End of the Road

This will be the last entry to Red's Blog. We are having him put to sleep Friday morning at 830am. Thank you to all who have so sweetly followed him for the last few years. At 115 in dog years, he has lived well past the two years they told me he'd live when we rescued him from Spokanimal Care in Spokane, Washington in 2006. He has been a real "trooper."

I promised myself I wouldn't cry, but here I am writing through tears dribbling down my face. I will deeply miss him. He has been the best pound puppy we've ever had.

Lately he has been bleeding profusely from his nose. I suspect an organ has failed. I've tried to clean him up, but then he just starts bleeding again. He has an eye infection in his blind eye, he has diabetes and his back legs don't work right. We can't let him suffer anymore. He never complains, but we understand that his body has given out.

As a friend, he is unmatched. I gave anthropormorphic (ascribed humanity)qualities to him in "The Dog Paw Chronicles" and let him comment on my life throughout the book. When and if we get a new dog, I hope he will be as astute and fun as Red Dog has been. I hope that you will read the book and remember our Red Dog. His legacy of doggy wisdom is precious. Thank you again for your love of dogs in general. Please always remember that "Dog" is "God" spelled backwards!

The Value of a Life

My Mom has started reading a blog written by a military dog trainer/handler named Kevin Hanrahan. He writes about the dog and people heroes that work hard to save the lives of Americans. I say woof woof to those dogs and their handlers. They are awesome!

But this morning's story made Mom cry. One of the dogs was killed along with his handler by an IED. Thinking about that made her sad. It makes me sad too. Mostly because there are a lot of humans out there who don't know the value of life.

When a dog kills someone you can guarantee it's the owner's fault. A lazy owner, an evil owner will ruin a perfectly good animal. We dogs aren't inherently evil, but owners can be. Kevin's dogs are all powerful, well-trained animals. One of the handlers in Kevin's blog has a grey wolf named Bony. He's a handsome dog. (Mom says she once owned a wolf mix named Leushen. I came to live with them after he passed on).Sorry, got distracted. grrrrrrr.

Back to Kevin's blog. He tells the personal stories of people who value the lives of others, including dogs. And the dogs go to great lengths to save human lives. They'll take bullets to protect their owners. Just like soldiers give their lives to protect others.

What I don't understand is why so many humans don't care. Why do they abort babies, blow people up or chop their heads off? Why don't they value life itself just because it's life? Babies or every species are precious. Mom can tear up watching an eagle fly, or listening to the birds in the yard, or seeing human suffering on TV. Just because it's life. Life has meaning and purpose, and it is precious. And her love for life is her strength. Loving life is priceless. I know. She rescued me from a shelter. I know how valuable life is. Do you see the value of life? If so, please leave a comment on the blog post at

Love and Marriage

My doggy friends Dutch and Bella are here for their Mom and Dad's wedding this weekend. I do love having them drop by, even though Dutch the beagle is a food thief.

I have some thoughts on marriage today. I watch a lot of people come to our house and even when they drop by the neighbors. One of the most lovely things is when even older people hold paws (I mean hands, sorry). There is something about showing intimacy with each other that warms my heart.

I also note that some couples grow apart. There's still obvious love there, but they stop touching each other.That's very sad. It's like petting your dog- if you stop doing it, it means something.You've grown tired of their faithfulness, their unconditional love. You want another dog. A new one. Something better. That's not the way it should be. Love should be rekindled all the time. If it isn't, eventually it will fade away.

All my love to Dana and Chris, and thanks for not stopping those pets. It's a joy to see people love each other...and all the dogs in their lives too!

Heads up

Hi, all. This is just a heads up to let you all know that I haven't been feeling very well lately. Mom's been beside herself worried, and Dad has barred me from the house at night. Why? I had some ummm...issues...Geez. Sorry about that. Mom sneaks me in the house in the morning after she feeds me, then lets me out before Dad gets up. She's cool like that. I'm 115 in dog years, according to Dr. Erickson. I'm blind in one eye and my back legs have pretty much stopped working right. Mom took me on a walk yesterday and I fell- had a heck of a time getting up again and it hurt like crazy. It's hell getting old, let me tell ya. Needless to day, I don't know what's going to happen. I eat good, Mom says that's a good thing. And I sitll love those snacks! She really tries, and I know she loves me. Dad does too, because he scratches my head when I do get to come in for my evening treat. I just think they're both a little traumatized by my condition. So if you don't hear from me in a while, that's what's happening. Mom will let you all know if anything happens to me. I just want you all to know, your love and support has meant everything to me. Those virtual hugs are awesome! I love you guys!

Mortality

Well, tomorrow I have to go to the vet for my annual poking and pills. I'm a little nervous about tomorrow. Since last year, I've grown nearly completely blind in one eye, and my back legs don't work so good anymore. Mom has been really worried. I'm still eating good, though, and that gives her hope. Yesterday she shaved off some hair, brushed my coat, and scrubbed me with that waterless soapy stuff. Since it involved scratching my butt, I loved it. You know, at just over 13 yrs old, time is not on my side. I'm really not worried about it because I've lived WAY past what the docs told her I'd live. And my adopted parents have been good to me. I get lots of loving and treats, and friends. And all of you that love my blog, well, you're just precious! Mom won't put me down tomorrow, she's assured me of that. I'm still pretty spunky in spite of the fact that I can't see the back steps very well. It does make me think about my mortality, though. Do you ever think about it? It's a worthwhile thing to do, and a reminder that there's more life after we're done here on earth. I'm looking forward to being able to see again, and not have to be trimmed, poked, or medicated. What are you looking forward to?

Bella, Dragonslayer

My friends Bella (Golden Retriever) and Dutch (Beagle) came to visit a couple of weeks ago. They're cool. Ok, they wear me out a little (I'm 13 years old, for crying out loud), but they do keep me hoppin'.And I get lots of extra treats when they're here because Auntie Dana is as big a schmooze as Dad. I love that. :)
While they were here, Bella decided to rip apart a stuffed dragon. OMG there were pieces of stuffing all over the living room floor. I thought Mom would throw a fit, but she only made a couple of smart alec remarks and walked away. She said something about it being a fitting sermon.
Apparently "Bel and the Dragon" is one of the books of the Apochrypha (noncanonical part of the Bible).It's about some dude who fights the dragon and wins the battle. I think Bella won this battle too. The stuffed dragon went in the garbage when the humans cleaned up later. It's kind of like all humans need to take out the trash, and a lot of the trash is from battles with the devil-dragon. No matter how fierce the battle, any leftovers should be trashed. All humans should do that, right?

Easter Rest

My Aunt Dana brought Dutch and Bella to visit me this week. Dutch is a Beagle (a very loud, hyper Beagle), and Bella is a laid back Golden Retriever. Me, I'm just tired. I love my friends around, but they sort of wear me out. Does that ever happen to you? Do your friends ever wear you out and suck your energy like a big vacuum? They haven't tried to steal my hip hole under the rose bush in the back yard yet, but Dutch loves to steal my food. I have to eat it all up before Mom lets him back in the house or he'll hog the whole bowl down. Gluttonous little bugger. Very cute, though. Maybe it's because I'm an older dog that I get tired so fast. Dad took all 3 of us on a walk through the neighborhood yesterday. They was quite the sight. Too bad Mom didn't have her camera ready. Those two other dogs almost yanked Dad's arms out. Kinda funny, really. At any rate, let's talk about rest. Everyone needs it. But I'm not woofing about just sleepy/vacationy rest. I'm talking about peaceful rest in your heart. Even though my doggy friends suck my energy, I have lots of peace and I know that they are good dogs. And my Mom and Dad love me. Mom takes excellent care of me, even at my age and with diabetes. I know that their love completes me. Just like God's love completes a human. When you know that He loves you, then you are safe now and in the future. Nothing can disturb your future, because Jesus already paid the price for anything you've done. So hang in there, all of you. Rest in the knowledge that you are loved.

Dog Food and People Issues

So Mom was gone for a week, and Dad had to feed me and give me my insulin shots. Whoooeeee there is a difference! Mom doesn't stab me as hard as Dad. Dad gives me more food than Mom, but he gives me the ground stuff that looks like, well, dog food. Mom gives me meaty chunks with gravy. I really like it better when it looks like people food from the get-go. But keep in mind it's all the same thing. Dog food is dog food, regardless of what it looks like. And if they dribble a little people grease on it, that makes it palatable.
If I take that idea and make it relevant to you humans, let's see what happens. If a situation is ugly on its surface, people won't swallow it. For example, if your human government did things that were obviously evil, you wouldn't follow it, right? But if they make it look all spiffy and good, you'll just eat it up and not think anything about it. From what Mom says, they are covering up the truth with a bunch of gravy that makes their actions look good, but is really hiding a removal of your human rights. They tell you things and you believe them, but it's only because they have hidden their agendas under the guise of good. But it's not good. It's still dog food with gravy on it.
I'm a dog, folks. You can feed me dog food. But as humans, you shouldn't be buying or being fed the same thing I eat. You shouldn't believe everything that comes out of the mouths of your leaders -- because you will lose your privileges and rights very quickly. There are people who have plans to disarm, dismantle, pull apart the very fabric of your country's heritage. And they hide it in the name of "helping" you. Don't believe it. They're feeding you dog food.

Fear and Aggression

Sorry I'm so far behind. Mom just can't seem to get time to help me write my blog. I'm going to have to plunk my fuzzy body on her feet until she lets me do some talking! I watched The Dog Whisperer last night with Mom. I love Cesar, he rocks! There was a dog on there who was so fearful all the time that he bit people, sometimes even in the face! Mom says there are a lot of people who would have put that poor little dog down because of his bad habit. But Cesar loves us dogs, and he worked on training the humans and fixing that dog. And it worked! He talked on the show about a fearful dog and how they act aggressively out of their fear. The principle works with humans too. Today in this country there are two political sides who do the exact same thing. One side is so fearful and confused about what America is that they create rules and ideas that cause fear in the other side. So both sides are aggressive, just like a dog with bad habits. It's instinct for dogs to have empathy about human energy- to feel and respond to people on that level. People aren't much different; you can see it when disasters happen that most humans are compassionate. But not when fear gets in the middle of the situation. Fear puts everyone on edge. The government is deliberately creating fear and aggression in the opposite side. I think they are doing it on purpose because they're afraid too. They don't understand their opponents, and they don't want to. It would be great if Cesar Millan would grab a couple of leashes, and snap! move their brains out of this fear thing so that they could all get along with some wisdom. Hey, Cesar, you up for that?

This little story was posted on FB this morning by a human friend. Mom tells me every day that she loves me, and this story made her cry. I know that she has lost numerous dogs over the years. I feel sad about that, but I'm so glad that there are humans like her that care about us dogs.I happen to know that humans like her are all over the place -- some of them right here following this blog. You're the best. I love it when you pet me, give me treats, and just let me participate in the pack. You're cool. Just wanted you to know it! Woof!

White Christmas

Yes, my Aunt Dana showed up ysterday complete with reindeer ears. I just love her. She's fun. I was hoping she'd be able to bring Dutch and Bella this year, but she's gotta get back home this evening. I woke up this morning to a bunch of snow on the ground. Wow. Christmas with snow- gotta love it. I get to roll around, stuff my nose in it, lay on my back in it...what a fun day it's going to be. And Micah's coming this afternoon too! I'm so excited. Christmas means lots of treats...today AND tomorrow! Me, I love Christmas. Lots of people, lots of food, lots of craziness. Not sure the humans think that's all fun and games, but I do. I feel like snow is a sign of peace- the Bible says it comes from God's treasury of snow for a time of war and trouble.The whole earth has a lot of trouble right now, from what I gather from my human friends. The snow is a reminder that peace from Jesus is available in the midst of that battle. So I love a nice white Christmas- a great reminder of God's love for everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A Holiday Miracle

The last few days I've felt awful. I mean, like hardly moving and losing my dinner awful. I just got a grooming, and looked gorgeous when suddenly I felt like death warmed over. I was really afraid I was going to kick the doghouse before Christmas. Then yesterday something switched. My mom's friend swears he didn't pray for me, but I abruptly got perky again. Like a light switch Somebody flicked. I even felt like eating again...although I prefer that my food be warmed now. Poor Mom puts the canned dog food in a bowl in the microwave for me. And I feel like eating again. I even charged up the back porch instead of hobbled. No more old weak dog for me! But I do think Mom and Dad should be prepared, and all of you as well. I am almost 13 as of this month, and as a Great Pyrenees/Golden mix I've lived long past my time. Mom takes great care of me. She loves me, and so does Dad (of course he teases me a lot. Wish I could start speaking English so he'd stop). At any rate, I'm doing much better now. Woof woof!

My Book

People seem to think dogs can't read. I'm here to tell you we may not understand the words, but we pick up on the energy. I've decided "Bobby Convict" is my book now. There's a place in the book where two guys duke it out while the drug kingpin, mother,her kids and her malnourished dog watch. One guy is a sort of good-bad guy, the other is a creepy bad guy. (The lines get blurred). But after the fight, the man who was the kingpin gave the dog a package of turkey out of the frig. Now THAT's my hero. He said the creepy bad guy never took good care of his dog and left it half starved. Grrrrrr. Mom says that shows compassion. 'Course it could just mean the guy hated turkey. But at least he shared. At least he tried to help that dog. Makes me feel good. I like him anyway- we met a few months ago.I decided to keep the book for myself. So Mom took a picture of me lying down with my new book. And did you notice my new haircut? Snazzy, huh? My fur's almost reddish today. Huh. Do you suppose that's why my first owners named me "Red?" Hmmm...

Home alone with a thanksgiving blessing

You know, when you're a dog, sometimes you get left out of things. Especially if your owners go away for the holiday. I felt so sad when Mom and Dad left me on Thanksgiving to go to their son Jerry's house. A holiday without the usual free treats and little kids is hard. Yes, I admit it, I pouted some. Nothing was going on in the neighborhood and even the resident escape artist Keisha didn't show up. I had nothing to bark about.Boring.yawn. But I got a big blessing when they returned home and had my friend Micah with them! I was very excited. It's been so lonely without my former roommate that seeing Micah perked me right up. We tried to squeeze through the door at the same time (oh how I miss that). I tried to chase him (not so good) and he tried to goad me into playing. I loved every minute of it. We both wolfed down our food in the morning and evening because cramming food in our mouths is a race you know. I wish Micah could have stayed longer. He feels like part of my pack. Thanksgiving is normally a great holiday. Lots of extra meat and fat, plenty of children around to scratch whatever itches. Have to watch my figure, though so don't feed me any sugary stuff. And in my case, a figure is a big white fuzzy square with legs. And though I missed all the food (did I need it? Don't ask), I did have fun with my friend Micah for the weekend. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting him play with me.Woof! We had fun!

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

Pecorino

Images copyrighted by Toni Anzenberger at www.anzenbergergallery.com Used by permission. Hi. Mom told me yesterday that a special friend of mine passed away: Pecorino the dog. If you're wondering who that was, I'm sad that you never knew him. He was one of the most photographed dogs in the world. And he was absolutely adorable! Toni Anzenberger adopted him and named him "Pecorino" because he thought the name meant "Little Sheep." Well, not exactly, it turned out to be a kind of sheep cheese. Nobody's perfect. What a great dog. He was white with black spots all over his coat. No idea what breed he was, but he was definitely the luckiest dog alive. He went with his owner all over the world,and got his picture taken in amazing places. Now I may not speak German like his owner does, but I could tell even through the language barrier that his dad was very sad about Pecorino's passing. I'm sad too. He let me be on his facebook page- how cool is that? So in tribute to my friend Pecorino, give your dog a high five paw and say thanks to that beautiful canine for all the marvelous pictures through the years. He's got sons and daughters, so there will be someone to carry on the legacy! Woof! I'll miss you, Pecorino!

Weapons Race

So mom finally finished up a preliminary copy one of the manuscripts for the book she and her friend have been working on for almost a year and a half. At least she THINKS she finished it up. It's almost been a crazy race for her and her partner to finish. One gets something fixed and the other changes it. It's the same thing with dog ownership sometimes, if you think about it. One of our neighbors bought themselves a brindle pit bull. Another newer neighbor bought a brown and white pit bull.Then the neighbors on the corner decided they needed guard dogs too and bought a pit bull mix of some sort. The only loose dog in the neighborhood is Keisha, and she's actually getting better. But the other day one of the pits cornered Keisha in her yard and that scared even me, the big fuzzy white hassock! I think the neighbors are all in flip-flop dog buying mode, and that's dangerous. It's almost like the humans and their weapons programs. Only these folks are doing it with dogs! This morning when mom and I walked by that Cadre of Cacophony, I was a little unhinged by the viciousness of their barks. Fortunately Mom just keeps going and doesn't let me look close at any of them. Otherwise I think I'd run. I'll defend myself, but at my age, it's just better if Mom defends me. Most of the usual dogs in the neighborhood are just excited or noisy. No big snort. These new ones have a whole different tone. It makes me nervous. In fact maybe I'll call mom's new friend up and have him take care of the pits. You think he could do it? Read his book and find out!

My Mom and Dogs, Wolves, and Wild Horses

It's been a while since Mom let me talk to you all, (mostly because she's been feverishly working on her and her partner's latest book BobbyConvict.). From what she told me it's gonna be a wild ride for readers. I wanted to talk to you today about some situations that are making me snarly and want to bite people (that's going some, too because I'm pretty laid back. No, I mean I lay on my back most of the time under the flower bush...). Idaho lets people kill wolves. I hate that. Mom used to own a wolf-mix dog that was a sweetheart (aside from his eating-the-couch habit). I saw her face today when she got a letter from a group that showed a dead wolf on the envelope. She had to put it in the garbage or she would have burst into tears. My mom loves wolves. She loves dogs. She loves horses. She just flat loves animals. And she can't bear the news of their death and destruction by humans. I've even heard her beg the Lord to come back just to stop the killing! Later after the mail came, she got an email from a group that showed the inhumane treatment of wild horses. Honestly, I thought she was going to fall on her knees. You know, Mom believes that cruelty to animals is a spiritual thing. She says that if people hurt animals, the gifts God gave us all, it's because they are wicked. (She said that's in Proverbs 12:10). The spirit of murder is a scary critter- it often uses animals as its victims, and paints a nice logical face on the acts. ("management" and other words come out of its evil mouth). But we animals know better- we can smell that thing a long way off. Mom says that hunting is not murder if the meat is used for food- any other motive is a spirit of murder. Willie-nillie destruction of animals is a spirit of murder. If your life is threatened by one, sometimes it has to be killed. But just doing it "because" is not a good excuse. And Mom hates those bumper stickers about killing wolves and wild horses. THAT's definitely a spirit of murder. What we need to do is ask God to keep Mom from ripping those stickers off people's bumpers while they're grocery shopping. Or hitting someone over the head with her purse if she gets mad at them. I think one of these days she might lose it and start yelling at one of them. Please help me keep her from doing that. She's my Mom and I love her. Would hate to see her get shot by some rancher who hates wolves and wild horses. Are you with me?