When the stars are shining bright and all the day has gone to night

I sit resting my head and know, that I cannot save you from your plight

When war is waged on the heart and soul, I can do not to ease that retched blow

Sadness quiet like the falling snow

I snuggle close, you hold me tight

-Omar McDog

Life Strikes Again

Dark is the hour in our house it seems
Sometimes I pray that it is only bad dreams
Weeping and sorrow
Better be the morrow
The tear that rolls down her cheek gleams
By: Omar McDog

In loving memory of Aunt Susan. The joy and laughter that you bring will be missed. But your memory will always be strong in our hearts

“Hope is a thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, And sings the tune without words, and never stops at all” – Emily Dickinson

When Sadness Falls

My heart is breaking, I know not why
I lay my head on lap and sigh
I feel your pain and suffering is great
I love you still and I will wait
My time is all I have to give, and willingly I do
If only I could help or understand, and feel as you
I feel your tears upon my head
I wish I could hurt for you instead
My love for you is greater than any could believe
So here I will stay, and with you I will grieve
By: Omar McDog

In loving memory of our Papa
"Grief is the price we pay for love"- Queen Elizabeth II

Pain Killers

Well the O made it once again. Tough little bugger as Papa use to say. The surgery was quick and the doc says I can come back in a few weeks to check on my stitches. Again he has said "No Ball!". I dub this year, the year of no ball. What is with these humans. Anyways, Beth doesn't let me move, she has been bringing me everything. I have been sleeping most of the time, and right when I do start to feeling a like bit back to my senses she gives me these treats that make me go all foggy again. There is some good news though, after many failed attempts to keep that stupid cone thing on my neck she has given up. Lesson number 16, persistence pays. Well here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

Cancer

There comes a time in a dog’s life when they can choose to be changed by a situation or they can change the situation themselves. In this case I was the one doing the changing, and wasn't going to let it beat me. It all started when I was on my way to Dr. Ard’s for my yearly check up and shots. All was well and good, I was eating fine, sleeping like a baby and enjoying the last few days of sunshine before the big turn to cold. I, as always, took it upon myself to make sure my favorite office ladies we kept entertained as we waited on the Doc.

When it was my turn the doc gave me a look over. Said I looked great, but I could use a good teeth cleaning and asked Beth if she had any questions or concerns. She did of course. My Beth is so nosy she will notice if one of my spots has changed in size I swear. Always with the ear checking and the making me show my teeth and gums. So thorough that lady is. Anyways, she pointed out a few places on my belly and asked the doc if they were just fatty tumors. I tried to object because there is nothing fatty about this lean mean ball chasing machine, but the doctor thought we should take a sample just to be sure. OUCH!

A few hours later, the phone rings and my mom looks like someone just slapped her. She looked at me and says, Omar my dearest friend, you have cancer and we have to do surgery. I am not sure what this means but by the look on her face it is not good for the O.



“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Old Age

Cheers, to the aging and older generation. Living so long is hard on the bones and something to be celebrated. Today we celebrate a man’s 75 years of strength and good humor. It was quiet an exciting experience really. He currently resides in a house with many different people of all shapes and sizes, different colors and creeds. While the rest of the family was setting up for the party Beth and I took a tour to do a little meet and greet for some of the residence. I have decided I want to live there! So many friendly faces, so many willing hand to offer a good butt scratching. Wonderful! After the meet and greet the party was a blast. Mom even slipped me some chicken and a bit of birthday cake.

Happy 75th Birthday Papa!

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” - Mark Twain

3 Legs are Better Than None

So as I was saying previously, and as you will find my point is now proven, the ground was meant to be made of dirt! This new home of ours is covered in this shinny, slippery floors and they are very hard to move on at any rate other than slow and steady, like the tortoise that also resides here.

So I heard the sound of my lead coming off of its hook and I sprinted for the door. Forgetting that I am now middle aged and no longer a pup I went flying down the stairs and out the front door. When I hit the landing my paw got caught in the threshold while the rest of the Omar went flying out into the yard. I whimpered, which as some of you may know, is really rare. For the most part I will make little to no noise no matter the pain level. Even the vet was surprised when I was hit by that truck that I laid so quietly as he picked the gravel out of my belly. In this case though the paid was great and I felt as though I had left my entire paw behind. Being the tough guy that I am, and seeing the worry in Beth's face, I decided to “shake it off” as mom has told me before. I straightened myself out to look more dignified and ran to grab my ball. Always makes the humans assume I am feeling tip top. (I do this often when I hear one of them mention the Vet, just so they know I am not ill so there is no need to go.)

After about 3 days of faking it, my Beth started to see through my guise. My paw had started to swell up and looked a little alien. So she took me in, and to my dismay I had demolished one of my beautiful paws. My toe was literally in 5 pieces. And now I am clumping around in a gigantic club leg and Dr. Ard says no ball for a few weeks. They might as well kill me now. How is a dog like me supposed to live without my ball? We will see how long this lasts. I promise that I will never try to run in the house ever again; or at least not as long as I have a club for a leg.

"We cannot learn without pain." - Aristotle

There is No Place Like Home

Beth and I have moved a lot in our time together. Before I lived with her I lived in a pen outside on the gravel, so she can move where ever she would like, as long as she takes me and my bed with her. We have moved into a new place now. I don’t have to share my Omar space with any dog but Bailey which makes it a little less crowed (still more than I would like, but I guess I will let her stay). There are boxes everywhere which make it hard for this old dog to navigate safely on these slick new floors. I do not understand why the humans insist on covering up perfectly good dirt with other strange materials. I tried going down the stairs for the first time and about hit the wall.

There is something really exciting about the new place though. Beth has placed my bed at the top of the stairs right above the door. This gives me the perfect dog’s eye view of the whole joint. I can see the people standing on the other side of the door without ever dragging myself out of bed. Perfect!

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to" - John Ed Pearce

Gardening is for the birds!

So this weekends sunshine prompted my Beth and grandparents to decide to garden. All weekend! What a snooze. I kept bringing them the ball and every now and again they would throw it, but for the most part, they completely ignored me. Then I thought to myself, I should help. I mean they were digging all of these holes, and I love to make holes. Follow by example I always say. Well to my suprise, this was not a good time to be helpful. Beth was not happy that I dug a big hole right under the tree. Lesson learned. When Beth wants to garden she does not want help!

Walking on Water

We have a new hobby. This is the best hobby ever. On the days when Beth doesn't leave for hours on end we go for walks. I mean we always go for walks but the new destination of these walks are something to behold. Today, we went down to the water to walk on a nice little path. There were lots of people and dogs, of all shapes and sizes.
There were people on bikes, on blades and even on boards. There were little dogs with hats, and big dogs with packs. I have never seen so many wonderful sights and smells.
We walked awhile on the leash, Beth was blabbing on and on with one of her friends. Then we got to play stick, and splash around. About an hour later we came to a crossing of sorts. Now I wouldn't call myself sheltered but I have never in my long life walked on what Beth called a bridge. Or at least not one of this size.
I was really scared at first. I couldn't believe that Beth was going to make me walk over this vast expanse of water. What if I were to fall in! You know I can't swim, and I didn't even have my live vest on. So scary.
Beth coaxed me to move forward and after a few moments I realize it was a pretty stable bridge. About half way across we stopped to look over the edge. WOW. I was standing in the middle of the big water. I could see the people boating and fishing under me and it was amazing. Beth had to literally pull me away, so we could continue on our walk.

Spring has Sprung

Spring has sprung and so have I. One never really see how much they love the sun until they are forced to go months with out it. Spring must be the most wonderful season of the year to most dogs, or atleast it is for me. I have a passion for grass, it is like a drug really. When I see grass there is only one option! It must be rolled in. I feel as though it might actually be a sin if I were not to roll in it. I would lose my spot in dog heaven. Anyways, back to the point.
So it is spring time and I experienced something new. Since spring is the time for newness I thought I would share. It was a sunny day, my Beth was laying on a blanket in the yard reading a book, so I thought I would steal away for a few minutes to smell my fill of the daffadiles. They are a wonderfully sunny flower and I do adore to smell them.
While I was getting my fill I was suddenly suprised by a sudden movement in the bush a head. I jumped out of my skin, being the brave dog I am and all. After a few minutes frozen in terror, I mean a few minutes of deep contimplation on what to do next, I thought I would investigate.
I slowly crept up to the bush to see what I could find, when I got a little closer it started to russle, so will all of my might I gave a great big bark. To my horror a large furry beast came fling at me, tooth and nail.
I, Omar the Couragous, ran instantly to save my Beth, who sat defenclist on the lawn. I didn't want her to feel like a wimp so I didn't protest when she tried to comfort me with words like, "Oh Omar, its just a little jack rabbit, nothing to be scared of."
I thought it was my solum duty not to let her realize how close to death she had just come. I don't know who jack rabbit is but, now that I have a name for the face I will know to stear clear. I am putting the words Jack Rabbit on the list of scary right under the word Bath.

"He who is not everyday conquering some fear, has not learned the secret of life" - Ralph Waldo Emerson