When all other friends desert he remains.

"The one absolutely unselfish friend a man can have....the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog...He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains."

-From a pledging in front of a jury by George Graham Vest

A Dog's Ten Commandments

From a Dog's Point of View by Stan Rawlinson

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Regular separation from you will be painful and can even cause depression. Think before you buy me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me don't be impatient, short-tempered or irritable.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back, respect is earned not given as some sort of inalienable right.

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. I am not capable of understanding why I am being locked up. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your tone. "You only have to look at my tail" to know that.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget, if that treatment is unjust or bad, it may spoil the special bond between us.

7. Please do not hit me. I cannot hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I don't ever want to feel the need to do that.

8. Before you tell me off me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I've been out in the sun too long, maybe my heart is getting old and weak, or maybe I'm just dog-tired.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and will also want care, love, and affection.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, Irrespective of what you do I will always love you.

Fetch with Colbert

Click here! > Fetch with Colbert

Watching this I realize that three years ago he absolutely wouldn't look at someone, never mind play fetch off leash, unfenced, and with cars going by. I ♥ Mr Fancy Pants

Why old dogs are the best dogs

"Old dogs can be cloudy-eyed and grouchy, gray of muzzle, graceless of
gait, odd of habit, hard of hearing, pimply, wheezy, lazy, and lumpy.
But to anyone who has ever known an old dog, these flaws are of little
consequence. Old dogs are vulnerable. They show exorbitant gratitude and
limitless trust. They are without artifice. They a...re funny in new and
unexpected ways."

This by far describes Oreo. We had a stray spend the night with us Sunday night, she had a tag and would be going home, but it was dark pouring, and she only had her dog license. Oreo was so insecure, intent on constantly cuddling, not protecting or guarding, but cuddling with us. Wide eyed and cranky at the young female lab. He wanted nothing to do with her, despite his reputation for always thoroughly checking out every dog he meets.

If you have an old dog, might I recommend some tissues.

Why old dogs are the best dogs.

The Unforgettable Story of an Adopted Labrador Retriever

You best get yourself a big box of tissues to read this one.

A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG By Diane Morgan

A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG

By Diane Morgan



I am the bridge,
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand.
I will love you with my whole heart.
I will make you whole.

I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well,
and sleek,
when your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.

I will let you go-not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever--A new dog needs me now.

A Little Recap, and more on having an older dog.

As we know, Max had his 6th birthday on the 5th. He has also started to develop white hairs on his nose.

On the 4th I took him in with Colbert, who got a rabies titer, to let the vet look at a lump on Max's head.

It was about the size of a bee-bee, but would get smaller or larger when it felt like it, due to the fact that it was a solid mass, the vet wanted to take it off. They didn't think it was cancer, but the possibility was definitely there.

That was done on the 17th, Max had the most awesome hair cut (still does, but it's nearly all grown back in by now), it was to be 10 to 14 days til we got the result.




































The day before Thanksgiving we got the call, it was a benign lump, and a fairly common type of tumor, and in the usual spot it is found on dogs. Something we will have to be on the look out as he gets older.

Nov 27th, Buela turned 4. and on the 3rd of December, Colbert also turned 4.

An Apology for my Pit Bull by Betty Geist

AN APOLOGY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OFFENDED BY MY DOG OR (PIT BULLS) by Betty Geist

I'm sorry you are frightened of my dogs and are trying to have them killed because they are pit bulls.

I'm sorry you lack the understanding of this breed's true history, gentleness with people, wonderful temperament, intelligence and behavioral conformation.

I'm sorry you won't read the ATTS stats regarding our breed's true temperament, putting it in the top four for temperament, scoring better than breeds like Golden Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels.

I'm sorry that you side with and protect animal abusers by marking the breed of dog, and not the irresponsibility of the owner.

I'm sorry that by your logic I could steal a car, run some people over with it and then you can blame the make of car for the accident, as I walk free.

I'm sorry you generalize one breed of dog with one group of people. I'm sorry you can't see the love and determination that many often highly educated, non-criminal and "normal" types of people show towards this breed and the great personal sacrifices that they make to take care of their dog responsibly.

I'm sorry you cannot go into the shelters and see the hundreds of abandoned and abused pit bulls, dying only for the inane "crime" of being born the breed they are.

I'm sorry you cannot see the look of disappointment in their eyes as someone walks by their kennel, and refuses to consider adopting them based on an ill educated fear mongering reporter.

I'm sorry that you cannot be there when the animal looks at a human for the last time, and in spite of betrayed by all humans they have met, their tail still wags as someone approaches with the syringe of Euthinol.

I'm sorry cannot be there when law enforcement shoots one of your dogs dead inside it's own home in front of the children it mutually loves for simply getting off the dog bed and walking over to say hello with it's tail wagging.

I'm sorry you cannot be there to rescue pit bull puppies from a plastic bag in a dumpster, dumped there by someone switching their illegal, and inhumane activities to another, more lucrative breed.

I'm sorry you cannot understand the difference between canine and human aggression, in the way that this breed can. Yes, I'm saying my pit bull is smarter then you.

I'm sorry that the medieval witch hunting genetics of intolerance, generalization, and racism make you feel the need to vilify a breed of dog.

I'm sorry that justice, equality, tolerance, common sense are all things you hold dear as a fellow American, and expect from others, but do not yourself offer them towards a pit bull or its caregiver.

I'm sorry that you don't take the constructive time to petition changes in the American animal cruelty act, and in the criminal code that would deal out serious punishment to the real animal abusers.

I'm sorry you cannot see the disappointed look on a puppy's face when the people petting it quickly frown, and walk away when you tell them it is a pit bull.

I'm sorry you feel the need to terrorize my family and my dogs for crimes we never have and never will commit.

I'm sorry you don't have to live in fear of your dog's safety from hysterical, and mentally unstable people trying to inflict all manner of evil upon your dogs.

I'm sorry that you cannot see my breed working in some of the best Search and Rescue groups in the world, saving countless lives each year.

I'm sorry our media censors and refuses to print the breed name "pit bull' when in connection with a positive act such as saving a person or child from a burning house, drowning, wild attacking animals, etc.

I'm sorry you cannot see the many pit bulls registered as therapy dogs and bringing so much joy to another misunderstood, neglected demographic in our society, the senior citizen.

I am sorry you can't see a pit bull kiss a child, step carefully over a kitten, or play in a sunbeam.

I'm sorry you cannot wake in the morning to feel a warm pit bull cuddled next to you in bed, and know that you are their total world, and even if the house caught fire and trapped you, they would stay with you to the end.

But, now that I really think about it, I'm not at all sorry you don't own a pit bull--you do not deserve one!

Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November.

Max will be 6 on Friday the fifth. Hard to imagine that he is nearing senior status himself, D even found that some of the hairs around his nose have turned white.

Just don't tell him that he is getting old. ;)

Max started life as a pound puppy, big feet, big ears, big lavender tongue, and was adopted by a girl named A. Due to the curve balls associated with being in the Navy, A needed to re-home her 2 dogs and cat. Enter D, A and D worked together during shore duty, so we went to her house one day to see which dog would get along best with the girls. Max was it.

He has taught Buela and Colbert to be little fetch monsters, and with out a doubt played a massive role in rehabilitating Colbert into a nearly normal dog. He is always the first to play with any new foster and is affectionately called the ladies man, I mean, who wouldn't want to pet a big yellow puffball with a cheezy poof tail?

Happy Early Birthday Maximus fluffious (big fluffy)! (and a big thank you to A!)





6 months-ish





























Last winter here at the farmhouse, and oh so handsome.

Dear Foster Mom,

There I sat, alone and afraid, you got a call and came right to my aid. You bundled me up with blankets and love, and when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold. That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.

You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend. You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you do,There came along not one new lesson, but two.

First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.Along came a new family, they even have kids!

They took me to their home, forever to stay.At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear. No matter how far, you will always be near.

And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on. I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day. You never really give your fosters away.

You gave me these thoughts to remember you by. We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You'll remember I lived with you for a time. I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

Author Unknown