If I Didn't have Animals...

If I Didn't Have Animals . . . .
I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree -- dog bones, stuffed animals, toys, treats nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them.
I would have money .and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids thru college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, or T-R-E-A-T.
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside .
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
I'd look forward to spring and the melting of snow instead of dreading mud season.
I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have so many dogs/animals?" from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.
How empty my life would be.

In Search of the Perfect Napping Spot...

Between the hours of 12 midnight and 8 AM, I am asleep. I am soundly curled up in my bed, minding my own business. Then the worst thing happens:

8:00 AM: Soundly sleeping
8:05 AM: Rudely woke up by pesky parents insisting I go outside to answer the call of nature.
8:15 AM: All is forgiven when I am offered food. I dance around in celebration.
8:30 AM: Boy, a full belly and all the celebratory dancing makes me sleepy. I need a nap. Where to sleep...
8:35 AM: Ah, the perfect place, the end of the sofa. I doze off for a nap.
9:00 AM: Annoying puppies. My sisters Sage and Onyx insist on playing, waking me up in the process. Maybe I can find some place else to sleep.
9:01 AM: Ah, the perfect place, under the desk. I fall soundly back to sleep.
10:00AM: My foster sister, Little Sister, decides she wants to sleep under the desk. Rats. Now to find another place.
10:05 AM: All good napping places taken. I will dance around in regret. Sounds like Jimmy Buffett coming from the record player.
10:06 AM: Wow, dancing makes me tired. I need a nap.
10:10 AM: Ah, the perfect place, under the kitchen table. I fall asleep.
12:00 PM: WHAT? Can't you see I'm trying to sleep? Blast. Now I have to go back outside. Well, I could use a drink of water anyway.
12:30 PM: Okay, I am back inside.
12:31 PM: Treats?? Now we're talking! Daddy hands me a Milkbone!
12:32 PM: Stop trying to eat my treat! I am under attack! Just because I take my time to enjoy my food, the other dogs try to steal it.
12:33 PM: I sure am tired from all this fighting for my food. I need a nap.
12:35 PM: Ah, the perfect place, on Mommy and Daddy's bed. Now we're talkin'
6:00 PM: Blast! Mommy and Daddy are home! Does this mean I have to wake up? I don't know, I'm awfully tired. Wait? What's that sound? Food!!! It's dinner time!
6:01 PM: It was a trick! They are forcing me back outside again. I am far too tired to climb the stairs. Okay, fine. One more time, but next time, I'm peein' on the floor!
6:30 PM: Finally! Food!
6:45 PM: Wow, a full belly makes me tired. Where to sleep...
6:50 PM: Ah, the perfect place, in my crate.
8:00 PM: Onyx! How many times do I have to tell you about waking me up! Can't you see I'm asleep? Fine, I'll play tag with you.
9:00 PM: Wow, I sure am tired from chasing Onyx. I could use a nap.
9:05 PM: Ah, the perfect place. Mommy's lap. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz.....
10:30 PM: Mommy and Daddy's bedtime. Thank goodness it's time for bed. I sure am sleepy...

Blue Dog Food

My name is Pickles and I have a spinal injury. I was on steroids and got really fat. Mommy says I'm too lazy because I just lay around, but then the best thing happened!

Mommy found Blue dog food by the Blue Buffalo company. It's the yummiest thing ever!! Since I've been on it, my weight is dropping, my coat is shiny, and I have LOTS of energy!

It's the bestest food ever!

See you later!
Love,
Pickles

Thank you, John

Hi John! You don't know me, but I would be your sister if you were still here. I want to thank you for saving me. If Mommy hadn't found you, she wouldn't have fallen in love with dogs, and I wouldn't be here.

Thanks John.

Love,
Pickles

A sofa mishap...

I had the worst experience yesterday! Mommy was sitting on the sofa watching TV and I decided to curl up next to her. I climbed up my doggy stairs and felt nice and comfortable next to mommy, half way between her and the back of the sofa.

Awhile later, Mommy decided that she needed to get up. When she stood up, somehow I got trapped between the sofa cushions and the back of the sofa! Half of me was stuck, and no matter how much I tried and tried, I couldn't get free! Mommy turned around and saw me, and started laughing really hard. Mommy tried to free me, but she had a cast on her arm and couldn't pull the sofa cushion out (it's in a sofa cover, so the 2 cushions are connected together and are really hard to move). She called for Daddy and he had to rescue me! Daddy is my hero!

I didn't feel too bad, though. After I was "freed" the sofa cushion didn't get pushed back all the way and Onyx got stuck later!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I got to have Christmas at my Forever House today! I'm brand new at the house and got a bunch of new toys last week when I was adopted, so Mommy didn't get me any for Christmas. She let me share with the other dogs, and I got to play with the new soccer ball and basketball Mommy and Daddy bought us.

Mommy gave me a peanut butter pancake today. She says even though I'm overweight, she'll let me have this on Christmas, but I'm back to my diet tomorrow!

My aunt and uncle are bringing my human-cousin Teeya over today. They have more presents for me. Mommy says I have to be really really good in order to get them, so I'm trying really hard.

Well, I gotta go take a nap. Merry Christmas!

Love,
Pickles

Thank you to my Foster Family

I just arrived at my new Forever Home three days ago. Thursday was a very scary day. My Foster Mom, Julie, took me for a car ride. I was very excited about the trip, but a little confused too. We got to a restaurant and I met some new people that I never saw before. They seemed pretty nice. My Foster Mom handed me to the new lady and I got in the car with her. I could tell my Foster Mom was sad. I watched as she got into her car and drove away. I cried for a few minutes because I missed her, so I walked over to the new lady and curled up on her lap. The new lady told me that she was my new Mommy and the man driving the car was my new Daddy. I thought that would be okay, so I curled up on Mommy's lap and went to sleep.

Awhile later I got to a house I had never seen before. I got out of the car and before I knew it, there were three other dogs running at me! I was scared, so I barked and growled and got in a fight with one of the dogs. Mommy took me away from them and put me in her bedroom. She talked to me and told me that their names were Nick, Daphne, and Onyx and that they were my new brothers and sisters. Mommy gave me some time to rest and she brought each of my new siblings in to meet me. I really liked Onyx- she has LOTS of energy and she plays with me and we run and run and run. Daphne is nice, but keeps to herself. It took me longer to warm up to Nick. Mommy thinks maybe I had a bad experience with boy dogs before because I am scared of Nick. I'm getting used to him now, and he's not so bad. In fact, we went for a walk together earlier today.

I want to thank my Foster Family for loving me so much and taking such good care of me. I was in bad shape when I got to their house and they helped me a lot. I'm glad they saved me and got me all better so I could go live at my new house. I want to tell my Foster Mom that I love her and that she doesn't need to worry about me- I'm having a great time!

That's all for now!
Love,
Pickles