Angels and Dogs

I'm having a bit of a quandary in deciding what to write about today, especially since I usually stick to fairly safe fare around here. But I believe everyone was touched by the tragedy in Connecticut last Friday. Before I go on to Fluff Lite, I want to acknowledge the loss of all the lives taken. Especially those lives that were just beginning.

Much has already been written about these twenty new angels. So I'll just add this photo in their honor.

Despite the sadness in our hearts, we go on. We give extra smiles, hugs, and kisses to those we love. And receive the same from those who love us. We say I love you more often, reaffirming we're all still here. Reaffirming love does still exist.

It's the Christmas season for many of us. And for all of us, the new year of 2013 is just around the corner - a time for new beginnings.

As I've written this, the weather here has changed from drizzly gray to sunshine. I'll take that as a cue that it's time for me to perk up.

So I want to share a couple of photos of Shiner, the clown. He never fails to make me smile:


This is typical. He LOVES to have his tummy rubbed. I hope you can click on this photo and see it larger. He's half grinning. Please pardon other dog's nose - where one goes, so does the other.


Again, I hope you can make this larger. Can you see him looking up and grinning. He posed.

Smile :)

I'll see you Friday with an irreverent Top Ten. If I don't chicken out and change it before then.




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Comments

Silly dogs always make me smile!
Tragedies like Friday's remind us that life and love are precious.
Liza said…
We do have to keep on...finding the joy in the little things...like a silly puppy.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
Animals are so good at bringing cheer. Is Shiner an Australian Heeler?
Maria Zannini said…
Is Shiner am Australian cattle dog?

He's adorable. And who can refuse his request for belly rubs?
Anonymous said…
A little happy in my day...thank you.
DEZMOND said…
Irreverent top ten? That sounds spicy :)
Love the doggie :)
Luanne G. Smith said…
Such a horrible tragedy just before the holidays. The entire nation is in mourning, really. Hold your dear ones near.

Merry Christmas, Carol.
Carol Kilgore said…
Alex - Yes, they do.

Liza - Exactly so.

Diane and Maria - Yes, Shiner is an Australian Heeler/Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler. Whatever the name...same dog. Amazing dogs.

Delores - You're welcome :)

Dezmond - Maybe more tart than spicy/
Misha Gerrick said…
Awe your dog is adorable. I have a black lab who grins (teeth and all) when I scratch his chest.
Laura Eno said…
Angels and dogs go well together. Dogs make us smile and remember to enjoy the simple things in life - like belly rubs and hugs. The angels would be happy with that.
Carol Kilgore said…
Luanne - The holidays make it worse. Merry Christmas to you, too!

Misha - Shiner does that when he wants a treat or for us to play with him.

Laura - You're absolutely right!
J.L. Campbell said…
It's these fun moments that help take our minds off the stressful and tragic things that happen.
Linda Kage said…
I definitely spoiled my little girl a little more than usual this weekend. But it really does just choke you up to think about all those Christmas trees that have wrapped presents under them that will never be opened.

Ugh. Fluff Lite! Fluff Lite! I need some major fluff now. Thanks for the pictures of Shiner. Love that grin.
Johanna Garth said…
Thanks for keeping it somewhat light. I've been avoiding the news because I can't bear it. Is that a blue healer? We used to have one when I was growing up.
Julie Flanders said…
I love Shiner! What a fun pooch. :)

Thanks for the smiles. The news over the weekend was almost too much to bear.
Ciara said…
Your dog is adorable.
Friday's tragedy makes me feel blessed to have my babies by my side for the holidays.
Carol Kilgore said…
J.L. - Yes. We need more of them!

Linda K - Lots of fluff! Shiner's the best fluff I have :)

Johanna - Sure is...in all his glory, LOL!

Jennifer - Great!

Julie - Shiner's a hoot :) And a handful.

Ciara - So sad. And doubly tragic coming when it did.
Shelley Munro said…
The tragedy has touched us down this end of the world too. Cute pictures. Dogs can be such clowns :)
Stina said…
I had a cat who loved to have her tummy rubbed. Correction. I had a cat who loved make you think she wanted you to scratch her tummy, when all she wanted to do was scratch you hand off. :)
Shiner is gorgeous and reminds me a lot of my first dog.
Melissa said…
Shiner's a hoot! We can all use his antics this week.

Carol Kilgore said…
Shelley - I'm sure. I had to do something to make me and everyone here smile. At least for a few seconds.

Stina - LOL! I once knew a cat like that.

Lynda - He's sweet and total goof ball. If he likes you. If not, he's a terror.

Melissa - He is that!
Emily R. King said…
I love a doggie smile! So cute!
Anonymous said…
Love that you have a little piece of Aussie!
It's good to smile...
xx
Carol Kilgore said…
Emily - So do I :)

Michelle - And thanks to Oz for sharing!
A great uplifting post Carol. Animals can certainly bring joy to a person.

Yvonne.
Unknown said…
My thoughts are with all those touched by Friday's tragedy. We must hold our loved ones close.

Wonderful pictures. Dogs can always be replied upon to raise a smile. :)
LR said…
Was very sad about what happened. I truly hope something will change after this. I'm sure there won't be one simple solution though.

On the fluffy side: your dog really is grinning. So cute. Also love the big moist nose in the other photo. :)
Rula Sinara said…
I've been so upset about what happened at Sandy Hook, but those pics made me smile. Nothing like a silly pet to lift the spirits :). I love dogs.
Carol Kilgore said…
Yvonne - I agree!

Shirley - Those tiny children are being remembered around the world.

LR - I agree that there isn't a simple solution. It's a complex problem. The big moist nose belongs to another sweetheart, but he's much too dignified to be a goof ball :)

Rula - When something like this knocks me down, I have to work hard to pick myself up again. Otherwise I wallow in grief for way too long. I'm happy the pics encouraged a few smiles.
Anonymous said…
You have won a book on my blog. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Wow! Thanks, Linda. I'll zip right over.
Helena said…
Of course your dog posed! Dogs are so smart they know when to look sharp, when to look sorry or tough or happy. And when to pretend they have nothing to do with a chewed-up shoe. Love it.
Cherie Reich said…
Those dog pictures definitely can make a person smile. :)

Merry Christmas!
Anonymous said…
Too cute. Animals always cheer me up. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Cherie - Merry Christmas back!

Medeia - Me, too :)
Linda G. said…
Love your pooch pics! Thank you for the pick-me-up.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)
Morgan said…
Ohhh... precious! Lots of love, Carol--I hope your holidays are wonderful <3
Gwen Gardner said…
Awww, precious puppies. They're beautiful dogs, Carol.

Happy Holidays:)
My thoughts continue to be on the Sandy Hook tragedy. It is heart-breaking and devastating.

But that is some adorable doggie that you have. Posing and grinning. . . Too cute.
What a tragedy... I turned on the telly and it was totally devastating... so unfair...

Irreverent top 10? Very cryptic!
M Pax said…
The news from Friday still makes me cry. It's so awful. Your dog is uber cute. Definitely made me smile.
Carol Kilgore said…
Linda G - Pooches are great picker-uppers :)

Morgan - Hope your holidays are wonderful, too!

Gwen - Beautiful, noisy, sweet, messy, smart, demanding. I could go on - LOL.

Cynthia - It was so unbelievable it's hard to forget.

Michelle - Totally unfair. And yeah, the top ten will be sort of irreverent.

M Pax - So sad. Glad you smiled :)

Anonymous said…
What can you say about dogs? They're awesome. Love the photographs, and also the beautiful one for the innocent victims of violence. But they loved and were loved, and still are loved. As you say, Carol, we must move on. Love DOES still exist. Christmas is such a wonderful time to ponder this, and put our feelings of love into action.

Season's greetings to you and your loved ones!
Ann Best’s Blog
Christine Rains said…
So cute! It's nice to read something that makes me smile. We just had a student taken into custody in our town who planned to do a copycat shooting today. Frightening.
Carol Kilgore said…
Ann - So good to see you! And so true. We must continue to believe in love, in all its forms. Faith, hope, and love endure, but love is the most important. We must never forget that. Merry Christmas to you and your family, too :)

Christine - OMG! That's too scary. I have to smile or I'll cry too much.
Talli Roland said…
What wonderful photos - so cute! Thanks for the reminder to cherish those close to us.
Carol Kilgore said…
Talli - Like the song says, "All We Need Is Love."
Americans have a unique ability to cope with tragedies by making tasteless jokes. But not this time. This time, it's too hard to even contemplate the heart-breaking loss of all those beautiful children. But as you say, we'll get by, and hopefully, so will all the survivors in Newtown. And maybe we'll even learn, if only for a little while, to better appreciate and treasure the people in our lives.

LOVE your dog. Give him a belly rub for me.
Carol Kilgore said…
Susan - Well said. Shiner loved the belly rub you sent :)

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