December 21st 2008 8:43 pm
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I am sending real Christmas cards to friends and relatives, but I received this yesterday and decided to make it my Christmas Email Card. It is appropriate for any country, nationality, and branch of the military services.
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
T'was the night before Christmas,
He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house,
Made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney,
With presents to give,
And to see just who,
In this home did live.
I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents,
Not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle,
Just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures,
Of far distant lands.
With medals and badges,
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought,
Came through my mind.
For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
Once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping,
Silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor,
In this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured,
A Brave Gallant soldier.
Was this the hero,
Of whom I'd just read?,
Curled up on a poncho,
The floor for a bed?
I realized the families,
That I saw this night,
Owed their lives to these soldiers,
Who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world,
The children would play,
And grownups would celebrate,
A bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom,
Each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers,
Like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder,
How many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve,
In a land far from home.
The very thought brought
A tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees,
And started to cry.
The soldier awakened,
And I heard a rough voice,
'Santa, don't cry.
This life is my choice.
I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
My country, my corps.'
The soldier rolled over,
And drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours,
So silent and still,
And we both shivered,
From the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave,
On that cold, dark night,
This guardian of honor,
So willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over,
With a voice, soft and pure,
Whispered, 'Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'
One look at my watch,
And I knew he was right,
'Merry Christmas my friend,
And to all a good night.'
This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas.
January 28th 2008 10:35 pm
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I'M SO EXCITED!!!
It's RACE DAY, and we leave in less than an hour. Mummy hasn't even gotten out of her jammies yet, and I keep telling her to hurry up!
Did I say I was excited??
******************************************* ************************************************************ ****************************
Yes, those were the words I wrote last Saturday morning, the 26th of January. I had grandiose visions of the races at Ascot, and was very excited at how my day would unfold.
Hoomans. I shall never understand them. Here is a brief account of my afternoon at the races, as I described it to my FUNDAWGS in my group Dawgs Just Wanna Have Fun...
************************************************** ************************************************************ ********************
Where in the WORLD do hoomans come from???
The Queen Mum got me all excited this morning, telling me we were going out for a car ride with Daddy Pete's Dad, and that I was going to see some handsome young hockey players and some fellow doxies.
I was still excited when we arrived at this huge building just as hoomans were singing Oh Canada . Oh Boy. Oh Dawg. There were lots of both...little boys and girls wanting to pat me, and of course I stand erect and look majestic, giving the little furless ones a thrill when I throw in a lick or two. And lots of doxies arriving, little ones, fat ones, skinny ones, curly ones, wire-haired ones...
No familiar smell yet of my beloved Thoroughbred horses...
I was getting a bit suspicious when I did not see any royalty, just commoners actually touching me...a few I know and am polite to, but...I AM the Queen, and must maintain my dignity.
I was carried down a huge flight of stairs to a closed glass wall where there was a lot of noise, horns, whistles, people yelling, and this weird sound I couldn't quite identify coming from the ice (skates scraping on ice). It was cold, and I was not amused.
Just as Mummy took me close to the glass to see what the noise was, BANG CRASH... ...two young men in different coloured clothes with sticks flying up and hitting the glass came crashing into the glass right in front of us! Even Mummy jumped and yelped, 'cuz we sure weren't expecting THAT!
Daddy Pete laughed and said something about a cross check...well, I don't know what a 'check' is, but it sure sounded CROSS!
THEN....
DP and Mummy and the rest of the dawgs and hoomans were told to go onto the ice. DP was holding me, 'cuz Mummy was supposed to go to the FAR END of this icy surface with other hoomans. She almost went flying the first step she took!!! (Mummy and ice DO NOT get along...) The hoomans at the far end waited patiently while Mummy took baby steps the whole way down the ice. I couldn't even look at her I was so embarassed...not MY Mum I was telling the other weinies.
There was this young teenager on the ice announcing to the crowd that the race was about to start, and the 'weiner dogs' were supposed to RUN the entire distance of the arena to their Mom or Dad, whoever decided to be at that end.
PPPPPULLLLLLLLLLLLLEASE!!!! The Queen RUN? with a bunch of commoners? Heck, Mummy could come to ME for heavens sake, I was not going to run all that way to see HER. I see her at home all the time! And it was much more exciting at my end with these two big zamboni machines and nice new people I had met!
So, I turned and walked out.
Not once, not twice, but THREE times. DP kept coming after me and saying go see Mummy! while he squeaked Pinky. Is he mad? I had him, I had Pinky....I had the zambonis...
And the race was over, anyway....
January 1st 2008 12:58 am
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I am so happy to see this beginning of 2008, and have great optimism for what it will bring.
2007 had its good times...meeting Flecken and his Mama, and the Moms of Spike and Buddy was the real highlight of the year...but overall, it was not a very good year for my Mum. There were a lot of tears, and sleepless nights, but we got through it, and mostly with the help of my FUNDAWGS in my group DAWGS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN. We are now a very close-knit, loving and kind group, and my fellow FUNDAWGS would make Mummy laugh, and make her think of other things besides her own troubles.
We are ready for you 2008! This is going to be a banner year with lots of fun and excitement, and positive accomplishments! And meeting more FUNDAWGS! And Mummy getting rid of the extra weight that crept up this year...
HAPPY NEW YEAR, and welcome...2008!
January 1st 2008 12:44 am
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My best furiend in the area where I live was a beautiful, elegant German Shepherd name Tequila.
Every day, she would walk past my place, and I would run to her barking, and then jumping up and snapping at the air near her face. She was so patient with me and my 'big' attitude, and never raised a paw at me.
I am very particular about dawgs coming into my little townhouse backyard, and Tequila was no exception at first. I growled and snapped, not letting her in the gate. Eventually, I gave in (with a lot of Mum's insistence!!) and she and her Mom would come for regular visits where she and I would lie stretched out together, side by side.
Last year, I began to notice that she couldn't see me quite as well, and I think I surprised her a few times when I suddenly appeared jumping up at her. She was also walking just a little bit more slowly, but still looking like the beautiful lady as always.
A few weeks ago, she began to limp on her right hind leg. Her Mom took her to the vet, and discovered that her back toes had splayed, almost weblike, which was causing considerable tension in her tendons. She was given very expensive medication which her Mom could ill afford, but we waited with baited breath to see improvement.
We didn't. In fact, if anything, we saw her get worse. And in more pain.
Last Saturday, Mum and I were looking out the window on the second floor where the computer is and chatting online with our good furiend Flecken. We saw Tequila comeing through the snow, and as her Mom went to drop the poop bag in the garbage, Tequila had to sit down. It took her forever to get up again, and when she did, she was walking with considerable pain, putting no weight at all on the right hind leg, and having trouble now with the left. Mum started to cry, knowing the end was near, and made the decision to call Tequila's Mom to offer to go with her.
Sunday morning, we were going to call on the two of them, but something in Mummy's intuition said not to go. Instead, she called a mutual friend and got the news...just after we had seen Tequila, she had fallen down a flight of stairs in her apartment building. Saturday evening, she had gone to the Rainbow Bridge with the help of the veterinarian.
Tequila was a local fixture in the neighbourhood, and really was my best furiend. I miss her so much, and spend a lot of time licking Mummy's tears off her cheeks. Her Mom doesn't want to see anyone, and I am afraid that I am a reminder of Tequila to her, and that hurts my Mum.
Life does have its unusual twists and turns, doesn't it...
And I miss her. And always will.
Go well my dear Tequila...you will be loved no matter where you are.
December 23rd 2007 7:50 pm
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and although all of the gifts have been bought, none of them have been brought out of the cupboard to be wrapped, let alone mailed to places far away...
My Mum is working tomorrow all day, and then again on Thursday and Friday at her office. In her own way, she is 'giving back' for all of those years when SHE needed that time between Christmas and New Year's to travel, and be with family, but those days are gone. The sad thing is, nobody cares. As long as THEY get what they want, the rest of the world does not exist.
Then...just as we were about to shut down Dogster and Mummy's personal email, we opened our last Christmas note for the night. THIS one puts everything back into perspective and has grounded us yet again at a time when we need it. I share it with you here:
Dedicated to all military troops everywhere.
THE SANDS OF CHRISTMAS
I had no Christmas spirit
when I breathed a weary sigh,
And looked across the table
where the bills were piled too high.
The laundry wasn't finished
and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point,
the Chargers lost by six.
And so with only minutes
till my son got home from school
I gave up on the drudgery
and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried
were about all I could take,
And so I flipped the TV on
to catch a little break.
I came upon a desert scene
in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind,
just clouds of swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood
before a laden sleigh,
Eight Humvees ran a column
right behind an M1A.
A group of boys walked past the tank,
not one was past his teens
Their eyes were hard as polished flint,
their faces drawn and lean.
They walked the street in armor
with their rifles shouldered tight,
Their dearest wish for Christmas,
just to have a silent night.
Other soldiers gathered,
hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail
and dreams of going home again.
There wasn't much at all
to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey,
just a pack of MREs.
They didn't have a garland
or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament -
they lacked a Christmas tree.
They didn't have a present
even though it was tradition,
The only boxes I could see
were labeled "ammunition."
I felt a little tug
and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared,
and why it was I cried.
I swept him up into my arms
and held him oh so near
And kissed him on the forehead
as I whispered in his ear.
"There's nothing wrong, my little son,
for safe we sleep tonight
Our heroes stand on foreign land
to give us all the right.
To worry on the things in life
that mean nothing at all,
Instead of wondering if we
will be the next to fall."
He looked at me as children do
and said, "it's always right,
To thank the ones who help us
and perhaps that we should write."
And so we pushed aside the bills
and sat to draft a note,
To thank the many far from home,
and this is what we wrote:
"God bless you all and keep you safe,
and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so,
and that you're not alone.
The gift you give you share with all,
a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty
and that we can't repay."
~ Michael Marks ~
Merry Christmas and a safe New Year
to all troops so far from home!
May God bless and keep you safe.
December 2nd 2007 11:16 pm
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Mummy just received this from a friend, and I feel it is one I want to share with all of my dogster furiends...it is beautiful.
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps Canadian, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Dieppe on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in that Korean Land',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
Something red and, white, ... a Canadian flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a trench with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbour no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
May 24th 2007 10:24 pm
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My Mummy received this tonight from a very dear friend. The message is so intense, yet so simple...I just had to share it with everypup!
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE."
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"
THE OTHER FRIEND REPLIED,
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A D AY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
I never forward the part 'please send this to' when I forward messages to my furiends. Here, I would make an exception. No numbers are mentionned. But...it is a message within itself!
SEND THIS PHRASE TO
THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET.
IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.
TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
(Dedicated to all of my wonderful FUNDAWGS and their loving hoomans!)
I will be riding in the annual RIDE FOR DAD motorcycle run to raise money for prostate cancer this Saturday, May 26, 2007, same as I did last year. THIS year I have promised myself to write in my diary about it! And I think I shall carry a copy of the above in the pocket of my leather Harley jacket.
March 6th 2007 11:33 am
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Mummy read the following awhile back and didn't save it. Another friend sent it to her today, and I asked to save it in my Dogster Diary 'cuz it is soooooo good! I hope that other pups who read this will appreciate what this dear lady had to say about life!
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
" I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Just from our viewpoint alone, think about the rescue dawgs who get that second chance; the warm hugs we give our hoomans, and the friendly pats on the back we get in return! Gee, this hooman stuff is good for us, too!
March 5th 2007 7:32 am
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I cannot believe it is March already. We are finally getting the winter here in Ottawa that people had hoped for in time for Christmas, with one last (???) cold front moving in today...minus 27 overnight and tomorrow morning, with the wind chill being close to minus 40. I say that it is 'mild' when it goes 'up' to minus five with sunshine on the snow!
Which made me think about different perspectives in life. Other dawgs cringe when I say it is mild at that temperature; I cringe when it is 60 degrees fahrenheit with strong winds and blowing rain! Different perspectives, and sometimes different timing. The timing was perfect, then, that I received the following and wanted to put it here to remember for always.
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yes!" said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
AND DOGSTER!!
MTB
5-March-07
February 21st 2007 11:37 am
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Always remember for 2007
Life is short,
Break the rules,
Forgive quickly,
Kiss slowly,
Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything that made you smile.
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It may be temporary as it is only the third week of February, but today feels like spring. Spring with a lot of cold white stuff on the ground, but spring nonetheless! The frigid cold of the last two to three weeks is gone for now; a time where I could only run quickly into our little back yard, do my business, and run back in the warmth. Too long have I been like a bird in a cage, unable to spread my wings and fly, but today, WHOOO HOOO!
Mum wasn't feeling the best so opted to take the day off and sleep the morning away. As she opened the various windows upon arising, the bright sunshine and the crisp fresh air that only one who lives through four seasons in the year can fully appreciate...snow on the ground, but feeling warm enough to go outside without a coat.
She got dressed, not even putting on socks before she slipped into her boots, and I only had to wear my collar and leash! No sweaters or coats for me today! There was NO ONE around, so she took me off my leash and just let me go....and go, and go and go. The world was my limit! I practiced my wondrous agility skills, jumping over snowbanks, climbing up and down hills, weaving in between the century old trees at the top of the hills ....AND....chasing squirrels! Not REALLY chasing them, I would never want to catch one -I wouldn't know what to do with it! I would probably want to bring it home to live with me - but silently bounding after them. Mummy is so pleased that I don't bark at them any more.
We went to the ravine where I have never ever been off leash before. Mummy laughed and I played and rolled in the fun white stuff. Mum even fell into the creek...which she has almost done in the summer...but laughed like a little girl as she fell down the slope! It wasn't steep like in the summer, and only her bare feet got wet 'cuz snow got into her boots! That'll teach her not to put socks on in wintertime.
Now I am going to take an afternoon nap in my little round foam 'basket' in the sun, visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. Ooops....wrong season. Make that visions of squirrels!
How I love living in Canada! I am not a winter fan, per se, but days like today make it all worthwhile.
MTB
February 4th 2007 3:29 pm
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I saw this entry in a tribute to the great racehorse, Barbaro, who passed from us this past week. It is such a beautiful piece, that I had to reprint it in my diary. It helped give peace to Mummy, and I know others who haven't seen this will appreciate it, too.
****************************************************** ******************************************************
Just this side of heaven is a place called
RAINBOW BRIDGE
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
-Author unknown
******************************************************** ****************************************
What a wonderful, emotional tearjerker this is...and it gives such hope warmth to our humans who read it....and need it.
MTB
February 4th 2007 11:53 am
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Well, we are into February and the mild winter we had been having is a memory in the past. At least WINTERLUDE, our famous Ottawa Winter Festival can go ahead because there is snow on the ground, and the Rideau Canal, better known as the world's largest skating rink, is finally frozen for the skaters and festivities on the ice.
I have been after Mummy to get me a new winter wardrobe (my pink and purple reversible fleece snowsuit with matching purple hat is so....so....LAST YEAR!) and now she is wishing she had followed my advice! Here is today's weather announcement straight from the Internet:
Environment Canada's Official Weather Warnings
Warnings
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans
11:12 AM EST Sunday 4 February 2007
Wind chill warning for
Ottawa North - Kanata - Orléans issued
Wind chill values of minus 30 expected across all of southern Ontario tonight and values near minus 40 over portions of eastern Ontario tonight.
This is a warning that extreme wind chill conditions are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.
HOLY SCHAMOLEY!!! THIS IS WHERE I LIVE!!! My pee and poop were already freezing before they hit the ground LAST week! I won't even be able to open my mouth to BARK in this weather that is coming! Who is going to let Mummy know that people are walking past our gate???
I just beat my record and managed to do my 'business' in 33 seconds and whoooooosh, I was back in to schnuggle under my fleece horsey blanket that my good pal Flecken got me for Christmas. I am not lifting my head from under it for the rest of the day!!
January 21st 2007 2:49 pm
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I am thankful for the day Mummy let me join Dogster, last February 14, 2006, but I am even more thankful the day I was upset with the Administrator of a group I was having fun in. A little bit too much in the way of human interference had occurred and I withdrew from the group as graciously as possible. I was hurt, upset, a bit (no, a LOT) angry, and ready to leave Dogster. I had gotten along fine without it all this time, and I didn't need it, right?
So, that Sunday morning last May 21st (WOW - I only realized this exact moment that that was eight months ago!) I pmailed my good pal, Butch, out in California to moan and groan. It's not fair, I whined. Dogs just wanna have fun, and humans should keep their noses out of our business.
Wait a minute, I thought. A lot of dogs were in the group I had just departed from because I, myself, had been pals with them and had invited them. Could I start my own group? Yes, Butch said...'go for it, Sexy Texy!'
So, gingerly, I shyly started a group called DAWGS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN! with a byline, NO HOOMANS ALLOWED! As quickly as I was inviting dawgs, they were accepting! We were on our way! FUNDAWGS WERE BORN!!!
During the last eight months, I have made the bestest of pals, and even Mummy has made friends with the dreaded hoomans! And I even let my pals' hoomans get involved 'cuz I luv them, too! We could just get in a car and go to so many places in North America now, and know we would meet in both dawgson and person the good f(u)riends we have made. North America? Heck...we are starting to get the world at our fingertips...I have furiends in England, Germany, Italy...over the ocean the other direction to Hawaii...
Dogster is one of the bestest things ever to happen for DOGS and their loving humans. (I am using proper spellings now, just to show that I can!) I salute Headquarters...what a marvellous idea. The little group that grew, just like my own DAWGS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN which now has over 350 members.
I luv all my dawgs, of course, but what would I do without the closeness of some of my bestest furiends....the early arrivals..Helga and Ellie, Vinny, Daisy Mae, Mason Layne, Butch (the Father of this group!), Noah...some of the original FUNDAWGS, and some of the 'newer' members (considering that our group is so young!) like my Florida Flecken of The Banana Bunch fame, my little 'Jelly Belly,' Sabre and Rocco, Princess Mia...even newer members Keeko, Spike, Cosmo and most recently, Lily Pad who is proving to be one of the truest examples of what a FUNDAWG should be and keeps the boys in line...Wee Willie, who always has a soft, kindly word for everyone... oh my, the list goes on and on. I have not intentionally left any FUNDAWG out...they know they are all special to me...and this could go on for pages and pages.
I look so forward to seeing what the future brings. We have grown to the extent that I asked my good furiend and 'sister' Helga to be my 2 i/c, or second-in-command (sort of like Vice-President of the United States). Every week new dawgs are sending 'group invitation requests' asking to join us, and of course, every week, I am finding those special dawgs that stand out and catch my eye....FUNDAWGS -TO-BE..! I don't actively search them out...they just appear to me!
Thank you FUNDAWGS. You mean the world to me.
January 21st 2007 2:11 pm
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1. Try everything twice. On Madam's tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam)
she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it
both times!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches)
3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's
workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!
4. Enjoy the simple things. !
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if
you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with
HIM/HER.
6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who
is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets,
keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next
county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second
chance.
Lost time can never be found!
"Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave The
Rest To God/your Higher Power, whichever is your preference.
--
November 12th 2006 9:55 pm
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On our Remembrance Day here in Ottawa, Canada, there was a big ceremony downtown at our Cenotaph (War Memorial) commencing on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day and presided over by Her Excellency the Governor General of Canada. Cold, damp, and rainy as it is on most Remembrance Days, and yet the veterans from World War II were still there. How long they will be able to partake in this ceremony is... well, we won't think about that now.
Mum put her Dad's framed medals (he was a WWII vet) and framed picture of him with Field Marshal Montgomery on one of the couches with a candle illuminating them. During the minute of silence, I cried...Daddy whispered 'shhhh' and Mum said, 'no...she is crying for the veterans who are gone now, and those who are left...now of many wars.' I continued to cry, a soft whimper unlike anything they had ever heard until the minute of silence was over, and then I stopped as quickly as I had started. Daddy was a bit overwhelmed that I sensed what was going on, but actually I sensed Mum's feelings, the somberness of the moment, and felt the presence of her Dad... and even her Mom, and being a dog, I was allowed to cry..
Both Mum's brothers-in-laws are vets of the Vietnam War...two tours... her Colorado brother-in-law also served in Korea (he is a West Point graduate who was also a Ranger) and her Texas brother-in-law has the purple heart... We support our troops no matter what...here at home, both in Canada and the U.S., and abroad...Mum still remembers the day her 'big brother' was sent to Vietnam the first time after only having been married a few months to her big sister, and she can still cry remember her emotions at the time as a small child.
She grew up with the Vietnam war, and now is living through our Canadians in Afghanistan. It doesn't get any better with the passing of time...in fact, it is worse now because the soldiers that Mum used to think were so grown up and 'old' she now realizes were and are just kids, as they are so young now going off to fight a war in a country to far away from their own.
Yes, I will always cry for Mum when she 'remembers'....
August 20th 2006 6:51 pm
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My oh my, where is the summer going...I haven't written in soooooooo long, and I thought I better update my diary....I'll start with the most recent event:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2006
Mommy had company today and they sat talking about some woman named Mary Kay at the dining room table. I brought out my favourite squeaky toy, Flower, a gift from my pals in Texas (Daisy Mae, Nugget and Duke) and proceeded to squeak each petal cuz' they were ignoring me. My Auntie Donna (who usually laughs at this) told me to be quiet, and I was so shocked hearing it from her, I stopped.
A half hour went by, and even after attempting to lick the bare feet under the table produced no attention to me, I brought out Squeaky again.
This time, Mommy told me firmly to STOP. So I did. heh heh
An hour later, Mommy felt a toy at her feet and said that that was unusual, as I usually only bring my squeakies to visitors. The three ladies looked under the table and gasped...BOL!!! While they had been busy ignoring me, I had quietly started bringing my squeaky friends out of my basket one by one by one by one...
HA! I showed MOM!!! There were still more toys in my basket (I shouldn't have dropped one at Mom's feet or I could have kept going) but Mommy had to pick up FOURTEEN SQUEAKY TOYS that I had quietly put under the dining room table. And I threw in a rawhide treat for good measure!
Pretty good, don't you think? I am quite proud of myself!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2006
NOTE FROM MS. BELLE'S MOM: Ms. Texas Belle scared off a mountain lion the second weekend in August, 2006. She initially told us what she thought had happened as she was excited and in a state of shock. Here is her first, obviously distorted, memory of the occurance:
On Saturday night, I was outside being Queen of Forest Ridge as usual. I had just put a big 10 month old Humane Society rescue pup in her place, letting her know right away that I AM THE QUEEN and rule the area. We were then playing (I was off leash by then) when another new big dawg appeared. I was off and running, my snarly little growl in its deepest fiercest tone and that dawg understood me as well! (luckily her owners were real dawg people and knew I was just exerting my authority and not being mean...) We were all playing when as usual, I had had enough and 'vanted to be alone.' My subjects could play together now that they knew the rules.
Out of the corner of her eye, Mommy saw a huge (twice my size!) orange and white tomcat actually stalking me, just like a lion stalks its prey. I was pretty oblivious, just ignoring it, when it lunged!!!!
Mommy doesn't know what that cat said, but from 3 feet away I screamed like I was being killed and ran to the safety of the swings in the playground, still screaming and yelping! People were coming out their doors concerned and scared - they thought I had been hit by a car or attacked by a dog - but my Mommy and the other hoomans were actually laughing!!! The nerve! The humiliation!!! Mommy was telling people 'but the cat was 3 feet away and never touched her!'
I made all the hoomans who witnessed this little setback promise not to tell anyone else...imagine what my subjects in the kingdom would think! I'll go back to playing with Brando and Gracie, my new next-door neighbour pussycats who luv me and play with me. Hope that mean tigercat is gone for good!
FURTHER NOTE FROM MS. BELLE'S MOM: However...with a reminder from some of her pup pals about the outbreak of mountain lions here in Ottawa, and a good night's sleep under her collar, her head cleared and she remembered what really happened:
Ottawa is indeed being overrun with mountain lions, and authorities are at a loss as to what to do. One invaded my neighbourhood on Saturday evening and was stalking my Mommy and her hooman neighbour friend, and a new neighbour with his dawg.
Being the brave dawg I am, and not having either Sabre the German Shepherd or Mason Layne, the Harlequin Great Dane, (my two personal bodyguards) to protect me, I had to move into action. I really AM a Doberman, contrary to what some individuals may think when they first see me.
I crept closer and closer until the mountain lion caught sight of me, then I screamed as loudly as I could and ran in the opposite direction to divert that beast's attention away from the hoomans.
The hoomans heard this, and started making loud, strangled, guffawing sounds which scared the mountain lion away. I was a hero in their eyes...I had saved them from an unknown fate!
(Ms. Belle takes a bow)
June 20th 2006 8:53 pm
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Missy Missy Belle Belle....you are my very best friend, and the best thing ever to have come along during a very dark period of my life. I had first lost my dear Dad, then my Mom, and my marriage was in a shambles. I made that fated trip to Texas to get away and you found me when you were a mere three weeks old. Your little roly-poly body that bumbled and tumbled, your soft little whines, your cuddles as we got to know each other over the ensuing two weeks. I had no intention of getting a puppy, let alone a miniature dachshund, and I was thousands of miles from home. But you persevered and won my heart...and a plane ticket to Canada!
You have been with me ever since, on a road that has had its ups and downs and you have stuck by me through thick and thin, devoted as no one has ever been to me. I woke up and smelled the roses and left the marriage, we got our own place with Beethoven, the pussycat who raised you...he died, and then I got so sick. And you were always there by my side when you could be.
And now our lives have changed so much again...you have a new Daddy who loves you very much, and you love him very much and chose him for me, just like you chose me for you! You are a very smart little girl, and I don't know what I would do without you. I love you so much it hurts sometimes. You have taken to riding a motorcyle like a fish takes to water; in fact, you take anything I put to you! You have infinite faith and trust in me, and give unconditional love .... oh, what an example you are to humans.
I love you Ms. Texas Belle. My best friend. My pal. My dawg.... 
This is a special Tail of Devotion
See All Tails of Devotion
March 14th 2006 4:52 pm
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Well, I haven't written in awhile, but I had such an exciting adventure today that I just had to write about it!!
I was naughty, I admit. I went out the back gate without my collar (I just wanted to run, and bark, and let the world know I was alive!) and saw my two little favourite girls, Darah and Eryn, at the top of the big hill behind our townhouse. I was so excited, I ran across the path and up the hill to see them....almost. I made it 3/4 of the way up when my little feet just wouldn't grip any more. I slid backwards all the way down the hill. My Mom was crying, she was laughing so hard! So were all the other people who saw it! My pride was hurt, but that didn't stop me from trying it again. I only made it halfway that time, turned around and flew back down in two huge strides. Mommy is so funny, trying to be serious when she is mad at me for being bad but my 'badness' has been funny (like the time I got her brand new tube of lipstick, opened it and chewed away...Mommy thought I was chewing on a bone until she realized suddenly that she hadn't given me a bone. When I looked up at her, my face was covered in coral lipstick...she had a hard time keeping a straight face while she reprimanded me! )
I am so excited...I have all sorts of new 'pup pals' and am even going to meet some of them when the snow finally melts. I am looking forward to riding on 'my' Harley, and I know Mommy and Daddy can't wait to take me out on it, too.
I have some nice new clothes for spring! A beautiful royal blue handknit sweater and a beautiful raincoat made for showdogs! (I can pretend, can't I?) My Mommy found two really neat ladies...Joan and Kim who are Mother and Daughter and have lots of dogs themselves (they are my pup pals, too!)....who make wonderful clothes for me with their Dog-E-Design business. They have been outfitting me since I was a puppy, and I have looked ever-so-stylish. I wasn't fond of the boots Mommy got me, though, and we decided to tough it out without them.
I have all sorts of exciting events to look forward to in the next few months! There is going to be a B.A.R.K. walk in May (they raise money for rescue dogs) which I will walk in, and then the 'RIDE FOR DAD' motorcycle ride to raise money for prostate cancer. Then there will be the walk to raise money for seeing-eye guide dogs, lots of dressage and jumping horse shows throughout the summer , the Mother/Daughter Walk for Heart and Stroke, and the Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, both in September. I'm a busy lady and I love it!
I have joined a new group here in Ottawa for Ottawa Dogsters, and I still hope to get my own group which I have called 'Ottawa Valley Doxies' off the ground. I think there might already be a dachshund group here, so I better look into that, too!
Well, that's it for now. Time for a snugglefest with my humans!
February 19th 2006 9:27 am
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Well, my Mom finally found a place where I can meet other dogs and I got a page on Valentine's Day - what a wonderful gift! I am meeting all sorts of new friends, and have even started my own corral! One puppy, Bella Rose was one of the first to ask me to be a pup pal, and she lives in my area! All sorts of new adventures ahead! (Belated Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!)
Since I joined, however, we have had pretty miserable weather here in Ottawa, and our famed 'WINTERLUDE' Festival was literally washed out with rain its first weekend. Then, we had a horrible flash freeze on Friday, lots of accidents everywhere. Man, it's cold (minus 33 degrees yesterday morning!) and it's really icy out. Mom is afraid of the ice...she broke her bum when she fell off her horse 3 years ago (she had already broken her tailbone before, and this was much more painful), and she broke her ankle last year when we were moving, and she doesn't want to break anything else. Oh for the warm days with no snow when we can go riding on Daddy's Harley again! (it's really MY Harley, but I let him think it is his...makes him feel important)
Speaking of Harleys, I even went on a few motorcyles rides last summer raising money for various charities. I am really looking forward to the RIDE FOR DAD coming up in May...it raises money for prostate cancer. My Dad has ridden in it and raised money for it five times already, but this will be the first time for Mom and me. I can't wait; I'll get to see all sorts of places in the Ottawa Valley I've never seen before!
Well, Mom is going to bundle me up now in my gorgeous new reversible purple/pink fleece coat with matching hat (keeps my ears REALLY warm!) so we can go outside and play for awhile. It has warmed up -- it is going 'UP' to minus 7 today!!! Am I ever Canadian, eh? I look like a miniature purple-people-eater in my outfit, but I stay warm, and some people think I am really cute in it ('course I'm cute ALL the time).
This is going to be so much fun writing about my days! THANKS DOGSTER!!!
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