Before I launch into my BIG POST after not posting for several months, I want to share the following vignette. Since Al’s death I have wondered about my purpose, my future, my way of life.  I have no idea what God will call me to do, but I hope to do as much good in the world as our beloved dogs. Aren’t they grand?  Without them, I would not have made it through the past months.  Certainly they cannot take my Al’s place in any stretch of the imagination, but they are good company (when they are not decorating the floor with mud, sneaking behind the couch to leave a present for me when it is raining and they do not want to get their behinds wet, or trying to take food from my mouth or in the case of Snoop from the counter or the table or wherever else he can find a tidbit.  I have loved dogs from my earliest childhood with good reason: they are loyal, affectionate, playful, sometimes courageous and protective when necessary, and warm on a cold night.  I have a lover affair going with dogs, all dogs from purebreds to mixed breeds but especially Cavaliers.  More on my Cavaliers in my next post!!!  The little boy in the following has it right!!!

A  Dog’s Purpose Through the Eyes of a Six Year Old   

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish 
Wolfhound named Belker.  The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their 
little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping 
for a miracle. 
 
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the  family we 
couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia 
procedure for the old dog in their home. 
 
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be 
good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as though 
Shane might learn something from the experience. 
 
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family
surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last 
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.  Within a few 
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. 
 
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty 
or confusion.  We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering 
aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.” 

Startled, we all turned to him.  What came out of his mouth next stunned 
me.   I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.  It has changed the 
way I try and live. 
 
He said, ”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The 
Six-year-old continued, ”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they 
don’t have to stay as long.” 
 
Live simply. 
 
Love generously. 
 
Care deeply. 
 
Speak kindly. 
 
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things 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. 

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. 
 
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. 
 
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. 
 
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

 I know that we are a bit past the election, but I am more than a bit behind in blogging.  By the time I take care of everything that Al and I used to both take care of, I fall very behind.  Except for the state of Missouri, we were pretty lucky in electing those officials with favorable views on purebred dogs.  In Ohio the big, beefed up “puppy mill bill” never got to the floor for a vote.  Thought you would be interested in reading the following from the Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners Voting Alliance.

 

A SAOVA message to sportsmen, pet owners and farmers concerned  about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.

SAOVAS 2010 Election Wrap Up

Dear SAOVA Friends,

It’s clear from November 2 exit polls that voters had many issues on their
minds besides animal rights and the current economy headed that list of
election concerns by a large margin. Against that background, sportsmen and
animal owners should be encouraged by the number of victories we scored.

In head-to-head races between candidates SAOVA endorsed and those supported
by the HSUS and its allies, our candidates won 16 out of 26 contests, or
better than 62%.

Some of the SAOVA endorsees who defeated HSUS endorsees include:

John Kasich (OH)

Dan Lungren (CA)

Cory Gardner (CO)

Tim Wahlberg (MI)

Mick Mulvaney (SC)

Roy Blunt (MO)

Pat Toomey (PA)

SAOVA highlights of the election include defeat of John Hall (D-NY), Carol
Shea-Porter (D-NH), and Joe Sestak (D-PA) all of whom received perfect
scores of 100 from Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), the legislative
arm of HSUS.

Also defeated were the following legislators designated as "Leaders" by
HSUS: Russ Feingold (D-WI); Phil Hare (D-IL); Ron Klein (D-FL); Frank
Kratovil (D-MD); Kendrick Meek (D-FL); James Oberstar (D-MN); John Spratt
(D-SC); and Dina Titus (D-NV).

For over a decade the HSUS and other anti-animal use groups have introduced
federal legislation to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) expanding the
scope of USDA/APHIS inspection and regulation authority to cover retail,
in-home breeders.  HR 5434/S 3424 Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act
(PUPS) is the 111th Congress edition, and an updated PUPS is sure to be on
the animal rights zealots priority list for the 112th Congress.

Voters sent home the following 14 PUPS cosponsors:

Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH)

Joe Sestak (D-PA)

Carol Shea-Porter (D-RI)

Ron Klein (D-FL)

Michael Castle (R-DE)

Patrick Murphy (D-PA)

Paul Hodes (D-NH)

Steve Kagen (D-WI)

Deborah Halvorson (D-IL)

Betsy Markey (D-CO)

Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD)

Parker Griffith (R-AL)

John Hall (D-NY)

Baron Hill (D-IN)

We are in the process of completing a full list of defeated animal rightist
voters on the SAOVA website: http://www.saova.org/results.html

Sportsmen and animal owners won three of five ballot fights.  In Arkansas
the Hunting and Fishing Rights Amendment passed with 83 percent of the vote.
The Right to Hunt and Fish amendment passed in Tennessee with 87 percent of
the vote, and in South Carolina with 89 percent. 

Missouri animal owners lost the battle to defeat Proposition B which would
set new standards and ownership limits on the existing state regulated dog
breeding industry.  Prop B passed with just 51.6% of the votes with HSUS and
their anti-dog breeder allies spending $4.3 million dollars on support
propaganda.

The new Republican majority in the House may afford a more difficult
atmosphere for HSUS and their animal rights inspired legislation.  The
incoming Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH), is no stranger to HSUS
and their tactics.  During Ohio’s raging battle on the HSUS 2010 ballot
initiative, Boehner stated, "HSUS is a special interest group that has been
waging war on our agriculture community in recent years in an effort to
impose its extreme animal rights agenda."

However, new House members may be uneducated on such issues. The new
"freshman" legislators, regardless of party, need to hear from us.  They
need to know that our rights with respect to animals and hunting are
important to us, and that we are the authority on animal welfare. HSUS along
with their radical agenda must be exposed.

The animal rightists will continue to move forward always finding new
methods to promote their ideology. They will be increasingly active at the
state and local level, and we will need more and better-organized
opposition. Equally important, SAOVA needs your financial support.

The world not only belongs to those who show up, it’s controlled by the best
informed, most motivated and sufficiently resourced.

Cross posting is encouraged.

Susan Wolf
Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance – http://saova.org
<http://saova.org/>

saova@earthlink.net

Issue lobbying and working to identify and elect supportive legislators

Visit SAOVA News  <http://saovanews.blogspot.com/>
http://saovanews.blogspot.com/

<

 Many years ago now, I sold a little boy Rubens (Ch. and Ch. Rattlebridge Masterpiece) son to the daughter of fellow judge, the wonderful late Judy Doniere.

Tilt changed the lives of Tami and Jeff Byroads, now my dear friends, and started them on the road to showing Cavaliers.  Tilt enjoyed a wonderful life with the Byroads.  He was very sensitive and we swore he saw spirits, but only good spirits like that of Tami’s beloved father when he passed.  We all loved Tilt.  I join in the sorrow of my “other family.”  Good night, dear Tilt. Until the Rainbow Bridge.  Give my Al a kiss from me!

 

Rattlebridge Tilt A Whirl

In Loving Memory

"TILT"

June 6th 1998 – October 20, 2010

You came to us from 3,000 miles away as a little 4 month old and stole our
hearts as you felt they were yours to keep. You quickly became the head of
the house, protector of your queen, and so "aggressively cute" that the
desire to have more Cavaliers soon after became not only a reality, but part
of our lives.

You passed the baton on to Ace and he promised you that although he could
never fill your paws, he will always protect your queen. Your best friend
Winnie, will miss you the most of the pack, as you taught her how to take
care of her "king". You showed Kahnrad that his princess is his to protect
and he said he will always remember that when she returns from college.
Party Sue, your Rattlebridge counterpart, whom you always let snuggle up to
you at night, will willingly go to snuggle with Ace as you have wished for
her to do. She thanks you from the bottom of her heart for all you have
taught her about how to get the food made quickly and earlier each morning.
You have kept little Cash in line and tried your best to teach him manners
and how to get in line for the succession order and to obey Ace as the new
"head of house".

Tilt, it was only fitting that you were with us as a pet – never seeing the
show ring until the beautiful age of 10 ½ years old, where you competed your
first and only time in the Veterans ring and won Best Veteran in Specialty.
As if you felt you needed to do one last thing to prove to us just how
special of a boy you are. We cherish that moment as we do all the others
over the years you have given us. Thanks for being the best "car rider",
"river dog", the best eater, and the best Tilt A Whirl ever. 
           

Our little "ghost buster" as we nicknamed you, never hesitated
to tell us our deceased loved ones were certainly nearby. As you grew more
accustomed to seeing these spirits, we were at ease to know that because of
you, we were able to say "I love you and goodbye" one last time. So now is
your time sweet boy, for us to say " I love you and goodbye". You leave us
only physically as we know you will stay around us as you never feel that
your job is done.

WE AWAIT YOUR RETURN,

Your loving family

Jeff, Tami & Karlie

 

 

 

And now a story to touch hearts . . . I cry every time I read it.  We know that Tilt, well loved, will be waiting for his family. All of our beloveds were waiting for Al and will be waiting for me standing beside my Al wagging and wiggling with joy.

AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
by Alexander Theodore, Bouvier, Fourth Year Resident (written September 2001)

On the morning of September 11, 2001, there was an unprecedented amount of
activity at the Rainbow Bridge. Decisions had to be made. They had to be
made quickly. And, they were. 

An issue, not often addressed here, is the fact that many residents really
have no loved one for whom to wait. Think of the pups who lived and died in
hideous puppy mills. No one on earth loved or protected them. What about
the many who spent unhappy lives tied in backyards? And, the ones who were
abused. Who are they to wait for?

   
We don’t talk about that much up here. We share our loved ones as they
arrive, happy to do so. But we all know there is nothing like having your
very own person who thinks you are the most special pup in the Heavens.   
Last Tuesday morning a request rang out for pups not waiting for specific
persons to volunteer for special assignment.. An eager, curious crowd
surged excitedly forward, each pup wondering what the assignment would be. 
They were told by a solemn voice that unexpectedly, all at once, over 4,000
loving people had left Earth long before they were ready. All the pups, as
all pups do, felt the humans’ pain deep in their own hearts. Without
hearing more, there was a clamoring among them – "May I have one to
comfort?" "I’ll take two, I have a big heart." "I have been saving kisses
forever."   

One after another they came forward begging for assignment. One
cozy-looking fluffy pup hesitantly asked, "Are there any children coming? I
would be very comforting for a child ’cause I’m soft and squishy and I
always wanted to be hugged." A group of Dalmatians came forward asking to
meet the Firemen and be their friends. The larger working breeds offered to
greet the Police Officers and make them feel at home. Little dogs
volunteered to do what they do best, cuddle and kiss. 

Dogs who on Earth had never had a kind word or a pat on the head, stepped
forward and said, "I will love any human who needs love." 
Then all the dogs, wherever on Earth they originally came from, rushed to
the Rainbow Bridge and stood waiting, overflowing with love to share – each
tail wagging an American Flag.

After standing in very, very loooong lines to at public women’s restrooms, especially at performance events, to the point of invading the men’s restroom in desperation, (Girls,be careful of certain performances to try this!  Just don’t try slipping into the men’s john  at a Hank Williams Jr. gig) it is most refreshing to see males, even canine, waiting their turn!!!!

I loved this one since I am an Irish Blonde (okay, I am now turning a lovely shade of white which my hairdresser calls baby blonde, so there!!!).

AN IRISH BLONDE IN A CASINO

                An attractive blonde from Cork, Ireland arrived at the
casino. She seemed a little intoxicated and bet twenty-thousand Euros on a single roll
of the dice.

                She said, ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I feel much luckier
when I’m completely nude’.

                With that, she stripped from the neck down, rolled the dice
and with an Irish brogue yelled, ‘Come on, baby, Mama needs new clothes!’

                As the dice came to a stop, she jumped up and down and
squealed…’YES! YES! I WON, I WON!’

                She hugged each of the dealers and then picked up her
winnings and her clothes and quickly departed.

                The dealers stared at each other dumbfounded.

                Finally, one of them asked, ‘What did she roll?’

                The other answered, ‘I don’t know – I thought you were watching.’

                MORAL OF THE STORY –

                   Not all Irish are drunks,
                not all Blondes are dumb,
                but all Men…. are Men.

It has been awhile since I have written about my present life without Al. He has been gone for two months today and I feel his loss more intensely now than I did when I was  busy with all the details before and after his death. I am in a thirteen week Grief Share group at my church; I am also seeing a grief counselor and am going to a monthly grief group. I am writing these details of what I am doing to perhaps help someone else with grief.  I am continuously told that grief is a personal process; people grieve in different ways.  Several people in my group have lost a child,husband, sister.  Some are still struggling long after their loss.  For some the grief never ends although the pain recedes.

I am taking over Al’s chores which he wisely prohibited me from doing, but I have conquered the zero turn John Deere after zigzagging across the yard.  I have been shown how to run the big snow blower that we bought last year when Al had the bright idea of finally getting one; I had told him we needed one for two years, but no—it had to be his idea!  The weed whacker is impossible.  Al bought it for my birthday last year; it was not the one I wanted but I did not want to hurt his feelings so it just hangs in the garage. We have a big generator that keeps appliances and lights going, but it is just a big red blob in the garage to me.  I have no idea how to run it; I remember Al making many trips to get gas, diesel, or kerosene (how would I know!) to run it, but will really need it if we get the paralyzing snow and ice storm we got two years ago. 

So many things to worry about, but nothing compares to the hole in my daily life.  Al and my favorite television show was “House.” He watched it and “NCIS” religiously and the reruns ad nauseum.  I tried to watch the premiers of House and NCIS this week and could not do it for I would have no one with whom to chat about the programs. A
l least I am no longer subjected to a daily dose of  “Judge Judy.” It seems as if all the threads of al life together tattered.  Oh, well, enough of my musings. 

I am excited about a few of  last year’s puppies that are all about a year old.  I think they are all very pleasing to the eye with wonderful personalities, but have no idea if I will get them into the show ring as I must be careful with finances now.  I am so attached to them that I would have great difficulty putting them in show homes at this point.  If I can I may try to show them this fall, but even showing them depends on what condition my orthopedics are in at the time.  Pictures will be posted later but their names are the blenheim boy Rattlebridge Over the Hump (Humphrey); the tri girl Rattlebridge Tantalize;  the darling five month old blenheim girl Rattlebridge Sarandon (Suzie); the blenheim boy Rattlebridge Cyber Dawn and his brother and sister that live with my friend and co breeder Sherri Meyer:  Rattlebridge The Dawnald and Rattlebridge Dawnatella. Quite a crew and we will see how all shakes down as they grow up. We have not bred for awhile but now have two litters, mostly boys; of tricolors.  I do so want a good tricolor boy—one that would gaze at me like my beloved Bandi did. 

Later . . .

 

Sent from on of my friends who has nothing better to do than forward stuff and I have nothing better to do than blog (not true, just procrastinating)

The following questions were asked in last year’s GED examination.
These are genuine answers (from 16 year olds’)………… My brilliant editorial comments are in red

AND THEY WILL REPRODUCE!!! AND PROBABLY BECOME POLITICIANS OR AT LEAST WORK IN GOVERNMENT

In fact I may have had their parents or grandparents in school! And I did try!

Q. Name the four seasons.
A. Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar

Q. Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A. Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants
like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists. (love this one!!! at least dead dogs were not mentioned)

Q. How is dew formed?
A. The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q. What causes the tides in the oceans?
A. The tides are a fight between the earth and the moon. All water tends to
flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature
abhors a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins the fight. (nature abhors a vacuum on the moon yet??)

Q. What guarantees may a mortgage company insist upon?
A. If you are buying a house they will insist that you are well endowed.

Q. In a democratic society, how important are elections?
A. Very important. Sex can only happen when a male gets an election. (or in the case of our presidents, governors, presidential candidates etc. wins an election)

Q. What are steroids?
A. Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.(Shoot yourself now, there
is little hope.)

Q.. What happens to your body as you age?
A. When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental. (At
least they get to travel!)

Q. What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A. He says goodbye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery (So
true!)

Q. Name a major disease associated with cigarettes
A. Premature death.

Q. What is artificial insemination
A. When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow. (very, very dangerous procedure)

Q. How can you delay milk turning sour?
A. Keep it in the cow. (Simple, but brilliant.)

Q How are the main 20 parts of the body categorized? (e.g. The abdomen.)
A. The body is consisted into 3 parts – the brainium, the borax and the
abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain, the borax contains the
heart and lungs and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels: A, E,
I,O,U    (at least this kid learned the vowel sounds in school!)

Q. What is the fibula?
A. A small lie. (This person has a career in politics awaiting!)

Q. What does ‘varicose’ mean?
A. Nearby.

Q What is the most common form of birth control?
A. Most people prevent contraception by wearing a condominium. (That would
work.)

Q. Give the meaning of the term ‘Cesarean section’.
A. The Cesarean section is a district in Rome. (I love this one)

Q. What is a seizure?
A. A Roman Emperor. (Julius Seizure, I came, I saw, I had a fit!) probably lived in the Cesarean part of Rome

Q. What is a terminal illness?
A. When you are sick at the airport.(Irrefutable!)

Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like tiny
umbrellas.

Q. Use the word ‘judicious’ in a sentence to show you understand its
meaning.
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face. (OMG)

Q. What does the word ‘benign’ mean?
A. Benign is what you will be after you be eight. (Brilliant)

I have thought about revising my living will after seeing this one!!!

 

While the C-5 was turning over its engines, a female crewman gave the G.I.s on board the usual
information regarding seat belts, emergency exits, etc.

Finally, she said, ‘Now sit back and enjoy your trip while your captain, Judith Campbell, and crew
take you safely to Afghanistan ‘

An old MSgt. sitting in the eighth row thought to himself,
‘Did I hear her right? Is the captain a woman? ‘

When the attendant came by he said ‘Did I understand you right? Is the captain a woman?’
‘Yes,’! said the attendant, ‘In fact, this entire crew is female.’

‘My God,’ he said, ‘I wish I had two double scotch and sodas. I don’t know what to think
with only women up there in the cockpit.’
‘

That’s another thing, Sergeant,’ said the crew member,
‘We No Longer Call It The Cockpit’ 
‘It’s The Box Office.’ 

Quote of the day:

‘Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.’

 

Here’s the way it should be and is definitely NOT!

Let’s put the seniors in jail and the criminals in nursing homes.

This would correct two things in one motion:
Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.

They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical
treatment, wheel chairs, etc.

They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.

They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly
if they fell or needed assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and
returned to them.

A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.

All meals and snacks would be brought to them

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual
counseling, a pool and education…and free admission to in-house concerts
by nationally recognized entertainment artists.

Simple clothing – i.e., shoes, slippers, pj’s – and legal aid would be free,
upon request.

There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor
exercise yard complete with gardens.

Each senior would have a P.C., T.V., phone and radio in their room at no
cost.

They would receive daily phone calls.

There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU
would fight for their rights and protection.

The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with
attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families
from abuse or neglect.

As for the criminals:

They would receive cold food.

They would be left alone and unsupervised.

They would receive showers once a week.

They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per
month.

They would have no hope of ever getting out.

"Sounds like justice to me! WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR COUNTRY THAT THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW, BEND THE LAW, IGNORE THE LAW, STEAL FROM OUR COUNTRY (SUCH AS IN CONGRESS BIG SURPRISE!), AND TRAMPLE THE RIGHTS OF THE MAJORITY ARE REWARDED!