I'm over at my Mom's right now. Me, Casey, Mom and my brother are all getting ready to ring in the new year. We are waiting for Dick Clark's return. We've got a bottle of champagne ready. So here's a toast to all of my friends (furry and otherwise) and family this New Year!! I'll be back online with regular updates on Tuesday!!
Today is the first day that we've felt like doing anything. I drug all around town yesterday, trying to get the last of what little shopping I needed done. It was an absolute mad house. Casey went out today on his own, and I tell you, I didn't envy him at all! We have managed to get all of our gift wrapping done. I've even gotten the dog and cat presents all wrapped and their stockings stuffed as well. They'll be a lot of new woobie love in the house tomorrow.
Again, I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!
Well, my time of work for the year is nearly over. After today, I'll be off celebrating and making merry until the New Year. So, I guess this will be my last official big post for the year. I'll be in and out from now on, but I'll try to get by and blog some. I'm sure there'll be lots of AudioBlogger posts too!
Casey and I are going to stop by the vet's this afternoon to check on Nick. We've got lots of feelers out for rescues, and lots of folks are helping us. Today he's having a full physical to give us a better idea of his age and his health condition. The next thing on the agenda is a full round of shots and a neutering. I'm sure poor Nick had something else in mind for Christmas than that! Anyway after all that, he'll be coming to Shelbyville to live with Casey and me for a while. He'll stay with us, until a spot comes open in one of the rescues. I really have a good feeling, it won't take us long to find him a good home. Everyone send good Christmas pixie dust our way!!
I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Like I said, I'll be dropping by every once in a while to keep you all updated. I'm going to leave you all today with a cute little doggie Christmas parody. I first saw this song's lyrics posted over on Casper D. Dog's blog. I did a little research and found that you can actually hear it over at Twisted Tunes. Here's the lyrics first:
(Parody of Let it Snow)
Oh, the weather outside was whitening
‘Til the dog did something frightening
He’s got no other place to go
Yellow snow, yellow snow, yellow snow
And he doesn’t show signs of stopping
As he sniffs around his dropping
You see him everywhere you go
In the snow, yellow snow, yellow snow
When he finally goes outside
He’ll be frolicking ‘round in the storm
He’ll be marking our yard with pride
You can tell by the steam that it’s warm
When the snow begins it’s thawing
It reveals those puppy drawings
He’s a frisky little pooch van Gogh
Yellow snow, yellow snow, yellow snow
Come here, Yeller. Come on boy. Good doggie.
Oh, not on Frosty.
He’ll be marking our yard with pride
You can tell by the steam that it’s warm
Well, he’s happy and his tail starts waggin’
But the snowman’s left side is saggin’
There’s a little puddle right below
Yellow snow, yellow snow, yellow snow
Yellow snow, yellow snow
Yellow snow
Little patches of yellow snow
Yellow snow
Little patches of where Fido goes
To hear the Mp3 click HERE
It's the first song on the list! Enjoy!
I just think this is a wonderful legend, and I just wanted to share it with you all. I'll certainly be watching this Christmas Eve. To view the story source click HERE.
The Night The Animals TalkedIn the frosty mountains and on the snowy fields of Norway, there is a legend that draws children to all kinds to stables and stalls throughout the country on each Christmas Eve night. They are hoping to hear a miracle. They are waiting to hear the animals talk.
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. This was no abandoned place, but was a working stable, filled with animals of all kinds. Into these humble surroundings, encircled by the innocent creatures of God, the Savior of man came into the world.
Now according to legend, at least, Christ's birth occurred at exactly midnight. Inside the stable, the animals watched in wonder as the new-born babe was lovingly wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. Suddenly, God gave voice to the animals and immediately they began to praise God for the miracle they had just seen. This went on for several minutes and, just before the entrance of the shepherds -- who had hurried to the stable because angels had told them the Christ had been born there -- the animals again fell silent. The only humans who had heard them were Mary, Joseph and, of course, the Christ child.
The legend of the talking animals persists to this day in Scandinavia. And every Christmas Eve, wide-eyed children creep into stables just before midnight to hear the animals praise God for the wondrous birth of His Son. Of course, adults scoff at this. "Old wives tales," they grump. "Those children should be home in bed, not out in the cold waiting for the family cow to preach a sermon."
But the children know -- or at least believe -- that animals really do praise God at midnight every Christmas Eve. And who of us -- those who believe in an all-powerful God -- can say that it really doesn't happen?
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
I've had the most interesting start to my day today. Just as I was about to turn into the lot at work, Casey calls. He tells me that there is a dog at the back door of his building that is starving to death. Now, you all know how we are. We couldn't just sit back and do nothing. It's winter time, and it's cold out, and it's bleak and dreary today especially. We called around to the local rescues, but it was so early that none were open. We took the dog to a local vet to have him boarded for the day, while we come up with more ideas. Turns out, he's a full bred Sharpei. The vet is going to clean him up and look him over. Hopefully, he'll check out fine. The vet's office is going to try and contact the Nashville Sharpei rescue. Hopefully, we'll have some luck there. Anyway, looks like we have another dog to foster for a while. AND I MEAN IT!!! Only for A WHILE this time!! We have a full house, and it just wouldn't be fair to bring another one in, but hopefully I can find a good home for it. It's time for me to go and chant my mantra.....
I WILL NOT GET ATTACHED! I WILL NOT GET ATTACHED! I WILL NOT GET ATTACHED!! Do ya'll think it'll work??
The parade lineup was so long, that it took our part of the line a while to start moving. Oh man, but once we did, it was SO MUCH FUN!! The kids and adults went absolutely crazy, when they saw us coming. Chewbacca and R2 were definitely the stars!! We had a decorated pickup truck following us that played Star Wars music. Every so often, the soundtrack would play: Emperor to Anakin: "Every Jedi is now an enemy of the Republic. Do what must be done, spare no one, show no mercy." At that time, the Clone Troopers would surround the Jedi, and a lightsaber battle between Anakin and the Jedi would begin. We had people stopping us for pictures and to record us. Casey and I were really busy handing out candy to all of the kids and keeping everybody's costume on. It took A LOT more energy than I had imagined.
After the parade, and once we had recovered, it was time for the Christmas dinner. Our dinner was at Shady Cove Marina. It was a wonderful buffet of primer rib, pork, baked chicken, steak tips, ribeye, catfish, green beans, roasted potatoes, macoroni and cheese, and other great stuff. Needless to say, we ate our fill. We all had a great time visiting and watching the award presentations. After the dinner, we were all going bowling, but Casey and I were beat. Since we weren't staying overnight we decided to head back home, while we were still awake. We got in just before midnight. We had a GREAT time! I've got some pictures posted below. To see my whole album click HERE. Thanks to the 501st for inviting us!
These next pictures are kind of blurry. I was having trouble getting the light setting right. It also could have been that my battery was dying. I think that we are going to have to get a new one. This battery doesn't want to hold a charge.
Researchers have determined that dogs laugh. They say that it very much sounds like a loud hassling sound. Tape recordings of barking and "laughing" dogs have been used in SPCA shelters. The results? All of the kenneled dogs went wild barking, while the sound of barking was played. While the sound of dog laughter was played, the shelter went absolutely quiet. I have to say that I agree with the findings. Fergie often makes that special sound, especially when she's playing ball. That's how I KNOW she's happy. I just wish that we could get a recording of that dog laughter to use at the kennel, when it's full of barkers. What about you all? Do you have any laughing dogs? For more information or a full article, click HERE
This is a cute little piece that I received on one of my dog lists. It is a great reminder for pet owners to be wary of the various Christmas decorations in reach of pets. For a full list of dangerous Christmas plants and items, visit ASPCA's Poision Control Center or click HERE
A Puppy ChristmasOn the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses
and I forgot all about the other eleven days.
Ruldoph's ready, but apparently the weather is NOT! We're supposed to march in the Shelbyville Christmas parade tonight. Casey and I are marching with the 501st Legion Southern Oupost that's leading Santa Claus' float. Our group has a most coveted spot. We have about 25 participants, and the costumes include the likes of Darth Vader, a life size (7'2" tall) Chewbacca, Stormtroopers, Clone Troopers, Royal Guards, Anakin Skywalker, a pod racing Anakin, Jawas, Boba and Jango Fett, and many others.
I've been so excited about it all week. Casey and I are walking along as spotters. The costumes don't always have a good line of vision, so it's our job to make sure they don't run into kids, holes, poles, etc. We are also handing out candy to the kids. We have some of the Darth Vader head candy buckets and extra stormtrooper helmets to do this. This parade is what motivated me to get to the doctor to get myself well. Anyway, of course, the weather forcast is horrible for today and tonight. We are supposed to step off for a 2 mile parade at 6 p.m. We have to meet our group at 4:30, and be in line up by 5:00 p.m. Our local radio station is broadcasting the final decision whether to cancel and schedule a rain date, or to go on with the show at noon today. I admit that I'm trying to hold the weather off by sheer force of will. We've had pouring rain this morning, but looking at the radar that first bit is clearing now. There's nothing on radar behind it, but I suspect it will stream up from the south.
I wouldn't mind marching on the makeup date, but next weekend we are supposed to go up north of Nashville for the Gallatin parade and Christmas party. I will just cross my fingers. This is going to be something really new and unique for the Shelbyville parade. I just hope that we can pull it off. I'll just wait for the announcement. Everyone cross their fingers and think good thoughts for us.
After my last post on Wednesday, I took to fits of sneezing. CONTINUALLY...ALL..THE..REST...OF...THE..DAY!! So I was feeling pretty crappy, when I set off Wednesday night for the humane tree decoration. Bi-Lo gave us a great spot for the tree set up. Six of us were there for the decorating festivities. The tree ended up being really cute. We had the dog biscuit ornaments, the round ornaments with SBCHA,pawprints,cat faces, etc., pictures of all the humane animals, envelopes and instructions on the tree. It came together pretty quickly, and we were all proud of our work. I made several pictures, while we were decorating. My camera battery was running really low, so I only made a few. While we were finishing up, we were approached by a man. None of us knew or recognized him. He was very polite and asked us what our tree represented. We happily explained our cause and how our organization is run entirely by volunteers. He complimented our efforts and took a few more minutes to look at the tree. Suddenly to our surprise, he asked for one of our envelopes. We gave it to him, expecting a mail in donation. Instead, he pulled out his wallet and handed us a fresh, crisp $100 dollar bill!! We were completely taken aback. We asked for his name and contact information, so we could send him a thankyou, but he wished to remain anonymous. Talk about a complete suprise. It's the little acts of strangers sometimes, that can restore your faith in humanity. (Thank you so much, whoever you are!!) We all left with a very good feeling that night.
Unfortunately, my sneezing continued all the way through this event, and it made my ears feel like they were going to blow out. I've been battling with a slight earache for about 2 weeks now. I woke up yesterday feeling horrid. I finally went to see the doctor yesterday afternoon. Just a simple ear infection. Now I have meds and am feeling somewhat better today. Nothing big to accomplish today. Everyone's just getting ready for all of the holiday festivites. Hopefully, I'll have the humane tree pictures posted by tomorrow. Everyone have a great day!
