AM I FAMOUS NOW

I Am Famous Now I was born today. One of 10. My daddy was very famous. I have lots of half brothers and sisters. My mother is very famous. Since she got famous, she has only had puppies. No more loving hands, no more fun trips... just puppies. She is always sad when they leave her. I left home today. I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mama and my three litter mates that were left. I didn't like you. But one day they said I would be famous. I wonder; is famous the same as fun and good times? So you picked me up and carried me away, even though you were concerned about me hiding from you. I don't think you liked me. My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says BE BRAVE. My ancestors were. Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my bones. I can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me. I just run and play and pretend I am in a big green field with butterflies and robins and frogs. I can't understand why they kick me. I am quiet, but the man hits and says loud things. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She just throws dry food on the ground, then goes away before I can get too close for touching and petting. Sometimes my food smells bad but I eat it anyway. Today I had 10 puppies. They are so wonderful and warm. Am I famous now? I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny. I am so young and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing my puppies.. They are crying now. I am so hungry. I scratch and worry my fur. I wish someone would throw me some food. I am also very thirsty. I now have eight. Two got cold during the night and I couldn't make them warm again. They are gone. We are all very weak. Maybe if I take them out on the porch, we can get some food. Today they took us away. It was too much trouble to feed us and someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my puppies, they were crying and whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it. Are my babies famous now? I hope so, because I miss them. They are gone. The place smelled of urine, fear and sickness. Why was I here? I was beautiful, like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain and unwanted. Maybe the worst is unwanted. No one came though I tried to be good. Today someone came. They put a rope on my neck and led me to a room that was very clean and had a shiny table. They put me on the table. Someone held me and hugged me. It felt so good!!! Then I felt tired and laid over the last one who cared. I AM FAMOUS NOW. Today someone cared. Anonymous -- Author Unknown WHAT MORE CAN I SAY WE LOVE THEM MORE THEN LIFE ITSELF AND WHEN IT ENDS A PART OF US GOES WITH THEM AND WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter . . .
the cast-offs of human society.
I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread,
sadness and betrayal. And I was angry.
"God,", I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do
something?"
God was silent for a moment, and then He spoke softly.
"I have done something,", He replied. "I created You."
Jim Willis, Author

I Am An Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures I was born with the drive to
fulfill their needs I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection I have bought dog food with my last dime
I
have patted a mangy head with a bare hand I have hugged someone vicious
and afraid

I have fallen in love a thousand times
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to
count

I have animal friends and friends who have animal friends I don't often
use the word "pet"

I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches

I will hand raise a field mouse
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time

I want to live forever if there aren't any animals in Heaven But I
believe there are Why would God make something so perfect and leave it
behind

Some may think we are master of the animals But the animals have
mastered themselves

Something people still haven't learned
War and abuse make me hurt for the world

But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind

We are a quiet but determined army
And we are making a difference every day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan

Nothing more rewarding than saving a life No higher recognition than
watching them thrive

There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play Who only days ago, was
too weak to eat

By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue I have been
rescued

I know what true unconditional love really is For I've seen it shining
in the eyes of so many Grateful for so little

I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full

Author Unknown

"There is an Indian legend which says: "When a
human dies, there is a bridge they must cross to enter
into Heaven. At the head of this bridge awaits every
animal the human encountered during their lifetime...
The animals, based upon what they know of this person,
decide which humans may cross the bridge...and which
are turned away.

When God had made the Earth and sky,

The flowers and the trees,

He then made all the animals

And all the birds and bees.

And when his work was finished,

Not one was quite the same.

He said, "I'll walk this earth of mine,

And give each one a name,"

And so he travelled land and sea,

And everywhere he went,

A little creature followed Him

Until his strength was spent.

And when all were named upon the Earth,

And in the sky and sea,

The little creature said "Dear Lord,

There's not one left for me!"

The Father smiled and softely said:

"I've left you till the end.

I've turned my own name back to front,

And called you DOG, my friend.

The Journey

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.

If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.

If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.

Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen, (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewy toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.

And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down.

And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.

The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken.

But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

~ Written by Crystal Ward Kent ~

                                                                            

My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful for me. Remember that before you get me. Give me time to understand what you want from me.Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work and entertainment as friends. I have only you.Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't want to do that.Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long or my heart is getting old and weak.Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old, too. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch," or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember I love you!

Just a Dog

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 make 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.