Two Years Gone

Dear Shellies,

It's hard to believe that two years have gone by since I lost you. There have been a lot of changes since last year. Rosie, Shelly and I have moved again...this time pretty far away. I haven't been able to come back to visit you yet, but I will soon. We have a blended family now, May-may, a big crazy German Shepherd lives with us now. She and Rosie had a few scrapes while getting used to living together, but we brought a trainer in to help us and they are getting along much better now...well at least Rosie knows not to mess with her.

Shelly reminds me more of you as time goes by...I'm still thinking that maybe you moved into her body...though she's a lot more fond of destroying toys than you ever were. But she loves to jump up and give lots of hugs and kisses like you, and she's still as stubborn as ever about coming inside like a certain Shellies. She's definitely fitting her namesake.

Rosie still misses you. After we moved she found an old collar of yours. She sniffed it, picked it up in her mouth, took it to the bed and rested her chin on it with a sigh and just pouted for a while. You were her best pal and such a great sister. Shelly tries, but it's not quite the same. Rosie does love her though, and plays with her a lot. But you'll always be her bestest sister.

We have your picture on the mantle so while we warm ourselves by the fire we can see you and remember all the good times we had together.

Here's something cosmic that happened this past year. I was in a bad car accident over the summer. The back of my car was smashed in and I got pushed into another car. Going back to see the wreck a few days later I looked at the impact and thought it didn't look normal considering how hard I was hit. Instead of being shoved all the way in the rear was bent up with the fender facing straight up. I looked underneath and saw the gas tank was dented a little, right where the fender was bent. I thought that might have had something to do with Shelly's crate that I had been keeping in the trunk. Sure enough, when the trunk was opened at the salvage yard the crate was completely wedged in. They couldn't get it out. If it hadn't been there the gas tank would have been crushed and possibly ripped open which could have sparked and exploded. Instead of just having a fracture and some problems with leg pain I could have been blown sky high. If you hadn't passed away I wouldn't have adopted Shelly and had that crate in the trunk. So, you saved me again my Shellies. But I still wish that lady I lived with hadn't been so stupid as to leave you and Rosie in the front yard alone so you had time to dig your way out and escape. This was just a miracle that our Creator did that resulted because He chose to take you from me. At least now it makes a little more sense.

I just wish you were here with us so I could hug you and play with you, and so Rosie could snuggle with her sister again. We miss you so much, girl. Thanks for helping to look out for me, and the rest of us. We will always love you.

Love,
Dad, Rosie, and Shelly.

The First Year Without You Passes

My Dearest Shellies,
A year has gone by since you left your sister and I. Not a day goes by that I don't feel the broken heart of your passing. I miss you so much, still wishing I could hold you and get hugs and kisses from you just once more. Shelly is doing her best to make up for your absence, and I know there must be times when you are channelling through her. She is so much like you.

I visited your grave today and left you a shell from your favorite island. I haven't gotten to go and bury some of your fur there, but I promise I will get there this year and do that for you.

I spent part of my day telling stories about you; how you ran away and found all the chained up dogs in the neighborhood, and then came back to show me where they were; and the time you saw the copperhead on the railroad tracks and jumped up to keep me from stepping on it and possibly getting bitten; and how you ran off with Buddy and Batdog and had a grand time chasing the deer. I miss you girl. That pain will never go away until we meet again.

There are times when we feel you around us, and are glad you are helping watch over us.

Play hard and run free my angel dog. I will never stop loving you.

Yours always,
Dad

It's Your Rebirthday

My Dearest Isabel,
Today is your rebirthday; the first that has come since your passing and moving on to the rainbow bridge. I've been so busy that I nearly forgot. You would have celebrated your sixth rebirthday; the day you came home in the middle of a hurricane, and came on by storm into my life.

I love you so. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you: your big smile, the way you greeted me when I came home, the way you were such a good big sister to Rosie, and how you would protect Moo Cow and Nora from Rosie's overly enthusiastic advances.

I see so much of you in Shelly. She shares your enthusiasm for everything, your expressive ears, and even your stubborn streak. I hope you can feel it when I rub her belly.

Rosie still misses you I think. She and Shelly aren't as tight as you too were, but they are getting closer and love to play some of the same games, though ring around hedge isn't as fun. Shelly hasn't figured out that it's about the chase, not the actual catching, but still it's a good workout.

I miss everything about you, but most of all I just miss having you here. You left me too soon my girl. This empty space in my heart is never going to go away until we meet again.

I love you so my Shellies. Watch over us, okay? We still need you.

Happy Rebirthday love to you,

Your ever-lovin' Dad.

Tough Days But Good Days

The first morning waking without Isabel brought a new round of uncontrolled sobbing, but also a clarity of vision. We have determined the best ways to honor the sweetest Shellies. We will be sponsoring a kennel at her shelter in her memory. With their board's approval we will set up a memorial fund to help people pay for training classes (especially appropriate with all the training I did with Isabel to help her get over her separation anxiety), and by saving a life.

While at the shelter yesterday to talk about the memorials we decided to visit the dogs. We met one with that spark of pure joy that Isabel had. We got to meet her in a private room. She hugged and kissed us just like the Shellies did when I met her for the first time. She chose us and there was nothing we could do about it accept fill out the paperwork and put down a deposit. We also had her feline tolerance tested. She passed with flying colors.

Of course Rosie had the right of refusal, just like Isabel did when I was getting ready to adopt Rosie. We brought her to the shelter this morning for the meet up. They got along right away. Ellie (her shelter name), got a little rude with Rosie who gave a quick bark and snap to put her in her place. Ellie was responsive and took her cue well, no fussing at all. Then it was back to the sniffing and greeting. We could tell Rosie really liked her because she wanted to follow Ellie when they took her to the visitation room.

So it turns out that by adopting Ellie we may be saving the lives of four dogs: Ellie, the dog who will be taking her place in the foster program, and the two dogs who will get spots in those open kennels.

I know that Isabel's tail is whirling like a propellor over that.

Our grief is still heavy, and it is hard just to see her picture, just as it was hard to come home from work today for the first time since she left. That process will continue, and the hole in our hearts will always be there. But knowing that Isabel's spirit will glow through our home with the joy and zest for life that Ellie has, just like Isabel's, will bring some much needed comfort to our pack, especially to Rosie who has never been without a sister since I've had her.

To her credit, Rosie has been a real godsend. She still looks for Isabel when we go out and come inside, but she still leaps and dances for her dinner, still gives her hugs and kisses, and has been extra snuggly. In many ways, she is being the strong one for us.

We should be taking her from the shelter on Friday, provided her surgery goes as scheduled. Since she's such an exuberant pup (only 6 months old), and Rosie is such a playful one, Ellie is going to spend a few days recuperating in a quieter place, under medical supervision, from her spay surgery. We'll get a few pictures up with a new page once she's officially ours.

It's a big leap of faith, but then so was getting Isabel. We are deeply pained by her departure, but feel she is guiding this. We feel so blessed to have been chosen by such a beautiful and spirited dog like Ellie. We didn't think it would happen so soon, but I think the Shellies had other plans.

I also want to thank all our dear old friends who have been sending paw mail and presents. We don't come here like we used to, but you are always in our thoughts and it's gratifying to see so many of you here.

We will respond later when things have quieted, and the tears slow up. But know that your kind words mean so much to us. We love you all.

My Angel Dog Is Gone. All Things Must Pass

I received a call yesterday afternoon from my girlfriend. She was frantic and in tears. She had let my dogs out to go to the bathroom and play outside in the fenced yard in front of our house. She went inside to use the bathroom. In the few minutes there was someone came knocking on the door. She dashed out to see who it was. It was our next door neighbor who had brought the dead body of Isabel Roverandom to our yard. She had been struck by a car and killed instantly. Our gates were closed. There was no sign of them digging themselves out. It is highly unlikely that they both managed to climb over the fence. We suspect they might have been let out by some asshole in our neighborhood. We just don't know.

The only thing I do know is that my best friend, the sweetest most loving dog that has ever lived, was killed by someone speeding down our quiet street, who didn't even have the decency to stop. Because of someone's desire to get somewhere, on our going to nowhere street, my dog is dead. I will never get to snuggle her, or sleep with her, walk with her, or play with her again.

I am beside myself with grief. I was supposed to have more time. I was supposed to watch her grow old. I was supposed to have my dog alive when I came home so she could jump all over me, and shower me with her hugs and kisses, which she did when we first met and she told me that I was going to be her dad. Now she'll never be here to hug me again.

Rosie, who was also out, is unharmed physically. I gave her chance to see Isabel's body. She sniffed and kissed her, and growled some, wondering why she wouldn't get up. I wept over her body for I don't know how long.

She was my first dog. She had terrible separation anxiety and required a lot of training, and medicine to help her get over it. But adopting her Rosie is what really made the difference. They healed each other. Both had their issues; separation anxiety, and an early life of abuse and neglect. They became fast friends, thick as thieves, as we all were in our pack. Now one of us is gone, and my heart is broken.

We have made arrangements for her to be buried at a place she loved, and where we can visit her as much as we want. We thought about burying her at our home, but nowhere is permanent and the thought of us moving away and leaving her with strangers is just something I couldn't live with. She will be buried in a place of fond memories, grounds kept by people who cared for her and loved her.

We have already decided that the best way to honor her is to begin, when we're ready, to foster dogs from the local shelter where Isabel was when I adopted her. If we find one who fits our family, and is universally loved by all the furry members, then that dog will have a forever home with us.

Isabel, I love you with all my heart and soul and will always, but it will never compare to the love you gave to me. You taught me more about myself than I could have ever learned on my own: the nature of love, and that even in a world populated by greedy, selfish, bastards who would just as soon slit your throat and burn your house down, there are souls on this earth who know no malice, who are devoid of guile, and who can touch our spirits and enliven us in ways we could not possibly have imagined. You were one of those souls. Your sister is as well. If I ever encounter another with one tenth of your brilliance then I will consider myself blessed.

I love you more than words can tell, and that will never change. Time heals all wounds they say, but no matter where I go, or what I do, the love you brought will remain with me. And one day, we will meet again in that far green country, 'neath the swift sunrise.

Travel safely my angel. Watch over your sister, and all of us. And if you can, beam some of that boundless love you gave into every living soul so that maybe this world will begin to turn around.

I love you.

What's a President To Do?

Well, as I stated before, I was endorsing Governor Bill Richardson for the Democratic Party's nominee for President. That didn't work out so well. I really overestimated the American public. I thought they'd be sick of Clintbama and would look at the more substantive candidates. I was mistaken. Now we're down to Obamamama and Hillary.

I looked at both candidates very carefully. I read about their programs, platforms, and positions. I still think Richardson was better, but he's out and you have to take what the defense gives you.

So who do I endorse? Right now I'm going with Hillary. I don't like Obama's idea that nuclear energy is what will help us reduce greenhouse emissions. No one wants nuclear power plants built in their towns, and no one wants to have the waste buried in their backyards. I consider anyone advocating nuclear power while there is no way to render the waste inert, and thus make it safe, to be a complete idiot (that means you Senator O). I wondered how it could be that someone who seems to be relatively intelligent could advocate a non-starter solution like nuclear power. So I did a little research. I did not like what I found out.

Turns out that Barack Obama is in the pockets of the nuclear industry, specifically the Excelon Corp, the largest operators of nuclear power plants in the country. They've given him lots and lots of money. And one of their subsidiaries is a company based in Illinois. But the plot thickens.

You know how Senator Obama is always talking about hope and change, and how he's going to break the influence of lobbyists in Washington, and that he doesn't take money from federal registered lobbyists and pacs? Guess what? He's not going to do anything about the lobbyists and pacs...because he's taking their money.

That's right America, the Golden god of Change is a duplicitous liar and a fraud. In an article that appeared in the LA Times last year it was well documented that Obama is getting plenty of money bundled by federal lobbyists. He even has a few working on his campaign. How does he get away with this? They withdrew their registration as lobbyists. They work for the same people and companies, but since they are not registered he can tell you that he's not getting the money from Registered lobbyists. Unregistered lobbyists are fair game however. He gets plenty of money from the law firms and corporations they work for, and from corporations with multimillion dollar lobbying operations in Washington DC (even from companies that had pending issues in Washington while he sat in the Senate.

He takes money from the lobbyists's wives, and their firms, and law firms that guarantee access through their political action committees. He has faked out America, and with few exceptions like the LA Times, he has mostly gotten away with it. So if you like Obama and want to vote for him, go right ahead. But if you expect him to bring all this change, unify America, and break the corporate interests's control of Washington, then you better be prepared for a world of disappointment because it is NOT going to happen. Sorry to burst the bubble.

Then we looked at Senator Clinton. She is no girl scout. I think we can all agree on that. She's shrewd, cut throat, and fights to the death. A lot of people equate the Clinton name with scandal and corruption. But after all these years, after being investigated by the Republican sponsored witch hunt led by Grand Inquisitor Kenneth Starr, Senator Clinton was never implicated, indicted, or charged with any crimes. There are no skeletons left in her closet.

Now an argument can be made that she is not displaying a great level of transparency. Archivists at the Clinton Library are blocking the release of certain documents. And she has not released her tax returns (though her campaign has said they will be made public around April 15th). But in the end I can't say that I blame her for that. The press has been swooning all over Obama for months. When those documents are released the press won't be asking her about her platform or issues. They will be asking about her taxes and the money she made; whether there is a story or not. This would put her candidacy in jeopardy.

All that aside, I am pretty happy about a few things in her platform. She has successfully linked (under the tutelage of Richardson) climate change, the green economny, energy independence, and national security. I have contacted the Clinton campaign urging her to adopt the Richardson notion that we need an Apollo program style advance on these issues (language that she subsequently adopted). If we can put a man on the moon in less than 10 years we can stop burning fossil fuels in 10 years. Senator Obama is starting to talk about this, but he has no real plans that I've seen. His website is a vast pile of platitudes with very little in the way of working solutions. And a few of the plans he does have he ripped off from Senator Clinton. That's probably why one of his most used lines in the last debate was, "I agree with Senator Clinton."

Another thing I like about Hillary is that despite the fact that many people in government, and the media, were calling for her to drop out, she hung in there, fought hard and won three very important primaries. She didn't really move up much in the delegate hunt. But she has garnered almost as many votes as Obama; which, in a race where neither candidate will be able to get the 2024 delegates needed to secure the nomination, means a lot. I would put forward the notion that it is the candidate with the most popular votes, not delegates, that should get the nomination in August. The Super Delegates should support that candidate, not the one who gains the most delegates (especially when states have different ways of determining how many delegates are awarded from each county/precinct. I am also not very impressed with wins in caucus states since only relatively small numbers of people turn out for them. Primaries are much more precise in telling us who is the more successful candidate.

So, though she may be flawed, I am leaning toward supporting Hillary. But we are making plans to run if she doesn't get the nomination. My press secretary, Moo Cow, is gearing up for running in the general election. I have been thinking that i would rather take on an advisory role (it gives me more time for playing and belly rubbin'). But last night the Moo peed on Dad's very nice slippers that he got for his birthday. It is possible that he will, as our campaign manager, decide to run me again in which case I would accept.

We'll see.

Oy Vey!

It's gonna be one of those days I guess.

Rosie broke a nail, the same one I broke when we went to the beach. Dad called the vet this morning to see if he could bring her in. They've got her in a kennel right now. They're gonna take a look at it and decide what to do about it. There's a little flap of skin that they may want to remove, and they'll probably put her on antibiotics. But Dad is nervous. Rosie doesn't like having her feet messed with and he's afraid they might have to sedate her. They'd use one of those injections with the antedote to knock her out and wake her back up. Hopefully they won't have to do that, but Dad's still nervous. I am too. I don't know I would do without my Spreadles. I love her so much. I know it's a minor thing considering that there are dogs we know with cancer and other more serious problems. But this is my sister and I worry about her so. If you're reading this, please say a little prayer for my Rosie that she'll be okay.

Now on to politics.

I am VERY distressed about the outcome of the Iowa Caucus. First, let's talk Huckabee. I don't think I need to emphasize the fact that we don't need another Evangelical Christian supported President in the White House. That's what we got with the Shrub, and we all know what a complete diasaster that was...

I have a great deal of respect for his religious conviction, but I find it disingenuous for a man to say he can bring us all together when anyone with a brain knows he will come out with an anti choice, and anti gay stance on privacy and civil rights. There is absolutely no way that he won't take those stances. And in a country that was created to protect its minorities from the oppression of the majority there is no place for a President with those beliefs.

We have a Constitutional, and Human right to practice the religion of our choice, to love whom we wish, and to make choices about our health and reproductive rights. No one has the right to dictate policy on these issues in any way that impedes the ability of citizens to exercise their freedoms. We've already had enough of our civil liberties removed by the Shrub under the Patriot Act. We don't need another President who will continue to erode our Constitutional rights.

And besides, how is a President going to be taken seriously on the world stage with a name like Huckabee? I just don't see it. And electing a man who's named after a baseball glove isn't so great either. No Mitts, no Huckabees.


I am equally displeased with the victory of Barack Obama. I'm sorry, but he's a boy-man with no experience on the world stage, and with the world in the state it's in I don't think we give the keys to the Mercedes to the teenager who still has a provisional license. Did you know that he chairs the Subcommittee for European Affairs? This is a subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was given this post so he would have the opportunity to fatten his resume in foreign policy since he has ZERO experience in the area. Guess what? He has not convened the committee once since he got the position. Nor has he travelled to Europe to meet any leaders there. Nor has he met with any European ambassadors here. I guess he's too busy listening to Oprah tell him how he'll be the best President ever. I think I may vomit. This is a man whose most recorded votes in the Illinois State Senate is "present." He didn't even vote yay or nay on a majority of issues. He just wanted everyone to know he was there. I've visited his website and I'm still looking for one concrete plan of action, something that says, "This is what needs to happen, and this is how I'm going to do it." He talks a lot about what needs to happen, but he hasn't got a clue as to how to do it. In these uncertain times, when nuclear powers like Pakistan are on the brink of self destruction and al quaida is in the mountains with the taliban waiting to make its move, and have access to nuclear materials, the last person we need in the White House is a boy-man foreign policy novice. He should stay in the Senate and serve Illinois, and prove that he is worthy of the office.

Thank dog that Bill Richardson hasn't dropped out of the race yet. As I've said before, he is the only candidate in either party who has been a chief executive at home, served in the Congress, and was a foreign diplomat. If it wasn't for him the North Koreans would still have an active nuclear reactor. He's pro environment, he's cut taxes, he's balanced his state's budget, he's raised the minimum wage, he's guaranteed access to health care for every child in New Mexico 5 years old or younger, and the list goes on. He has policy positions that can work, and more importantly he will admit when something isn't working. He knows he's not perfect, but rather than evade the issue he will tell you that he needs consultation. He has shown good judgement at home and abroad and is the only person running that I feel is capable of leading the United States when I leave office.

Here's an example of the respect that Richardson has with foreign leaders. This was released yesterday.

MANCHESTER, NH-- Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson earlier today and thanked him for supporting immediate democracy in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sharif and Governor Richardson discussed the modalities of an immediate transition to democracy in Pakistan and the steps necessary to guarantee free and fair elections.

"I think our national security is enhanced, not threatened, when we are true to our principles as Americans," Richardson said. "We supported the Shah of Iran until the bitter end and now our greatest national security threat is Iran. We supported the apartheid regime in South Africa, greatly harming our interests in the entire third world. And we supported numerous dictatorships in South America, making us pariahs in our own Hemisphere.

"You need a long-term strategic vision to protect our national security, not more foreign policy myopia."

Ya think that Sharif is calling Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama? No he's not.

Check out Governor Richardson's website. Read about his policies, and his accomplishments. If you read what he has to say, listen to his speeches, and find out about his life story and still don't think he should be President then I can't help you.

http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/home

Watch the Democratic debate tonight. Hopefully he'll actually be asked some questions. The media crowns the winners with the most money. Don't let them tell you who the winners are.

Go Iowa Go!

I really really want Bill Richardson to do well at the Iowa Caucus tomorrow night. Why? Because he's the only Democrat whose nomination will actually keep me from running for reelection as President. Why? Because he could actually do the job.

He's a two term governor who has raised the minimum wage, increased teacher salaries, balanced his state's budget, reduced New Mexico's greenhouse emissions, provided health insurance for New Mexico's neediest kids, helped create jobs and stimulate the economy.

He was also an ambassador to the UN, Secretary of Energy, a 7 term Congressman, and 5 time Nobel Prize nominee. He's met and negotiated with everyone under the sun, helped convince the North Koreans to shut down their nuclear reactor, secured the release of American hostages in various hot spots...do I need to go on?

He's far and away more qualified to be President than anyone running, Republican or Democrat, and is respected on the world stage. He's also said he'd make the Bureau of Indian Affairs a Cabinet level position (Dad says that's long overdue), and most importantly--he loves animals. This is a guy I would love to see in the White House.

Of course if he doesn't get the nomination this summer then I will run again. But I really don't want to...I just want to go back to being a dog again. So don't screw me over Iowa!

An End of Year Note from Dad

Dear Isabel,

2007 has been a pretty good year for you my Shellies. I know it took a while to get used to life without your mom. You had trouble understanding why she wasn't with us anymore; why she would come to visit, but not stay. But you learned to accept it and move on as I did. Everything happens for a reason, though we don't always see the whyfors until further down the road, if ever.

Then Mama San came on the scene. You accepted her immediately with all the love and slobbery kisses you could muster. You weren't sure about the cats that ended up being part of the package, but you accepted them too, and still hold out hope that Mama Cat will learn to love you (don't count on it kid).

You got to visit Athens Georgia and gave the Five Points neighborhood a dose of mayhem Belzer style, escaping from Mama San's house taunting the neighbor's dogs, and then doing a meet and greet with every home in the neighborhood with a dog. Your escapes, and lack of desire to be recalled are your achilles heel, but Rosie does her best to help us track you down. You finally surrendered to Mama San, rolling over on your back in the gutter of the busy street. You don't seem to care about how much this terrifies me as you know that you will receive heaps of love and affection born out of the relief of knowing that you were not run over, dognapped, or lost. You were still a VERY NAUGHTY DOG!

Then you got the news that you were getting a new home, again. Your third in four years. We left the big fenced yard, and the park across the street, for a new home with Mama San. The yard is smaller, and the park visits require a drive, but again, you have accepted it all with grace. And the perks that come with it have been some compensation. The bedroom is no longer off limits, and you and your sister now get to reclinate on the super amazingly comfortable new queen size bed (contrary to Cesar Milan's theory of dog oppression this has not instilled in you or your sister the notion that you are the head of the house). There is also the fireplace which has already been the scene of comfort and joy this winter. Hopefully, in the not too distant future the backyard will be fenced and once again you will have further to fly.

The food front brought on more changes for you this year. Having relied on Timberwolf Organics for nearly 3 years as the basis of your diet, we found out that we had been betrayed. The company misrepresented their product and, rather than apologize and make it right, they decided to spew a laundry list of contradictory lies that left me with the unshakeable feeling that they could no longer be trusted with your health (the added crap ingredients made the change the real necessity). So once again we have changed foods. I turned to the Honest Kitchen. You have been enjoying the home cooked style meals, and are thriving. You've also been very happy about the added treats that have returned; Evanger's 100% meats, and the Nature's Variety medallions. As time goes on, and I feel more confident about it, you'll start getting more homecooked meals and snacks. I know you're not happy about the fact that The Honest Kitchen gave money to the HSUS this month, but as long as it was a one time only deal I think we can live with it. If it happens again I will seriously have to question the judgement of the company as it seems illogical to support a multimillion dollar lobbying group who ultimately wants them out of business and all their customers dead.

And of course there was our trip to Ocracoke. The house we stayed in was not as cozy as previous trips to the Outer Banks, but it did the job. Sadly you tore a nail very badly the second day we were there. Fortunately it was not really serious, and the visiting vet took care of you. Unfortunately it meant that you didn't get to go to the beach much at all the whole week, and your one visit was cut short due to the sudden arrival of cold blusteriness that drove us off the beach and back to the house. Though you were obviously disappointed, you still accepted what the defense gave you and enjoyed the long walks around the island, and copious belly rubbin's, and reveled in the uninterrupted time we got to spend together as a family.

As the year turns I want to tell you that I love you my muffin stuffins more than my words, toys, treats, hugs, kisses, and rubs will ever express. You are my angel dog, my companion, my friend, and I will love you eternally...even when you stubbornly refuse to take a dump and make me walk you around the neighborhood making me late for work just so you can find the perfect spot to drop your payload.

Happy New Year my Shellies!

Love,
Dad

What's Goin' On

It's been a jolly time for me. I have a new home with a new awesome bed to sleep on. We have a cozy fireplace to cuddle up by. Dad installed a new fire screen with glass doors and made some nice warm fires last week when it was super cold at night.

The nail I tore on Ocracoke has healed up. I'm back to my regular run around in the yard. Let's see what else...the new food is great. We stopped eating Timberwolf Organics 'cause they started putting yucky stuff in the food that we don't want to eat. We're also pretty sure they lied about some things too. They didn't even tell their retailers about the changes to their food. We can't eat food made by a company that we don't trust.

Now we're eating The Honest Kitchen. We're on the Thrive formula right now. We're gonna try the Embark too. We got a great email from Jenna over at THK and she answered all our questions about their food. It has no ethoxyquin, BHA/BHT, sodium selenite, corn, whey, soy, beet pulp, tomato pumace, or any other crap we don't like.

Our pal Francis Rocks informed us that they gave their December pawlanthropy gift to the HSUS. We hate the HSUS because they think everyone should be vegan (veganism and dogs don't mix), and they think that companion animals should be made extinct. We're not sure why a company that makes food for dogs and cats with meat in it would give money to an organization like HSUS, especially since HSUS already makes millions of dollars. We emailed Lucy Postins at THK to let her know that we're not happy that they gave HSUS money, and hope that this is not an ongoing relationship. We're not going to buy food from a company that makes a habit out of giving money to a group like that. Francis won't buy their products anymore because of it. We're waiting to see what kind of response we get from THK about it. If they assure us that they will never give to them again, or PETA, then we'll keep on buying their food. So far we really like their food, and since Dad doesn't have the time to make us homemade meals right now (he and Mama San are still settling in to our new home), THK is the perfect solution. We've heard about Grandma Lucy's True which is also dehydrated. They have a lamb formula. Since we love lamb we'll probably get that too. And if THK turns out to be dyed in the wool PETA and HSUS lovers then we might start eating G'ma Lucy's and drop THK. I hope not, I really LOVE their food. It's so wholesome and tasty. They are also moving to using more organic ingredients and cruelty free meats. We like the sound of that.

As far as Presidential things go, I've been takin' it pretty easy. We're still undecided about whether I'm going to run again. That will depend on who gets nominated by the parties. I'll be honest, being President is not all it's cracked up to be. Sure you get to fly around in Air Force One and Marine One, and the power and prestige is cool. But it's a lot of work and stress and quite frankly, a dog has better things to do with her time than take care of a bunch of idiot humans who seem to be really good at screwing things up. I hope I've helped change that a little. It's an uphill battle that's for sure.

I'm also working on my list of pardons. So far I plan on pardoning all the members of the Naughty Pup Club, including Rosie, even though she ate a condom out of the trash and pooped it out her butt in the front yard (GROSS!). I love her, but sometimes she can be sooooo stupid. I don't plan on pardoning any humans though, especially Michael Vick. I can't believe he only got 23 months, but at least he got some time. Hopefully he'll get the book thrown at him for the state charges. I hate dog fighters.

All in all everything is pretty darn good. We're counting our blessings and not taking anything for granted.

Happy Holidays everybody!!! And may the new year be filled with on good health and good things for everyone!!!