Lessons Learned from a Wire Fox Terrier

By Krisi Paxton



1. Do everything with passion, whether it is licking a hole in an old railroad tie or eating a friend’s last bite of pancake.
2. Eat when you are hungry. Bounce when you are happy. Sleep when you are tired. Get dirty.
3. Cuddle with your loved ones. Read their moods. Sneak a kiss whenever possible.
4. Take long and frequent walks with your two-legged friends. Stop to smell the flowers or rub your face in the snow. Detour from the plan once in a while.
5. Be patient with small children.
6. Ask for nothing more than simple food, water and an occasional last slurp from a cereal bowl.
7. Be content to hang out with those you love. Travel with them every chance you get. Make friends in strange lands.
8. Explore the woods. Mingle with other species. Be afraid of nothing.
9. Expect little.
10. Appreciate everything.

Ziggy, a loyal companion, passed away May 9. She was only eight years old, but she crammed 100 years of pleasure into each moment. People smiled and chuckled when Ziggy entered a room. She lived her last spring day at home, lying in cool grass, basking in soft breezes and warm sunshine. Her loved ones sat with her, touched her, laughed at her quirks and admired her fine qualities.

I want to be just like Ziggy.

ODDS AND ENDS

 

By Nerola (Rolie) Grady

As the holidays draw near, my brain is filled with many loose end thoughts. Does anyone want to volunteer as a human Personal Reminder?  I didn’t think so.  To relieve the pressure, I’m going to share some observations about life on Lombard Street.

-Tomorrow I’ll travel to my home town for the funeral of a dear family friend, Carol “Toots” Youngwirth.   Toots was a delightful lady.  Creativity was her daily bread and butter.  One neighbor recalled how she made a purse out of potato chip bags.

 Toots and Johnny, her husband, had six kids and several pets to round out their family.  I’ll share two of their pet stories.  There was Dorothy, the white duck, who injured her leg and couldn’t walk.  Rather than get rid of her, Toots and Johnny brought her to the town doctor (my father). “Doc, see what you can do.  Dorothy needs help!”  Dad didn’t usually treat  animals, but he agreed  Dorothy was in a bad way.  While they held her beak shut, Dad put a splint on Dorothy’s leg.  She  got well and lived to waddle for many more years.

The next story is about Happy, their white Scotty dog.  He held center stage until his death  a year ago in January.  Since the backyard was frozen, they decided to delay Happy’s funeral until the spring.  Happy was stored in a chest freezer in the garage.  Johnny built a casket out of fine walnut, and a vault was purchased from the local funeral home.

In May, Toots planned a special ceremony  on Mother’s Day.  About 35 people came, along with ten of Happy’s doggy friends.  Of course, there was a viewing.  Then Dawn, their daughter, played “How Much Is That Doggy In the Window” on her accordion.  Several readings were also given before Toots served a luncheon for the visitors.

There are no words for good memories.  They are just part of life’s fabric.  Those moments weave together a melody of love that is sweet to hear.

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-A couple funnies from my Facebook page:

“I’m half Greek and half German.  I’m so upset with myself and am tired of bailing myself out.”  Tina Fey

“Persistence, thy name is small children.  If Guantanamo Bay had used 2-yr-olds to question suspects, they could close the prison down in no time flat.”  (Susan Stanley, my niece)

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A Thanksgiving Prayer

Father, thank You there is too much to remember.  Thank You for moments of seeing Your fingerprints on each day,  the beauty of human love, adventures in Your kingdom, and the awareness that You are MORE than enough for whatever I need.  Amen.