Rudy Hates Thunderstorms | Wordless Wednesday

Rudy just heard the weather forecast.

90% chance rain with thunderstorms

for the whole week.

 

Adopt Aggie #Rottweiler #Lab Mix #ShelterDog @WaysideWaifs in #KCMO

This big beautiful girl is Aggie.  She's a 2 1/2 year old Rottweiler Labrador Retriever mix that is living the shelter life these days.

Aggie is house broken and know basic obedience.  If you're looking for a big bundle of love, read Aggie's adoption message.

Hey, I'm Aggie. I'm an adorable girl transferred from another shelter when they ran out of space for me. I've been shown so much love as a Waif and I have so much hope that my family will be here soon to take me home. I'm a big gal weighing about 74 pounds, with a big heart to match! 

I'm a strong girl who will do best with someone who is familiar with my breed. I'm a confident and pretty independent type of gal. I'll definitely need to stay active to be happy and healthy! I'll do best with older children due to my size and I prefer no cats or small, furry animals. I'll benefit from basic obedience training in my new home but I'll learn the ropes in no time. 

I'm a smart girl and already know the commands sit, down, and come. I'm eager to learn even more from you. I'll be extra motivated with praise, fun toys, or yummy treats! Oh, and did I mention I'm house trained?? I'm ready to show my pleasing, affectionate side to my perfect match. I'm a lovable girl who will make the best companion. Hope to see you soon at Wayside Waifs!

For more information about Aggie, 

contact Wayside Waifs at  816-761-8151. 

Aggie's adoption ID number is 30160719. 

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community. 

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Old Dogs by Larry Garrett | Dog Song Saturday

Another Dog Song Saturday has rolled around and we've got an original song about dogs for you.  Old Dogs  was written and is performed by Larry Garrett.

Larry Garrett's music comes from the long tradition of folk music in the Kansas City area. Pulled from everyday experiences of family, childhood, "old dogs" and growing older, the Independence, Missouri, resident's songs paint a picture of life that is personal yet steeped in a musical lineage. Garrett performs regularly, usually with a guitar and harmonica, though you'll also occasionally find him with dobro, banjo, dulcimer or ukulele.

Garrett wrote this song about the dogs he and his wife have had and dedicates it to Charla, the English Bull Dog, Derek the Standard Schnauzer, Bluto, a Bull Terrier, Mickey the Westie, and Darla the Bulldog.  He further notes that "if they're not up there in heaven, I don't think I want to go."

Sit Stay. Relax and enjoy Old Dogs by Larry Garrett.    Fetch more dog songs and music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the years.

Best Friends | Wordless Wednesday

Friends are like walls. Sometimes you lean on them, and sometimes it's good just knowing they are there. ~Author unknown

I Need a Mailman - An Urn for Jeffie

I need a mailman!

Whenever either of us uttered those words, we'd hear a rapid answering woof and no matter where he was, Jeffie scrambled to go on a shipping run.

He took his responsibility as the Mail Man for For Love of a Dog very seriously in spite of absolutely hating to ride in the car.  Yes, the Mail Man would softly woof under his breath the whole way up our lane to the mailbox and even all the way to the Post Office and back home again.  He hated traveling so much that you would think he would not answer the call: I need a mailman.

He never missed a mail run.

I tell you this to explain Jeffie's final resting place.

We've always buried our animals.  This time - knowing the weather called for heavy rain for several days - we opted for cremation.  I spent a lot of time online shopping for an urn for Jeffie's ashes.   Some I saved to Pinterest, some are saved to my Etsy favorites.  Elegant urns, handmade wooden and ceramic containers, personalized custom urns and even some vintage boxes, cookie jars and cannisters.

Then the Dog Daddy came across an antique post office box front.  We've had it for many, many years and simply never gotten around to doing something with it.

It was meant to be.

I purchased a very cool set of vintage kitchen canisters.  Solid wood with lovely dovetail joinery, we sanded one and simply finished it with Briwax. Cut out the front to add the PO box front and ... viola!  

Fittingly, the canister we used for Jeffie is the one marked for sugar.

Suspended from antique brass chains are a collection of talismans or totems for prayers and remembering.  The word re-membering has a talismanic meaning. To member something means to bring together in a particular intentional way which is the function of a talisman and prayer. 

Jeffie's prayer talismans include:

• Owl which is Jeffie's Spirit Animal. The owl is an old soul, a keeper of ancient wisdom and is deeply connected with wisdom and intuitive knowledge.
• Butterfly which is a very powerful symbol for transformation and metamorphosis and is closely tied to spirits and souls.
• Crow which is an omen of transformation, protection and spirit guide.  The Osage Indians believed that crows bring good news.
• White rose symbolizes hope, joy and new beginnings and is often used to represent love, especially a love that is pure.
• Teardrops acknowledge the loss of a family member or loved one and indicate healing and comfort, reassurance, and positive energy
• Hearts symbolize love, unity, connections and compassion.
• Dog bones are associated with spiritual development and represent one's helpers and family.
• Angel a symbol of devotion, spirituality and faith. Angels also symbolize divine will and are the messengers of God.

I also included Jeffie's dog tags and some other charms, including two of my handmade dog breed charms - a Golden Retriever and a Border Collie - since these are the two dog breeds which made up our Jeffie.

Right now Jeffie is resting in good company.  The wonderful framed photograph of Jeffie was my favorite Christmas gift this year and came from my good (and very thoughtful) friend, Kristi.  It is engraved that brilliant Will Rogers quotation:  If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

You'll also notice the cool personalized key chain and the Norman's memory candle from my sweet (and also incredibly thoughtful) friend, JoAnn.  Jeffie's favorite collars (one from JoAnn in Jeffie's KU Jayhawks colors) rest with him in addition to "Jeffie artwork."

I need a mailman!

And in my heart I hear the answering woof.