Helen's Home World: October 2015

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Howl-o-ween

Mums carved a couple punkins last night. She wasna too happy wid how da first one turned out. The next one took lots o time but it turned out just great. She broked both of the little carving knifes so she had to go real slow to do da little pieces.

Bat-o-lantern

Haunted House

Today Mums raked a lot o leaves from da backyard and set up da front porch for da little trick or treaters. We been wearing our howl-o-ween collars all week but today Mum's made us wear da hats too for da picture. Keltic did na wanna look at Mums so I had to sit for quite a long time afore she got a good picture. Mums does na trust Keltic much either as she putted a leash on him too so he could na runs away. I is a good boy and did na need a leash on me.

We is all ready now for da little kids to come.

Happy Howl-o-ween from me, Beckett and from my pumpkinhead brudder Keltic.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Thankful!

It's beautiful fall day, just one of the many things that I'm thankful for. When I was younger, Thanksgiving was just a long weekend with a wonderful meal prepared by my mother and father. I didn't really appreciate it but now I think it is my favourite holiday. It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of Christmas but it's a holiday that gives you time to spend with family and time to reflect on what's important.

Saturday I hosted an ice cream social in my sun room. It was wonderful to have so many friends and family join me. I couldn't have asked for a nicer fall day. I think everyone enjoyed their sundaes.

While there's no longer a meal prepared by my parents; the next generation is carrying on the traditions. This year my niece and her boyfriend made us Thanksgiving dinner. It was wonderful; turkey with all the trimmings even if we did forget the sweet potatoes in the microwave.

Today, I put away the outdoor patio furniture and most of the agility equipment. The teeter and mini dogwalk are still out as I think I'll have to mow the lawn one more time and those things have to go in last. It was such a gorgeous day that I decided to take the dogs to Mer Bleu. I used to go there with Duffy when I was first posted here and I took Ceilidh and Tucker there once but with agility taking up most weekends I've never been there with Beckett and Keltic. Today, half the city must have been out, hard to really enjoy the woods with all the crowds of people but once we were on the smaller trails it was pretty quiet.

So as this weekend draws to close, what am I thankful for? I'm thankful for blue skies, autumn leaves of gold and red, and warm breezes. I'm thankful for my freedoms, my health and my home (I love my new sun room). I'm thankful for my fur kids, both those I have with me and all the ones gone ahead that have been part of my journey. I'm thankful to enjoy wealth that many people only dream of; it lets me take part in the wonderful sport of agility with my dogs and to travel and do many things without worrying if I can afford it. But most of all I'm thankful for family and friends who are there when times are good to celebrate with me and when times are not so good to support me.

Beckett and Keltic enjoyed the walk. They got to meet other dogs and were petted by a number of children. Can you find Beckett and Keltic? They were good posing for me today. I'm thankful for that too.

Where are they?

There they are!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother