Rottweilers Ate My Laptop

Rottweilers. Computers. Cameras. World Domination. Not necessarily in that order.

Rottweilers.
Computers. Cameras.
World Domination.
Not necessarily in that order.

April Foolish

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Foolish doesn’t even begin to cover it, but I’ve decided to take another shot at NaBloPoMo and post something every day in April. I’ve got a lot going on this month, and I hope that will translate into “lots of things to write about” rather than “not having time to write.” So you can look forward to reading about the Rottweiler Klub of North America, Total Rottweiler Magazine (and if you are a Rottweiler owner, I’d like to think that you are not only reading about TTRM, but that you are reading it), Susan Garrett’s 5 Minute Formula to a Brilliant Recall, and Kent Weakley’s Photography eClasses.

See you all month!

(NaBloPoMo | April ’11: 1 of 30)

Paws for Japan

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Paws for Japan

The deep feeling of relief that my family and friends in Hawaii and on the west coast of the United States were not affected by last Friday’s tsunami was soon overwhelmed by the horrible news and images from Japan.

I don’t talk about it very often here, but I am of Japanese ancestry. I’m sansei (third generation, or second generation born in the United States) and way more American than Japanese. I speak very little of the language and I’ve only visited Japan once. But there is still a real connection for me, as I believe everyone has with the land of their ancestors.

Many years ago, my brother and uncle were looking into our family tree. As it does for many Japanese-Americans, some of our branches break off with the records lost in Hiroshima during WWII. It is sad to think that there is a part of my past I’ll probably never be able to find, but the records were lost so long ago, long before I was born. It doesn’t even compare to the man I saw interviewed on television earlier this week. This Japanese man has been living and working in the United States for quite some time. He saw the village where he is from completely destroyed. He said he doesn’t believe he will ever go back, as he wants to remember it the way he last saw it. I can’t even imagine how it would feel to lose my hometown like that. Nor can I truly imagine what it would be like to be separated from any of my family members, two- or four-legged, in such a devastating natural disaster.

That brings us to today’s Paws for Japan, spearheaded by Pawcurious and BlogPaws. Human lives are important (and yes, I am donating to help people as well). But because animals are important to so many of us humans, the animal rescue teams now in Japan need our help as well. Please consider donating to World Vets to support that goal.


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If you believe in love enough, love will never die

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Oscar Apollo vom Viersen, TT
October 5, 1994 – March 16, 2006

It has been exactly five years and a few hours since Oscar left us to join the rest of the original vom Viersen Rottweilers “4 dogs, 15 legs” crew. I was fine until the universe decided to punch me in the gut by sending me to a web page with the poem “I Stood By Your Bed Last Night.” You’ve probably seen it before, but since the author is unknown, I’m going to include it here.

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I’m not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It’s possible for me to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew …
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is almost over… I smile and watch you yawning
and say “Good night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out … then come home to be with me.

Maybe it’s not the universe punching me in the gut. Maybe it’s just Oscar making sure I never forget him. Like I ever could. He is tattooed on my shoulder. He still has my back, just as he did in life.

Miss you, Opie. Be good until I get there. I promise I’ll have your Big Red Ball and a lot of time to play.

Petfinder – Adopt the Internet

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Yes, you’re in the right place. I know, I usually talk about my fancy showdog and other snobby purebred stuff. But today is to celebrate Petfinder’s fifteenth birthday and help them Adopt the Internet!

Petfinder Adopt-the-Internet Day

You’ve met Oliver the Kittyweiler here before. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned that Dan found him on Petfinder. It was a supremely successful match. So we are one of the 17 million successful Petfinder adoptions, and I truly can’t imagine life here without our Kittyweiler.
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There are more than 320,000 pets waiting for homes on Petfinder.com. I can’t promise you that any of them are as strange and quirky as our Oliver, but I do know that you can make a difference by helping Petfinder Adopt the Internet today and find forever homes for as many as possible, maybe even your own home.