New Pictures!

Got some new pics of the crew I realized I haven't posted...some unfortunate mishaps but, in the end "its all good"!




Might have been a good photo (Hellooooooo?) if he had focused and not chopped off my head!!







There's "My Crew"! Looking all happy and smiling.
Note: Ms Sneakers the cat chose not to participate. Although, she actually rules "The Crew"

This Book Will Be in my Heart Forever!

My blogger friends may know by now...I'm a dog lover through and through...so it may come as no surprise when I say... Marley and Me...Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog just captured my heart! =)

I read this book in one day, last Sunday! I couldn't put it down...Marley is a beautiful golden Lab owned by a journalist and his wife. He is a handful and a lover of LIFE!

This sweet boy is mischievous, playful, loving and a joy...never a dull moment with this big guy! I grinned, I laughed out loud, I loved him, I cried.

This a book you shouldn't miss! I thought long and hard, I found the last three paragraphs of Chapter 28 especially touching and almost quoted them here...BUT I DECIDED YOU HAVE TO READ IT ALL FOR YOURSELF.

Hope you take the time to read it and leave your comments here...hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I hope to hear how much you enjoyed it!

Everyone seems to be going on a diet...

I need to go on a diet,too. I'm sure there is an e-mail waiting at work for a Weight Watchers at work program and I need to sign up but first...I have to see if there is any lose weight fast scheme I might come up with. No, not Slim Fast, Alli or any other shed the pounds substance.

I look first for a role model. Well body to height ratio I look for the slimmest creature in my immediate household. T is over 6'3" but its not him (not that he is fat but, he's gained some too), Sneakers the cat is a bit pudgy, Karina is a husky and she is husky, as she should be. Which leaves me with Jack, the Australian Shepherd, awwwwwww lean as could be. He eats well and gratefully accepts any dog snackie or tidbit offered. How does he do it?

If you've ever had an Australian Shepherd you know they herd like crazy. Jack herds me all around the house, he herds Sneakers until her head spins. He checks fence lines whenever he's out. He's like the Energizer bunny! This dog never stops, if you get up he's right on your heels, then suddenly he's in front of you and then behind the other way. If you say you're leaving he starts this outright run throughout the house, barking and running and jumping 2' off the floor. This dog has never seen a sheep in his life but he knows what he was bred to do. He burns calories all day and night until its time for bed and then he drifts off quickly into a deep sleep for the rest of the night. Of course, unless he hears a strange noise then he has to check the house, all of the house with a few woofs, for good measure. The amazing thing about Jack is he partially blind. I really believe he could continue his antics at full sprint in his sleep.

So, my only way out of Weight Watchers is trying the herding method. I'm sure it would drive Jack nuts if I tried to herd him about and check his fence lines at a full run every hour. I guess I can't do that the "men in funny white coats" might take me away, besides it would take away Jack's joy or at the very least give him a complex. So, I'll open up the e-mail that is invariably in my inbox and write the wretched check to have someone tell me how to lose weight. Who knows it may be grand fun to line up with my co-workers to check my weight every week! NOT! =(

Sigh, I still think Jack's method must be a lot more fun!

Finished the Book...

I've been reading From Baghdad, With Love. I'm so glad I did. It gave me a look into the lives of the soldiers in Iraq..faced with terror, sadness and grief and their will to stay alive and take pleasure in even the smallest offerings in Iraq...a small, abandoned puppy they named Lava, despite being against the regulations of harboring any pet or animal.

If you've been thinking about reading Marley and Me, add this to your list as well. A wonderful story of a Marine and others around him that took on the plight of one small, forgotten puppy that was left alone in the worst of circumstances!

After you read the book and not a moment before you should check out a video from the Marine who befriended dear Lava @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLIzyAM5qrQ

Until then...

Spread Joy

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout..! run right back and make friends. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Someone is out there!!

Just wanted to send a shout out to Alisonwonderland for leaving several comments. She's writes in the So Many Books So Little Time blog (her link is in my sidebar). I'm not all that great with links yet but I will learn to post them in my actual writing soon. Anyway, thanks Alisoninwonderland for letting me know I'm not all alone out here in the blogosphere.

I'm glad its Saturday, I slept in, surfed the net, didn't really accomplish much of anything else today so far. Its cool and windy here today which is nice. I like the Fall weather but I heard next week is supposed to feel like summer again. Not so good since I just brought out all my warm fall clothes. lol. Guess I'm just going to go with the lazy Saturday attitude today, pull out my current book Tales of a Female Nomad and possibly move on to my next book, From Baghdad With Love, A Marine, the War and a Dog named Lava. Come on look at Lava's little face, who wouldn't want to read about the little guy!In case you haven't figured it out I'm a big dog lover. My beautiful girl, Karina is in my main blog photo. I got her from Petfinder.com when she was six years old, she's seven now.

The other book I want to read is Marley and Me. Also about a dog. I've been reading more non-fiction lately. Not sure why. Anyway, Marley and Me seems to have great reviews and it was sold out at the local B&N so I think I'm going to try to find it at the local library. Has anyone read either book? Anyone have any suggestions for future reads?


Have a great Saturday!!