Writing is like being able to put life into a snow globe. It takes the things that are too big and scary and reduces them into a form that I can put away when I want and look at from a distance. It also takes all that’s good in life and captures it into something I can take out when I want and look at close up and keep forever. It makes the bad things into something I can hold…and the good things into something I can hold onto. Both help so much that I need that little souvenir of life.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Jumping on the Blogwagon

The above picture shows our late dog, Griswold, trying to give his bone to my son when he was a baby. One more reason I had to keep an eye on that dog. He even taught the baby to bark.

I’m including this picture in honor of my first blog contest. Chicken Soup for the Soul’s publisher accidentally sent me even more than their generous ten copies per story of their What I Learned from the Dog book, and both Amy Newmark and D’Ette Corona told me to keep the extras. I’ve given these wonderful books as Christmas presents, birthday presents, and donated some to use as fundraisers for the Humane Society. Still have some left.

So here’s the deal. If you want one, please write as a comment something you learned from either a dog or other pet.  I’ll give out as many as I have and can afford to send. And if you already have the book, feel free to write something, anyway—just let me know you don’t need a book.

Here’s an example. Our dog Griswold was a genius as dogs go, but it was an enormous amount of work keeping him occupied and out of trouble. If it weren’t for the patience I learned from him, I don’t know how I ever would have survived my children’s childhoods, let alone my son’s colic.

A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down. ~Robert Benchley

5 comments:

  1. Oh Boy! I'm going to be the first to leave a comment! Yay! First of all, what an adorable photo....of both dog and boy! What a beautiful baby! Okay...I learned about trust and love and courage from our dog, Tiger. We got her at a shelter and she was supposedly "healthy". After about 2 weeks, and already in love with her, we were told she had the deadly disease of Parvo. We spent a fortune, which we really could NOT afford, to get her the treatments that MIGHT save her life. And as everyone knows, who knows me and/or reads my blog, Tiger celebrated her 13th birthday just last month! She and I have loved and trusted each other all these years, and she taught me about courage by getting well. :)

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  2. Thanks, Bec! And hooray for you for doing what so many pet owners sadly wouldn't have done. I've met her--it's clear she knows how lucky she is!

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  3. Hi Tammy,
    Buffy (cross between a husky and poodle, don't ask)looked like a minature Husky/Benji. She taught me that females are in the know. She led Willy, a big lug of a hound/wolf (this was in Alaska)home every evening after a day of adventures. When we couldn't find the big goofball, we'd send Buffy after him and she always knew where to find him. I would love one of the books, and meeting you for lunch would be a good way to pick it up.

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  4. Cute story...and great plan!! Email me and let me know what your schedule is like! And be sure and bring a picture of Buffy. I MUST ask--I just can't picture it!

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  5. Awww, thanks, Tam! She's my "big" baby! And she pretty much rules the household!....I wanna go out....now I wanna come back in....Now I wanna go back out..etc!!

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