Adventures about pet therapy, dog rescue and urban life in the 'Burbs
Greetings Christmas shoppers. Is your house fully decorated yet? Wilson found today’s smile. He’s hoping he won’t be part of the holiday decor. I told him that he’ll be too busy as we’ll be spending the next few days at Lutheran bringing cheer to the staff and patients so bear with us if we don’t respond right away to any posts or comments. We’ll do our best to respond by the end of the day.
We hope you have a terrific Monday! Remember, tinsel is optional.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Wilson just added something to his Christmas list. Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Today is a federal holiday in the U.S., where we annually honor all veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Prior to 1954, Veterans Day was known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day and coincides with celebrations in Europe, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I when major hostilities formally ceased at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Today we honor all who have served whether they have two or four legs.
While we honor all who have served, the Ranch wants to pay special tribute to one in particular who happened to have a Denver connection. Sergeant Geronimo was a parachuting dog and a member of the famous 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Thought to be part coyote and German Shepherd he was picked up as a stray by Sergeant Kenneth Williams, a member of the 507th and served in World War II with Williams’ unit.
Named after the famous “jump shout” of the unit, Geronimo was so enthusiastic about jumping, he often needed to be restrained from jumping too soon.
Geronimo was trained by the men in the unit, had his own parachute and was the company’s mascot. Trained in 1943 in Nebraska at Alliance Base, he and his handler, Williams were used in demolition work. He made numerous jumps and word of the parachuting pup spread making him famous. Geronimo was widely featured in magazines and newspapers including Life magazine. The Army used his popularity to raise millions of dollars in war bonds.
Geronimo was considered a hero by his unit, especially after he alerted them that Sergeant Williams’ was badly injured on maneuvers to destroy a bridge. After being rescued by his fellow soldiers, Williams recovered from his injuries following a lengthy recovery period. Both Williams and Geronimo were honorably discharged and retired in the Denver area together. Sadly Geronimo was tragically killed by a hit and run driver when he escaped from his yard in 1947. His body is interred at the Denver Pet Cemetery located in Commerce City, Colorado. Over the years, two markers have been placed for Geronimo by members of the 507th Paratrooper Infantry Regiment.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
With the whole world struggling and stumbling in darkness, it’s far too important not to be a part of this movement, now in its 19th year. Right now there’s too much listening to the loudest voices yet we don’t have to watch people stumble or be confused in the dark. We can make a concerted effort to add light so that people everywhere can Hold the Light for others. This is not about trying to convince them to follow your beliefs, there’s enough of that already. With each opinion, the noise gets louder but the peace doesn’t become more possible. It’s possible to love people without agreeing with them.
Mimi Lenox created Blog4Peace and explained it like this:
When I was a little girl, my Dad worked on cars and faucets and mechanical issues around the house. He could fix anything. I was his “light holder.” I wasn’t very good at it and sometimes he’d fuss if the caged light I was holding swerved to the left or the right. Why was he frustrated with me? Because I had one job. ONE JOB. And that job was to hold the light for him. His task was daunting. It was dark and he was weary. He needed to SEE. I couldn’t see what he was seeing and I certainly couldn’t help him; but I could stand steady and still, listening to his voice and directions, offering illumination and support.He didn’t need a play-by-play of why I couldn’t hold the light still or what my opinion was about how he was fixing things. My opinion, my argument, my sass…didn’t matter.I had one job. He couldn’t do the job without me and that light. You don’t have to speak to hold it – just hold it. You don’t have to expose or uncover or guide or judge the path they have chosen. You just have to be there and let them find their way. AND SOMETIMES….holding a Light means railing against injustices and CHANGE that needs to happen! Your words won’t help them see but the unconditional silent steady light and TRUTH flowing from you to them held without judgment without opinion without directions means that the one needing light has a clear path to make decisions one that isn’t muddied with your opinion, your “rightness” or the loudest voice whether they’re fixing a carburetor or mapping out a plan for world peace or choosing the leader of the free world. The most powerful words of all are the ones we deliver in deed. Sometimes that means standing still and holding a Light.
As we hold the light today, we still want to share a Monday smile and this one seems to be timely. I know…groan.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy Monday! Today we’re going to offer not one, but a trio of smiles in honor of Halloween. The weather could possibly impact the number of trick-or-treaters who will drop by the Ranch as the first hard frost has been forecasted along with perhaps a spot of actual moisture. We’re not sure how many will actually ring the doorbell since the local merchants in the neighborhood offered daylight parades with kid activities over the weekend. There were loads of costumed pets and kids walking around neighborhoods.
I think everyone who’s ever tried to fold a fitted sheet can relate to this smile.
My fluffy (e)motion detector is off to spread some joy at Lutheran today and tomorrow. While we barely survived the bath (I think the walls are still recovering from all the water), I’m hoping it hasn’t impacted Wilson’s attitude about bringing joy to folks. I’m clearly gonna have to devise a better strategy getting him ready. My back won’t survive any more ‘steer wrestling’ episodes. Let’s just hope the high value treats will provide some amnesia and he focuses on seeing his friends swoon over him, especially in the emergency department. He’s a big hit there among the staff. Wish us luck that wiggly bum goes into overdrive.
Wishing you a terrific Monday!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Good Monday morning, peeps. Welcome to Monday. While it seems as if everyone is just trying to get through the election, do you realize there are only 71 days left this year. Don’t know about you but that is somewhat alarming. Where has this year gone?
It should be noted that Wilson is a bit of a cheapskate when it comes to tips. He can’t seem to help but lick his bowl spotlessly clean for all meals. I guess not sweeping up bits and bobs of crumbs is my tradeoff for actual tips. There’s no doubt he’s quite the neatnik when it comes to not leaving morsels of food on the floor. If only he could be convinced to wipe off his nose prints on the front door.
Wishing you a spotless Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Today is Indigenous Peoples Day in the US. Formerly known as Columbus Day, it celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples by commemorating their histories and cultures. While I always post some light-hearted smile on Monday’s today always leaves me with an uneasy feeling because of how native peoples have been treated and there is nothing funny about the historical past in that regard.
We here at the Ranch ask you consider the history that went into the creation of this national holiday.
And because it still IS Monday, we can’t begin the week without some sort of smile. As you may recall, Elsa has a long history of eating things that is well documented on this blog. (for example, see The Carnage Continues). She’s been very civilized for some time but then suddenly last week decided the mail would be her latest conquest, including important notices and bills. She managed to pull several pieces of mail off the dining room table 3 days in a row.
I will note however, she’s never chewed up junk mail instead, she seems to focus on important items and then proceed to pull them down from the middle of the dining table. She managed to munch was an agreement with the Water Department regarding agreement for replacing the service line. Do you know how embarrassing it is being an adult and telling a service rep “my dog ate the agreement” and how can I get another one? Luckily it’s a national holiday with mail not being delivered today so it’ll be safe, at least today.
As you celebrate the contributions of Indigenous People today, we hope you have a good week.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
A reminder to be careful when you go out looking for leaves that are changing colors. Wildlife is preparing for winter and may suddenly pop up where and when you least expect them. While we did some leaf peeping this weekend, I don’t think there was a single creature in the morass of metal we encountered in the high country. This was but a tiny slice of the thousands we saw.
May you enjoy an accident free autumn day without all the maddening crowds.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Live, love, bark! 🐾
lazy dog triathlon. I mean…just look at two of his best events.
We hope you have a splendid Monday and an even better week doing your best.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
