Never JUST Another Day

It is never just another day.  It always amazes me that SOME out there in the big ole' world think that it is!  No matter what is happening, good or bad, the world just keeps on turning.  Here is what is going through (my little Yorkie mind) on this not just another day.  While my DOG life is sailing along smoothly, others' lives (dogs and people's) are raging through catestrophic storms!  In just the past twenty-four hours, these challenges have come up in my (tiny) little part of the world.

 A Golden fur friend has been losing weight like crazy and not feeling well.  Long story, short...a biopsy has now confirmed Lymphoma.  Now some tough decisions depending on what stage he's in.  It is not just another day for Rocky or his people.

Word came yesterday that a fifteen year old young man who had collapsed a week ago during a cross country meet has since lost his battle.  It is not just another day for that boy's family, friends, or the people who worked so hard to save him. (on that first day and all the days in the ICU after)

A two week old baby, whose parents attend my family's church and whose grandparents operate a local hardware store, passed away suddenly the other night during dinner without reason while in a baby carrier.  It will NEVER be just another day to that young couple, sibling, or grandparents.  Those lives have been forever changed. 

An old high school friend of my Mama's started chemo today after finding out a few weeks back she had a tumor - aggressive, the Dr. called it.  She had surgery first and is just now starting on the chemo.  It is not just a normal day at their house.  Her children must be so very afraid!



image source http://www.all4myspace.com/layouts-2.0/Breast-Cancer-Awareness-20-myspace-layouts-2.0

 
Another friend of Mama's is at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN with her husband at her side getting some sort of radical procedure to treat the cancer that had unknowingly spread to her bones after years of being cancer free and feeling great.  Their insurance company so far has not agreed to pay for her treatment, but they went to get the treatment anyway.  She is only in her early 50's and it is certainly not just another day  for those dear friends.


It is NEVER just another day.  All around us, some where, some one, some friend or some family is hurting...struggling...fighting...crying....praying....hoping...

Some one.  You might recognize them.  They might be your relative, friend, or neighbor.  You might EVEN be the ONE.   

We may never know WHY (not here on earth anyway), but it helps alittle to know in THIS life we are not alone.  We have each other to run to (and depend on) to guide us through those difficult and challenging days.  And we have FAITH (because we all arrived here somehow) -  an assurance that tomorrow is a new day, that the sun will surely rise and that joy, love and goodness will overcome ALL the challenges we have to endure TODAY...

Our faith is what moves us onward to HOPE.

This I know FOR sure after the past 24 hours...it isn't always about ME. 

There you have it...the Truth according to Scrappy.





image source http://www.byrdbaggett.com/free/wallpapers/faith.php

 

Wordless Wednesday- Can't Decide! Toy or Bone?



















just give up & nap



Happy Halloween (Scrappy-Style)



Happy Halloween from the Scrapster!



or the Nutty Professor?



or perhaps The Graduate?




Master's Pedigree in Entertainment and Human Nature Studies

 

Graduated Suma Cum Laude



Howling Pom



Ok...the title is a little misleading.  Halloween made the Scrapster think of Howling, which made her think of the Pomeranian she met "heard" on an airplane last July.  We never actually met.  Not officially, but our Humans did (but NOT til after ) I was in my bag and she was in hers!  I caught a glimpse of her through the netting as we departed the plane and she looked beautiful and sophisticated...much like this pretty Pom 




image courtesy of http://www.coolestdognames.com/





It was an early morning flight.  It was my first time flying, but I wasn't nervous at all.  My people almost ALWAYS take me with whenever they can, so I am just HAPPY when the bag comes out of the closet!  It is my safe haven, my nest, my home away from home.  If it is "left out" for some strange reason, I might just decide to sneak IN the bag and squeeze in a nap or chew on my always along for the ride in the bag Nylabone (bacon is my new favorite!) 

To me, this morning wasn't all that different.  New Sights to see., yes.  New Smells, of course!   We breezed through security and I waited patiently in my bag at the gate until it was time for us to board.

I never make a peep when I am in my bag!  I would not want to RISK not being able to go with, so I  am always really well behaved.  I was offered a drink of water through the zipper.  Mom always thinks of everything!  My favorite stuffed (squeaky) toy is with me and gives me a place to rest my chin.

Back to the story...we boarded and took our seat, with me in the bag at Mom's feet.  There was ALOT happening around me and I watched intently trying to take it all in.  Then it started.  At first, it was a tiny short little whine.  I wasn't even sure I really heard anything.  Then there it was again.  A whine...definitely, distinctly dog and getting a little longer and louder.  Heads were turning.  Where is that coming from?  Just across the aisle, the Pom's Mom apologizes.  "Sorry Everyone!"   

And then comes the howling.  Ever  louder.  Ever consistent.  Ever annoying!  Clearly, Pom wanted OUT of that bag and probably out of that plane!  My ears were all perked up.  WHAT is wrong out there?  What is this HOWLING all about?  JUST Imagine an hour and a half of outright HOWLING.  More apologies from Pom's mom.  "I am SO sorry.  I wish I could make her stop! " (mom scolds Pom)

If there was something I could have done for that Pom, believe me, I would have because we would have all benefited.  Poor Howling Pom. 

Finally, the wheels of that plane touched down!  (Relief for everyone, but not YET Pom)

As we taxied in, the howls kept coming.  More apologies.  After arriving at the gate, the people started to gather their bags and coats and as they stood and waited to leave....Pom's Mom spotted me in my bag hanging off Mom's shoulder  and said..."Do YOU have a dog in there?"   "Yes, a Yorkie"
Pom's Mom said, "Wow, your dog must like traveling!"  and Mom said, "Well, she just likes her bag because she knows she gets to go with!"  "Oh!", says Pom's Mom..."This is my dog's first time in a bag!"

Me, the Scrapster, wanted to scream "Really? I couldn't have guessed!"  It wasn't really Pom's fault.  It was her Mom who needed the training.

Dogs are creatures of habit.  If you want us to be good, then give us the tools to BE good.  It really isn't that complicated.  Give us the time we need to learn and if you are patient and you are consistent, we will return the favor with mostly pleasing behavior and good manners. 

New things and new experiences JUST need proper introductions.  A new bag, especially if we've never been confined to one EVER, is going to make us HOWL. 

Then everyone around us will think it's HOWLoween!

Laundry: A Dog's Hot Tub

Who Knew

Who knew there was a whole 'nother world OUT there?  A SOCIAL world with new friends just waiting and even eager to to tag along and get to know you...a world where you could just be yourself and not be afraid to write about who are are and what you actually think about every moment of every day (even if you ARE a dog)?  Who knew?

I never knew... and I have to tell you that this whole new world that I've discovered has been amazing and overwhelming at the same time. 

First of all, and most importantly, the frustrating part has been that I can't seem to get any time on the computer to get my thoughts transcribed into posts.  Someone else is always hogging the keyboard.  They are always saying they have work to do, homework to finish, important news articles and stories to read. 

Another thing that this NEW world has brought is the pressure to  always look good and be photogenic.  They are always taking photos of me NOW and calling on me to perk my ears up just right or look up at them "just so"  when they are pointing that silly camera at me!  Frankly, it's getting a little out of hand!   Who knew they were going to get this crazy?  (well, you didn't really think that I could do EVERYTHING here on my own, did you?)

Who knew I was going to have to learn a whole new language called Twitter and even start a facebook page of my own ?  Who knew I would have to chase after other bloggers and do LOTS of research and "following" and commenting to JUST figure this all out and learn about the process? Who knew it was going to consume me?  

You might have (if you've been there!)  Who ever knew SHOULD have WARNED me!

Yep.  Some would say  HAVE SAID I've jumped off the deep end!  Last night I actually attended (well, mostly I sat idly by) my first TwitterParty.  Yep.  I said TwitterParty.  Didn't even know there WAS such a thing two months ago.  HAD NO IDEA or inkling what Twitter even was!  I have become SO worldly that it amazes even ME! 

Who knew THOUGH that in the process of GROWING and changing and learning that surprising (even astonishing) things would happen along the way?  New found strangers would become friends and might actually follow me to simply read my thoughts (and adventures) and share in JUST a little part of my everyday life!  Who knew? 

Who knew that OUT there would be another follower somewhere who SUDDENLY and SHOCKINGLY just lost a beautiful Yorkshire Terrier DOG just like me?....and that TONIGHT, in memory of that NEW found friend (whom I have never known or met) I would light a candle (simultaneously in a whole different time zone and part of the world) and put my paws together in prayer. 

Who knew?

Top Ten

Here it is...the Scrapster's Top Ten

1. (New) SQUEAKY toys  (this has to go at the TOP because I go (alittle) CRAZY when I first get one.  I have been known to get OVERLY possessive!  I refuse to put them down for ANYTHING (at first) and insist on taking them to bed !   (to keep a close watch)  

2.  Hot Laundry, fresh out of the dryer for me to Lay in!  ....It's my HOT TUB!  This started many years ago when I was just a puppy (who could fit in your pocket)  I often hitched a ride in the laundry basket!  The kids would push me across the carpet and make motor sounds with their voices!  (oh!  Thinking about this right now actually makes me sad....they are so grown up!)

3.  FISHing...with my bare paws all day long, chest deep in the river!  I never give up and I pride myself on my success in this category.  Where we live, the water is cold and clear, so you can see the fish coming up stream!  Occasionally the minnows like to taunt and tease me, but the fun is definitely in the chase!   (can you see the little fishy in the photo below?)

4.  Hiking- everywhere there are trails, trees and logs and preferably way high up a mountain! I fancy being the leader of the pack.  (unless there happens to be a bigger dog along who out steps me)   At times when my people sense I need a break, they let me ride in the Pet-a-Roo carrier.    Remarkably, it is quite a view from up there and allows me just the time I need to catch my breath, rest my paws and cool off those hot "pads"!

5.  Boating...with my life jacket on, of course.  Safety first...mostly it's so my people can quickly DUNK me (when I'm panting) , grabbing me by the handles!   The fun is in the shaking on everyone,  bathing in the sweet sunshine, feeling the wind in the ears, and watching my people water ski and wake board...the highlight for me is getting to jump up on the back of the boat and greet them as they climb up the ladder!  I know they are coming back JUST to see me!

6.  Begging.  Not always productive, but still FUN and always worth the effort.  I can't have people food (see Toxic Hike post), but I tend to forget that important fact when enticing AROMAS are entering my nostrils.   I DO thoroughly enjoy begging for affection though!   It pays off nearly ALL the time. One can never get enough full belly rubs or back massages.  I often think that it's my job to just get you to LOVE me!

7.  Alerting (some would call it barking ) I still say I am just WARNING my people of strangers outside including other dogs and their people, deer, birds, squirrels, and especially CATS.  (apologies) Skateboarders, Motorcycles and Bicyclists beware!  Those helmets are frightening!

8.  Sleeping on my back with my legs all up in the air!  (sorry if it's a little Marilyn Monroeish)

Shhhh.  I also tend to get cold and so I often sneak under the covers in the middle of the night!  

             (note my NEW Squeaky Toy that I took to bed with me last night!)

9.  BUGs.  I like to watch them, catch them, chase them, eventually even eat them.  Spiders fascinate me. 

10. Morning.   I live to wake up happy, refreshed and (I have said this before) LEAP out of bed every day simply because Life is good.  A new day means repeating some of these top tens and maybe, just maybe discovering a NEW one!


So there you are...my favorite things...Now....for you (humans)...just go back through the Scrapster's list and think about what would make your TOP Ten!    Toys?....I know you have them.   Laundry?   (ok then YOUR Hot Tub!)  Fishing?  Hiking?  Boating?  Barking. (seems like people really ENJOY that)  Begging for Affection. (definitely on the list)  Sleeping. (in)   Bugs (it seems you catch the wrong kind though and then tend to go back to the sleeping) and Morning.!?..Do you LOVE morning?  Well, okay...you may not appreciate every morning...but most mornings you people do your best to wake up ready and willing to just go with it.  Life begins anew.  Thankfully. 


THANKS to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume