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          I'm not just a mutt .... by Emma

            For a truly proper introduction, you'd have to meet me in person so I can jump up to give you my friendliest greeting. I used to get so excited to meet new people that I would piddle but I grew out of that (ok, that's not true but I've gotten better). Perhaps I've grown a bit wiser in that not everyone gets that excited to meet me or maybe I've just learned that meeting new people isn't all that exciting after all.

        After all, they don't all give me anything, some just ignore me or tell me to go away. A few have tried to kick me. Imagine that. It's not nice to kick anyone especially when they're excited to meet you.

        Well, like I said, I'm a good dog and I'll always be happy to see you and welcome you to my world.

        This isn't actually my world though. My world consists of two fenced-in yards, a house, and a car with a woman and a cat. They mostly stay in the house and I don't bother either of them too much, but enough so they know I'm around.

The woman also watches over the cat but that's not important here because this is my world, afterall.

        I came to live with the woman on March 13, 2005 when I was around 8 weeks old. I showed her right off how smart and brave I am. I didn't cry at all when she locked me up in my little corner of the house. I learned not to piddle in the house within 3 weeks and I'm starting to learn that it's not ok to chase the cat unless she gets outside and then I chase her back into the house. Although I find it hard not to just chase her for the fun of it.

        I remember finding some infant rabbits hidden in my backyard. I don't know what happened to their mother, maybe I ran her off and didn't know it but I tried playing with those infant rabbits, I mean, they squeaked just like my rubber ball, but they didn't want to play, and I guess I played too rough. The woman buried them and told me to 'Leave It' and maybe from now on I won't play with rabbits anymore.

She learned that 'Leave It' command at a dog training class she took me to. If she would have kept at it I may be a better trained dog but I blame her for my lack of discipline. :)

I did play with some mice too, they also died but the woman didn't say too much about them. I think she was just happy they were outside and not inside the house.

I do try to explore the neighborhood when I can. Mostly if I can I run out the gate and see what adventures I can find. I'm not going to disclose what I do because then she might tie me up and I wouldn't like that at all.

Now I know you won't believe this but I found some thoughtful poems and such for you to read while you're here. Lovely words for all to think about...ya ready?

A Dogs Soul

Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgments carefully
Are hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly
for himself, he cannot speak,
Rebuked, he finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, though he is unloved,
And he'll serve though badly used,
Yet one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Although his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!

I Found Your Dog Today

I found your dog today. No, he has not been adopted by anyone. Most of us who live out here own as many dogs as we want, those who do not own dogs do so because they choose not to. I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him he was miles from the nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, thin and limping from a burr in his paw.
How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him. To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his never-ending quest to find you... but I was not you. And despite all my persuasion, his eyes see a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come.
He turned and continued his journey; one he was sure would bring him to you. He does not understand you are not looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows he must find you. This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things.
Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile; I did not even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest. You see, he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away any instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn't know that the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.
I waited hoping he would return to the tree; hoping my gift would build an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you is now over. He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were still there untouched. And I worried. You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you thought you saved him from would be preempted by his suffering for days without food or water.
I returned again before dark. I did not see him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water still untouched. If only you were here to call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him. I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate, it could take him many miles in 24 hours.
It is hours later and a good distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog. His thirst has stopped, it is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared, he no longer aches. The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your dog has been set free from his burdens, you see, your dog has died.
I kneel next to him and I curse you for not being here yesterday so I could see the glow, if just for a moment, in those now vacant eyes. I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I think you hoped he would find.
If only you knew what he went through to reach it...and I agonize, for I know, that were he to awaken at this moment, and (if) I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail would wag with forgiveness.

You're as good as the dog if...

If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with you troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you, when through no fault of your, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,
             Then, you are almost as good as your dog

Well, I'm glad you came to visit with me, it's a wonderful place where I can romp to my hearts desire, bark and jump and eat all my treats. I hope your world is as much fun as mine!

Sincerely and with pure puppy love... Emma

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. *sigh* There's so little hope for advancement.
-Snoopy

I'm not just a housecat ....  by Molly 

And remember...
 

In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him.