Oliver Arch Nemesis

A couple times every week we take Dillan over to Nathan's parents house to run free.  They have about 4 fenced acres, so we unleash the Dillamonster to sprint with his mega Greyhound legs round and round in circles. This takes about 2 minutes, and then Dillan is over it.  Give him a break, he is retired after all.

Then we'll head inside for some visiting time.

Also inside is Oliver.  (cue evil music, Duh Duh Duunnnnn).

Don't let the cuteness fool you...

 Facts about Oliver
     He's a Golden Retriever.
     He's about 4.5 years old.
       He is NOT fixed. (which = the next fact)
     He is beyond hyper.

The Ver (Oliver) is just too much for Dillan to handle. Resulting in 2 different reactions.
  
    1.  Dillan running in the opposite direction to avoid Oliver.
    2.  Small scale puppy fight. 

Last night's visit to the in-laws resulted in reaction #2.

Garden & Gun

Wait? Garden & Gun? Seriously? 

Yes! There is a fabulous magazine called Garden & Gun. As the name describes, it does focus on gun dogs. But C'mon, who doesn't love a sweet spaniel or loveable retriever? It's not cheating on Dillan if it's only looking, right...?

In honor of these energetic and loyal dogs, I give you (a link) the Top 50 Gun Dog Photos...enjoy.

A little Encouragement

 I read this little story from a friend's facebook post and I just have to repost it here. But first, let's grab a tissue.

Got it? okay, now read...

Photo Source: Unknown

"Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love, God"

Didn't that just melt your heart! 

I know that there's some debate over the issue of whether animals go to heaven or not...and I don't really want to go into that, but God created the heavens and the earth and all the inhabitants of the land and sea and sky. 

Revelation 5:13 (ESV): And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" 

Dillan is going to praise the Lord! Is it weird that I'm excited to worship with my dog? ...  No, okay good.  Because it's going to be awesome!

Doggies in your bed!

Question: Do you guys let your doggies in your bed?

I want to soooo badly. Nathan usually stays up until 3 a.m. and I love the idea of a puppy in his place while I drift off to sleep. Of course then we will have created a monster who is always on furniture, and always lying in our place. We kind of love that Dillan hasn't figured out the whole furniture = squishy/comfortable thing...

But just look at this little guy. He looks so cozy and cute. Dillan would love it!

Photo Source: unknown