Another Angel at the Bridge

Today sweet Yoda went to the Rainbow Bridge.  He was only 9 years young and his parents don't really know what happened, but I know that sweet Yoda is looking down on them now and will do his best to relieve some of their pain.  His brother Brutus and sister Ellie will need lots of extra loving and attention now for they, too, will grieve.  Go over and offer a little love to his family.  I think Payton's Gampy said it best: Lord, one of your beautiful creatures has come home, please bless the loving family who cared for Yoda until you called. 

Hats of Hope

I'm posting today for Judi, the mom over at SASS. She's facing some medical issues and while I don't know her, offering support is what we do here in the bloggyland! If you have a moment, go on over and offer her some support, and maybe a scritch or two to the kitties.

Rocky Mountain High

Last week I was off in Denver and the surrounding environs. There was snow on the ground and some little flakes in the air, but the weather was pleasant and the scenery spectacular! A little hiking, a museum visit and some riding around to enjoy the views made for a fantastic few days. Sometimes we can forget how beautiful winter can be, especially when everyone is promoting trips to warm sunny climates. (Or if you're like me and have family in Florida who were basking in 80 degree temps -- yes, they'll enjoy it, at least until it's spring and the 80's turn to 90's and 100's and they get a $600+ electric bill!) But the crisp weather, the snow on the ground, the beautiful Rocky Mountains and a few days to enjoy it remind me to appreciate each season. This cold, snowy season has its own special joys and the warm, sunny days will, too. But it takes a full year, each season in its own time, to really complete us.

An Award!

Yesterday was like most days. I checked my blog sidebar to see who of my blogging buddies had a new post. And as always I take a quick look at my latest post to see if there were any additional comments. Lo and behold I found a comment from Payton who left me a message about an award she gave me!

Liebster means "dearest" in German, and the award is intended to help blogs get the attention they deserve. To accept the Liebster, I must:

1. Copy and paste the award on my blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who gave me the award.

3. Pick my 5 favorite blogs with less than 200 followers to pass on the award, making sure to let them know.

The 5 bloggers I'm passing this award on to are:

The Southern Fried Pugs Tallulah, Petunia, and Isabelle

Beefy Pug Daisy and Bruce

Brutus the Frenchie Brutus, Carmen and Trevor

Arlo the Pug Arlo

Mister Bean, a Little Pug in a Big World Mister Bean

Now some of these bloggers don't blog on a regular basis, but all are real sweet and I'm passing this award on so maybe they'll get a little additional encouragement to blog a little more! Thanks for passing the award to me, Payton!!

Random Acts of Kindness in 366 Days

I just watched our local ABC news which had a story about a young area man who set a New Year's resolution that may be a bit different - actually, as the story said 366 resolutions. He's doing a random act of kindness each day this year, and with leap year, that means 366 random acts of kindness. Today he was on a corner downtown giving out free hugs. Some of his other random acts this year include participating in an MLK day service activity, sending condolences to parents of a fallen soldier, writing a thank you to a former teacher, mentoring a child, giving compliments to 25 people. Just doing something good for a person, some little, seemingly inconsequential thing, can make a big difference. On his day of complimenting people, he got strange looks and some people who didn't appreciate what he was trying to do. But a woman on the bus saw him and said she was going to give compliments to people, too. When you start something like this, you never know who may be touched by these random acts, even if that person wasn't the intended target of that act. So it got me thinking. What little things can we do? What are some possibles for this young man during the rest of this year's random acts of kindness? Yes, his story touched me. I'm not sure what I'll do, but I know I want to do something. What about you? Can you do just one random act of kindness this year? You never know where it will lead!

A Sign

Most everyone in the blogosphere has heard the devastating news about the loss suffered by the Houston Pittie Pack. And how the bloggers have come together - not just to offer comfort and support, but through Pip's comment donations and the ChipIn for Sandra and her family, a bit of financial support to help get the family and the remaining pack members back on their feet. Coming at Christmas this seems like an even worse tragedy. But coming together to comfort, give, help...isn't that what the real spirit of Christmas is all about?

Today, as I drove through Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, I kept seeing Shelby's name on signs: Shelbyville, IN, Shelbyville, KY, Shelbyville, TN. Each time, I thought of those five lost furbabies. The last time, it seemed to me as if this had to be a sign - a sign that they are safe at the bridge, and a sign that they will not be forgotten.

Giving Comfort

I was going to post something holidayish before I head to Florida, but today I read Pip's blog about the fire in Houston that took 5 pitties from the Kissa-Bulls. I didn't know them, didn't follow their blog, though I think they may have commented on the Two Pitties in the City blog that I do follow. But the loss of such a big chunk of a family, especially at the holidays is something that is just breaking my heart. Yes, the family lost their material possessions, but the loss of five of their furbabies must be just devastating. If you have a chance, please go over to their blog (http://kissa-bull.blogspot.com/) and offer just a bit of support and comfort. Remember to hug those you love - furred and human - and hold them close.