Neighborhood Dog:

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all lots of peace, love and happiness this holiday season! Much love, Remy xo

Canvas Bags Are FUN!

2008-12-04T18:37:00.000-08:00

We bring our own bags to the grocery store in my house. Then, when we are done, we put them on the steps to go back down into the car. I think it's fun to climb in them and take a nap. Not only are they good for carrying dogs, but they are great for your groceries too! Plus, it's a great way to help out the earth. By bringing your own bags to the store, you're not using a plastic or paper one. That means less trash in the world! Yippee!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

Fannie Farmer

2008-11-13T16:29:00.001-08:00

Have you heard of Fannie Farmer before? She's another famous Unitarian Universalist. She is the one who made cooking easier for thousands of people. She wrote a cookbook, and was the first person to use exact measurements for the recipes. We take that for granted now, but in the 1800's, people would say things like, "...butter the size of an egg" or "...about a handful of flour." Well your handful and my pawful are two totally different amounts! So Fannie wrote recipes with measurements that everyone could use. I found this recipe below from her Boston Cooking-School Cookbook, which was published in 1896! That's over a hundred years ago! But boy these cookies look good....

Fairy Gingerbread

¹/₂ cup butter
¹/₂ cup milk
1 cup light brown sugar
1⁷/₈ cups bread flour
2 teaspoons ginger

Cream the butter, add sugar gradually, and milk very slowly. Mix and sift flour and ginger, and combine mixtures. Spread very thinly with a broad, long-bladed knife on a buttered, inverted dripping-pan. Bake in a moderate oven. Cut in squares before removing from pan. Watch carefully and turn pan frequently during baking, that all may be evenly cooked. If mixture around edge of pan is cooked before that in the centre, pan should be removed from oven, cooked part cut off, and remainder returned to oven to finish cooking.

Peace, Love, Happiness and COOKIES,

Remy xo

Election Day

2008-11-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I know that many of you are not old enough to vote yet. I can't vote because I'm a dog. But it's important that we remind all the adults that we know to vote! Did you know that not very long ago women weren't even allowed to vote? In California there's a Proposition that is trying to do something like that again. It says that all people aren't equal. Isn't that silly? I think that everyone I meet should have the same rights as everyone else. I especially like the people I meet who give me cookies. But I still like the ones who don't, also!

I hope you all have a nice election day and remind everyone you know to VOTE!

Peace, Love, Happiness and Hopefulness,
Remy xo

It's Halloween!

2008-10-31T15:58:00.000-07:00

I decided what I wanted to be for Halloween! Full of pumpkin! I really like the way pumpkin guts taste so I had to stick my head in for more. Hope everyone is having a great Halloween!

Peace, Love and Pumpkins,
Remy xo

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

While I figure out what I am going to be for Halloween, Dixie and Dottie of the Hopper-Bellew family have already picked out their costumes. Aren't they cute? They look almost as happy as I do when I am dressed up.

Happy, Safe Halloween everyone!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

P.S. Don't forget to email me photos of your pet's Halloween costumes: NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com

Dia de los Muertos

2008-10-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

If you didn't already know, around Halloween is also the Mexican Day Of the Dead celebration. This is a really nice time to celebrate, and remember people who have died. The 11:30 classes of 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th graders above made this beautiful altar. They put all sorts of offerings on it. There are candles, flowers, candy, skeletons made of marshmallows, salt water in pottery, and many, many more things.

If you want to have your own celebration at home, click here. It's a website that tells you all about the holiday, and ideas on crafts and foods to make.

I know at my house there are grandparents, aunts, uncles, dogs and friends that will be celebrated and remembered with love.

Sending you Peace, Love, and Happiness,
Remy the dog xo

The Humane Society and ASPCA

2008-10-14T18:13:00.001-07:00

This is my boyfriend Buddy. Yeah I know he's a German Shepard mix and he's a lot bigger than me. But we have one thing in common. We are both rescued dogs. Do you know that the Humane Society and ASPCA are places who help animals who need new homes? Even cooler is the fact that the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, phew!) was started by a Unitarian! His name was Henry Bergh and he started the ASPCA back when LINCOLN was president! They make sure that animals aren't abused or mistreated. It's places like the ASPCA and the Humane Society that help find new homes for cute animals like Buddy and me.

Click here for a link to the ASPCA's website

Do you want to help out? The Pasadena Humane Society is always in need of towel, blanket and sheet donations. Keep that in mind the next time you do your spring cleaning. A dog or cat may use your blanket as a nice soft bed.

Remember to send me photos of your family pets! If you don't have a pet, a favorite stuffed animal will do! I am at NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com.

See you next time!
Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

FORGIVENESS

2008-10-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today I want to talk to you about forgiveness. Do you know what it means? When somebody does something to you that you don't like, sometimes you forgive them. Maybe they did something wrong but didn't mean to. I have some examples of forgiveness in my life.

Here is a picture of my friend Buddy. He's a lot bigger than me but we really like to play together. Sometimes he knocks me over and uses me as a bowling ball which is fun. But sometimes he steps on my toes and it hurts! I know he doesn't mean to do it. It's just an accident. So I forgive him and we go on playing.

There are other times when I get myself into trouble. I like to look in boxes and pull things out. I like to chew on things that I'm not supposed to chew on. When things like this happen, I may be scolded but I'm always forgiven.

When I used to live on the streets, the family that I kinda belonged to didn't take care of me well. I was covered in fleas and ticks, and had a bunch of diseases. I had to fight for my food with other dogs, and I never had my own toys or bed to sleep in. But you know what? I forgive those people. They just didn't know how to treat a little dog like me. And because of that, I live in the best house ever now. I have many cozy beds to sleep in and lots and lots of love. And I get to talk to you guys, too!
Forgiveness can be a good thing, but it's not always an easy thing to do. Right now I'm going to beg for a cookie and maybe I'll get one. If not, I'll forgive my mom and wait until next time....

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xo

Music and Games

2008-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

I like to play games. My favorites are: chase the ball, eat the squeak out of a stuffed toy, and try to chase squirrels. I also know that some of the classes are playing all kinds of games. What do you like to play? I like outside games better than inside games, but sometimes inside games are fun, too.

I also heard that the YRE classes this year are learning songs once a month. That sounds like fun! I can't sing very well at all, but I like music. Can you guess my favorite songs? "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley is pretty cool. How about some others?

You can always email me at: NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com, especially if you have a family pet you'd like me to tell everyone about!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy

FAITH

2008-09-22T21:27:00.001-07:00

This month Neighborhood Church is talking about FAITH. Do you know what faith means? I asked my mom and she told me that for her, faith is a feeling of something to believe in. Even if sometimes it isn't something you can touch or talk to or eat or smell. I thought about the things I have faith in, and it started to make sense.

For instance, I have faith that every day I will have water and good food in my bowl:

I also have faith that I will always have fun friends to play with:

I have faith that if I am left alone, someone will always come home for me:

And at night, I have faith that I will have a nice warm bed to sleep in:

Before I was rescued and brought into the home I have now, I didn't always have these things. I was not sure that I would have food every day but I would fight for it. I always dreamed about having a nice, soft bed to sleep in. Even though I didn't have that bed then, I had faith that someday I would.

There are many things to have faith in. Can you name some of yours? I'd love to know them.

Peace, Love, Happiness and FAITH,
Remy xo
email me at NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com

Owies

2008-09-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

I know that some of you YRE kids are learning about safety and medicine in your classes this year. A long time ago, when I was a kid (last year), I hurt myself. I got a little pebble stuck in my paw. It got really wedged in and my paw got infected. Ouch, it hurt! It's a good thing that there are animal doctors called veterinarians that can help when animals need medicine. I am so happy that when I get hurt I can go see a doctor for help. Sometimes when I get an owie that isn't that serious, I just go see an adult for a band-aid and a kiss. I might even get a cookie too! That's my favorite part.

Here is a picture of me with my paw in a bandage. Why do you think they wrapped my leg up? I had to keep it clean and dry for five days. Have any of you had to wear a bandage?Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy
Write me at: NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com

I'm BAAACCCKKK!!!

2008-09-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I took a long summer to enjoy things that dogs enjoy, like going to parks, going on little vacations, and spending time in the pool with my friend Ripley (see above). Now that it's the new school year, I am excited to learn more about what makes Neighborhood Church and our Unitarian Universalist principles so cool. Just like me in the pool.

Don't forget to send me photos of your family pets so I can put them up here- NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from you and learning with you this year!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy the Dog

DOTTIE Is In Our Neighborhood!

2008-04-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-02-14T17:01:00.001-08:00

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

2008-02-08T16:16:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-01-25T16:11:00.000-08:00

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

*********
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!

2007-12-27T16:33:00.001-08:00

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!

2007-12-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

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

The Second Principle

2007-11-28T13:07:00.000-08:00

"Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations"

Here is what it means to us kids:
We treat each other fairly and kindly.
Or, in other words, Be Kind In All You Do!

Do you know how to meet a dog you don't know? A lot of people want to meet me but I'm scared at first. Some people were mean to me before, so I have to get to know new friends slowly. Other dogs want to jump up and say hello right away. And some others just want to be left alone. I want to share some tips on how to be fair and kind when you meet a new dog:

1. If you see a dog you don't know and it's with someone, ask if it's okay to pet the dog. Some dogs don't like kids or are afraid of them.

2. Always let the dog sniff your open hand before you try and pet it.

3. Never pet a dog on top of the head without letting them sniff your hand. You may scare it and nobody likes to be scared. I like people to scratch me under my chin at first. Most dogs don't like people to grab their heads, either.

4. Don't go up to a dog who doesn't have an owner around. And don't tease or chase a dog you don't know. That's just not kind!

5. If a dog growls or shows his teeth, leave him alone. Everyone has bad days sometimes. But that does not mean you can't treat them just as fairly as you would anyone else.

When I meet someone new, my parents sometimes give them a dog cookie to give to me. Boy do I love my cookies. I'm so little that people who are big sometimes scare me. But with enough love (and dog cookies), I am happy. I'll be your friend forever if you throw a ball for me, too! Talk about being kind!

Peace, Love, and Happiness,
Remy
(NeighborhoodDog@yahoo.com)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T10:25:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for all of you fellow UU's who are learning with me this year! I hope everyone is having a very happy Thanksgiving! And stay tuned... the Second Principle is next!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy xoxo

Interview with Sara LaWall, Director of Religious Education

2007-11-13T11:16:00.001-08:00

Hi Sara! I am so happy to talk to you today. This is my first interview. I hope it goes well. I have so many questions for you! I will start with this one:

How long have you been a Unitarian Universalist?
I have been a UU for 3 years, though in my heart and my mind I think I have been a UU all my life. I was a member at the church in Studio City, CA before I came to Neighborhood.

Why do you like Neighborhood Church?
I like Neighborhood because I get to know so many different people--grownups, children and youth. It really feels like a family here, there is so much love. I also like that I get to work in a place where I am doing something good--making a small difference in people's lives. I like that there is not one right way to think here- that we are encouraged to ask questions and explore the meaning of life and come up with our own, personal answers. Being at Neighborhood makes me feel more connected to the Spirit of Life and to something divine in all of us.

Tell me about your family.
I have been married to my husband Michael for 10 years and we have a 2 year old son named William. William is VERY scared of Dogs which makes me sad because I love them so much. Michael and I have known each other since we were in high school. My parents were divorced when I was very young so I am my mother's only child and my father's eldest daughter. I have 2 half-sisters, Anne & Gina, whom I love very much--we call each other sisters because we don't feel like we're just "half" related. My sister Anne has a one year old daughter so I am a new Auntie and I love it. But I miss them because they live far away in Wisconsin. Most of my family & my husband's family live in Tucson, Arizona where we were born.

Do you have any pets? Or stuffed animals?
I do not have any pets because we live in an apartment and our landlord won't allow them. I wish we could have a dog because I grew up with dogs my whole life. My favorite dog was our Dalmatian named Tigger--she liked to jump on people. I used to have a lot of stuffed animals, but not so many anymore. My son William has a few--I think his favorite is the Jaguar he calls "Kitty".

Can you give me a hint about some of the other Principles I am going to learn about?
Well, we are going to learn about the important of having a vote, something that is easy for us to take for granted here in the United States. We are also going to learn about learning. Learning together is very important to UU's. It may sound silly, but there are places in the world where the government or religious leaders tell you and your parents what you have to learn. You are not free to choose to learn about things that interest you, especially if they are subjects not supported by the government.

And now, the most important question; Do you like cookies?
I LOVE cookies, and brownies and ice cream and (well let's just say dessert should be its own meal)!

I want to thank Sara for talking to me today. I always love visiting Neighborhood Church, especially when I can see her!

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy

LANIE Is In Our Neighborhood

2007-11-06T10:26:00.001-08:00

This is Lanie. She dressed up for her first Halloween, too. Like me, I don't think she was too happy about her costume at first. But when she saw all the other kids dressed up, she was proud. I think she makes a very cute alligator, don't you?
Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy
(neighborhooddog@yahoo.com)

Happy Halloween!

2007-11-01T16:22:00.001-07:00

I hope you all actually LIKED your Halloween costumes.

Peace, Love and Happiness,
Remy "Ladybug"