and Then There Was Alissa

Madame Roland said in the eighteenth century “Plus je vois le homes, plus j’admire les chiens” (The more I see of men, the more I admire dogs). - Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson in Dogs Never Lie About Love

No truer words have been said, by me!

I was writing about Sookie, but you know, with Sookie comes Alissa. I adopted Alissa when no one else wanted her. She was shy, very shy. Deemed "unadoptable". Sookie was just a goofy little puppy when Alissa came into my house. Sookie wasn't afraid of anything or anyone. Alissa slowly followed suit. The two are nearly inseperable. But yet, Alissa, having outlived her shy, timid ways, has developed her own personality. This personality is bold, but cautious. She bark, and growls at the appropriate times. Never at people in the house, but people walking by the house, alone or with a dog on a leash. Even still out on our daily walks, Alissa wants to meet & greet!

Sookie

Sookie, what can I say? Sookie is the dog everyone hopes to have as a companion. She's in tune with me at all times. We haven't been able to communicate telepathically, but there's really no need.

She can read my mind, and while she's reading my mind, I look into hers.

She's a little thick around the middle, just like me! She's just a little left of center, if you know what I mean? Goofy, Sookie knows when I'm taking myself too seriously. She'll make me laugh when I

think I don't want to.

I can't remember the last time she even remotely misbehaved. When I chose her from kennel after kennel at Animal Control, well she assured me that I had made the absolutely correct choice.

Sookie's traveled all the same roads I have. She hasn't ever left my side. We started here in Austin, Texas. Then I had this "brilliant" idea to move to Minnesota in the dead of winter. Wrong. But she put up with it. I'm pretty sure she was estatic when we came back to Austin, Texas.

...to be continued.

Choosing A Relative

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative. M. Siegel"

If I Didn't Have Dogs

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading throughfuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,

without taking into consideration how much space several

fur bodies would need to getcomfortable.

I would have money ...and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with the veterinarian,

as I put his yet unborn grand kids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down,

come,no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E- E,

W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog

ties themdown too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading"mud" season.

I would not have to answer the question "Why do you have so many animals?"

from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved

unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How EMPTY my life would be! ~ Author Unknown

I Adopted Your Dog Today

I adopted your dog today

The one you left at the pound

The one you had for seven years

and no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today

Do you know he's lost weight?

Do you know he's scared and depressed

and has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today.

he had fleas and a cold,

but don't worry none.

You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today.

Were you having a baby or moving away?

Did you suddenly develop allergies

or was there no reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your dog today.

he doesn't play or eat much

He's very depressed,

but he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your dog today.

And here he will stay.

He's found his forever home

and a warm bed on which to lay.

I adopted your dog today.

And I will give him all that he could need.

Patience, love, security, and understanding.

Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed. -Author Unknown

In Memory Of A Man That Tried

I really want to say something profound here. I really want to speak of happy memories and great times. The truth is, well, the truth is, I have to write the way it was.

Patrick left this planet on December 16, 2007. He was a good man. Though he was wrought with a disease (alcohol) he tried to live a clean life. He loved me, I truly believe he loved me. But I also truly believe that it was not the right time for us. I was grieving my own loss, my life was changing and the choices I had been making weren't very good for me.

Patrick was there for me, whatever I wanted, if it was within his power, he made it happen for me. I wanted to go to Minnesota (so I thought), I couldn't handle it. I couldn't tell him I couldn't handle it. I don't know why I couldn't handle it, but he suffered from my turmoil.

Then, I HAD to come back to Texas. He said, "yes, babe, whatever you want". He came with. He left his life in Minnesota, a job, his family, because I wanted it. He wanted what I wanted. When that wasn't working for me, when I still could not find peace and happiness, I left him. I couldn't tell him why I left him, but he suffered from my turmoil.

My life spiraled out of control after that. I moved back in with Patrick, I moved out again. Then I showed up on his doorstep without warning. He let me in, but he suffered from my turmoil. He accepted me and whatever came with that, he accepted it.

He died. I regret never really saying I was sorry for all the grief and heartache I put on him. So, I'm saying it now; Patrick, I'm so very sorry.

Peace ~ Out
Teresa

My Dogs Live Here

MY DOGS LIVE HERE

My dogs live here, they're here to stay.

you don't like pets, be on your way.

they share my home, my food, my space

this is their home, this is their place.

You will find dog hair on the floor,

they will alert you're at the door.

they may request a little pat,

a simple "no" will settle that.

It gripes me when I hear you say

"just how is it you live this way?

they smell, they shed,

they're in the way..

"WHO ASKED YOU? is all I can say..

They love me more than anyone,

my voice is like the rising sun,

they merely have to hear me say

"C'mon girls, time to go and play

"then tails wag and faces grin,

they bounce and hop and make a din.

They never say "no time for you",

they're always there, to GO and DO.

and if I'm sad? They're by my side

and if I'm mad? they circle wide

and if I laugh, they laugh with me

they understand, they always see.

so once again, I say to you

come visit me, but know this too..

My dogs live here,

they're here to stay.

you don't like pets, be on your way.

they share my home, my food, my space

this is their home, this is their place.

- Author Unknown