iGive : Raise money for Going To The Rescuers, every time you search the web.

iGive : Raise money for Going To The Rescuers, every time you search the web.

In Heaven We Shall Meet

After a three day struggle, at 10:23pm, August 5th, Aunt Lottie finally went to be with her Savior, at her age of 97. Mom, Papa and my Christian sister Michelle sat with Aunt Lottie. Papa, struggled with his health had been staying home but Mom insisted on picking him up and having him come usher Aunt Lottie off to Heaven.

Michelle had an "urging" to get Mom out of the room for a few minutes. While they were gone, Papa got on his knees down by Aunt Lottie's head and started singing to her. She opened her right eye and looked at him. He finished his song, then got up and went to sit on a chair. When he turned around to look at her, she was already gone. She must have been waiting for time alone with him, her nephew, whom she adored.

I met her last summer and fell in love instantly. All who knew her will miss her dearly.

Aunt Lottie was a sweet little old lady, but don't let her frail frame of a woman fool you. Her boisterous voice, heavily accented with her Hamtramck and polish upbringing would put you right in your place in an instant should you get out of line.

Her, "OYE…YOY…OYE" will live on in those she knew forever and those she recently met. It's her trademark and one we all can appreciate. Her hand made doilies she crocheted kept her hands busy for years, but her love of Jesus kept her heart and her mind focused.

Reading her Bible was her favorite thing to do. She loved to pray…with you or for you, she didn't care; she knew there was no problem greater than her Master, Jesus could handle. And she would be the first to tell you so. Loving and bragging on Jesus is what she loved to do.

As the end drew near for her, she asked everyone, do you know Jesus? She wanted to make sure they were going to the same place she was going…Heaven. It was her life's work. Her mission. Her calling. Please be certain of your salvation so you can meet up with Aunt Lottie again.

Until We Get To Heaven, Uncle David...

My Uncle David went to be with Jesus a couple of days ago. It was a very peaceful passing from this life to Heaven's gates. After suffering from Alzheimers for several years, it was time for him to be released. A kinder man I have not known. No foul thing or sarcastic speech came out of his mouth. He was a man with integrity and grace. He was the true, "Real men love Jesus" poster.

Uncle David was like Jesus with skin on…his touch was gentle, his speech soft and always an advocate for right and good and his laugh genuine. Knowing his hands and his arms were always available for hugs and comfort was a very important comfort to me growing up. So many years have passed and memories faded, but this I will never forget. I didn't feel much love growing up after Dad died. There were few folks I actually knew loved me and Uncle David was one even when I was in rebellion I would see his face, see his grin, hear is laugh and know I was loved.
The earth lost a great man of God, but Heaven has received a jewel. Finally, he gets his prize of the race he ran faithfully…slow and steady. Good job, Uncle David…tell Dad we'll see him soon.

So much to talk about...

Where do I begin? Let's start with thanking God for his mercy and grace and all of His wonderful goodness. I've been very busy with my Doreen's Doggie Delights dog cookie business. Included in that, I've been doing a lot of rescue with a fantastic group of folks. We've saved a lot of dogs from death and that is a wonderful feeling. I'm partnered with a rescue in GA...www.pitprintrescue.com. They do some fantastic work with pit bulls.

Let's see...I guess, I'll start with the most recent...Last night we were having a fire outside with the neighbor and I decided to go get some sausages to cook. When I brought them to the table, it was too much stimuli overload for Wrigley. He attacked Lucy. We didn't think it was bad, cuz we didn't see blood, but it was dark outside. When we came inside, I noticed her wounds and then when I got up this morning, I shaved the areas because I didn't want them to get infected. He really did get her pretty good. It looks like the flesh is torn, more than punctured. Actually, I guess that is better than the puncture, so it will heal better but it looks worse. Wrigley really needs to be an only child, but he needs to learn to get along completely. We will go back to seperating them for a while and put him on restriction. It really grieves my heart that this happened.

Okay, the other thing that happened is, Gary's neice called to say Pat was going on hospice. That is a very sad thing to us. She's in Tennesee and with gas prices it's just too far to go...so now we just pray and wait for the call.

I updated my website...www.doreensdoggiedelights.com. It is much faster and I have some of the rescue work I do posted under Rescue Stories where there are lots of pictures. Come and visit!

Doreen's Doggie Delights goes to Frankenmuth?

Maybe...I got a call from someone yesterday offering me a booth for Memorial Day weekend. The cost is 400 bucks though of which I do not have. However, I would get my "business" out to 40,000 people! So, it's a great opportunity for me. Must pray and pray for financing. God is really good! :)

Lucy's Leg

Two weeks ago, I was in the backyard playing with Lucy. The snow was melting and it was wet and heavy. Lucy loves the snow and needed to run off some energy and she wanted some one on one time with Mom. I grabbed the flirt pole and we began a slow game. I always play slow with her because of her size and age. (She'll be 7 next month!) Anyway, as she ran to grab it, she jumped into a deep section of the snow and stopped dead in her tracks. With the look of panic on her face, and the sound of a POP, I knew I broke my dog. Terrified, I ran to help her. I quickly flexed her knee and felt it POP back into place. Hoping for the strength of angels, I picked up my eighty pound girl and headed for the door. She struggled for me to put her down. I didn't get two steps. I had about forty to go. I tried for the angel strength again and picked her up again, knowing I had to get her in the house. Again, she was having none of the carrying. I put her down. She was too heavy for me. I didn't know how I was going to get her in the house. Gary was inside, obviously with the doors closed. Finally, I pulled my scarf from around my neck and put it under Lucy's belly and used it as a sling to get her at least to the gate.I opened and propped the door and yelled for Gary to kennel Wrigley. I was exhausted by this time. I told him I broke Lucy and needed his help. Wrigley came flying out the door to see what was going on. Gary helped me get Lucy in the house and on the couch. She did not have a broken leg. We decided to let time heal her. I couldn't take it any longer and took her to the vet. Sure enough...blown acl. Surgery is not an option.Dr. put her on Rimadyl. 75mg twice a day. 40 bucks for 2 weeks. Anyone know of generic and/or where to get it cheaper? Also...she's on bedrest till further notice.

Can you help Dolly and Luna

As you already know, I'm very active in a rescue group on MySpace. Currently, I'm working with an awesome lady named Lillian. She has recently rescued two dogs, one named Dolly and one named Luna. Here are their stories:

Luna is Star's sister. In one of the pictures you can see them both laying on the bed together. Luna got adopted out along with her other sister Lilly to a couple who did not take care of them. Lilly is still in their custody. Luna's life had to be bought back in order to save it. The man (and I use the term loosely) is a drug addict and now has 21 other dogs in his care or lack of and is getting ready to abandon them. My friend Lillian is trying to prepare people to get ready for them. They will need a lot of care, as you can see by Luna's condition. Apparently, she is the worst of the bunch.

She weighs about 25 pounds compared to her sister who weighs about 65. She is hungry for attention but afraid of being touched at the same time. She won't eat unless the others eat first and she has chronic diarrhea, so much so that it's hard to get her house trained. She is in major need of medical help but there are no funds for her or for the others that will be coming.

Lillian is doing a great job working with rescue organizations and different places trying to get funding for medical care and food for these two but money is tight and hard to come by. Won't you please help us help these babies? They deserve a chance at love. They didn't ask to be starved, neglected or abused and Lillian is available to nurture and care for them. All she needs is some funding to get them healthy. We are now...begging for your help. Please click on the donate button below and help us.



Luna...doesn't feel very good.

Luna on left and Star on right...same age should be same size

Luna...skin and bones.

Dolly with her foot as a flipper.

Dolly is the most critical case. She needs surgery. You can see how horribly her leg is broken by looking at the picture but what you can’t see is that her hip was also broken at the same time. At age 12 weeks she was struck by a car. Nobody cared enough to help her recover or get her fixed. The owners let her suffer with a broken hip and leg until they didn't want her anymore and gave her away. She is now about 9 months old. The new temporary owners kept her outside in a pen that they never cleaned, so she lived in filth. When the rescue person came to get her she walked in inches of dung just to get to her. The make shift shelter had fallen on top of Dolly and clipped her scalp as you can see in the picture. Again, no medical care was given. She was covered in fleas and her water bowl was frozen solid. The way she is forced to walk, is affecting her shoulder her hip. Her hip needs repair and her leg may need to be amputated. Along with regular dog maintenance, spay, shots, food and love, this girl just needs lots of TLC. The owners of Dolly came to the temporary home looking for Dolly to put her down. When they found out she was gone, they returned with the sheriff and a court order. Dolly is a happy girl who has been abused and neglected from a very young age. Please help us help her. Donations big and small are accepted. Thank you and God Bless! If you want to make a larger donation (and please do...you can email or message me)

Here's how you can help...we put an eBay donation link up for Dolly but the donations will go to both dogs: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=330209222512

Catch up

Well...I haven't written in a long time, partly because I don't know who even reads what I write. Nobody ever comments but I guess some folks do read it so I'll write an update and let ya know what's going on.

Yesterday was an awesome surprise from my Bible study group of women. One of the ladies caused a "distraction" and called me out of the room. When they called me back in they handed me an envelope full of money. They took up a collection for my cookies. They said to get at least 2 of my cookies lab tested and into the pet stores. Now, that can happen. Two down, four to go. I will send these off after the snow storm is over and get that started. Then I have to get my license from the state of Michigan. :)

I am also doing research to see what it takes to get them into pet stores in other states. If you have any leads or suggestions, please contact me. Remember, my cookies are wheat, corn, salt, sugar and preservative free. Check out my website at: www.doreensdoggiedelights.com

Bye Aunt Gaye

Aunt Gaye died this week at 74, complications from pneumonia. Unexpected, I always thought I had time to call and tell her I loved her. She knew it though, but I didn’t tell her enough. I thought it all the time, but the words never came out of my mouth for her ears to hear. God knew. She had to know, but she didn’t hear.

Today is her memorial service. I won’t be there, but she knows I want to be there, right? Life happens and I just can’t make it.

So, I’ll have my own farewell send off in my heart and on my blog for the world to see. I’ll remember the good times we had.

I’ll start with the birthday parties at her house because my day was the 4th of July, she always had it at her house around her build in swimming pool. I always got to invite my girlfriends and favorite cousin Janice. We had red, white and blue cake and swam till it was time for the fireworks.

If you wanted her to share gum with you, she would be glad to do it, but you only got half a stick! Between her minty fresh breath and her Taboo perfume I always knew Aunt Gaye was somewhere around. Even to this day, the combination reminds me distinctly of her.

At Christmastime, she was bigger than Santa in us kids’ eyes. Around the corner she’d come with the greatest gift of all. A pantyhose stocking stretched to its limit filled with nuts, and apples, oranges and gifts of all kinds…dolls, books and candy. We were kept busy for hours.

One Christmas she made a surprise visit. Guess what she had? No, it wasn’t a pantyhose stocking but it was a stocking stuffed full of things just for me, making a memory!

I loved going to her house at Christmastime. Her house was always heavily decorated. Must be part of where I get it…between her and Aunt Joyce and my mom, I come by it honestly.

Well, Aunt Gaye…say hi to Uncle Joe, and Aunt Jackie and Grandma and Grandpa and most of all tell my dad hi and I miss him the most.

I love Thor!

Sadly, I write about my buddy Thor. I've never met him...yet our hearts have connected. I loved him since the first picture I saw of him waiting for someone to rescue him. He was hairless due to demonex mange and was sentenced to die. The treatment the shelter was giving him wasn't working and they had given up but Sam came along with something special for this guy.

Hope. And it went a long way. She brought him home and completely changed his treatment to one that actually began to work at least for a while. For a few months, he got good exersise, loving and playtime. He had fun and playmates. He even got out of his crate and got to sleep in the bed! :) Then he got a skin infection along with possible food allergies. Now, the mange has returned and the poor boy is suffering. It is time to let him go and end his pain.

My heart goes out to Sam and the work she's done with him. He is scheduled to cross over the Rainbow Bridge sometime on Friday. Please pray for Sam and Thor and our group as we will mourn this loss of life in a great way.

Life Update

It's been a while since my last blog...what's up? Well...I'm trying to get a new doggie cookie business off the ground. Check it out: www.doreensdoggiedelights.com

But...I suppose the most import praise right now is that my Papa Wally made it through a quadruple by-pass surgery on Thursday, November 2, 2007 with flying colors. I didn't expect anything less! He's alert and active and feeling great. He's recovering as I type, faster than the nurses expected for a 78 year old man.

Mom has a lot of work ahead of her, with changing thier diets and getting some exersise incorporated in their lives, but God will work it out and show them what to do.

Papa came into the hospital for a stent and is leaving with practically a new heart!

God is very good indeed!

ABC Home Makeover

Date: Sep 20, 2007 5:02 PMPet Rescue by Judy is where I got Moose. If you haven't met Moose and haven't seen that he's the best dog ever, you're missing out! If it wasn't for Pet Rescue by Judy...he would have been put down at the shelter they got him from. They are up for the possibility of having Extreme Home Makeover build them a new shelter. All of you know how crazy I am about animal rescue so I think this is just fabulous. I agree a that she's a little nutty, but she finds a lot of homes for animals and I sure can't fault anyone for that! I think you have to be crazy to be as wonderful as these people are.Please sign the petition of you have time! THANKS!!-----------------------------------------ABC's Extreme Home Makeover

Petition to help Pet Rescue by JudyGuess what! Extreme Home Makeover is considering building us a shelter!This is what happened: Rose, the owner of the Red Lion Pub, contacted them a couple of months ago and told them about how Judy lost her kennel due to zoning issues. They were intrigued because they had never done anything like a kennel before, so they asked for a video. That was a trick, getting a video of Judy and her home without her knowing it but fortunately our treasurer, Abel, is pretty darn clever and pulled it off. Weeks went by with nary a word, then a phone call: can you get together a petition to show local support for Pet Rescue By Judy? Can we ever!!! And that's where we are now. We welcome out-of-state signatures as well as a demonstration of the national interest in animal rescue! If you would like to sign the petition, please go to http://www.petitiononline.com/sep2007/petition.html and let your friends know too. And keep your fingers crossed! Of course, we still need the 3 to 5 acres on which to build the shelter, but we are hoping that someone will step forward and help us in that area too. I don't suppose any of you know a banker or investment councilor with a client who needs a tax break..... The down side to all of this is that we had to let the cat out of the bag and tell Judy about the possibility of Extreme Home Makeover helping. She was stunned and thrilled. And afraid to hope. But hope is what has kept her going all these years! Let's all hope together!

Please sign the online petition:http://www.petitiononline.com/sep2007/petition.html

Thank you

LasVegasWrinkleRescue Rescued Houston Dogs

I'm sure you all heard about the dog bust in Houston where there were about 100 dogs found but only about 30 were able to be rescued? Well...Jennifer is a member in my group and they called her to see if she could handle them. She is normally a 2-4 dog rescue, but she couldn't say no. One more time, as a group, we rallied to send her what we could. Old towels, blankets, sheets, money...one girl had a PetSmart gift card she was waiting to use and just sent it to her! Jennifer needed more. Granted, we all wanted to rush down there and put hands to the efforts, but that was not practical on many levels, but our hearts and prayers are with her. She knows we are thinking of her and that we would be there if it were possible. So, with our tears, we listen, with our hearts we pray and with our arms, we wrap them around our pups and promise them they will NEVER have to worry about being mistreated ever again.

Donations can be made directly on her website.

Here's Jennifer's words as she described the situation and her heartfelt thanks in a thread in our group:

Towels will sooooo come in handy!!! Animal Planet is "supposed" to do a "Where are they now" story sometime in the future. Our local station called today and interviewed both myself and my partner. EEEEEEEEEEE I don't like public speaking! I felt like a second grader during a spelling bee! Oh and ended up choking up and tearing up when speaking of a little girl I named Prissy Priscilla. With all she's been through, she still such the little lover! heres a couple pics of me and her.

To all of you, your support means more to me then you'll EVER know!On Monday Sept. 19th the Houston Bulldogs FINALLY arrived in Las Vegas. The magnitude of this situation finally came into focus.They all are massively underweight, with slight fevers, some have eye irritations, and many with strange unexplainable skin lesions. These babes arrived looking somewhat defeated, broken down shells of the dogs they use to be. Despite the trama they have been through, they still remained happy, smiling bullies!They are all still horrendously underweight, with severe upper respiratory infections.

The staff at Durango Animal Hospital came in early or on their days off, to insure that the absolute best care was available for ALL dogs. On arrival, their weights were charted, temps taken, and body condition evaluated, they were feed and given a chance to rest.We previously only had numbers to associate these dogs with, but upon their arrival we were able to give ever number a name.

After giving them a chance to settle in, they were individually taken out, walked and given the attention they soooooo desperately craved. We spent more then twelve hours making sure they were bathed, comforted and loved on.Their road to recovery and rehabilitation will be a looooooooong complicated process, but we will be there with them during their entire journey.
To our family(who won't be seeing a lot of us for a while) our friends and everyone else that enables us to do this, our deepest heartfelt THANKS!!!!! We are emotionally, physically, and mentally drained, but relieved they are here. So their journey begins! PLEASE keep them in your thoughts and prayers!these pics were taken yesterday during their evaluation

thanks all of you!!!! its just sooooooooooo flipppin hard to wrap my head around this! I mean seriously, the bitch LIVED on the property! How do you stuff your face with food paid for off their backs and watch them STARVE?!?!?!?! For the moment she's in jail awaiting her criminal trial. I'd LOVE to fly down there and testify against this bitch! I'll send pics as I get them. Honestly, there are some that are way to F'd to post anywhere! My daily ritual has become, get up have some coffee, feed my dogs, take the kids to school, come home and network, answer emails and phone calls, and go visit the dogs in ISO. Then its time to pick up the kids, strip in the garage, and wash my clothes so I don't transmit anything, shower, cook dinner, answers emails, network return calls, and colapse into a pile of blah, with my dogs! Some of these dogs still have an if'y prognosis and I can't bare to loss another one! PLEASE all you bully lovers, hugs your pups, keep them close and pray for these guys to get through this.

What's On My Mind?

Finally the HSPCA to the rescue!

Rescued pup scared going to Jennifer in Las Vegas

Rescued scared dog going to Jennifer in Las Vegas

Rescued scared dog going to Jennifer in Las Vegas

Well...lots! There is a soldier I read about who has fallen in love with the cutest little black and white pup over in Iraq and is trying to find a way for him to get back to the USA. It was a story of true love. As a dog lover, I can't imagine falling in love with Lucy or Wrigley and then having to leave them in another country to fend for themselves. So...that weighs heavy on my heart and in my prayers.

Another thing on my mind of course is the misuse and abuse of my favorite breed...the pit bulls. Jennifer, a gal in my group who runs a very small rescue (2-4) dogs is getting 30 on Saturday from Houston. Out of 100 dogs, only 30 lived. These poor babies are so neglected they are skin and bones and starving for not only food, but love and attention. How can people be so cruel? I wish I could go and help her with them, but she is in Las Vegas, and being out of work, doesn't really leave much resources for me to work with. So...I'll send what I can...I have some blankets and towels and old sheets. I'm sure they will help. One good thing is, Animal Planet is sending a reporter to cover the story. One of the girls from the group, sent an email to them to ask for a donation to help. For those that want to make a monetary donation, they have a paypal account set up, the email addy for that is lvwrinklerescue@hotmail.com.

We have been watching Mamma and her babies on line thanks to Patrick. He set up a webcam at his home and is letting the world (and our group) be included in the rescue of this sweet girl and her babies. She gives him lots of kisses and lets him sit with her while she nurses the babies. It's really something to watch!

I've started helping teach the kids at church. We have a computer game/program which will allow us to email messages to the kids so they will have them whenever they log on to play the game. I don't have all of the specifics as I've just started, but it seems pretty cool. I'm excited to be with the kids and give back to the Lord.

I put in several applications at Mercy hospital yesterday and spoke with the HR assistant and another person in the department. I felt encouraged when I left. I know it may take some time as most places do but I believe that will be my next employer. :) Of course, I also got a call from 911 to go to the next step and take a test on Saturday, so I'll follow up on that. I could easily do that job too...well...not easily as I know there is much training involved, but that does sound like a very interesting job as well.

And then there is my job/house situation that still weighs on my mind but I can only do one day at a time and there is only so much I can do. So, I do what I can and let God do the rest.

Life is Da Pits

Yeah, I know, but it's a good thing! That's the name of the MySpace group that I belong to and in it is the best group of people I've never met in person. LOL In fact, we've laughed together, and most definitely cried together. Sharing stories of our own pit bulls or bull dogs in the news or if we've made a news story like Patrick. Our hearts break when we try and rescue and time runs out and the party is on when the last minute redemption happens as in Mama's case and her 8 puppies. She had been in the shelter, and her 1 week old puppies had been dropped off all around the city and were brought in 2 and 3 at a time until there were 10! Two died...we cried. But Sam begged for more time for Mama because the shelter didn't have room for her and because she was a pit they wanted to euthanize her. Sam came to the board almost daily in tears begging for someone to do something...she already had 41 or something like that of her own rescues and fosters, she could do no more. Finally...the last day...God showed up...and so did Patrick. LOL So, three of the group members took them to his house, bathed them and got everyone set up. Another case I can and must share, although, I will do it through tears is Coco. Originally, she was in the shelter and was about 3 months old. She was in NY (I think) and Sarg wanted her in Chicago, but the shelter didn't want her going out of state. So, they found another home. A few months later, she ended back into the shelter after being bashed in the nose with an ax, losing her eye! Yes, that got all of us riled up. We had banned together in the first place trying to find her a good home when Sarg came forward and wanted her...and to be turned down! Now this? We were horrified to say the least. Eventually, Sarg worked hard on getting Coco placed with his cousin. Another happy ending. Then there's Missy...coco's twin. When Skye found her in the shelter, her heart melted because of Coco and our history with her, plus, she too was blinded in the same eye! Someone shot her with a bee bee gun! We rallied again to get her a forever home and it was decided that Kelly from Georgia was going to come to NY and get her for her parents. The shelter freaked out and refused to let Missy go, out of state. The found a home for her. Within 2 weeks, she was brought back and was scheduled to be put to sleep because they said she, "bit a little boy." Skye went ballistic and so did the group. We made phone calls and demanded to see police reports and dr reports for proof that it was a bite. Skye did her own temperament testing on Missy and in NO way was she aggressive, however, the people that adopted her didn't know how to handle a dog of this nature, much less know how to handle her around little kids. Dogs jump until trained and Missy jumped up on the little boy scratching him. NOT biting! So, someone in our group came forward and adopted her once they rescinded the euthanasia order. Thank God! At the same time we were dealing with Missy, we were also praying for and working on Miller. He was with Missy at the same shelter. He was a white pit bull, and white ones for some reason are usually deaf which was true in Millers case. The shelter didn't like Miller. He gave them the creeps for some reason because he "looked at them weird." Did they ever stop to think he was looking at them weird because HE COULDN'T HEAR??? Stupid people! Anyway, he did get a forever home and we hadn't heard from him and hopefully that is a good thing. Then we have Sissy and Mr. T. LOL yeah, they were a couple of sweethearts. Some girl came on the board asking if anyone wanted them because she had to get rid of them. Fine...we worked on a way to get them from her to Lillian. (Illinois to MO) Come to find out, this 20 something girl is living with this 50 something mean man who was abusing the dogs. They had to stay in one crate together most of the day. He smacked the cage and yelled at them a lot. In fact, while Lillian was on the phone getting directions, she could here him doing this in the background! These dogs were only about 6-9 months old...brother and sister. They were scrauny and very stunted for their age and not yet house trained. They needed away from the mean people that's for sure. By the time they got to Lillian, she was ready for them with open arms. Her and her dog, Star Baby and the cats taught Sissy and Mr. T how to love and receive love. They were no longer hand shy or starving. They learned how to play and be content. Then there's Thor...I have to tell you about Thor. He's about 4 months and was scheduled to be euthenized because he was covered with mange. He was so bad, there was NO hair left on him. His eyes got me...so sad, but Good ole Sam, she said, "I'll take him." And she did just that. She has nursed him back to health...he still has a ways to go, but his hair is growing in nicely, he isn't coughing and he doesn't have to die! I could tell stories after stories, but now I'm in tears. There is so much need out there. So many to rescue. So much abuse to these guys because of their breed. What is wrong with people?? As I type this, Wrigley is sitting on my lap, under a blanket because he's cold. Real vicious!


Missy after

Missy before

Coco with her new mommy! Coco now...

Coco before

Mamma Sissy after

Sissy before

Mr T after

Mr. T before Miller
Thor before

Thor in process...

We make a difference...one at a time! So, when I email you about "another pit bull story" now you will have a face to he story and see the good that comes of it. :)

Jobless...but not hopeless

Yep...my job at the courthouse has ended. I'm kinda glad though, because I would have stayed as long as they paid me no matter how boring the job was. For those of you that know me, I need to be busy, my mind needs to be busy...and this job wasn't it. No biggy. God has one for me and I'm hoping in him that together, we'll find it next week, or at least walk in the right direction.

I want a job that I enjoy...a job that is rewarding, pays decent and is in the helping field. I have a big heart, so in the mean time, I'm going to see about doing some volunteer work as well. Maybe that will put my foot in the door at the hospitals. :)

Pray for us, please and thanks.

Labor Day Weekend

What a weekend! (Tired but happy) Mom and Papa came over Thursday afternoon, I took off work a couple of hours on Friday. Although, Papa wasn't feeling well, he was a trooper to hang in there. Friday, Mom and I just bummed around Wal-Mart and picked up a few things for breakfast and dinner...sausage gravy was on the menu for Saturday, and Gary was going to make a beer can chicken on Monday, plus we needed fudgecycles!

So, we tried to not throw everything else in the cart, we gathered our stuff and went home, where we found Papa working on the Kluski's. (Polish potato dumpling) We were having my favorite supper...Kluski's, polish sausage and sauerkraut. Okay, so yeah, I'm blowing my WW plan for the week I know, but life will go on. I refuse to beat myself up over food anymore.

Anyway...we messed around the house and the plan was to go to Klackle Orchards in the morning. Breakfast was a nice change...something Gary and I hadn't had in a long time, sausage gravy, biscuits and eggs. Yikes! I know...and no, we didn't just eat the whole weekend, but we had to prepare a lot of food because Papa's diabetic and needed to eat so, I guess, we just ate with him. Yep, I'm stuffed full and will probably not eat all week! LOL

Anyway, after breakfast, we already had Wrigley medicated, we left for about 4 hours. I get twitchy if we are gone much more than that, knowing he's in his kennel. We went and got tomatoes and corn on the cob...yep...supper. On the way home, we stopped for a cup of coffee and took it to Long Lake park. It was a very quiet little park with a lake, however, no motor boats allowed. Papa fell in love with the lake and wanted to come back for a picnic then next day.

We decided to give Lucy a chance and see how we had done with our training. So, Sunday, Mom and I got a picnic lunch put together and I took both Lucy and Wrigley on a walk, thinking if I took them for some exercise, they would be tired on the way...wrong. Lucy cried a bit, but not as much as I expected. I don't think she even knows what she is crying about. Wrigley acts like a pro at riding, sitting up front with both feet in the middle of the console leaning the way he should as the car turns. Funny to watch from behind. Both were very excited to be able to go.

Once at the park, Mom and I walked my two and her Zipper, chihuaha. My two did really well at the park until some stupid girl decided to run way to close with her black lab in town. What are people thinking? It's a good thing my kids are NOT dog aggressive or we would have had problems. She had NO business coming so close to us knowing we had 3 dogs. It could have been a potentially dangerous situation. People don't think. She should have stayed at least minimal twenty feet away, if not fifty! It was a big park. And the dog was bigger than she was, there was NO way she could have pulled him off if there were problems and who do you think they would have blamed? My Wrigley because he's a pit bull. Anyway, Thank God, he's friendly and a good boy and nothing happened, but it just goes to show you, it just takes a second.

Papa and Gary and Mom all took their shot at fishing and all got skunked. We stayed about 2 hours and then came home, but it was really nice to be able to take the dogs and be out and not worry about Wrigley left at home.

Monday, Gary made the beer can chicken, Mom and I made spaghetti squash and fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob, along with Mom's apple pie. Oh yeah...Mom made a homemade apple pie. They left after dishes were done. LOL I'll post some pictures later, when I pull them off of my camera, but it was a really good, fun weekend. Of course, Mom helped me around here as she always does.

God works in mysterious ways!

Funny how God works...The other day, I was on my way to work and as I was praying, I asked Him about my writing. Since I had basically stopped, I was wondering if He wanted me to -continue or if it was okay for me to not be writing or what. Writing has been a real release for me in the past, but it has also been quite stressful...well...the book part of writing. So, I didn't get any big flash of lightning or booming voice, but through out the day, I had three different...very different instances come to me to encourage me in my writing. So, I guess, that is my answer

I don't have a lot of books left, not sure if that is a good thing or what, don't have ANY money to re-invest. Since I got laid off and have not had a "dependable" schedule and have let myself get stressed out over my work situation, I've neglected my writing altogether. So, now I'm working my way back to being productive in writing. I didn't realize how rusty I'd become. :)

God Loves Honey too!

After making some collections at work last week (from just a couple of folks) and knowing what a tall order the Lord had put on my plate for donations for Honey, I wondered how he would fulfill it. I knew I wasn't going to go door to door and that I hadn't heard from anyone from my email who wanted to donate yet, so I was wondering where the money was going to come from...but God had a plan. I talked with Val and she "came across" a lady that wanted to bless her with a 200% discount off of the heartworm meds! So...instead of 13.50 per pill, it is now 13.50 per 6 months worth of pills, which by the way is about how much I've collected for each dog, so all of her dogs have about 6 months worth of heartworm meds, which was my initial goal. I'd love to push it and get them a years supply, but this is a great start! Nothing is impossible with God!

Have a Heart for HUNEY

Huney has been passed around from abusive home to kill shelter to abusive home to foster home to kill shelter to rescue... The last person that adopted her from one of the shelters, had her taken from him, when a neighbor heard a terrifying scream in the middle of the night. He looked over his fence to see the man and a friend holding Honey down and cutting off her ears.

Huney is now safe with a loving young girl who has a passion for rescuing pit bulls. Having 4 others in the home, I’m sure she would be grateful for any help. She has not asked for anything, but I feel compelled to try raise donations to assist her with heartworm meds. Just her basic food must be costing her a fortune. That is why it was laid on my heart to “Have a Heart for Huney”. J Helping others do what we can’t.

Heartworm Medication is $80.00 for 6 months and vets want dogs on it year round now a days.

You can help by buying some of the medicine. She has 4 other dogs also on heartworm meds, so you can see the magnitude of the expense. Yes, it seems like a big chunk, but remember every little bit will help.

Each pill is about 13.50 Could you buy one?

You could send donations to my email by paypal using your credit card or bank card: doreentheauthor@gmail.com or if you can just give me a check or cash and I will transfer the money to her vet’s office for the meds.

Major Update

Well, I say major, nothing in the move area and nothing yet in the job area LOL, but seems like a lot has been happening. One thing new is I'm the proud new owner of a Pet Food company. Check it out..it's not just pet food, it's more than that but since I joined because of the pet food, that's what I'm calling it. www.TopNotchPetFood.com That's my name for it. Anyway, part of every sale goes to a dog rescue. That right there sold me! And, the food is human grade, which means that instead of the pet food company collecting all the food that is discarded because it's not good enough for humans to consume and making our pets eat that, my company collects only the ingredients that humans CAN consume and creates quality pet food out of that. So, I know that I'm feeding my pets a good quality food. The other thing is it's no older than 6 weeks old. Can't say that about any other brand. Who knows how long it's been sitting on the shelf?

Also, my very good friend is back in my life! Milton Niles, Author of: "The Remaking of Earth" is back in my life. He got very sick and his computer got sick and he dropped out of sight, but he is back, encouraging me to write again. I'm very thankful for his friendship!

We are taking Lucy down off her bromide a little bit, her levels are a bit high, which may be why she is stumbling around. Wrigley is doing well, still as silly as ever. We have a great dog sitter, named Zach. The kids love him!

I have several resumes out, please keep praying for a "good" job for me. I have one up for 911 dispatch in Muskegon. Interview on Aug. 30. Also, putting one in Mona Shores today for HelpDesk. :) Either one would be good. Still trying to break into the hospitals...

I'll try and keep up on my blog. Thanks for reading!

Pit Bull Revelation

Actually, this could go on to both categories, Pets and Religion. Reason being is...I was on my way to work yesterday, and as I was praying, I feel like I got real revelation from God on my stand and assignment from Him.

Here's the deal, I have really been struggling with the issue of ministry. I have also been struggling with my purpose and what He wants me to do with the passion I have for dogs, especially the Pit Bull. Confusing myself with issues of, “Well, God is about people not animals…and what is the difference going to make in the long run? Animals don’t get saved, they are already innocent beings. I should spend my time and energy in a more productive way, the way of bringing others to salvation.” But then I have a hard time, not being around people per say, but I’m not around a whole lot of people, and I let my faith speak for itself, and minister when I can, but my heart cry is not there for salvation, and then the guilt comes in and then I feel like a bad Christian.

So…as I was praying and really seeking the Lord on this yesterday, I finally got some of the pieces of the puzzle to fit into place. You see, I belong to a great group on MySpace for Pit Bulls and reading and studying about the bans that the politicians want to put into place and the BSL that is going on all across the nation breaks my heart. Not only for the dog but the owner as well. It’s not fair or right too put racism on our animals! We don’t do it to people, why would we do it to animals? And, with the pit bull, it’s looking more and more like genocide! It’s crazy!
Seeing the cry of the people for help made my heart hurt. Knowing that I can’t really do anything but right a letter, I did the only thing I knew would make a difference. I went to my Father. Praying will be the ultimate weapon in this warfare and it looks like we need a lot more prayer warriors to pray for this fight. How does this help God? Well, this is the best part! God gave us the animals in the first place and told us to take care of them! He gave them to us so that “your joy may be full.”

So…with that being said, my mission is to pray in the spiritual battle that is going on in this country against BSL. Yes, it is a huge undertaking and we need many, many more. You see, there is a lot of folks trying to do stuff, but they are doing it in their own strength, NOT God’s. So, as a prayer warrior, we need to pray for wisdom and God’s guidance for the folks that are fighting the politicians that God would help them make good decisions for HIS kids and animals.
I have a new excitement in my step. I don’t feel guilty for not being some “holy person.” Dogs matter to me. So do their owners. So do the issues surrounding it and if some get saved out of the deal…Good for God!

Please pray with me if you think about us.
Thanks and God Bless!

It Finally Happened!

My folks came over for the weekend. It's been quite a while since they've seen Gary. I knew it would be a long day for them and us, so I put a meal in the crockpot first thing this morning. Hungrily and hurridly, we sat at the table, my two dogs plus moms little one all scurrying around it trying to find the best place to beg. Finally, everyone sits, prayers said, we dig in. Chatting away mom finds her eyes bigger than her stomach and she is getting full.

"I can't eat the rest of this." She said.

"You don't have to finish it. Just eat your veggies!" I said. When I realized what I had just said, I started to laugh, we all did. Mom grinned. "Do you know how long I've waited to tell you that? Eat your veggies!"

You never know when opportunity arrises. :-)

Something to think about…

As I approach the date of my dad’s death anniversary I am once again reminded of a very weird thing. I am older than my father. Huh? You might ask, but yes, it is true. For those of you that don’t know, my father was murdered in cold blood when I was only ten. He was only thirty three. I am, ah-hem…older than that, and have been for some time. When I turned thirty four, I was really weirded out. It is hard to imagine being older than a parent.
I remember being thirty three and how grown up I thought I was. Dad had three kids! I didn’t have any. At Thirty three, I didn’t even have a house yet, I was still a happy renter, but he and Mom had a house, cars, solid work, kids and lots of family. As I reflect, it looked like the "perfect" life. Of course, I know it wasn’t, but as a daughter and his little girl, it was!
Now, as an adult, I know the problems for a thirty three year old…house, cars, solid work, kids, (even if mine have fur) and all of the stress that puts on me at my age, much less at Dad’s age. It’s just a weird thing, knowing that I am older than him. I’ve matured, grown up without him. I used to think about it when I was little, after he died that I’d live a day past my thirty third birthday day. Maybe I didn’t want to, or maybe I just couldn’t imagine it, but whatever it was, I’m way past that, and it’s weird. I’m glad I’m here. I’ll be here till God is ready to take me home, where I’ll see God and my dad again. That will be a really cool day, but for now, I suppose, I’ll just have a weird time being older than my dad.

Happy Daze

God really does work in mysterious ways...

Last Friday I was so sick, yet I still went on an interview through Man Power. Later that evening, my best friend Jeanne, came over and had received from a friend from work a bag full of clothes. She hadn't looked at them yet and sent Chelsea her niece out to retrieve them. When we opened the bag, it was full of dress clothes, our size. (Exactly what I would need if I got the job I interviewed for.)

Over the weekend, as I took my antibiotics and began to feel better and think clear, I decided to pursue the Health Unit Secretary idea and see just what it would take to get certified. There were semester classes and hundreds of dollars that could be spent getting the certification, both of which I didn't have...time or money. However, after looking over the curriculum, I noticed, I could already perform half of the duties and with a bit of training, I could learn the rest. I decided to search Amazon to find a book on the subject and sure enough there were plenty out there, a little out dated, but recommended by the board. So, I ordered one and am now waiting for it to arrive.

I feel like I now have a path forward and a plan for what God wants me to do. I know, I keep saying I think God wants me to do this or that, but now, I really think this is the right path. So, while I study, I will work the temp job. (They called me today and offered me the position.) It's long term, forty hours a week and right on time.

So, yes, God is right on time.

Feeling Better...thanks!

Geeze...I was about to wonder when I was going to get well again. I started coming down with some kind of sinus crud the Saturday before Easter. And since I never, ever get sick, it really took it's toll on me. Thank God for Gary, who took very good care of me. Finally, Friday, I went to the doctor, insurance or not, I had to get some antibiotics to kick this thing. Today, after my two naps and a shower, I feel (and smell) much better. Now...to get on with the bigger things...like job hunting. Please keep praying for us.

Thanks! :-)

Seizures Again

Last night was kind of sleepless for most of us around here. I decided to try and sleep in my chair, sitting up. Gary went to the spare bed, thinking I would sleep in our bed with Lucy, leaving Wrigley the couch. Well...with me in my chair, Lucy came out of the bedroom around two, to see where she was supposed to go, since I wasn't in bed. I didn't want her in my lap so I acted like I didn't hear her. With the hardwood floors, I couldn't help but hear her pacing, which woke Wrigley from the couch. They both went into the spare room to check on Gary and I think got into bed with him for a while. I tried to ignore them all hoping for a little bit of sleep.

About an hour and a half later, the train started again, Lucy tried to get into my lap, then Wrigley, Gary checked my forehead before retiring back to his sleeping quarters. Finally, six forty five, Lucy came and rested her head by my face on my pillow and whined. I knew why. It was medicine time. I told her, "Go tell your daddy." She ran into where Gary was sleeping and whined. He knew the drill too. Thankful he was letting me sleep; he got up, let them out and passed out meds and breakfast.

Lucy was relentless. She wouldn't take "no" for an answer, so, I let her up on my lap, where she flipped her back on my pillow and we cuddled and went back to sleep. Eventually, she slid off of the footrest, disgustingly, but went to the couch. As she began to fall back to sleep, she went into a seizure. Gary got to her first, then me, then Wrigley jumped up behind me, whining and resting his chin overlooking my shoulder.

We reassured Lucy that we were with her and she was okay, petted her until the seizure passed and then she recognized us. Gary left us and went for her medicine, while I sat stroking her side. It didn't take but a moment, and she was ready to take off on her ritual. We give her bites of a creamcycle to boost her sugar level and she is very thirsty, then she paces the house. She wasn't interested in eating food this time, but she did eat a couple of cookies, so that helped too. within an hour and a half she is taking a nap. One very tired girl. The rest of us will be on edge for a while, hoping a praying there is not another one.

Song Anyone?

Gary received a harmonica in the mail one day last week. Little did we know the joy it would bring. Lucy doesn't care about the noise it makes and she looks at her brother funny when he makes such a fuss. Wagging his tail, ears perked and eyes wide with anticipation, Wrigley waits for his queue from his dad. Carefully, he watches as his dad reaches for it and puts it to his lips. With the first blow, Wrigley bounces on his feet happily ready to play. He loves the sounds his dad makes out of the little box. The bluesy, higher pitch makes him throw his head back in a full howl. Other sounds make him give a growlish song to the tune Gary plays. It's quite comical, which goes along with both of their personalities.

My comedy team, the comic relief of the house.

Total Determination

Yesterday morning, while still recovering from whatever cold/sinus gunk I caught from my Papa Wally, I was sitting in my chair watching TV. Not an unusual occurrence since the loss of my job several months ago. Generally, the routine goes as follows, Wrigley stands guard at the bedroom window for about thirty minutes, while Lucy takes her morning nap on the couch. However, this day, Lucy decided she wanted her mama. I lifted the covers up so she could get in. Climbing into my lap, she nuzzled up close and got comfortable and quickly fell asleep. When Wrigley was done with his patrol, he came to the end of my recliner and stood up and looked at me with his face all wrinkled up as if to say, "Where am I supposed to lay?" Knowing I couldn't just toss the sleeping Lucy off of my lap to satisfy him, I tried to shew him away, but he kept going in circles, the couch, dad, and the bed and back to me. Finally, he decided not to take "no" for an answer, he carefully climbed up on the side of my chair, and laid himself on the top of my chest, with his butt on the arm of the chair to take some of the weight. His head he rested across the top of the back of Lucy's neck. It was so sweet. He was cold and a bit shivery. All he wanted to do was cuddle and get his morning nap. Lucy, didn't seem to mind. She wasn't moving.

So there they were, both my kids...seventy five pounds of lab fur Lucy and sixty three pounds of muscle of Wrigley. I always wanted kids, so now I have them in more ways than the original one.

Be My Valentine

What a wonderful day we had! Gary surprised me with a mushy card first thing with my morning coffee. We were to get out of the house and go to some antique stores towards Grand Haven and putts around. However, we started our journey too early so we kept driving and went into Holland, ending up at Steak and Shake for a morning burger! An excursion we would not normally take. On the way back we stopped at the now opened store. We took a trip back in time and shopped but didn't buy anything, then headed back home where we exchanged our boxes of chocolates.

The real fun came when we started dinner. We had planned on eating in regardless...German dinner is what we planned along with all of the fixings: Polish sausage, sour kraut, spatzle, red cabbage and potato pancakes. As I attempted to set the mood with red, I discovered that I didn't have anything, not one red napkin, dish, nothing! So, we improvised. I tore off several pieces of butcher paper and grabbed the colored markers and we sat down at the table and created each other's place mat and the one for the center of the table. It was fun.

Finishing the cooking, glass of wine along with Dean Martin playing in the background was a great way to set the mood for the rest of the night. Great food, great music, great company.

After twenty years of marriage, it's wonderful to be able to still be wined and dined at home and still have it be romantic. :-)

Good Bye Hal

Ludington Daily News Posted: 2-7-2007Harold E. Reuter • Mr. Harold E. Reuter, 75, of Walhalla, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at his home. Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville is in charge of arrangements. Post a Tribute Date published: 2-7-2007 � 2002 Ludington Daily News.

Strange feeling getting the news of my former step-fathers death. My pre-teen and teenage years were quite rocky following the death of my father and I often wished as well as spoke the words to the step-father, "Drop dead!" Now, he did, after fighting a losing battle with Alzheimer’s. After years of not seeing him or hardly thinking about him, the time has now come to stop in my tracks and look square in the face of the past at what I've long tried to bury. Feelings.

What were my feelings? MY feelings? They have been so polluted by how others felt about Hal or how they thought I should have felt about him that I always went to the place I knew only so well...denial. Quiet, dark and almost peaceful. Denial allowed sleep and permitted me to stay out of arguments. Not that I wasn't used to arguing, but as I grew up and left home, I was trying to get more in control of my life and fighting was not part of it anymore. Still, I didn't know how to stand up for myself, so I put this part of my life on a shelf in order to deal with it later.

One time, Hal sent me a plane ticket home for Christmas. Of course, Mom and he were getting their divorce and I was feeling very torn. I wondered, "Why after all the fighting that we did, was he being nice?" He bought me some beautiful ruby earrings for Christmas. I didn't know how to receive them or the niceness this man was showing me. The following year, he came to Texas to see me. It was so odd. "What does he want from me?" We had ice cream, went out to eat and had a very pleasant time.

But then the divorce got bad between Mom and him and of course, I chose to take sides. There was no pursuing relationship with this man. I ran as fast as I could into my safe place called denial and didn't deal with it again.

Many years later, after I got saved, the Lord instructed me on forgiveness. There were many people I had to forgive for some terrible things done to me. He had me forgive Hal for all of the fighting we did and laid it on my heart to write him a letter. I put it off and put it off, scared of reconciling a relationship of which I was not in control. In my heart, I extended forgiveness, but Hal didn't know it. I don't know what he ever thought about me after that last visit in Texas.

When we moved back to Muskegon, I often thought of driving the 60 miles to his house, but never did it; once again, fear of man ruled my heart. I know that I've changed in the years since I've seen him, surely he'd changed too.

Maybe, just maybe he wanted to be friends. Now, I'll never know.

Heart for the homeless

After helping out at the Supper House the other night, I can't get the people that came out of my mind or heart. I see their faces, young and old, black and white. Their dirty hands reaching out for more to drink, purposefully, our fingers touch as they hand me their cup. Silently, I pray for God to meet their need.

"Thank you." They respond as they suck down the contents. I pass behind them and pat their back.

"You are very welcome." It's the least I can do, I think to myself. Fill up...it's going to be a long, cold night.

I can't get the images out of my head. My heart breaks. Tears, stream down my face. Maybe it's because I understand the devastation of drug addiction. Maybe it's because I understand what it's like to be homeless. Granted, I put myself in the situation and I've gotten myself out or rather, allowed the help of God and others. But looking into the eyes of these folks, some were tricksters and were taking life as it came. A free meal was a free meal and they were glad for the system in place. But there were others who had tired, weary eyes. Those are the ones that grabbed my heart. Are they crazy? I don't know, maybe. Does that mean they don't deserve a place? No. With all of the billions spent on other nations, we shouldn't have homeless, hungry, cold especially elderly homeless folks, in the good ole US of A. But, I guess that is for a different entry.

I know it's touchy subject. I also know the truth is still out there, that we have hungry, cold, homeless people right in our neighborhood. What can we do about it? Short of going and adopting a homeless guy, I'm not sure, but I do know that God is stirring my heart for a reason. Please help me pray through this. Pray for the homeless guys and gals that are freezing out there especially this weekend.

Supper House

For years I've complained about wanting to do something for someone, help someone, "get out of myself" so to speak. Last night was my opportunity. Our church helps at the Supper House every once in a while and I signed up. Unsure of what to expect, I knew it was something I was supposed to do. As I watched the church folks get things in order I was a little nervous, not knowing what to expect. They explained what my part was and we had time to get to know each other while we waited; we were finally prepared to meet the people.

Homeless and hungry began to come through the doors. Layered in coats and sweaters and steatshirts, they piled into the gynmasyum, turned dining room. Sitting at an empty spot at a table and we served them. Someone brought their plate of food and dessert, while others brought them their drinks of choice. I was on the drink detail. "Juice, milk, water or coffee?" Sometimes the answer was all of them, sometimes they wanted just a hot cup of coffee to warm their bones from the freezing cold temps outside. Many came in from being homeless, all came in seemingly...happy. They were gracious, thankful and polite. Some bowed their heads and prayed over their food before they ate.

I watched as they ate, drank and sometimes had conversation with their tablemates. Then, the saddest part of the night came when a gentleman asked, "Can we have second's?"

Of course, being new, I didn't know the rules, so I went to check.

"They can have extra bread and butter, that's it."

Sadly, I walked back with a piddly piece of bread and butter, knowing the man also wanted a piece of meat with his bread and said, "No seconds, only bread. I'm sorry."

He knew the drill and knew the answer before I got back to him but also knew it wouldn't hurt to ask, but my heart broke. I know my husband would have to have seconds. I understand they need to have enough to feed everyone and everyone needs to be equal, but if they are going to be fed, then can't we get them full?

As I reflect on the time I spent with them last evening, I hope I am forever changed. I pull out my housecoat and am warm. I toast my bread and think of their cold bread with their meal. I have a snack before bed, where will they sleep on these bitter cold nights of winter? How sad for them, how grateful I need to stay.

I am now trying to think of how we could send them with some food as they leave. A packed mini snack for later, cheese and crackers, chips, apple, juice box? I don't know how it would work but, I'm thinking God has a plan...

If you agree please pray with me about this. We need to put feet to Jesus' heart.

Is there any healing for Lucy?

Lucy had another seizure last night. Gary and I were sitting in our chairs just talking about our future and the way my chair is placed in the living room, I can see straight into the bedroom. I noticed Lucy stretching, which she often does, but she wasn't stopping the stretch. I tossed my water bottle in Gary's lap as I threw my blanket off my lap and said, "Lucy's having a seizure!"

By the time I got into the bedroom to her, she was completely into the spasm. Her body contorted and twisted. Wrigley jumped up on the bed to see what the commotion was all about. Ears perked, he began to shake, shiver and whine as if to ask, "What's wrong with my sissy?"

Not wanting to completely wreck him, we shielded Lucy from him incase he decided to play, all the while I was rubbing Lucy's head letting her know she was okay and we were there. I know she goes blind while in a seizure, but I don't know if she goes deaf or not. Either way, I rubbed her and talked to her. This one was one of the longer ones that she's had, although she didn't cry. I'm grateful for that! It lasted about a minute, maybe a bit longer; Gary got her a cool washcloth. Once she came out of it, I wiped her face and tried to hold her still until she regained her vision. Gary brought her an extra dose of medicine and cheese which she gladly took. She couldn't see it but she smelled it, and then wanted to get off of the bed to follow him for more. A few more seconds and her sight came back.

She went for the water and the pacing began. I was out of creamsicles but had some frozen cool whip and gave her a couple of bites to help her increase her sugar. A few minutes later, Gary took her and Wrigley outside and the fresh cold air seemed to perk her up quickly. In she came looking for something to eat. So, we fed her another full meal, of course we had to feed Wrigley some more too. She paced for a little while but soon settled on my lap. I massaged her muscles which were very tense. I just wish there was healing for her instead of just trying to maintain her illness. It's heartbreaking to watch her go through this. Please pray for her.

Happy Anniversary Wrigley!

Yesterday was two years since we rescued Wrigley from the bitter cold, January day. His front feet frost bitten by old man winter and his ribs were sunken in from near starvation. Had we not stopped he would not have lasted much longer. Although he was skittish and scared, the spunk never left this little guy. We had our hands full trying to incorporate him into our predictable lives. Lucy (our lab) wasn't too sure about having a brother, but she adjusted and eventually enjoyed having a playmate. (That is until he tore up all of her fluffy toys!)

Trial and error lead us with instruction with our bully boy along with our vet. Wrigley was quite spirited and had a lot of energy, something we were not used to, but walks and eventually pheromones and medication helped to manage him. Not knowing how he was raised from a pup, with only his behavior to guide us, left us to believe that he was pretty abused and was actually abandoned to the woods that wintry day or days before we found him.

Now, he enjoys the benefits of being wanted and understood. Yes, a pit bull is a much misunderstood breed. High spirited and full of energy, but given the right parents, love and attention, they are very loving and devoted. Wrigley is a bit manipulative too, I must say. With his almond shaped eyes, he can give a look that will melt any heart. He loves to be held and cuddled, but only on his terms, kind of like a cat. He also enjoys going for walks. His best treats are Milk Bones, the large ones along with spray cheese. That is what we put on his medicine in order for him to take it and he drools before it ever gets on the pill. Just seeing the can gets the drool machine running. The funny thing about him when he takes his treats is it's like he's taking them for the first time ever. He is so very gentle. Sometimes when we get something new, unlike Lucy, who gulps hers down in two bites and is back for more, he looks it over, sniffs it, licks it, then takes a little bite to check it out before enjoying the whole treat. He does this all the while Lucy is standing over his shoulder, coaching him on as if to say, "Come on, eat it, it's good!" or "Eat or I will!"

He's taken Lucy's post as guard dog; actually, he's taken the dominant role between the two of them on most things. Since Lucy was submissive to Blackie, she is used to being in that role and well, there was no making Wrigley submissive. LOL! I'm thankful he is not food or animal aggressive, but he doesn't like hats.

He suffers from major separation anxiety along with Closter phobia, according to our vet. Even so, we have to keep him in a cage when we go away to keep the house and Lucy safe because he tends to be a bit hyper at times and we are concerned that if we are not home to control him, who knows what will happen. We hate putting him in there but there is nowhere else for him to go. Pray for him as you read this part as I need him to settle down in there. The funny thing about his cage is when we sit down at the kitchen table to eat supper, he wants to go inside his cage. He actually barks or whines at us to open the door so he can go in and lay down. Somehow he feels safe in there. I know, it’s twisted, but when we leave, he goes crazy while were gone and hurts himself. Just please pray for him. I’m really hoping and praying for the day that he can come out and I’m hoping it’s soon.

The last two years have not been easy, they've been quite costly, financially as well as emotionally, but having Wrigley as part of this family has been very rewarding and I can't imagine him not being one of us.

Good Bye Aunt Vi

Until we meet again…

I’ll meet you on the other side, Aunt Vi, beyond the pearly gates. Down the streets of gold beside the river of life, you know the One that fills your cup. To the place of no more pain and suffering where we’ll know everlasting joy. That’s where we’ll meet on the other side.

Let me tell you a little bit about my Aunt Vi. She went home to be with Jesus the other day. She slipped away quietly while everyone was sleeping. Suffering with a repair that refused to heal in her stomach, she decided against anymore procedures. Determined to see a healing or her healer she used the key she knew that would reach both…prayer. Praying every waking moment in her heavenly language, she was unwavering.

Her main concern for staying around this earthly realm was to make certain her grandchildren find Jesus, oh how she loves them. When I had a brief visit with her in ICU a couple of weeks ago, I anointed her with oil, which she was very glad for and we prayed. Her whole prayer focus was that she get well, so she continue to minister to her grandchildren. They must be very blessed having her as a grandma. Lord, Jesus, please hear this Gramma’s prayer.

Aunt Vi was the kind of lady I wish I were, gracious and kind and selfless. She always talked about Jesus and how good He is or how prayer can and will help any situation. Her faith was solid. Even when she learned of her illness, she was not concerned and didn’t want to talk about it, not because she was in denial, but because she knew Jesus had it under His control, so she didn’t have to worry about it. Now, THAT is faith!

Meeting her for the first time at my nephew’s graduation, I was disappointed that we had not met sooner. I fell in love with her instantly. We bonded at once and spent much of that day sharing our faith and love of God. From that day forward, we kept in touch always praying for each other. What a hole in my heart she has left. There is no one quite like her.

I will miss you in my earthly life, Aunt Vi, you were a great role model for me. I wish we could have spent more of our lives together. But for now, I will take what I’ve learned and share it with others. I will try and be more like Jesus, because that is how you were…Jesus with skin on.

I love you very much! Until we meet again, someday soon.

Doreen

A Trip back to Family Values

A Trip back to Family Values

Recently, I took a mini vacation. I went to see my father’s sister, whom I haven’t spent any quality time in person with in about ten or twelve years. It’s been over thirty since I’ve been in her home. Aunt Joyce and Larry, her twenty-six year old grandson picked me up from the airport.

Anyway, once we returned to her home, it was like a flash to the past. Being an antique collector as long as I can remember, she retained many of the pieces I remembered. From the Tiffany style lamps to the beautiful hutches which enclosed china and Hummel figurines along with porcelain dolls or treasures from family members.

The harvest gold stove and oven next to the golden tones to the rest of the kitchen took me back to the seventies. Her appliances were immaculate as were her pots and pans from fifty-eight years ago when she got married. I learned her secret for keeping them that way. She uses a piece of brown paper bag, (which she has several cut up and ready for use in her cabinet) and Comet. Her comment was, “If you use this every time for prevention, they will always stay new looking and easy to clean.” I quickly thought back to my pans, which aren’t but a few months old and already they are discolored on the bottoms. I made a mental note.

Watching her perform in the kitchen, as a seventy-seven year old woman, was no different than it was thirty years ago, although she moves a bit slower, she moves with purpose. I watched in awe. Still, she sifts her flour three times before she uses it for her cookies or cornbread. Everything she cooks is from scratch, including her sweet tea and she still has no dishwasher, nor does she want one. She has a special plate, cup or spoon for whatever she is making or serving. Each piece has either sentimental value or a certain function.

As I watched, day after day, I noticed more and more similarities between the two of us. Even though I haven’t watched her, I still have somehow managed to get some of her behaviors or quirks. I’m certain she was influential with my mom too so I probably got them there too. One thing is I have a love of antique jars, but I know that started from looking at all of hers when I was a child. She had so many and they were all filled with different candies, teas, and cookies. It was like going into a store.
We sat at the kitchen table most of the time and had our visit there. She showed me the silverware my father gave her because he was tired of seeing her use mismatched pieces. Talking about this with such endearment always brought tears to her eyes. She eventually had some of the pieces put in a shadow box frame to capture the memory. Along with that, she framed the baby spoon she fed her grandson with. Mixed with some antique plates, this was her kitchen décor. A kitchen full of memories.

As we talked about years gone by, I became deeply saddened. Reality sank in. Life for her was about God, her kids and husband first, then her siblings and mom and dad next, all of them after God. My sadness came, I suppose because it seems that people are too busy for family in any capacity, immediate, extended, let alone starting with God. Too busy for God, kids, family, that’s sad, and yet, I am the first one to plead my guilt. Our families are so spread out across this continent that there is no room for unity, closeness or special times to develop. Each of us has our own little life and it seems we don’t want anyone to get into the way to interfere.

Personally, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’ve missed out on the swim meets and the ball games and the wrestling matches the kids were in. I’m sorry I’ve missed out on the birthday parties, holiday functions and gift giving. I’m sorry that I didn’t feel worthy enough to participate in my own family. But, I’m going to change that now. I don’t want to miss another thing.

Fine Line to the Promised Land

There is a fine line about salvation. Some folks think they are saved because they know who Jesus is. And they know who Jesus is because of the Christmas story. That is a good thing at least the word is out there, but that is where the fine line comes in. On one side of the line is the knowing of who Jesus is, the other side of the line is living for Him, submitting your life to Him and believing everything He says…and doing it!

I remember before I got saved, I never wanted to talk about Jesus, just His name made me cringe! I’d go right up to the line and back away. I’d play around on this side of the line, talk about the need for church, being a good person, doing the right things, helping others, being loyal and faithful to your mate, but whenever I’d come close to the line of Christianity, I’d get very scared and back away.

Why? I had my doubt that it was real. I wasn’t sure that Jesus was even real. I wasn’t sure the Bible was real. What if I became a goody two-shoe? What if I lost myself and became someone else? What if nobody liked the new me? I was afraid to have faith. I was afraid to trust. But, God didn’t give up on me. Eventually, the line came so close to me that I had to cross it, by faith.

On the other side, faith carried me. I had to trust that the Bible was truth. Once I crossed over, the whole world seemed to change! Oh, I know it was me, but at first, it seemed like it was everyone else. But the fine line that seemed so scary, was really all about faith and trust. Once I made my decision to follow Jesus, I had to learn about Him and I did that by reading the Bible, starting in John. It wasn’t really that hard. But I’m sure glad I did. I remember it was a hard decision crossing that line and it seemed like it took forever to cross, but once crossed, my life has been truly blessed.

Come on over into the Promised Land!

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle,[a] and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’[b]8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”[c]

After reading this for the umpteenth time, I once again had to repent before the Lord. I am so much like the first set of workers and so much like the Lord. I would easily give the last workers the same money (if I had it to give) knowing they needed it for their family's welfare just as much as the first workers, yet as the first worker, I would feel cheated. Why can't we just mind our own business? Is that human nature, part of the sin/selfish nature? And what do you think Jesus meant when he said at the end "the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." I always thought that meant something way different because it was spoken out of context, but here in context, it is clearly saying something important. What is it? Don't be so darn selfish? Think of someone besides yourself for a change? Am I called or am I chosen?

Lord, help us to answer these questions and be in the right place at the right time for You.

We love you! Amen.

9.20.06 Daily Entry

I had another nerve injection in my back yesterday. I don’t mind them because after the initial down time, they do make me feel much better and I get some longevity out of my day. OH...I lost two pounds from my last visit. I knew I had lost, but I had also gained and lost and gained and lost, but having an overall loss on the books is a good feeling. :-)

Gary is such a good nurse! I know I drive him crazy even when I’m not needy, but he is very good natured about it and takes it all in stride. I’m so glad he’s mine and that we don’t fight. We are such a suited pair. Thank You, God, for connecting us. I really don’t know what I’d do without him. (And I don’t want to find out!)

I’m feeling better today, even though I couldn’t sleep. I’ve been stirring since about 2:30 this morning and decided to get up. My internet is down, so I couldn’t get my favorite Christian station, http://www.kvtt.org/, but I have plenty of music on my computer, so me and Terry MacAlmon are being mellow together with God. Both kids are sleeping, Lucy is on the couch snoring away and Wrigley is under my keyboard on my lap. He is contented to stay put until I start moving too much then he gets aggravated and moves to a more peaceful place…his own bed.

I’m hoping to get some stuff done around here today. I have a bunch of craft stuff I want to take to Brookhaven. Since my writing career took over my life, I don’t have time for crafts anymore and they are just collecting dust. I know they can bless someone and Mom suggested the nursing home. When I called they were delighted to receive them, so I went downstairs and put them all together. Now I just have to get them up there.

So, that is about it for now, still job hunting, please keep that in prayer. Thanks and God bless!

Journey Back to the Lord Book Signing

Saturday evening I had a book signing at my friend Gentry's house. It turned out very successful and I sold a few books. She and her granddaughter cooked up a feast of fried chicken, chicken salad dips with crackers along with veggie and fruit trays. I brought the cake.

The group started small and gradually increased as the evening went along until there were about seven of us total. It was nice and personal. I was able to read some of my book; we talked about how I got started and why. One lady, Erma, has been writing her book for several years and asked me for pointers and advice! I was flattered and honored. God moved very strongly that evening. Folks prayed for one another and for me. I needed a night of fellowship with the girls and with the Lord. Selling books was just a bonus.

I came home very inspired to keep writing and to get back into God's Word. I've always known God's Word and had it in my heart, but if you don't use it, you really do lose it and well, I'm ashamed to say, that I've lost a lot of it. I don't think I'd fall for false teaching, but I know I couldn't quote Scripture like I could once upon a time and that only comes from reading the Bible, so that is what I've been doing and it feels so good!

I like doing the book signing in people's home rather than in a store. Much more personal and people know what they are there for...to buy books. But, my books, being Christian books, I usually will have a Christian crowd, so it easily can turn into church!

Isn't God good?