I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT DOGS

Lately, I have been thinking about DOGS. I spoke with a friend yesterday who has been fostering a DOG that was imprinted upon her. Sadly, the rules are that eventually she must give it up to a family. Sadly, not from her point of view, but the DOG'S. The ANIMAL was dreadfully starved for affection because it was one of a litter of PUPPIES abandoned in the woods of winter--the MOTHER and a number of the PUPPIES frozen to death. This, of course, is due to the cruelty of MAN.

I have acquired several older DOGS in my time. They never quite "settle" in. It is as though they cannot forget.

We are given ANIMALS to nurture, feed, and love. When we do, that love comes back to us. I am disgustedly aware of CRUEL MEN--AND WOMEN, who selfishly abandon these ANIMALS for their own twisted reasons. Life is not fair--definitely not fair for some ANIMALS.

I have been thinking about DOGS because I intend to get one again, after a long period of time, and--certainly from an ANIMAL SHELTER.

Look around, people. There are hundreds of abandoned ANIMALS who require love. For all your expense and care, THEY will return you back TENFOLD in LOVE and LOYALTY.

I will try to do my part and get an abandoned DOG from a SHELTER. I am definitely thinking about a DOG.

Are YOU?

THE STORMS OF THIS WORLD

The STORMS we thought would never end have come and gone--in this area. Out west is still struggling. Only last week we glumly shovelled piles of snow. Surprising signs of spring are evident around us.

The BIRDS are busy finding sustenance, and perhaps cowed by the DYNAMITE explosions on the next street. (Sewer and water are going in.) The workers come to my street next week, and if I jump at a DYNAMITE blast from there--what willl it be like just outside my door?

With the devastation in JAPAN, and tremendous loss of life, one's mind cannot help but go to the ANIMALS. Many countries are now assisting the distressed country, and IFAW, (Inernational Fund For Animal Welfare) is on standby--to come when requested. What ANIMALS--let alone people, could have survived such a nightmare? Perhaps more to come. The mind boggles.

Yet here in my small corner, as one looks out and sees the BIRDS flitting about around the feeders, one cannot mind a STORM or two to ruffle all of our feathers.

We must be grateful and do what we can to help--if only to pray for those involved in the larger STORMS of this world.

What was your reaction to the devastation? Some of you are very near.