In the Dog House

Do you remember your first dog or animal for that matter?  I do.  I have one picture of her tossed in my drawer of my night stand.  I remember when she passed away.  I was in college and my mom called my dorm room to give me the news.  I will never forget Molly.  She lived for 18 years.  I love animals.  My dog now, Rocky is a rescue and has more of an understanding of my ups and downs than anyone.  I am at peace when I am with animals.  

I volunteer at Pasado's Safe Haven (www.pasadosafehaven.org) every Saturday morning...well, I try.  I drive from my home town of Kirkland, Washington out to the foothills of the Cascades.  It is about a 45 minute drive.  It is WAY out in the middle of nowhere.  However, I look forward to the drive every week.  As I leave my family behind, and feel a little twing of guilt, I take the time to sip my coffee, listen and sing all the wrong lyrics to my favorite 80's music and think.  

When I arrive at the black iron gates to the "farm", I punch in my code and the gates open up and welcome me.  As I pull in, that familiar scent of manure, the rattling echoes of the geese, ducks, chickens, donkeys, pigs...the list goes on penetrate me. 

I work with the dogs. they have front row to all the cars coming in and perk up to see someone coming to visit...and possibly take them for a walk.  My first task was to take the dogs, that are in temporary isolation, out for a walk.  One dog in particular took me by surprise.  His name is Jasper.  He is a new resident. I am not good at figuring out the breed and quite honestly, it don't care.  I approached Jasper's cage and he took one look at me and growled.  First dog that growled at me since I started volunteering there.  I walked around to the gate and there was a note.  "Jasper does not like being in is cage and may growl at first, but he will warm up.  Please let him walk out first, then leash him up."  With caution, I unlatch the gate, let him walk out on his own, bent down to clip on the leash and he poked his cold wet nose up towards my face as if to say, "I like you and sorry for growling".  Our eyes met and off we went on a mission.  We ran and walked and sniffed for over 20 minutes.  

I started thinking...of course he doesn't like his cage.  His owner surrendered him after 9 years!  I am sorry, but does anybody see what is wrong with this picture?  Taking on a dog is no small task, but it is a commitment.  They are not disposable or do you have the right to give them up if they don't fit in your life plans.  Our animals are suppose to be our family.  Point?  Think very hard before you get an animal because it isn't fair to surrender them and make them live the rest of their short lives out in an unfamiliar place.  Had to get that off my mind.  Here is a little video to all the lonely, surrendered, abandoned dogs out there!

Birthday Tribute

Life is too short and the friends that we make along the way shape us.  We rely on them to be there when we need them...if they are good friends.  You don't come by good friends easily.  Especially, when you get older.  You move away from family and sometimes the only family you have around are your friends.  I only hope that everyone in life can have a few friends close to them.  They are so precious.  Celebrate the good times and remember.  Here is one of my closest friends and has become a special person in my life.  I surprised her with a video for her birthday (she would kill me if I gave up the actual number!)...she looks 29...don't you think?  Enjoy and anyone that grew up in the 80's will appreciate the intro!  Love you Shish.