Bark the Herald Angels Sing...

Five years ago, we were number one. Five years later, we’re number six.

Well, we have had enough of this kid thing and we're taking our rightful place back - it is our year once again!

We thought the twins were enough, but then mom and dad decided a boy would be a neat addition to the family back in 2008 and we had to shift down yet another position in the family line. Now we barely get fed each day, hardly ever get a toy thrown our way and certainly if someone actually petted us we might wet ourselves.

Yet we press on as the original “boys” in this gang.

Been a crazy year too. Mom has been busy helping all three kids learn and grow by attending Mother’s Day Out school during the week at our local church, Walnut Ridge. She barely has time for much else. Sad thing is, I think us dogs are behind Facebook on her daily priority list. She is on that thing all the time! One day DogBook will get started and we might actually get to interact with her some. Dad has been busy with his toughest year in business ever. We overheard him telling mom that the bad things that happened to him this year have laid down a great foundation for an amazing 2010. Not sure what he is talking about but something to do with having two businesses now – one that sells health insurance and another called AdzZoo that helps local businesses get on the first page of Google. He has been bouncing around the house for the last few months more excited than ever. It’s meant an increase in our milkbone/treat intake as well, which is a good thing.

Speaking of bouncing, ever since the Cowboys beat the undefeated Saints the other night dad has gone a little over the edge. Said something to himself walking out the other day about "...time to put my Cowboy's flag back up...." then I swore I heard him mumble, "...superbowl..."

We did get a new fish called Billy. (Chloe thought of that one). The good news is at least now we aren’t the only ones that go days without being fed. Our concern is he just might work his way above us on the chain. For now though I think we are safe and secure behind Quinn.

For us it has been a relatively quiet year. I just turned 11 which means I am basically older than anyone reading this in human years. Sam is closing in on 8 and he has turned into "whiteface" too - grey hair every where. Has a big Jay Leno streak down his back - old man! Mom has gotten better at hiding the food higher than Sam can reach with those lanky Boxer legs of his. So, in order to kill the boredom, we chew up diapers. Pretty fun too and gets mom angrier than a hornet which is fun to witness. Pretty nasty when we find a poopy one though. Thanks Quinn…

Hope you enjoyed our card. If you ask me, Sam looks like a dork, but no surpirse there. Apparently the mailed versions of the card got screwed up twice by the Snapfish - cutting off part of Quinn's face. LOL. Personally, I thought it was quite fitting.

Hopefully, Santa didn’t forget our stockings this year. Might just be the only way we get any recognition around here!

Merry Christmas!


Max and Sam

10 Years Ago I Visited the SPCA

How in the world is it possible that it has been ten years?

In November of 1999 I walked into the Dallas SPCA after having decided I needed my first dog to care for on my own. It had been since my childhood dog, Sandy, that I had a real family pet in my life and I felt I was ready at 29 to be responsible for another life.

I walked in that day not sure what to expect and as I soon discovered, was a little overwhelmed by all of the dogs that needed a family. Most of them whimpering or barking for attention inside both small and big cages called home. One of the first dogs that grabbed my attention was this little black terrier mix. He reminded me of Sandy; small, cute and quirky. He sadly whimpered to me from within his cage. I petted him and then moved on to another. After giving a few dogs a test walk, my attention was drawn back to the little guy in the gage. I learned he was a Jack Russell mix. His black coat made him unusual and his golden/white face made him really cute. The SPCA lady said, "Yea we found this little guy in the rain outside of Longview. Apparently, his owner couldn't take it anymore and just left him on the street. Very sad. He cries alot."

I'm still amazed at how people treat other living beings. Heartless.

"Ok, little guy," I told him. "I'll give you a shot too". He excitedly recognized his chance and soon was out bounding around the grounds outside, peeing on everything and wagging his little tail.

An hour later he was named Max and was sitting in the front seat of my car headed to his new home. He had suckered me in - hook, line and sinker.

I had found my little buddy and he had found a home.

Ten years have now gone by and my mind is full of both fun and aggrevating times with our little guy. Anyone that knows about Max has likely heard some stories. He can be a head case! Sometimes I wonder if he was bred with a cat. He sits on top of our couch, hides under the bed and will curl up next to you in a tight ball. In many ways he is also truly like a child. Max is an emotional, needy little pup with some serious separation anxiety issues. Yet, he is also very loving and happy.

Ten years have flown by and Lord knows he is as much part of our family as anyone. I can only hope that if he has ten more, that they go slower than the first.

In 1999, I was single and alone, yet Max provided some "man's best friend" company. Today, he has a brother in "Sam" (our boxer) and belongs to Julie, Quinn, Sidney and Chloe. He has his own cartoon portrait that is placed outside our home during the Holidays. He will be featured on the front of our Christmas card this year and he is certainly loved by all of our friends and family alike. Needless to say he has come a long way from the rainy streets of Longview 10 years ago.

His family status position has shifted from the top to the bottom over the last 5 years, but when he curls up next to us as he does most nights, he reminds both Julie and me that he will always be our little "Maxie."

Dogs to Retake 1st Place?

Rumor has it the boys are planning a takeover of our annual Christmas card mailer this year. We have heard whispers of their apparent plans to put themselves back into the number one spotlight - even if only on one piece of USPS mail. Their frustrations over being 2nd place fiddles for the last 5 years to our real children...excuse me...real HUMAN children, have finally come to a head.

They have had enough.

Max and Sam are back.

Just not sure they completely understand that regardless, they are still just dogs...