The Dog's Point Of View

This story is a happy one, full of fun and bright future. However, before I begin, I would like to explain why it has come about, giving you a small glimpse into the past. Just stay with me because the dog WILL get his say!

On August 28, 2010, we had no choice but to say goodbye to Raven, a 40 pound Schipperke/Chow mix, and our family pet of fourteen years. She was very sick all summer and, in the end, succumbed to Gall Bladder Cancer. It was very difficult for all of us, especially our granddaughter of six, whom I think, in some way, thought Raven would always be with us.

If you would like to read Raven's story:

Pound Puppy To Diva

There has always been a pet in my life so, of course, I have been through this kind of thing many times during my sixty years. It is always difficult but when you weigh the years of pleasure in knowing your pet to the hours of loss, the pleasure far outweighs the sorrow.

Joey has a second article telling everyone about his life now as a six year old, from his perspective, of course! If you'd like to hear more from Jo, here is the website:

Joey's World, In His Own Words

Why The Shepherd Was Given Up

It has been my practice to get another pet soon after a loss because, though you are still grieving for your old friend, having a new friend to learn to love helps to heal the wound left by the loss.

Therefore, my husband and I began to search for a German Shepherd a few days after Raven left us. Deciding on an animal between two and three years of age, we called several Rescue organizations in the area who specialize in Shepherds but, at that time, there wasn't an animal available who fit our needs.

And then we received a call from our son whose best friend had decided to give up the two and a half year old Shepherd he had gotten just a few months before. He was being called to his first church as pastor and knew his new job would take up a great deal of his time. He would not have the time needed for an animal such as a German Shepherd. Being unmarried, there was no one at home to take over these duties and Shepherds require human contact.

We ask about the animal and found the dog had been rescued first by an older woman who had taken both the young Shepherd and a young Doberman into her care. Upon finding she must move to the lower part of the state, decided to only take one dog with her and kept the Doberman. She gave the Shepherd to my son's friend whose family have raised Shepherd's all of his life.

'Tis a pity, not to have a dog,

Regardless of the breed.

For dogs possess a faithfulness,

We humans sadly need.

When we are wrong, he forgives.

When angry, can make us smile.

When happy, his joy abounds.

When a fool, will share the mile.

He knows of true devotion,

A secret comfort, private peace.

With his head upon your knee,

Your human heart finds release.

His love for you, unmeasured,

His King you'll always be.

And all he asks in return?

Your love and loyalty.

Man And Dog...Love At First Sight

On September 8, 2010, my husband and I traveled the two and a half hours to the town where the young man lives with plans to just take a look at the animal. Well, my husband took one look and it was love at first sight for man and dog. This beautiful animal climbed into the rear seat of our Avalon and never looked back.

We have found him to be one of the most gentle German Shepherds we have ever encountered with a sweet nature and love for everyone he meets, especially children. We feel we were lead to this animal and chosen by him to become his family.

He has been so good for our almost thirteen year old toy poodle, as well. The younger dog gives the older one reason to exercise more and they have become fast friends. He has also helped Whisper to move past the loss of his friend of eleven years much sooner.

And How He Came To Have It

Joey derived his name early on because of his habit when excited and happy. He will spin in place, lift his front legs to his full height, and then hop around like a Kangaroo in sheer pleasure. As a puppy, I am sure it was adorable. Now, at almost eighty pounds, it is quite a site to behold and always makes me laugh. We call his little dance, "The Joey".

Now that you have the background, I will allow our new friend, Joey, to tell you about his new home and how he views the world around him.

In His Own Words

Hey Folks! (spin) Joey, here!!!

What's goin' on? (hop) I get so excited just thinking about talkin' to all of you!!! (hop) It makes me dance "The Joey" all over the room!!!

Just wanted to tell everyone about my good fortune and what a Happy Dawg I am! I've got it made in the shade with cool lemonade...actually, with eight squirrels on the back fence, a full bowl, and my own bed!!

I have spent the past eight months with a great guy who loved me dearly. However, he was gone most of the time, leavin' me outside durin' the day with the other animals. He did allow me to come inside at night when he got home. I enjoyed several acres of land to roam on and could come and go as I pleased. But it was a lonely life without his presence beside me. I love people and want to be with them constantly.

Therefore, knowin' how difficult it was for me, he decided to give me up and began lookin' for a new home for me right away. One morning, he put me in the truck, tellin' me he had found a new family for me to meet that very morning!

As soon as I saw them, I knew they were the ones for me. I put on my best smile, wagged my tail, and tried to let them know they were accepted. It worked! I could tell they liked me right away!

The ride to my new home wasn't bad at all. I shared the backseat with my new Little Buddy, Whisper, and we got along famously! We lunched at Mickey Ds and they kept the A/C on high for me all the way home! And, did you know, the roof opens on that car? Talk about some major 'snout air'!!

We also stopped at Pet Smart on the way back and they bought me my own "matching" collar, leash and harness, a new food and water tray that stands nice and high, and "two!!" beds!! I have one for the Family Room and one for the Bedroom! Man, do I enjoy those!! Only really strange thing is the red contraption called a "Raincoat"...did 'cha know they have things to strap to yer body to keep the water off ya?!! Sorta' weird but I don't mind it...makes 'em happy!

Next stop was to see Dr. Berger, my new veterinarian. I needed somethin' called Bordetella so I could get a bath...Huh?! I need medicine to take a bath??!! What the heck??!!!! Wasn't too bad, though...no shot...just spray up the nose...tickled!

Once we finally arrived at the house, my food bowl was filled! After I had my dinner, I ventured out to the backyard to inspect my new domain. WOW!! I actually have a raccoon, a possum, and eight squirrels who live behind the fence!! And just down the street are a whole passel a' stray cats who come into the yard at night when they 'think' I'm not watchin'...and, boy, do I love to surprise THEM!!! New Game..." Kitty Kat Bowlin' "!!! Don't really want to catch 'em...just enjoy the chase!

The day after I arrived, I was taken to a place called 'the groomer" where they have kennels big enough for even me! And they have a big tub with a ramp where ya get a bath with good smellin' shampoo. Boy, Howdy, was I glad to see that tub!! I ran out of my kennel, across the room, up the ramp and leaped into that tub without anyone tellin' me what to do...they were amazed!! I was just glad to get a bath!! Got my toenails cut and sprayed with something they call Perfume and they all said I was absolutely perfect!! Well, Gosh, I already knew that!!!!

Next day, they took me back to see Dr. Berger again for my entrance physical. He checked me over and fell in love!! Ha! Ha! I smooze 'em every time!!! Those little girls at the front desk just Oohed and Aahed over me. I soaked up the praise and worked the room!!!

First thing every morning, I wake the house up by 7:30 (no need for alarm clocks when I am on duty), I do 'The Joey' across the livin' room in anticipation, help to turn off the alarm and then direct them to the back door for mine and Whisper's exit. Those squirrels are ALWAYS on the back fence havin' their breakfast and, man oh man, can Whisper and I make 'em scatter!!! I'd sneak up on 'em but Whisper has a little problem with his 'gift of gab' and can't control it first thing in the morning! Think it's a 'toy poodle' thing!

Man, these people really know a lot of folks...I have met so many people, it'd make ya' tail twirl!! But they are great and I love 'em all!!

I have a new, very special friend, the teenager down the street. She comes over every afternoon and again every evenin' to take me for a walk/run and I really look forward to that doorbell ringin'...she is great!!! My people take me walkin' some, too, but they can't run like she can! And, most nights, her boyfeller, comes with us. Durin' my walks, I have met all the neighbors and the neighbor's dogs and have made so many new friends. I love the little kids best 'cause their faces are at just the right height for kissin'! "Slurp!"

And, did you know, I have my very own Van...Yep! Whenever I really get bored, they take us for a ride in it and I have my own seat all to myself! We ride around town, stoppin' here and there where I can't get out but I can watch people walk by and things goin' on while my people do whatever it is they do inside those buildings. But we stay nice and cool 'cause they bring two keys so we can be locked in safe and still stay cool with the A/C on. Actually, I suppose I am gettin' just a tad bit spoiled but, hey, what the heck, ya only live once!!

Speakin' of which, I have learned to sing on cue. That's right! Learnin' something they call Puccini and I'm gettin' pretty good at it, if'n I do say so myself. Got a Smooth Baritone to go with Whisper's Tenor!

Well, I guess it's time to let cha' go. I see my mistress at the computer and that is my cue to shove my nose under her wrist and flip her hand off that little thing she calls a "mouse"...can't figure out why! It never moves or makes a sound...just sits there! Anyway, I expect her undivided attention and that mouse takes too much of her concentration away from me! Have to keep her in check! It's in my job description!!

If ya get a chance to head this way, let us know. I'd love to see ya and show ya around! Heck, I'd even share ma' squirrels with ya!!

Hope you enjoyed hearin' ma' story. This is just the beginnin' and I'm lookin' forward to the ride!

Bye for now!!

Your New Buddy, Joey

See You Again Soon!

So, there you have it from the dog's point of view. Hope you all enjoyed meeting our Joey. I KNOW he enjoyed meeting all of you!

Okay, have to sign off now. Here he comes and there goes my MOUSE!!!!!! JOEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joey has a second article telling everyone about his life now as a six year old, from his perspective, of course! If you'd like to hear more from Jo, here is the website:

Joey's World, In His Own Words

This photo was taken of Whisper when he was four years old and in his prime.

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Born on December 4, 1997 as Ardina's Sir Whisper

Joey's Little Buddy

Well, nine months after saying goodbye to Raven, today, I had to say goodbye to her best friend, little Whisper.

At 13 1/2, he was almost blind and almost totally deaf, had lost almost half of his regular body weight of ten pounds, had infected teeth, a stomach infection, and his right shoulder was going out again. As my vet told me, ...after his exam, "It is just time...no matter what I do, I cannot improve his quality of life."

I wasn't surprised...I had seen the signs for months. He was a beautiful little poodle and loved me to obsession...he had a great life! Joey, the German Shepherd, is now an only dog...and, quite frankly, I think he will enjoy that!

(May 24, 2011)

My Bio

Born in the small town of Pendleton, South Carolina, in 1950, I was the oldest of two, five years my sister's senior. It was a wonderful place to grow up where the entire town raised its children. I was always surrounded by people who loved and looked out for me. I graduated from High School with the same people who were in my kindergarten class. At 59, my childhood friends are still my friends. I feel so fortunate to have known such a childhood.

After college, I worked at Clemson University until May 1972. At that time, I married and lived in Glyfada, 22 miles from Athens, Greece for two years...via USAF. We then moved to North Dakota for another two years before returning to South Carolina.

We divorced after 16 years and two children. I married my best friend two years later and moved to Florida in 1988 and together we have raised my husband's son and daughter and my son and daughter...one federal officer, one "stay at home" mother and wife, one sixth grade school teacher, and the other, after working for Florida Power and Light since age 19, is now with AT&T. In 1996, I adopted my stepdaughter. We are blessed with four grandsons and one granddaughter.

In 1999, we became foster parents with the Children's Home Society and had a number of children under our roof in the next 5 years. In 2001, we adopted a 13 year old girl, whom we first met at the age of 11, and is now 22. I also have spent more time in a courtroom than I care to think about, fighting for the rights of the children in our care. In 2004, I turned in my license so that I could be a full time Mom to our special needs daughter and keep our infant granddaughter five days a week while her mother was teaching.

Bill, my husband, is a retired USAF Air Traffic Controller. He is now working out of the country, on Ascension Island, with Computer Science Raytheon, as their chief controller, contracted out of Patrick AFB, Florida. This enables him to continue to do the job he loves, air traffic, and aid the military. He flies in and out on furlough and I handle things here at home. I jokingly call myself a Single Married Woman.

Actually, I am a retired Accountant/Credit Manager, now a housewife, where I enjoy writing, singing, piano, and sewing. I have had numerous poems and short stories published and have sung in churches and for church organizations for years, as well as weddings, a couple of variety shows, and even at my daughter's, and later my son's, weddings, one of the hardest things I have EVER done. We are members of Riverside Baptist church where I am a soloist and a member of the Women's Bible Study Group.

And, last but not least, we have two singing dogs. Joey, who is a two and a half year old German Shepherd who thinks himself a lap dog and Whisper, our nine pound, twelve and a half year old poodle, who thinks himself a Doberman.

I have been Mom To The Zoo since the morning after our wedding. My friend, Lee, who was staying with our four children and two dogs answered the phone from a sound sleep, "Hunt Zoo, Zookeeper Speaking."

My life has involved many changes and avenues that I would never have dreamed of and has given me challenges that I never thought I was equal to. But, I have found that God has a plan and, if you follow His lead, you can handle anything he puts in your hands. However, you have to first learn to listen to Him. No matter what we want from life, it must come in His time. He has given my husband and me more than we could have began to imagine back in high school and we have found that what we thought was so important for our futures back then was nothing to what we have done so far. I have learned from our foster children, to look forward to the future and the next challenge with enthusiasm and excitement. If they can trust and love us after what the world has dealt them, we can surely tackle whatever lies ahead with ease. Life is a series of learning experiences and I continue to find life to be both a challenge and a joy which grows with each passing year. I learn more and more about myself with each passing day!

Eugenia