Leave it up to a dog to remind me it's the simple things in life I need to cherish and be grateful for.
YOu see, I have quite a zoo crew at home, including one dog now 14 years and 4 months old, Raven, the lab/hound dog mix. Raven was my oldest daughter's dog, with me her first four years of life, then several years with the oldest, being subjected to very poor care, constant chaos, and instability due to my daughter's alcoholism.
She'd bring Raven back to me in poor shape, she couldn't provide, I'd get the poor thing all better, and she'd take her back.
When I took her back in April 2005, I said enough is enough and Raven will stay with me till she dies. She deserves better.
Mind you, Raven has congestive heart failure, is on two daily meds for that, and my vet still shakes his head that this old dog is walking around on this earth.
She is one sassy old gal, just full of it.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, I take my youngest daughter to her part-time job at a welding shop 12 miles out in the country.
Raven always gets to ride with us. This is one dog who is completely in heaven hanging her head out the window all the way, just taking it all in.
Now here is a dog who puts things in perspective, no?
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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguements and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
~Herbert Spencer
There was a "bit" on the some news program last night that had me in tears. It was about a small dog who had had some serious injuries, was rescued, adopted and recovered fully. His new owner worked in a nursing home. This little dog could "sense" when death was upon a patient. He would literally go to the patient's room and sit vigil with him/her at the bedside. If family was present the little thing would sit at the foot. When "the hour came" he would then go to each family member and "speak" as if giving condolences. It was very reminesent of a full blooded boxer that my family had when I was very young. My dad was a patient in a hospital about 200 mis from where we lived. That first night of his absence my mom as she got ready for bed heard a "thumping" It scared her until she seen the boxer. He was making his own bed beneath her bedroom window. And that is where he slept until my dad came home. He then returned to his post at the back door. Nice story. Wanda PS The owner was given permission to have the dog there after an off duty day visit. the dog was such a hit with the patients and seemed to lift there spirits she went to the board and asked if the little thing could come with her to work. It is amazing what animals can do, huh?
Thanks for the picture of your daughters dog. My husband and I have two dogs, they are German Shorthaired Pointer Hunting Dogs.
When we were married 12 years ago today, we decided not to have children because I had one child already from a previous marriage. The marriage went sour, as did the pregnancy, and the delivery. I was 29 when I conceived with my husband and 30 days and 1 week when our child was born. I quit everything during pregnancy. Needless to say I went through withdrawals I had no idea about nor did I know that the baby was having either. THe marriage failed months later because he wouldn't stop the drugs, and I wanted control and I was drinknig again. The fighting, hitting, verbal, emotional , all types of abuse were going on.
When I came into the A.A. program 13 1/2 years ago February 19th 2007. I met my now husband Jon at his work. He voluntarily gave up alcohol for our marriage. He also gave up children for me do to Health reasons that have to do with my over all health and liver.
SInce Sobriety in 1994 I have raised our Son with his Step-Father for the first 6 years or so. Then all heck broke loose and my child did the unexpected. He ran with the wrong group and He drank!
In my pain with my child and him running away from home. Getting in all types of trouble. My FAITH was tested, and tested to see about my strength. I was however Born-Again at the time so I was very grounded spiritually.
DO NOT DRINK, USE, DIVORCE, etc. It was rough waters for a long time however GOD was With US! He sustained us! God brought us a DOG, her name is Hershey!, then God brought us another DOG, his name was Golliath,( a Rott) He had to go, then GOD brought another puppy named Romeo, another German Shorthaired Pointer Hunting Dog. These dogs are our children and we LOVE them both.
Hershey has had one knee replaced and needs another one soon. SHe has been saved from 2 near fatal heat strokes. SHe is on medication for incontinance for her bladder leaking, pain medication, and glucosamin, chondrodin. SHe has had so much financially dropped into her we could have a beautiful pool in our yard right now. However GOD doesn't want us to have a pool. I take her everywhere with me, she is in my car with a fan in the summer, in the winter she has a heating pad that plugs in the same way. Because we have an SUV she has a bed in there at all times with a water bowl and dry food underneath in case we are gone any length of time that she may miss her meal. I know I am crazy about my "DOG" but like we said before. We don't have any children together so these are our children. The expense is a little less but it is still very expensive.
