Checkers
When Qatar gave Donald Trump a jet, I started thinking about past gifts to politicians. Checkers came to mind. A Cocker Spaniel pup and a $400 million 747-8, and two…
In Times of Trouble
This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for our neighbours. This summer and fall have been times of trouble for all of us in this farming area. Way too much rain to…
Royal Corgis
A week ago, the death of an elderly dog made headlines. A pet's death is always momentous for his or her loved ones. But it's usually not world news. Willow,…
Homeless Companions
From St. Thomas Dog Blog, Sept. 4, 2013. Reposted in honour of US Memorial Day and Harold Palmquist, a US veteran who is biking across the country with his dog…
Corrie Street 14 May 2017
David the Dog All week I waited, worried. Where was David the dog? Finally, Friday, there he was trotting along with David the human. I hope David the dog doesn't…
Cedric and Jamie
This day, in 1997, I laid my cat and dog in their final resting place. Cedric, the cat, had cancer of the jaw. Jamie, the dog, had arthritis so bad…
The Boxer, Copper
When I was 13, our next door neighbour got a dog. In itself, that’s not extraordinary. However, this dog acquisition caused quite a stir. She was an elderly widow and…
The Miracle of Birth
A while ago, I met a man, his son and their two dogs. I was making a fuss over the dogs, and the boy said “she’s going to have babies”.…
Titanic: No greater love
Among the bodies found after Titanic sank was that of a woman, clinging to the body of a Great Dane. Ann Elizabeth Isham had a seat in a lifeboat but…
Farm Dog
Being a farm dog is the diplomatic posting of the canine career spectrum. They have to be friend, greeter and protector. They have to be independent but know their place,…
Heaven
When my dog Jack died, I believed in heaven. After his burial, my mother-in-law gave me a card with a little story in it. It’s about a man and his dog…
Watch Dog
Bing was a small German Shepherd or Alsatian as Mom called her. She was a watch dog. My dad got her from another service station when he opened his. She…
Visits to the Grandparents
“Minnie and Charlie’s daughter must be visiting. I saw that strange girl of hers, and the dog’s gone.” Now, over forty years later, that’s what I imagine people on Pine…
Santa Dogs
The Christmas season, for me, officially begins with the Santa Claus parade. But you have to start feeling festive a bit earlier if you're going to be in the parade.…
Fire Muster
The Fire Muster is this coming weekend - Labour Day Saturday and Sunday - in Pinafore Park, St. Thomas. A chance to see fire fighters, fire trucks old and new,…
Dallas, a Shepherd
Dallas was on the All Breed Canine Rescue website under “Mature Dogs." I had been looking through rescue sites, hoping no dog would ‘speak’ to me. This gray-muzzled, sharp-faced, squat-bodied…
Dogs in War
A compendium of examples of dogs in war written by Jim Stewart and originally published on the STDOA website. (Tap highlighted book titles to see on Amazon.) Sergeant Gander The…
Jack 1998-2008
Five years ago today at 2:15 pm ET, my beautiful German Shepherd Jack died. We had his vet euthanize him before his body did it by itself. It was getting…
Happy Hallowe’en
Mouse batteries dead in my usual computer, and not a new battery in the house. But luckily I have pets in costumes pics on my laptop. As if there aren't…
Coronation Street Scene of the Week (Mar. 18/12)
Sleep tight big fella Words for both Schmeichel and Lloyd at the end of Monday’s episodes: sleep tight big fella. Thank you, Carmel Morgan, for two perfect episodes. Sad and…
Coronation Street Scene of the Week (Mar. 11/12)
A Boy and His Dog There were a lot of great scenes this week. The birthday party from hell with Rosie’s press coverage and Sophie and Sian’s hidden engagement rings.…
Pawlooza: Rescue me!
Pawlooza last Saturday in London Ont was great. So many people and dogs! Other than a bit of a walk-around, I hardly saw anything of it other than our St.…
El perro de la playa
The Costa Rica beach dog - or el perro de la playa - a short story In the morning, when Helen opened her cabaña door, the dog was standing beside…
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
It started with an email I received. You may have also got it, it’s making the rounds. A woman turned a jet into a house on a tropical beach for…
Detailing
Several years ago, I bought a two-year old car from a newspaper ad. When I took it for a test drive, I couldn’t believe how clean and nice the inside…
Dog blankets, beds & coats needed! (Dec. 8/10)
All Breed Canine Rescue needs beds for foster dogs. If you have washable dog beds, fluffy blankets or towels to give them would you please contact allbreedcaninerescue@sympatico.ca. ABCR is being…
Commodity Dogs
Dogs and cats have always been a part of my life - an important part. Most of them, from my childhood and adulthood, have just come along and stayed. An…
Animals
Animals Post Excerpts Checkers (June 2/25) When Qatar gave Donald Trump a jet, I started thinking about past gifts to politicians. Checkers came to mind. A Cocker Spaniel pup and…