Day 189: Christmas Mornin!

Went bed last night and the Mom shut bedroom door say she gotta put cookie and nog out for Santy Paws I say I help she say no I already had snack. She read my mine like always...

Then wake up slow this Christmas mornin get love then go outside then eat my breakfast then what to my wonderin eyes should appear but... woe, what this? My stockin full and in the chair! Guess Saint Nicholas was surely there! (now see... that rhyme, just sayin).

The Mom help me empty stockin while I sniff the bounty!

Got jerky, got turtle, got fish and ducky.

Got three effy-lents, small medium and large!

And what hell??? Bow Tie??? What Santa Paws thinkin??! Thought he know good boy don't want clothe for Christmas!

Tasty bite of jerky breakfast chaser make forget got bow tie what look sissy.

Guess the Luke been good as he thought, cause bow tie on the side been such good Christmas wif treats and toys and most most of all... good home, good the Mom and family who love me and good to be such part of happy time!

Merry Christmas, you all!

Night 188: All Snug In My Bed!

Life hard when worst problem what toy to suck self to sleep wif...

Think ping-win at first cause fuzzy feel good in mouf...

But no... reindeer skater got velvet soft pant what soothin to tongue...

It too darn hot to be tuck into bed, but that don't stop vision of Aunt Karen cookie and Aunt Dav butterscotch morsel dance in my head! They smell too darn good!

Night 188: My Stockin Is Waitin

My stockin is hung ON the reindeer and by the reindeer dog wif care (don't ask me... the Mom gotta thing bout reindeer) in hope that Saint Nick will soon be HERE not there... cause location more important than rhyme!

Just sayin...

Night 188: Christmas Eve Evenin

It Christmas Eve Evenin... that funny to say. My belly somewhat full could always top it off (just sayin) but we sittin round sayin love yous and thinkin on luck and blessins and such...

When the Mom tell me how Santa Paws don't come till good boy go to bed and wif a wink of my eye and a paw to my nose, I gave (the) Mom a nod and up I arose.. to bed, to bed, right now, right quick. If I've been good as I think, I can't wait for Saint Nick!

Day 188: Christmas Eve

Been rainy day here and I sad the Mom left me this mornin but she give me Kongy so I let her go and she back fore long with bounty from Aunt Dav, Uncle Benjy and Cousin Lovey!

I got tasty treats, Buddy Biscuits what I love, a cute ping-win, a reindeer wif the pointy feets and a skatin reindeer!

The Mom said I just ate and she know on a counta she one who fix supper and she say I can't have treat so pick toy and play!

I take close look at each and love em all then try hard to make choice.

I love em all and gonna play wif all em till decide who sleep wif me tonight. Will let you know.

I feel real bad now for takin the Henry... Hope Lovey have Merry Christmas, anyway!

Day 187: Need Pull Or Pool Wif Santa...!

Who knew few short month ago Luke be havin postal address...
much less receivin special Christmas card!

Love me Cousin Zeke and Rizzo!

Got Mrs. Claus in hip pocket but I workin on "pull" wif the Santa (who look much like my Uncle Craig wif ception of bout 200 lbs + white hairs + bushy beer-ds)... and I see if my pull can't get you "pool"!

Wif or wifout pool you boys got it good, though and cause you young you might not know but take word from the (somewhat) older wiser Cousin Luke you got it good even when have freedom to be own pool contractor! Just sayin!

Day 187: The Three Hats of Christmas, Day 3

Day 3 not so bad cause no chin strap and not really hat just antlers, more manly, just sayin...

Treats good though and I sit till I think down usually next command so I do.

Feel just tiny ounce of shame in sin of gluttony. Can't help it... you been where I been you would waller in the joy of ever treat come your way just like I do!

And really... the Mom love me. She don't ask much... just mostly don't run way, patpatpat get on big bed and sometime wear silly thing on head. Not so much to ask...

Day 187: Sammy Claws!

Sammy (Claws) who is my great pal cross fence leave bounty at my door what in pretty bag guessin his mom Aunt Susan pick out wif red bird what me and the Sam boaf chase from our yard.

And inside bag is other bag what got treasures and structions for boaf me and the Mom!

What also got Sanicle what the Mom used to take till she use hers on my scar to ward way evil disease. Then also in pocket of stockin... gift card. Woe... way too generous. Me and the Mom neever know what to say. Way way too generous. Thank you hardly seem enough.

Also in bag is sweet bear what I call Sammy Claws in Santa suit what I love and love to suck.

Luke love the Aunt Susan, Uncle Mike and (our secret) Cousin Sammy. Thank you seem not enough for such great gift!

Day 187: Christmas Love From Cousins Zeke and Rizzo!

Christmas joyous for all kind of reasons and one is most special gift from Aunt Karen, Uncle Craig and my cousins Zeke and Rizzo... tin of treats what touch my heart a swell as my tummy!

I dance I sing...
and fact lid fit tight...
is very good thing!

The Mom say cookies in bag for her not me... but think she pullin fast one. Can't believe Aunt Karen make something smell so good what not for the Luke?

She say that too back on Day 100 in aftermath of hurricane. Didn't believe her then not so sure believe her now. Gonna have to get fax straight from the Aunt Karen.

Till then, I not share none of tin. Was prepared to... till the Mom laid claim on bag!

Me and the Mom have our differences, but one thing not disputed... we boaf love us some Aunt Karen, Uncle Craig and the Zeke and Rizzo!!!

Day 186: The Three Hats of Christmas, Day Two

Day Two, let the human-iliation begin... Might ask self, how hungry can Luke be that he wear elf hat wif strange ears?

Answer: I Luke and I a treat-a-holic. Got serious problem when would not just wear hat but would allow photo for public display... but treats awful good, and I eaten my dinners early so I need snack tide me over till mornin.

(The Mom say... aw Luke, you so cute!... I think, she plain nuts or maybe just the Mom who think no matter how son look he so cute cause she the one lookin at him wif the love eyes... I read once that moms are mushy that way).

Day 185: Sneaky Boy

Not only we got lit up tree wif stuff hangin on ever branch, but the Mom bags o stuff and boxes in colorful paper underneaf. And well bein somewhat a curious Luke, I decide sniff in each bag. Well sniffin led to rootin and next thing I know I got a octopus.

The Mom saw it and she say no it for Lovey, and she put it back. Minutes later I forget she say no but member the octopus, and I get it again. The Mom say no again then put big box in front of tree and then got busy in other room on this here computer... and then I member octopus again and go get him from behind box. Was almost caught cause box made sound when I hopped on top it... but made clean get-way.

Then when the Mom found me in the big bed with the colorful octopus, she nounce too late cause I had sucked it till soppin wet. I say sowwy and she say I should say sowwy to Cousin Lovey on a counta the Mom order octopus special for her and I steal and suck it.

So to Cousin Lovey, I sowwy. I not know much bout Christmas custom and did not see name on bag. Luke good boy who sometime do naughty thing.

I hate you missin out on Henry what I name him (8... get it?). I not steal him on purpose just thought surely mine... Merry Christmas! Love, Your Cousin Luke.

Day 185: The Three Hats of Christmas, Day One

Just when Luke beginnin to feel a lot like Christmas... the Mom pull out basket what full of hats and antlers and collars wif bells and kerchiefs (thank Dog some just way too girly even the Mom won't dare barass me that way). And I think to self o no here go...

But then she fill jammy pocket full o treats and I say sure, I wear hat!

So, I happily, hungrily offer you Hat One!

Day 181: Gifts Came To Our Door!

Package come to door before the Mom come home, and I not so much as utter peep to doorbell mostly on a counta I not know I sposed to and too on a counta I know I can't open door so no need rouse from peaceful nap.

But joy to the world when the Mom get home and retrieve sweet package from Aunt Kristi and Aunt Susan and place special gifts under tree, one of which for me! I knew right off nother one for me cause smelt it right off but the Mom think Luke need not (or can not, I forget which) resist tempy-tation and she put it way up out of reach!

We sit and she tell me how special Aunts Kristi and Susan are and all they mean to her and to the Comet. I love them already on a counta the stories, but I can't wait to meet em. And I not say that just cause they send good smelling presents!

The Mom say we wait till Christmas day and unwrap together! She say it small Christmas this year (though it seem HUGE-MONGOUS to me!) and we got not much planned. And it mean lot to her to sit be quiet and unwrap gifts from her sisters on Christmas day... and just think bout them, how things used to be.

I good with the thinkin part but Christmas day seem so far away! Up to me, we would think way sooner! Just sayin...

Day 176: Really My First Ornaments!

First let me say, cordin to Luke observation... and strictly speakin of the Mom, as I still young and hearty as pup... eyesight first thing that go. Why, I've logged 274,512.3 miles since June 20th, just followin the Mom as she look for her glasses. She once tole me she was gonna buy me a vest wif umpteen pockets and put pair o glasses in each, that way I be her seein eye dog.

Now I think memory must be second thing that go. I find out few days ago, THESE really my first ornaments! Decorated by my Aunt Karen, the Mom got these way back when at the whirl cereal of dog shows but she hide em from me as surprise and lo and behole she almost forgot!

She say green ones represent my birfday what is March 15! I like gold paws most specially!

Red ones real pretty and I like em lots, but there was fatal accident and one met untimely demise.

You see, the Mom was on step ladder hangin one up high. I know what you're thinkin was thinkin same thing. Most her close friends think she shouldn't have ladder of any kind, so they prolly come get it now.

Anyways, she leaning way over thought hook tight on branch but not. It drop go splat and she say word what rhyme wif if Luke repeat word he in big trouble so won't.

The Mom not so much mad as upset cause it was special to her. I tell her it ok though. Cause GRRH love all round us don't have to be on tree in multitude for us to feel it and know it there.

Day 176: The GRRH Stories of Bear and Wesson, Bethany and Me!

Found out today that GRRH gonna feature stories of Bear and Wesson, Bethany and me in their year end letter!

That excitin and speakin for the four of us us, we honored... but there SO many great stories, so many lives what have been changed for SO much the better on a counta the tireless work by and e-mense love of GRRH volunteers. 194 lives so far this year!

So here I lift these stories for you my reader's enjoyment:

Bear and Wesson













This adorable duo came to GRRH in desperate need of love, attention and extensive veterinary care. Wesson (Golden) and Bear (Flat-coated retriever) had a rough start in life, but they don't hold that against us two legged friends. The first week with their foster family was spent in intensive care due to malnutrition and overall neglect. In six weeks, they gained enough weight to be neutered. Then Wesson scared us all with symptoms that resembled distemper. After four days in the Animal Hospital, he fully recovered to begin his heartworm treatment only two weeks later. When Wesson was away for treatment, Bear would not eat or play…he desperately missed his best friend. At this point, the foster family decided they would keep them as their own before they would let them be separated. Talk about two peas in a pod. After three months of treatment and rehabilitation, they found the perfect home complete with their very own couches. The foster family was sad to see them leave yet so very happy they found the perfect loving family who realized they were looking for “two cuddle bugs,” when they saw Wesson and Bear.

Bethany

Bethany Sweet Bethany---under a year old and already delivered a litter of 12 puppies, none survived due to her poor health. What a list of other problems she had - heartworm positive, bacterial and viral infections that were so severe she had marginal percent lung capacity, parasites, conjunctivitis, skin sores, and ear infection. No surprise that she was anemic, emaciated, and had no appetite. Her foster family’s vet recommended euthanasia, since she would never be healthy enough to undergo heartworm treatment. She was not responding to the most hard-hitting medication available for the infections wreaking havoc on her body. That was then, this is now. Bethany’s dedicated foster family lavished love and constant nurturing, all the while encouraging her spirit to live. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous. In less than two weeks Bethany had clear lungs and she became stronger each and every day. Now, she has a voracious appetite and is healthy enough for life-saving heartworm treatment. She is a beautiful, strong, healthy girl with an award winning tail wag and a warm personality. She is ready to be the joy of some family’s life. She’s a survivor because she has so much love left to give and because we cared.

Cool Hand Luke

Luke came to GRRH in June after spending the previous eleven months of his nine years in a small shelter. He had somehow been lost in their system. His owners turned him in because he always wanted to “bolt into” the house when there was a thunderstorm. That was a problem for his first and only family up to that point. However, none of us at GRRH could understand that and were pleased we were able to bring him back into the real world. We only wish we had discovered this big, lovable guy much earlier.

He was adopted quickly by his forever Mom who had applied to GRRH for a puppy. Luke may not be a puppy to many of you; however, he was reborn when he was given a new leash on life.

You can monitor his GRRH8 developments when you have time to view his own blog: Golden Boy!
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If you could find it in your heart to help em give a second life to others my cousins, please please donate! Also, check out Goldens what need your help right now!

Luke don't like to beg but will for good cause.

Big money real good but great thing about little is it add up! Ever dime and dollar count when doggy need medical attention... and that where all money go, cause volunteers cover all overhead costs, food and shelter!

The Mom say GRRH is 501c3 and donation is tax deductible...whatever that mean... just thought I mention it...

Night 174: Back In Back

Snow also gather back in back!
And on flyer bed!

Where Luke? I on porch, of course... where you?

Yep, look close... you see me there.

Ain't scared of snow. Just mused at the Mom runnin round wif camera. Now that funny.

Funny how rolls reverse some time. My patooty dry, but the Mom all cold and somewhat wet.

She also genius photographer like I been sayin... excellent patooty shot but got wonder what she aimin at?

Night 174: What House Look Like In Dark!

The Mom so funny... she run cross street in jammies and take photo of snow wif house you can't see beyond. Clearest thing you see is rectangle of trolley license plate in garage wif door open!

Tomorrow bein loud truck day, she take pitcher of gatherin snow like she never seen it before and maybe she ain't. Not sure.

And this bein the snow what gather on what left of the tree what Ike made fall on my house.

And this bein the house wif the Christmas lights what the Mom run back and turn on. I swear... she so funny! I just sit in warm house, shake head and marvel...

Nother pitcher comin up driveway. Can you even see what she shootin?

Snow what gather on shrub. Least now you can see somefin!

By way, while the Mom outside in her jammies, Uncle Jeff come out and make sure ever thing ok wif her and the Luke.

Good neighbors big comfort, good neighbors we got! And we need em... The Mom bit crazy bit unlucky, only so much the Luke can do to help. So Luke like havin back up!