Faithful Till the End

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Faithful Shiba-Inu

Many of us have had a pet or two in our lives. We keep them for many reasons. While at times I'm personally conflicted by the practice I also acknowledge that mankind has kept pets, especially canines, for many tens of thousands of years and over those many millenia  a very special bond has grown. We take care and comfort them and they in turn return the favor with constant loyalty and faithful companionship. For me that special bond is with a certain Shiba-Inu (wiki link provided for those unfamiliar with the breed). She has been with me since 2001 and has been my very faithful companion.

I found her in the Dallas ASPCA shelter on the very day she was put up for adoption. She was only 8 weeks old. She had a brother that had been dropped off with her. From what I could tell the brother went him with an adorable little girl and I'm sure he had many a tea party and pre-teen sleepovers to keep him young at heart - if not a little tortured. Gracy though found me. This little Shiba bonded with me the moment we met, that or she just wanted out for fear that some little boy might nab her. Who knows what really goes through a dog's mind. 

Not a day goes by that I regret my decision to bring her into my life. Not a day goes by that I'm not happy to see her wagging tail and excited nature when I open the door. She is just a dog, a pet, but she is family. As family she has adopted those I've brought into my life and made them her own, even if a little slowly at times. 

She is no longer a puppy, but still full of life and curiosity. Her sprints don't last as long and she now prefers a casual sniffing tour to the rigorous pull my arm out of my socket walk. To be honest we could all learn a great deal from my little Gracy. Even though she is no "spring chicken" she still tackles life with zeal and excitement, if just a little slower than she did when just a pup.

She's not perfect, but neither am I. In any event she has remained loyal to me and I loyal to her. So to her and all the pets of the world that keep their human mates happy and soulful, THANK YOU!

Someone's been sleeping in my bed, and that someone is still there!

My wonderful Gracy, my faithful companion for more than a decade.

Wonderful balloon light fixtures at Texas Restaraunt in Richardson, Texas

Taken at Four Sisters Cafe

A Very Good Beer

Taken at Jörg's Cafe Vienna

My Two Dogs - Starring: Gracy & Darby

Letter to Dogs & Cats

I did not write this letter. I received as an e-mail. One of the funniest things I've ever read. I posted this on my blog as well (blog.kellysworld.net) but for ease of laughter and sharing it's all here. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T, IT’S ALSO A TRUE STORY.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes on the floor with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate does not mean that it is suddenly your food, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the top of the stairs is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space that you are taking up, is nothing but sarcasm.For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required. 

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door: TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND COMPLAIN (1) They live here.... you don't. (2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it “fur”-niture. (3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. (4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours, and don't speak clearly. Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they: (1) eat less, (2) don't ask for money all the time, (3) are easier to train, (4) normally come when called, (5) never ask to drive the car, (6) don't hang out with drug-using people; (7) don't smoke or drink, (8) don't want to wear your clothes, (9) don't have to buy the latest fashions, (10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and (11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children.....

"I'm waiting for my Courtney" says Darby