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Willie, the cool dude of Haverhill!

The Picture of Peace

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist that would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

Once picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror of peace. Towering mountains were all around it. Above it was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect mirror of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry stormy sky. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the King looked, he saw, behind the waterfall, a tiny bush growning in a crack of the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest...perfect peace.

The King chose the second picture - "Because" the King explained "Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of unrest and disturbances and still be calm in your heart. That is the meaning of real Peace".



Dear Friends, May there be peace in your heart this holiday season.

With grateful love and friendship, Angel Willie and Mom Joni

The Memory Book

The most beautiful book arrived in our mail about a week ago. It was put together by our beloved Massachusetts friends Tracey, Baxter and MacKenzie who have been friends with us almost from the first moment we joined Dogster.

It is a hard cover book with words, poems, verses and pictures from pals old and new. Many of the original pals from Dogster took the time to send loving pictures and words about our times together thru the years. Then newer pals joined in as well and even those we were not "officially" pals with sent touching memories of their time on earth and leaving for Bridge and friendship.

This book has touched my heart and not a day passes without going thru it and finding something new to make me smile. Of course, I cry as well but it's a healing type of tears knowing others truly understand how hard it is to say goodby and that the friendships we have made will never be broken.

I honestly don't think I would have survived without my Dogster friends as only they can whole heartedly understand the grief between an "owner" and their dog. These wonderful creatures God has made called dogs are truly little furry Angels meant to show us love, caring, sharing, friendship and a lifetime commitment of the heart.

Would I not have taken Willie into my heart if I knew somewhere down the road it would tear my heart into a million pieces having to say goodby. Not a chance!

This wonderful book will be cherished forever and there are truly no appropriate words to thank all those who took the time to be a part of it. You will never know how it has helped my process of saying goodby by showing me that love truly never dies. It just goes to a different place in your heart with time.

Thank you all - each and every one of you are loved so very much. Tracey, special blessings to you and your family for your loving kindness in putting this very special and loved book together.

Know my little pup is smiling down at each and every one of you from a fluffy cloud as he chomps a mini-meatball with Baby Jesus tucked underneath him this holiday season.

Know his mom is so very thankful for each and every friendship that is furever part of her heart.

Angel Willie and Mom Joni

A New England Tradition on Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I know it is a difficult time for so many with the economy and many struggle to make ends meet. It's been a hard year with illness, sadness and loss for others as well. Thru my sadness with Willie's loss, I have much to still be thankful for.

The friendships I have made these many years on Dogster have brought me such joy and given Willie and I an extended family to share our happiness with and grief as well. Please know how thankful I am for each and every one of you who have their way into our hearts.

We wish you peace and joy and much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.


The Pilgrims had a custom of putting five kernels of corn on each empty plate before a dinner of "Thanksgiving" was served. In many old Plymouth families, the custom is still followed today. It is done on Thanksgiving Day, or on December 21 (the anniversary of the Plymouth landing).

The five kernels were chosen because prior to the first harvest things were so bad that the daily ration was five kernels of corn per person per day. Before you eat your Thanksgiving meal, think of the Pilgrim's and their customs, reflect upon your blessings.

Joni and Angel Willie