KIDS AND DOGS

Kids...  

And Dogs...

The closest thing to heaven on this side of heaven...

Gracie agrees!

A Howl - O - Ween Tale of The Mysterious Visitor

Twas Halloween Day, 

And a Howl filled the air.

A ruckus like no other, 

Drew me outside in despair.

The morning was damp,

There was something weird found.

See that gate at the far end?

It lay over on the ground.

Sasquatch had been here?  

Or a deer or a bear?

We searched the yard over,

There were clues everywhere!

The blood on the fence 

Resembled a large creatures paw,

Aha! A bear probably, maybe,

Or a raccoon - real tall!

More blood on the fence,

Poor thing must be hurt.

I searched for more clues,

And found lots in the dirt.

See the panel now taped up,

To keep together the gate?

Well that panel was kicked out,

So this thing could escape.

But it could not get out there,

What would it's fate be!?

So it pawed and ran wild,

Kicking the other gate free.

Yes, Halloween morning,

Remember the date.

When something peculiar,

Jumped our 6-foot gate.

It came in with a whooooosh,

And soon it was gone. 

Leaving us puzzled,

As to what really went on.

Dear Diary,  

I'd just been out to pee for the morning, and back inside when Mom and Dad started running around the house like mad-peeps.  Something was happening outside!  I wanted to go out but they wouldn't let me.  Mom said I dodged a bullet.  She said I was one lucky dog! She said I had an angel watching over me and that if I would have stayed outside one more minute that I would be history.  I'm not sure what all that means but I don't want to be history.  I want to be Gracie.  Gracie.

Fall Camp stuff

It's that time of year where we put away the sun block and break open the stash of pumpkin spice candles.  

Fall is extra special for us since renting a campsite at Little Orleans Campground.  It's a great place for cool autumn walks and the most awesome wafting in the air of campfire smell!

 A jam-packed day of fun for kids and adults! is planned!

The scenic hayride gives us some idea of what to expect when we are cut loose to visit the campgrounds different campsites trick-or-treating.

There are some pretty shady characters out there handing out candy, but hey, it's all in fun and good times.  Don't be afraid, they warn.

The crisp air...

The freedom to run....

The feel of fall in the air...

And the laughs.  Oh yes, the laughs.

Trick-or-treating at it's best!!

And memories have never been this sweet.

RECAP and WHEELS FOR GRACIE

Summer sped by so quickly, I barely saw it coming or going.  Autumn is in full swing here, though the temps have been very summer-like.  Tomorrow is supposed to cool, thankfully!

Some summer highlights:

Our little Jasper-Pie learned to ride a bike!

Rissi now wears glasses.  Sometimes.  Not always.  But doesn't she look beautiful?

Summer, who has been taking karate classes for the last couple of years, was one of two lucky "Little Dragon's" who had their name chosen to attend a seminar by Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.  Don't know who that is?  I didn't either.  

Here's some "Superfoot" trivia:   GO HERE to read about his life as Elvis Presley's bodyguard and personal trainer!    He had many accomplishments including A Force of One with Chuck Norris.  GO HERE if you are interested in finding out more.  

The opportunity to attend was awesome.  Summer's face says it all.  

 

Jake is killing it on the soccer field!  The boy has the moves and he sure can run!

Meanwhile, in NJ these two cuties (Grey and Si)  bless us through FaceTime video and pictures.  

It's been a good summer for us, and reflecting on it brings a smile.

 Dear Diary,

 Not such a great summer for myself, tho things are looking up now.   I hurt my knee pre-summer.  Yea.  Bummers-ville.  Six weeks later, we worked it through and I was good as new, jumping and running and well... you get the picture.  Dad and Mom went on vacation and I stayed and took care of my aunt Angie.  Yea.  It was great tho.  She spoiled me just a little.  Well. Okay, a lot.  Upon Mom and Dad's return, I was pretty excited,  So - I said to Dad, let's play!  And we did.  And I hurt my knee again.  I've never quite come back from that and I walk with a limp a lot.  I was jumping for a while but now I find it easier to just let Mom and Dad pick me up for bed or to put me on the couch.  Oh, and another thing.  I can't walk like I used to. I get tired.  It's depressing, this getting old thing.  Yea.  I turned 15 last month.  

Mom and Dad surprised me with my own wheels so we will see how that all goes.  So far, so good... but we haven't left the house yet.   

Keep your nose a smellin' the great smells of fall y'all and I'll keep ya informed as to how my new ride pans out.  Bye for now.  Gracie.

Still Cannot Comment!!

Gracie had a nice birthday.  A neighborhood walk was in order (she can only do half-a-mile now but tries to convince us to do the full mile).  Even with the half-walk, she could hardly carry herself to the bedroom later that night.

Fall is in the air and my girl Gracie and I are loving it!  

There's so much beauty to behold this time of year, and the temperatures are so much more tolerable.

Gracie got a small ice cream treat after her walk and we chilled on the front patio for a while so she could enjoy the side of the house with traffic and activity that she doesn't usually get in the back.  She was delighted!

She was done by days end and I almost had to carry her into bed!   

But according to her, it was worth it!

NOTE:

I am still not able to comment on most blogs and I have tried everything!  It's so frustrating.  I spent hours the other day commenting on different blogs, thinking I had it fixed but - nope - no fix.  I am not on my laptop much, but I think I can comment if I am on there.  So if you don't hear from me, it's not for lack of trying..    Have a great rest of the week and weekend!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRACIE

When I got here, Mom laid down the rules.  No jumping on the furniture, and especially not the bed.  I'll admit, I played her like a fiddle and before ya knew it I was sleeping in the middle between her and dad.  

I was a Christmas present for Mom.  I've never heard anyone complain so much about a gift before in all my life.  It poops on the floor, she said.  It wakes me in the middle of the night, she said.  It pees on the rug, she said.  The list went on and on.

I had to keep sharp on my charming ways because some of my lesser, 

more disgusting habits were getting in the way of my peace there.

So when she insisted on ridiculous photo shoots,  I concurred.

I  grew out of my bad habits and Mom and Dad couldn't have loved me more! They actually made me CEO of the house/family and that is where I stand today.

And it's a good thing...  cause I count on them to lift me onto the furniture, and into bed at night.  I love my Mom and Dad and I'm pretty sure they love me too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

15 YEARS OLD TODAY! 

In Love

Last week at this time we were on our way to Amish country.  We stayed at a VRBO this time and it was wonderful!

  Not only was the place perfect in every way, the location was great too.  We were tucked away within walking distance from the Berlin Pet Shoppe, where I fell in love.

I was reluctant to visit here this year, after hearing all the horror stories about Ohio's Amish puppy mills and I actually had myself believing these pups were abused and mistreated.  The first day while all the other pups were frolicking and being cute, I couldn't get the sad, sick, pathetic one off of my mind.  He was lying there licking his leg and stomach in excess.  Licking, licking, licking.  I knew there was something terribly wrong and so I left the place feeling sad.

The next day I had made up my mind!  I'd go back in and demand to see someone and insist that the pup gets medical care.  So I went in and straight back to the puppy section.  This time there were three pups playing within a large penned in area and lots of interaction with patrons and I was sure that one of them 'was' the sick one from the day before, (I counted) only he did not appear sick at all.  Immediately, I felt better, until Gary pointed out a pup that was still in her pen and sleeping, not moving at all.  My happy turned to sad.  So I marched up to the desk and began my accusation with a question, "Is that puppy in the back sick?"  She referred me to Roy who was in charge of the group - so back I went to find Roy.  I asked the same question, pointing to the corner, "Is the puppy over there sick?"

"He's just sleeping," Roy said.  "Resting."

I followed Roy over to the pen and he collected the pup and placed it into my arms.  'Sick pup' came to life, licking my face and playing happily with me.  Little sweetheart was not sick at all, she had been resting, indeed.

Later that night I did some research.  I wanted to find out more about this place and how it was run.  Reviews were many, and excellent, some stating that these pups did not come from puppy mills but rather local breeders who loved their animals and treated them with the utmost respect.

Then I thought about the happy, frolicking puppies in the shoppe.  The cleanliness of the place and the way they had it set up so open and friendly and kind.  Roy was there, overseeing and making sure all animals were treated nicely.  The place was packed with people loving on these pets.  They all seemed happy and well taken care of.

My point is, power of suggestion is a powerful thing.  We can believe one thing or another just from 'hearing' something positive or negative.  Proof is in fact, and now as I look back, the facts are that this place carries healthy, happy pups in a super clean and open, friendly environment.

But what about the breeders and how are the mom's and dad's of these babies treated?

Well, according to the many, many reviews the dogs check out in excellent health - so - wouldn't that count for something?  And many insist that the dogs come from loving homes and caring breeders.  Not puppy mills!!  I hope and believe this to be true.

It was a happy place, The Berlin Pet Shoppe, and though I went in with a chip on my shoulder, I left  the next day in love.  I'm sure they'll all have good homes in no time at all, oh - the love that was being showed to those pups!!

It was easy leaving there, knowing that these dogs would find happy homes, but visiting an animal shelter is really hard for me.  If I'd ever choose to adopt, I'd feel so sad for those I did not choose...  because let's face it, they are the ones who really need someone.  Maybe the shelters should call themselves shoppes and slap a price tag on the rescues.  Maybe then, people would want them.  More and more people are getting rescues these days...  and that is a good thing!

Gracie has her own thoughts on puppies with their carefree, obnoxious ways.  Settle down, Gracie.  We came home to you, didn't we?