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

<>

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 

<><>

CHIMINITO

"daddy o'dog ready to go"

always

TOBY

which means

"God is Good" 

she was mom to my 6 pups 

with Chimi (above)

<><><>

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).

DOT ~ LUCKY and CHISPITA

I have not joined Dogs On Thursday (DOT) since I first began and wrote on Bravo, Chiminito, Toby & Chiquitita, although I have mentioned all of them throughout my posts... I never wrote specifically on Lucky or Chispita. They were also from the litter of Chiminito (Chimi) and Toby. All of them are located on my right sidebar way down near the end if you'd like to see their individual photos... but they are ALL here with me that way and really help me with God's aMazing Grace and realizing constantly grace in  each day

The reason I have not shared on them is because they were not living with me. Chispita was given away to a family here but had been living on their rooftop, so she was brought back here because they say the neighbors did not like her coming to their homes or rooftops. Personally, I wanted her back when I found out that she was left on the roof. I really don't like that, especially with small dogs and moreso with mine. Look how precious she is and loved when I gave her a bed the Christmas she came back to live with her family and me. She looks so lonely here.

Recently, my sweet friend Amanda's Secret Garden chose to read the Camera Critter posts and this made me aware that I never finished writing on my family of dogs ... oops, excuse me, Chimi never finished telling his TALES of his tail ... snips and snails and puppy dog tails ... so he told me ... he was ready ... to bark it, tell about these two, because he misses them (yeah, right). 

When we went home this past spring/summer, I left both Chispita and Lucky there in Minnesota. Trust me traveling with 6 dogs almost 3,000 miles is not easy, returning with the 4 suited me fine. Lucky had lived in MN since her first summer of life so it was only right for her to stay.

You see Lucky often, she's in the photo with my profile photo. She is one of my favorites, and she's very special the way she sits up...

"I taught her that"... Chimi woofs to me.... "No, Chimi, you didn't, she does this all on her own." I let him know.

"You know why she was named 'Lucky' don't 'cha?" Chimi inquires. "because she was so lucky to be born from me and have the colors of my dad, opposite of mine."


"No Chimi," I reply, "that's not right at all, though it does have to do with her coloring in part. The black shape on her back looks like a shamrock of luck of the Irish. That's from my grandmother."


"And also because she was able to stay in Minnesota the first summer she was born. 3 of us went home that year, Chiqui, Lucky and me... usually I would stay, or Bravo would stay and we'd take turns. But this year, you decided one of my daughters would be left behind. Since Chiqui snipped at Blake and ran after the heels of Sam, biting them... you decided to make Lucky, the lucky one..."

"Yeah, now that's a little closer to the truth. It was also because she was so well liked and got along with everyone including Tano, the other dog that was living there already. Since Tano was male, it was best to leave him a friend that he could take care of... you had your paws full."

"Ohhh, yeah, I just don't get as much attention or treats as I use to get." Chimi complains. "You played ball and threw toys with me more before these 6 showed up here."

"She's so lucky, she even got winter Christmas stuff like the sweater and my winter jacket and this silly looking hat. It's a reindeer hat. Plus she has that nice fuzzy blanket and gets to sleep on the bed. She really is spoiled, ya' know. I remember how much she cried whenever you left home so you started bringing her with you." 

"Oh, Chimi, there was a time when you did also. And you have made sure that you get to be up on my chairs, my couch and even sneak up on my bed when I'm gone and you know better."

"Oh and by the way, the 6 extra little dogs showing up here was yours and Toby's fault. But you remember we took care of that for both of you...so there should be no more surprises from you two, so you can stop fooling around, besides you're getting kinda old."


 I let Chimi think that and that he's a BIG boy ... shhh, don't let him know that he's not. 

I just wanted to remind you of this from a previous post

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.


Which lesson do you need to learn?
(maybe you should consider rescuing a dog from a nearby shelter to teach you)

YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH!

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

<><><>

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