Bella from Tuckasegee, North Carolina~

Hi Sue,

Thought I'd let you know Bella and I got the basement pumped out for the second time in one week. We had three inches of rain on Saturday so needless to say Sunday morning was basement time again.

I just got back from visiting Mom and yes, Bella accompanied me or is that the other way round? I think I'm her chauffeur! HeeHee! Our little girl is becoming an Ambassador of good will as if we didn't know that already. In fact they're beginning to think about a residential therapy dog as they're seeing the benefits from not only Bella's visits but a few other dogs as well. But they're impressed with Bella's nature, her calmness around unfamiliar smells, sounds and odors, her endless love and all her kisses (as permitted).

Bella met a Dachshund named Maggie yesterday afternoon on our visit to the Unit. Everyone was amazed as these two little girls met for the first time, no barking, growling or anything unpleasant. Just the normal curiosity and smelling ceremony. They acted like they'd know each other for ages! This really impressed everyone, two well rounded, calm dogs can be there to provide much needed joy.

Have a great week!

Love, Hugs and Wet Kisses,
Cherrie' and Bella

Mandi & Lexi from the state of Washington~

Hello Sue,

How exciting more babies!!
Mandi loves to hang over the arm of our big club chairs and look out the window; Lexi ususally worms her way in wherever she can. The picture of the girls posing (that is the best "pose" I can get), Mandi is on the left and Lexi is on the right. Lexi looks so much like her mama Star. The girls are such happy dogs and pretty much rule the house; it all about the girls.
Take care and good luck on the new babies.

Hugs Debbie, Mandi and Lexi

Bonny Wee Lass moving back to the UP, Michigan~

Dear Momma Sue,

My folks are packin' them things called boxes, durn if I know what is that, but I don't like em' cause every time they get them out we go to a different house! Momma Sharon & Daddy Syd tells me not to be upset, cause we is goin back to that house I love where all that stuff called SNOW is! And I like it there, member when they came to you to get me when I were a baby? Well, that is the house we are gonna go to! Yep! And, I will take my new bed that I got when I turned into something called 2, and all my toys and my new dishes too! Oh, and my new Binky, cause I take Binky with me every place!!
Please don't forget me Momma Sue, cause I wanna be your wee "Peanut" always! Here is my picture so you won't forget me!
Momma Sharon says we are gonna see that great big monster thing called a moving truck come here on October 8th. What's an October Momma Sue, do you know? Anyway, she said I can write to you a letter when we get all moved. That's all I know Momma Sue....I send to you sloppy smooches, and you tell that guy Mike I love him too! Bye, bye.........Bonny Wee Lass

Archie from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania~

My mommie says that you are waiting for more baby puppies and I hope they get to live with forever families who share their freeze pops with them!
Love and sticky kisses,
Archie

Archie from Fleetwood, Pennsylvania~

Hi Mamma Sue,
I wanted to send you some pictures of me as I am getting so big. It has been 2 weeks since I have been neutered and weighed in at 19.20 pounds. The picture with just me was taken last week. The picture with my brother, Chad, and me is when I was only about 5 months old. I love freeze pops and it was so nice of Chad to share his with me! I have not decided upon a favorite flavor, I think I love them all!

Schatzie's new baby sister~

My, oh my!!! Look who arrived from heaven above! Schatzie has a brand new baby sister! Isn't she beautiful??? She's like a little angel...sooooo precious! God is good!

Bella from North Carolina~

Hi Sue,

I just wanted to send you the warmest thank you! It has been so amazing to watch Bella at the Nursing Center. They moved Mom into the Alzheimer's Unit but they soon discovered that she isn't the "typical" Alz. patient. With her blindness the staff must be "her eyes" and they're having difficulty adjusting. Last week was a really bad week because they weren't meeting Mom's needs. Because of her blindness the other patients are beginning to realize they can take her glasses off her face, reach for something she's holding and all of the endless possibilities. Her safety must be first and foremost which they're beginning to realize. I've met every day with different department heads and I don't know if we're making a great deal of progress yet. I pray this week is better!

Anyway, Bella is the "Queen" of the unit! Our little kisser wasn't an accident! God has a very special purpose for our little girl. I call her the "Love Muffin" she must greet everyone, staff, patients, and familles. She brings so much joy to Mom and the other residents. One experience is with a younger woman that is learning impaired and is unable to speak many words. Her parents were visiting and motioned for me to bring Bella over. They were talking about their dog at home when they're daughter saw Bella and began laughing, her face could have lit New York City! She reached down and petted Bella laughing the whole time and clapping her hands. The look on her parents faces was pure joy! Then two days ago this woman saw Bella and came with the CNA laughing and clapping. She reached down petted Bella, looked up and said, "Soft puppy!" Bella takes it all in stride, elevators, wheelchairs, bells, shouts and all the other things which go on in an Alzheimer's unit. Almost everyone knows Bella by name from the front office to the different halls. She's making an amazing impression. She still has a lot of "puppy" in her even at 15 months old but her special smile and kisses goes a long way. The administrators call her a Therapy Dog even if she isn't certified!

I'm so glad God led me to you and I was able to bring Bella into our home. Even the Nurses tell me they're so happy I have her because she's a special blessing.

Thanks again and at some point I'll probably ask to bring another special puppy into our home. But first I have to make certain Mom is getting the best care and her needs are being met. I'll talk to you soon.

Much love and special puppy kisses,
Cherrie' and Bella

If I didn't have a dog, I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture & cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

And also when the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,
without taking into consideration how much space
several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

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

I would not be on a first-name basis with numerous veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, & leave him/her/it ALONE.

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

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

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags,
treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,,
F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,, R-I-D-E,, GO

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

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

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

I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.


How EMPTY my life would be!!!

Cubby Jr. from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida~

Can't I help you mow the grass Mommy?

Cubby Jr. and Bailey from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida~

Cubby Jr. still plays with his MamaSue doll- especially at
night! He is so much like our first Cubby Jr. and so very smart-
figures out how to get out of his play pen in the middle of the night-
if he wants a hug and kiss from Mommy! George says he's going to get
a padlock so I can sleep! LOL
I hope you and your family are well and getting ready for the wedding-
hope to see some pics on your website! Your son's salmon is amazing!
Much love to you from me and Bailey and Cubby Jr.! Love & hugs- Susan

Bailey and Cubby, Jr. from Indian Harbour Beach, Florida~

We had a nice summer and the boys had an absolute ball. They are
tired from the trip down but were good boys in the car and in the
motel at night. Little Cubby is having his operation next week- shhh-
he doesn't know. He goes to the groomers Tuesday- as do the other two
and then the following Thursday, he gets neutered! They give us so
much joy every day- and so many laughs! They are an absolute blessing
to your life! I'm sending just a few pics from the summer- hope you
like them!

Cubby, Jr. and Bailey, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida~

Hi Sue! We are back in Florida and thought I'd catch up with some
messages you sent and some pics of the boys. The video about the God/
dog spelling really brought tears to my eyes! I've believed that for
a long long time! What great friends our little buddies are! I
checked out your blog on the way down and how you ever wrote about
your Dad- it was so beautiful and you must have had a wonderful
"growing up". I'm very envious of you for so many things. George
broke into a smile about your kids leaving for school and it looked
like bees were coming out! What a wonderful thing that you wrote
about your Dad and your life! Again, what a very lucky woman you are!

Dessi from Farmington, New Mexico~

Hello Susan!

This is Holly from Farmington, NM. Thought I would drop you a quick line and send some pictures of Dessi. He is doing just fine, and growing like a weed. Everyone loves him. He has a new buddy named Tinkerbell. That is his feline chew toy.LOL. They really are good buddies. They are the same age, so they both do a great job of wearing each other out. Dessi is getting ready to start his obedience classes in a month or so. I am chomping at the the bit to get back into the obedience ring. I think he will do well. Well, I will close for now. Didn't want you to think we had fallen off the face of the earth. I sure you have new litters on the way to keep you busy. Peace be with you and your family!


Holly, Robert, & Dessi

A tribute to my Dad~

Well, today is the first day of school. I always drive my kids each morning and pick them up at the end of their after-school sport's practices. It is a great time for us all to pray together for each other and for others who are in need of prayer.

I am a little sad, as I am remembering my dear father on his birthday. He passed away 20 years ago from lung cancer. If he was still alive, he'd be 100 years old today. He was the best father in the world, and the hardest working man I've ever met in my life. He was a farmer, and he had a custom farming business. Not only did he do his own work, he did the work of everyone else in the surrounding towns who needed various jobs done. I honestly don't know how he found time to do it all. I remember praying each night that he'd have time to get all his work done. He'd arise and leave at the crack of dawn, whistling all the way, as he'd drive his tractor down the road to someone's farm, pulling whatever tool he needed for that particular job. Then he'd work long hours into the night on his own farm. I can still see the tractor lights in the field in my precious memories. My mother would always make him a sandwich wrapped in wax paper for lunch and brought a powdered sugar donut, or slice of jelly roll. She had made instant coffee in a glass bottle that used to be a Nestle coffee jar. We'd bring it to whatever farm he'd be working on that day. Most days we'd have to sit and wait for him for a bit, as he wanted to make 2 or 3 more rounds before stopping to eat. Sometimes I'd hop out of the car and ride along on those rounds. He loved to show off his farming skills, whether combining, baling, plowing... but I know he loved to have me spend time with him. I can see him kneeling down on one knee by the open door of the car, wiping the sweat off his brow, conversing with my mother. One of the saddest moments of my life was a week before he died. He knew he was dying, but decided to change the plow points on his plow. I helped him, as he was on oxygen and it was too hard for him. We both knew it would be the last thing he would do on the farm, and it was a very solemn time for both of us.
Dad had lost his right hand in a farming accident with his corn picker when I was 12 years old. It was amazing how he continued to work all those years with his left hand, and a hook where his right hand used to be. And to top it all off, he was right-handed, which made it twice as hard.
I am posting a picture of him "on vacation" in Florida. Mom and Dad had a motorhome which they truly enjoyed, and would go to Sanford, Florida in the wintertime. Dad, of course, couldn't just rest down there, so he took a job in the groves, shaking oranges. He just loved operating farm equipment. It was his passion in life.
My dad was so tickled that Mike and I had all these kids. Some of you know we have been blessed with 14! He confided in one of the ER nurses on one of his many trips there, that he knew I was born to have kids. He said, "You should see them when the door of the house opens in the morning. They're just like bees! They just keep comin'!!!!" Hahaha He was such a joker! I miss him so much.
The saddest moment of my entire life was the day we called the ambulance for him. He knew he was never coming back home. The volunteer firefighters had him sitting in the wheelchair in the living room, and were all set to wheel him out. He turned to my mother who was standing there in her purple bathrobe, and took her hand in his left hand, shaking it up and down twice, saying, "Goodbye, Duck". She had been plagued with Alzheimer's Disease some years earlier. "Duck" had always been his favorite nickname for her. (In years' past, a lot of the menfolk used to refer to their wives as "Hen", so he had customized her nickname, making it special in a special way only they would understand. After saying his goodbye in the best way he knew how, he turned his face like flint towards the door, reached up to pull down the brim of his hat, setting it straight as if on a mission, and set his will to leave his wife...his farm...his life. The memory of that moment is etched in my mind and I will never forget it as long as I live. I thank God for giving me such wonderful parents. Indeed, they had a hard life together, which began with a son who had cerebral palsy. ( My oldest brother, Tommy, died at 20 years of age from pneumonia, when I was 3 and my baby brother was a year old.) Most of my own children remember their grandpa, and how much he loved them. I am hanging onto that "blessed hope" that I will see him again, in glory. Thank you Dad, for always loving me and taking such good care of us all. I will always love you.

Bailey from Snead's Ferry, North Carolina~

Sue,
Just thought you might like to see how Bailey is growing up. He just had first big boy haircut this past Friday. He is extremely active and loves his food. He loves water and is constantly IN his water bowl.!!!!! He weighs about 10 plus pounds. Hope everyone is well up there.
Chris and Andree

Lani & Libbi, Hamilton, Ohio~

Pam said she wants another one! (I would agree, if we were retired and had more room...)

God Bless you, Sue! Lani and Libbi sends some wet and sloppy kisses for you! ...Ken & Pam & Lani & Libbi

Lani Angelette, Hamilton, Ohio~

We missed them terribly this morning while they were being groomed, because we love them both SO MUCH! They make our house a home, and we can't imagine our lives without them. They bring us such joy.

Lani and Libbi, Hamilton, Ohio~

Hello, Sue. Lani and Libbi got groomed today, and we tried to get some pictures after they got home. As usual, they aren't very cooperative, but we did get a few decent photos.
Libbi is now 6 months old, and she is getting a little taller than Lani (14 months) already. It is actually a little difficult to tell one from the other, unless you can see their faces. They have totally different personalities though. We can usually tell them apart just by what they are doing - Lani is being sweet, and Libbi is the one doing something she isn't supposed to. HA!

However, Libbi is so cute, it is impossible to get mad at her, so she gets away with doing pretty much whatever she wants... Yeah, we have spoiled them rotten!

Lani and Libbi from JUNE! Hamilton, Ohio

Hey!! Look at what I just found on my computer! Pictures from Lani and Libbi from JUNE!!! How did I ever forget to get them on my blog??? Lani has such beautiful long ears...but Libbi wouldn't stop chewing on them, so the groomer had to cut them short, as you'll see in the September pictures. Libbi will grow up soon and stop all her puppy business. LOLOL We hope!!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Bonny Wee Lass!

Dear Momma Sue,

It's me...Bonny Wee Lass...your wee "Peanut". Happy Birferday to me! I turned into something called two! What is two? Anyway, Momma Sharon & Daddy Syd put this stupid thingy on my head...but guess what Momma Sue. I got me lots of some stuff called birfday presents. I got me a brand new big soft bed, a new blanket with purty stars, and bestest of all a new ball! I am a happy girl.
Momma Sharon made me some special birfday meatballs, see? Some nice lady at my folks church made me some nice birfday pup treats, and I LOVE em! I wanna turn into two every day! I even got me some banilla ice-cream. Wow, how lucky am I? I guess I will stay two for a while, its fun!
I love you Momma Sue, I send you meatball flavor kiss'es!
Your wee Peanut.......Bonny Wee Lass