
 
Fast-forward seven years to East Oakland. That princess - a champion shih tzu show dog named Pup-Pourri's Briana - was found this week staggering along one of the city's meanest streets, tangled in chicken wire and dirt-encrusted dreadlocks, one of the most bizarre animal-neglect cases Oakland animal control officers have ever seen.
 
"Our best guess is that she was enclosed in chicken wire so tightly she couldn't move, for months if not years," said Oakland Animal Services Director Megan Webb. "But she seemed to have all this training. This air about her. It was strange."
 
Oakland animal control officers have started piecing together Pup-Pourri's Briana's trajectory. After veterinary staff shaved off the chicken wire and matted fur, treated her skin infections and fed her a decent meal, they checked to see if she had a microchip. She did, and it was registered to a woman named Cheryl Baer in Tulsa.

Baer wept when she heard the fate of one of her favorite show dogs, a creature so beautiful, proud and charming she won best-of-breed competitions in five states. Baer was Pup-Pourri's Briana's groomer for five years, primping her for hours a day with shampoo, conditioner, curling irons and special latex bands for her topknot. 

"I am absolutely appalled at what happened to her," said Baer, choking back tears Friday when reached by phone. "A dog that was so loved. ... It's a miracle she's alive."
 
According to Baer, Pup-Pourri's Briana was born in 1998 in Tulsa, the daughter of a four-time best-in-show sire. Her owners, an older couple who bred and showed shih tzus, hired a handler, as well as Baer, to shepherd the dog to stardom.

And a star she was. For five years, Pup-Pourri's Briana swept through AKC dog shows in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Texas, collecting ribbons for her smooth gait, spunky disposition and perfect proportions - wide-set eyes, flat high-set nose and luminous locks.
 
But then the wife developed Alzheimer's and the husband sold the kennel to a breeder in California. After that, no one's quite sure what happened to the pampered pooch.
 
Until Wednesday. That's when a resident of East Oakland saw Pup-Pourri's Briana hobbling along Thermal Street, just off 98th Avenue, barely able to walk because of the chicken wire enmeshed in her underbelly and rear legs.
 
Someone had apparently freed the dog from her chicken wire prison with snippers, leaving her to fend for herself on the tough streets of East Oakland.

Meanwhile, Baer hopes to make her first-ever trip to California to adopt Pup-Pourri's Briana and take her home to Tulsa.
 
"She was such a magnificent show dog," she said. "But now she's up there in age, and she's been through so much. I just don't want to risk seeing anything bad happen to her again."]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Worms &amp; Trojans &amp; Bots, Oh My!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/772275</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:11:45 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/772275</guid>
		<description>Been away from Dogsterland due to battling something attacking the computer. Think it is gone but th ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Been away from Dogsterland due to battling something attacking the computer. Think it is gone but the computer is not quite the same. Unfortunately, the humom is a little uncomfortable coming to Dogster right now. You see, something similiar happened in 2010 after that relaunch, too. Not blaming but just seems so coincidental.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Working Together Works!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/770915</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 17 Mar 2012 22:07:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/770915</guid>
		<description>From the CA Department of Fish &amp; Game website

February 7, 2012

A male deer was rescued today f ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ From the CA Department of Fish & Game website

February 7, 2012

A male deer was rescued today from an irrigation canal in north Sacramento,thanks to the help of state and local rescue personnel. The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) collaborated with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (SacMetro Fire) and the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to save the frightened buck from its unusual predicament.

The buck was trapped in a rain-swollen irrigation canal adjacent to Sunrise Boulevard. He was first spotted by a concerned citizen who called 911. Upon arrival, DFG wardens saw the panicked deer fighting for its life and immediately improvised a rescue plan.

Using a motor boat, a rope and the strength of 10 men and women, the deer was successfully lassoed and pulled to safety on the opposite side of the canal, where a state licensed veterinarian was on hand to inspect and treat it. Though it was exhausted, cold and wet, and had suffered scrapes on its hooves in its effort to escape, the deer was in otherwise good condition, said DFG Warden Patrick Foy.

“I am very pleased and impressed with my fellow first responders at SacMetro Fire and OES,” Foy said. “Our collaborative efforts were well-thought out and rescue personnel safety was an important consideration. Although deer are very good swimmers and can survive for a period of time in the water, it was evident that this strong male buck was exhausting himself and we had a short window of time for rescue.”

After the rescue, the buck was transported and released in the north Sunrise area far from the canal.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Angel Helps His Girl Get Home</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/769403</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 8 Mar 2012 16:47:42 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/769403</guid>
		<description>This happened back in late January but just sniffed it out today.

By Karen Daily
at Aikenstandar ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This happened back in late January but just sniffed it out today.

By Karen Daily
at Aikenstandard.com

A little bit of luck, good old-fashioned police work and a dog named Angel helped a little girl find her parents after she wandered away from home Sunday afternoon, police said.
 
On Sunday around 4:30 p.m., a woman called police because she found the 3-year-old girl walking outside with her dog and didn’t see any parents around.
 
The caller said the girl was dirty and crying and all alone – except for Angel, a small family dog which police said refused to leave her side.
 
The little girl said she was hungry and had taken her dog for a walk, but she had gotten lost and couldn’t find her way home.
 
Adding to the concern, she couldn’t tell the officers where she lived, said Sgt. Jake Mahoney, Aiken Public Safety spokesman. She was lost.
 
Officer Chad Cathcart walked with the little girl around the apartment complex where she was found to try to help her find her home, but they couldn’t find her family, Mahoney said, until another officer came up with an idea.
 
Officer Jennifer Bickel noticed that the dog was microchipped and had been registered with the City of Aiken. Then, all of the pieces started to fall into place.
 
The officers called Animal Control and found who had registered the small dog. That residence was nearby, Mahoney explained.
 
The officers took the girl to the residence and found her family.
 
The girl’s father admitted to police that he hadn’t realized the little girl had left. He and his wife fell asleep between 1:30 and 4 p.m., and he said he thought all of the doors had been locked. The girl’s older siblings, 5 and 6, were also home, but somehow, police said, she slipped out to walk the dog.
 
Mahoney said Angel stayed at the child’s side the entire time.
 
“The dog was very protective of her,” he said. “(The dog) didn’t want to leave her side.”
 
The girl was checked out by EMS and was OK, Mahoney said. She was a little shaken up, but she didn’t seem to suffer any trauma, he added.
 
Police said the parents do not face any charges at this time. Mahoney said they called social services, but charges are not likely.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Toola - The Sea Otter</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/769063</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 6 Mar 2012 21:48:20 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/769063</guid>
		<description>From mercurynews.com
By Jeannie Evers

Toola spent more than 10 years in the sea otter exhibit at ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ From mercurynews.com
By Jeannie Evers

Toola spent more than 10 years in the sea otter exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but what her caretakers loved the most about her was her wild side.

"She kept the wildness with her, even though she had grown very comfortable in the aquarium," said veterinarian Dr. Mike Murray. "She was the boss and let everyone know it."

Toola, who was the first sea otter ever to be a surrogate mother to stranded pups, died of natural causes early Saturday in the aquarium's veterinary care center. She was about 15 or 16 years old.

Staff members described her as frisky and feisty, nurturing and maternal. And they trumpeted her legacy as the inspiration for critical legislation that is helping protect the species in the wild.

"Toola was without question the most important animal in the history of our program," said Andrew Johnson, manager of the aquarium's 28-year-old Sea Otter Research and Conservation program.

Toola was about five years old when she was found stranded on Pismo Beach on July 21, 2001, and brought to the aquarium. She suffered from a seizure disorder, likely caused by a parasite that can be carried by cats.

Her story led to legislation in 2006 that created the California Sea Otter Fund, which has raised more than $1 million in taxpayer contributions for research into diseases and other threats facing otters in the wild.

Toola continued to do her part on a more personal scale, acting as surrogate mother to 13 pups, 11 of which were released into the wild. At least five of them are still alive. Two others now behind the scenes at the aquarium are on track for release later this year.

"She was really great at teaching the pups what they need to do in the wild," said aquarium spokesman Ken Peterson.

Her first pup was placed with her in November 2001 after she gave birth to a stillborn. She took to her new ward instantly, Peterson said. That pup, No. 217, is still alive and thriving in Moss Landing.

Her last pup was weaned from her Friday after it was clear her health was failing.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dear Miss Whitney</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/766060</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:16:53 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/766060</guid>
		<description>Your funeral was today. Don't know if you had any furs here at the Rainbow Bridge. 

You are just  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Your funeral was today. Don't know if you had any furs here at the Rainbow Bridge. 

You are just a few years older than my humom. She grew up with your songs on the radio. Such a beautiful voice. 

Sad that with your beauty and talent you had some hard times coping with earthly matters. 

This entry is not meant to adore nor criticize, but just to say thank you for your beautiful contribution to this world.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Lone Wolf</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/765940</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:45:51 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/765940</guid>
		<description>Literally! There is ONE known wild wolf in California! He came down from Oregon and here is a little ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Literally! There is ONE known wild wolf in California! He came down from Oregon and here is a little about him from CA's Department of Fish & Game website:

'At this time, there is only one documented gray wolf living in the wild in California.

On Dec. 28, 2011 a 2 ½-year-old, male gray wolf entered California after traveling from northeast Oregon. Designated OR7, his behavior, called dispersal, is not atypical of a wolf his age. 

Historically, wolves inhabited California, but were extirpated. Before OR7, the last confirmed wolf in California was here in 1924 and since then, investigated “sightings” have turned out to be coyotes, dogs, wolf-dog hybrids, etc. DFG wildlife managers anticipated that wolves would eventually enter California, and have been preparing for it.' 

We learned about OR7 from a story in our local paper. So why did this wolf leave his pack to be all alone in California? According to the paper's interview with a DFG official:

“He’s looking for a female.”

 But he went the wrong way.

“He didn’t have a map, and eHarmony was not working for him. This is typical behavior for a 2- to 3-year-old male or female juvenile, because the alpha male and female in the pack reproduce but prevent other wolves from reproducing. It’s very high-risk behavior,” 

Sadly:

“Most of them die not long after they leave their pack. Another wolf pack could kill them, and a lone wolf is not as an efficient hunter as a pack. Game that they eat is at its lowest population this time of year, and they could get run over by a car.”

My heart soars that a bit of wild that was lost (or more accurately, "extirpated") has come back to California, but it must be tough being the only one of your kind in a vast wilderness. I wish you the best, though I fear a lonely life for you. A howl out to you, OR7!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Absurdly Rural?!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/763717</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 5 Feb 2012 08:30:03 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/763717</guid>
		<description>Our little town of Boulder Creek was mentioned in Sunset Magazine recently. The Press Banner, our lo ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Our little town of Boulder Creek was mentioned in Sunset Magazine recently. The Press Banner, our local paper, ran a story about it. Here it is:

Boulder Creek was recently featured in Sunset Magazine’s February issue as one of 20 “ultimate fantasy towns” across the world that would be ideal for city-dwellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a “slower-paced, stress-free” lifestyle.

Sunset describes the town thus: “Just over the hill from shmancy Woodside, absurdly rural Boulder Creek (and neighbor La Honda) has the open space to keep cyclists, hikers, and horses happy.”

Oh, dear, they forgot to mention happy dogs! Boulder Creek is great fur dogs, too!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>New Photo for an Ole Rainbow Bridge Pup</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/753775</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:18:54 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/753775</guid>
		<description>How does a Rainbow Bridge Pup end up with new photos? Wellwoof, my diary was Diary of the Day once a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ How does a Rainbow Bridge Pup end up with new photos? Wellwoof, my diary was Diary of the Day once and I've had Diary Pick a time or two and wonderful friends will make up nice commemoritive pictures. Then there was a Candle Lighting that my family took part in, plus a 9/11 Remembrance Day and a K9 Cancer Walk. Maybe those do not contain actual pictures of me but think we are following the spirit of Dogster, if not the actual rule to a T.

But this latest photo is a 'new' old picture of me. Back in 1996 there were not digital photos, at least my family did not have a digital camera back then. Finally some of my photos have been pulled from the drawer and scanned. One is now on my page.

I was about 10 months old. The Kid was not born yet, although, he was a big bulge in the humom's tummy. This was the front of the folks' very first Christmas card as a married couple.

Although I was a puppy, this photo captures my personality very well. I was a serious girl. And while I did not have to deal with Halloween shananigans I did have to put up with Christmas. Merry Christmas from a grumpy old bear!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Regan - Hero Dog</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/753283</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 8 Dec 2011 06:32:16 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/753283</guid>
		<description>Warning, this is a terrible story of human cruelty to start out. The humom shed tears of anger at th ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Warning, this is a terrible story of human cruelty to start out. The humom shed tears of anger at those awful, horrible people who could do this. But this dog is so amazing I just had to record it in my diary. 

DES MOINES, Iowa (CNN/WHO) - Meet Tipper and Skipper, or as animal sanctuary volunteers call them, the "bag kittens." They were sealed into a bag, dumped on the road and hit by oncoming traffic.

"It was quite gruesome, it was quite gruesome because the other kittens, there was a litter of four or five, but you really couldn't tell if it was two or three, but they had been run over by the vehicle so it was not a pretty sight," said Linda Blakely with the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary.

It is a miracle Tipper and Skipper survived. But that's not the end of this story. The kittens were rescued by a dog named Regan. He found the bag and dragged it all the way home to his owner and whined until she opened it.

"The instincts of the dog was to nurture, not kill because the blood. Regan the dog is a hero," said Blakely.

The kittens were so weak they had to be fed with a bottle every two hours.

"Whether them being dumped out was an act of cruelty or desperation, we will never know. But we want people to know there's better ways," Blakely explained.

Three months later, Skipper and Tipper look like normal, healthy kittens. It's all thanks to a loving pooch and the kindness of animal lovers.

The Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary says it has been flooded with calls from people who want to adopt the cats.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Duncan the Boxer Hero</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/747251</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 2 Nov 2011 20:17:18 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/747251</guid>
		<description>Sad but touching story. You done good Duncan!

From the ABC news website 

By Gillian Mohney 
N ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Sad but touching story. You done good Duncan!

From the ABC news website 

By Gillian Mohney 
Nov. 2, 2011

A Georgia man says he was saved from a house fire thanks to his dog, Duncan, who later perished in the flames. 

Still hoarse from smoke inhalation, Scott Dunn of Marietta, Ga., says he is heartbroken after losing his beloved pet of two-and-a-half years. "He was the most lovable—just a wonderful dog," said Dunn. "Every time I saw him, it was like I hadn't seen him in years." 

Dunn was asleep Monday night, when he woke at about three in the morning to find smoke "down to the floor" in his home. 

It was Duncan, a three-year-old boxer, who woke him in time. "He was just pawing at me. I thought he was trying to go out," recalled Dunn. 

Dunn says he grabbed his keys and Duncan by his collar as he attempted to leave the house to get to his car. "The minute I opened the door, it was like the house exploded," said Dunn. "The flames went from one end of the house to the other." 

In the confusion Dunn didn't realize that Duncan hadn't made it out of the house. 

"I realized I only had his collar in my hand," said Dunn. While Dunn tried to return to the house to rescue Duncan, the heat of the fire kept him out. 

"After [the fire] the fire fighters found him curled up in my bed," said Dunn. "That's where he would go when he was scared." 

Dunn is adamant he would not have survived the fire without Duncan. "I wouldn't be here talking to you if it wasn't for him," said Dunn, his voice breaking. 

With his house uninhabitable and the cause of the fire still under investigation, Dunn has been staying with a neighbor. 

Dunn's loss and emotional reaction has touched other animal lovers. Since the news broke about the fire, the Cobb County Fire Department has received multiple calls and emails from people asking how they can help Dunn. 

Denelle Boyd, the public information officer, said she received a call from a woman with five dogs asking if she could donate clothes. "[She] said it bothered her all day," said Boyd. "Most everybody who's a pet lover has compassion for him." 

Dunn is thankful for the outpouring of support and hopes it means people will remember his beloved pet. "I just want to people to pray for Duncan," said Dunn. "He was my world."]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Halloween Haunted?!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/746899</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:11:24 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/746899</guid>
		<description>The folks have always been pretty enthusiastic Halloween celebrators. I was lucky, The Kid was born  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The folks have always been pretty enthusiastic Halloween celebrators. I was lucky, The Kid was born less than a year after I came into the family. So I was pretty much spared the whole Halloween rubbish. Poor Pepper is not so lucky and Dogster only encourages the humom.

The first Halloween in our neighborhood the folks bought candy and waited for the trick or treaters to arrive. Well, it was a long wait, only one or two showed up the whole night. They learned in this town everyone goes downtown and trick or treats the merchants there. Fine by me, I didn't have to bark all night long.

The next Halloween The Kid was about 9 months old. Poor little guy had no say in the matter his first 3 or 4 Halloweens. He was a fluffy Winnie the Pooh that year. The next year he was Tigger and the year after that Eyore. Finally, when he started school he started selecting his own costumes. He was a fireman that year. 

Then he joined Cub Scouts and humom was corralled into becoming the den mother. The years of elaborate Halloween parties began. The humom now had captive Halloween participants.

During these years there was the pre party decorating and planning, the party itself, plus the downtown trick or treating. There was plenty of Halloween celebrating opportunities.

Now The Kid is in Boy Scouts. He no longer trick or treats but he has been helping out with working on the town's haunted house the last few years. This gave the folks an excuse to come into town and walk around with the other Halloween revelers. Pepper has had to endure silly costumes the last couple of years.  Sweet, innocent pup that she is, though, I think she kind of enjoys the attention.

This year, The Kid is working as a techie on the school play. He won't be doing the Halloween thing at all. So poor Pepper pup has become the only Halloween outlet left. The humom was planning on taking her to a parade at our local pet supply place but her plan was foiled by the Apple Hill trip. Other than the rather sedate Halloween collar she posed in for Dogster, seems Pepper pup dodged the Halloween bullet this year!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Found!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/746137</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:36:03 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/746137</guid>
		<description>Love the happy endings!

From xfinity.comcast.net

DETROIT &acirc; Jim Arrighi last saw Petey, his 4 ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Love the happy endings!

From xfinity.comcast.net

DETROIT — Jim Arrighi last saw Petey, his 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, in the backyard of his home in Erin, Tenn.

That was in July, and the 73-year-old retired electrician had nearly given up on seeing his pet again when he learned the dog turned up safe about 500 miles away in suburban Detroit.

A Michigan Humane Society volunteer was expected to return Petey to Arrighi on Thursday morning.

"This is just a little town and everybody is buzzing about it," said Arrighi's daughter, Tyanne Morrison.

Most of Erin's roughly 7,000 residents know one another, and many of them would recognize Petey, which is why Arrighi, Morrison and their friends suspect he was pooch-napped by an out-of-towner.

Morrison believes Petey left his yard "and somebody picked him up."

"We searched. We knew someone had gotten him," she told The Associated Press by phone on Wednesday. "We got on 4-wheelers and went all over the area. There had been some more dogs over the last few months that were missing."

While struggling with the loss of his dog, Arrighi also lost his wife, Juanita, who suffered from pulmonary disease and died Oct. 12.

"Since my mother passed away, even I told him `why don't we go to the pound to give a home to a puppy that don't have a home,'" Morrison said.

Last week, a homeowner in Rochester Hills, about 20 miles north of Detroit, saw Petey in his backyard and took him to a Humane Society animal care center.

As it does with every recovered dog and cat, the Michigan Humane Society scanned Petey for an implanted microchip, which led the organization to its owner, spokesman Kevin Hatman said.

Arrighi, who has been staying at Morrison's home since his wife died, was thrilled to receive the call, she said.

"He thinks my mother, who is in heaven, sent the dog back to him," Morrison said.

She said their local veterinarian likely recommended Petey get a microchip.

"It was only about $70 total," Morrison said. "Now, a lot of people are inquiring about it."

In September, an implanted microchip helped an animal control agency in New York City locate the owners of Willow, a calico cat who turned up on a Manhattan street after going missing five years ago in Colorado.

The Michigan Humane Society recommends that all pet dogs and cats get microchips implanted, in addition to making sure they have collars and identification tags.

"It's wonderful when we see microchip reunions, including those that seem like miracles," said Marcelena Mace, shelter manager at the Rochester Hills Center for Animal Care. "It really proves that no matter how far your pet may travel, a microchip can help him find his way home."

Microchips, which also are implanted in pet cats, are about the size of a grain of rice and typically injected near the animal's shoulder blade, said Adam Goldfarb, director of pet care issues with the Washington, D.C.-based Humane Society of the United States.

The chips do not have their own power sources and only can be found and read with a scanner.

"In the last few years there has been a real jump in microchip usage, especially in animal shelters," Goldfarb said. "There are not nearly as many that should be microchipped. Sometimes owners are not great in registering their animals with microchip companies or updating their home information."]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Thank you!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/744883</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:51:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/744883</guid>
		<description>After my last entry a few pups went through the effort to send me a paw mail. Thank you Petey, Zoe,  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ After my last entry a few pups went through the effort to send me a paw mail. Thank you Petey, Zoe, Flicka and Milo!

I see that there are a few comments to that entry, Dear Dogster, now. Unfortunately, I cannot access them. Guess I missed that brief window when things were working again. Thanks for the comments!

Hope everypup has a nice day:)

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dear Dogster</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/744581</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:51:43 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/744581</guid>
		<description>First, we love you very much! You have helped many pups and people learn about and reach out to othe ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ First, we love you very much! You have helped many pups and people learn about and reach out to other dog interested folks. You have helped dogs to be able to record and memorialize their lives in pictures and writings. You have done a very good job at these things. We do not mean to be unkind or critical of you, Dogster, in any way.

We are worried about your new owners, however. Do they understand a Dogster with as many big and important responsibilites as you needs lots of time and attention? Are you getting enough food and water? Are you being groomed and walked? Have you been invited in as part of the Say Media family?

See, we believe you have been adopted by some well meaning folks. But seems you went from being a well cared for indoor Dogster to an after thought outdoor dog website. You seem to be stumbling and struggling, dear Dogster. We are so very sad and sorry to watch this happen to you.

Please, Say Media, bring the Dogster in! Give the Dogster the care and attention the Dogster needs to be a healthy, happy Dogster!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>K9 Cancer Walk</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/743198</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 8 Oct 2011 19:12:23 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/743198</guid>
		<description>Tomorrow the humom and Pepper will be walking in the K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos, CA. Yes, the city  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Tomorrow the humom and Pepper will be walking in the K9 Cancer Walk in Los Gatos, CA. Yes, the city of cats is hosting a dog walk! BOL!

I left the earth at a decent age of 12. But it is suspected that cancer in concert with old age played a part in what might have been a longer quality life. 

I always loved my walks. Think I'll come along. Maybe I'll make my presence known in the rustle of the leaves. Will they know it's me?]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Fly and Be Free!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/742540</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 4 Oct 2011 20:24:34 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/742540</guid>
		<description>Magic happens every day! 

From Montereyherald.com

Three foundling great horned owls treated an ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Magic happens every day! 

From Montereyherald.com

Three foundling great horned owls treated and raised at the SPCA for Monterey County were launched into the wild from Carmel Valley's Holman Ranch Sunday. 

The release of the owls on a picture-perfect afternoon, witnessed by more than 300 participants, was the climactic moment for the 18th annual Wild Celebration by the SPCA. 

Two of the owls came from the Salinas Valley and the third from Pebble Beach, said Gary Triscornia, SPCA executive director. 

The birds had fallen from their nests, and while the best rescue solution is to reunite the chicks with their parents, that wasn't possible in these cases, he said. One of the birds was treated — successfully — for an eye injury suffered in the fall. 

Nesting owls usually kick their young out of the nest to fend for themselves in the fall, Triscornia said, and the SPCA "family" did just that. 

"You have no concept of the depth of emotions involved in an owl release," he said, "until it happens. It's pretty magical." 

The SPCA Wildlife Center is the only wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Monterey County and one of the very few in existence directly connected with an animal shelter.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Jax Retires</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/741332</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:23:41 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/741332</guid>
		<description>Just thought this was a nice story in my family's local paper

From santacruzsentinel.com

SANTA ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Just thought this was a nice story in my family's local paper

From santacruzsentinel.com

SANTA CRUZ -- He took a bite out of crime for eight years -- finding burglary suspects and hunting illegal drugs and weapons -- but Santa Cruz police K-9 Jax retired Tuesday after a long and productive career. 

Jax, a German shepherd, was born in 2003 and lived with officer Karina Cecena soon afterward. He helped in searches for missing people and aided officers in finding weapons in several cases. 

Officer Cecena said earlier this year that it was "quite a commitment" to live and work with a police dog like Jax, but she thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

Jax was honored at a Santa Cruz City Council meeting Tuesday and received a proclamation declaring "Jax Day" in the City of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend said Jax is expected to enjoy his retirement with long walks on West Cliff Drive -- one of his favorite places.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Search Dog, Amber</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/740321</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:08:56 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/740321</guid>
		<description>Not a happy story, but note worthy on so many levels. 

From nbcbayarea.com:

Carrie McGonigle k ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Not a happy story, but note worthy on so many levels. 

From nbcbayarea.com:

Carrie McGonigle knows what it is like to lose a child. Her daughter Amber DuBois was killed in 2009 and her body wasn't discovered until 2010.

In the wake of that horror, McGonigle formed a rescue organization called "Team Amber Rescue" as a way to cope with her loss and to help other parents who are going through the disappearance of a child.  She traveled to the Bay Area to help the Le family search for their daughter Michelle late last week.

One of the members of McGonigle's search team was a yellow lab named, Amber, after her slain daughter.

In a press conference Wednesday, McGonigle said before the search began in Sunol Canyon, the dog darted off.  When McGonigle caught up with the animal, she said she was at the site of the remains. It happened just that fast. She said she didn't know what she had found at first. She reported the discovery to the detective who was with the group and continued on to search other areas of the canyon.

McGonigle said that she wasn't planning on attending the search for Le, because she didn't think she was emotionally prepared,  however, she eventually decided to go.

McGonigle said she feels as though a higher power led her to Le's body.

She also noted that Amber the dog is not officially certified as a search animal and still needs a year's worth of training.

McGonigle's daughter was murdered by convicted killer John Gardner in 2009. Her body was not found until the killer made a deal with the parents of another child he killed in 2010.  He said he would tell prosecutors where Amber's body was, if they did not seek the death penalty against him. Chelsea King's parents agreed, giving Amber's family closure.

Now McGonigle is able to give another family closure.   
Le’s remains were found in a remote area of Niles Canyon. The location is the general area where GPS tracking showed the cell phones of both Le and the prime suspect in the case, Giselle Esteban, traveled the night Le disappeared on May 27.

The Le family, along with Marc Klass' Kids Foundation had conducted several searches hoping to find clues to the case. Marc Klass, who also lost a daughter in a horrible crime, said parents like himself and McGonigle know what it is like not to have closure. He told NBC Bay Area on Sunday that getting closure is key to a parent's healing. 

McGonigle said she didn't want her role in the story to be announced right away, because she said the Le family had enough to deal with and she didn't want to take away anything from their grieving by having people talk about who found the body. She said she didn't want to be part of the story in respect for them.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Another Black Dog Story - A Sweet Story for Pet Lovers</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/739027</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:42:19 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/739027</guid>
		<description>Just when I thought I was done with black dog entries I received an e-mail earlier this week. It doe ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Just when I thought I was done with black dog entries I received an e-mail earlier this week. It doesn't state in the story that Abbey is a black dog but the sweet picture embedded in the e-mail is of a little girl hugging a black labby looking dog. Anyway, here is the e-mail:

We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US Postal Service. 

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words: 

Dear God, 
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. 
I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. 
Love, Meredith 

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note: 

Dear Meredith, 
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away. 
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. 

Thank you for the beautiful letter.  I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love". 

Love, 
God]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>It's not you. It's me.</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/738259</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:34:45 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/738259</guid>
		<description>Oh woofs! Humom almost had me bark a complaining, whiney entry about how terrible the Dogster perfor ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Oh woofs! Humom almost had me bark a complaining, whiney entry about how terrible the Dogster performance has been today. But then she tried going to some other sites and figured out it seems her IP was actually having some problems. So apparently it was not Dogster THIS TIME.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>September 11 Remembrance</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/738095</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:54:10 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/738095</guid>
		<description>The kid had something important to do today. He dressed in his Boy Scout uniform and went down to th ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The kid had something important to do today. He dressed in his Boy Scout uniform and went down to the county fairgrounds. Today's duty was to hand out flags. These flags are special. They each have the name of a person who died in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.

Folks were then asked to take their flag to a memorial display and to place them in there. There is a picture of it on my page today.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Pepper pup</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737901</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:53:24 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737901</guid>
		<description>The only earthly dog and the last in this series of black dogs is Pepper. Pepper is our family princ ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The only earthly dog and the last in this series of black dogs is Pepper. Pepper is our family princess! Come to us at a time when we can pamper, praise and protect.

After Jamaica my husband really wanted a black lab. I was a little leery, thinking this is a high energy breed and wondering if we could really manage a lab puppy. 

The litter she came from could not have been more different from Jamaica’s litter. 7 black and 1 yellow bundles of fur swarmed us. Pepper wore a little red collar. She and her yellow brother were the friendliest of the lot. We asked about her yellow brother and he was already spoken for.

We had no preference on male or female so I felt a little bad about taking the only female. But upon observation she was one of the friendliest and less chewy of the pups.  So selfish we were and she came home with us that night. She was 11 weeks old. 

I insisted on obedience training for this dog.  In the time between Jamaica and Pepper I did a lot of reading about dogs. Not sure why it took lack of a dog to get me to do this but it did. It was a time of reflection I needed. I realized the importance of socialization and training. My husband initially scoffed at the idea. So I was prepared to go it alone, just me and Pepper. This was not a negotiable subject. Pepper would get some formal training.

I found a puppy class at PetSmart starting within the next couple of weeks. Pepper was 13 or 14 weeks old when we started. Both my husband and son came along, perhaps out of curiosity, perhaps out of obligation. In any case it was an 8 week starter class and our hour of weekly family bonding had begun. We had a pretty good trainer and soon we all were hooked, especially my husband. Silly skeptic that he was, he has become a vocal champion of training. LOL!

I am not bragging when I say Pepper was the star of her class. Well maybe I am, but I am also telling the truth. If I have any regrets with Pepper so far, it is that I did not start her diary during her training weeks.  We came home many nights laughing and reminiscing about that week’s class. They would have made great entries but mostly I wish I had documented them for family memories. 

We went on to intermediate and advanced classes as a family. Then Pepper and I took some individual classes in preparation of the Canine Good Citizen test. We failed at our first attempt, messing up on the approaching a person with a dog portion. But a couple of weeks later we were invited back and we passed! This was HUGE for me. I know Pepper doesn’t know or care about her CGC but we are so happy and proud  about this accomplishment for her. 

After CGC I knew I wanted to keep some sort of dog activity going. I considered flyball, but in our area that seems to be a spring/summer activity. I could find no opportunity to start in the fall. Plus from what I read about it they encouraged waiting until the dog was 18 months to 2 years old because of the jumping portion. Pepper was 15 months old. 

As it happens her CGC trainer told us about a Splash Dogs dock diving competition coming up on Halloween weekend. I had never heard of dock diving but thought it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.  I wasn’t really sure if Pepper would like it, so I only signed her up for the practice sessions that time.  Silly me! She took to it like a lab takes to water. She was a natural and now we are hooked!

She is my first dog to have an extra curricular activity and I had no idea how rewarding it would be for me. We have so much fun doing this together. I have to admit I enjoy bringing home the rosettes and ribbons she wins, too. 

Pepper is a friendly, wiggly, funny girl, but can also be cautious and shy. She likes her crate so long as we don’t enclose her in it and she likes going to the vet. She likes water but hates baths (probably my fault). She has a hard time eating bread type foods, like pancakes, but loves watermelon and bananas. She is high energy but so easy to exercise with her obsession of fetch. We love her with all our hearts and look forward to many happy years together.

Sincerely Dogster,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Toby</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737663</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 9 Sep 2011 13:00:36 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737663</guid>
		<description>Toby is not a dog I ever got to meet in the fur. He was my husband's pup of yore from his teenage/yo ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Toby is not a dog I ever got to meet in the fur. He was my husband's pup of yore from his teenage/young adult years. I feel I know him, though, from all the funny, charming stories my husband has told me about him over the years. I don't think I can do those hearsay stories justice so I won't even try. But I feel the need to mention him because he is THE reason we have Pepper today. He was a black lab who made a lasting impression on that young boy who later became my husband. 

Thanks, dear Toby, you loved him well!

Yours in Dogster,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737575</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 8 Sep 2011 22:00:56 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/737575</guid>
		<description>My black doggies have come full circle for I am back to Jamaica:)

Shortly after the purchase of o ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ My black doggies have come full circle for I am back to Jamaica:)

Shortly after the purchase of our home a lady I worked with mentioned having a friend who was looking for homes for the roley-poley puppies her dog had. The friend lived right in our town of Boulder Creek and with the roley-poley description we had to go see them.

Fur mom was an Australian Shepherd and fur dad was a Chow Chow. These were some truly adorable puppies and roley-poley was accurate to describe them. Although, I did have a little nagging of doubt when checking out this litter of pups. Not one of them wanted to come investigate the humans. So, we picked a pup by choosing the one who broke from the pack to chase a cat. In essence, the one with the highest prey drive! 

If my sin with Tammy was indifference and neglect, my sin with Jamaica was ignorance. I truly believed all dogs were born friendly and only human mistreatment caused aggressiveness. I did not put much stock into breed traits. Boy was I to learn a lesson from Jamaica! She had the skittishness of the Aussie and the aloof protectiveness of the Chow. This was one pup who really should have gotten dedicated, deliberate socializing!

Thank God for the one neighbor who showed some interest and affection for her! For that was the only socializing she got. This neighbor, at the time, had two dogs of her own. Along with her own dogs, she not only would walk Jamaica she walked another neighbor's dog, Sadie. Sadie was just a few months older than Jamaica and they made a good pair. Sadie was the clown and Jamaica the nervous nellie. Jamaica was a cherished member of this little pack.

When Jamaica was about 11 months old we brought home our first, and only, child, another time of human selfishness. When we got Jamaica we thought fertility problems were in our future. Had I known we would be having a child in such a short time span I would have held off on the dog. But before she was a year old we became a family of four. 

After Tammy, I had made certain promises to myself about my future dogs. A walk twice a day and indoor/outdoor privileges were mandatory along, of course, with regular meals and fresh water. With the help of my husband and neighbor these promises were kept. Jamaica was not a neglected dog in regards to her physical needs.

I call her skittish, aloof and unfriendly. But this was only with strangers. With her family/pack she was loyal, quiet and tolerant. She was never aloof with that one neighbor lady who loved her so. She was quite enthusiastic in greeting her every time she came by.  If it wasn’t for Jamaica I might never have known what a special, caring friend I have.

There were times I wondered if we had made a mistake picking out one of those timid, unfriendly pups. But now I understand the real mistake was in not helping her to be a more confident, socialized dog. The mistake was in not even knowing we could help her. The mistake was ignorance.

But enough with the regrets. Jamaica had her furever family and lived her life as a cherished and loved member for 12 years. She thrived in the peace and quiet of the home in the mountains we were able to provide. She loved her doggy pack.  She loved us, her family. We weren't perfect, far from it, in fact, but think we did ok and managed to give her a happy life. 

Jamaica hated car rides. She also hated going to the vet. Two months after her 12th birthday I noticed blood in her urine. I took her to the vet and explained this was their one shot. If it was a simple, easy to clear up matter we would take care of it. I was quite annoyed that their main priority seemed to be to sell me more heart worm preventative. A week later they wanted her back to draw a direct urine sample. They could have done this at the previous visit. I would not have objected then. We did not return. With her age and temperament I would not put her through more car rides and more veterinary procedures. 

Within the month she stopped eating. I called a mobile vet to come out to the house. We let her spirit loose on a beautiful spring day in the outdoors she loved so much. 

She was truly a Boulder Creek dog. She rarely left this town during her life.  She was born, lived and died here.

Dogsterly yours,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Tammy</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/736482</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 2 Sep 2011 20:59:53 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/736482</guid>
		<description>This will be the most difficult black dog life story for me to relay. I&acirc;m reluctant to use the ter ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ This will be the most difficult black dog life story for me to relay. I’m reluctant to use the term ‘Heart Dog’ as several dogs lay claim to my heart and I hate to imply any lesser love for them. But if hard pressed to pick just one dog, it would have to be Tammy. Maybe it’s just the time she occupied in my life, a time of raging adolescent hormones and with it the grand dramas and fervent emotions.

I was 11 years old when we got Tammy. My poor mother was basically out voted in the choice. My father, gruff and grouchy bear he can sometimes be, is actually a kind, gentle man always looking to make us kids happy. He was rather naughty about occasionally bringing home pets without consulting with Mom. We already had a bit of a feral cat he brought home from work one day because a co-worker was looking for a home for it and Dad knew I had been wanting a cat! Another time he brought home some birds.  

Anyway, back to Tammy. Her fur mother belonged to a friend/neighbor. Well obviously fur mom got pregnant and had puppies and of course, I wanted one. At the time Mom did not want another animal. We already had our dog Curly and Charlie, our cat. Also, Mom was a bit troubled by the destructive tendencies she had heard about in Tammy’s mother. 

But Dad, soft touch that he is, sided with me, with the agreement she was MY dog and MY responsibility. Well as a parent myself now, we know how that tends to work out! I loved that dog dearly but I was not always a very good dog parent.

Tammy was such a sweet, gentle girl. Her mother was some sort of collie mix, her father a husky. Tammy, herself, had the look of a shepherd/husky mix. You can imagine her grooming needs.

Believe it or not, I did good by her in those early years. I can take credit she had a very happy puppy-hood and young dog life.  

We lived in one of those neighborhoods in a time when all the kids came outside to play together, especially in the summer. Tammy was just like one of the kids. She went everywhere with me and my friends. Through this natural process we had unknowingly thoroughly socialized this dog. She was confident and in no way aggressive.

5 years later at age 16, I started to drive and the time of forgotten meals and empty water bowls began. My folks picked up the slack but I know she suffered, mostly emotionally from my indifference. I was busy studying and socializing. My dog and my obligations to her were no longer a priority.

Tammy is the source of profound love and the foundation for my great admiration of this beautiful, loving, forgiving creature, the dog. She is also the source of a deep regret and sadness that I let her down during this very selfish time of my life.

She lived until my early twenties, my husband even got to meet her when we first started dating. I was an apartment dweller by then and she stayed behind at the folks’ place. I lived nearby and visited often and took her for walks. She was always happy and grateful to see me.  

In her last years she had problems with her back legs. She had hard times getting up and towards the end, her legs had a tendency to collapse on her. The folks told me it was time to let her go. They couldn’t bear to have her go on like this. What could I say? She was no longer my dog. I’d moved on without her.

My dad and I took her to her lifelong vet. I cried uncontrollably and the vet’s assistant handed me a whole box of tissues. Maybe back then most folks did not stay to comfort their dog. The vet and his staff seemed a bit taken aback that I wanted to be with her. Although, I’m sure they also couldn’t wait to get the crying mess of a girl out of their office. But I knew I had to be there for her and my mind was set. We saw her off to her next journey. It was one of the very rare times I’ve seen my father cry.

This dog came to me when I was a child in elementary school. Her life spanned my Jr. high, high school, college and early working years. She taught me dogs are loyal even when humans are not. She taught me not to take their love and company for granted. Try as they might they can’t live and love forever.

Humbly yours,
Jamaica & Pepper’s humom]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Curly</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/735316</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:08:00 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/735316</guid>
		<description>While on a job a professional mover overheard a little girl asking her dad, &quot;Now that we have our ow ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ While on a job a professional mover overheard a little girl asking her dad, "Now that we have our own house, Daddy, when are we gonna get a puppy?" That little girl was me and my dad was a U.S. Marine Sergeant moving into his very first long term home. It just so happens that mover's own dog had just had a litter of puppies and he was looking for homes for them. 

And so Curly came into our lives for the next 13 or so years. I don't remember going to the mover's house or picking him out. Not sure who thought to name him after a stooge!(probably Dad) 

I was told he was a cocker/poodle mix, but now I suspect there was some lhaso in him, too. He was a scruffy, little, black mop of a dog. 

He refused to eat dog food. So we kids would pretend to eat biscuits and kibble to get him to eat too and not starve to death. Although my parents are known to be notorious feeders from the table, so I suspect most of his sustanance came from human food. No wonder he didn't like his dog food!

Curly ended up being my mother's dog as often happens. He loved her dearly and followed her everywhere. He loved me and my little brother, too, but often we bugged him and he mostly just tolerated us kids. 

He was kind of scared of my dad who was approaching the end of his military career and had a rather stern air about him at that time. But I remember once rough housing with Dad. He was playfully wacking my backside with a phone book and I was laughing. Curly must have thought I was crying, though, and he came up snarling at Dad! We stopped our playing to look at him and he immediately realized his mistake. He went slinking off, head held low. If dogs could blush that would've been one red dog! Of course, he was not reprimanded. My dad actually admired that this little dog would stand up to him for one of the kids. No child abuse allowed in this house! You'd have to answer to Curly!

He was one brave, little, feisty dog. He was not our dog. We were his kids!

Yours in Dogster,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Black Beauties</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/735300</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:22:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/735300</guid>
		<description>Here at the Rainbow Bridge I have met other black dogs that are waiting fur my peoples. We have bark ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Here at the Rainbow Bridge I have met other black dogs that are waiting fur my peoples. We have barked about our earthly times to each other. I have offered diary space to each of them but instead the humom will be relaying their stories from her own perspective. It just seems best that way. She hopes to do them justice.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>I've Got a Secret!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/733396</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:57:04 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/733396</guid>
		<description>Pepper's got surprise on the way:) As a Rainbow Bridge dog I get to know and not bark! Hee hee!

R ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Pepper's got surprise on the way:) As a Rainbow Bridge dog I get to know and not bark! Hee hee!

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Back in Black!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/732966</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:34:57 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/732966</guid>
		<description>I have always had black dogs, from my very first dog as a small child to my current sweetie, Pepper. ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I have always had black dogs, from my very first dog as a small child to my current sweetie, Pepper. It was not out of preference or purposeful choice. They were just the dogs fate or God or the universe brought into my life. I sometimes wondered why I always ended up with the black dogs. A little variety would have been nice.

I learned a while back that black dogs have a harder time getting adopted. So Maria's recent blog about it is not news to me. I've loved all my dogs, but somehow knowing they are the underdogs makes me cherish them even more.

Black dogs are now my preference and if the winds of fate see fit to bless me with a lifetime of black dogs I happily embrace that fate!

Yours in Dogster,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom

From Maria's Dogster blog dated 8/15/2011:
The Best Friends Animal Society is hoping to help thousands of black pets find forever homes starting today. During its Back in Black adoption event, which runs from August 15 to September 17, 2011, anyone who adopts a black pet from a participating shelter gets 50 percent off adoption fees. The list of shelters isn’t terribly extensive, but at least it helps get people thinking about the plight of black dogs and cats.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Dogster was Drowsy!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/729931</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:47:52 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/729931</guid>
		<description>Oh my, Dogster was dragging and drowsy this morning! And on the morning my diary was chosen as The D ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Oh my, Dogster was dragging and drowsy this morning! And on the morning my diary was chosen as The Diary of The Day!

Thank you to Flicka and Redford's families for the nice plaques they made up for me! It seems the picture problem is finally sorted out and they actually show on my page now!

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Candle Lighting</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/729580</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:17:32 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/729580</guid>
		<description>Dear furiends Cleo, Flicka, Lucas and Pam let us know about the Sierra's Garden candle lighting toni ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Dear furiends Cleo, Flicka, Lucas and Pam let us know about the Sierra's Garden candle lighting tonight. Humum found an angel votive a good friend had given her for Christmas one year. She never used it until today. She found my name tag and put it in the angel's hands. There it belongs and there it will stay. 

Our candles were lit at 4:30 west coast time as that coincided with the group lighting. But they were lit again at sunset as well.

The mums in the photos on my page were to celebark Pepper's birthday on the 4th. They will be planted in the garden tomorrow in honor of the heaven and earth angels.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Cleo's Garden and A Candle Lighting</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728939</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:35:34 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728939</guid>
		<description>My dear furiend Cleo has a garden begun in her honor by her mum. In this garden will be a clear roun ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ My dear furiend Cleo has a garden begun in her honor by her mum. In this garden will be a clear round glass jar with a lid. In the jar will be glass florists pebbles. On the florist pebbles will be a name for each Fur Angel. The jar will be out in "Cleo's Garden" when Cleo's mum is there. It will shine in the sunlight. My humom is so touched that my name will be on one of those pebbles.

From Cleo's Diary:
On July 23rd at 7:30 P.M.EDT Wyoming's Mum will be having another Canine Cancer Hero Candle Lighting at Sierra's garden in Maine for our heaven and earth angels. They will be lighting each and every stake in Sierra's garden that has our angel's names burned on them, and a healing section of candles for our heroes that are living through the challenges of cancer.

Sadly each year the number of names in the garden grows .....so I'm sure that our angels will have something special planned for that evening. 
Every year they seem to show up and give us the gift of their presence. 

If everyone can please light a candle at 7:30 PM EST and place it outside so our angels can see our tribute of love for them in all different parts of the world, and a second candle to show our unity for positive thoughts of healing for those battling this disease ....." 

Cleo is Dogster 655745. She has more information and some neat links in her diary. Sorry my humom is not smart about links.

Looking forward to seeing all those candles on Saturday and feeling all the love.

Rainbow Wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Oh Mr. Vick!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728417</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:50:23 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728417</guid>
		<description>Oh, Mr. Vick, I can't imagine why
you would cause dogs to suffer and die!

Oh, Mr. Vick, hope to  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Oh, Mr. Vick, I can't imagine why
you would cause dogs to suffer and die!

Oh, Mr. Vick, hope to live long
At the end of the road, may you face all your wrongs

Sadly, there's surely more just like you
People who think us dogs are just tools

Maybe someday when it's your time to die
You'll have to look each of those dogs in the eye

Your fate will be to understand what you've done
And each dog will come forward one by one

You'll see in each eye what distress you created
and, perhaps, you'll see your life here was wasted

So, Mr. Vick, enjoy your earthly delights
Enjoy your money, your fame, your name in big lights

For someday you may find at the end of your time
That the universe serves justice that does fit the crime]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Diary Pick!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728056</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 10 Jul 2011 12:58:31 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/728056</guid>
		<description>Got my first Diary Pick honor a couple of days ago. Wouldn't you know it would happen when the humom ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Got my first Diary Pick honor a couple of days ago. Wouldn't you know it would happen when the humom is not around to push the computer keys for me!

Anywoofs, thank you, MrJackFreckles, fur the Diary Pick portrait and Zoe fur the heart! And thanks to sumpup or pups fur all the bones!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Grandparents are Coming! The Grandparents are Coming!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/727071</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 1 Jul 2011 06:33:44 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/727071</guid>
		<description>Grandma and Grandpa are leaving from Southern California today. They are some of my favorite earthly ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Grandma and Grandpa are leaving from Southern California today. They are some of my favorite earthly people!

Their dog, Rowdy, came to join me at the Rainbow Bridge a few months back. We were very close in age, I was a few earthly months older than him. We knew each other as pups and I was probably his only doggy furiend there on earth. We both had some socialization issues:( Now we both have lots of Rainbow furiends!

Anywoofs, I was an indoor/outdoor dog in my earthly days, meaning while the peoples were home I could go in and out whenever I wanted. Mostly I preferred to be outside, though. This kind of hurt Mother's feelings, but hey, when you've got a chow's coat it gets pretty hot! But when the grandparents came I would choose to hang indoors and socialize with them! They were some of very few people I did that for!

Safe journeys Grandma and Grandpa! Pepper is waiting for you in the Santa Cruz Mountains and, boy, will she be happy when you arrive!

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Impossible or I'm possible?</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/726488</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 25 Jun 2011 08:03:20 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/726488</guid>
		<description>Humom thought the following was clever so she asked me to help her remember it by putting it in my d ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Humom thought the following was clever so she asked me to help her remember it by putting it in my diary. Humom is rather easily impressed if you ask me, but here goes:

Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, 'I'm possible'!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Kid:)</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724978</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 10 Jun 2011 23:08:26 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724978</guid>
		<description>I was close to one year old when the kid came home. He was a little pink lumpy thing. I say, I did n ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I was close to one year old when the kid came home. He was a little pink lumpy thing. I say, I did not know what to make of him at first. I was a little afraid, actually. But I soon figured out he was relatively harmless. There are a few sweet pictures of us together, the old fashioned film kind. The folks did not have a digital camera back then. Maybe one day the humom can be roused into scanning and posting them. Woofs, lots have changed in over 14 years!

I learned I was now second fiddle with the kid around. But that was ok by me. I was a very independant girl. As long as I got my walks life was good. And walk we did, now with a stroller in tow or sometimes the kid in a sling.

The kid grew rather slowly (compared to me). He never really got the hang of crawling. Did kind of an army crawl with just his arms. Seemed to me it took furever fur him to finally start walking!

But walk he did and soon he went off to school. He did preschool then started kindergarden. I was there fur all of his elementary years. Other kids sometimes came over to play. Then the scouts started having meetings at our house. These times were a bit hard fur me. I was not into visitors. 

He would take walks with me and the humom. Sometimes he would try to climb the little cliffs along the side of the road. I thought this was a bit silly. But we would wait and watch and hope he does not fall and break his neck. Thank goodness he never did!

He was in his first year at middle school when I had to start watching from a far. He was 11 and I was 12. He has grown tall and strong and his voice has changed. He had braces put on his teeth and taken off during his middle school years. Three short years go by so fast! 

Yesterday there was a big gathering in the little valley that holds my earthly home. The folks went and the kid did too. They were dressed a little nicer than usual. There was some singing, some talking, some awards handed out. The kid got his certificate. He graduated from middle school! High school, here he comes!

Rainbow wags, 
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>NZ Bids Earthly Good-Bye to Shrek the Sheep</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724673</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 7 Jun 2011 21:58:58 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724673</guid>
		<description>Being half Australian shepherd I am glad sheep are welcome at the Rainbow Bridge! This story is from ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Being half Australian shepherd I am glad sheep are welcome at the Rainbow Bridge! This story is from the BBC website but it is being carried on many others as well. Shrek was not an ordinary following sheep!

Shrek the New Zealand sheep, whose ability to avoid the shearers made him a national celebrity, has died.

Shrek came to prominence in 2004 after evading capture for six years by hiding in caves on the South Island.

The cunning Merino lost his giant 27kg (60lb) fleece in a televised shearing. 

The 16-year-old sheep had a high-profile career. He met then Prime Minister Helen Clark, became the subject of several children's books and made regular charity appearances.

Shrek's owner, John Perriam, of Bendigo Hill station, said the famous sheep had to be put down over the weekend because of age-related illnesses.

"He was just an ordinary sheep, went awol and hid, and when he was found he became the darling of the nation," Mr Perriam told local broadcaster TVNZ. 

"He had an unbelievable personality. He loved children and he was really good with the elderly in retirement homes."

Shrek's giant fleece - enough to make 20 large men's suits - was auctioned off in 2004 for children's medical charities. 

Josie Spillane of Cure Kids said over the years Shrek had raised more than $150,000 (£75,000) for the charity, which funded research into life-threatening illnesses. 

"At the end of the day, it is the death of an iconic Kiwi. He just happens to be a sheep," she told the Southland Times.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>The Puzzle</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724499</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 6 Jun 2011 15:36:42 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/724499</guid>
		<description>There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.

~Deepak Chopra, author and pioneer of alternative medicine

Just an infuresting thought.

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Love Island</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723980</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 1 Jun 2011 20:41:12 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723980</guid>
		<description>Miss Dayzee posted this in the Dayzee Support group mail. Just thought it was pretty and worth passi ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Miss Dayzee posted this in the Dayzee Support group mail. Just thought it was pretty and worth passing along. After all, it's not good to stay "mad" for long!
Rainbow wags,
Jamaica

Once upon a time there was an island where all the feelings
lived; happiness, sadness, knowledge, and all the others,
including love.

One day it was announced to all of the feelings that the island
was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean.
So all the feelings prepared their boats to leave.

Love was the only one that stayed. She wanted to preserve
the island paradise until the last possible moment.

When the island was almost totally under, Love decided it was
time to leave. She began looking for someone to ask for help.
Just then Richness was passing by in a grand boat. Love asked,
"Richness, Can I come with you on your boat?"
Richness answered, " I'm sorry, but there is a lot of silver and
gold on my boat and there would be no room for you anywhere."

Then Love decided to ask Vanity for help who was passing in a
beautiful vessel. Love cried out, "Vanity, help me please."
"I can't help you", Vanity said, "You are all wet and will
damage my beautiful boat."

Next, Love saw Sadness passing by. Love said, "Sadness, please
let me go with you." Sadness answered, "Love, I'm sorry, but, I
just need to be alone now."

Then, Love saw Happiness. Love cried out, " Happiness, please
take me with you." But Happiness was so overjoyed that he
didn't hear Love calling to him.

Love began to cry. Then, she heard a voice say, "Come Love,
I will take you with me." It was an elder.

Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that she forgot to ask the
elder his name.

When they arrived on land the elder went on his way.
Love realized how much she owed the elder.

Love then found Knowledge and asked,
"Who was it that helped me?"

"It was Time", Knowledge answered.

"But why did Time help me when no one else would?", Love asked.

Knowledge smiled and with deep wisdom and sincerity, answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

~Author Unknown]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica, Me Mad!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723885</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 1 Jun 2011 05:41:57 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723885</guid>
		<description>WHO does these things! And WHY!
Humans, I just don't understand sometimes:(
Rainbow howls,
Jamaic ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ WHO does these things! And WHY!
Humans, I just don't understand sometimes:(
Rainbow howls,
Jamaica

By: Megan Gibson 

A stray dog in Malta proved that she had the heart of a champion, when police officers discovered her buried in sand up to her face, her legs and snout bound, and suffering from pellet gun shot wounds to the head. Despite the horrible abuse (she had more than 40 pellet gun bullets removed from her skull), the dog, named "Star" by her rescuers, has managed to pull through.

Naturally, the citizens of Malta are horrified by this story and are demanding that animal abuse be met with harsher penalties. Under the current law, those convicted of animal cruelty could face a one-year maximum term in prison.

And because Star was a stray, there are few leads on who her tormenter was, though Facebook pages have sprung up to help with the investigation.]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica, Me Glad!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723861</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 31 May 2011 20:48:50 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723861</guid>
		<description>Glad there was a happy ending fur this pup!
Rainbow wags,
Jamaica 

After 100-Hour Rescue Missio ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Glad there was a happy ending fur this pup!
Rainbow wags,
Jamaica 

After 100-Hour Rescue Mission, Dog Freed from Boulder in Australia

By: Tara Kelly

How far would you go to save the life of your pet? It was a question that dog lover Steve Porter faced after his beloved Jack Russell Terrier got trapped under 45 tons of rock 12 feet below.
The four-year-old dog named Jessie chased a feral cat between two boulders during a rabbit-hunting expedition with Porter in the Australian outback. Only able to move his head, the dog managed to survive on tiny pieces of liver fed to him via a wire.

Meanwhile, Porter embarked on a serious rescue mission costing a hefty $2,100. In the end, it took a hydraulic ram capable of moving 95 tons of rock and 100 hours of digging to free the terrified pooch. The boulder budged, "millimeter by millimeter," until Jessie was finally freed and lifted to safety using a dog-catching hoop. When the dog was finally rescued, Jessie jumped into Porter's arms and gave him a big lick.

NewsFeed wonders what ever happened to that feral cat. (via Gawker)]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Click for Kibble!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723531</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 29 May 2011 10:33:02 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723531</guid>
		<description>I sniffed out this really neat website, freekibble.com. Humom has checked it out herself before lett ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I sniffed out this really neat website, freekibble.com. Humom has checked it out herself before letting me woof about it in my diary.

Furst, there is no need to register or give out any fursonal information:)

Second, shelter dogs benefit with a donation of free kibble from this site! :D

Third, the humans get to learn and store more trivial infurmation in their poor little brains:/

I, of course, being a Rainbow girl, know all the answers:) So far Mother has missed two for two:(

Know what celebrity said the following?

 "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. They are the role model for being alive."

If curious, go to freekibble.com to find out! Even wrong answers (like Mother's) get free kibble fur the pups!

A woof from the Rainbow,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica, Me Smile:)</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723095</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 25 May 2011 06:25:00 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/723095</guid>
		<description>Just thought this is a very sweet story. Hope it makes you smile, too. Wags from the Rainbow, Jamaic ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Just thought this is a very sweet story. Hope it makes you smile, too. Wags from the Rainbow, Jamaica.

By Laura Zuckerman 
Reuters
 
Michelle Feldstein was prepared to provide 
special accommodations for the blind horse 
she recently added to the flightless ducks, 
clawless cats and homeless llamas inhabiting 
her animal shelter in Montana. 

But nothing could prepare her for the 40-
legged, seeing-eye entourage that 
accompanied "Sissy," a sightless, 15-year-old 
quarter horse.

"Sissy came with five goats and five sheep — 
and they take care of her," said Feldstein, the 
force behind Deer Haven Ranch, a private 
rescue facility she runs with her husband, Al, 
on 300 acres north of Yellowstone National 
Park.

The seeing-eye sheep and guard goats are 
never far from the white mare, and they 
never lead her astray. They shepherd Sissy to 
food and water, and angle the horse into her 
stall amid blowing snows or driving rains.

"They round her up at feeding time and then 
move aside to make sure she gets to the hay," 
Feldstein said. "They show her where the 
water is and stand between her and the fence 
to let her know the fence is there."

Before their arrival in February at Deer 
Haven, a retirement home for creatures 
ranging from henpecked roosters to abused 
alpacas, prospects for Sissy and her guide 
team of 10 were grim.

The animals might have been marked for 
death had Feldstein not intervened when 
another rescue facility in western Montana 
folded this winter.

"I only take animals that others consider 
throwaways," said Feldstein, 66, whose past 
professional careers have included race car 
driver and hospital administrator.

Feldstein and her husband, a retired editor of 
Mad Magazine, underwrite their rescue 
operation. It can cost as much as $50,000 a 
year for feed, veterinarian services, and 
winter-time heating of barns and water 
troughs for a total of 200 animals. The 
couple also run a guest house for humans 
whose profits are poured into the animal 
sanctuary.

Feldstein said she marvels at the blind mare 
and her barnyard attendants.

"There's a magic involved in sheep, goats and 
a horse becoming best friends," she said. 
"When you watch them, you have to wonder, 
why can't people do that?"]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica, me hopeful:)</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/722743</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 21 May 2011 22:13:00 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/722743</guid>
		<description>For every bad person, many good people can be found. Today we found out about Sister Pauline Quinn a ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ For every bad person, many good people can be found. Today we found out about Sister Pauline Quinn and her prison dog programs plus more good things at www.pathwaystohope.org. Interesting and uplifting, trust me!

Rainbow wags,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica, me sad:(</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/722699</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 21 May 2011 09:06:49 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/722699</guid>
		<description>I am very saddened by one of the newer Rainbow pups to join us. Not saddened by the pup's company, b ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I am very saddened by one of the newer Rainbow pups to join us. Not saddened by the pup's company, but just that this is a very young pup and the method sent here. A 6 week old pup from Gilroy, CA thrown against a wall during a domestic dispute. I am not meaning to be a gloomy Rainbow pup but Gilroy is local fur my family on earth so this story is close to home.

Hello, little one. We pups will take care of you here at the Rainbow Bridge.

Woofs from the Rainbow,
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>To All You Moms</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/721374</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 8 May 2011 08:25:22 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/721374</guid>
		<description>To all you Moms with Rainbow pups
We feel your love more than enough

To all you Moms who shed a  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ To all you Moms with Rainbow pups
We feel your love more than enough

To all you Moms who shed a tear
Over soft furs and fuzzy ears

To all you Moms who tried in vain
To keep at bay old age and pain

We all are looking down right now
We hope you have moved on, somehow

We wag our tails when you are cheery
We hang our heads when you are teary

We know you love us, yes, we do
We hope you know we love you, too

By Jamaica
A Rainbow girl]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Another Wedding on April 29</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/720595</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 1 May 2011 09:49:48 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/720595</guid>
		<description>There's been a lot of celebrating a certain wedding there on earth the past few days. My folks also  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ There's been a lot of celebrating a certain wedding there on earth the past few days. My folks also had a wedding on April 29, although 16 years earlier. 

This year the folks took Friday, April 29th off to spend the day together. Mostly they caught up on yard work in the pleasant weather. Pepper benefited greatly by having ball throwers at her beck and call much of the day.

In the evening the folks went out to a nice dinner, just the two of them. The Boy and Pepper stayed home and I watched over them, as I do.

That night Mother watched the highlights of the royal wedding on tv. Ever after, the folks will share this day as an anniversary with the royal couple, two young people with their lives ahead of them. May they do well!]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Rainbow Day plus one</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/720025</link>

				<pubdate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:21:11 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/720025</guid>
		<description>For a while now, I have pondered whether to start a Dogster page for my Rainbow girl, Jamaica. Initi ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ For a while now, I have pondered whether to start a Dogster page for my Rainbow girl, Jamaica. Initially my thought was to just move forward with Pepper. I was not comfortable introducing a nonearthly dog to Dogster. I still have some mixed feelings about it. 

But often, especially in April, I find my thoughts turning to her. I see her in Pepper's chow mix friends here on Dogster. In moving forward, must her memory be left behind? 

As Pepper has observed, I am not the quickest acting of human beings. Jamaica lead me to Dogster. It seems fitting she should have a page. 

Thank you for the warm welcome she has already received with pup pal requests, an emerald and a lot of bones (320 to be exact)! 

Yours in Dogster,
Jamaica & Pepper's humom]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Jamaica</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/721264</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 24 Apr 2011 11:36:00 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/721264</guid>
		<description>Jamaica was our first dog as an adult, married couple. And, yes, learn from her we did. 

We had b ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Jamaica was our first dog as an adult, married couple. And, yes, learn from her we did. 

We had been married for a year and had just moved into our house a month before Jamaica came into our lives. Mistakes, indeed, were made with her upbringing pretty much from day one. Jamaica was not socialized. Jamaica was not trained. Jamaica had issues.  

We learned from Jamaica that not all dogs are born friendly. Jamaica had an Australian Shepherd mom. Her dad was a neighbor’s Chow Chow. So basically she was part of an oopsie litter. I did have a little nagging of doubt when checking out this litter of pups. Not one of them wanted to come investigate the humans. So, we picked a pup by choosing the one who broke from the pack to chase a cat. In essence, the one with the highest prey drive! 

Jamaica was a sweet, funny, loving, gentle girl. She was also aloof, protective, insecure, skittish and downright aggressive to strange dogs and people. Basically if she didn’t know you as a pup, you weren’t part of her pack and she didn’t like or trust non pack members.

Jamaica was very stoic. She never whimpered, she never cried in fear or sadness. She was deathly afraid of thunder, and most loud noises, but she never whined or reacted destructively. Instead she would hide and cower. She was a quiet girl especially when she was scared.

Jamaica was a very dignified, ethical dog. She never dumpster dived. She never took food off the table or counter. She never drank out of the toilet. She always waited her turn for a treat. 

She would bark in happiness when asked, in an excited voice, if she was “ready to go for a walk!?” She would then prance and dance in anticipation. A walk was one of very few reasons to abandon her dignity.

Jamaica had her issues. I was disappointed to have a dog children could not pet. That was not something I anticipated, an aggressive dog that I raised. There were times I wondered if we had made a mistake picking out one of those timid, unfriendly pups. But now I understand the real mistake was in not helping her to be a more confident, socialized dog. The mistake was in not even knowing we could help her. The mistake was ignorance.

But enough with the regrets. Jamaica had her furever family and lived her life as a cherished and loved member for 12 years. She thrived in the peace and quiet of the home in the mountains we were able to provide. She loved her doggy furiends. There was quite a neighborhood pack when she was a puppy. She loved us, her family. We weren't perfect, far from it, in fact, but think we did ok and managed to give her a happy life. We love and miss her greatly.

Jamaica's earthly humom]]></content:encoded>
	</item>
	

	<item>
		<title>Earthly Times</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/719827</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:12:10 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Jamaica - A Rainbow Girl ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1185865/diary/Jamaica_junction/719827</guid>
		<description>Life as a puppy was pretty good. I had lots of fur siblings and a fur mom. Then one day two people c ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Life as a puppy was pretty good. I had lots of fur siblings and a fur mom. Then one day two people came and took me away from my fur family. I was scared. But I didn’t cry. I was a quiet girl. 

The furst night I slept in a room all by myself. There wasn’t much furniture in this room. My new peoples had not lived here very long. I was scared. But I didn’t cry. I was a quiet girl.

The next night I slept in the people's room in a laundry basket lined with blankets. This was better. I wasn’t as scared. Why didn’t they have me in here with them in the furst place?

I soon was bigger and figured out how to tip over the laundry basket. From then on I was pretty much free in the house.

I really liked a little stuffed koala bear that sat on the floor in one of the rooms. There was a mama koala holding a little baby koala. It was the little baby that I liked. I didn’t hurt the little baby. I just liked carrying him around. This was the only stuffed animal I ever played with.

Once the pa-man's sister came to visit with her dog, Mandy. Mandy and I got along great! She was a sweet, big, black lab mix and by this time I was about a 7 month old puppy. The pawrents decided to take us for a drive and go for a walk at a place in California called Monterey. There were lots of other people walking in Monterey, too. It was a beautiful sunny day. 

A little boy came up and wanted to pet me. I guess because I was the cute puppy. I moved away. I did not know this little boy. I did not want him to touch me. He followed me over the other side of the humom. I moved away again. He followed me again! He was not getting my signals! So I nipped in the air toward his hand. The dadster told me that was really bad! He was mad at me! :(

The little boy was not much fazed by my nipping. But I got my point across and he did not mess with me anymore.  Humom told him to pet Mandy and she, Mandy, took over entertaining this kid. Whew! Thank you, Mandy!

Another time, the folks thought I would enjoy a walk through the woods. Problem was we had to pass thru a creek. It was a hot day and they wanted to get to a water hole they heard about. This is when we all learned I REALLY HATE WATER(not just baths)! Then the crazy people let me off lead. I really wanted to run away after they practically drowneded me! But they were the only people I knew and so I stuck around. But I had to go thru that creek again to get back to the car. This was the one and only time we took that walk!

My bestest friend was our good neighbor lady. She had a Scottish terrier and a German Shepherd dog when we furst met her. The German Shepherd’s name was Savannah. Savannah was old. She had not had the best life and spent much time on the end of a chain, outdoors, always. But neighborfriend lady rescued her and made her last months the best times of her life. Savannah was my teacher. 

Savannah taught me to run off with her when we were off lead while walking in the woods with our humoms. We always came back but pretty much in our own good time. Savannah also taught me to be polite. She didn’t take a lot of guff from Arnie, the Scottish terrier. But she was pretty tolerant of me, puppy that I was. But one day I was getting to be bigger and there were treats being handed out and somehow I ticked her off. She held me down with her paw. This time I was scared but I DID scream and cry. I was so surprised! I never ticked her off again. She was old and did not live too long after that. But I learned my lesson and always waited politely for my treat after that.

My best doggy friend was a Golden Retriever named Sadie. Sadie was only a year or so older than me. We had the best of times romping around together. Once, I started diggin' a hole and Sadie wanted that hole fur herself. She tried to hold me down with one paw and dig with the other. This didn't work out so well fur her! Silly Sadie!

When I was about a year old the folks brought home a small, loud, strange skin creature. I was scared. But I didn’t cry. I was a quiet girl. Fur the furst and only time in my life I chewed up something, a blanket. 

The previous month, I was really enjoying that humom was staying home with me and not going off to work. It was just the two of us all day. But boy, humom's stomach was sure getting big! Time to lay off the Cheetos, Mom! Then a couple days before the weird skin creature came humom announced that her water had broke. The folks hurried out of the house that morning. Dadster came back to check on me that night and the next morning but I didn’t see Mom. When she finally came home the next day after that, she had the weird skin creature.

I soon figured out the creature was a human baby and he was here to stay. I was a very good big sister. I was not overly interested in the baby but as he grew I tolerated his interest in me. Once when he was about two he fell (or jumped) on me when I was in a deep sleep. I growled and jumped up, I was MAD (anyone would be!), but I just trotted away and found another place to sleep. Humom told the kid off for doing that to me and it did NOT happen again.

Me and the boy found our peace. He was not really a tormenting kid and when he tried to hug me or whatever I would just lick his face. That gave him some attention from me and he would be satisfied and stop bugging me. 

When I was about two goodneighbor lady got a German Shepherd puppy. She named him Thor. Thor was pretty big even as a puppy. He liked tennis balls. He would carry one around with him all the time. I had NO interest in tennis balls. But I loved to take his when the opportunity came up. Gentleman that he was he would wait for me to drop it so he could get it back. I LOVED teasing him! But he tormented me by attacking me in greeting every time I came out of the house. So I think we were pretty much even in the tormenting department.

When I was about 8 something happened to my knee and I was only using 3 legs to walk. The folks waited a day or two to see if it would get better. It did not. Humom took me to the vet.

I ALWAYS HATED going to the vet. HATED IT! Anywoof, the vet said they needed to take x-rays. Humom left me with those horrible vet people for a day. Can you believe it?! After the x-rays they said I need something called surgery. 

A week later I was dragged back to the vet for the surgery. I stayed there all day and all night. When I came out my leg hurt even worse! I think they cut it up! I was not too happy with the human race at that time.  I WOULD NOT LOOK AT HUMOM THE WHOLE RIDE HOME! 

Then I couldn’t go on my normal walks for several weeks!  WEEKS! Also I was put in a crate fur the furst time in my life! Plus I had to go back to the vet every couple of weeks fur check ups. Luckily these times I never got left there.

Well, eventually I started using all of my legs again. About a year later I was pretty much all better. Thankfurly I never went thru anything like that again. But I was getting to be an old girl and this experience pretty much aged me faster.

By the time I was 11 I was the last of the original dogs on my street. My friends were all gone, even Thor, though he was younger than me. I do not make new friends easily and life was a bit lonely that year. I loved my peoples but I was always a dog's dog. My doggy pack was imporfurant to me.

12 years old is not exactly ancient fur a dog but it was my time to follow my furiends to the Rainbow. A vet came out to the ole homestead. I was scared. But I didn't cry. I was a quiet girl.

I left my earthly body on a sunny but cool, breezy April day, in the great outdoors, where I always preferred to be, with the humom by my side. 

Fur a quiet dog who does not bark much, this is one long entry, but hey, this is my life's story! 

Wags from the Rainbow, 
Jamaica]]></content:encoded>
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