Dear Grandpa....

Our telephone AND internet weren't working. We had been on hold on our cell phone with Time Warner for 35 minutes when Mom noticed the time. She didn't want you to worry so she figured she had time to call you quickly and say "hello...I'll call you later". In that period of time, they must have answered and she lost the call. She was not very happy.

The phone and internet are back on now. You know the MOST annoying part? All the time she's on hold she has to listen to an advertisement about how GREAT Time Warner is with their phone and internet service.

Not very bright, if you ask me!!

Mary-Margaret

Good Friends and Bar-B-Q

Here's me with one of my newest best friends, Athena Maria Dugmore and her mom, MaryElizabeth. We went to MaryElizabeth's mother's house yesterday for barbeque. Mostly I played with AthenaMaria. We played "chase", "sneaky pounce", and for a while we were explorers on an expedition into deepest darkest master bedroom. Lots of good stuff in there.



This is MaryElizabeth's mother, Connie. She's absolutely amazing. She's about 7 years older than my Grandpa. She tells funny stories, and she laughs a lot, and her family is from Lithuania. She and my mom had a lot of things in common that they either remembered or were told by their grandmothers and great grandmothers. One of the things they had for dinner was Lithuanian potato pancakes topped with sour cream. My mom said they were the best thing she's ever had. I passed on the pancakes but AthenaMaria and I did have a little rib-eye. Good stuff.



We hung out and visited some more before dessert. I was stuffed and so was Connie so we both passed on dessert, too, but Mom and MaryElizabeth had some fresh home made from SCRATCH apple pie with BaskinRobbins 31 flavors vanilla ice cream. Mom says that's the way vanilla ice cream is supposed to taste. She's been buying the frozen stuff out of the market freezer but they're either too sweet or too fatty tasting. This BaskinRobbins place makes it the way she remembers it from when she was little. I guess we'll be hunting for a 31 Flavors store now.

Thank you for having us over, MaryElizabeth. We had the BEST TIME EVER!!!

Love,

Mary-Margaret "See you at the Yorkie Ball" O'Brien

PS - The Yorkshire Terrier National Ball is in Nashville, TN on October 13-16, 2011. It's the annual charity event that caps off the Yorkie social season, and all proceeds go to Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, Inc. Hope to see you all there. Scroll down the link to learn more about our Ball!!! (NOTE - This is the ONLY time you will EVER see MEEEEE in an evening gown!)

The Golden Rule - August 28, 2011

(another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel Series)

Welcome, everyone.

Before we start today, let's say a prayer for our dogthren and birdthren ...ok, and cathren, too....who are in the path of Hurricane Irene and who are in danger of losing their homes, their belongings, and for those who are afraid because they've never seen anything quite like this storm before. We ask that God hold their paws and talons and grant them peace and serenity so that they may get through this storm.

(a moment's silence)

Amen

Now...today we talk about the Golden Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!". (My sister used to say it as "Do unto others before they do it to you" when she was really little and we still laugh about that). But seriously.....we want to treat other people they way we would like to be treated.

In the Bible, in Luke 6:27-36, it says:

[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.

[32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

If you are invited to the dog park for a play date, it's ok to feel a little shy. But instead of thinking about how shy you are, concentrate on making the other pups feel welcome. I guarantee you that if you focus on showing the others a good time by sharing your ball or your frisbee or your treats, you will forget about yourself in no time at all. You will be having such a great time helping the other pups you'll stop thinking about how shy you are.

We teach our puppies that they must learn first to follow before they can be good leaders. Humans learn that they have to start at the bottom and learn their business before they can advance and be promoted. We show others how we expect to be treated in this world by example, and treating them the way we would like to be treated ourselves.

This week, let's all practice giving without expecting anything in return. I think you'll be unexpectedly surprised at all you will receive instead.

Now, let's turn to our neighbors and wag/fluff with all we've got to show our love and friendship. Cats who are currently shedding are excused today, and may simply lift a paw instead.

On your way out, please stop by the Kindergarten Puppies' table. They've been very busy dying cashews for their latest art project. We all love cashews (unsalted, of course) and we assure you that despite the bright colors, they are totally edible and safe. Spring water available from the garden hose if you get thirsty. The Ladies of the Leather Collar and the Knights of Pawlumbus should be back next week.

Blessings....and Nuts to You!

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

Wall Street Journal on Playboy Bunnies

WSJ on Playboy Bunnies

Why is it that when someone is interviewed, the quote is read back intact, and it STILL gets tweaked by the time it hits the news stand?? Mom said "customer's key", not "club card"! They didn't have cards back in those days!

Anyway....like Mom says...this isn't who she is, it's what she did for a year of her life and it was great fun. Don't believe a thing Gloria Steinem says. Bunnies were treated with great respect. And if anyone DARED to even "touch a Bunny", their key was confiscated and they were booted from the club. There were room directors and managers everywhere to keep the ladies safe, and the club had a direct line to the police department in case anyone really got out of hand. Bunnies performed charity work and entertained troops, appeared in parades and on television, too.



Gloria Steinem contributed a lot to Women's Liberation, but is totally delusional when it comes to Playboy and their treatment of the Bunnies.



PS - For the record, Playmates (girls in the magazine) are NOT the same as Bunnies who were the untouchable fantasy "girls next door".

Happy Weekend!

Mary-Margaret "Playboy Doggie" O'Brien

Toes and Bellies

We went to see Miss Cathleen today. Mom's toes are now a lovely shade of lavender with an iridescent glow. (snort) Humans are weird. I went on a really long walk with Miss Cathleen and totally re-marked my territory. Then she gave me a nice bowl of cold water and I had a lovely afternoon nap. When it came time to leave, Mom walked over to the door and said "Come here, Mary-Margaret!".

Uh....I don't theeeenk so. Someone forgot part of my routine. I walked over to Miss Cathleen and stood by where she keeps her mango smelling lotion. All of a sudden the ladies said "Oh my goodness....we forgot your belly rub!". Miss Cathleen picked me up and flipped me over and I had the absolutely everly most SUMPTUOUS lotion filled belly rub ever.

I have my routine down pat even if the humans forget. I will remind them.

I smell absolutely odorificiously mangoish.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

Mary-Margaret

The Beauty of Mathematics

Dear Grandpa - We thought you'd like this. Please watch it all the way through.



Love,

Your Grand Dogger....

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Smile and say "I Love You!" - August 21, 2011

Welcome Welcome WELCOME!! I think we need to order more pews, and a couple of perches. I see a couple of parrots out there today.

Every Sunday we make a point of turning to our neighbors and wagging our tails as a sign of peace. Today I want to talk about showing signs of peace, love and friendship whenever we get an opportunity.

We went to MaryElizabeth's Dad's Memorial Mass on Friday morning. It was a solemn reminder of how unpredictable and fragile life is. We met Patti and Richard there - Eleanor's mom and dad. I have to say that they are just the nicest people, and Richard looks absolutely wonderful. He has twinkly eyes, and they both have the warmest smiles.

The church hall was packed with friends and family. FORTY-TWO of the people attending, I was told, were family and I know that's just those who made it to the West Coast to pay their respects. There was easily over a hundred people there...and two Yorkettes (who were both amazingly well behaved) – me and AthenaMaria Dugmore.

MaryElizabeth's nephew Zach (Zak? Zac?) created an absolutely beautiful montage of photographs tracing Bill's life from when he was a young man in the service, through his wedding, children, anniversaries.....all those important moments.....and we couldn't take our eyes away. Funerals are a celebration of life, and a reminder to us all that we are only on loan to each other for a brief moment in time. We all really belong to God.

Mom wept, laughed, smiled and hugged and for a couple of hours, feeling as if we were part of this wonderful loving family. They are all truly blessed to have each other. Mom then decided to and contact the members of our immediate family for positively no reason other than to say "I love you!". Who knows if those will be the last words she says to them?

She called two of her three brothers as she said she was going to do. The youngest one still had a message on his voice mail from last Tuesday. She left him a message saying that she just called to say she loved him. That should freak him out.

Then she called her other brother, the oldest of the three, and he immediately wanted to know what was wrong with her...or did she know something about him that she wasn't telling him about. "Nope...I just called to say I love you, because you never know if those will be the last words you say to someone!". And he started talking...and they actually had a conversation. He NEVER has a conversation. He's very cerebral and is a professor and ...well, he just doesn't talk much. Finally, his dinner was ready and he said he had to go. Before he hung up he said "I love you very much, too!". It made Mom a little tearful as neither of us remember hearing that before.

I'm glad she called them. The third brother, the middle one, has been sick and she’s been talking to him for the past few weeks on and off. She told him she loved him, too, a couple of days ago. He thought we should say that to each other more than once a year. I agree with him.

And finally, we got a nice email from my Aunt Jackie in response to our voice mail message to Mom’s youngest brother.. She and Mom talked a long time today and caught up on stuff, and when they were ready to hang up they both said “I love you!”.

All it takes is one person to smile and other people smile back. And it takes one person to say “I love you!” and pretty soon, every one else is saying it too. And it becomes easier and easier to say each time.

Now….turn to your neighbors and wag your tails as a sign of peace and friendship. We do this every Sunday and it’s becoming a habit. When you leave chapel, wherever you go……muster up the biggest smile you can and flash it to everyone you see. Your goal is to get them to smile back, and your hope is that they will pass that on to someone else.

On your way out, please help yourself to some Pupperoni rolls and Cheez-its. The scouts are away on a camp out and the Kindergarten pups are assisting in the pre-school class this morning. The Ladies of the Leather Collar and the Knights of Pawlumbus are away on retreat, so we just put out some snacks and you're all on the honor system today.

Blessings to you all

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Chaplain
Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"From a Yorkie's lips to God's ear"

Dear Grandpa....

Mom wanted to update you on Nick. We called him last night. He said he got out of the hospital a week ago Saturday and that he and Sharon were staying at a home in Templeton where they are babysitting some pups. He said he would go back to San Simeon tomorrow.

He also said that he's much better, even better than he was before he got so sick. He said his lymph nodes were shrinking and he was feeling much peppier. Maybe it's all for the best. At least that's what I tell people - that they should just let God handle this stuff and quit worrying about trying to control their lives.

Anyway...I'll talk to you tonight, or Mom will. I have trouble holding the receiver what with not having thumbs and all. I need to have it put on speaker phone for me.

Love and kisses...

Your Grand Dogger...

Mary-Margaret

"God's Will Be Done" - Sunday, 8/14/11

(another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)

Good Morning...Good Morning! Glad to see you all here dressed in your casual go-to-beach wear on this absolutely beautiful day. We have two very special guest speakers today - Gizzie and Buffie from Miami Beach:

Please welcome Gizzie and Buffie to the podium. They have a very inspirational message for us.

Gizzie? Buffie?

(applause...clap clap clap...."Woo Hoo"...."Quack quack"...."cluck...cluck" (Ah....I see Graham Quacker and Diana Duck are accompanied by a group of chickens today)....."arf arf"....)

(Gizzie and Buffie, after climbing the steps to the microphone, clear their throats and begin to speak in unison)

Toni was looking for what wasn't really lost, and she found what she wasn't looking for. As a result, a group of people got a spiritual boost they weren't expecting.

Toni, who conducts a Bible study in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Alaska, was looking for her husband’s missing driver’s license. As she retraced his steps from the previous day, she visited a hospital. The missing license wasn't there, but a Christian high school chorale was, and Toni was touched by their worshipful singing. She asked the director if the teens could sing for her Bible-study group that evening. They could, and they did, —bringing hope, joy, and God’s love through music and post-concert conversation to some folks trying to put their lives back together.

Oh, and that driver’s license? Toni found it on a chair when she got back home. Apparently, the only reason she went out that day was so God could direct her to hear a bunch of teens who could minister to her rehab group.

When God guides us (Prov. 16:9), He works in ways we can't predict. He can use even our inconveniences to bring honor to His name. When we face a seeming nuisance in our day, perhaps we should look not just for what we think we want but also for what God has for us that day.

Between the circumstance and me,
A Father’s loving hand
Is working all things for my good—
All moves at His command. —Anon

(Gizzie and Buffie nod their heads to the congregation indicating that their presentation is over)

(YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY..."Very well done"..........bark bark..woof...............QUACK!!!....cluck......a cacaphony of praises fill the chapel)

Thank you SOOO much, you two. You both always have something inspirational for us to think about.

Earlier today my Mom was talking to my oldest sister who was saying that time flies so quickly and she doesn't know if she'll have enough time to accomplish all the things she wants to do in the time given to her. I told my Mom to tell her that she will always have enough time to accomplish what God wants her to do.

God has a plan and, as Gizzie and Buffie illustrated, His plans will take precedence over ours 100% of the time.

We ask that you bow your heads and take a moment to remember the pups and humans that we have lost this past week, and that a prayer be said for the transition of their souls from this world to their forever home. We also pray for peace for those who are left behind, and we ask that the Lord help them find comfort and solace in his everlasting love.

(silence for a moment)

Amen

Bacon protein cheeseburger sliders on the patio with kibble salad and Spring water slurpees, all prepared by our Ladies of the Leather Collar and, at the barbeque, our Knights of Pawlumbus (formerly Clawumbus but too many of the Bulldogs, Pekinese and Boxers had trouble pronouncing it). Enjoy enjoy!!

Before you race out the door, please turn to your neighbors as wag your tails as a sign of peace, love and friendship. Despite any disagreements we may have with each other, we are first and foremost united in our love of Dognamity. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. We can't change the past but we can choose the path we will follow beginning today.

Blessings......................

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

Sure Cure for the Oopsies!

Ugh! All those turns and twisties in the road on Camp Pendleton. It's sure a pretty place with the hills, lakes and meadows but it's awful on a puppy's digestive tract. I made it all the way back to Fallbrook and then "kablooey". First off Mom noticed I was sitting upright and squished way into a corner of my carseat. Well, I didn't want to get any barf on MEEEE. What else would you do?

Mom pulled over and cleaned up my car seat, my jacket and my leash, gave me some water and some loving, and then we kept going. She'll need to take the car into the car wash later. It smells pretty much like doggie barf....and after a day in the heat, it's like pretty baked in, I think.



Here's me today. I have a slight headache so I cleared the couch of it's arrangement of cushions and crawled underneath a couple. It always helps to put a pillow on your head if you aren't feeling well.



After about an hour, I decided to see if it helped my tummy, too. Yup! It does. I think I'll feel much better tomorrow. Today I'm just going to take it easy.

PS - Grandpa - when I go play outside I get burrs...you know, little round stickers...in my fur. And then I get on the back of Mom's chair and those burrs sort of migrate into her hair. Lately there have been a lot of stickery things in the back yard so between plucking them off me and pulling them out of her hair, we're pretty busy before we go to bed. The word she was saying was "STICKERS".

Love,

Your Grand Dogger,

Mary-Margaret O'Brien

Two more installments in YBC

Oops...I forgot to post last Sunday's inspirational message in our Yorkie Brigade Chapel series. First, I'll post today's message:

Sunday - August 7, 2010 - "Mind Cleaning"

Good morning and Happy Sunday!! It's sure been a week, hasn't it? We have so many memories, thoughts and ideas floating around in our heads that it's time to do some "house cleaning".

Our guest speaker today is Aida Spaulding, our Assistant Pastor Neeko S Spaulding's little sister. Although she's pretty new to our Chapel and quite young, she's got a lot of wisdom that she'd like to share with us this morning.

So...without further ado (or adieu?), please allow me to introduce Miss Aida Spaulding. Aida?

(clap clap...applause..."Wooo wooo " (from the Siberian Huskies)...."YAYYYYY, Aida!"....and she steps to the microphone) and speaks:

Keeping only the good memories :o)

My name is Princess Aida Chi-Chi Spaulding and I'm so honored to be up here today speaking in front of this pawsome congregation. My brother Neeko's encouraging words convinced me that I can do this since I'm kind of a shy girl.

I moved in with my forever family on July 3rd of this year after being rescued by wonderful MaryElizabeth and being fostered by wonderful Mama Corrine. I'll forever be grateful for their unlimited kindness, for saving me and for giving me a second chance on life.

Many past memories understandably have a great influence on our lives and determine how we are feeling now. My past does not have many good memories and because of that, I'm still learning to trust Humans.
My pawsome brother Neeko told me that in life is very important to keep only the good memories and discard the bad ones. I have to admit that when I moved in with my new family, we were emptying the trash cans a lot... My new Pawrents were busy "cleaning" any lingering unwanted memories of mine.
God must love me very much though because He blessed me with a wonderful forever family. I feel loved, adored and respected and know that no matter what, they will forever be here for me.
Thank You dear Lord for my many blessings!

Well, good thing that I'm getting rid of all the unwanted memories because let me tell you... the pawsome ones are just pouring in. Now I understand why Neeko told me to keep only the good ones because in my new family, you need lots and lots of room for them :o)

I would like to conclude today with this quote that I thought was adequate:
“What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.” ~ Author Unknown

Thank you all again for having me here and let us all remember not to dwell on the past and keep only the good memories :o)

Love,
Aida ♥

(applause applause - more whistles and "woos".....and the congregation rises to give a standing ovation...Aida blushes demurely and smiles....)

Thank you so very much for that, Miss Aida. Very wise words, indeed. Even Shakespawre wrote in his "Julius Ceasar" that "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones!". If we cast out the bad and the negative thoughts and do as you suggest, perhaps it will be the GOOD that will prevail instead.

Let's embrace each other in love and friendship today. Make room for the happy thoughts and squeeze out the others. We are gathered here today for positive inspiration. We should all make a vow to follow Aida's example - to "forgive and forget", and to move on with sunshine and smiles in our hearts.

Please take a moment to remember those of our parish who have passed on this last week, and pray that their lives will not be in vain. We pray for the families and friends of those they left behind, and ask that they all continue their quest to encourage and assist the humans who continue to look for reasons and cures for the horrible diseases that have befallen these members of our community.

Please turn to your neighbors and pew mates and wag your tails or fluff your feathers as a sign of your commitment to everlasting peace and love.

The Ladies of the Leather Collar and the Knights of Clawumbus have joined together today and they invite you to a noon-time barbeque of spare ribs (ones that weren't needed, apparently), and Boston bulldog baked beans ("The musical fruit - the more you eat, the more you toot!", according to our Kindergarten class, anyway)

And here is the one from last week. Gosh, Mom is such a ditz these days. And she keeps falling asleep at her desk, or in her big leather chair, and one time....even started snoozing at a traffic light. I've taking to talking to her to the point she'd like to throttle me. But if it keeps her awake, I guess it's good.

OK..enough about that. Here's last weeks:


"Funk Day" - July 31, 2011

Welcome, welcome everyone. Boy, that week went fast, didn’t it?

Today was our “Funk Day”. That means that we give ourselves permission to be introspective, feel sorry for ourselves, pout a little if we feel like it, and nap whenever we choose, or watch movies all day. I kinda like Funk Day. No pressure, no stress. Tomorrow we are programmed to un-Funk, and get back on track.

God made the whole universe in 6 days and on the 7th, even he rested. Following his example, we rested on the 7th day, too. There’s a lot of good stuff in the Bible like that.

My secretary is still resting and I’m not having much luck in firing her up to take dictation tonight. I’m going to use something that I personally find inspirational. The original author is unknown, but several have tweaked it a bit and tacked their name onto it. This version is still anonymous, as far as we know:


People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, You will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, Someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, There may be jealousy;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, People will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, And it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see in the final analysis, It is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Today I’m told we have some caramel kibble clusters at the treat table in the garden. The Kindergarten Puppies assembled them during their cooking class. They would be here to serve you but it takes a lot of soap and warm water to get caramel out of fur so they asked the Fachsie Dachsie Brownie Troop #411 to stand in for them. They hope you like your treats and you forgive their absence.

Please turn to your neighbors and wag your tails or fluff your feathers as a sign of peace and love.

Thank you for your continued presence at our Sunday Inspirational Services.

(PS - since this appeared I've been told it's originally from Mother Theresa and not to worry about being sued or anything. Mother Theresa would be happy that we got her word out!)

Blessings.....

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

Dr V, Nicole and MEEEE

Last Friday we went to see Dr. V about some unexplained bump on me. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE going to visit Dr. "V" (Melanie Verreault). She's been my doctor since I was just a little tyke of only 9 weeks old. We go waaaaaay back. Every time we pull into her parking lot I start hopping up and down. People in her waiting room are very surprised at how excited I am. They say that their pups cringe and try to hide. Not me! I LOVE IT HERE! I am waiting patiently for Dr. V to come and give me a check up.



I am very healthy. Round, but healthy. I do have some bumps but Dr. V says not to worry. They are non-contagious doggy warts. I have one on the base of my tail at the end of my spine, one on my neck and one on my upper thigh on my left leg. They don't bother me at all, but Mom was thinking about fussing with them. She doesn't like to see stuff that doesn't belong.

The scale weighed me in at eleven pounds. Aaaack. And I'm on diet food, too. Dr. V took me in the back and re-weighed me. Yup! Eleven on the first scale, and ten point eight on the 2nd. We decided to go with the second reading. I hadn't pooped yet, so I'm thinking there's another few ounces that will be gone in an hour or so.

We visited for a while and had a conversation. I really got into it, very serious and all, but mostly got laughed at. I WISH I could form my words more clearly. Dr. V did understand that I wanted some water, though. I said "Please?", so she brought me a bowl. She set it down and I sniffed it all over. "This is not my bowl!", I said. Dr. V said she washed it really good, but still...I could smell other pups on it. I don't LIKE drinking from community bowls. I was trying to make my point by attempting to flip it over but both Dr. V and Mom said "NO NO NO!", so I didn't. Sulking, I decided it was better to drink some water than to go thirsty, so I had a little. But just a little, to be polite!

Also, when I got there, Nicole (who loves me more than anything in the whole wide world and I love her, too!) had a bag of treats on her desk. She knows what a puppy likes and who am I to crush her spirit, hmmmmmm? That's got to count for an ounce or two.




Here's Nicole and me just loving on each other. It's what we do. When I was a little baby she used to put me on her shoulders and I'd nap while she did stuff on the computer.

Good news, too! Amy, who used to be a vet tech at the old place before the Hills sold it, is now a real full-fledged vet. She got hired at the old place where I still get my shots and my health certificate. Dr. Gindi isn't there any more. I wonder where she went? She was pretty cool. But I have to tell you I just can't wait to get another shot or something so I can see Amy, except now I have to call her DOCTOR Amy!

Stop, Drop and (look before you) Roll!

Arrgh. What's that smell? Yuck. I can't quite reach it and it won't go away. Pups like to go out in the morning and do their rounds, which sometimes includes rolling and squiggling on our backs on the fresh dewy lawn. Well, this morning it was "dewy" all right - spelled "doo-ey".

Mom noticed there was some gunk on my right shoulder and it STUNK.. STANK?.. STINKED?..to high heaven. I get a sponge bath in the sink but I still stink. "What the....?", she mutters as she notices my tags are glued together. Oh, yup...that's poop on my collar and in my tags....also in my toes. Collar and tags are washed, toes, and just about every thing else is scrubbed. I'm drying now, still somewhat a pariah in my own house. NOTE TO SELF: Look before rolling!!

Happy Monday!!

Love, Mary-Margaret
(They don't call me "Stinky" for nothing!)

Dear Grandpa - Update on Nick

He's still in the hospital at Twin Cities Community in Templeton, CA. He's hoping to get out by Friday. They're giving him "platelets" and he's feeling a bit better. He was enjoying his dinner when I called tonight. Sharon and he were both having rice and some kind of orange pork. Sharon got some cobbler but Nick didn't. The hospital people are watching him carefully.

Twin Cities Community Hospital
1100 LAS TABLAS RD
TEMPLETON, CA 93465
Ph: 805-434-3500

Love,

Michele

PS - Sorry to barge in on Mary-Margaret's blog but this is the only way I can communicate effectively with my Dad who doesn't do email or hear very well. MD

To Grandpa from Mom

Dear Grandpa - Sharon called back about 9:45PM last night. Nick had an adverse reaction to one or more of his meds from his chemotherapy treatments. He was in terrible pain and his white cell count "was down to two" according to Sharon. He's been on morphine - higher dose than he's used to - since he was admitted on Saturday. He's at Twin Cities hospital in Templeton in an isolation room due to his extremely low immune system's inability to counteract any infection.

Sharon has been staying at the hospital 24-7 with him. She doesn't know when he'll be released.

You now know as much as I do. You should have Sharon's cell phone number but if not, call me for it.

Love,

Michele

"Truth" - Sunday, July 24, 2011

(Another installment in the Yorkie Brigade Chapel series)



Welcome to Chapel this BEE-YOO-TI-FULL Sunday. It's so nice to see you all again. Today we'll be talking about "Truth".

Sir Winston Churchill once said “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened “.

Two pups are discussing their view of the Grand Canyon. The first pup describes it as the biggest hole he’s ever seen and he hopes he doesn’t get blamed for it. The second pup describes it as a river surrounded by sheer rock walls all around, as high up as he can see. Both are describing the exact same scene but one is at the top of the canyon and the other is at the bottom. Both are telling the truth from their own point of view.

Last week, Mom saw me hunched over something and heard me barking like crazy. The something (actually a rat)ran over to the fence and I followed it. When we both reached the corner of the yard, the rat died and Mom assumed I killed it. Not wanting to burst her bubble I played along. That was her truth, and no harm was done. My truth, though, was that I had an encounter with a sick rat and I was comforting him. Everett, our exterminator, tends to side with me.

Seriously, folks, rats are nocturnal and this was in broad daylight. I still have the original squeakies in my baby toys. I’m just not a murderer. I barked for Mom to come fix him but she didn’t understand. I tried to help and I failed, so I prayed with him. I guess you could say I was giving him “last rites”?

The truth depends on perspective. One believes a truth based only on the information they have in their possession, but an entire truth consists of a kaleidoscope of facts, some requiring research and deep thought to understand.

“Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.”, said Benjamin Franklin. The vision of me sitting over a dead rat was only half the story. As Galileo said almost 400 years earlier, “All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”.

Once the pieces of a story come together, the truth became apparent and is evidenced and proven by hard facts instead of by assumptions. “A lie told often enough becomes the truth”, as Lenin once said. Let us all be more like Diogenes of Sinope, one of the Cynic Philosphers (412BC to 323BC) and search to discover honesty and truth in it’s purest form.

Please turn to your neighbors and wag your tails (or fluff your feathers) as a sign ofpeace. Again, I am asking for volunteer speakers for upcoming Sundays. We want to hear from all of you about your history, your family, your lives and your loves. Email me privately if you are shy. I look forward to talking with you.

The Ladies of the Leather Collar have been experimenting with freeze dried salmon treats. Please stop by their table on your way out and let them know what you think.

Blessings……….

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade
"A dog has so many friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue!"

My Trophy is Missing!

Wow! Talk about depressing. We got home and Everett still hadn't called. Mom hooked me up to my leash (drat-double drat) and I dove out the doggie door without thinking about it. Ooops! We have a slight problem. Mom reels me back in like a trout on a line, and we start over again by opening the big door so we can BOTH go out at the same time.

My first stop was the grass and....oh, the joy of it! Sheer relief. I hadn't gone since about 8:30AM this morning. On top of that, I had a case of the ...er...squirts. That took a while to clean out so Mom patiently looked over the yard while I was taking care of my business. Nope! No rat. Everett must have come by and forgotten to call.

We walked over to the corner where we last saw the rat and it was most definitely gone. Not a hair...not a flea...Nothing!! Poof! Darn that Everett. I am totally depressed. I just lay on the patio gazing over my hunting ground and sighed.

After supper we get all relaxed and Mom puts on her nightgown around 7:30PM. Then the phone rings and it's Everett saying, "OK! I'm on my way over!".

"Very funny!", says Mom. "You've already been here!". He says he hasn't because he got called on an emergency in DeLuz, which is way up back in the hills and there's no cell signal there. "But the rat's gone!", she says.

Everett laughs and explains all about nature to her in 25 words or less, suggesting that maybe one of the feral cats from the hillside, or an owl or a bird or a squirrel or a possum or a.....(you get my drift, right?)...came and took care of the problem.
I guess I can't get mad at Mom for my trophy disappearing, or at Everett. But DARN those hill dwellers. DARN DARN DARN!! I am bummed.

We are getting sprayed tomorrow. The lawn, the garden (such that it is), and around the house. No more Mr. Spidey sneaking up on Mom or hiding behind our toilet. And then Everett will do some web removal. This makes me happy!

Love and kisses...

Mary-Margaret

PS - I also got my teeth brushed pretty good last night. I'm allowed to kiss my Mom again. :o)

Rat Update!

First off, Mom called an exterminator but we got his voice mail. Then Mom called Riverside County Vector Control. They're the company that used to come out and place bait traps for rats in the old days. Mom was hoping that they'd remove the body and check for diseases, too. No such luck.

"We don't do rats!", was their response. Asked "Well, then, what DO you do?". She got put on hold and transferred to another person. That man person responded by confirming that they "don't do rats!". Instead, they "Comb through the fur of live squirrels looking for fleas, check the blood of the fleas for disease, and release the squirrels back into the wild!".

Last I heard her, she was grumbling something about "spending our tax dollars on the care and grooming of wild squirrels". Hmmmm...I wonder if they get pedicures, too??

Ah...! We just got a call back from the Everett of Rancho Pest Control. He said he remembered us and he'd go take care of the disposal of the body. I suppose taxidermy is out of the question? No Mounted Meese heads on my doggy house wall?

Darn!

Mary-Margaret

First Blood - The Mighty Hunter

The back yard is getting more and more interesting every day. As I'm piddling around my plum tree I notice I'm not alone. "Hello?", I say. "Have we met?". Oh..apparently not, because I'm given a quick glance and then ignored. Someone is munching on MY plums without MY permission.

"Hello?", I say again. "Do you know that you're in MY yard?". Still nothing. So I launch into attack mode. I get the critter between my paws and I study it. It starts to run so I immediately go into "bark mode".

Mom comes to the back door and says, curiously, "What ARE you doing?". I'm busy so I ignore her. And then she sees a critter scampering toward the fence, with me in hot pursuit. I charge and then pull back...then charge again. By the time me and the strange critter get to the corner where the two fences meet, my mom is yelling her fool head off screaming "NONONONONONO...MARY-MARGARET! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Yuck...BAD!!". I'm still ignoring her, and by the time she gets her shoes on her feet my quarry is finished. I am declared the winner.



(Double click the picture to enlarge and see what I bagged on safari!)

Here comes my mom, camera and all, still not quite getting it. "ARRRRGGGH!!", she squeals. "A RAT!". Then comes a stream of NONONONO's and BLEGHs and YUCKS!! She takes the picture and then I get scooped up. There's some pink on my tummy and she checks me out. It's plum pulp and maybe a bit of juice. I'm sticky but fine.

Back in the house she tries to tempt me with my dinner but having tasted rat I'm not into chicken tonight. I go to the back door and squeak to go out. "In your DREAMS!", Mom says. "Not until the neighborhood cats take care of that RAT!!". Then she says (to no one in particular), "Tomorrow, I'm calling the exterminator!"

So far I haven't heard one "Thank you!" or "Nice job, Mary-Margaret!". Not one.

Hmmmph!

Love,

Mary-Margaret

PS - I don't think I'm getting kissed on the mouth tonight, either!

July 17, 2011 - "Be Careful What You Wish For"

Good Sabbath to you all, and welcome to Chapel this beautiful Sunday.

Today, I yield the floor to my mom. She got sidetracked today and totally forgot about my needing her services until almost 10:30PM our time. By then I was totally wiped out and I told her that SHE could be the guest speaker. I hope you don't mind, but honestly I think maybe this will teach her a lesson.

We were watching a movie on TV today and one of the moments that stuck with us was when someone said "People make plans and God laughs!". Turns out this is an old Jewish proverb. No matter how carefully we plan our lives or how fervently we wish for an event to occur that will (we think) change our lives forever, God knows exactly what is in store for us and he smiles. Personally, I think anyone that could make a duck billed platypus and keep a straight face has GOT to have a great sense of humor. But I digress....!

My mom is an Investigator. She used to actually have time to play Bunko with the girls once a month many years ago. One of the ladies in her Bunko group was going to be turning 30 years old in about six months. Several times she mentioned how she'd like to find her biological Dad before her birthday and she asked if Mom could help. All she she'd been told about him was that he was a Navy SEAL who had a one night stand with her mom, a dance teacher, the night before he was shipped off to Viet Nam during the war, and he never knew her mom was pregnant. Her mom knew him only by his nickname and his last name, but she had no idea where he was from nor anything about his family, or if he even had one.

Mom's Bunko buddy was a happily married, stay at home mom, with three kids, but this was her everly most heartfelt wish. Mom caved and said she'd see what she could do. After hunting high and low, she found that Spanky (name changed for privacy purposes) received a traffic ticket in Ventura County, CA several years earlier, and from there she got an address, then a SS#. She also found out he was driving a RV and had mailing addresses were that were campgrounds. At the last one she found the manager said Spanky was planning on driving up the 395. She called campgrounds going up the 395 and hit the jackpot. The heartwarming part is that this man had no idea he'd fathered a child, and the only other child he had and would ever have, had been recently killed in a car accident. He was absolutely stunned and delighted. He cried, his daughter cried and they both had a happy reunion!!

Not all stories maintain their happy ending, though. This particular "find" gave everyone chills when the daughter reunited with her birth father. She never thought it could happen based on the fragments of information her mother could provide. She had only hoped that maybe she could at least meet him by the time she turned 30, a few months away from her giving Mom the assignment. She and her father were both initially ecstatic.

They traveled back and forth several times hoping to establish some sort of bond. Spanky met his three grandchildren and it seemed like a miracle had taken place. Coincidentally, the husband of our client and Spanky had identical leopard tattoos on their forearms (same arm, too), smoked the same brand of cigarettes and drank the same kind of beer. Almost seems like heaven stepped in, doesn't it?

But a year or so after the initial reunion, the father and his newest wife went back to their vagabond ways. Although the lines of communication had been opened, they gradually fizzled out. The daughter, having had "closure", began to see that she wasn't "discarded" and "valueless". Her self esteem blossomed. She ended up taking a full time job, leaving her husband and three children, and taking off with a business man who was exactly the opposite from her father and husband. We lost all contact with her after that.

This definitely gives credence to the old saying "Be careful what you wish for!" She had what most would say was an ideal life, a happy marriage and three beautiful children. Within a year of her wish coming true, she lost it all and began a new life. Was this God's plan all along? Did Mom and the Bunko Buddy meet because it was destined to happen? Did the father find peace and closure knowing that he had a child that would carry on his bloodline? Did the end truly justify the path to get there? How many lives were shattered or redirected because of one innocent little wish coming true.

There's another saying we like and that's "Let Go, and Let God!". Have faith that your destiny is a given and you will be given choices to make as part of the journey toward the end. How you will be remembered will depend on the choices you made and the trust you placed in God. You can fight and argue and deny that which God has placed before you but ultimately you must trust in the Lord to show you the way.

Mom's mother-in-law (rest her soul), when confronted with a situation, would say "Is it my will or Thy will?". When the answer came to her, she knew what path she had to follow, and she did so in peace and confidence.

Thank you so much for letting my mom share. I edited a bit as she tends to ramble, but I think we got a pretty good inspirational message out there, don't you?

Before we go today, please take a moment to thank God for your friends, your family and the others in your life that provide you with love, comfort, and unconditional acceptance. Think about how you are all intertwined in your existence, and how grateful you are to have each other. Then, turn to your neighbors and wag your tails or fluff your feathers as a sign of peace.

We have a new member today. Her name is Amber from Hesperia. Please join me in welcoming Amber and her mother, Cynthia, to our Chapel. I hope we can talk Amber into telling us something about her life in the near future.

The Ladies of the Leather Collar have been experimenting with freeze dried beef and chicken treats. We've already had some of the liver variety and they are simply FABULOUS, and to die for.

Go in peace and let the Ladies know your thoughts on their new recipe before you leave. We are fortunate to have such creative ladies to provide refreshments while teaching the little ones some indispensable baking skills.

Blessings to you all... See you next Sunday

Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous

July 10, 2011 - "Discouragement"

(Another installment in the series - "Yorkie Brigade Chapel")

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Chapel this 10th day of July 2011.

It's hard to believe we've been holding services for almost five months now, and our parish is growing. I'm sure you all remember the "pup tent" we started in, when we borrowed someone's water bowl for a Baptismal font. And here we are, all comfy cozy, in our permanent digs constructed with the vision and imagination of us all.

We have a couple of gardens, a parking lot, a church bus, a bright purple and yellow fire hydrant (thanks to our Kindergarten pups) out by the curb, and several active social groups in addition to our regular Thursday night bingo and potluck in the social hall. The Ladies of the Leather Collar and the Fachsie Dachsie Brownie Troop #411 have been working their little fingerettes to the bone to provide yummy goodies for you all after services. I sometimes shake my head and wonder what we will achieve in the next five months.

We have a special guest speaker today - Miss Buffie, who is Gizzie's two year old 2 pound 'sissie'. She is a very big help to her mom, Merry, especially when Merry is in pain and needing some comfort. Miss Buffie has prepared a special presentation on "Discouragement" and I'd like you all to give her a warm welcome.

(applause...applause....clap clap...."Welcome, Buffie!"...more applause)

(Buffie steps to the microphone and the parishioners gradually quiet down and all eyes are on Buffie!)

Do you feel stuck in discouragement? If so, you are not alone.

At some point everyone experiences dashed hopes. Disappointment—an emotional response to a failed expectation—is the normal initial reaction. But allowed to linger, it can turn into discouragement, which hovers like a dense cloud. When that's the case, there is no sense of joy or contentment, no matter what you do.

The circumstances that trigger these emotions may be unavoidable, but the way we respond is a choice. We can either let sadness overwhelm our souls or face the situation with courage and bring it before the One who can help us.

Living in discouragement will divide the mind, making it hard to focus on anything besides our pain. Then as anger becomes habitual, we'll look for someone to blame—whether God, people around us, or ourself.

Frustration that isn't handled well may develop into depression, which in turn can estrange us from others—people do not enjoy the company of someone who's bitter and defeated. This isolation leads to a low self-esteem. Finally, in a fog of discouragement, we can make poor decisions based on crushed emotions instead of truth. Obviously, choosing this self-destructive path is not God's best for our lives.

Though we'll all face disappointment from time to time, believers are not to wallow in it. Instead, God wants us to trust Him with everything—even our unmet expectations and deepest sadnesses. Remember, there is divine purpose for everything He allows to touch His children's lives (Rom. 8:28).

(the congregation is silent as they let Buffie's words sink in....and then gradual applause, some tears, and vigorous nods of enthusiasm and agreement. The parishioners rise to their feet - all four of them - and arf their appreciation and approval)

Thank you SOOOO much for that, Miss Buffie. Such wise words from such a young pup. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope you will stay for a while while we meet for Spring Water and Great Danish out in the garden. I know so many of us would like to speak to you in person.

Everyone is invited to be a guest speaker and we encourage you to volunteer. Just email me privately with your presentation and we will incorporate it into one of our Sunday's services.

Now please turn to your neighbors and wag your tail or fluff your feathers as a sign of peace and love. Remember to always be as you wish others to be.

Go in peace...

Blessings........
Mary-Margaret O'Brien
Lt. Chaplain - Yorkie Brigade Chapel
"Yorkie prayers are Angel's wishes!"
"Pups for PPL"
"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue." Anonymous