DOG FAMILY

DOG is GOD 
spelled backwards
"all in God's family"
 and mine

For me, my DOGS are my family
and they teach me alot about
GOD
and myself

CAMERA CRITTERS

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MY DOG FAMILY

BABY BRAVO 

APRIL 1998

same dog

BRAVO grown up

BRAVO 

[like applauding; "brave" not "vicious"]

"well done, my good & faithful friend" 

  APRIL 1998 - MAY 13, 2011 

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CHIMINITO

"daddy o'dog ready to go"

always

TOBY

which means

"God is Good" 

she was mom to my 6 pups 

with Chimi (above)

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3 of the 6
pictured below
each of the 6 entirely different
as you can see
but from the same parents above
Toby (ma) and Chiminito (papa)

CHIQUITITA

"little one" my "baby" from Toby & Chimi

CHISPITA

"spark" from Toby & Chimi "sprinkled"

LUCKY FROM TOBY & CHIMI

with TANO her MN
companion

***********

SPECIAL GUEST FOR RACHEL & ROSS TRIBUTE

KATO-BEST GOLDEN RETRIEVER

KATO VERY SPECIAL FRIEND

***

MEMES

for

DOGS

like 

Camera Critters

above 

and

DOGS WITH BLOGS PAW-IT-FORWARD

I love Dog blogs!

So if you have one, please let me know in the comments, OK?
If you have a pet, especially a dog, let me know that too and their names, 
even if you don't "blog" about them

*this used to be a PAGE when I changed Blogger format, then I drafted it to make room for other pages so it got lost and I just wanted to make my DOG family available to everyone once again. I wrote on each one, somewhere along this blog history ... so as I find them, I'll either link the dog's name or add the links of those posts (as I have done with my first 2 male dogs above).

RAINBOW BRIDGE

This is in memory of my 

FAITHFUL FRIEND

 BRAVO

(who died one week ago today)

The song in this video is "Perhaps Love" being sung by John Denver and Placido Domingo
(you can go HERE for the lyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoBO6kJCBvw
The original one I encountered was HEREMovie by Terri Pike with music by Kerry Muzzey 
COMFORT FOR GRIEVING ANIMAL LOVERS
A Different Grief: Coping with Pet Loss 
... and I'd also like to dedicate this toanother blog friendozJaneandher sweet friendMOGGIE

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown... RAINBOW BRIDGE  I love this quote that the video shared: "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

BRAVO!

Again DOT post has tons of info on many great "dog lover" happenings so you should head on over and check it out with Paula and Natalie

at

Dogs On Thursday

for people who love their dogs and want to talk about them once a week! 

The bad thing is this should have been my 2nd post and I did not have one posted on Thursday and they were welcoming me! Thanks a bunch for the welcome! As DOT says it best Be tuff! The "dog days" of summer can be wuff!

 

I have had bad Internet Explorer 7 connections, much rainy weather and no batteries for photo taking. Since I introduced all 5 last week, and don't have many photos in my laptop of my family...not many choices! I should have known this would happen and paced my photos one each week. So I will feature my big boy: 

BRAVO'S
TALE 

In 1998, when I was living in Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico...a booming town in the Sonoran desert, I was driving through the sandy roads, short cut to the beach...and saw this litter of puppies on the side of the road with their mother dog and small children. I asked them if the puppies were theirs and would they sell me one...and who couldn't fall in love with this precious face and glorious coat of colors (I learned it's called "brindle"). So they did and I was delighted. A day later, I went passed this place and their home to get more information about him, when he was born, etc. and they were gone. Everyone...every pup! I did the next best thing, brought him to the vet and give him all the necessary puppy shots, worming, etc. and asked his age...which was guessed to be about 6 weeks. I was living in a very small shelter that use to be a place to sell water and snacks. It was very important that he learn to go outside to potty and he would and did very well. The first time that he did so I was totally delighted and impressed but wanted him to come back inside so I clapped excitedly and said "bravo" meaning good job and he came running it. I repeatedly did this each time and no name was working for him. But when he went and did potty, I would say "bravo" and he would come. Thus, Bravo became his name. Here in Mexico, "bravo" is a warning to people to watch out that the dog is vicious...so kids and people heard me call him this and they would stay away. Bravo was a good name and helpful since he became my protector on many trips. He is brave and playful. He still believes he is little but since he is now 10 years old, he looks like this: 

Who can believe this is the same little boy...now so big!?! 

My baby Bravo, now Mr. Big Boy, guarding my rental home in Mazatlan!!! actually he's waiting for his chance to go for a walk in the park across the street, so he can really yell at those other dogs :(Sorry Bravo, no way!

SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS

This week's DOT post has tons of info so you should go head over 

and check it out with Paula and Natalie

Dogs On Thursday

for people who love their dogs

and want to talk about them once a week!

My 1ST

DOGS ON THURSDAY!

TOBITO only son

to TOBY Mommy 

.....and Chiminito, their Daddy

CHIQUITITA

CHISPITA

LUCKY

MY BIG BOY BRAVO 10 years old this year (2008)

I've wanted to share in the FUN every Thursday but I've been doing THANKFUL THURSDAY. So today while visiting Thankful Thursday friends, I came across something very special for the umteenth time this week from Serendipity and Happy@ http://serendipitypark.blogspot.com/ the light went on..." Hey, I can do BOTH..." 

After all I'm so Thankful for these friends I call family...they are what occupies the rest of my time when I'm not busy in MINISTRY or on the dear old laptop...It's only fair to give them more than a place on the sidebar...very far down that no one hardly ever sees. Since we ALL 5 and I made a trip of 1,500 miles...I owe them this!

By 5 that means, Toby, Chiminito, Bravo Chiquitita, and Chispita. Lucky lives in Minnesota... and sweet little Tobito is my Heavenly Pup...he died the summer that this litter of 6 was born to Toby and Chimi...certainly not a match meant to be...or a Heavenly Match these two! There were two more puppies : Jai Li and Pi Li...Jai Li is with her brother in Heaven and Pi Li is roaming the streets but belongs to the family of Jai Li. Pi Li looks like a small labrador. Jai Li looked like the "Target" dog...she was special and such a sweetie, she died first!

I would like to share what HAPPY and Serendipity shared on their Thankful Thursday though I should have asked permission, it did not orginate with them because I've read each elsewhere:

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and 'wag' your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Mine have each taught me this! I have many lessons that I've learned through my family of dogs. Van Walton from Created for the Garden but Lost in the Jungle has a precious book that she shares lessons from AIR called From the Pound to the Palace that she also share with kids in schools.

Serendipity also shared this story about Shane and A Dog's Purpose. It made me reflect on my Tobito and Jai Li (originally named Target than Apache) as well as so many dogs that have been such a blessing on my life...

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

We dread this day and never want to think of it coming or happening to our loved ones but as sure as life there is death...I'm not sure if Serendipity shared this or HAPPY but the advice was wise ( it may have been part of the original)

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Make every day count!!! Make each day just the beginning of ETERNITY! Learn as much as you can from Our Master...and then treat those you are master over with a LOVE and understanding like you are blessed to share this day with them!

Show R-E-S-P-E-C-T to creatures and humans alike:

RESPECTFUL
ENCOURAGING
SENSITIVE & SYMPATHETIC
PRAISE-filled & PEACEFUL
ENTHUSIASTIC
COMPASSIONATE
TENDER, TENACIOUS, and TRAINABLE as you TEACH others

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If you LOVE DOGS or just want to see some special FRIENDS or would like to join 

please visit DOT Dogs on Thursday

Ohhh and don't FORGET my FRIENDSHIP AWARD 

being passed on to YOU and your best friends

After all they are known as "MAN'S BEST FRIEND"

HONOR THEM and YOURSELF & some HUMAN FRIENDS!

Bravo, Chimi, Chiqui, Chispa & Toby

&

Peggy