Good-bye

Today we said good-bye to my husband's grandma. She was the last grandparent that my husband and I had left. It was a tough service to attend (of course they all are), but to me it was hard because Granny Velma was so much like my grandmother who has been gone for over 2 years now. It was kind of like it happening all over again.

At Granny's service, the pastor read a poem, to which I was surprised I had never heard before given the number of funerals I've been to in my life. I thought it was so perfect -- at life and death. Hopefully we can all strive to be better people....to be like the Granny Velmas and the Grandma Neumanns.



The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man, who stood to speak,
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone,
from the beginning, to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth,
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all,
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time,
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her,
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars... the house... the cash.
What matters is how we live and love,
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough,
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand,
the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives,
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash,
may last only a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read,
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say,
about how you spent your dash?

Drum roll please!

On Saturday, I stopped by the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter to present the funds raised from the 2008 Holiday Pet Portraits.

I am very proud that we raised $425.00 - and all thanks to YOU out there!

That equals out to roughly:

28 days worth of food

OR

giving 8-9 sick animals a visit to the vet

OR

providing a spay/neuter to 5-6 animals

Just think - it costs over $400.00 to feed the animals - that's not even for a full month! And, that doesn't include the special diet food that some animals need to be on. I'm sure you can see now why it's so important to give to this organization (or others that your heart is with).

Some interesting information I found on the internet (and all sites varied a bit with the stats but pretty much are all very close in details):

CATS

Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4–6

That means in seven years, 1 female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.

BY FIGURING OUR DONATION WITH THESE STATS,

WE PREVENTED POTENTIALLY 2,352,000 UNWANTED CATS!

DOGS

Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6–10

That means in six years, 1 female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.

BY FIGURING OUR DONATION WITH THESE STATS,

WE PREVENTED POTENTIALLY 375,200 UNWANTED DOGS!

Did Hell freeze over?

Wow, it's cold out there! I don't understand why the dogs keep wanting to go outside either. I think it takes me a good 20 minutes to warm up just from opening the door.

I had planned on posting more since the madness of the holidays is over but then Carver (kiddo) was sick, then I was, then Travis (hubby)...not to mention Dodger (dog) has a ruptured ear drum and now Playdoh (dog) is limping. And just moments ago, Carver says his head is cold. Now I realize it is chilly outside, but when he of all people asks to put something on his head, somethings a'brewin'.

Off for now to try to stay warm and will post more soon!