Please Report Animal Abuse

The Humane Society of the United States is offering

$5,000 Reward

For information that leads to the conviction of animal cruelty, dog fighting and puppy mills. You remain anonymous.

Call: 202-452-1100

Call The HSUS for more information. If you have questions about the reward program, please call: 202-452-1100.

THE BILLY BEST STORY

The best story you'll read!

Available on Amazon

     Last night I had the pleasure of chatting with Billy Best. What I noticed first is his stature: tall and imposing with broad shoulders. His jet black hair, dark eyes and chiseled facial features are evidence of his Native American lineage.  He speaks softly but directly. With humor, honesty and humility he tells his story. He is the quintessential gentleman. 

For those who don't remember: A little over twenty years ago, Billy was a teenager with cancer. What makes his story unique is not only did he run away to avoid conventional cancer treatment, he beat the cancer using alternative medicine.

I highly recommend you read his incredible story. It is one you'll want to keep and read again, and it's one you'll want to share with friends. 

Want a little more info first, before investing in the book?  Check out this short Youtube clip. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eac7zJi_rDc

Angel in Disguise? Or Guardian Angel?

When I look at this image, I see an angel disguised in human form. The grey overcast skies representing humanity with all of its hardship. The angel is going to visit those who are praying for help. He will visit them in unexpected ways: mingling and walking among them, siting next to them on the bus, standing in the coffee line ... he'll know what each person needs to hear and he'll say it at just the right time and in just the right way. His smile will be warm and genuine and his words full of wisdom and hope.

My sister saw this image as a poor soul who wants to take his own life. His guardian angel is standing close behind him whispering in his ear. The man is unaware of the angel. The angel's words are powerful and they echo in the man's mind telling him how much his family loves him and needs him.

Regardless of which way you see it - it's a beautiful image.
Tell me, how do you see it? Angel in disguise or guardian angel?
   

SON OF GOD MOVIE COMNG TO THEATERS FEB. 2014

I don't know about the rest of you but I am so excited to see the Son of God movie! If it's any where near as good as The Bible mini series was, it's sure to be a great film! Kudos to Roma Downey and her husband for producing it!  Here's the trailer -- check it out! Click this link
http://www.sonofgodmovie.com/

HOW TO BE A BETTER PERSON: LESSONS FROM MY DOG

 Rocco The Wonder Dog

 

When Roc was a puppy I use to call him Rocco The Wonder Dog because I never knew what he was getting into when I wasn't home.  He has chewed up everything from eye glasses to underwear, shoes to toys, trash to trinkets, and everything in between. (Let's not even talk about what he's stolen off the charcoal grill or dinner table!)

 

But as he's gotten up in years (77, God love 'em, in dog years) the title Wonder Dog fits him even more now, but NOT because of the mischief he gets into, it's because of his awesome personality. I wish I had just one smidgen of his positive attitude and zest for life.

 

Rocco has allergy problems that started when he was 4 years old (28 in dog years) and as a result he is constantly congested. Every day for the last seven years his nose has run.  Literally, all the time -- copious amounts of nasal mucus flow relentlessly from the poor little guy's nose. (We're talking serious boogers here.)  And obviously, he can't wipe his own nose or blow it, so we do it for him. We're all use to doing it now, and we don't even think twice about it. In fact, even some of our regular household guests do it. (Thanks, Hank! Rocco loves you!)

 

He has a touch of arthritis, too. One of his hind legs stiffens up on him and it takes him a few minutes to get rolling after a nap. There have been times when his leg has given out on him, too, making him fall. He can't run or go for long walks anymore (but he's still willing to take a short jaunt around the yard) and he needs a boost to get in the truck, or up on the bed.

 

His cataracts are making it harder for him to see. When I hand him treats, they fall to the floor because he doesn't see it clearly. He takes a bite of air instead of the treat. He bumps into things and got a sore on his leg the other day.

 

Some folks have told us we should 'put him out of his misery'. This is appalling to me.

 Put him out of his misery?! -- aka kill him?!  My answer is always the same, "Ahhhh, NO!"

I often wonder, is that supposed to make OUR lives easier?  Or do these incredibly cruel people actually think we'd be doing Rocco a favor? Regardless of their intention, the fact remains that he's a part of our family and we're not going down the physician assisted death route. No way. Not as long as he's still wagging his tail and stealing from the trash.

 

This week I was home sick for two days with a nasty head cold. Rocco and I curled up together in bed. I took turns blowing my nose and wiping his nose. The whole two days I complained. "My head hurts, my nose hurts, I hate being sick, I can't eat, I can't sleep, I'm cold ... wah, wah, wah."

Then it occurred to me: Rocco, God love him, NEVER complains! He just deals with it. 

 

 Obviously Rocky can't talk and complain like a human, but he could complain in other ways. He could get moody and snap at us when he isn't feeling good but he HAS NEVER done that.

 

I started to really think about this:

The poor little guy has been sick everyday for the last seven years and he's never once snapped at anyone. He still gets up from his nap and waddles to the door to greet whoever is coming in, with a  tail wag and sloppy wet kisses. He is always willing to go for walks or rides when WE want to go even though he might be sore and not really feel like it himself.

 

When my daughter dragged a kitten home Rocco showered the little stray with affection. Licking its little face and letting it curl up with him. He even let the little kitten eat out of his dog dish right along side him. Not many dogs would be so kind.

 

Rocco doesn't have a mean bone in his whole body.

 

So,  here's the point to this post: My dog is teaching me to be a better person!

• No matter how crummy I feel, I will get up and greet visitors with a smile
• I will share my food willingly
• I will be loyal to the end
• I will not snap at others
• If I am asked to go, I will go for walks and joy rides
• If I can't run, I'll walk
• I will be kind to strays and to the homeless
• I will accept a boost if I need one
• I'll focus on what I can do, rather than dwell on what I can't do

Dogs really are man's best friend!

 

 

 

Founded By Geniuses But Run By Iditots

By Jeff Foxworthy:

 

If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for entering and remaining in the country illegally — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If you have to get your parents’ permission to go on a field trip or to take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If you MUST show your identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book and rent a video, but not to vote for who runs the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If the government wants to prevent stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds, but gives twenty F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If, in the nation’s largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not one 24-ounce soda, because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If an 80-year-old woman or a three-year-old girl who is confined to a wheelchair can be strip-searched by the TSA at the airport, but a woman in a burka or a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If a seven-year-old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is “cute,” but hosting a sexual exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government regulation and intrusion, while not working is rewarded with Food Stamps, WIC checks, Medicaid benefits, subsidized housing, and free cell phones — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If the government’s plan for getting people back to work is to provide incentives for not working, by granting 99 weeks of unemployment checks, without any requirement to prove that gainful employment was diligently sought, but couldn’t be found — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big-screen TV, while your neighbor buys iPhones, time shares, a wall-sized do-it-all plasma screen TV and new cars, and the government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

If being stripped of your Constitutional right to defend yourself makes you more “safe” according to the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots.

 

What a country!

 

How about we give God a reason to continue blessing America !

 

If Mr. Foxworthy intended this to be a joke he missed the mark. This is too true to be funny. Sad yes, funny ... nope.

I hope Mr. Foxworthy doesn't mind that I posted it here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WISDOM OF A SPARROW

 Said the Robin To The Sparrow

                                                                                                                                  By Elizabeth Cheney

 

 This poem stops me in my tracks.  Simply written but so deep in wisdom. If the birds in your trees were watching you, what would the robin and sparrow say about you?  Are you guilty of rushing around and being anxious?  I think the birds in my yard would tell you that I race around like a crazy squirrel!  So, here's my challenge: Today - I'm going to ....

 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Luke 12:24-34