DOTTIE Is In Our Neighborhood!

This is Dottie, the newest member of the Hopper-Bellew family, along with her sister, Dixie who I introduced you to below. Dottie was lucky because she was rescued by such a loving family. She was taken to the doctor by her previous owners with a bone stuck in her throat. They didn't want to pay for her medical costs and asked that she be put to sleep. Good thing the vet decided to help her and found her a new home. She is very cute, I got to meet her in person at the dog park. She's a little shy around other dogs but really sweet. She (and Dixie) are named after Dorothea Dix, the famous UU woman who did a lot to help prisoners and the mentally ill. What a great ending to a very scary story, don't you think?

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy

Remembering

This is a picture of my Big Sister, Emma. She died over a year ago and I never got to meet her, but my parents talk about her a lot. She lived in this house before I did. Now my mom keeps her ashes in a box. The box sits on a special little altar in our house.

I decided I would ask a few questions about Emma and what happened to her. I don't understand why she isn't here anymore, because I would really love to have another dog in the house to play with.

I learned that Emma was a rescue, like me, from the Humane Society. She was about 3 or 4 years old when she joined my family. Emma had a great time for about 12 more years. As she got older, her hair got more gray and she didn't move as fast as she used to. Finally she did not even get up to say hello when people came home, and could not lift her head up anymore. Emma was in a lot of pain.

Sometimes we can help pets stop hurting, if we know there is no way they will ever feel better. The veterinarian can give them something so they no longer feel the pain. But it also means that they die and can no longer be with us. Mom says that it was better for Emma to stop hurting. Even though she misses Emma very very much, it was a good thing to be able to help her.

It is sad to miss pets and people who have died. But in my house, we talk about Emma and tell funny stories about what she was like. This way, we never forget about her.

Why don't you ask your family about a pet, or even somebody they really cared about who died?
I bet you will hear lots of fun stories, too.

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here I am with one of my Valentines. His name is Buddy and I adore him! I just wanted to wish everyone a nice Valentine's Day, and remind you to remember all the people you love. I also remember that I love cookies, so I'm going to have one now.

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

The Third Principle

Principle Three:
"Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations"
Or, for us kids: "We Accept Each Other"

This is my friend Mylo and me:

We like to play together. There are a few things that are different about us. For one, Mylo can put his head on the counter for a snack. I have to wait until something falls on the floor because I am little. Another thing that is different about us is that when Mylo drinks water, he slobbers EVERYWHERE! When I drink water, I don't make a mess at all. Mylo joined his family when he was a puppy, and came from a breeder. I was adopted when I was about one year old from a rescue person, and don't know who my birth parents are. Mylo has a lot of shaggy, long hair, and my belly hardly has any hair at all! Can you name some other differences that you see between us?

Just because Mylo is different than me and we do different things does not mean we can't be friends. Of course, he has a bigger collar and leash than I do, but we are both loved and treated fairly by our families. Even though Mylo is much bigger than me, he is always welcome in in my small house. Just like I am welcome in his house and big yard. And even though he DROOLS everywhere, he is so lovable and fun when you meet him. I barely notice his slobber! And he puts up with me climbing all over him and biting his ears. We accept each other and, do you know what? We have a lot of fun!

I hope you can learn to accept your friends and others, even though they may do things differently than you. You might just have fun, too!

Remember you can always send me an email or let me know about your pets at home. I get my emails at: NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com.
Peace, Love and Happiness!

Remy

CHLOE Is In Our Neighborhood!

Hi everyone!
I want to share with you the email I got from Chloe, this beautiful Golden Retriever getting blessed by Jim above. She is so pretty and writes very well, too! Thanks, Chloe, for sharing with us!
Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy

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About 5 years ago, I joined the Brainerd/Racine family. My temporary name was Vanna when I was rescued by the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles. What happened then was my Mom-to-be, Lee, was sitting in her wheelchair at a doggie review, watching the golden retrievers who needed to find homes. She was going to help her sister pick out a new dog (she already had Sally and didn't need another dog).

But then a foster mom came up and said, "Will you hold Vanna, my foster dog's lead while I go into the pet store for a minute?" Lee said yes, so I politely sat down next to her wheelchair and started licking the big scar on her knee! She giggled. Then I took her hand gently in my mouth and held onto it! I was saying "You need to take me home and adopt me!"

So she convinced Dad that they really needed two dogs in the family! They already owned a rescue dog, named Sally. Sally looked just like a wolf. She had the colors of an Alaskan Husky but the short hair and body of a German Shepard. Sally was getting on in years, so Mom and Dad thought I should help her enjoy a second youth! Which I did- we had lots of play time and dog fun until Sally died.

Our cat Thunder really rules the house- cats are like that! He is a Cornish Rex- they have long black legs, long ears and noses, and really short, soft fur that people with cat fur allergies are not allergic to. Look up Cornish Rex on the computer to see how funny they look.

Some Saturdays Dad brings me to Neighborhood Church so I can play with his friends who sort through some old boxes of papers from the church attic. I love the church- it's a doggie paradies, and the humans are accepting of every kind of people and animals, as long as they have open hearts and minds.

Happy Holidays!

I wish all of you out there a very happy holiday season. I celebrated Christmas at my house, and got lots of toys in my stocking. We had a tree decorated and I didn't even pee on it!

More Principles coming soon!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

DIXIE Is In Our Neighborhood!

This is Dixie. She is being hugged by one of her owners, Maya. Aren't they both so cute together? Dixie is about 4 years old. She was adopted from the Pasadena Humane Society two years ago. She's a mix of different breeds, kinda like me. The Humane Society is a great place to get a pet. What a cool thing to be able to help an animal in need of a new home!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xoxo