A year has passed Ari-Man...

There still is a huge void without you....

Ari 1999-2009

Ari's website

Ari's journey..  the last 6 months

Who said dogs don’t have expressions….

.......the many faces of Jake...

                                                    

 

And more added May 2011…. I like the middle one..  “could I look any cuter” I’m sure he’s thinking…

   

And there are more….

   

 

 

 

 

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A Smile at Christmas Time

 

I came across this video and had to share!

And I found this old photo of a generation of dogs. The girls are still with me!

Ari – Olivia – Kobie – Teddy

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I was going to train….

….the Brita and Jake last night but I couldn’t wake ‘em up…

      

An Angel in the Post Office

This is a true story from 2006 written by the mother of a little girl who was concerned about what would happen to the family dog after losing her.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

 

Trying out the NEW phone!

.Mission…  find Brita’s red collar which she lost yesterday outside.  It could be anywhere since she and Jake were running in 3 yards….   Out the garage into the middle yard.. nothing…  Through the woods and on the trails behind them.  nothing…  Follow trails to side of house and up through main yard…  nothing…  head toward training area, open gate and dogs Brita and Jake go running through.  I should add also that I’m saying over and over..  “BRITA… find your collar… I taught you to SEARCH for things!”  (she does have 2 tracking titles – a TR1 in Schutzhund and a T1 in SDA)  So as I come through the gate I see Jake about 20 yards away just standing still with his foot on something and watching as I come toward him..  yup…  it was the collar!!  Here are some not-so-great pictures of him.  I was scurrying to get my camera on and didn’t get a good shot but it shows you what I mean. 

And then here is a video of them on “their” bench!

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If I didn't have a dog....

• l'd walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
• My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
• All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
• When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel and I could get to the door without tripping on a fuzzy body who beat me there.
• I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space a furry body would need to get comfortable.
• I would have money, and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
• I would not be on a first-name basis with my veterinarian, as I put his yet unborn grandkids through college.
• My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers and look like a daycare center with toys everywhere.
• The most used words in my vocabulary would not be Out, Sit, Down, Come, No, Stay, and Leave it ALONE.
• My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash..
• I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, O-U-T, G-O, R-I-D-E.
• I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
• I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season.
• I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have an animal" from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone who has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being: by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.

IF I DIDN'T HAVE A DOG.. How Empty My Life Would Be!

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Jake vs. Tunnel

Jake’s first adventure with jumping the tunnel was a tad amusing!   In the first photo he is sitting behind the tunnel ANXIOUSLY awaiting the ok to move…  Now he’s no dummy so in his head why go over when it is so simple to go around!

 

So now he must return to the beginning, sit and wait to be released…and he’s NOT happy! 
Note the nasty look or is he pouting!!  (priceless to a mom) Clicking the pictures will enlarge them by the way.

Another try and I think he realizes that timing is everything!

     

Aaahhh..   a little motivation and reason to jump makes it so much better!! ….and back for more!

  

The next day…  like he’s been doing it all his life!

   

Jake and his ball!

So this is little Jake…  the adorable puppy who had surgery to remove the femoral head of his right hip 8 months ago at about 5 months of age.  You wouldn’t be able to tell now!!  He is nothing short of amazing!  (Click the photo to enlarge it.)

 

   

“….it’s just a dog…”

On this Thanksgiving morning I want to share something that a friend posted on Facebook.  I read this before and always am glad to read it again and share it!  Thank you, Daniel for posting it! 

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From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous 





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