Just A Dog

Just A Dog

From time to time people tell me,
"lighten up, it's just a dog",
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog".

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog".

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog", but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my sadddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog", and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you too think it's "just a dog", then you won't understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. 

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

 I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human".

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they "just don't understand!"
 
- author unknown

Sunny Sunday Morning

Sophie found this deflated ball in the park the other day.  She was so proud to have discovered it abandoned by the school children.  She carried all the way home wagging her tail the whole time.  It has now become a great toy for the dogs.  It won't last forever but while it does they will certainly get lots of joy from it. 

Throw it! Throw it! Throw it!

Fabulous Fall Weather

My dogs are tired now and sleeping legs up in the air on their backs.  We have been having such wonderful weather these last few days but the forcast calls for rain and showers for the next several days :0(  I decided we would take advantage of today's sunshine and after I dropped the kids off at school the dogs and I went for a long walk in Sunnybrook Park.   It was warm and sunny, we hiked along trails, over bridges and ran across the fields.  I brought my camera but the batteries had no more life left in them so I have no photos to share with you.  I do however, have some photos I took yesterday when the dogs were keeping me company while I raked leaves.  I love the fall!

Quincy in the leaves - Tollers look great in fall photos.

My boy looks good for a 10 year old no?  His Grandma just turned 16.  I think Quincy has got a lot of life left in him yet :0)

 It's hard to take photos of black hairy dogs but here you can see Sophie's eyes! 

My two treasures....Quincy always looks like he is smiling....

Happy Thanksgiving

We headed north to spend Thanksgiving weekend at the cottage.  This year I am thankful for so many things and the weather that we got to enjoy with our family was one of them.  It was absolutely spectacular.  So now that I am home again I thought I would upload a few photos and videos of our weekend in the great outdoors.

What a nut...you think she could have found herself a smaller stick!

 This video will forever remind me of the bliss of being at the cottage with a dog.  It was morning time and I was still wearing my fuzzy slippers, p.j.'s and robe.  The air was cool and crisp and it was sunny and gorgeous outside so I grabbed my camera and headed down to the water.  Sophie of course tagged along.  I took lots of photos of the trees and water and Sophie was begging me to throw something, anything for her so I grabbed a stick and tossed it in for her.  I love it... water retrieves in pajamas!

The "girls" went for a canoe ride together...while we were out paddling we thought we would try to find the beaver dam we knew was around somewhere... and ta da...we found it!

 

The evenings and nights were just as nice as the days... beautiful sunsets, still water and starry skies.

Thanksgiving Delights

On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.

For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.

We’re grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.

The list of all we’re grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!

By Joanna Fuchs

2012 Club Barbet Canada Calendar - Available Now!

Hey Everyone!  The 2012 Club Barbet Canada Calendar is available now.  It's filled with wonderful photos of our beloved Barbets that were sent in by club members.  The calendar is bilingual and you can order yours by going to the club website  http://www.barbetclub.ca/en

A rainbow on our walk...

No vision and you perish; no ideal, and you're lost; your heart must ever cherish some faith at any cost, some hope, some dream to cling to, some rainbow in the sky, some melody to sing to, some service that is high.

--Harriet du Autremont

It was a lovely walk yesterday.  The air has a distint chill and fall is almost upon us.  I absolutely love the autumn months.  I think the dogs do too.

Get Your Dish :0)

I don't remember when I taught Quincy to bring me his food bowl.  It was a while ago though 'cause he's been doing it for years now!  I have yet to teach Sophie to get her dish also...hmmmm maybe once the kids are in school....click treat :0)