DOTD!

Me! I'm Diary of the Day today! This is a repeat honor for me as I was DOTD quite some time ago. My suspicion is that, after not hearing from me for awhile (the secretary has been a little swamped...even I can recognize that), my fans were verklempt at my recent diary entry and its sad story about my having to hold "it" all day because I wouldn't go out in the rain. They probably swamped HQ with requests to honor me so that I could afford a new and less busy secretary...and someone to hang around me all day and open the door whenever I decide I'm willing to go outside and do my "pwivacy pwease." So, thanks HQ...here's hoping this gets me the new help I so desperately need! And thanks pals, both new and old, for the kind thoughts and gifts!

So, it's raining...

(He, he!!) It's pouring today and (OMD!!) I went out first thing (te! he!) and, you know, did my "pwivacy pwease" real fast (hardy, har!!) but I refused to go out again before everyone left me alone for the day (I KNOW!!) to get the #2 out of the way (But it was pouring!) so now I'm sitting here on the computer crossing my legs and wiggling (hah, hah...wait, this isn't so funny anymore!!)

Mooooommmmmm!

Wishing happy hearts to all today!!

The biggest of smooches to all my favoritest of pooches!!

Kind of a blue Christmas for us

My secretary has been having a challenging year. We've decided to update our Dogster pals but we're not ready to put this out on FB yet. The secretary's dear sweet Momma has Alzheimer's. We've sort of known for awhile but held out some hope until that was dashed a couple of weeks ago. Her dear Momma is 82 so we're lucky its not an early-onset and that we had her for so long. Its going to be a challenging time...physically and emotionally...as the secretary will be spending most of her weekends and all her vacations with her parents. We are also blessed that the secretary's father is doing so well at 82 and can support her mother as well as he does. However, it cannot be easy having your beloved wife and companion of 55+ years thinking you're trying to kill her (she has very vivid nightmares.) Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. If we're late with notes or haven't gotten all the Christmas cards out, we ask for your understanding. You all mean the world to us and your support and friendship throughout the years is one of the things that has enabled the secretary to keep going when she needed to be uplifted...have a laugh...or just concentrate on something else for awhile. Much love to all our pals and wishing you a glorious holiday season!

Ted's having surgery :(

My dear sweet Ted is having ACL repair surgery this afternoon. His momma is so scared and upset. The secretary is going down to Philly to be with her sister as Ted will have to remain at the hospital overnight. The secretary's big, fat mouth makes anyone feel less alone (and makes many of us wish we were alone.) Please help me send POTP to our dear Ted!

My sweet Ted

Alright...I know you want an update from me. After all, its been forever. And I'm so very fascinating. Well, guess who you're getting updated on today? That's right..not me...Ted! But there's a good reason for that.

From the secretary (if you're a FBer, most of this question is already on FB):

Fellow dog-lovers...my sister's dog is probably going to have to have surgery for a cruciate ligament tear or partial tear. Any advice for her? He is a dog that needs to have a walk to "do his business." How do you handle that? What can she expect in terms of recovery time? Also, she has trouble getting him into the vet by herself (Ted is a big boy). When he doesn't want to go somewhere, he doesn't want to go somewhere. Treats don't work. This is going to be an issue more frequently with the surgery. We'd be more than grateful for any advice you might have. Thanks!

My dear Ernie George...

We got a thank you note from your dear Momma on Saturday. Admidst all that is going on in your household, both sad and joyful, she took the time to write to us. As you well know, she is an amazing person. We want you to know how privileged we felt to be part of your "Summer of Love." While we would have given anything for the ending to be different, it was so wonderful to see what kind Dogster hearts were doing to support your family. If love alone could have healed anyone, it would have healed you. The secretary was thinking back on the experiences of many of us when we all lost Elvis and remembered something we wrote back then. It applies in this situation and we thought we'd add it to this diary entry, with a small change. (Sadly, the backup is still just as cynical.)

"I am proud to know each and every one of you who responded in Ernie George's time of need whether by sending supportive messages, stocking him up on bones, sending gifts, writing to Dogster HQ to get EG the Dog of the Week honor, or offering to help in other ways. When this world seems overwhelmingly sad and the backup (described as cynical, at best) points out to the secretary that people are just out for themselves, she will be happy to acquaint him with the angels here on earth (and at the Bridge) that call themselves Dogsters."

Sometimes, we say what we mean the first time and can't get it better than that. We are privileged to know you, Izzy, your momma and papa, and now sweet Bacon. Much love to each of you...

Our dear Ernie George

The secretary and I have been wracking our brains trying to come up with a new way to express our love for EG and his family and our sorrow at his passing. The secretary wanted to say something about how events like this make us realize how close we can get to those we call "virtual friends," friends we have never met in person. Because she can't write much right now without making herself cry some more over the loss of EG...and right after dear Louie, too...sigh. So we've unearthed a little poem she found after Elvis passed. We think it applies here as well. Godspeed, Ernie George.


Prayer

Every evening as I'm laying here in bed,
This tiny little prayer keeps running through my head.

God bless my mom and dad and bless my little pup,
And look out for my brother when things aren't looking up.

And God, there's one more thing I wish that you could do,
Hope you don't mind me asking, but please bless my computer too?

Now I know that's not normal to bless a mother board,
But just listen a second while I explain to you my Lord.

You see, that little metal box holds more to me than odds and ends,
Inside those small compartments rest a hundred of my BEST FRIENDS!

Some, it's true, I've never seen and most I've never met,
We've never exchanged hugs or shared a meal as yet...

But I know for sure they like me by the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal is how I travel to where they live.

By faith is how I know them...much the same as you,
I share in what life brings them and from that our friendship grew.

Please take an extra minute from your duties up above,
To bless this scrap of metal that's filled with so much love!

Unknown

RIP Louie

Sigh. We'll miss you, pal. Look out for your sweet momma, dear angel. The love you shared between the two of you was all over your diary entries. Godspeed.

My Vacation Plans

Guess what? It's time for my annual vacay to Temagami. I am currently laying around the house while the secretary packs for me (that's what the help is for, after all). We're leaving later today so we can help the grandparents get ready to go up and then...we're off on Thursday! Because of the stress involved in this trip up to Dog Paradise for the grandparents, we are attempting to take a leisurely drive up instead of a panicked speed demon trip so, I get to stay in two hotels on the way up instead of my usual one hotel. Maybe I'll get to go on another elevator?!! Anyway, much love to all my pals. Those of you who've been around for awhile know that I'm out of the loop for the duration of this vacation (we have no TV, radio, or Internet service on the island). So, I'll catch up when I return. And (I hear) that the secretary's co-worker is doing very well and expects to return to the library when school starts. Yeah! Not only does that mean less stress for the secretary but more updates for y'all on my wild and crazy life! See yaaaaa (as they say on Yankee television...)