Who you calling Fugly?

Come closer so I can bite off your ugly...  - Emma

Did anyone else see that fish jump?

Looked like a 9 lbs bass to me.  - Della

Good gawd. She is touching me again, isn't she?

The human just doesn't get it.  STOP TOUCHING ME $#@*&!. - Shanti

OMG. Well, your breath ain't so great either Precious!

-Sam to his new gf.

I have quieted the naysayers. Please go on....

-Della with her doll

Whodunnit Video (short)

I am sick of pulling this cart and that fat ass Maisy up this hill.

I say we all stop pulling and just sit this one out. - Sam to Della and Shanti

I can still tell that you farted, even back here.

Thank you very much. - Della

Let me get down to your level....

Even though we BOTH know how this fight is gonna end. - Della to Buster

Start slow, that's right baby....

 Now give Sammy some tongue...

Janet the Dog- (her human is very fortunate Fiona Apple)

It's 6pm on Friday,and I'm writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet.
I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later.
Her

e's the thing.
I have a dog Janet, and she's been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She's almost 14 years old now.I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then ,an adult officially - and she was my child.
She is a pitbull, and was found in Echo Park, with a rope around her neck, and bites all over her ears and face.
She was the one the dogfighters use to puff up the confidence of the contenders.
She's almost 14 and I've never seen her start a fight ,or bite, or even growl, so I can understand why they chose her for that awful role. She's a pacifist.
Janet has been the most consistent relationship of my adult life, and that is just a fact.
We've lived in numerous houses, and jumped a few make shift families, but it's always really been the two of us.
She slept in bed with me, her head on the pillow, and she accepted my hysterical, tearful face into her chest, with her paws around me, every time I was heartbroken, or spirit-broken, or just lost, and as years went by, she let me take the role of her child, as I fell asleep, with her chin resting above my head.
She was under the piano when I wrote songs, barked any time I tried to record anything, and she was in the studio with me all the time we recorded the last album.
The last time I came back from tour, she was spry as ever, and she's used to me being gone for a few weeks every 6 or 7 years.
She has Addison's Disease, which makes it dangerous for her to travel since she needs regular injections of Cortisol, because she reacts to stress and to excitement without the physiological tools which keep most of us from literally panicking to death.
Despite all of this, she’s effortlessly joyful and playful, and only stopped acting like a puppy about 3 years ago.
She's my best friend and my mother and my daughter, my benefactor, and she's the one who taught me what love is.
I can't come to South America. Not now.
When I got back from the last leg of the US tour, there was a big, big difference.
She doesn't even want to go for walks anymore.
I know that she's not sad about aging or dying. Animals have a survival instinct, but a sense of mortality and vanity, they do not. That’s why they are so much more present than people.
But I know that she is coming close to point where she will stop being a dog, and instead, be part of everything. She’ll be in the wind, and in the soil, and the snow, and in me, wherever I go.
I just can't leave her now, please understand.
If I go away again, I’m afraid she'll die and I won't have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.
Sometimes it takes me 20 minutes to pick which socks to wear to bed.
But this decision is instant.
These are the choices we make, which define us.
I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship.
I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend.
And helps her be comfortable, and comforted, and safe, and important.
Many of us these days, we dread the death of a loved one. It is the ugly truth of Life, that keeps us feeling terrified and alone.
I wish we could also appreciate the time that lies right beside the end of time.
I know that I will feel the most overwhelming knowledge of her, and of her life and of my love for her, in the last moments.
I need to do my damnedest to be there for that.
Because it will be the most beautiful, the most intense, the most enriching experience of life I've ever known.
When she dies.
So I am staying home, and I am listening to her snore and wheeze, and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel.
And I am asking for your blessing.

I'll be seeing you.
Love, Fiona

GO AWAY. I am trying to sleep already.

Shanti- Black Beauty

Good thing I came mommy, to help you get up the hill.

-Buddy Love with Blogger

Ah, what a crisp new day! I say, IS that a Sciuridae (squirrel) I see out playing?

Well, GOOD for it! - Della Dolittle

Marshall needs a permanent home....

Marshall is a Rottweiler around 3 years old and needs a good home.  He is currently in a foster home but needs to find a permanent home.  If you can forward this to all your friends and family, that would be great.

Call Mary Ann at 704-900-9310 for more info.  Marshall is current on all his medical shots etc.

THANK YOU!  Mary Ann

Do you ever sometimes just wanna knock mom off that cart?

Shhhh. Humans are practically deaf but they can hear some things. -Della back to Sam

I see you.

Go away or else. -Buddy Love

I am too tired to chew. Too tired to care.

Ever have one of those days? - Sam

WHO has bunny back legs?

Hold on, I am getting up. I want to see this.   - Buddy Bunny

This side, or that side?

Really- I am super handsome either way.  And check out my backside. - Sam

Cute Quote-

"If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest he wear a tail." -Fran Lebowitz

Push down harder on the gas pedal mom. I ain't getting no younger.

I want to feel the wind in my hair! - Maisy

(Old girl loves her rides)

Everyone has a bad hair day. Back off bitch.

Emma- glad her mom is holding her back from beating another dog's ass.

Really?! Did you just say my butt looks big?

Sam, ever the self-conscious one

(and Buddy, surprised that it came across wrong)

We think you are leaving....

And we are not happy. - Sammy and Budman

Healthy Diet

More than one friend of mine makes their own dog food.    Read interesting article below about how it may help dogs live a more cancer free life.

http://www.fightcaninecancer.com/cancerdiet1.html

Grab my butt. I am sliding off.

Buddy Love, on one of his many upside down naps.

My feet are wet. Carry me.

Neera- one of the best dogs ever. RIP.

Take your dog!

Over 75% of dog owners would pay more if we could bring our dogs along on our stay.

I will be right here when you get back.

So are you back yet?!- Shanti

Hey Blondie.

Don't I know you? Wanna have my human take us to the dog park?

I am ashamed.

I took all the Halloween doggie treats.  Please take it away. I do not deserve another. - Truman

He smells funny. Push him off.

NOW.  - Shanti

What IS that? Should I go kill it?!

Just say the word. - Buddy McCluskey

I smell wine. Have you been drinking? - Dog police

Give me a treat and we can forget this whole thing - Sam

I am not sure what was squeaking and woke you up.

Why do you ask?

Tribute to "Tank"

Neera was foster that came to me in a unique way as many do. And she was a unique dog.  She had at least two homes prior to me and was approximately four when I brought her home.  Her human was a lady that groomed dogs (my others) and was struggling to make ends meet.  She was living in the little work mobile home and ran her business out of it, with two young boys and an on-again, off-again boyfriend.  This place was small, two basic rooms and she also had four dogs.

Originally my groomer knew I rescued boxers mostly. Social services told her she had to move into better living conditions and reduce her dogs to keep custody of her kids.  Thus she asked me to come see her boxer.  Once I got there she realized she could not part with the purebred brindle boxer, or the beagle she had rescued and fixed up from injury, or the doberman with health issues.  That left Neera. She wasn't the prettiest. She wasn't the youngest.  She didn't do cute things.  And she wasn't a purebred dog. She just stood still and was very good around all the chaos.  She wouldn't have been my first pick, but I am glad someone else did the picking for me. When I realized she was the plain middle child of a family of 6 -7 (when you include two boys and a boyfriend), I felt for her. Her owner said she got the least (if any) attention. However, she was well fed and groomed, just behind on her vet care and meds.

So I took the big ole plain girl home. Part German Shepard, part boxer, part something big and square.  She was built like a tank so that became her nickname.  She was 80 lbs of solid muscle. She looked like a work dog. Tan body and blackish face with a funny name. You could tell she was abused at some point, scars all over her body and she would duck in fear of getting hit when voices were raised.  I would tell her "the bad days are behind you now girl".  I gave her as much attention as I could, with 4-7 other dogs of my own over time.  At first I tried to adopt her out and then I could not bear to part with her. You see, Neera was more loyal than any person I have ever known. She accepted her plight in life; she got in the truck with me and then acclimated to her new life here.  She never once had an accident in the house, fought over food, chewed up anything, barked for no reason, or jumped up on people. It was like she always seemed grateful. Grateful for food, a house, dogs to play with, a big yard, etc.  She LOVED to go on rides.  If I would try to leave her, she would chase after me with all her heart.  When I would go to "dog island" with the babies by boat, she was the one who would follow me no matter what when I kayaked around the large island. It could be freezing outside and the others would just wait on the boat or beach, but Neera would swim as close as she could to me. She never appeared frantic from separation anxiety. She just seemed to want to make sure I was okay.

(Neera loved the water once she learned to swim. She would follow her humans anywhere)

If Neera was a human (yes, I give them all human like qualities, careers, personalities) she would be the middle-aged farm lady whose husband left.  She could raise the kids on her own and still work as hard as any man on the farm with her strong square build.  Her hair would be wrapped up in a red bandanna and she would never feel sorry for herself. She would never wear makeup or jewelry and never wonder why her life was anything different than what it was then. She knew she was plain and the middle, least loved child. It was okay that the others got the attention. She never got jealous. She had only love to give.  And I felt protected by my Tank as she loved her family here and never let me out of her sight.

And you know what, her looks grew on me. Most people thought she was a boy dog by her strong build at first, but her aura was all female. She was soft, loving, and a very kind dog.  You could trust her with anything- a baby, your food, a small obnoxious rescued dog, etc. She would make sure everything was okay and she never tried to run away.  She had the most soulful eyes of any dog I have ever seen.  They were so dark and deep.  Sad but in a "I am okay sort of way".  And for two years I ran in a pack with Neera as the biggest, but most unassuming of the lot.

Then a guy I knew pretty well was looking for a dog. But not just any dog.  He did not want a puppy to train. And he has two small adopted girls from China and a wife so they had to be good with the family. Not jump, obedient, yet large enough to protect his girls when playing outside. He wanted a perfect, well-behaved dog and age was not an issue. His dog had passed away and it was time to get another one. So I thought of Neera.  Here is a family with  a hundred acres in their backyard (Neera loved to be outside, and to hunt),  no other pets, two small girls clamoring for a dog to love, and two dedicated parents.  She would get all the attention in the world and be the star for the first time in her life.  So as my heart broke, I let them meet Neera and drive off with her in the van at 6 years of age after she had been my protector for 2 years. She did not want to go in the van and gave me a look of sadness as they drove away, as if to say "why are you giving me away?  I was a good girl and loved you and my home very much. I don't know these people and I am scared'.  But she adapted quickly and flourished.  She was the only dog for many years in her new home.  The girls loved her and her name. I like when they can keep their name, imagine someone changing yours?  Neera was always an odd name to me but the girls watched a show with a dog named Neera on it and she looked like her!  So it was a lucky perfect fit on all accounts.

(Neera. Center of attention with these beautiful girls. She is bright eyed and almost smiling)

They loved her. She slept at the foot of their bed.  She guarded them from harm as they played in the great outdoors.  She opened up over time to the new parents (again afraid at first). She went camping with them often. She never caused any trouble.  She consoled the girls when they were sick or hurt and she never left their sides.  Neera enabled the girls to understand an important life lesson since she was adopted too. Part of the family, loved just the same. She was the best dog ever and they would regularly give me updates that would make me smile- knowing I did the right thing for Neera, letting her move on.  One day they decided to adopt another dog so now my beloved Tank was the eldest. She accepted her new sibling with ease and they all lived happily. The mother of the family would run-walk with Neera, never needing a leash for Neera  as she NEVER left your side.  She was that way with me.  And all was well.

I found out yesterday that Neera (10+ years old now) has cancer. She has lost 15 lbs and can barely get around. The family made the hard decision to put Neera down today.  They let her stride across rainbow bridge, proud and beautiful as I came to know her.  Her new daddy said she "had the sweetest heart he has ever known." I saw her once after the family took her, about a year later. She was still so strong, but much happier. She seemed more fulfilled.  Glowing with her little girls to watch over and her new family that could give her the focused special attention she deserved. So it is with thanks and gratitude that I write this. Thanking my groomer for picking Neera as her least loved.  Thanking Neera for always making me feel safe and teaching me beauty grows from the inside out. And thanks to the R family for giving her a wonderful second half of her life, where she could shine as the star and be their Tank.  RIP Neera.  You were loved by everyone that knew you- and that makes you one of the most beautiful/handsome dogs I have ever seen.  Your soul was devine and you wore it well.  Be safe now on your travels Tank. I miss you, always will.

(Neera in her final days. Rested beside the girls' beds).

Please drive real fast.

And throw everyone else off. - Shanti