Just Wanted You to Know

JUST wanted you all to know I took Kassi to Pier 94 yesterday (where the WTC families go) and she did very well. There was a little boy who was afraid of dogs and Kassi"s friend is a little Sheltie called Cinderella. The boy came over to Cinder and then was petting Kassi. Kassi washed his face and he started to laugh. Most of the police and firemen come over to Kassi, they felt a kindred spirit. One man told us since the therapy dogs have been coming to the Pier, he got a dog for himself. No one wanted to talk about the WTC they just to pet the dogs to feel a little better. I was so proud of my little girl. It can be overwhelming.

Composed by Sue Oakes and Pups.

My name is Max and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise.

It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy now, that comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle. You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine?

Do you see a spirit, a soul inside who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a simple moment of your time?

That is all I ask. To slow down if even for a few minutes to be with me.

So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of others of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat.

Sometimes we age so slowly before your eyes that you do not even seem to know, until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we take that long sleep, to run free in distant lands.

I may not be here tomorrow; I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the waters from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just "One more day" with me.

Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have now, together. So come, sit down here next to me on the floor. And look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me not as "alpha" or as a "trainer" or even a "Mom or Dad", come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into one another's eyes, and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life (I hope) because you wanted a soul to share just such things with.

Someone very different from you, and here I am. I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a "Dog on two feet"---I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me, on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if even for only 15 minutes. Look deep in my eyes, and whisper to my ears.

Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self.

We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

Love, Max (on behalf of all canines everywhere)

May be reposted and shared freely as long as this credit appears with the post, J.D.Ellis 2001

Decorating when you have pets can provide unique opportunities to express your own personal style and taste. Here are some tips I'd like to share:

1. Bare floors, without carpet or throw rugs, can give a nice open feeling to a room. It can provide a soothing balance when you have many art objects that reflect your love of animals.
2. Paw prints and nose smudges on glass doors and windows break up glare and soften the light in a room.
3. Dog crates, when stacked three high, can add height to a room and pull the eye up. If fastened securely to the wall, the top can provide a safe and dramatic place for exotic plants or statuary that otherwise might be molested by your pets. An up light can make it a real focal point. Cats love to inhabit the upper crates, leaving the lower ones for the dogs.
4. Old towels and blankets thrown casually on upholstered furniture can add a wonderful homey, country-quilt look to an otherwise bland room.
5. Common smooth upholstery fabrics can look almost velvety when lightly textured with pet hair.
6. Vari-kennels, placed end to end and topped with plate glass can create an unusual coffee table, one your friends will really remember.
7. Doggie beds, randomly placed around a room, can add color and texture, much as throw pillows do.
8. Shredded or chewed books and magazines send a message to guests that they are free to relax and feel at home.
9. Dog crates can make versatile end tables, and can be slip covered to match any room decor.
10. There is absolutely nothing that makes a guest feel as welcome as three friendly dogs hopping in his lap as soon as he sits down.

So throw away those videos by Martha and others, and express your own unique tastes. Your home should reflect what YOU like!

Author Unknown.