Dad's Road Trip

Well, Dad is off to Thompson Falls, Montana today with our neighbor. They want a new dog, since their last one had to be put to sleep. My dad found one on the internet at a shelter in Thompson Falls. The neighbors are all excited about Dad and Eldora bringing it home. I'm kind of excited too, although I probably will not get to meet the dog for a while. Dad did tell the neighbors that if they ever needed a home for it, we would take it. Gosh I hope it's a nice dog. I was a shelter dog too, so I know that this new doggy will love having a forever home. I love my mom and dad. I can't imagine life without them. The new doggy will be in good hands with the neighbors. She actually cooks people food for her dogs every day...like rice and chicken...ummmm...maybe...I wonder...hmmmmmm think they'd trade?

Relatives

Have you ever noticed that when relatives come to visit things go a little crazy? No different at our house. Dr. Dana came to visit Mom 1, Mom 2 and Dad last week. She brought with her two really cool friends: "Bella" the Golden Retriever mix, and "Dutch" the Beagle. Now they're significantly younger than me, but it was fun to have them around. I did notice, however, that Dutch is an eating machine. For such a little guy, he pigs out on any food he can stick his sensitive nose in. Beagles are scent hounds...and boy, does Dutch know where to find that smell of food. He followed everyone around in the kitchen nearly every waking minute, begging with those handsome dark eyes. And frequently he'd eat MY food! He's lucky I'm not a German Shepherd or he'd have been lunch. Bella, on the other hand, was mellow and gentle. She just didn't react to much of anything. Which I loved. I sniffed her, followed her around, and in general got along famously. I liked her a lot. Do ya think Dana would let me keep her? Probably not. Woof. It's lonely around here without Riley Sue. I enjoyed my relatives. I feel bad for most humans; when relatives come to visit they tend to get cranky. I'm glad my Mom and Dad enjoy people enough to tolerate their little issues. And they tolerate mine, so I know they love both people and us animals. That Mom would work out a way to feed all three of us at once while they were here was amazing. I also noticed that she could get Dutch the beggar to sit and back up a little with one "chush" and a finger snap. That made me smile.

Mortality

I lost my sister yesterday. All the times she bit me or snobbishly ignored me didn't matter anymore because she got really sick and passed on. Allison her mom brought her by the last three days of her life so I could be with her, which was really nice. Now that she's gone, I miss her. I could smell that she didn't feel good. (Dogs can detect illness, did you know that?) My nose may not be the greatest anymore, but I could tell she was sick. Sometimes Riley Sue was nice to me, which was probably an accident or something. We'd sleep side by side on the floor, and she sometimes even let me sniff her rear end without getting chomped. I think she was mellowing these last couple of years. Wouldn't you know she'd nice and then have to go Home. It's a sad fact of life that all of us at one time or another have to leave this earth. My Mom believes that dogs go to Heaven.I stuffed my head on her lap once to hear why- it's because humans love them so much, and even pray for them. If God loves the humans, then He obviously loves their animals too. I knew that, by the way, I just wanted to hear her say it. I know that I will see Riley Sue again. And I'm sure she'll be even nicer since she'll be one of the beloved animals of Heaven. One day it will be my turn to so see her. I hope I'll stick around long enough that my Mom can handle it better. She's been kind of teary-eyed all day. Goodbye, Riley Sue. I miss you. Love, Red Dog