Today I learned of the passing of a darling little sweet grandma dog.  I feel so honored to have met her and her menagerie of dog sisters and brothers. 

Granny Pepper (Pfeffer), a tiny adorable fox rat terrier went to heaven yesterday to be with all the dogs that are in heaven.  I truly believe animals go to heaven…that is what makes it heaven.  She had just celebrated her 18th birthday… wow… let’s see, that is 126 in human years!!

Little Pfeffie was so lucky to have found a home in her last three years of life with Jodee and Dan of Hundenrue Haven.  Jodee and Dan take in dogs (mostly senior) and open their hearts wide to give dogs a home that may not have had this chance.  Yes, a huge undertaking of time and money…. but, what Jodee and Dan get in return from their bundles of fur can never be measured in dollars.  It is who they are.  Their dogs (every single one that has come into their lives) have made them better people.

I met Granny Pfeffer last winter when I did a story on Jodee and Dan’s brood of tails and paws that fill their home with love.  It was one of the most memorable mornings of my life.  Little Pfeffie sat on a soft pillow in front of a heater.  When it was time to eat, her food was brought to her, so she did not have to expend too much energy to go to her food.  After eating her special prepared breakfast of potatoes and eggs mashed up, she shuffled her way over to the water dish, slurped up enough to wet her tongue and shuffled back to her little piece of heaven, here on earth, on her pillow.

I have no doubt Granny Pfeffer is telling God all about Jodee and Dan now that she is there.  I will always, always remember little Granny Pfeffer.  To see her living out her last years in comfort and peace and tons of love expanded my heart in such a way I cannot even express in words.

Thank you Jodee and Dan for all you gave unselfishly to a tiny dog with a huge heart.  I know you are missing her, but take comfort in knowing you gave Pfeffer a loving place to rest until she moved on.

If you wish to read about Hundenrue Haven, feel free to visit my website @ www.joyfulpaws.com, click on articles and it is the June 2007 story.

Ever get the feeling someone is watching you?

This is my gang, just about every night as I make dinner.  All eyes are on me, waiting for the tiniest of a morsel to drop.  Poor Frankie never stands a chance since she has to be in her kennel.  Kylie (the lab) has not yet learned to play “nice.”  That is Dani on the right with a close up view via her butt on the counter top.  I gave up scolding her to stay off the counters… she is a cat… she does what she wants.

Couldn’t resist snapping this picture last night as I whipped up Corn Tortilla Lasagna… even John had to be funny and get in on the picture (click on picture to enlarge).

MySpace.Calm is something I wish my creative self had come up with.  But, I have to give credit where credit is due.  My husband, John came up with the name for my sacred writing space.  Cute huh?…. MySpace.Calm.  I love it!  I will be making some sort of sign that will hang above my front door with that saying written on it.  Just reading the words calms me… as I write this post, my files and papers are scattered all over the kitchen table.  Yikes!… I feel a bit unorganized not having a place of my own.  But, at the same time, I am happy to report the progress on my children’s book continues… with or without MySpace.Calm.

MySpace.Calm is still in the developing stages as you can see in the photo.  John has spent two Sundays plus one Holiday working on it… he is making great progress!  The beams which will support my space need to be made and then the “barn raising” will take place.  Plans are to have all the pieces of the puzzle made and then bring in the JT Construction crew to raise the walls.  Oh, won’t that be a sight!  I anxiously await this glorious day.

Until then I take note from my little Frankie and don’t let any challenge stand in my way as I continue working on her children’s book.  We are more than half way through illustrations and final edit is soon to be complete.  Printer is chosen… whew… what a journey so far…. and remarkably rewarding.  Maybe once MySpace.Calm is complete I will actually be able to just sit, breath and relax… will see!