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It's Not Always Easy Being Jimmy

My February 1st, 2009 Message to Downtown Dogster

My Dearest Downtowners:

It was a year ago, tomorrow, that thanks to Sadie's mom and other members of Dogster Railroad, that my mom, Dad and I drove to Bloomington, Illinois, to get my sister, Ruby. Ruby had traveled, all the way from Homeward Bound Rescue in Minnesota, 640+ miles from our home in Terre Haute, Indiana.

If you have never checked-out the Dogster Railroad forum, I encourage you to do so. There, dogs can register their generous pawrents to help potentially transport orphans to rescues or furever homes. We will be furever grateful for the support and assistance we received in transporting Ruby.

While we were in Bloomington, waiting for Ruby, Mom checked her e-mail via her phone, and learned that I had become the newly-elected Mayor of Downtown Dogster. Well, I suppose it wasn't a total shock - BOL - as my good pal and running mate, Deputy Mayor Krackerjack and I were unopposed.

During this past year, I have made several new friends at Downtown Dogster, and strengthened those friendships that already existed. Together we have celebrated good news, encouraged each other during difficult times, mourned our losses and prayed for those who need strength. There is no more caring group on Dogster, and I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful family. Downtown Dogster is truly my family.

Tonight, when Ruby and I hold paws with our Mom, we will be asking the Great Dog to continue to watch-over the families of the missing Gizmo and the missing Zeb, to deliver comfort to those who are still mourning losses, and to give strength to those who are ill, stressed and suffering. We wil thank Him for giving Mom and me our pawrents and Dingo and Buddy for as long as we had them.

But quite importantly, we will thank the Great Dog for letting us find Dogster. It isn't just a place for us to park our webpages; it is a community and family. We are thankful for our family at Downtown Dogster, and we are hopeful that the Great Dog will continue to bless each and every one of you and your family.

It is indeed my pleasure to serve as your mayor.

Humbly,
Mayor Jimmy

Prayer Requests From The Mayor's Office

This is such a sad time for me, as so many of my pals are hurting.

I am the current Mayor of Downtown Dogster and here is the message that I sent to the Downtown constituency, last night:

My Dear Downtowners:

I've written before that I am a firm believer that Dogster is much more than a place for me to park my webpage. I believe it is a community of families, whose lives continue to positively impact another, each and every day.

Prior to my joining Downtown, I endured some scary medical tests, and was uplifted with support from my families at Snoop Dog Beagleys and Not-the-Beagles (NTBs). When tragedy struck MY family on Halloween, we were naturally supported and comforted by our Downtown Dogster family, our Snoops and NTBs. But it is particularly noteworthy that news of Buddy's death spread across Dogster. Countless other dogs and cats from the Dogster/Catster Community, whose pawrents park their cars all across the world, learned of our grief, and took the time to pray for us and send us kind words of encouragement. Memories of those kindnesses will be eternal.

This weekend, many of us will be celebrating the Independence Day Weekend with our families, creating new memories to cherish in the coming years. Some Downtowners may very well be spending their weekends, agonizing over situations that no one wishes to endure.

I'm not a very religious doggy. I don't feel moved to pray, everyday, and embarrassingly enough, I am usually asking the Great Dog for a favor for a Pal, when I do feel moved. I do feel very blessed to have all of you as my extended family. Tonight, while I am thanking the Great Dog that I had my mom and my dad, (who raised me), and Buddy and Dingo, as long as I had them, I am also thanking Him for my mom, (Colleen), my dad, (The Other Jim), and for all of you, as well.

I'd like to remind you, or in some cases, tell you about some special friends, who most certainly could use words of encouragement and if you are so inclined, your prayers, tonight, and in the foreseeable future.

Our good friend, Councilor Schumi, (Dogster ID:155307), will have a consultation with a veterinary surgeon on Friday. As you know, Schumi has a problem knee, and will face some weeks of post-surgery rehabilitation. I am very hopeful that Schumi's doctor will offer an excellent prognosis.

Our friend, Zeb, (Dogster ID:247112), has been missing for a few weeks, and his family has no solid leads on his whereabouts. I'm sure all Downtowners have been sending positive thoughts to Zeb's family, and I ask that those thoughts continue.

Gizmo, (Dogster ID:459881), has been missing for over 15 months, now. Her brother, Sheriff Cedar, and her pawrents continue to pray each day for her safe return. Please consider sending Gizmo or Cedar a message that you haven't forgotten Gizmo

These past few days have been some of the saddest of our time on Dogster. It isn't easy for a dog to see his mom sob. This evening, my mom, Colleen, gave me the terrible news that Sugar Girl, sister of our Rusty Pooh Bear, (Dogster ID:511082), has a reservation for the Rainbow Bridge. Their sister, Ellie Mae, (Dogster ID:426321), was seriously injured, today, during a scuffle with Sugar. We are fervently praying that Sugar will be at peace and will no longer be tormented by the aggressive demons that affect her so. I envision her being embraced at the bridge by my brother, Buddy, and Sugar's brother and sister, Bandit and Hayley. Please join me in fervent prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Ellie Mae, and for strength and comfort for the Cowdog Mom, Laura, and the kids, Rusty, Scouty, Jake, Autumn, and their foster brother, Tommy, during this emotional time.

Although they aren't members of Downtown, many of you are acquainted with Maddy McCatterson, and the Beaglesworth Bunch, (Dogster ID:561870), Copper, Trixie, Charlie and Jasper, Maddy is an active NTB, her siblings are active Snoops, and they participate in other groups, such as All Fur Fun, where you may have met them. I will say this: if you have met them, you'd remember. (Big grin!)

Earlier this week, the McCatterson-Beaglesworth family lost their 19 year-old human sister, Kaylin, and a criminal investigation is underway. Although I am a very verbose doggy, I simply can offer no words to soothe the family or to express how terribly sorry I feel for them. Please, please, please, consider sending healing thoughts, prayers, or words of encouragement via pmail or Dogster gifts. If you would like to snail mail them a card, please pmail me, and I will provide you with their mailing address.

I truly am thankful for each of you, and appreciate the opportunity to assist the Downtown Dogster Council in making this not only THE place to be, but in fostering such a family atmosphere, too.

May God, the Great Dog and Great Cat continue to watch-over the families of Schumi, Zeb, Gizmo, the Cowdogs, the McCattersons-Beaglesworths-Mathews/Lasaters, and each and every one of yours.

With love and sincerity,
Mayor Jimmy

My Week In Review

Sunday
On Sunday, the Downtown Dogster Bowling League concluded its 2008 season. The final results were:

6th Place - Ultimate Ballers
5th Place - The Fast Lanes
4th Place - Neon Juicers, which was my team
3rd Place - Strikers
2nd Place - Downtown Pirates
1st Place - Alley Dogz

I had lots of fun, each weekend, making new friends and strengthening the bonds with my old pals.

Monday
On Monday, I wore down my paw pads, writing names on index cards, multiple times, for the prize drawings for the Downtown Dogster Bowling League. It was exciting to see which names were drawn for Sadie's Biscuits.

When Ruby and Mom went to Paw Prints Training School, I thought I'd get myself a snack. Dad came home to find me in my bed with a partially-wrapped and partially-eaten Merrick Moo Tube. He took it away. When he went to the bathroom, I went to fetch a whole bag of Moo Tubes. The bag had initially been in a lidded copy paper box, but I knew how to open it.

Tuesday
On Tuesday, I went to see Dr. Staub for my annual vaccines. Mom told him about the Merrick Moo Tubes incidents. Can you believe he said, "You know you could reprimand him, don't you?" Mom and I were both stunned! I don't think it had occurred to her to reprimand me. I certainly hadn't thought of it.

Wednesday
On Wednesday, when Mom came home in the afternoon, I had soap pieces all over the living room floor, three Happy Meals toys unwrapped and partially-eaten, a cold compress, Mom's pajama bottoms, a rain poncho and a Rubbermaid container on my bed. Mom had never seen that particular Rubbermaid container. I am not talking!

Thursday
On Thursday, I pooped a lot of plastic.

Friday
I counter-surfed and successfully caught a bag of Twizzlers. Within minutes, Mom caught ME!

Saturday
I decided to re-organize the recycling. The plastic belonged on my bed, and the paper belonged on the kitchen floor. Mom was insulted that I re-did her work. Now, everything is outside in the jumbo recycling container, awaiting its Thursday pickup. Seem sort of silly to me.