11 Reasons Why You Should (NOT) Have a Dog as a Pet

Do you wonder whether or not you should get a dog?  You weigh the pros and cons and think about all the work....... I am sure there are circumstances where someone does not want to have a dog in their life, but I can't imagine life without a four-legged fur baby.  Some people have stated they will never get another dog when their dog passes over the rainbow.

I have rescued over 30 dogs and when one dies it is always devastating.  They can become such a major part of your life and member of your family.  But for every dog you may lose, there are hundreds of precious ones who need a home.  For the love of dogs everywhere......if you are wondering whether you should invite a dog into your life...here are some reasons to welcome this four-legged family member:

1.  You will no longer need an alarm clock.  Dogs have internal clocks with alarms that go off right

How Can Dumb Criminals Get Away With It?

When you have been married for a couple decades or more, you tend to know exactly what to say and when to say it -- to your spouse. You understand how they think and also what irritates them.  You also learn when to keep your mouth shut. It may get easier over the years but there are those moments you simply must  take the plunge.

Hubby was complaining about something insignificant.  In fact, I can't even remember what it was; but after he finished, I calmly said, "Would you like to switch jobs?"

Dead Silence.  Nothing.  Then a big smile, "No, that's O K.  I've seen your job.  I don't want it. You are awesome at all you do."

Guess that's one way to draw out a compliment!

What Are Your Top 11 Pet Peeves?

Pet Peeves.  We all have them. They make us go GRRRRRR.

The Difference Between... 

What is the difference between things we hate and pet peeves?   An example:  I hate to see people smoking in a car with a dog inside.  I want to run over and smash their windows.  It is now against the law to smoke with children in the car but not animals. Don't they have rights too?

A peeve leans more toward an annoyance experienced by many people.

We all have things in our lives that drive us nuts but we don't always want to admit it -- it sounds like we are whining.  

It is difficult to put them in order of most annoying to least as pet peeves are usually equally annoying!  

  

People Who are Always Late  To be late once in awhile is acceptable.  To be late every time. No. Excuse. NONE.  Get a clock that works.


People who say "No Worries  I have never figured this one out.  A waitress can take your order and then say "No worries."  Is she preparing me for something I may have to worry about?  I hear it so often, it makes absolutely no sense.  It only shows a lack of vocabulary. Or they will say "No worries" instead of "Thank you" or "You're welcome"  What the heck does "No worries" MEAN?

People who say "like" all the time.  Valley girls in the 80s said it; yet, some of them still like 'live' there.  Drives me like bonkers.  Take the word "like" out of their like vocabulary and they could like say their like piece in like half the time.

Slow people.  It has nothing to do with being in a hurry, it is the inconsiderate behavior that makes me go insane. Driving in the left lane, too slow, and maintaining the same speed as the person in the right lane. Consequently, no one can pass on either side.  They dawdle beside each other either completely oblivious to what is going on behind them or they just don't care.  

The same scenario happens in hallways, grocery store aisles, or on the sidewalk. You want to pass the two people in front of you who are taking up the entire space and not allowing those behind them to pass. Oblivious?  Rude?

Cashiers who say "Altogether that will be...."  and you only bought one thing.  Can they not count?  I often want to say something but figure that if they can't count, they would not get it.
  
Answering a business phone with a long spiel -- "Good morning, you have reached AA Company, your home for all your xxx needs. We appreciate your business.  My name is Carol.  How may I help you?" When you call a business, you are obviously going to tell the person who answers the phone why you are calling and it really doesn't matter who answers as you will be redirected elsewhere anyway. 

People who say OMG to everything  I have made a conscious effort to never, ever say it.  

SLOW cashiers.  SLOW drivers.  SLOW walkers.  SLOW......

When people spend more time on their phone than interacting with you and you are sitting in front of them.  People who spend ANY time on their phone when they are in a conversation with you.  (Unless it is a phone call that can't wait)

And, drum roll please.....when you call a service provider such as your cell phone or credit card company and you have to go through a series of prompts for 5 minutes to find out they are CLOSED.  Or, finally speaking to an agent who is in a foreign country who cannot understand you nor can you understand them.

And Last But.......

People who don't know which way to hang the toilet paper on the roller!  C'mon, people - really! There is only one way.  

Now, It Is Your Turn.....

Remember these are pet peeves which fit the description above for annoyances. Here is your chance to air those frustrations.  I can't wait to read them.

photos courtesy of yugetripped.com, pinterest.com, download.cnet.com, ehamt.m.com

Customer Service Sells - Make it Work for You

Many of us have lived long enough to see a decline in customer service.  When I was growing up and even as a young adult, serving a customer was more important than the sale itself. It was common knowledge that if you made a customer happy, he would return, again and again.  Remember when you went to the service station to get gas?  You got SERVICE. Someone filled your gas tank, cleaned your windshield, rear window and side windows.  Your oil was checked and your tires were checked as well.  You were offered the free item of the week, usually drinking glasses or coffee mugs.  

No matter what you are selling, you need to distinguish yourself as a personal service company. The strength of your company’s business should be the quality of your products, but your success is determined by the quality of service you provide.

I May Be A Small Dog But I Dream Big

I come from strong stock.  I may be small in stature but I have always dreamed big.  When I dream, it is not only what I think about when I am awake, but also when I am asleep.  If I set my mind to something, you better believe that I will do it.  I am a very determined character.  Here I am with my big sister, Mercedez who went away last year and I miss her so much.

Dreams Do Come True

Even when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to be a husband and father and I never gave up hope that I would meet the perfect girl.  When I laid eyes on that Mexican senorita, I knew she was the one for me.

Hilarious labels we see everyday

Are you a label reader?  If you are, then I am sure you have come across some labels that give your head a shake.  There are labeling laws which are in place to protect the consumer. However, when you read some of these actual labels, it makes you wonder if the industry thinks the human race is stupid, or worse.   On the bottom of McCain's Tiramisu dessert:  "Do NOT turn upside down."  UHhh, a bit late! On Planter's peanuts:  "WARNING:  may contain nuts" I was hoping for nutless peanuts!

If Insurance is a Joke, How Come I'm Not Laughing?

When we opened our jewelry stores ten years ago, it was an exciting time.  We opened a store in three different communities that did not have a one-stop jewelry store.  We are unique in that we make all our own high-end jewelry, have a gemologist/designer/goldsmith on staff (my husband) which means we can meet all jewelry needs from repair to making a custom piece to appraising items for insurance purposes.  We also buy gold and silver from people who need to sell their old gold for cash or turn it into a designer piece for themselves.

During our first year, each store was burglarized at least one time.  It was devastating.  If you know anything about insurance companies, they will rarely reinsure you the second time you have a claim. You are put on a "list" and no one in the industry will reinsure you.  There is no way around it and that noose is always around your neck making you wonder if staying in business is worth the risk.

When an arsonist high on drugs set fire to our business a couple years earlier, the insurance company paid out a few thousand dollars against our claim of $300,000.  You ask why?  Because they can.  And we were put on the "List."  No insurance.  Ever. Again.  The loss was both business and personal and all these years later, still saddens me at the precious items we lost.


The first time we were robbed in our main store (the one I work at) our daughter-in-law was the store manager. At the end of the day, the trays of rings and baubles are placed into the safe and displayed in the showcases in the morning.  DIL was putting the jewelry out for the day when two women came in to browse.  She forgot to leave the doors locked until the jewelry was put into the showcases.

Thieves often travel in twos.  One will keep you occupied while the other robs you blind.  This time was no exception.  DIL had the tray of diamond rings out and glanced away for a moment.  The two women left the store along with a couple handfuls of rings to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.

DIL was terrified she would lose her job or worse.  We assured her that accidents happen and tried to calm her. We tried not to show how despondent we were.  Now.......here is where it gets humorous - if you can find humor in this kind of situation.

Hold on .....now, you can laugh

The afternoon of the day two women robbed us they came BACK INTO the store, sat down at the desk and asked if we buy gold. DIL quickly realized what was happening. She looked at the first item which was one of our bracelets and told them she would buy it for $150 (a fraction of the value). They accepted it eagerly and as she suspected, the thieves then gave her several rings -- with OUR TAGS STILL ON THEM.  She grabbed the jewelry and had a few choice words for them.

They ran out of the store and apparently took the rest of the jewelry to the pawn shop in the next town.

The police were called.  The report filed.  The street people came in droves to tell us WHO took our stuff and where it ended up -at a pawn shop/fence in the big city.  I called them.  Yes, they had our goods but it could only be released to the police.  The police were called.  MANY times.  The police knew they only had 30 days to retrieve the goods from the pawn shop.  After that, the pawn shops are not obligated to keep stolen goods and they can be resold.  Each time we called the cops we were assured they were on top of it.  After 45 days, they finally made it to the pawn shop.  Our goods were gone.  "Sorry," they told us.

Because the girl was under age, she got a slap on the wrist and got away with grand theft to the tune of over $50K.

Fast Forward

We are located on the main street in our town,  As in most towns, there are many down and outers who stop in -- to chat, to sell the odd piece of jewelry or to dream of what they would like to buy or have custom made if their ship ever comes in.  

My husband has a heart of gold and gives them more than what their items are worth and will loan them money when they need it -- I KNOW, I KNOW.  But.......it is our new form of insurance.  We hadn't planned it that way -- it just happened.

They look out for us.  They report to us.  They tell everybody about us. They bring in their friends and relatives who can afford to buy from us.  

A few weeks ago, three different people told us that there was a young woman (the SAME one from years ago) who bragged she had robbed from us many times and was going to hit us again.  Over the past few years, we have found valuable pieces missing with no clue when or how they disappeared.  

One day a young couple was asking the price to have a pair of emerald earrings made.  Something didn't feel right but hubby couldn't put his finger on it.  The next day, they came in when I was there and asked about a few other things. I had no idea they were 'casing the joint.'

Day Three.  They came in and while the man kept my husband occupied, the woman stole several things, reaching into the cases and helping herself to the goodies.  It threw us both into an immediate depression.  Of course, these things never happen at a "good" time, but I was already in a low state and trying to stay afloat in the throes of very disturbing news from the previous month.  

After they left, hubby realized what had happened and I clearly heard it in his voice when he called me.  My heart was so heavy for him as we didn't need any more gloom and doom.

Then I remembered I had the man's phone number because the idiot thief gave it to me to call him when the earrings they ordered were ready.  

"Hi, is this Zack?"  I imagined he had not given me his real name -- but his real phone number! "Were you in our jewelry store earlier today to place an order?"

"YES!  Hi."

"Congratulations!  You were on Candid Camera!  If you would like to bring back the items you took from us in the next 30 minutes we will not take this to the next level." I had no idea what that next level would be but was compelled to inflict some kind of threat.  It is common knowledge around town that the cops do zip all - not just our own experience.

"It wasn't me.  It was HER." 

"Time is wasting.  I suggest you find her quickly - you have 28 minutes."

Of course, they didn't come in -- I knew that the items had already been transformed into drugs, but hopefully I sent a message.

That evening a drug dealer called us to let us know he had our stuff. We had been kind to him over the years and he wanted to return the goods to us.  Hubby met with him and it was watches and rings we were not even aware were missing.  They were lower end items than what they had robbed earlier that day.

Depression was getting deeper and many negative thoughts were running rampant. Trying to rise above it was a struggle but necessary.

Are you still with me?  It gets better.

The following day, one of the native carvers who has several of his pieces on display in our store popped in to chat.  Hubby told him what happened and watched the carver's face turn red and fire come into his eyes.

"I'll be right back."

Twenty minutes later he came back.  I could not post here what happened but suffice it to say, the thief won't be robbing from us again.  We were clueless.  This man took it upon himself to set things in order.

The carver also gave us the girl's picture and we will be posting it to all the businesses in our town as she has robbed many of them repeatedly.  The carver told us to rest well, he was bringin' in the cuzzins'. We'll leave it at that.  It is their business and they obviously have a need to make things right.

"You don't rob from good people.  They are our friends.  They help everybody.  We are watching you."  That's the message they are sending.

We have no idea what this all means except it is the best form of insurance we have had for a long time.

In the middle of gloom, a child brings a smile

Small children, especially babies, are oblivious to what is going on in the adult world.  They love unconditionally and only want to be loved back.  No matter what you may be going through, a child has the unique ability to put a smile on your face.

Here's my little Diva at 2.5 months old.

Her big brother dotes on her and wants to stay near her at all times. She giggles when she hears his voice or sees his face.  Nothing - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - could be better than that.

   

photos courtesy konacoffeebeans.org,  orixinsurance.com, 4autoinsurancequote.com, jdmanufacturing.com, abc7chicago.com

Quotes That Make You Go "Huh?"

I enjoy quotes.  Many of us do.  I like sharing quotes.  Many of us do.  I love quotes that underscore a point we are trying to make. 

It would be difficult to write a post about quotes without including some of my favorite dog quotes!  We are dog rescuers and therefore, dog lovers!

 

What Makes You an Expert? Can You Add to this List of 9?

Everyone is good at something.  My dad was a minister and he officiated at one man's funeral who was the 'worst' guy in town. No one had anything good to say about him.  At his funeral, my dad shared what a good whistler he was and it made people realize that each of us can be an expert at something.  

What is your expertise?

Have you noticed how many people toot their horns on social media? On any given day, you can find dozens of experts on any subject; social marketing; media strategies, blah, blah, blah.  Often that makes it difficult to know whose advice you should take.

I thought about it and realized that I, too, am an expert and I bet if you think about it, you will realize how many things you are over-the-top awesome at doing.

I'm an expert in putting my foot into my mouth.  I have done it so long and so well I could write a book on it.

Can a 4-Year-Old's View of Marriage Be Enlightening?

Ever get a brand new major appliance that DID NOT work?  I was so excited to finally get a new washer and dryer operated by a computer instead of the old fashioned dials. The first day I noticed that all the bells and whistles were not functioning but assumed it was the operator, not the machine. But I soon realized that the only water temperature I was getting was HOT.

I did NOT need my jeans to shrink!  After calling Sears, they assured me it was a simple fix and a repairman would be there shortly.  I'm pretty easy going in these situations because I realize that mistakes happen; there are lemons that can be from the factory.

For the year that followed, I had three motherboards replaced and four repairmen try to fix it.  Every single time I called to find out the status of the replacement parts or when the serviceman was going to show up, I got the same response.

"I understand you are having a problem with a machine that does not fill up with water."

Each and every time I would tell them that there is no problem with the machine filling up with water -- but that NONE of the settings work and I cannot change the water temperature.

F I N A L L Y.....they agreed to replace the machine with a brand new one.  They showed up the next day and once again, I was thrilled to have a new washer -- and one that worked.

I filled the washer, turned it on and viola....it lit up like a Christmas tree.  YAY!

Three.  Minutes.  Later.  I hear 'ding' indicating the load was complete.  Clean clothes in three minutes.  This must be some kind of miracle.

I assumed I was having yet another blonde moment and needed to try it again.  Obviously, I did something wrong.  But, no, it was the exact same scenario.

I took all the clothes out, started the machine again and used a flashlight to see what was happening. The machine started with a gentle spin, then stopped, another gentle spin in the opposite direction and that was it.  Why?  BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WATER.

I knew instantly that they had given me a refurbished machine and let's just say you don't need to know what I told them -- but they are delivering a new machine tomorrow with an extended warranty -- their gift to me.  I'll keep you posted.

Get the picture?

Friends came for dinner the other night and brought their new dog, a French Poodle by the name of Mister Red.  We snapped his picture while he was sleeping on our living room carpet and when I looked at it later, I couldn't stop laughing.

BEWARE - Email Warnings

THANK YOU, yes each and every one of you who have sent me educational emails over the past few months.  I am totally messed up now and have little chance of recovery.

Newly Acquired Fears

I can no longer open a bathroom door without using a paper towel, nor let the waitress put lemon slices in my ice water without worrying about the bacteria on the lemon peel.

And the Winner is....

Big brother told his mom
If you don't give me a sister
Put it back!

Aubrie Jeanne born February 13, 2016, 8 pounds, 14 ounces is a little miracle addition to our family. Aubrie's grandma (yours truly) was a miracle baby, Aubrie's mommy was a miracle baby and now little Aubrie is a miracle as well. Every life born is a miracle in the truest sense of the word, but when doctors say it cannot happen and everything goes wrong......what a miracle indeed.  

 Less than an hour old -- yet with ATTITUDE

And the winner is..........

How Does Flattery Affect You?

"Do you mind if I ask you something?"   Without a clue what to expect I replied, "Of course  I don't mind."

I was at our goldsmith's shop where there were four goldsmiths and three diamond setters working. We have used these goldsmiths for over 25 years to make custom jewelry for our clients. During the course of these years, we have never seen superior quality -- their workmanship is unmatched.  We respect them and their work so I assumed the question was going to be work related as our relationship is strictly business.

"I have known you over 20 years, why is it you still look the same?"  I was not sure if this was a compliment or an indication that I needed to upgrade my appearance.

I laughed, not knowing what to say.  He continued, "How old are you, anyway?"

I laughed again and said, "You know you are never supposed to ask a lady her age!"  He apologized profusely, "How old do you think I am?"

He took a step closer to me and said, "I can't lie and I hope I am not insulting you, but you must be between 40 and 45."

Now, it was time to burst into hysterics as I said, "You China men all think we blue-eyed, blonde white chicks all look alike!"  The whole shop burst into laughter.  He was embarrassed, not knowing if I was flattered or insulted.

I said, "I will be turning 70 soon." He lost his balance, landed in the closest chair and said, "If you weren't married, I would be asking you out!"

I told him "All men are liars!" and there was another round of laughter.  He proceeded to say some very nice things and I couldn't wait to call my hubby and tell him.  I knew he would be pleased -- and he was! That made my day, week, month, year.

Emergency trip to the hospital

Go Ahead! Make My Day!

Have you ever wanted to say something when you observed bad behavior in a public place?  Ever take the plunge and open your mouth to encourage a stranger who needed it?

It had been an exceptionally long day.   The summer heat was close to unbearable. It was my third day in a row that I had risen at 4:15 A.M. to travel to the city by ferry.  I was on my way home and missed the ferry by a few minutes.  I decided to have some dinner as the wait would be two hours for the next boat.

It was a long walk to the closest restaurant and I hoped the food would give me the energy for the walk back to my car.  I stopped at a little fish 'n chips place.  It was packed with only one table

available.  I grabbed it and realized how much hotter it was inside, but it felt good to sit down.

Only One Waitress.  I couldn't believe it.  Ceiling fans were the only source of moving air and I was relieved to be sitting under one of them.

"Miss!  I need you to turn down those fans as they are much too drafty!"  The 'lady' in the booth next to mine demanded.

If You Don't Laugh Out Loud - You Must Be Dead

If you haven't seen this yet -- PREPARE to laugh out loud.

If you have seen this, PREPARE to laugh out louder.

I cannot begin to imagine all the work that went into preparing this -- for our viewing pleasure.  It is HILARIOUS.

You MUST watch the whole thing -- it gets funnier by the second









I think one of the funniest moments was the mistletoe -- what was your favorite?

20 Things You Said You Would Never Do

Be honest with me.  How many of you have said "I'll never be like that when I get old?"  All of us have fallen short in some form or another by doing the things we swore we would never do.

Most of us, who have children, made some hard and fast rules when we became parents.

"I will never yell at my children."  Come on, tell us, have you ever yelled at your kids?

"I will never allow my children to talk back to me."  Did you figure out a way to make them stop?

"I will be completely aware of where my child is at all times."  You own a leash?  Well, GPS is a good one.

"I will never allow my child to eat sugar."  So, what do you do, eat that candy bar while they watch?

If it's Not a Sister, Put it Back, Mommy

"Mommy, if you have a boy instead of a sister for me, send it back."  

Daughter Rochelle was having her monthly pre-natal exam when three-year-old William made it exquisitely clear he only wants a sister.  Looking closely at mommy's belly button during the exam he asked the doctor, "Is that the baby's penis coming out?"

So, the pressure is on to produce one baby of the female gender. Last month, several of you put in your guess for gender, date of birth and weight.  Here is the newest ultrasound picture.  The contest is still running.  Rochelle is due in February.  Please tell me what you think......gender, date and weight.

Are You Addicted to Chocolate? Could it Kill You?

"You better wrap your pretty little head around it because it is the only honorable thing to do!"  How dare she speak to me like that?  SHE was the one living in total darkness and completely oblivious to what was really going on?  

I felt like a kangaroo - jumping from one conclusion to another - wishing someone would point a glow stick in the direction I should go.  Would someone please rescue me from this dilemma?  

I L O V E  chocolate.  I had hidden several pieces of those little gems from my roommate. But she caught me red-handed, with chocolate on my mouth.  

Now those little angels were yelling at the door, "TRICK OR TREAT!" She actually expected me to give up my stash I had so carefully hidden but unfortunately, couldn't resist.  Hence, she found my hiding place.

I knew she was right.  It was wrong to hoard.  Those little kids waited weeks for the opportunity to put on their costumes and hopefully scare old people into giving them candy.  

Honorable or not, I wanted chocolate - NOW.  I wasn't giving in to her threats of telling the kids I wouldn't share.  But then she said those five little words that made me cry and want to throw up - "CHOCOLATE IS POISON TO DOGS!"

The words I received for this month's Use Your Words challenge had me stumped this month.  The only answer was to start typing and see where it would take me -- there you have it.  The weird combination of words Confessions of a Part-Time Working Mom gave me were:  honorable ~ wrap ~ darkness ~ trick or treat ~ glow stick ~ kangaroo.

Please have a browse around the other blogger's posts in this challenge.  I guarantee you that you will be entertained.

Baking In A Tornado
Spatulas on Parade
The Momisodes
Sparkly Poetic Weirdo
Southern Belle Charm
Rena's World
Confessions of a Part-time Working Mom
Someone Else's Genius
Searching for Sanity
Climaxed
Dinosaur Superhero Mommy
The Bergham Chronicles
The Angrivated Mom   
Eileen's Perpetually Busy                

Photo courtesy of yummypets.com

Where to Look if Your Dog Goes Missing

"Ma'am"  I didn't respond.

"Ma'am - excuse me, MA'AM?"  This time I turned, reluctantly.  I remember the first time I was called ma'am - I felt like someone's grandma.  Well, now I am someone's grandma so I better heed the call.

"Ma'am, you have some toilet paper hanging out of your pants."  Yup, sure did.  The restroom was full of women, probably chuckling under their breath, but one was kind enough to alert me as I was leaving.

This happened on the ferry headed to Rochelle's place to do the usual house/dog/cat/sheep/goat sitting.  The goats are gone. Rochelle was tired of herding them home on LEASHES - on a busy highway. She gave them to a neighbor with a higher fence around their property.

Rochelle and family were attending a wedding which was a two-day drive away.  I always appreciate having the solitude of her home to spend time writing and catching up with my on-line deadlines.
























Their newest addition to their family of six dogs is Rocky who I introduced to you last month.  He is only five months old and incredibly well-behaved, especially for a dog who was found wandering on

Do You Think All Dogs Go To Heaven?

Do dogs strategize?  I think they know EXACTLY what they are doing and they have agendas. It was early in the morning when the phone rang "Mom, please get in your car and go to the auto mechanic shop on the highway.  The dogs are there."

"WHAT?"

"Please mom, GO!"

Still in my nightie I grabbed my purse and ran out the door, praying all the way.  That shop was over a mile away and the highway was extremely busy with high-speed traffic.  I put the pedal to the metal and was there in a minute.

I saw them.  Nayla and Charlie.  They have eleven acres to romp through at home but apparently that is not enough.  They had found a means of escape and decided to go exploring.  Charlie was in heat and I was freaking about that as I knew my daughter wanted to breed her.  Thank goodness the man found Rochelle's phone number on Charlie's collar.

Don't be fooled by the innocent after-bath look!