A Pet’s Ten Commandments

A friend of mine passed this along to me today. It’s so, so true.

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS…

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so. ALWAYS!

**Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters. It’s one of the saddest moments in life to live through.**

A Tribute to Rescuers

Jennie Foster, Director of Operations for Stray Rescue, sent all the volunteers this poem today. All those dog lovers out there, enjoy. And, go grab a tissue  

A Tribute to Rescuers
By Arlene Pace
Once I was a lonely dog, just looking for a home.
I had no place to go, no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find, I was always on the go.My skin would itch, my feet were sore, My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat or to gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.
“No one again will hurt you was whispered in my ear.”
“You’ll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear.”

“You will be dry, you will be warm, you’ll have enough to eat.”
“And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet.”
I was afraid I must admit, I’ve lived so long in fear.
I can’t remember when I let a human came so near.

And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur,
She told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, “We are a circle, a line that never ends”.
“And in the center there is you protected by new friends”.

“And all around you are the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home after you’ve been found”.
“And all the other folk are searching near and far.
“To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star”.

She said, “There is a family, that’s waiting patiently,
And pretty soon we’ll find them, just you wait and see”.
“And then they’ll join our circle they’ll help to make it grow,
So there’ll be room for more like you, who have no place to go”.

I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.
Today’s the day I thought, my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think it wasn’t meant to be,
There were people standing there just gazing down at me.

I knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, “We have been waiting for a special dog like you”.
Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.
“Thank you for the life I live and all you’ve given me.

But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet”.

To My Amazing Husband and Friends:

Thank you for throwing an incredible birthday bash for me! I had a fantastic time eating sushi, and of course,  Trainwreck is always a blast.

Megen, thanks for organizaing a fantastic party! And, way to try sushi, even though you hate fish! Ida and Cassie, thanks for making the trip. Tony, thank you for surprising me. David, Eric and Ben, you totally didn’t have to come, but I love you guys! Justin, Brian, Chantelle, and Gabe, you’re all great, great friends. I’m so glad you came. 

You are all amazing. Thank you for being such wonderful friends.

Weekend Warriors

We did it. Tony and I — along with Megen and my sister Cassie — finished our kitchen. The cabinets are white; the walls Mocha Indulgence. With some snazzy new nickel handles for the doors and some crisp white panels on the windows, I must say it’s a vision.

Now, all we have to do is retile the floors. You can bet I’m NOT counting down the minutes before Tony calls for some help with that job.  …Perhaps I should buy some buckets of beer, invite our handiest guy friends over and let them at it. 

Remodeling Update

My best friend and I headed to our local DIY store last night.

Purchased: 2 cans Behr paint; 1 can Kilz primer (apparently, it’s the best); blue painters tape; rollers, rollers, rollers; light switch plates (gosh they’re expensive!); and other items needed for the DIY kitchen remodel weekend. It’s happening at our house this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday, Tony and I bought eight packages of 12 x 12 tiles for the kitchen.  Ryan (of the Lowe’s in O’Fallon) was fantastic, and extremely helpful for all of our retiling needs and questions.

This weekend, it’s on! 

Cassie, Megen and Tony – get your rollers and brushes ready!

I’ll have to remember to take “before” and “after” photos so y’all can see our work.  I can’t WAIT to see the finished product!

Remodeling – Lowe’s or Home Depot?

Tony and I are remodeling our kitchen. 

On Monday (yesterday), Tony dismantled our kitchen cabinets and set to work sanding them outside.

Meanwhile, I toted our hand-me-down wooden furniture outside and began getting it ready for its next life.  I’m hoping to take it all from Shabby Chic to sleek.  We’ll see how that goes…

My best friend Megen and sister Cassie will be joining us on June 9 & 10 for a marathon DIY weekend. We’ll be painting walls (sand, light yellow or light green), refinishing the cabinets (in white), and maybe even swapping the vinyl flooring to tile.

Home Depot is our closest DIY store. But a brand new Lowe’s will be opening soon, just 1/2 mile away. From an initial perspective, Lowe’s seems to be cheaper, have higher-quality/longer-lasting items and have more selection.

From your perspective, which is better?  Lowe’s or Home Depot?

Any tips for kitchen remodels?  I’ll gladly take ‘em!

My first try

Welcome to my first blog!  Hopefully, this is the beginning of a long and happy relationship.