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

The Second Principle

"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!

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

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

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)