Life Perspective: Reviews & More

My Miss Katy: still loved; still missed. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have mentioned Rodan + FIelds to someone who has replied, "Yes, but you have the personality for it. I don't have the Direct Selling Personality. "  These people don't KNOW me. They have no idea I was so shy in elementary school I hid in the bushes next to the playground during recess EVERY DAY in 4th and 5th grade so the more outgoing kids wouldn't bully me. They don't know that for FORTY YEARS, I was not invited to my own high school reunion because I was so shy and quiet in school, apparently no one remembered me. These are people who don't know that for over 20 years, I published  my own local magazine  from my home with only my sweet dog for company, because I was perfectly happy quietly working from home by myself. They don't know I wrote for several publications from home after my print publication closed, because I was introverted and preferred to be wi...

Jack and blue bells A year ago in April, I got my little buddy Jack. To celebrate, we went to Edwin Warner park to check out the spring flowers. I was going to take photos of the flowers, but I decided they all looked better with Jack next to them! Jack and purple flowers Jack will never replace my beloved Katy, but he is his own little man. Full of personality, lots of fun, and with fewer of the insecurities Miss Katy had, Jack is a delightful companion and all-round happy little guy. I am glad we are friends. Happy anniversary, little buddy!

While walking the dogs a couple of nights ago, we came upon a row of 5 giant mushrooms. This mushroom is almost as big as Jack!

Here are photos of Jacthe puppy and Annabelle the rescue cat taken between April 23, 2012 and July 23, 2012. Jack wanted to be friends right off the bat but Annabelle was a little skeptical for the first couple of months. See more of Jack and Annabelle at: Also see: Photo Collages of Jack the Puppy

Thirty-six days after I lost my much beloved Miss Katy on March 16, I brought a new puppy home. I missed having a happy, bossy little dog trotting through the house, demanding attention (and treats), doing tricks, chasing me and and filling my life with laughter. Three days after I first saw his photo, I brought him home with me. Yes, it will be inconvenient to train a new puppy, and I have already cleaned up one mess, but I miss every inconvenient moment I ever had with Katy and am looking forward to all the cleanups and coming home early to let the dog out. If this sweet little puppy is half the companion Miss Katy was, I will be truly blessed. So far my other dog, Shelby, and my new rescue cat, Annabelle, have taken him in stride, and puppy just LOVES Shelby. I could tell that was when puppy felt at home, when he met Shelby. I still miss my Katy, but it is so nice to have a warm, soft, fluffy puppy asleep in my lap again. He hasn't told me his name yet, but I figure I ...

 Miss Katy was much more than a dog, that much is certain. While almost every dog has traits that endear them to us: loyalty, companionship, unconditional love, even courage, I have never seen a dog impact people as much as my little Katy. This little 7 lb. Papillon brought joy wherever she went, most especially into my own life. Following the death of my parents back to back in the early 1990s, by spring of 1995, while I was still in mourning, I had reached the place where life was going on, but it was colorless and devoid of laughter. Then I got Katy and everything changed. Suddenly there was a happy little face waiting at the door for me, a tail wagging, eyes sparkling, ready to play and perform any number of funny little antics and tricks. It wasn't long before she wriggled her way into my heart and snuggled softly around it. She brought so much joy and laughter into my life. It was also clear from the start that my Katy had separation anxiety, so she went everywhere with ...

A couple of years ago when my precious Papillon turned 11, I began to think about adding another Pap to the family. Miss Katy has been the BEST little companion I could ever have hoped for, and I don't want to wait until she's gone to try to "replace" her. She can NEVER be replaced. But it would be nice to grow to love another dog who will already be here on the sad day I loose my Katy, and it would be nice for Miss Katy to have a friend her size. There is enough love in our home to make sure a new papillon never lacks for loving care or companionship. Due to financial constraints, purchasing a Papillon is out of the question right now. I have to work a second job as it is to support Christian Activities, so a couple of years ago someone suggested I look into finding a rescue dog. I began to Google "Papillon rescue," and I found several organizations devoted to helping these lovely small dogs find good homes. Wonderful, right? Not so much. Adopting a...