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Time For A Break **OPEN THREAD**

By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on April 5, 2009 at 8:30 PM in Current Affairs

Well, yesterday was a pretty hard day, personally. One of the vet techs from our vet clinic came to pick up the puppies, which she will be fostering for us while we are out of the country. Three have already been spoken for so far (Lucas, Leo, and Loco), and it looks like they will all have homes before we return*. As I have said, these creatures were unexpected, to say the least, and a fair bit of work, but the joy, the love, the sheer delight they gave is beyond measure. They will be sorely missed around here, I can tell you. As a reminder, here are the beautiful puppies:

And so, since they are on my mind, I wanted to share a couple of videos with you. These were forwarded to me by Cousin EJ, the Education professor, who also sends the funniest jokes and neatest videos.

The first is just an amazing tale:


Watch CBS Videos Online

And for something that is just adorable, check this one out:

Hows cute is THAT?? And how patient is that cat? Wowie zowie! Anyway, I hope the photo and the videos brought a smile to your face, and a pleasant addition to your day.

* As a reminder, I will be out of the country for two weeks starting 4/7. Once I get over my jet-lag, I’ll be back at the keyboard!

  • Katmoon

    They are beautiful, so sleepy and sweet. RRRA you did a beautiful job of giving what was needed for them at this point in time, and now they get to have more”family” that will love them also; bittersweet, I am sure. That pain we get from giving love, seems to always remind us of how we desire to give care and nurture and “love”, knowing full well we will also experience the relinquishing our responsibility as the major “love giver”. I think we call that parenting in many ways, regardless of four-legged or two legged loved ones and babies! Thank you for sharing this journey with us, it has been a time of happiness reading your puppy stories.

    Now my own journey over the past 15 months relates, as I speak of my son, who returned yesterday from his second tour in Iraq. All of our children (my brothers, had 3 of their children in Iraq also), the four serving are now, home stateside. I can finally breathe again, without it catching, feeling tight or getting a lump in my throat. Note to God-Thank-you.

    As I shared this prayer with a few friend when my son came home, it is one that applies I believe to your four legged babies too. I mean no offense to anyone by posting the prayer, just a momentary, public reflection of gratitude, as you, who are regulars, know I worried and waited for 15 months.

    A Mother’s Prayer to the Guardian Angels of her Children
    I humbly salute you, O you faithful,
    heavenly Friends of my children!
    I give you heartfelt thanks
    for all the love and goodness you show them.
    At some future day I shall,
    with thanks more worthy than I can now give,
    repay your care for them,
    and before the whole heavenly court
    acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and
    protection.
    Continue to watch over them.
    Provide for all their needs of body and soul.
    Pray, likewise, for me,
    for my husband,
    and my whole family,
    that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company.

    Amen.

    • oowawa

      Katmoon, I don’t know what Almighty Power may be up there, out there, or deep inside, but I will my add my heartfelt Amen to that beautiful prayer.

    • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

      Thank you, Katmoon – and thank HEAVENS your son and nephews are all home safely. Thank them for their service, and to you, all of their parents and loved ones, for your service as well. We know they do not do what they do in a vacuum, but have the support and love of their families behind them.

      Beautiful prayer – thanks!

  • Cubs in 09

    THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY! :mrgreen:

    • I’mFedUp

      Is this when I say GO DODGERS?

      • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

        I believe that’s, Go, Yankees!!! (Or Braves, which is what we are watching now – my partner’s favorite team.) :-)

        I’mFedUp, I wish you could have had one or two, too! They really were so delightful – the vet tech and her boyfriend are just having a blast with them right now, and finding good, appropriate homes for them. I admit, I would not be upset if there was one left…

        And yes, I am glad they are going to go to loving homes, with people who will dote on them, but holy cow, it was so painful to let them go, especially since three of them were sleeping on my lap, and one right beside me, as we were all out in the backyard.

        Geez, I don’t know how you parents let your kids go – maybe that’s why there is adolescence? ;-)

        Thank you all, again, for your interest, support, stories, and kindness around the puppies – it means a lOT to me…

        • Cubs in 09

          RRRA… You will love Garrett Anderson (LF). He played with the Angels for 14 years. I’m heart-broken that they didn’t resign him.

      • Cubs in 09

        Oh! I love the Dodgers, too! I lived in LA for 7 years. :grin:

  • I’mFedUp

    Those are such gorgeous babies. I was so sad that I lived too far away to ask for one, or two, or three lol. I’m sure they are off to a great start in life because of your love and care. Grrrrr….MINE. I really wish I could have had them. So glad you got them great homes.

    I know this will be UN-PC, but I wish the SPCA hadn’t forced me to spay and neuter my rescued babies. I know, I know, they do it for a reason. But I wish my baby girls could have had just one litter. Sigh.

  • oowawa

    When I was much younger, I used to wonder about those newspaper articles you see from time to time where the authorities swoop down on some poor old soul who has a houseful of way way way too many animals. I used to wonder–now how in the world did that happen? They must be nuts. But now I understand it perfectly. I don’t dare visit the animal shelter anymore. I can no longer resist the sweet needy eyes looking for help and love . . .

    • I’mFedUp

      I’m with you oowawa…My father, God bless him, always said I would be one of those crazy dog ladies and would have 100 of them I left all my money too. He’s right. I can’t go to the shelters or pet stores either. I would literally have 100. There’s a man in Hollywood who did that. He has a huge estate in Malibu that he got for like 100 dogs to have a great life.

  • Peggy Sue

    I love the elephant and doggie vid. Life is always stranger and more mysterious [even grander] than fiction. The puppies are fat and adorable in their comfy bed. Mkes you want to snuggle right up next to them.

    Did the pics make me smile? Yes, they did. And I thank you for that! Have a great time in Europe, Amy.

    • oowawa

      Yes Rev. Amy, Bon Voyage! And I know you’re going to stand tall and do America proud, and won’t be bowing down to any Royals!

  • I’mFedUp

    I know everyone has probably seen this 100 times already. But it still makes me cry. Oowawa…this will be ME LOL.

    Grow Old With Dogs

    When I am old…
    I will wear soft gray sweatshirts…
    and a bandana over my silver hair…..
    and I will spend my social security checks on
    wine and my dogs.
    I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and
    listen to my dogs’ breathing.
    I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer
    night and take my dogs for a run,
    if my old bones will allow…
    When people come to call,
    I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs…
    and talk of them and about them…
    …the ones so beloved of the past and the ones so beloved of today….

    I will still work hard cleaning after them, mopping
    and feeding them and whispering their names
    in a soft loving way.
    I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a
    jewel and I will be an embarrassment to all…
    especially my family…
    who have not yet found the peace
    in being free to have dogs as your best friends….
    These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall…
    and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,
    to greet you as if you are a God.
    With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope
    that you will always stay, I’ll hug their big strong necks…
    I’ll kiss their dear sweet heads…
    and whisper in their very special company….
    I look in the Mirror…
    and see I am getting old….
    this is the kind of person I am…
    and have always been. Loving dogs is easy, they are part of me.
    Please accept me for who I am.
    My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives…
    they love my presence in their lives…… When I am old this will be important to me…
    you will understand when you are old….
    if you have dogs to love too.

    ~Author Unknown

    • oowawa

      Thanks for posting this, I’mFedUp. It’s very, very beautiful. I’ve outlived several dogs and miss them all a lot, but now I live with felines. I’ll bet there is a version of this lovely poem for cat owners . . .

      • I’mFedUp

        Don’t you love it? I used to be a cat person, and then I moved into a big house by myself and got my first dog for security really. Then I went wild and got five at one time, now three. If I can find a version about kitties I will post it. :mrgreen:

    • mountainaires

      Thanks, I hadn’t seen that poem! I love it.

      To RRRAmy, God Bless You for your love and care of animals. You’re my kind of people.

      To Katmoon: I am so happy for you, it brought tears to my eyes. To love a child and know the pain of sending them off to war is to die a thousand deaths and yet still breathe. I’m overjoyed for you all at their safe return.

  • I’mFedUp

    News Conference By President Obama (Obama invents new language!)

    Talking Points Memo ^ | April 4, 2009 | Transcript presented by the White House
    Posted on Sunday, April 05, 2009 4:08:43 PM by ScaniaBoy
    Palaiz [sic! - Palace is spelled Palais in French] de la Musique et Des Congres
    Strasbourg, France
    4:32 P.M. (Local)
    —[SNIP]— [Full press release at link above]
    Q Sonja Sagmeister from a little country, Austria, from Austrian Television. Mr. President, you said you came here to learn and to listen. So a quite personal question — what did you learn from your personal talk with the European leaders? And did this change in a certain way your views on Europe and its politics?
    PRESIDENT OBAMA: It’s an interesting question. I had already formed relationships with many of them. Some of them I had met when I traveled through Europe before my election. Some of them I had met because they came to Washington after the election. This is the first time I’ve been in a forum with so many of them at the same time.
    I’m extraordinarily impressed by the quality of leadership. I am constantly reminded that although there are cultural differences that are important and that we have to be sensitive to, what we have in common between Europe and the United States so vastly exceeds any differences that we have; that we should not forget why we are allies, and we should be careful about some of the easy stereotypes that take place on both sides of the borders.
    It was also interesting to see that political interaction in Europe is not that different from the United States Senate. There’s a lot of — I don’t know what the term is in Austrian — wheeling and dealing — and, you know, people are pursuing their interests, and everybody has their own particular issues and their own particular politics.

    (Excerpt) Read more at talkingpointsmemo.com …

    The Austrians speak GERMAN. What a frigging BUFFOON.

    • http://N/A breeze

      Comment by I’mFedUp | 2009-04-05 21:32:58

      “The Austrians speak GERMAN.
      What a friggingBUFFOON.”

      ————————————————–

      QUOTE 0Zero:

      “…everybody has their own particular issues and their own particular politics.”

      HIS GRAMMAR IS LOUSY, TOO.

      He should have said:

      “….everybody has HIS/HER own particular issues an
      HIS/HER own particular politics.”

      —————————————————

      wow, IS THIS ‘THE OBOTS’ GENIUS’?

      He has no inkling at all about the rest of the
      world – not that he knows the USA’s “57″ States
      that well, either…..

      Even MY English is better than his and I am a

      FOREIGNER…….

      • I’mFedUp

        He’s a grade school graduate Muslim, if that. Thanks to the Dems look what we got.

      • jbjd

        Another alternative is to pluralize the pronoun, as in “we” all have “our” own… or pluralize the noun, as in “people” have “their” own…

    • rw

      -what we have in common between Europe and the United States so vastly exceeds any differences that we have; that we should not forget why we are allies, and we should be careful about some of the easy stereotypes that take place on both sides of the borders.-

      borders?

  • TeakwoodKite

    Oh to act like a puppy on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Sigh.

    • oowawa

      Right on Teak. The Sunday talk shows get me so upset I would like to unwind by chewing up a shoe.

      • TeakwoodKite

        I normally spend time in the am on Sunday, watching the freak show and I was not disappointed.

        Susan Rice was a thrill a minute. Asked to respond to a comment from former Amb. Bolton, she was very wishy washy. UG!

        I shut the laptop in dismay and did yardwork all day, instead. Certianly was more rewarding…

        Love the old shoe image. :)

  • HARP

    AMERICAN drone attacks on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan are causing a massive humanitarian emergency, Pakistani officials claimed after a new attack yesterday killed 13 people.

    Pakistani officials say drone attacks have been stepped up since President Barack Obama took office in Washington, killing at least 81 people. A suicide attacker blew himself up inside a paramilitary base in Islamabad, killing six soldiers and wounding five yesterday.

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6036512.ece

  • I’m a Linda too

    oh! RRRA, you have done so good with the puppies, i give you so much credit for being able to do ALL of this.

    At least they’ll be in good hands while you’re gone.

    I would be getting myself in trouble fore sure. My brother in law used to be in charge of his local Humane Society. Every time a dog’s limit approached, he would “foster” them and bring them home. At one point he had about 30 dogs. When he came out for a visit, he wanted to check out how their operation was, so I took him. They were nice to give him the full tour (for him, not nice for me) and they brought us to the “holding” area. When he explained to me what was going on, what, who, when, I became an absolute cry baby. I looked at those sweet faces not knowing what was going to happen, but so excited to see someone and I just couldn’t take it. I was almost hysterical. My b-i-l had to almost pull me out of there.

  • Jim S

    Enjoy the internet? Thought Bush violated civil rights with wire taps? You’re going to love this one:

    http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/9951

    The new motto of the Democrat Party:

    Constitution? We don’t need no Constitution.

    • http://N/A breeze
    • I’mFedUp

      And yet as Canada notes that America is a piece of crap and laughingstock, we will have the Bots who think this criminal is doing a great job. As I said, Canada and Mexico should close THEIR borders. America is a third world banana republic hell hole.

    • candymarl

      I warned long before the election that Obama would be Bush on steroids. Regrettably I was right.

    • getfitnow

      Those wiretaps that BO supported–after he was against them? Yep, those are the ones!

  • rw

    Beautiful pups. Like that video of the elephant and Bella, all my respect to the people who founded and work the sanctuary.

  • TeakwoodKite
  • socalannie

    Oooh! We’ll miss the puppy pix. I would’ve picked Lucky if I could’ve had one. Have a great trip Rev Amy! Look forward to your posts when you return!

  • tango

    Barack boring? It can’t be so, not when you’re the greatest orator in the whole wide world.

    http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/blog/2009/04/05/barack_obama_really_does_go_on_a_bit

    • I’m a Linda too

      LOL

      Europe nails Obama in less than a week. And this was from a supporter!-Linda

      Barack Obama really does go on a bit [title]

      Isn’t it time for him to go home yet? [opening statement]

      Is there a computer which churns this stuff out for him? [middle]

      [because I can't resist]
      “the world was divided, and our nations were faced with very different circumstances. Few people would have predicted that someone like me would one day become an American President.” (Him again)…[MESSAGE RECEIVED...ALREADY]

      But I’ll wager that within a year or so he’ll be marked down as a wind-bag. [ending statement]

  • Sassy

    Hey Amy!
    Don’t grieve for too long. I’m sure that another needy blessing will find your loving abode in due time!
    Your timing for your tour is off! Why didn’t you match your schedule with BO?
    HA!HA!