DOG PARK!

Choosing A Dog, by William Stafford

“It’s love,” they say. You touch
the right one and a whole half of the universe
wakes up, a new half.

Some people never find
that half, or they neglect it or trade it
for money or success and it dies.

The faces of big dogs tell, over the years,
that size is a burden: you enjoy it for awhile
but then maintenance gets to you.

When I get old I think I’ll keep, not a little
dog, but a serious dog,
for the casual, drop-in criminal —

My kind of dog, unimpressed by
dress or manner, just knowing
what’s really there by the smell.

Your good dogs, some things that they hear
they don’t really want you to know —
it’s too grim or ethereal.

And sometimes when they look in the fire
they see time going on and someone alone,
but they don’t say anything.
-William Stafford

Dog Beach at Huntington Beach CA, yesterday!

The January 7, 2008 edition of US News & World Report has as its cover story: 50 Ways To Improve Your Life in 2008.

#1 is: Try open-water swimming!

Christmas Wishes

On Christmas morning I wish …
For every dog searching trash cans for breakfast …
A filled bowl with his name printed in bright letters.
For every dog who slept fitfully last night, chained in a frozen yard …
A soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.
For every shelter dog spending Christmas morning in a soiled run …
A forever home, filled with sounds and smells of family.
For every “Christmas” puppy given today …
A tolerant, caring owner who won’t abandon you as you grow into a real dog.
For every ailing pet …
Enough money for your owner to pay the bills to make you well.
For every lost dog …
A clear, safe road and well-marked path to lead you home.
For every old and tired friend …
A warm fire and a soft bed to ease your aches and pains.
and…for every Heart Dog at the Bridge …
A moment when you know that you are remembered today, missed again, and loved forever.
Author Unknown

Billings City Link newspaper answered a question about when Billings might establish a dog park.

The answer was incomplete.  It said although there is talk of it, no definite plans yet.  True enough. Then the answer launched into Animal Shelter limitations.  Also true, the Animal Shelter staff does not have the personnel or expertise.  But, what does the Animal Shelter have to do with a dog park anyway?  The question was about a PARK, a dog park specifically.

Luckily, the Parks and Recreation department is on top of the issue having held a general meeting on November 29 to query interest in a dog park.  They have $3,500 in donation dollars already.

Here’s hoping for sooner rather than later on implementation!  At the November 29 presentation it was very apparent the Parks & Rec department does have the personnel and expertise to design a park.

What is it that “therapy” dogs do?  It’s pretty simple really: they bring smiles.  They bring relief from grief.

Brick, a Delta certified and Canine Good Citizen, Great Pyrenees dog, recently visited young people experiencing the loss of a teacher.   At least for the time he was in their classroom, Brick took these kid’s minds off something they have lost forever.

Besides a Q&A session on what Brick weighs or what he eats, Brick has a very high hugability factor, that, in itself, is highly therapeutic.

Therapy dogs help bring us back to the living.  Go Brick!

Alot of low-grrr dog talking about who’s got the toy!

I have never had an outside dog before. Given the opportunity to come in or stay out, Gordon usually opts for the later. He loves laying in the yard. Or in this case, napping. So, where a few days ago he was out in 17 and sunny, this day it was about 40 and sunny. Tropical for him!

Very cute story about a long-haired doxie, and it just so happens the Billings Animal Shelter has a long-haired doxie available for adoption.

See?  Dogs have been patted down with a blessing of flour!

Nice poster in the Vet’s office (on the left):