In the winter light I see it

(Sung to the tune of Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain") 

In the winter light I see it

Brown things sitting on the snow

Everywhere my doggie's wandered

Shining with a golden glow

Wilbur's not real fond of winter

It's so hard to make him go

Still I know I'll see till springtime

Dog poop sitting on the snow ...

(Author unknown)

Holiday etiquette for dogs

Be especially patient with your humans during this time. 

1.      They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2.      They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3.      Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4.      They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
* Don't pee on the tree.
* Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree.
* Mind your tail when you are near the tree.
* If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have
   your name on them, don't rip them open.
* Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.

5.      Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
* Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans.
* Don't eat off the buffet table.
* Beg for goodies subtly.
* Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa.
* Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.

6.      Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
Observe all the rules for trees that may be in other people's houses (4a is particularly important).
* Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house.
* Tolerate children.
* Turn on your charm big time.

7.      A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!

 

(Author unknown)

Unter'm Weihnachtsbaum

Es war einmal, unter'm Weihnachtsbaum,

da erfüllte sich mein Hundetraum.

Ein Päckchen in Geschenkpapier,

was erschnüffelt meine Nase denn hier?

saftig - lecker - fein,

ein, zwei, drei Stücke Ohren vom Schwein.

 

Nix wie ran an das Geschenkeband,

schnell weg mit dem lästigen Papier:

'Die Ohren, die sind "MIR". '

Meine Äuglein, die leuchten,

mein Magen schon knurrt,

warum ist das Geschenkeband so festgezurrt?

 

Die Mühe war groß, doch ich hab's geschafft,

ich habe mein Päckchen allein ausgepackt.

Und endlich, da sah ich sie vor mir liegen,

leck're Schweineohren, die sich biegen!

Genüsslich kauend wird mir klar,

Weihnachten ist auch für ganz wunderbar!

 

(Autor unbekannt)

Gift wrapping with a puppy

1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor.
2. Get tape back from puppy.
3. Remove scissors from older chow's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take puppy out of box.
6. Remove tape from older chow's mouth.
7. Take scissors away from puppy.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove present from puppy's mouth.
10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box.

A Christmas "Tail"

Shags yawned as he stretched and rolled over. The fire was crackling and his family was asleep upstairs. He liked watching the lights on the tree twinkle and reflect on all the shiny objects that hung from it.

"Yes," he thought to himself, "I am a very lucky Sheepie." 

Normally, Shags slept next to Amelia. Her father would push her chair to the bottom of the stairs, then carry her to her room and tuck her in. Shags waited patiently until this process was completed before taking his "position" on the bed. Amelia's father always gave Shags a quick butt scratch and reminded him to take care of "our girl" before leaving the room. This was the time of day Shags loved the most. Amelia would scratch his head and tell him her dreams, sometimes through tears - dreams of dancing, skating, playing or even just walking. Shags tried his best to comfort Amelia by softly licking her fingers or very quietly whimpering, just a little, to let her know he understood. He wished he could tell her how much he loved her, as she told him, every night, just before they drifted off to sleep. 

Tonight was different, though. After Amelia's mom and dad went to bed, Shags quietly stole downstairs to wait. This was his fourth Christmas with Amelia and her family, but he only started remembering his arrival this past year. He remembered that before he was Amelia's, there was no one to love him. He wandered the streets of the city with his buddies, looking for food and shelter. Neither of those things came easy. One day, while Shags was off sniffing around on his own, a man approached him. Shags was not afraid of humans like the others were, and so he allowed this man to get close. The next thing he knew, there was a cord around his neck and he was being put into a truck.

He was unloaded at a place where there were lines of cages, some of them held old friends and acquaintances. He was placed in a cage with another dog of no particular lineage, who was very old and very tired.

"What is this place?" asked Shags.

The no particular dog explained the place to him, which really didn't sound all that bad until the last sentence was uttered: "They keep you until someone comes for you or your time is up, whichever comes first."

This did not sound good.

Tears of remembrance

There will come a day when your tears of sorrow will softly flow into tears of remembrance ... and your heart will begin to heal itself ... and grieving will be interrupted by episodes of joy ... and you will hear the whisper of hope.

There will come a day when you will welcome the tears of remembrance ... as a sunshower of the soul ... a turning of the tide ... a promise of peace.

There will come a day when you will ... risk loving ... go on believing... and treasure the tears of remembering. 

(Author unknown)

While we are apart

Distance may separate us, but my heart will never let you go,

For I carry a part of you with me always.

It keeps me going through the day.

It brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.

It is a part of my dreams that I live for and cherish.

That part is my wish, my only one,

To see you again soon.

I know that wish will someday come true.

But for now, I will hold in my heart

The memory of you

And never let you go.

 

(Author unknown)

Rest your weary head (or: For a loved dog)

Rest your weary little head and drift off into dreams

Frolic in the sunshine and bathe in God's moonbeams

Use the stars as stepping stones to take you to your peace

The pain of life forgotten now you have found release.

 

Without rain a flower folds, the petals drop and die

There was no way to save you, you couldn't even cry

So we cry all the tears instead as we must let you go

To Heaven and God's garden to blossom and to grow.

 

The little seed is planted, you'll be watered every day

The angels will tend all your needs as in their arms you lay

Your life will be amazing now and full of wondrous things.

Rest in peace, our dear, sweet poppy, go fly on angels wings.

 

(Author unknown)

The soul of a dog

My playful dog would sneak up as I slept

Then my face he would swab with his tongue

Though most of his loyal exploits and faith

And his acts of pure love went unsung.

 

What better example of love can be found

Than the love of a true faithful pet

A dog whose consistent attention to you

Leaves memories you never can forget

 

A dog unrequited love will you give

Your affection he never will spurn.

Responsive he'll be to your every command

And will nothing expect in return.

 

He'll accept all affection that's directed his way

But content if he just can be near.

Yet always he hopes you will reach out your hand

And scratch behind both of his ears.

 

All of my dogs lived a rich and full life

Till death finally tallied its toll,

But ere they departed, I looked in their eyes

And I swear that each dog had a soul.

 

(Author unknown)

There is no death

There is no death! The stars go down

To rise upon some other shore,

And bright in heaven's jeweled crown

They shine forevermore.

 

There is no death! The forest leaves

Convert to life the viewless air;

The rocks disorganize to feed

The hungry moss they bear.

 

There is no death! The dust we tread

Shall change, beneath the summer showers

To golden grain, or mellowed fruit,

Or rainbow-tinted flowers.

Hundeweihnacht

Es heißt, dass in der Heil'gen Nacht

mit ihrem Glanz und ihrer Pracht

ein jedes Tierlein sprechen kann,

gut zu versteh'n für jedermann.

Doch gilt das nur für eine Stunde

und selbstverständlich auch für Hunde.

So hab ich schnell mal aufgebellt,

was mir an Weihnachten gefällt:

 

Wenn abends aufhört all das Rennen

und schon die ersten Lichtlein brennen,

die Menschen geh'n, so ist 's der Brauch

zur Mette in die Kirche auch,

und lassen mich so ganz allein.

Ich frag mich: Fällt mir da nichts ein?

 

Zuerst mal wird, ganz mit Bedacht,

das Weihnachtsbäumchen klein gemacht.

Am Zweiglein knabbern, Äste beißen,

die bunten Kugeln runterreißen.

Lametta, Kerzen, alles fliegt!

Und Frauchen hat nichts mitgekriegt.

Keep my memory …

Keep my memory with you

For memories never die

I will be there with you

When you look across the sky

 

I will be there in the clouds

In the birds that fill the air

In the beauty of a fragrant rose

You will find my memory there

 

You will feel me in the tenderness

Of a tiny baby's touch

You will hear me if you listen

In the twilight's gentle hush

 

When your hearts are heavy

And you feel that you are alone

Just reach down deep inside of you

For your heart is now my home

 

I will always be with you

I will never go away

For I will live on in your hearts

Forever and a day

 

(Author unknown)

Heartbroken ...

I know that you are heartbroken

And sad that I am gone.

But I am in Heaven now,

And I'm never once left alone.

 

Oh I wish you could see me now.

Heaven is a beautiful sight to see.

Jesus is the light that shines forever.

And He walks daily with me.

 

Oh, the skies are never gray here.

And it never ever rains.

Although I know you feel the pain...

Up here, there is no pain.

 

Angels always sing in a choir for me!

With voices so beautiful and clear.

I am in the presence of my loved ones.

I haven't seen one tear!

 

I know that you are hurting for me.

I can't make your pain disappear.

But if you could see me now, you'd know

I am happy in Heaven and I still love you from here!

 

(Author unknown)

Precious

Precious dogs are very few

That’s why there was only one of you

Nothing on earth can ever replace

The sound of your bark ... The smile on your face ...

You changed my life beyond compare

The light of your Love is everywhere

All my Love this day I send

From my broken heart that will never mend ...

 

(Author unknown)

To have, to love, and then to part

To have, to love, and then to part

Is the greatest sorrow of one's heart.

The years may wipe out many things

But some they wipe out never,

Like memories of those happy times

When we were all together.

 

(Author unknown)