You've Got a Friend

"You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend"

James Taylor

Our Christmas morning started out just like millions of others who celebrate Christmas Day. We knew that the moment we awoke, a fun-filled day of surprises had already been promised. But we never expected to open our front door and find a German Shepherd dog (the size of a small pony) staring back at us. When we heard his very low, very deep ... and loud bark, I thought I'd have to pull Paul out from the ceiling. Of course I'm sure it was just Big Dog's (as I affectionately, but accurately call him) way of wishing us a Merry Christmas and trying to let us know he was lost and needed help.

After several hours of watching Big Dog circle our home, investigate our deck, look inquisitively through our glass solarium door, and stretch out beside our front door, it was obvious that Big Dog had taken up residence. And it was obvious that he was lost and needed help. After feeding him a huge Christmas dinner (ok, I shared Jake the "regal beagle's" dry food with him, but he did get Honey Baked Ham), making sure he had water, I called my neighbors.

We finally gained his trust, and he allowed us to pet him and to be led to his temporary home, which was my neighbor's garage. Now, Big Dog would be out of the cold and wet winter weather; have food, water, and a loving touch. We all fell in love with Big Dog, and knew that our next task was finding Big Dog's owner. My neighbors went online looking for German Shepherd rescue shelters. I took pictures of Big Dog and made up flyers and distributed them in stores and on telephone polls in our area. I knocked on people's doors, put an ad in the local paper, called a local radio station who was kind enough to make several announcements for me, and went to some of the lost and found websites and posted as well. It's six days later and no one has claimed Big Dog.

And, my neighbor called me to let me know that they took him to the animal shelter to see if he had a microchip, but that there was none. And ... that they had surrounded him to the shelter. At first I was broken hearted. I spent a good part of the evening crying for Big Dog. I felt that he had found his way to my door for a reason. That he was sent to my door because it was somehow predetermined that I would help him. And ... I felt that I had let him down.

Things did get better! The more I learn about this particular shelter, the better I feel about the love and care they give not only Big Dog, but all their dogs. And, I have gotten a call from someone who listened to the radio show and would love to have Big Dog. I also know that he will get his microchip, and he is getting a thorough check-up. So, maybe this is the journey both Big Dog and I have to take to ensure him a loving home. I'm feeling better now, and I vow that I will do everything I can to make sure that he is not euthanized and does make it to the home this sweet and beautiful creature deserves.

Big Dog and all dogs (and yes all animals, but I'm talking dogs right now) are beautiful creatures and have proven time and time again that they truly are man's best friend. Unfortunately, we as individuals and owners have not always proven to be their best friend. I'm guessing that Big Dog is approximately 5yrs-6yrs old. He was never neutered, he had no microchip, and there wasn't any evidence that he had been wearing a collar. With all this in mind, I have to question whether or not he was getting any type of preventative care for heartworms, or fleas and ticks. More than likely, he hasn't had his rabies shot, either (purely speculation on my part).

With ownership, comes responsibility to our pets (I prefer calling them family members). Dogs are not toys. They are not to be discarded because of behavioral problems. (If we did that with my immediate family .... we wouldn't have any family left). If you don't have the money to take care of a dog, then don't get one. If you do bring a dog in as a new family member. Be a best friend to that dog. Make a life-long commitment to that dog. Make sure he gets the preventative care he needs to ensure a long life. Make sure he gets a microchip implanted because things do happen and all he/she really wants is to get back home. Make sure he has a collar with contact information and all his tags ensuring he/she has had rabies shots. I really wish Big Dog had a microchip. He would be at home right now instead of at the shelter.

It's really so simple. Dogs truly are man's best friend. They deserve to have best friends, as well.

I'll keep you posted on Big Dog. This isn't the end of the story, it's the beginning.

In Dreams...

"A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper -
Go to sleep. Everything is all right."
Roy Orbison "In Dreams"

I guess most people dream at night (or day, depending on when they sleep, i.e. vampires), at least every so often. I feel sorry for those that never dream, as dreams can be quite entertaining, as well as enlightening. I'm not a dream expert, specialist, or doctor (is there such a thing?), but I can tell you how often I dream (often), that I dream in color (technicolor), and that I dream in "symbolism". I also dream about events that have actually occurred. Not so often, only a handful of times in my life.

I will always remember the first time this happened, of course. Actually, I should say the first time I knew it happened. This dream involved an event that happened to my brother's best friend (loved as a part of our family), living in Georgia. My brother and I were both living in Florida at the time. When I told my brother about the dream, he looked at me strangely (not necessarily an uncommon look from him), and called our friend immediately from my apartment. Long story short, I had dreamt about an event that had actually taken place a couple of days earlier. The time of day, location, etc. was right on the money. As this was something that was not meant to be of common knowledge, they knew that I really had no way of knowing this. This was in the 70's and it would be a long while before I had another dream like this. At least, of that I'm aware.

There have been a few more, but the other one that I will most likely not forget was the one in which John died.

I dreamt that I was walking down the isle leading to my office at work early one morning, when I noticed people had gathered around outside John's office. As I approached, I asked someone what had happened. Someone replied, "John died." I don't remember much of the dream other than that. I went to work that morning (awake this time), and the day was really no different than any other day. In conversation with a co-worker, I mentioned the dream I had about John. I also told him that I dreamed in "symbolisms" and that the dream might not have anything to do with this particular person, and jokingly suggested that he be careful going out to lunch. Much to my relief, the day passed with no one, especially not John, dying.

The next morning, I came in earlier than usual to work. The secretary came into my office, knelt down and whispered, "did you hear what happened to John?" When I answered that I had not, she said, "He committed suicide last night!" I just sat and stared at her. As much as I was naturally shocked, of course, she had no idea about the dream I had the night before. As I said earlier, I dream in "symbolisms". The John who had died was not the one across from me, but the one downstairs, with which I had recently worked on some reports. I heard Butch when he came into his office. I went over to him and could tell he had already heard the news. I started to speak and he said, "I don't even want to talk about it." "You scare me ...", meaning the conversation we'd had earlier.

Now, I am sharing this with you, not because I think "I'm special" (I do think my husband and Jake the beagle think this however), or because I want to change or challenge your skeptical minds. I just believe that this happens more often than people think. I think there are people that realize they have just dreamt about a very real event they had no earlier knowledge of, but choose not to comment, simply because they are afraid of being scoffed and laughed at. And of course there is the "it's just a coincidence" response as well.

I am actually rather cynical about people's intentions (comes with age I guess) and truly don't believe in all of the self-professed psychics, mediums, and intuitives. However, I know that it happens with me and therefore, I have to believe it happens with others as well.

If you have a story about a dream or recurrent dream that proves itself to be an actual event, be bold, be real, and share it with us. Maybe you know someone who has experienced this. Maybe you believe that this really happens, or maybe you think it's a "crock". That's fine if you think it's a crock. I doubt if you would find yourself on my Christmas card list, anyway.

My First Love-What Was I Thinking?

It's probably safe to say that we all remember our "first love". That first little fluttering of the heart, that first glorious kiss ... that first ... well ...whatever. However, how we all define that first love, oh so many years ago, is quite another story. I guess most define it as innocent and wonderful, others as unrequited love, others as simply the one that got away. And then some-and this is the category that I fall into-will define it as simply ... "What the heck was I thinking?!" Of course we all know that our brains are not fully developed during our teen years, so this is my defense.

I met my "first love" when I was 14. His family and my family became close and our friendship developed into something more, much to the horror of our parents. (Let's just leave it at that). He was 3 years older than I and really should have been dating girls more his age. That was probably the charm of the relationship. It was driving our parents crazy. Long story short, he broke my heart (at least I thought so at the time) by marrying someone else. I heard that the first 2 years were very rough on his wife. He started drinking and doing pills (not sure what kind), running around, and abused her physically. We ran into each other at a party one night (he was still married) and he pulled me aside to let me know how much he "missed me" and how sorry he was that we had "drifted apart." I simply told him not to be sorry, and let him know that he had actually done me a tremendous favor. I wonder how long he stared at me as I walked away. I think, often times, "first loves" can become "What the heck was I thinking?!"

How do you define your "first love" experience? Bet it's a good story, so why not share it with us? Besides, seeing it in print simply validates it happened in the first place.

Ok..So this is the thing

Me...don't like people who DM me for the first time in twitter with their ads. I mean...take me out to dinner first, at least! What ever happened to courting?

I'm on the fence with health care reform . I'm more offended by everyone who has not even glanced at the 1000-page care package, but seem to know everything about it, and only their opinion is right.

I think that Michael Vick should be contained in a kennel..love Diane Sawyer and Lisa Ling, and I don't think watching CSI at night will numb valuable brain cells..so there.

Still here? Ok ... I'm an avid football fan. I actually watch as many of the pre-season games as Time Warner will allow. I'm loyal to my Carolina Panthers ... although I really love the Manning boys! Fickle in Football ... yes-no-maybe-I don't know-ask Farve.

I love murder mysteries, good red wine, and slow dancing under the moonlight.

Oh, and back to twitter ... I bet the person behind the sexy girl icons (the ones with the big boobs hanging out) and talks about sports or maybe just uses a robot to send out yet more quotes by other people (ever hear of original thought?), is a sexually frustrated man with too much time on his hands (ugh, even that sounded dirty)

You can find me hanging out with the Three Wise Girls, Twitter, FaceBook, Perfect Networker and Fast Pitch. I'm also co-hosting our Three Wise Girls talk radio show with Linda Alexander and Dori DeCarlo, going live in October.

I believe if your serious about your heath, your going to customize your nutrition.

I also believe that if you are serious about using video in promoting your business, then your are going to upgrade from free ... just because you're worth it.

And I believe that you'll find that my post will differ in themes from one post to the next, so I invite you to come back and figure out what I'm talking about ... yet again.

Oh, and I hope that you'll leave a comment. I mean you've already invested this much time, so why not? Besides, your family and friends aren't interested in your opinions, why not give me a try. (No guarantees here, either)