Today is my brother’s birthday. He would have been 59. My heart is not healed enough so thinking about this topic squeezes my chest. I look at AJ, my new dog, and I also say Happy Birthday to him.
I don’t know when AJ was born, but because he walked into my life to help fill a void of Al passing, I think I shall place AJ’s birthday on the same day as my brother.
So since it is fairly nice…
Today is my brother’s birthday. He would have been 59. My heart is not healed enough so thinking about this topic squeezes my chest. I look at AJ, my new dog, and I also say Happy Birthday to him.
I don’t know when AJ was born, but because he walked into my life to help fill a void of Al passing, I think I shall place AJ’s birthday on the same day as my brother.
So since it is fairly nice outside. No winter boots or heavy coat here in Indiana today, AJ and I shall celebrate this double birthday by going for a walk. I will let him see more of the area where we live.
I will take my camera and hopefully be able to get a shot in or two. AJ is doing fantastic on potty training but walking on a leash is not something he has become used to. I think he is pretty smart, and this is the reason why.
I offered him a treat for doing his business outside instead of inside the house. He jumped up on me. The next time I offered him a kibble, he jumped; so I waited and with held.
When he sat down I gave him the treat. From that time on he had it. Each time he gets a reward of goodies he immediately sits. He wants to be with me at all times and he gets upset if he can’t see me. Oh it isn’t because I am so beautiful. It is because he knows I am his mama.
He fights going into his crate so when it is time I now place a treat inside the cage. He goes in with a little nudge instead of the usual bulldozer push. When I shut the door I offer him one more treat and praise him for going in much easier. He has now learned that pretty well. Just another couple of times and we may have that habit licked of fighting going in.
Al, it is going to be sad in my mind and heart at times today, but AJ and I will do the best we can at celebrating your birthday. I love you buddy and miss you terribly. I so wish you were here. Last year at this time so many friends and bloggers signed your birthday page. Today, I can go to it since I was smart and saved it, and smile as I see all the well wishes.
Hello my dear friends. I have been very busy. I have had too many days without help so it is slowing me and my energy down. I am more tired. Al is continuing to get worse. His fever is trying to stay high even through Tylenol.
Last night he scared the crap out of me. I tried to turn him over on his side. What I saw is what scared me. His half side of his face was white dots. I mean dots all over,…
Hello my dear friends. I have been very busy. I have had too many days without help so it is slowing me and my energy down. I am more tired. Al is continuing to get worse. His fever is trying to stay high even through Tylenol.
Last night he scared the crap out of me. I tried to turn him over on his side. What I saw is what scared me. His half side of his face was white dots. I mean dots all over, every pore was filled. His ear was covered in white dots and down inside his ear.
He was able to talk just enough to let me know his throat hurt and his other ear was beginning to hurt. I looked inside his mouth and his tongue was a full dose of white polka dots.
It was late evening but I called Hospice anyways. Not wanting to come out, they were not sure what it was, but they did advise me of something to give him until they arrived this morning.
So all night I was up with Al fighting his fever and trying to keep him comfortable. He finally drifted off to sleep around 3am, then so did I, but was woken up at 7 by a text. I got up, realizing that my day was not going to be a good one to start and also I knew the shower gal would be here in one hour.
I decided to take a shower to help wake up. I am too old to go for a whole day with only four hours. The nurse did come this morning and I learned that Al is really fighting a fever now because the MSA is just running rampant inside Al. It is so bad that it is seeping out his pores.
What I was seeing last night was the illness itself. I felt at that moment I was going to be ill, and I could only imagine how my poor brother must be suffering. My day drug by and it went pretty slow. I never did take a nap but I hope to go to bed earlier tonight.
This evening Al was watching a movie of Laurel and Hardy.
I decided to take a couple of photos of Rhino, our cat and I did one sketch tonight. I thought I would share with you also what I did.
Please continue to pray for Al and me. I had a panic attack today but thanks to a dear friend online I was able to keep it at bay. I think I am just plain exhausted and I crave sleep. Hugs to you all and thanks for being patient with me for my lack of writing quite as often.
Oh So Beautiful
I was reading a forward a friend sent me and I just loved it. I thought, I bet my friends at WP…
I was reading a forward a friend sent me and I just loved it. I thought, I bet my friends at WP will love it also, so I am going to share it with you.
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to re-assure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said ” it’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew…
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over… I smile and watch you yawning
and say “good-night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…then come home to be with me.
Author ~ Sammie Klaehn
Words For The Soul
Walking down the street, seeing no one. Thoughts racing in my mind. I didn’t see the man in front…
Walking down the street, seeing no one. Thoughts racing in my mind. I didn’t see the man in front of me. I walked right into him. Quickly my mind came back to the moment. I apologized with a sheepish grin. Totally embarrassed at what I had just done.
The man in front of me had a blank face. Had he not heard me? Was he that mad at me? I swear it was an accident. I don’t usually make such a fool of myself. I apologized again and placed my arm on his to show my sincere attitude. He jerked his hand a way.
I twisted my body placing my hand on my hip. Defense was my mode. I said, “Now look Mister, I said I didn’t mean to do it. I was just deep in thought and I didn’t see you standing here. In fact, you probably saved my life. I would have crossed the street not even aware that I was at the stoplight.”
Still no reaction. The face didn’t change. No anger showed. The man and I stood there for a few seconds, no one saying anything. Then I heard a bark. I looked toward the sound and saw a husky dog standing to the side of the man. The red collar and leash attached to the dog was wrapped on the man’s wrist.
I lowered my hand and stood more relaxed. I felt like a fool. The man couldn’t see me. He couldn’t hear me either. Hell I probably have this poor man scared half to death by now. Tears started streaming down my face as I realized the whole picture now.
I reached my hand down slowly and the dog sniffed my fingers. He let me pet his head and then I stood up and took the gentleman by the hand. I started to rub it to somehow show him I was not an enemy.
I wrapped my arm through his arm and pulling a bit on the leash I walked the man across the cross way. Once on the other side, the dog sat down. I let go of the man’s arm and I gave him a pat on the back. I did one step further and gave him a big hug. When I stepped back and looked at him I saw a smile. Two tears were dripping from his eye. I left them knowing he was safe in the dog’s eyes and walked on my way, forgetting my own problems and smiled at the warm sunshine.
The Fox, The Rabbit and The Raccoon
Fancy rabbit, Foxy fox and Roxy raccoon were all friends.
They all met at a Thanksgivingfeast a few…
Fancy rabbit,
Foxy fox and Roxy raccoon were all friends.
They all met at a Thanksgiving feast a few years back.
Everyone had been invited. The squirrels, birds and groundhogs.
Each brought their favorite treat. There was loud chatter as neighbors got to know each other and the babies played together all day long.
Three different personalities clicked. Fancy rabbit was unusual to others. He dressed in the finest clothes. After meals he puffed on a cigar the size of a large carrot. Foxy fox was the most clever of all, or so he thought. The others thought with his smarts he could teach them new ways of getting food much quicker. Roxy raccoon was a little chubby and always seemed to have lots of food. He was sneaky too and never got caught when he was rummaging through human’s trash cans.
So the three hooked up and remained friends from then on. Anywhere you saw one you couldn’t help but notice the other two. Each of them took a lot of pride in themselves. They frolicked through the woods and people’s yards.
From each other they learned to steal food not only from trash cans but to hide behind bushes and sneak in through open windows. Roxy raccoon taught his two friends how to use the tree as a jumping pad and hop onto roofs. He showed them how to eat holes in the roofs and lower themselves down into the food area, but his buddies were too afraid to try the climb. That seemed pretty high to them.
They each helped the other when needed. One time Fancy rabbit’s home had been invaded by water. Flooding was taking a way all his pride possessions. Foxy fox dug a tunnel for him and this allowed the water to drain faster. Roxy raccoon found bits of plastic and this was used to cover up all of Fancy rabbit’s furniture.
Now this is what true friendship is all about. Helping others, not caring what background each other had. They had picnics and laid under the breezy branches at nights. Each was on guard for the other at all times.
When babies were sick they each took turns watching over them while the others hunted for food. When it came time to teach the young to hunt, they all gave their advice and in no time excellent hunters were bring back fine kill.
Fancy rabbit’s had four kids. Foxy fox had two kids and Roxy raccoon had not been able to have a family. Roxy raccoon was really bothered by the fact that there was no one to teach to hunt and to watch grow up. He started to stay in the background when there were gatherings. He became more into himself and didn’t talk as much.
His friends took notice of this and tried to find the truth, but Roxy wasn’t opening up. Roxy became so restless that he wasn’t sleeping well. He found himself over at Foxy’s grandkids home just watching them play. He watched Foxy teaching them grown-up games. He heard the laughter and could sense the closeness between the kids.
One evening when he was extra restless he quietly went over to the house he always watched. It was quiet. Everyone was sleeping. He crept up closer to the house. He used his tricks and jumped on the roof, chewing a big enough hole to slide down the inside of the house.
He made his way to the kids bedrooms. He went from room to room and would sit in the doorway just staring. Watching them sleep, listening to the snores. Roxy got to the place a routine was formed. Night after night he made his way over to the house.
But this one night when he landed on the floor he was standing right in front of Foxy fox. With anger in his eyes and teeth showing, arms crossed he immediately asked Roxy raccoon why and what was he doing there.
Roxy raccoon was too afraid to tell the truth. They both turned around when they heard a patter at the door. Foxy fox went and opened it and let Fancy rabbit in. Now here were all three best friends standing on guard of each other.
Each waiting to be attacked. Each instinct was in full force. Again Foxy fox asked Roxy raccoon why he was there.
Roxy raccoon hung his head down low and pretending he was brushing something off of his paw said, ” Nothing. Just nothing. I wasn’t doing nothing wrong.”
” Now come on Roxy, you know me. You wouldn’t be coming over here during the night, breaking into my roof, destroying it by chewing a hole in it and then staring in at my kids while they sleep.”
Roxy raccoon turned to walk a way and Fancy rabbit hopped over to the door and blocked it so Roxy could not leave. ” Look here Roxy. We are your friends. We do everything together. What ever is wrong you need to tell us. Let us help you. Haven’t we been friends long enough that you can trust us?” asked Fancy rabbit.
Roxy raccoon covered his striped eyes with his paws and started to weep. ” I, I , I am so lonely. I just want a family too. I want to be like you and show my kids how to find food, and chase animals.”
When the other two heard his story they walked over to him and they put their arms around their friend and patted his head trying to make him feel better. ” Well Roxy raccoon, I can sure understand what you are saying. I guess I would feel the same way if I didn’t have my own family. But that’s no reason to sneak in here and scare the hair off our backs is it?”
Fancy rabbit shook his head and Roxy raccoon looked down at the floor. Foxy fox tapped his chin while thinking of how they could help their friend feel better. He paced the floor back and forth thinking. Pretty soon the other two followed him and they were pacing and thinking.
Suddenly Foxy fox stopped. The other two bumped into him knocking him down. Foxy fox picked himself up and brushed grass off his clothes. Soon all three were laughing. ” I tell you what. I think I have an idea. What if you took care of our grandkids. You know the parents have a lot of work to do. We each here have been taking turns keeping an eye on them, but I got things to do myself and I am sure Fancy rabbit has some work waiting for him. So why don’t you become the grandpa of all the grandbabies?”
They each looked at the other. Foxy fox and Fancy rabbit nodded at each other in agreement on this idea. Roxy raccoon dried his tears and looked into each of his friends eyes and then smiled real big. ” I like that idea. I like it real well.”
From that day on Roxy raccoon grandpa took over when everyone was busy. He played games with them. They went swimming and found new hunting grounds. Each night when he went to bed he was worn out and he never was restless again. The End
Moral of the Story; We all need to feel we belong, just like the creatures of the world. Showing love and friendship is the best gift you can give. When you are shopping for gifts this year at Christmas, and you are complaining of the extreme prices, always remember : friendship is the best gift you can give and it is always free and I am pretty sure it will be welcomed. Terry Shepherd
Who I am 