♥ Happy New Year ♥

Happy New Years 2008

From our home to yours
Atop mountains or by the shores
We wish you peace and love
From earth and the heavens above
May life never be like doing chores


God Bless all of our friends @ Dogster! Thank you for another year of friendship, comfort, joy and love. Here's to a better year for us and a happy year for all.

Wags n Woofs,
The Nebraska Pack
and Angels xoxoxo

Ten years have passed since you were taken from me that terrible day in October. I wish to God that it didn't happen. I've thought of you every day since. I hope you know how much I loved you, Joy. We all did. If there is truth to being a God in Heaven, then I pray that dogs are included and that we will be together when my time comes. I miss you, always! xoxo

Halloween Bash o7 ♥ Pumpkin Patch 07

Yep Pups, it's that time of year!! Time to prepare for the Annual Halloween Bash 07 Contest!! We love to give you plenty of time to make those costumes, or shop, and create those background scene ideas. This is our favorite contest of the year!! This will be a Dogster/Catster deal, so every pup & kitty is invited to participate! We want real photos, not animated or photoshopped photographs. We love the real thing!! We absolutely love the creativity behind this contest. So Keep it Real!!!

Anyone else who would like to donate a prize let me know.
There will be One Winner is each Catagory. One entry per pet, please. So make it count!!
There will be Honorable Mentions too, anyone wanting to donate a Rosette for Honorable Mentions, please pmail me with how many and what catagory. I'll pick *five* honorable mentions for each catagory.

Deadline: October 31, 2007 *Winners announced shortly after

Judges

The Nebraska Pack
Hollidawg
Nika

Thank You!!

Prize Donations

Tinkerbelle, $10 Zealie Pack
Nugget, a Treat & Toy Gift Basket
Bonzer, a Star & $5 Zealie Pack
Miles, a $10 Zealie Pack
Jeannie, a Star
Louie, a Rosette
Banyon, a Rosette
Rico, a Star
Mr. Winkles, (10) Rosettes
Hollidawg, Rosettes
Blackie, (2) Honorable Mention Rosettes
Cashew, (2) HM Rosettes
Teddy, (2) $10 Zealie Packs
Chester, (5) Honorable Mention Rosettes
The 3 Chi's, (5) Honorable Mention Rosettes
Firefly, (15) Rosettes towards Halloween Bash or Pumpkin Patch
Cruiser, $10 Zealie Pack
Sophie, (1) Rosette for Bash or Pumpkin Carving, as needed
Buddy, 1 star for costume, 2 rosettes for costume, 1 animation for costume, 10 rosettes for the honorable mentions
Jessi, (5) Stars ~ One for Each Place Winner
*Catsters Leo #323150 & Cali #323140 will be donating a Christmas Fancy Ribbon Collor or a Posh Christmas Outfit from their website www.poshpetsbyc.com

Thank You!!


CATAGORY PICKS

Grand Prize Winner
Over all Winner of the Halloween Bash 07! Doesn't matter what catagory you entered, there will be ONE Grand Prize!

The Most Creative *prize to be announced
The Most Cutest *prize to be announced
The Most Scariest *prize to be announced
The Most Funniest *prize to be announced

Good LUCK! Tag your photo Halloween Bash 07 and put your catagory under the photo. If you are a non~plus kitty or puppy, just post what catagory you are entering in the forum thread and/or send us a pmail. We keep a notebook with all entries, because we usually get lots of entries and donations for this annual event!

Tag your photo on your photomanager, under the photo you want to enter, by typing Halloween Bash 07 in the Tag Text Box. You can visit all the entries by doing a Search Photo Tags by clicking on the link under Find a Dogster on the left side of the Dogster page. Click that, then type in Halloween Bash 07 in the text box, click YES for Exact Match, then search! Good Luck!!

If you're a creative pup and are making costumes for other pups, then this is the time to spread the word around to share your creations.

We are having a Pumpkin Carving Contest with this, too, using the likeness of your dog or cat, or whatever you can come up with. Be Creative! We think that would be adorable!! If you'd like to try your hand at it then carve your pumpkin, take a close up photograph of it, post it to your photomanager, then tag it:

Tag: Pumpkin Patch 07

We'll give out a Prize to our Favorite Looking Pumpkin!

Judges
The Nebraska Pack
Blackie
Cashew
Hollidawg
Nika

Thank You!!

Lakota, a Star & $5 Zealie Pack
Nika, (5) Rosettes
Buddy, 1 star for pumpkin, 1 rosette for pumpkin, 1 animation for pumpkin


*if any pup would like to donate towards pumpkin carving, please specify as such. *if your not going to be in the contest(s) and would like to help judge, send us pmail, please. thank you

As Always, keep this bumped up to the top so everyone knows about it, share it in your groups and with your family and friends.

Keep it Real and Keep it Real Scary!! BoL!!! Good Luck!! xoxo

Your Howloween Hosts,
Gunner, Deuce, Lakota, Kasper
Dutchess, Joy & Angel Girls...
The Pet Poetry Group

♥ Love Tagged ♥

TAG! YOU'RE IT!

Here's the newest Dogster tag - Being Loved! Who doesn't want to be loved? This is pawtastic! You begin by;

Picking 3 Dogsters that you think are really pawriffic and paw a little about why! Let them know how much they are loved with a rosette or by paw mail!

I was tagged by the ever so beautiful Angel Kiska, from Rapid City, South Dakota. In Memory *March 9, 1999~April 10, 2004. She's been a wonderful friend to our family through good times & bad. She adored Swimming any chance she had, her round red ball, and enjoy a meal of fish! She is greatly missed by her family. You're a beautiful Angel, Kiska! Love Ya! xo

My Three "Love" Tags

1. Rexie Bear, a beautiful Pomeranian Angel. In Memory *1998~2007*. Rexie was one of my very first friends on Dogster! Though he tried his best to hide from his "mama to be" on that very first meeting, he was adopted regardless. Mama knew there was something wonderful about him! She was right! He enjoyed playing with Sophia. He loved cheese, so did Joy. Life is always an adventure with a pomeranian around to love! Love Ya! xo

2. Angel Greta, a beautiful Doberman Angel. In Memory *January 1, 1992~March 6, 2002* Greta has been a wonderful friend from the beginning! I know she is missed dearly by her family. I'm sure her mommy misses her laying at her feet. Greta enjoyed meal time, yummy! She loved her rope toy with a bone attached to it. That sounds way kewl! Greta was blessed to be found by her family, on that day they went to see her. It didn't take her long to know that she had found her forever home and that she didn't have to be afraid of the outdoors or anything, ever again! Love Ya! xo

3. Boomer, a handsome German Shepherd Angel. In Memory *December 19, 1993~December 27, 2004*. Boomer & Joy have a lot in common. They both lived 11 wonderful years with their family, both died suddenly, though by different circumstances. I think they both lived for Snow! Joy loved it, too, once she got over the initial shock of it, after living in Florida for her first 5 years. Boomer loved his kong soccer ball and enjoyed a good meal, anytime! Does it snow in Heaven? If so, let's go play!! Love Ya! xo
~*~
Thank you Angel Kiska for bringing this fun "Tag" game to me!! I now pass it forward!! "Love One Another!"


It is so very hard to pick only three pups that I love! I love so many, many!! There's isn't a better virtual world then Dogster!! It's all about "Love"...

♥ Brand New Plus Family ♥

Hello Pals,

I'd like to introduce a brand new Plus family from Canada, that probably hasn't even woke up to realize it yet. A Gift from our family to theirs.

They are a family of four Dogs (two of them Angels) and many kitty kats.

They are:
Angel Rosie
Angel Max
Beautiful Tasha
Handsome Lobo

They are definately looking for new pals! Please give them a big (only you can do) welcome!

Wags n Woofs,
Angel Joy & Family

♥ An Invitation! ♥

The Pet Poetry Group would like to invite all pups and kittys to come join the fun with new contests and writing fun.

Monthly Themed Photo Writing Contest: based on "A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words". A new photo posted for each month that you write a poem about in 1,000 words or less.

Weekly Acrostic Poetry Contest: Each week is a word or phrase that you write an Acrostic about. An Example Below:

All four leggers
Come one and all,
Read or write
Or simply recall
Stories of a
Time when you were small.
Incredible tales
Create Happy Tails!

Weekly Photo Theme Contest: This week is Bones
Tag is: Bones PPG

You must be a member to join the fun & we're always happy to have you!

Wags n Woofs,
PPG Administrator(s)

We Love Dad 07~Photo Contest Reminder!

Father's Day is June 17, 2007! So you all know what that means...Time for the Second Annual "We Love Dad" 07 photo contest!

This is opened to all Dogsters & Catsters (though we need a Catster Host/Hostess to post & gather prizes for the Kittys. If interested, please send pmail).

You may start posting your photos now through June 17th. Winners will be posted soon after.

Rules

1. Photographs only! No photoshop, animations, etc. will be considered. There are always other contests for those kind of entries, for you to enjoy.

2. Only (1) entry per dog/cat. So make it count! Photograph must include pet/dad. If you don't have a dad, you may use a brother, uncle or grandfather. Just remember it's Father's Day!

3. Entries must be posted before 11:59 pm June 17th (MST).

4. Winners will be announced between June 18-20.

5. Photo Tag: We Love Dad 07

6. Last, but not least, Have Fun!
~*~
Prizes

=; Nikita Sophia is donating a 40 pack of Zealies

=; Sassy & mommy from their Sassy Creations will be donating a gift to be announced.

=; Autumn's kitty Calvin & family, will be donating Cat Toys.
Calvin's page is www.catster.com/cats/283044

=; Karma & family will be donating a Gift Basket of homemade treats from their brand new online bakery, Kanine Bakery. You can visit their new website at, www.kaninebakery.com

=; Benji will be donating (3) Rosettes.

=; Peanutty will be donating (3) Rosettes.

=; Daisy Mae will be donating (4) Rosettes.

=; Bailey will be donating (4) Rosettes

=; Cali will be donating a Catnip Mat
www.catster.com/cats/323140

=; Baby Poppy will be donating (3) Rosettes for Kitties
www.catster.com/cats/491366

=; Rico will be donating (2) Rosettes

=; Douglas Sisters will be donating (2) Gift Baskets. (1) for Kitty Winner's Shelter of Choice, (1) for Dog Winner's Shelter of Choice.

=; Dutchess in Memory will be donating (1) D+ Membership for a dog family of her choice, from the stroll.

=; Beau Chein will be donating (5) Rosettes.

**Prizes will be announced as finalized**
~*~

Place Finishes

Grand Prize
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Fourth Place
Fifth Place

**More places will be awarded as to how many donations we get of Stars, Rosettes, goodies...**

If you are interested in donating any prizes towards the contest, send me a pmail, please. Also include if you can send donation over seas or just the United States.

Please, also state if you are donating for Cats and/or Dogs

~*~

CATSTER Host(s)

Violet
www.catster.com/cats/283060

Samoa

www.catster.com/cats/283038

Calvin Copper Penny
www.catster.com/cats/283044


With that we wish you best of luck!!

Woofs,
Deuce, Gunner, Lakota, Kasper
http://www.dogster.com/group/The_pet_poetry_group-40

The Gas Man...

Just got this in email - it's powerful.

Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living.
I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina.
I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.

There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am.

I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.

First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to Hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man.
The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.

Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.
So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.

I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs. They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy.

I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name.
They will not die without a name.
I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch.
I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber.
Some tilt their heads to try to understand.
I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me.

I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.
After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins.
Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die.
I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me.

As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog
is smiling at us and them don't even move their heads.
They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.

As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room. We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs.

As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die.
We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back.

Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us.
My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals.

We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time.

They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad.
I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian.

After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town.
It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends.

I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat.
It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play.
I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber. They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear.
They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box.
The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas.

He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job.
I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds is very muffled to me because of my ear plugs.
He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.

I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did.
In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.

They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!

So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.

As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate.

This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.

~*~
I borrowed this from Vincent's Diary. It's truly powerful. I can relate. I worked as an Adoption Counselor in Anniston, Alabama at the Animal Shelter. I enjoyed some of the job...I hated some of the job. I hate having to pick what cats had to be euthanized each day (that was my job, for I was solely in charge of taking care of the cats). I hated watching dogs being dragged into the back *kill* room, because they were to scared to go back there *they can smell death*. I had nightmares at night time and I cried every single day I worked there!!
The highlight was finding furever homes for the lucky ones!
What a job!!!! We were NOT a no kill shelter. It was the City Shelter and we put down 100's of animals per WEEK! I only lasted a year....and I wouldn't do it again! It's just toooo said to see.

We Love Dad ~ Photo Contest

Father's Day is June 17, 2007! So you all know what that means...Time for the Second Annual "We Love Dad" 07 photo contest!

This is opened to all Dogsters & Catsters (though we need a Catster Host/Hostess to post & gather prizes for the Kittys. If interested, please send pmail).

You may start posting your photos now through June 17th. Winners will be posted soon after.

Rules

1. Photographs only! No photoshop, animations, etc. will be considered. There are always other contests for those kind of entries, for you to enjoy.

2. Only (1) entry per dog/cat. So make it count! Photograph must include pet/dad. If you don't have a dad, you may use a brother, uncle or grandfather. Just remember it's Father's Day!

3. Entries must be posted before 11:59 pm June 17th (MST).

4. Winners will be announced between June 18-20.

5. Photo Tag: We Love Dad 07

6. Last, but not least, Have Fun!
~*~
Prizes

=; Nikita Sophia is donating a 40 pack of Zealies

=; Sassy & mommy from their Sassy Creations will be donating a gift to be announced.

=; Autumn's kitty Calvin & family, will be donating Cat Toys.
Calvin's page is www.catster.com/cats/283044

=; Karma & family will be donating a Gift Basket of homemade treats from their brand new online bakery, Kanine Bakery. You can visit their new website at, www.kaninebakery.com

=; Benji will be donating (3) Rosettes.

=; Peanutty will be donating (3) Rosettes.

=; Daisy Mae will be donating (4) Rosettes.

=; Bailey will be donating (4) Rosettes

=; Cali will be donating a Catnip Mat
www.catster.com/cats/323140

=; Baby Poppy will be donating (3) Rosettes for Kitties
www.catster.com/cats/491366

=; Rico will be donating (2) Rosettes

=; Douglas Sisters will be donating (2) Gift Baskets. (1) for Kitty Winner's Shelter of Choice, (1) for Dog Winner's Shelter of Choice.

=; Dutchess in Memory will be donating (1) D Membership for a dog family of her choice, from the stroll.

=; Beau Chein will be donating (5) Rosettes.

**Prizes will be announced as finalized**
~*~

Place Finishes

Grand Prize
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Fourth Place
Fifth Place

**More places will be awarded as to how many donations we get of Stars, Rosettes, goodies...**

If you are interested in donating any prizes towards the contest, send me a pmail, please. Also include if you can send donation over seas or just the United States.

Please, also state if you are donating for Cats and/or Dogs

~*~

CATSTER Host(s)

Violet
www.catster.com/cats/283060

Samoa

www.catster.com/cats/283038

Calvin Copper Penny
www.catster.com/cats/283044


With that we wish you best of luck!!

Woofs,
Deuce, Gunner, Lakota, Kasper
The Pet Poetry Group

ps.
ARE WE GETTING READY TO POSE WITH DADDY?

BUMPIN' FOR DOGSTER DADS!!


Tag: We Love Dad 07

You can view the stroll here or click on *See the Dogs!* in the left column, then *Search Photo Tags* then type in We Love Dad 07, click *yes* for exact match, then *Search*.

Happy Mother's Day

We'd like to wish Each MOMMY a very Happy Mother's Day! We wont be here this weekend, so we're sending out our message now.

We will be back on Monday night and pick Winners for the We Love Mom 07 contest.
~*~

My Mother Was a Mother as a Child
by Nicholas Gordon

My mother was a mother as a child.
Always she has cared for someone else:
No chance to roam untouched among the wild,
Unsuspected precincts of the self.
Youth was shorter than a winter day,
Prelude to a long and bitter night.
For all the souls that fortune sent her way,
She was the source of certitude and light.
Giving only, often, as of need,
Reflexively resigned to sacrifice,
Inured to pain, and yet quite prone to bleed,
Not looking at her loss, she paid the price.
Yet love has given her this recompense:
That she might savor still her innocence.


~*~
A Dog's Best Friend

O Lord, don't let me once forget,
How I love my trusty pet -

Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard.

Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa's muddy.

Don't allow my pooch to munch
postal carriers for lunch.

Shield my neighbor's cat from view,
guide my steps around the doo.

Train me not to curse and scowl
when it's puppy's night to howl.

Grant I shan't awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear.

Give me patience without end -
Help me be "A DOG'S BEST FRIEND."

...Author Unknown
~*~
Have a Blessed Weekend!!!!
I MISS YOU JOY!
Love, MOMMY xoxox

♥ We Love Mom 07 ♥

Mother's Day is May 13, 2007

The Second Annual "We Love Mom 07" contest is starting. Last years event was so much fun with many wonderful prizes.

We don't have a prize list formed yet for this year, but you can go ahead and start entering your photos.

Rules
* One photo per pet, that has your mommy in it. If you don't have a mommy, then a sister, grandma, auntie will do.

* Must be a photograph, not a photoshopped one.

*No animations or decorations allowed. Just a photograph taken of you and mommy. That means, no frames, letterings, words, etc.

Prizes
* Grand Prize ~ Best in Show
~ a Star
* First Place
~ a Blue Rosette
* Second Place
~ a Red Rosette
* Third Place
~ a Pink Rosette
* Fourth Place
~ a White Rosette
*Fifth Place - Tenth Place
~ Donated Rosettes by...
~*~
Prizes to be added as time moves forward.
Photo Tag: We Love Mom 07

~*~
Prize Donations

If anyone would like to donate their hand made Bling, treats, outfits, etc...send me a pmail with information. I will be doing some searching also, like last year.

Dads, don't fear, the Second Annual "We Love Dad 07" Contest will be coming just in time for Father's Day, so be taking those photos!

Wags n Licks,
Dutchess,
Gunner
Deuce
Lakota
Kasper
Joy