A "prayer for relief"

No time for despair. Not with so many, many kind offers of help coming my way, from near and far - even as far away as Fresno! Also, so many people from unlikely places are signing the petitions and commenting on the senselessness of the situation. 

And a special group of good souls are out there every day fighting for Brindi, graciously keeping me going, like she used to, just like angels. Brindi's Angels. So that's what they will be called from now on. 

Thank you to each and all. With you, I don't feel quite so alone in this nightmare. May your efforts succeed with the greatest possible haste.

A "prayer for relief" is a legal term meaning, to quote a legal expert, "that bit at the end of your statement of claim where you tell the court what it is you want it to do for you". What do I want? Simple: I want my dog back. Please!

I miss Brindi terribly and need her by my side. I fully intend to return her to it. She is so much more than "just a dog". 

No dog on earth is ever "just" a dog. May anyone who says this about their own dog have their wounded hearts opened to the constant source of love, joy, and companionship right by their side. For those who do not own dogs, may they learn to recognize, respect, and help protect them as valuable assets to society.  Then, maybe every last shelter could empty out and close down. And the same, of course, goes for cats, and all pets. 

I was sad to learn that Susan Ito, my friend and lifelong inspiration even when we are out of touch, is mourning her Scooter, a sweet, brave little dog somebody once threw away. It seems he was a healing force in many lives, despite his own physical pain. May he be forever blessed, and find the highest and best of spirits at his side.

IF WE WERE MORE LIKE OUR DOG....

If you can start the day without caffeine, 

If you can get going without pep pills, 

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, 

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, 

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, 

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, 

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, 

through no fault of yours, something goes wrong, 

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, 

If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him, 

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend, 

If you can face the world without lies and deceit, 

If you can conquer tension without medical help, 

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, 

If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice 

against creed, color, religion or politics, 

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.

(Author unknown, at least to me.)

JUST MY DOG 

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; 

my other ears that hear above the winds. 

He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. 

He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being: 

by the way he rests against my leg; 

by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; 

by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. 

(I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) 

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. 

When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. 

When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. 

When I am a fool, he ignores it. 

When I succeed, he brags. 

Without him, I am only another man. 

With him, I am all-powerful. 

He is loyalty itself. 

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. 

With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. 

He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. 

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. 

His presence by my side is protection against my fears 

of dark and unknown things. 

He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. 

And I expect I will - as I always have. 

He is just my dog. 

-Gene Hill 

with thanks to Jenn Richardson