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#AtoZChallenge: Kittens
Tikey at the point of adoption š Photo Ā© Diane Weidenbenner There is something irresistable about kittens. Those small bundles of fur and purr are God’s gift and blessing to us. Even people who don’t like cats usually admit that kittens are adorable. Kittens are small and cuddly. Their claws, while sharp, are usually tiny and therefore not painful and rarely penetrate skin or clothing. I love it when kittens yawn. Their faces scrunch up, they close their eyes and they show every single tooth in their head. And, their little pink tongues look like flower petals that have curled. They are used to getting everything they want or need…
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A to Z Challenge: “R”elaxation
My husband looks longingly at our cats and our dog, when they sleep. He says, “Wouldn’t it be great to be that relaxed?!” It’s like they abandon all striving and let their kittie/puppy dream states take over. Once in awhile you’ll see them twitch or whimper – I think one of them is having a bad dream but he or she could just as easily be chasing the bird/squirrel of their choice. I recently had a knee replacement and this meant that I had to sleep on my back, with my leg elevated on a pillow, above my heart. Talk about uncomfortable! It’s hard enough to get to sleep after…
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A to Z Challenge: “Q”uite the hardworkers!
I am fascinated by squirrels. First, they are one of the hardest working animals I know. You never see a squirrel kickinā back on a Chaise lounge, drinking a fruity drink with a little umbrella sticking out of it. They are always running hither and yon, finding nuts, burying nuts, unearthing nuts, chasing each other (usually over nuts), harassing my dog, attacking our bird feeders (you guessed it ā for nuts!) Second, they have incredible memories. How do they remember where they planted their nuts? I canāt remember where I put my keys and my brain is larger (at least I think it is!) In the spring, itās like they…
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A to Z Challenge: “I”nterspecies coexistence or how cats and dogs get along!
My husband and I have several cats (they were mine and he adopted them). We’d been married 10 years when I attended a Plants and Pets in the Park fundraiser for the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Society, to pick up a few spring plants. I found a few along with an 8-pound puppy that I couldn’t live without. A few weeks later, we adopted “Hershey” who they predicted would be about 45 pounds when full-grown. He is now 70+ pounds of pure love (it could be all the Cheez-Its and Twizzlers that my husband shares with him). A year after we adopted Hershey, my friend Sandy and I rescued a two-pound…
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Blogging A to Z: “I”-n memory of … good friends!
Bestie Sandy (left) and Becky, having a toast to something wonderful, at St. Mary’s Supper Club. A good friend of mine passed away from lymphoma in April 25, 2013, and I miss her. There are those people that you meet and you feel āright at homeā with. Becky was that type of person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and many times weād laugh until we were both in tears. She loved animals and rescuing them, she liked telling peopleās stories (she was a journalist) and she had a big heart. Sheās a big reason that I have one of the loves of my life, my dog Hershey. And,…
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Blogging A to Z: G-enes or “Who’s your daddy…?”
Genes are a miraculous thing. I know for example that I received my green eyes and red hair from my dad’s side of the family. And, I’ve got my love of learning and my bad temper from my mom’s genetic pool. There are probably a lot more gene combinations in my make-up that I don’t even realize. Hershey, our 5-year-old puppy. Take our adopted dog, Hershey, for example. He’s a beautiful black and brown color with a touch of gray on his chest, tummy and chin (which you’d see if his tongue wasn’t in the way). He’s 70 pounds of pure muscle with a German Shepherd tail and what I…
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Blogging from A to Z: Reuse, recycle, ruff!
These two beautiful dogs were at this year’s Earth Day, compliments of the Parke-Vermillion County Humane Shelter located near Clinton, Ind. Their names are Stubby and Angel and their owner passed away. They are about 8 years old and are affectionate, loving, calm and just looking for the next “ms/mrs/mr right” to share their lives with. If you have room in your heart and home for these two dogs, please contact the PVCHS at 765-492-3540. Please leave a message if the answering machine picks up. We got Hershey at the PVCHS and he’s been wonderful. This shelter has a low-kill rate because they work so hard to get their pets…
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Blogging from A to Z: Oh, no, my dog ate my …
Woke up this morning to Hershey eating a paper item that he had acquired off my bedside table which I soon discovered was my blog calendar for the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Hershey is our (now two-year-old) Australian Cattle Dog/Labrador dog. We love him to death but it’s always a mystery as to what he’s eating next. I also found another hole in our down comforter this morning. I’ve already spent enough time on him in my blog post entitled, Hershey, an apology and Down for the count among others. Suffice it to say I need an extra day to recreate my blog calendar. So, this is my blog…
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Blogging from A to Z: Dogs resemble their owners, yes?
Iāve heard of dogs and how, if you put their photos side-by-side with their owners, many look like they are related. However, have you ever heard of dogs getting ailments similar to their adoptive parents? It was a week before I left for California on business that Hershey began having problems with his lower back. One night right before bed, he sat on our bed and cried. For over an hour, he whined like he was in excruciating pain. It was heartbreaking! We have a central emergency vet so I called them to let them know we were coming. Hershey loves car rides and going ābye-byeā but even he didnāt…
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All creatures, great and small
Iām a big fan of Godās creatures. The only things that make me uncomfortable are large, jumping spiders or roach gangs (you know they never travel alone). That said, when I woke up in the middle of the night to let my dog outside, and happened to wander into the living room to find our three cats strategically hunkered down around the swivel chair, I became apprehensive. Tails were swishing in wide strokes (except for Ollie, the Manx cat sans tail) indicating the hunt was on. With only my outdated eyeglasses and lack of courage to guide me, I returned to bed. One of three things would happen: 1) Whatever…
