Dogs in Need

We have been busy this morning making dog quilts to donate to our local SPCA. Our local shelter is the only non-kill shelter in the county, and the only one that takes cats. It is very very cold here right now, and it is just too much for me to bear to think of these poor animals having no warm bed to lay on. So...thanks to my pal Gaylen, for posting a challenge to all her doggy friends to make beds for the dogs in dire need. I bought this fleece a bit ago, with intentions of making new blankies for my own dogs, but really...my dogs need another blanket like i need another hole in my head. They are more than happy to donate to other dogs though! The SPCA website stated that they are in constant need of laundry detergent, and dryer sheets/fabric softener, and luckily I had just bought a bottle of detergent that has not been opened yet, and i have an almost full bottle of fabric softener that i just do not use.

Everyone seems to be feeling the pinch this time of year, and THIS year in particular. Now is that time for all of us to dig a little deeper, and give just a little more. My local Urban Mission is at a critical low right now with their food pantry, as more and more families are unable to feed themselves. This is just unacceptable in our land of PLENTY, with our shamefully overfed citizens! Give up a meal, give up some fleece and laundry detergent, and GIVE!!! It'll make you feel better!!

Coffee....boo hooo

I went to my local Starbucks yesterday for my monthly bag of Yukon Blend, and got the jolt of my day.....STARBUCKS HAS DISCONTINUED YUKON BLEND!! Seriously? You guys can BITE ME! I have been a good and loyal customer since the get-go! The MINUTE that my first Starbucks opened in my 'hood (1988?) i have been a junkie. And Yukon Blend has been my drug of choice. And now you do this to me? Well, luckily there is a Seattle's Best here in my new town, and their Henry's Blend is calling my name. Now, if only there were a Tully's around here, and i could get my Vitamin T fix. hee hee....get it? Ya gotta be a native to get that one....Tullys is in the old Rainier brewery, and back in the day, that most excellent Rainier beer was referred to as "Vitamin R". The big "R" on the old brewery has now been replaced by a "T". Just a little useless information to get you through the day!

Fun Times ahead!!

I went to the dentist today, and i got some great news....i am getting a crown!! I feel like such a princess!
Oh...not that kind of a crown? Well, whatever.
Apparently, he wants to replace an old filling, but he is quite certain that he will crack my tooth when he removes it, due to some wear and tear on the tooth...so he is going to remove it all, and put in a nice new crown. Should i get a gold one with a diamond in it???? It is in the back, so no one would ever see it. I am actually kind of not a "diamond girl", so will just go with the plain white.
Yippee for me....my first "old lady" dental work. What a joy!

And while i am thinking about Langston Hughes....

there is this one that i first heard in the 9th grade, and still love, and which means THAT MUCH more on this day. Thanks to Ethel Clarke for introducing our young, impressionable minds to Langston Hughes, way back in the day.

I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,
"Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful
I am
And be ashamed,--
I, too, am
America.

Deferred.....no longer

Good morning Daddy,
Ain't you heard
The boogie-woogie rumble
of a dream deferred?

NO LONGER!!! The dream was fulfilled, and i am just proud and elated that i was alive to witness it, and to be a participant.

Goofy dogs, and an awesome dog trainer

I have not posted in awhile...been super busy with Craft Fair, and lots and lots of studying. Tonite my mom sent me an email, and i thought it would make a nice post....a touching story about the Dog Trainer (who recently died) at Pawsabilities, and then some funnies about my parents German Shepherd Dog Samie. She is such a goob...but god, i love her!
Anyways, enjoy:

We just got back from the Celebration of Larry's Life at Pawsabilities. It was really something. There were literally 100's of people and well over 100 dogs! Samie went but she couldn't even make it inside. She was way too excited (and had to wait in the truck). They had a tribute from the FIDO drill team (First in Dog Opedience) which is sponsored by Pawsibilities. And at the end of their close order drill they did a 1-minute sit & stay in memory of Larry--all the people joined in the minute of silence. Joan was there with several of her friends from the Keeshond dog club. Dana spoke after the tribute, thanking everyone. And she said that Pawsabilities will continue--the new Pawsabilities with their daughter & son-in-law joining with her. That was so good to hear. And your Dad is starting Samie again this Wednesday evening! He knows she really needs it; she really suffers from not meeting with oth er dogs on a regular basis and going through her paces.

It was good to see all those dogs in close-order drill. You know Larry was career military, a Master Sergeant in the Air Force from '68-'88. He did dog training for many years before his retirement and has been teaching here since 1989.

Oh, another thing about Samie. She has now joined Fred's surfing club. She is a great counter surfer. I was telling you about having a great pork roast from Han's Deli--with sauerkraut & noodles? Well, I cut the chops and left them on the counter for Dad--he was watching the football game in the other bedroom. And when he went to get his plate full, he asked wasn't there 3 porkchops? Well, yes, there were--but only 1 small one was left for him. So Samie got a huge one, plus half of the one I had. (And she obviously loved that German food cause she didn't get sick or anything!) Your Dad was sick though; now for leftover of the sauerkraut, it'll just be hot dogs for the meat instead of pork chops. Well at least they are the German weiners.

I was telling Joan this story. She had a better one. Tucker is also a champioin counter surfer. He has helped himself to many a morsel over the years. But the worse was recently when Joan had been to the store and picked up lunch and also got some Copper River salmon fillets to fix for dinner. She left it in the kitchen while she delivered something to a neighbor. Gary was watching something on tv and came to get his salad to start on--and went back to watching his show. When Joan came back, the salmon was gone. And Tucker didn't get sick either. With the price of salmon, that is mighty expensive dog food!

I'm glad your Dad has decided to go back to dog classes. It will be good for both of them. I sure would love to see Samie composed enough to go to events like today and actually be able to join in, in a good way.