Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day. I am grateful for my freedom and to those who have fought for it. Today Sensei will relax with my family, perhaps lie in the sun for a bit and enjoy some barbecue later on. I'm quite looking forward to it actually.

Pearls of Wisdom

"I am not responsible for the behavior of others. They are responsible for their actions, words and belief systems."

~Lisa Clifton Bumpass

Photography

I was photographed yesterday. I deplore being posed for photographs and believe me she does it quite often. As if the photo shoot wasn't enough I had to endure a horrendous car ride nearly 2 hours away for the "perfect location". It ended up raining, my student got us lost, it made for an awful morning. Oh, and to make matters so much worse, she groomed me prior to the shoot. I am sure the photographs will be stunning as I am quite photogenic, but really, I could have done without the rest.....

Pearl

We have a new rescue dog here. After making the decision to take some time from doing rescue, my student has already caved and brought home another poor soul looking for a home. How can I complain, her story is so heartbreaking that even I couldn't have turned her away.

Pearl is probably 10 years old at least. She was left outside the animal shelter in the middle of the night in a cardboard box. Her coat was matted and filthy. She has obviously had many litters of puppies. Imagine using her that way and then simply throwing her away as if she were garbage. Heinous. Oh, and did I mention? She is a Pekingese.

My student went to Muttville, who rescues and rehomes senior dogs to pick up a foster to bring home. Pearl had just arrived that morning. Of course, she took one look at her and brought her home. She will go in next week to have a full vet check up and if she is healthy enough, she will be spayed.

It can be difficult having an extra body in the house, but who could turn away such a pitiful little dog? A Peke no less. Imagine treating any living thing like that. So, Pearl shall stay here with us until the perfect forever home comes along that can take care of her for the rest of her life like she deserves.

Pearls of Wisdom

"If it's very painful for you to criticize your friends - you're safe in doing it. But if you take the slightest pleasure in it, that's the time to hold your tongue."

~Alice Duer Miller

Pearls of Wisdom

"It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them."

~Dalai Lama

Champions

Carrot completed her championship today. I am glad for her, however, I am opposed to dog shows and beauty contests in general. I don't believe a dog should be judged on his looks alone, but rather his character, heart and loyalty. A good dog can be homely and a bad dog can be striking. It is what is inside the dog that truly matters. Who he is and what he stands for, not simply how he looks.

Sensei for instance would not be permitted to enter a dog show. For I do not "conform" to their blueprint of what a Pekingese should look like. However, no dog possesses more of what a Peke is meant to be or stands for than Sensei. You may show me a "prettier" dog but you will not show me a Peke stronger in character, heart or loyalty than Sensei. True beauty is in the eye of the beholder....