For Bo

I avoided the Tanner Brigade today because I didn't want to have to write these words . . . but I think I (with Mom's help) found a good way to say what we want to say:

~Miss Sally, Miss Chey, Miss Bailey, Miss LadyBug, Miss Pepsi, Mrs Sophie Bub,  and the rest of the Brigade Angel Girls seemed to know just what to do as they stood in the background watching Bo and his family.  Bo had sent a message to the Bridge to let them know he was gonna end his life here on earth like he lived it . . . on HIS terms. 

The  Brigade Boys hung back, shuffling paws a little from side to side.  Tanner had his paws around Sandy, Morgan was holding onto Nikki and Hershey had his arms around Maggie, Bear Bear was holding Mom Lea's hand and Teddy Bond was watching it all.  All the room was silent except for the quiet words passed between Dad and Bo and Mom Lea. Then the room suddenly filled with light seen only by the Angels as they quickly moved to carry Bo up to the Bridge.  He had taken his last earthly breath in the arms of his Daddy and he was free to go now.   The Brigade Angels quickly moved into action.

The trip to the Bridge was instant.  One minute in the arms of his Dad, the next in the wings of the Angels.  They gently set Bo down on the ground and waited until he blinked and sat up.  He took a breath.  No more choking. 

He stood up and the Brigade Angels watched as Bo's glorious wings grew.  Long, thick, beautiful and strong.  Bo looked around and Tanner and the rest of the Angels moved to him, all talking at once about how he was at the Bridge now, and he could run and play like a pup again.  Finally, Hershey held up a paw and began to speak "Bo, you are here at the Bridge, ever to stay until your Daddy comes to take you the rest of the journey.  We will show you where everything is. 

~Hershey pointed over his shoulder~  The Lake is that way and we have a humongous boat that has been idle for a while because we didn't have a captain.  We know how much you love the water, and well, we were kinda hoping you would take the job.  That boat is yours ~moving so you can see the side of it~  Bo's Kentucky Wind.  We had an an argument about it.  The Girls ~looks at Miss Sally and snickers~ said it had to be named after a woman since Boats were She's.  Teddy Bond squeezed his way into the middle of the group and said "But, we decided it was Bo's Boat so Bo's Kentucky Wind it is".

Tanner took Bo's paw and we began moving moving on down the path.  Tanner  pointing out this and that as we moved as one big group.  "We know your Mom and Dad miss you very much.  You can check in on them anytime you like.  Sometimes they can see you, sometimes not.  But they will know you are there.  And Sandy, Maggie and even Nikki will know when you come by.  They may try to blame things on you, even though you are absent." Tanner chuckled along with everyone else.  "We are often used as scapegoats." 

Hershey interjected, "Smoochy always tries to blame things on me!"  

Miss Sally moved to Bo and gave him the longest, biggest, sweetest hug imaginable and whispered in Bo's ear.  "We are so sorry you had to leave them, Bo.  But we will watch over them and do our best to keep them safe and happy.  We watch over everyone's parents when we have to leave.  ~leans over the clouds watching Mom and Dad, sending down love, prayers and kisses just for them~  ~mwah, Mwah, MWAH~

Bo
Fly High

Fly High with those Angel Wings, Murphy

For those of you who know about 2 Dogs 2000 miles, I wanted to redirect you to this blog.  I followed Hudson, Murphy, and their Dad's journey.  They walked many miles and raised money for a all Those Touched by Cancer.  Many of our beloved furiends, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers have fallen victim of this terrible disease, including my brother Hershey.  Now, sadly, Luke has made the decision to let Murphy run free at the Bridge.  You have been an inspiration to us all Murphy! 

http://2dogs2000miles.blogspot.com/

Counting Blessings

Yesterday was a typical, lazy Sunday morning.  I stretched and crawled up beside of Mom so I could get my early morning scratch behind the ears.  She gave me my usual "wooling" and surprised by saying "up and at 'em Smoochy".  Whaaaaa?  No staying in bed until noon, lanquishing the morning away by watching America's Top Model reruns??  What was wrong?  I always get a little flustered when my schedule is changed without a rhyme or reason! 

Mom gimped out of bed.  I know I know, I should say it nicer, but that is the truth - paw to heart - truth.  Mom walks with a decided limp because of, well, because of stuff.  ~shrugs~  Anyway, she said "get your leash, we are going to the park~!".  The Park, the Park?????  Really, Really?  I hadn't been to the park in ages and ages and ages.  I must have been like 6 months old or something like that.  ~nods for emphasis~

Mom got dressed while I did my typical "Meth" Lab dance waiting for her.  She finally grabbed her purse and opened the door.  Now, being the excellent dog that I am, I ran like the wind to the car and sat down at the back door.  MY door.  Mom finally got to the car and opened the door.  I bailed into the back seat and immediately yelled at Mom to open the windows. 

She started the car and the windows dropped all the way down and I was so excited to put the very tip of my nose out the window.  I am not one of these Head out the window, jowls flapping in the breeze doggies.  I want air and plenty of it, but I only want my nose out the window.  I rest it delicately on the window sill and I am in Dog Heaven.  Mom looks in the mirror sometimes and laughs.  She thinks I am strange.  Me, I just think I am intelligent.  If my head isn't out the window, I don't get bugs in my teeth, and my eyes don't water and I don't have to wear my doggles. 

Mom stopped at Mickey D's and got two egg biscuits and coffee.  One of those egg biscuits was mine, I was sure of it.  But on we went, in search of a park that would let me in it.  Finally, Mom spied the perfect one.  It had benches, a necessity for Mom, and lots of shade.  A necessity for me. 

We parked, and Mom got my lead out.  I waited patiently as she got everything situated.  The coffee, the Mickey D's bag, my lead and finally she opened the door and got me.  I am something of an enigma.  When I am on the lead, I am perfectly behaved.  I do not pull on Mom.  Maybe it is some inherent knowledge that I would hurt Mom if I pulled on the lead, whatever the reason, I don't dare pull on the lead. 

We made our way to one of the benches in the shade, and Mom opened the bag and laid my biscuit out on the paper for me.  She got hers out and opened her coffee.  I had just started to take my first yummy bite when I saw a man running through the park.  He had tears in his eyes and he literally slid in beside of me. 

Now for those of you that know labs, know that I was not afraid of him, I was just excited that someone had come to play with me.  Mom was almost speechless and she started to pull me toward her.  But then, the man begin to speak.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am.  But, you see, I came up here looking for work and I left my dog in Illinois.  It breaks my heart, and when I saw this beautiful boy, I just had to come say Hello to him."

Mom wasn't really sure but the man kept talking. . .

"I sleep over there at night on that park bench.  So far no one has bothered me, and I do small jobs so I can eat.  But this boy here," he pointed at me, "has just made my day."

He began hugging me, kissing me, and of course living up to my name I gave him all the kisses he could possibly want.  We played and played and played.  Jack was his name, or that's what he said.  He ruffled up my fur, even took his brush out of his jacket and brushed me with it.  He had tears in his eyes as he talked about his pup. 

He and Mom talked for a while, his hand never leaving me, wherever he could touch my wiggling body.  He finally thanked Mom for making his day.  Mom held back the tears until he walked away.  He never asked Mom for anything, money, etc.  He just wanted to pet me.  That's all he wanted.  He said it had made him very happy.  And, well, Mom understood that.

Mom sat silently on the bench for a little while longer.  Her eyes misting as she slowly stroked my head.  She leaned over and whispered, "I am blessed, Smoochy.  I seem to forget that sometimes.  But, today, here with you, seeing the joy you brought to that stranger, I realize just how much I am blessed.  I have you, the joy of my life, and good friends.  I am indeed blessed." 



(even though the picture is not coming up for some reason, the link still works)

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Saturday Ruminations

It has, indeed, been a very odd week as we see it.  Monday was fairly normal, well, as farily normal as any Monday can be.  Then Tuesday rolled around and I began to chant the Wicked Witch lament - I'm melting, I'm melting.  It was 99 degrees when all was said and done.  99 degrees! Not a breeze stirring outside and no air conditioner, so I was searching for ways to get cool and stay cool once I had reached that point.

I found a few things, so I thought I would share them for others that are experiencing heat blown right straight from the underbelly of the earth.

Give us plenty of water, plenty of it.  Cool, Cool, Water.  Ice cubes in our water bowls is an extra nice thing to. 

Heatstroke is a common occurrence during the hot summer months, especially for our puggly friends.  If you have a short faced dog, such as boxers, pugs, or bulldogs please do not leave them outside on a hot day for any length of time.

Signs of heatstroke are excessive panting, dark-red gums, weakness and collapse.  If this happens, cool your dog with COOL water, not COLD and get them to the vet immediately.

I have cooling collars which are marvelous.  These are wonderful tools to help keep us cool.  When it is really hot, Mom puts one on me, and the other one is in the freezer ready to pop on me when the first one gets warm.  Oh I love my cooling collars. 

Now we doggies can get sunburnt too.  Our ears and noses are especially delicate.  And we can get Skin Cancer too!  You can buy suncreen for dogs, but any PABA free sunscreen will work.

If you have a water loving dog then make sure he has a place to loll in it.  A kiddie pool is a wonderful solution if you don't have access to a swimming pool or a lake.  If you do allow your dog to swim in your pool, remember to let them swim and then rinse them.  Chlorinated water and salt water are hard on our coats.  So remember, rinse and dry us well.  Moisture in the fur can cause hot spots and or skin infections.  Remember to also dry our ears well. 

Just a few ideas for my furiends~! 

Adopt me at

Watauga Humane Society!

A Letter from the Bridge

I was sound asleep on my Burgandy pillow the other night when I felt, more than heard, a presence by my bed.  I opened my eyes and was shocked to see Hershey standing there with a letter in his paw.  He grinned at me, sideways with that tongue lolling grin of his and laughed. 

"Hey there little brother, I thought I would stop by and check in on you and Mom.  I wrote her a letter, so on the 26th I want you to leave it on the breakfast table she can read it with her coffee."  Hershey lay the letter down and as quick as he appeared he was gone.  I am sure he is busy with things at the Bridge, but I felt better just knowing that he had been there.  I took the letter and hid it.  I am quite good at hiding things, you know. 

So this morning, I got up real early.  I put the letter on the side of the table so Mom would be sure and find it.  Then I went to wake her up.  "Mom, Mom"  No response, so I pounced on her.  140 pounds of big old Lab would surely do the trick.  Sure enough, she sat bolt upright in the bed and shoved me off the bed.  She started talking to me while she was getting dressed.  "Today is Hershey's birthday, and we have a lot to do.  We have to go get 15 balloons so we can release them later today."  This had been a ritual since Hershey had decided it was time to go to the Bridge and we always released the balloons in the afternoon of his birthday.  I just looked at her and woofed a little in agreement.

She walked into the kitchen, put the coffee on and sat down at the table.  She looked a little surprised to see the letter there, but she reached over and picked it up.  She caressed it gently before she opened it, then almost immediately the tears began to flow.

Dear Mom.

This is the 2nd birthday I have spent at the Bridge.  The last one I spent with you and Smoochy was in 2008, just a month before I went to the Bridge.  I want you to know I wouldn't trade those happy days spent with you and him for anything.

I look in on you everyday and I sometimes I even come down and visit.  Sometimes I let you know I am with you and other times I just sit back and watch you and Smoochy and your relationship.  I see you walk by the few earthly remains that you didn't release on the winds in North Carolina.  I see you reach up and touch the urn and I see that tear that rolls down your cheek.  I hear you whisper that we will be together someday.  I can wait, Mom.  So please don't be in any hurry.  I saw those tears you shed, bawling like a baby, when you accidentally sucked up my collar and tags in the vaccuum at the car wash.  I see the care you take when you clean and how you place that old hedgehog of mine back up on the shelf beside my picture.  Sometimes in the middle of the night you will feel a brush against your hand and you think it's Smoochy, but its not, its me.  I still enjoy a little bit of cuddle time when I can. 

Fifteen years ago today, I was born for the sole purpose of being with you and Dad.  You were so good to me and when Dad left us to go to Heaven, I was there for you.  We spent many hours talking and laughing and missing Dad.

 It was so hard to leave you that beautiful summer morning, but I knew I had to go, and thankfully so did you.  You held my head in your hands, tears flowing unabashedly, and you helped me cross from this life to these rolling green fields at the Bridge.  I couldn't have had a happier life or a more wonderful Mom. 

I also want to tell you it's okay.  It's okay to love that black dog as much as you did me.  I know you had some reservations after setting me free.  But I see how much Smoochy has wormed his silly little way into your heart.  It's okay.  Honestly!  I know no matter how much you love Smoochy, that I still have this place in your heart.  A place that belongs to only me. 

I'll be watching at the Bridge for my balloons.  Thats the signal that it is time for the party to start.

I Love You Mom

Hershey

Hershey with Paco and His Tiger

1996-2008

                        
       

Forever Loving ~ Forever Loved

Carolina In my Mind

For those of you that are not from the Mystic Mountains of North Carolina, you would not be as sensitive as I am to songs of my homeland. But there are several. . .


The one and only Sweet Baby James sang so perfectly:

"In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind"

We Tarheels can boast of Andy Griffith, James Taylor, Robert Bryd (yes the Senator from West Virginia), Elizabeth Dole, Richard Gatling (of the Gatling Gun fame), Jesse Helms,  Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James Polk, (the seventh and seventeeth and eleventh Presidents of the United States), Dolly Madison (the President's Wife, not the baker, even though I am sure she was a good one), Cecil B. Demille, Ava Gardner, Star Jones, Julianne Moore, Soupy Sales, Ben Vereen, Clay Aiken (yes, of American Idol fame), George Clinton, Charlie Daniels, Thelonious Monk, Roberta Flack,  Randy Travis, Thomas Wolfe , David Brinkley . . . and dozens more.

The Old North State, or as most call it, the Tarheel State is home to mine and Mom's heart.  Most of her is Scots-Irish, the other parts are English, Germany and Huguenot.  A melting pot of some of the earliest settlers to this great land of ours.  Ancestors have bled and died in every conflict this country has seen, to the French-Indian Wars to the Iraq War.  She was raised in the shadow of the Grandfather

"There's a cabin in your valley my grandpa built on your land
Your Mountains are a canvas for the Maker's hand . . .

I carry you in my heart
your memory comes over me like the dark and
Carolina your calling me home. . ."

Eric Church said it much better than I could ever have.  Carolina is calling me home.  I want to run in those fields, walk where Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett once walked. . . chase the moon over the mountains . . .

But for now, me and Mom are here, in Siberia (otherwise known as Wisconsin) and until we can get things worked out or we just run away, we will be here, hearts in North Carolina and Paws in Wisconsin.  



My favorite Shelter in the High Country:

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A contemplation of PAWS

The other day I was pouting in Jail (my crate) and try as I might, Mom would not relinquesh her belief that I needed to be in there.  I played with my armless kitty for a little bit, then I began to focus on my paws.  I lick my paws a lot, an awful lot.  Sometimes Mom says "that's enough" and I know it is time to stop licking my paws.  Mom seems to think I have some cat in me. . . AS IF~!


But I began to think about my paws.  They look the same.  I wondered if they were interchangable.  If I were to lose a front one, could it be replaced by a back one?  I felt like more research was necessary.

A dog's paws are his hands, feet and shoes all in one.  Every type of dog has a slightly different paw structure, although they are similar anatomically speaking.  Dogs are more like horses (WHAT) than people when it comes to walking.  They walk up on their toes, rather than the soles of their feet.  Their walk may be different but the bone construction of canine paws is very much the same.

A dog's toes are not unlike human fingers.  The bone structure is the same, but the use is different.  A dog walks on his toes, and the bones remain at an almost 90 degree angle when he is standing up.  A dog cannot move each toe independently . . . as a hooman can move a finger. . . this limits what a dog can do with his toes.

A dog's paws are the shock absorbers (I prefer Monroe myself) of his foot and wrist (pastern).  A dog is not as deft as a cat with his paws.  He cannot clean himself or grab his prey like a cat.  A dog uses his paws to dig and scratch.  Walking and running are really the best uses for a dog's paws. 

Now, not all dog's paws are the same.  Field breeds like Dobermans, Akitas and Keeshounds have cat-like feet. Really?  They do not require as much energy to lift.  Other breeds, Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Field Spaniels have webbed feet.  (raises my paw and spreads it to show you)  See.  This helps in swimming and retrieving water fowl.  Now personally I have never retrieved a water fowl, but I am pretty good with a frisbee.

A dog's toenails, or claws, are unlike a hooman's in that they are very thin and placed toward the inside of each of the dog's four toes.  (Really, thin . . . mine are thick and hard as steel.  But okay this is expert stuff here so I am shushing.)  The toenails are important for giving a dog a grip on slippery surfaces (like ice in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin), scratching the ground and, sometimes, tearing into his dinner.  Toenails should be kept trim, otherwise, they can tear and rip.  And that would be painful, ooowwwiiieee. 

They might stay trim on their own if he exercises regulary on pavement or concrete, but a dog who spends most of his time on grass or dirt will have to have them trimmed. Many dogs have a fifth nail and pad on the inside of each wrist (pastern), called a dewclaw.  This claw isn't of any use to the dog, although there is speculation about how it might historically have been used by various breeds.  To prevent the claw from ripping and hurting the dog, dewclaws are often removed when the puppy is very young.

There are five pads on a dog's foot.  One is on each of the four toes and a larger pad is centered in the "palm" of the foot.  Miss Hattie, Miss Hattie these are our SHOES!  Pads can be smooth or rough, large or small, thick or then, depending on the dog and what it was bred for.  A dog with a thick, rouch pad might have been, historically, more of a working dog than a dog with a thin, smooth pad.  These pads are our only protection between ourselves and the ground. 

Boy, that is an awful lot of information about our PAWS.  I think I have time for a nap before the Jailer (Mom) comes to bring me lunch.

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