I Am Such A Lucky Pup!

I’m not sure who is more shocked that I’m turning fourteen years young today…me or Mommy. What I do know is that I'm exceptionally grateful for each day I get to spend with my family & that I’m a happy, healthy girl. I still have loads of spunk & am the reigning Queen of Crazy around this joint. Sadly, several of my friends & their families are hurting right now, so I’m sending each of them a gentle hug & pray that things will be better for them very, very soon.

On my birthday, I can't help but think of two of my extra amazing friends. First is the brave, strong & oh-so-sweet Angel Sammy J. He was born on April 1, 1997…exactly three days after me & that makes us Almost Twins! I think that’s pretty doggone amazing. I like the idea that Sammy J. & I arrived in the world so close together.

The other pal who comes to mind today is the loving & big-hearted Angel Willie. His birthday is Monday, April 4th & it should be a Dogster holiday if you ask me! Willie has always been my Yorkie idol.

I truly don’t need a single thing for my birthday, although a few extra baby carrots from Mommy would certainly be appreciated. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...I hope she takes the hint!) But I would be especially grateful if we all could send Angel Sammy J. & Angel Willie some extra love for their special days. They mean so much to me & to so many Dogsters. They are forever in my heart & I will always treasure their friendship. Not just on my birthday, but every day of the year.

Here's a special Birthday Challenge for everyone, should you choose to accept it. How about we all tell someone how much they mean to us today? It costs absolutely nothing but a few moments of time. And I guarantee that a nice, unexpected surprise is always a good thing. :-)

Up, Up & Away

Earlier today I sent some balloons floating up into the sky. My friend Willie would do this to honor his angel friends. Sadly, now I’m doing it for him. I made sure that Mommy bought different bright colors, like all the ones in the rainbow.

Mommy & I remembered the things we treasured about our angel friends & wrote little notes to send up with the balloons. I believe that Willie, Arthur, Sammy J, Miles, Miss Cali, Rockey, Scarlett, Gracie Jane, Stormy B., Sadie Boo, Rocky & all my Bridge pals are reading my messages & maybe sharing a laugh with me.

It is very gloomy & rainy here today, so the balloons stood out against the darkened sky. I wished that it had been a beautiful day, but Mommy told me a story that made me see it differently. She said that when you go up in an airplane on a day like this, the sun is shining brightly just on the other side of the stormy clouds. I wasn't sure if I believed that, but she swears it’s true.

After thinking about it I decided that life is sort of like that. Whenever you’re going through a scary & difficult time, there is always sunshine not too far away. It may come in the form of a kind word from a stranger, a phone call from a friend or doing something special with those you love.

My friend Willie has a magnificent Mom who loves him more than anything in this world. They devoted every waking moment to bringing one another joy & sharing it with others. When Willie became weak the last few months, they did all the things they loved to do together & made new & everlasting memories.

When someone passes away, people often say, “Oh I wish I had _________" or "Gosh, I should have _________”. More often than not, they could have done those things but for whatever reason did not. So in honor of Willie I think everyone should turn their computers & cell phones off for awhile & do something special for someone else. Call a friend & say “Hi, how are you?” or mail a card or note for no particular reason. Go & take a walk together & have a good talk or snap some silly pictures. Just go & DO something. You never know how your act of kindness may affect another person. It may be the nicest thing that happens to them all day. Those are the kind of memories I'd like to make for myself, my friends & family.

I think I’m going to curl up by Mommy, take a nap & dream about my friends getting their balloons. And to quote one of the greatest philosophers of our time…

No one can be uncheered with a balloon. ~ Winnie the Pooh

Wonderful Willie

I am prety doggone sure that if you look up the words “Friend,” “Compassion” & “Unselfish” in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of my friend Willie & his Mom. Sadly, life is full of people who seek attention & need to receive credit for their good deeds. Willie & Aunt Joni would never ever fall into that category. They're the most kind hearted & giving souls I know.

My first days on Dogster, when Mommy & I didn’t even grasp what it was all about, Willie & his magnificent Mom befriended us. I was going through my second cancer surgery &, quite frankly, my Mommy needed some reassurance. And there was Willie. He didn’t know me at all, but he took me by the paw & told me everything was going to be OK. And you know what? It was. Willie & I were fast friends from then on. I know that many of you have the same sort of story because Willie & Aunt Joni have touched so many lives.

If everyone, furry or not, had the heart & wisdom of dear sweet Willie, we’d learn the really important lessons in life like…

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

Take naps & stretch before rising.

Run, romp & play daily.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water & lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around & wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing & pout - run right back & make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto & enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, & nuzzle them gently.

Cherish each moment & make special memories every single day.

Thank you for brightening my life Willie & for teaching me that everyday is to be celebrated with our loved ones.

And please know that all of us are going to take extra good care of your Mom. I promise, cross my Yorkie heart.

My Friends & Their Families Absolutely Pawsitively Rock!

As some of you already know, my Mommy (a.k.a. The Dork), broke her collarbone quite a few weeks ago. I know I'm supposed to feel bad that this happened to her & show a great deal of sympathy...but to be perfectly honest, it's really funny to watch someone try to act "normal" with just one functioning arm. And not the arm they regularly use at that. But that's just between us, alright? I never actually laughed in her face. OK, I did a little bit, but seriously...who wouldn't? It was doggone funny.

So yesterday was a very exciting day in our house. Mommy no longer has to wear the straight-jacket sling that kept her arm immobilized by tying it around her waist. Woo hoo! She has graduated to a regular sling that lets her move it around a bit more & makes her life a little easier. Plus she gets four 30 minute sessions each day to be sling-less. Double woo hoo! Her doctor said she's been doing such a great job of following his orders that she's almost done with slings. I'm very excited about that, but not as much as Mommy.

I have to truly thank those of you who gave Mommy so much love, support & encouragement via phone calls, lovely gifts, letters, cards & e-mails. I want you to know that it means the world to Mommy. And to me as well. I'd be lying if I said Mommy didn't act like she was losing her marbles out of frustration on a daily basis. (That's honestly nothing new, F.Y.I.) But luckily our amazing & wonderful friends would check in, bring a smile to her face & make her laugh. That's the bestest medicine in the world!

Mommy & I are sending all of you some extra big hugs of thanks..although Mommy's are the one-armed kind. We hope that you're all enjoying summer. I know ours is starting off extra terrific.

Happy Father's Day to all my pals & their fabulous families! :-)

I Am A Teenager

Today I turned thirteen. I’ve been told that means I’m a teenager. Now I’ve heard the humans say that some teenagers are opinionated, loud, moody, don’t listen to their parents, think they know everything. Here’s the strange thing…Mommy says I’ve been that way since the day she met me. All I know is I’m The Boss & she’s the lowly Executive Administrative Assistant. So I’ve got to be doing something right. Right? Right.

The bestest birthday present in the world are my friends. I’ve learned that good friends are very precious & need to be treasured. In this day & age I think it’s easy to confuse “friends” with “acquaintances.” We’re friendly with lots of folks, but finding pals who are there for you through thick & thin is a rare thing. And I think they should be celebrated every doggone day!

So my birthday wish is that if you’re reading this, please take a minute or two to tell someone special that they are being thought of today. Just because. No particular reason. That’s what friends do. :-)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~ Leo Buscaglia

My Beautiful Friend, Miss Cali

The Rainbow Bridge has been blessed with a most beautiful angel today…my sweet friend Miss Cali.

Miss Cali & her amazing Mommy are very near & dear to me. They’re such special souls & remind me of what true friendship is all about. They are there for you when you’re laughing & they are there for you when the tears are falling. And all the times in between. That means more than I can say.

I know Miss Cali is holding court at the Rainbow Bridge, looking like the stunning princess that she is & bringing a smile to everyone she meets. There will always be a warm place in my heart that belongs to Miss Cali. I hope she never forgets that.

Ice Cream! Get Your Ice Cream!

Hmmm...what flavor of ice cream am I??

My pals Mamie & Ellie Mae tagged me in a new game. And the big question is "What kind of ice cream do I look like?"

Mommy says that I'm a dead ringer for Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl. And since it sounds pretty yummy, who am I to argue?!?!

Hey...I'm hungry now! :-)

Help Wanted: Two Humans In Dire Need Of Guidance

It was twelve years ago today that I started a very, very important job. I found my pawrents...& quickly discovered that they require constant & intense supervision. As near as I can figure, Mommy & Daddy were pretty much running amuck prior to my arrival. Can you even imagine such nonsense? Not a pretty picture.

After twelve years of overseeing their every activity, I’m sad to say they are still a work in progress. However, I have discovered that I am an exceptionally good boss! I bark orders & things happen. Not as quickly as I’d like, but they happen.

And just between you & me, I think I’ve got the greatest job in the world! But Mommy & Daddy don’t need to know that, OK? :-)

What's The Deal With Twelve?

I turned twelve years old yesterday! Twelve. What is “twelve” anyway? Mommy says that twelve is the number right after eleven & just before thirteen. That doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense to me. Now what I do know is that I scored baby carrots, mashed potatoes and cheese yesterday! So I’m thinking this whole twelve business is pretty fabulous.

Another thing I’m certain of is that my friends & their families are very busy & yet they took the time to help me celebrate! I’ve received lovely presents on my page, P-mails, E-mails, cards & gifts…& it all truly means the world to me. For those of you who helped to make my day so truly amazing, I thank you from the bottom of my Yorkie heart.

I’d like to come & give you all some extra big Muffin-sized hugs & kisses, but a certain someone (that would be Mommy) says it’s not in the budget…time-wise or money-wise. Quite frankly that sounds like a personal problem to me. I don’t think I really ask for a great deal. Oh wait a minute. Perhaps I do. Well, consider yourself hugged & kissed Muffin-style anyway, OK?? :-)

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Don't just count your years, make your years count. ~ Ernest Meyers

I’m a twelve-year-old girl who has a truly wonderful life & even more fantastic friends. And I am grateful.

Mommy Really Should Just Do Things My Way

What is it with humans? More specifically, my Mommy.

A few months ago Mommy realized she truly needed a time out. From everything. OK, I understand that life can be trying for the humans, but seriously…it can’t be nearly as difficult as being ME!

So I sucked it up & got behind this whole “Take A Time Out” thing for Mommy. That is until I learned she took my page off Dogster! Are you kidding me woman? I am thumb-challenged & have very little recourse when it comes to all the computer stuff. I didn’t say “Good-bye” to anyone & I was terribly distraught at the mere thought of upsetting my friends. I was mortified when I learned that Mommy didn’t have the brains to print out my diary first. All my innermost Yorkie thoughts & dreams were gone…POOF!

Thank dog I’ve got amazing friends like Sammy J & his marvelous Mommy! They bookmarked my diary page on their computer & I was able to see it once more. I’m not going to tell you how much Mommy’s eyes were leaking when Sammy J.’s Mommy sent her the link.

So I decided to give Mommy a break…just this once.

During my Mommy-imposed hiatus, I have come to genuinely appreciate that true blue friends are the most priceless gift of all. The friends who love us unconditionally are to be treasured & reminded of how precious they are as often as doggedly possible. We all choose to make time for the friends, family & activities in our lives that are important to us. Humongous wags & woofs to those super duper special doggie friends & their families who made the effort to stay in touch with me & Mommy. It means more to us than you’ll ever know & we won’t forget it. Sometimes it might be “Out of sight, out of mind” but we’ve discovered that oh-so-gratefully we’ve lived on in the hearts of others.

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. ~ Maya Angelou