Sad Day

Today is a sad day.  My brother and sister-n-law's 6-year-old Boxer Sammy (short for Sampson) lost his battle with cancer.  That is sad enough.  What makes it worse is that they didn't get to say goodbye to him.

I did get to say goodbye to my furry pal (aka child) 11 years ago and it was horrible enough.  He was 12.5 years old and had lived a long, full life.  Sammy was young.

But a couple things I'm reminded of today.  First, in some ways, I need to live my life like Sammy did.  Love life.  Love people.  Forgive fast.  Play whenever possible.  Love hard.

Second, I need to remember that a dog's unconditional love is a reminder of how God loves me.  He doesn't mind when I'm in a bad mood.  He doesn't seem to notice when I don't look my best.  Whether it's been 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days or 5 months, He's just as happy to see me.  He gazes at me with eyes of love and devotion.  He loves me without question.  He forgives me completely.  He wants nothing else than to be with me and love me.

Thanks for loving my family, Sammy.  You were such a good buddy.  You've been so brave these past few months fighting hard against the cancer.  I'm glad you're no longer feeling bad.  I hope they have plenty of string balls in doggie heaven!

The Weekend

It was great to have my Mom here this past weekend.


We went to the Dallas Dog Show and saw some of these, among others:


I'm so glad God made dogs. Just what I needed to make me happy (well that and my Mom and her brownies...!) after bad news on the house... so glad she could drive up for a visit.

Furry Friends

Because Madison is doing well, I feel like I have the freedom to post about something frivolous. I dog-sat for a co-worker the past 4 days. My charges were 7 year old Rat Terrier Annie (aka "cranky old lady"), Chili 2.5 year old HUGE Brittany Spaniel (aka "bull-in-a-china-shop") and Maggie, a 4-month old Toy Sheltie (aka "the baby").


It was quite an adventure. Prior to this, I had only pet-sat for a lady that had 1 dog and 1 cat. Since I'm not a cat person, I enjoyed the 3 dogs this time much more, even though it was considerably more work. You have to feed them in a certain order, let them out in a certain order, etc. In many ways, they are like kids. Trying to get away with things like stealing and "playing" with Christmas decorations, being defiant and standing on forbidden furniture, not listening/obeying, etc. But who can resist the sweetness of a furry one who puts his head in your lap while you're on the computer? And any fellow dog-lovers/owners out there can tell you that this is one of the most expressive parts of our furry friends:




I'm so glad that God created dogs. They make me happy, because they are happy to see you (evidence: rapidly waving tail) no matter if it's been 5 seconds, 5 minutes or 5 hours since they last saw you. They don't care if you are overweight or don't have makeup on or whatever-their love is almost unconditional (I have a theory that they love us because they are smart enough to know where their food comes from!) One of the things they're best at is keeping you company--they want to be where you are. And when you have a dog, you have live-in constant entertainment. Annie, Maggie & Chili were quite comical during my stay with them. Each of them has his/her own personality and quirks (just like people!)


I'm thankful for this "doggie fix" (as well as a little bit of spending money) that I received. Someday, Lord-willing, I'll have one or two of these delightful critters of mine own. But until then, I enjoy being able to spend time with them from time to time. :)

Lessons from Cats and Dogs

As I mentioned, I am pet-sitting. I am 9 days into my 16-day stint and glad that it will be over on Sunday.

Praise the Lord that things have gone well. Only the cat has gotten sick and as gross as it was, it was only once. They are both eating and doing well and I am praying that continues through Sunday when I will be relieved of my duties. :)

Following are a few things I've learned from the 2 different species I'm co-habitating with:

FROM THE CAT:

• Life is all about me. I couldn't care less if I make you happy--you're the one that's supposed to make me happy, remember? Now where's my treat?
• This is my world, and I just let you live in it. Why is it so difficult for you to remember that?
• I will NOT come when you call me and am offended you would think for a moment that I would.
• I am not necessarily happy to see you when you get home--especially if you interrupt my nap.

FROM THE DOG:

• Life is all about you and I'll show you with my every breath that you are the center of my universe. My life's goal is to please you.
• This is your world and I'm happy to be a part of it.
• I will come when you call me because I love you and there's always a chance you'll have a treat for me, or a belly rub, both of which I enjoy immensely. But just being next to you is all I need to be happy.
  
• I am ALWAYS glad to see you when you get home--whether it's been 5 minutes or 5 hours! A minute without you is too long.

Now why does it surprise you that I like dogs and not cats? :)

No offense to you cat-lovers, I respect you. I don't understand you, but I respect you nonetheless!

And the winner is...

...NOT to dog. :( :(

After lots of input from Facebook peeps, in-real-life friends, and prayers from friends & family, I made my decision...the one that was my first instinct yesterday afternoon when I got the phone call that might have changed my life.

I will NOT be adopting "Sophie" the little Yorkie.

I'm going to hold out for my Pugs, maybe even from here...you see, I have thought and planned about my "girls" for years. Their names will be Petunia & Violet (Petunia after Porky Pig's sister and Violet because it's my favorite [Crayola] shade of God's best color!) There will be 2 of them so they can keep each other company during the day while I'm at work.

They will be Pugs for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is:

• Pugs do not have to be groomed - just "wash and wear" and trim the nails (I can do that without a groomer at home)
• Pugs do not need a lot of exercise, and are fairly low-energy, which is conducive to my lifestyle with FMS
• They fit the size/weight restrictions for most apartment complexes
• They've stolen my heart with their sad eyes and just look like they'd be great companions

But, as is the case with a lot of my other dreams, I realize that God may provide for my need of canine companionship in other ways, and I am open to that...hence why I did give Sophie genuine consideration.

Thanks for letting me think through things...thanks Mrs YH for your prayers! I have peace with my decision and hope that someone else will be able to provide Sophie with a loving home!

To Dog or not to Dog...

...that is the question!

I've been offered a 5 year old 2.5 pound female Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie). Since this is my blog and since very few people read it and since I have a headache and don't feel up to chatting on the phone with friends right now to think this through, I'm going to use this venue to write out my thoughts.

There's no question that I love dogs and that I could use the companionship. No question at all. The real question is whether I want to make that kind of financial commitment. I've been wanting a dog (actually 2, so they can keep each other company during the day while I work) for a LONG time...really ever since I had to show the "last act of love" to my 12.5 year old dog when I lived in MI 9 years ago. I have a furry hole in my heart that only a canine can fill.

I do not have any experience with Yorkies, but have a friend that does and there are some definite benefits--smaller kennel, smaller appetite, smaller collar, smaller leash, smaller everything, which usually means smaller price tag as well. The grooming thing, though, is a concern. One of the reasons I wanted to get Pug(s) is because they are a 'wash and wear' breed...not so with the Yorkie. I would think I'd need to get her groomed every month or so. Then there is of course the matter of the pet deposit at the apartment...$300, which is nothing for me to sneeze at. I think they'll let me pay it over the course of a few months, but nonetheless...

I don't think a Yorkie would require an extraordinary amount of exercise--I would think playing with her in the apartment would be good. I would try to walk her as much as I could, as much as my physical limitations allow. But I cannot have a dog that requires a lot of activity (like a Border Collie or Welsh Corgi or a Lab or a Golden Retriever, etc., etc.) Because the Yorkie is so small, she would get quite a bit of energy expelled just roaming/playing/running around the 600 square feet of space I rent here.

Bottom line - cost of care vs. unconditional love and companionship is a tough choice for me right now. Finances are not my strong suit and one of the things I wanted to get a better handle on this year. Would certainly mean less expendable income for spoiling my niece (by blood) and nieces (of the heart, my friends' baby girls). But in the long run, perhaps I could save money by being forced to watch my spending more closely.

My friend that called me today asking if I would give "Sophie" a home is going to continue to try to find someone else, and if she does then obviously that will be the Lord's answer. But this is not a decision I take lightly so I want to be sure I give it the prayer and thought it (she) deserves. Thanks for anyone who's reading this for reading this. :) I appreciate you!