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