I regularly follow Rolling Dog Ranch and greatly admire Steve and Alayne Smith.  They quit their big corporate jobs years ago and followed their hearts… they started a sanctuary for disabled animals on a ranch in Montana and have helped so many animals in need.  They recently shared a precious photo called "Squish me." 

I could so connect with what they had to say about the myth that disabled animals may not be good around children.  The photo and Steve's post prove how loving these animals truly are.  As I am often heard saying, I believe my Frankie loves her life even more now that she is in a dog cart.  I also believe I see in her a real purpose for her life when she visits with school children.  She can't out right tell me that, but it is something I truly feel in my heart as I observe her with kids.  If I feel it in my heart, than I know without a doubt it is true.

Read their August 25th "squish me" post here Rolling Dog Ranch Blog.

Today I came across a website called Born Again Ranch Dachshunds .  You can feel the love these people have for their dachsie’s just ooze from the pages of the website.  They have a wonderful poem on their site, and I share with you below.  Boy did this hit home for me!!

If I Didn't Have Dogs…

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

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 furry bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would have money ….and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and 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, 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, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E

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!

-Author Unknown

Yvonne Perry, author, freelance writer and editor of Writer’s in the Sky was nominated for the Brillante Weblog Premio 2008 Blog Award by Nikki Leigh, author of Book Promo 101 .  I would have to say I whole-heartedly agree with this nomination.  Yvonne is one of the most helpful, kind, generous people I have ever “met.”  I say “met” as we have never met face to face, only through the incredible cyber world of networking.  She goes above and beyond when you hire her for any of her services.  She is genuine and so authentic.  She is so kind that she thought of the top 5 blogs she feels are worthy of this nomination and named Joyful Paws as one of them!  We are so honored!  Thank you, Yvonne!  I feel immensley proud to be named along with Writer’s in the Sky who I greatly admire.  Check out what Yvonne had to say about Joyful Paws blog at Yvonne’s Blog.