While I'm not an animal activist, I do love animals of all types. I'm not an animal behaviorist, nor am I a learned scholar ~ can hardly tell one dog family from another. I do love cats and dogs. I have two dogs, a Yorkie named Molly and a mixed beagle named Buddy. They are always happy to see me, no matter how I look, or how I may smell…Whew! They just love me.

I have five cats that hang around with us when they feel like it. That's ok by me. If any are outside when I get home, They will prance out to greet me and get a rub. I guess you could say I'm lucky that all five are sweet little friends that always came around for a hug. My cat's names are Muffy, Callie, Athena, Tiger, and Pringles. Muffy just turned 16 on 4/15/99. She is one amazing cat. She's persian and just lost one of her canines. She's constantly hungry lately, but she isn't gaining any weight. She's so thin, it's scary! But she still goes outside a couple of times a day and manages the neigborhood! She's the grandma, and doesn't take any gruff from the others who are all 2 yrs old.

We often walk the doggies around the block and sure enough, Tiger and Callie walk with us. We've been told that we look very strange with the parade following us! All of us stick together and we all enjoy our walks. It's just a natural family thing to do!

Callie, Athena and Tiger are brother and sister. Their mother, Ginger, (who loved her babies), passed away suddenly last fall from some kind of poisoning. Ginger wasn't feeling well in the morning before we went to work. By the time we got home, she had passed. My wife and the boys buried her out back and we mourned for her. It was so unexpected and we felt so guilty. Her babies wandered around looking for her for weeks. It broke our hearts. It was just so damn sad.

I have milkbones in my pocket! That's right, you heard that right. I have milkbones in my pocket! You see, I drive a fuel oil truck and make deliveries in and around Annapolis, Maryland. On my route, there are dogs at almost every stop. If my customer doesn't have a dog, usually their neighbor does.

I have found that I get a good feeling inside when I can brighten up the day of a dog who is watching me. At one time, I used to think to myself that I was just using good sense when I would offer treats to dogs, especially if the dogs were going to rip my leg off! Funny how all the really mean dogs on my route now like to see me. I've had dogs try to tear the fence apart trying to get to me. I walk slowly to the fence, get lower, slowly reaching into my shirt and produce a fresh biscuit the doggie can look at and smell. Even the biggest dog will cock its head and stare at me to see why I'm different. I look the dog in the eye, smile, and offer him the biscuit through the fence. I always see that expression of "WOW, this human is way cool!" on the dog's face.

And don't think for one minute our four legged friends don't smile or frown. They surely do. In fact, I have seen almost all the emotions possible on a canine face. I now go thru a box of medium size milkbones every week. The other drivers think I'm a little wacky. A "snack" they often ask? They just don't think like I do.

I had a stop today in a nice quiet neighborhood, real nice homes, lovely well kept yards, but not one of my favorite stops. This family got a puppy last winter, November I think. An absolutely beautiful English sheepdog, would be my guess. This puppy couldn't have been 6 months old. Well, these folks went and built a 6x6 concrete slab next to their house and erected a chain link fence six feet high and square, to fit the slab. It has the same fence as the roof. This poor, sad, dog has been left out in that cage, 24 hours a day, every day since they got it. It could be 10 degrees outside, and the dog is out there freezing! I can see him shivering in the cold. Sure, he's got a dog house, I noticed today it hasn't been cleaned in a long time. I ran out of milkbones earlier today but figure I would say hi to my friend anyway. He was so glad to see me, he could hardly stop jumping around. I stuck my fingers through the fence and he just couldn't stop licking them. I look in his eye's and I see such loneliness and sorrow, I can hardly stop myself from crying. That dog's sad face and slight whimper will stay with me, a long, long time!

Why are Humans so damn cruel?! Don't these people realize they have a life in their hands? This sweet dog will be loyal and loving and they don't care. Where is the compassion for these animals? I don't understand. I just don't get how these people can show so little heart. I've seen it all in my travels. Today has been one of the worst for me. I can't get that doggie's face out of my mind. I am so angry and frustrated. So here I am telling you. I hope you are kind to an animal today. That would make me feel better!

I would like to thank my new friend, Brenda, for giving me this beautiful award! Brenda has a love for animals that reflects the feelings that I have. We both care a great deal about the welfare of our loving pets and I appreciate Brenda's concern and sensitivity. Thank you dear Brenda. You must realize how much this award means to me!

Please visit Brenda's pages as I know you will enjoy them a great deal, as I surely did!

This is an award from my friend Sandy! She loves animals just like me. Sandy's pages are wonderful. Her Darcy and Friends page is really sweet! You'll love stopping by her place to see what I mean. While you're there, check out Briggy's Place. It's really cool! Thank you very much Sandy for giving me this great award.