We hosted a holiday party the Friday before Christmas. It's called a Sparkle Party because we want everyone to get all snazzied up. And of course our animals needed to be festive too...
I think Jackson hated this picture; he looks a bit uncomfortable. I obviously loved it!
Bronx is just worried about what his friends are doing. He does look quite snazzy in his bow tie, though.
I stumbled across this a while ago and I loved it so much. Well I just found it again and I wanted to share it. For those who have rescued an animal, big or small, you've made a difference...
Her
eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively
into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help
her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid
As
she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I
had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know I hadn't been
walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't
want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my
kennel card I hoped she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have
the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's
life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy
sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the
bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was
desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek
and I raised my paw to assure her all would be well. Soon my kennel
door opened and her smile was so bright I instantly jumped into her
arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be
by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to
see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate she
came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked
the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I'm currently watching a marathon of the show Pitbulls and Parolees and having a snugglefest with Jackson. The episode I'm watching right now is highlighting some of the most challenging dog rescues that the Villalobos Rescue group has done in the past. After each challenging story, the group is showing pictures of where the dogs are now. So basically I'm snuggling Jackson because every time I see those darn happy doggy faces in their forever homes I start tearing up! I love seeing these stories and the hardworking rescuers who have saved, trained and helped these dogs find such good homes.
The woman who runs the Villalobos Rescue (her name is Tia) said two things during this episode that stuck with me:
The first is, "We hear this phrase all the time 'rescue'. I rescued a dog. Well, maybe instead this dog rescued me." I whole-heartedly agree with that statement. And I am so thankful that Jackson picked me to be his owner. I have no idea what happened to him before me, what trauma or neglect he may have faced but just knowing that he will never experience that again makes me smile. As ridiculous and quirky as he is, I would never change anything about him because that's what makes him.
The last is a question not a statement, "How many thousands of dogs sit in animal shelters across the country overcome with grief and depression because their owner abandoned them?" Tia said this after reuniting a dog with her owner after a year and a half or more. The dog was super aggressive and not responding to any training. She showed no emotion towards anyone. Then the rescue group received a letter from the original owner who wanted the dog back. Turns out the owner got arrested and the dog got left in a hotel room and then who knows what happened to her. The owner had her life back together and was now sober for a year - she wanted a second chance with the dog. Tia decided to give the owner another chance. They showed the reunion. It was as if the dog had been with the owner that morning; she acted as if little or no time had passed! It was amazing (I was definitely bawling!).
1st: I'll share this funny first because I feel like poor Bronx might be getting a bad rap. So last night after my wicked long day, I came home around 11:30 walked into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. So I'm staring in the mirror putting my hair up and I hear this weird crinkling sound. I look around and neither animal is in the bathroom. The sound continues and it seems to be coming from the tub. I pull open the shower curtain hoping that there isn't a mouse or something in there (given what happened on Saturday night). And what did I find? Bronx. Sitting in the bathtub. Licking the shower curtain. This kid loves plastic more than snuggling. I don't get it - is it the sound? Is it the taste? I wish I had my phone to take a picture of his little self sitting in the tub staring up at me with this look of "What? Don't you lick the curtain every once and a while too?"
2nd: And here's the other funny I stumbled across on FB today.
This is Jackson's existence. He could be sound asleep in another room but the second you open any box, plastic bag, bottle, etc. he's right next to you. Seriously! He lays under the table during dinner hoping-waiting-praying for a tiny crumb or nibblet to fall so he can lunge at it as if it was a porterhouse steak. He also strategically positions himself nearest to the person who is the messiest. That dog knows what's up. But this little meme made me chuckle and envision Jackson's face photo-shopped into the picture.
Needless to say, at least BOTH kids are weird but hilarious.
Just kidding, that's not true. But THAT was how I spent my Saturday night. OY! Bronx, Bronx, Bronx...what are we going to do with you? I mean, don't get me wrong I am thankful that I have a cat who actually takes care of these kind of situations. Unlike Jackson who, in the past, just stands there and barks at the mouse (at least he's barking at something instead of the usual nothing..).
Maybe cats are part of a secret kitty mafia. Bronx definitely snuffed this little critter out. And then not only did he enjoy killing the little bugger, but he definitely had fun doing and was a bit creative. I'm just saying, there are some similarities between the way the mob deals with "dirty rats" and the way cats deal with "the meeces".
This is our Christmas tree..ta da! I love love love it! So because it's finally up and decorated, I just thought I'd share an update on the Bronx vs. Tree situation.
So far (knock on wood) Bronx has been fine with the Christmas tree. I've seen him creepily sitting behind it, not doing anything but sitting, which isn't that unusual because he creepily sits lots of places and stares off into kitty-land. He might be drinking the water out of the stand but I haven't seen him doing it so I can't quite tell. I think Jackson is a little to big to get under the tree unnoticed and quietly or without knocking the damn thing over. There are some branches that have been kitty ninja-chopped but they're tiny and not a huge deal.
Thank goodness we don't have a situation like this on our hands: (I really just love Christmas Vacation so much, I was looking for any excuse to share a video..)
And because the internet has everything, I thought that this would be worth a chuckle:
