Goodbye Amos

Goodbye Amos - 

by

Carla Peterson

A tribute to my lost buddy.

Dear Cheezer (Amos),

You were six pounds when I got you in October 2002 and advertised as a doxie/beagle mix. I was not ready for a dog let alone a puppy that was truly not a doxie/beagle mix. It turns out, you're a one-of-a-kind Cheezer dog! You quickly became the love of my life and will remain in my heart forever. 

You were my very first dog on my own. For over 13 years together, your enthusiasm and wagging tail always made me smile and laugh. We experienced a lot together. I learned about raising a puppy and you learned how to fetch and swim. I will never forget the day you finally decided to like being in the water while visiting Grandma at the nursing home in Billings.  

We enjoyed a hike, your first snow and your first beach together. When you grew too big for the apartment complex restrictions, I refused to give you up so we moved somewhere you were accepted. I turned down a rotational opportunity in Hawaii because I couldn't take you with me. When I found out about the new five days or less quarantine rule, I made sure that you could go with me to Hawaii for those five months in 2004. That was your first really long flight and it made your tummy upset. But we were together shortly after I picked up my luggage and rental car.  We had a blast in Hawaii and that is where you met Chris for the first time. 

 The year 2004 was a great travel year for you as I fulfilled a rotational assignment in Washington DC. You were always such a great traveling dog in the car.  I hoped that the airplane rides didn't stress you as much as it stressed me out. I wished you could just sit next to me on the plane.  We had a great time in DC living in your first high rise building with a park across the street.  You discovered squirrels and elevators that summer. We always ran into those pesky Eskies in the elevator. We toured civil war battlefields and survived four (or five?) tropical storms that summer.

I always tried my best to keep you safe. I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to protect you better when the St. Bernard female in heat got away from her irresponsible owner in 2005 and attacked you. You were left with a puncture wound in the shoulder that needed stitches and a drip drain. I'm sorry that I left you that week at Olympic Animal Hospital when I couldn't find a work replacement ASAP for the $4000 software conference in Palo Alto, CA.  I would regret that the rest of your life as your handling issues seemed to get increasingly worse after that. You endured another dog attack at the apartment, but thankfully it wasn't serious and I was able to fend them off with help from others.  

In 2007, I finally was able to buy you a house with your very own backyard as your sanctuary.  That was also the year Chris came into your life more permanently and you two would be buddies forever.  

I will never forget your excitement and enthusiasm to play fetch and go for car rides. You loved sniffing the fresh air coming through the windows. It makes me chuckle when I think about that time we played in the soggy elementary school field and you rolled in the mud.  Chris and I laughed so hard at your antics. You were such a goofball. Always ready for action or food.  I'm still amazed at how long you could hold your "stare" at us while we watched tv. You patiently waited for any eye contact so you could wag your tail and paw us for something (most likely food). 

We had our challenges because you were so fearful of handling and having your items taken away. I always wished you could understand how much I loved you and was trying to help you. Some advised me to get "The Dog Whisperer" because it seemed you were out of control. Those tactics were not my personality so I looked for help elsewhere and found Patricia McConnell and Jean Donaldson for starters. You loved people, but didn't want to be pet by many except me. Remember my shoulder and chest massages I gave you? Oh and the ear massages!  I loved your ears so much! You were ok with other dogs as long as they didn't sniff your butt and violate your personal space.  

You were my teacher in dog behavior.  We worked together so that I could kiss your face and flop your ears and make you smile.  You tolerated it because you knew you would receive something you wanted after I violated your personal space. You were a rockstar in KARE classes too showing off all your skills and talents. You and I worked so hard to develop our bond and you loved to train. Remember agility and rally? That was so much fun! You were so smart and kept us on our toes. Remember when we had to change up what we'd say when we were going to play fetch because you figured out every single phrase we made up?

I loved it when we would snuggle together (mostly on your terms of course!). I loved our coming home greeting where you would grab a toy (bowling pin, saucer, or bumi) and we'd go outside and we'd touch each other's noses. You would also roll around the grass so happy. You loved being outside whether it was 80 degrees or 28 degrees! You were a busy dog for nearly 13 years! Wow! We sure had fun doing those dog puzzles though!

I could go on and on, but I like to think of all that we shared together over the last 13 years. We tried to kick lymphoma's ass for a while longer. I'm so happy we made it to the ocean and you enjoyed your last time on the beach.  

In the end, your body wasn't cooperating even though your mind was still active like always.  You were still my Amos Cheezer Magee, but your body couldn't keep going. I'm so happy I was with you during your final moments. You are loved by so many and you've touched the lives of many. 

We are bonded forever and you will forever be in my heart. I love you so much Poofs. I miss you immensely.  

Love,

Mom

Maggie’s Kitchen Tails:

Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tales to Love

http://www.MaggieTails.com

MaggieTails1031@gmail.com

Be sure to order your copy today!

Authors:

Douglas and Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins

and

Martha Char Love

Uncle in Vermont by Kenneth Weene

Uncle in Vermont

by

Kenneth Weene

She loved traveling, delighting in hotels and particularly enjoying room service breakfasts: scrambled eggs not too firm or a cheddar omelet, a side of bacon, toast buttered and strawberry jam, hash browns with ketchup, and coffee—light and sweet. Uncle, our twelve-pound terrier-poodle mix, had little use for me, but she did appreciate my serving her hotel breakfast. Another thing about Uncle and hotels stays: that was the only time she would tolerate a leash. Yes, she did understand the rules that people imposed even if she knew they were stupid and surely didn’t apply to a dog who knew exactly where to go and what to do without being told. 

For all her love of travel and of hotels, Uncle (Her paradoxical name my wife and the dog’s choice. I was told the alternative had been Steve.) had one vacation spot she particularly loved. That was the Kedron Valley Inn in South Woodstock, Vermont. 

We started going to the Kedron Valley because of their animal policies. Not only did they welcome dogs, but they had a lovely stable from which we could take great rides into the rich Vermont countryside. Uncle loved it not only because of the great breakfasts and the absence of leash rules, but more importantly because it allowed her to enjoy some of her favorite pastimes.

First and foremost was drinking. Yes, I mean booze, or to be more exact – Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry. For all her regal ways—and Uncle was sure she was a descendant of royalty—Uncle was an alcoholic. She liked nothing more than padding into the lounge, sitting in front of the fire, and being served her favorite libation. By the way, while she would if necessary drink her sherry from a lesser vessel, Uncle did prefer stemware, which she never knocked over. 

Once the innkeeper understood Uncle’s wants, he was happy to fill them—even when my wife and I were not in the room. When we would go for one of those lovely rides, Uncle, who never walked more than a few hundred yards before settling to the ground and waiting for one of us to provide carriage service, would slip out of our room and down to that comfortable lounge. Eventually and with some difficulty, I convinced Paul, the inn’s owner, that Uncle did not have her own money and that I would only pay for two drinks a day.

“After two, you pay,” I said.

Reluctantly he agreed. After all, she was a regular.

For Uncle the Kedron was more than drinking. There she could indulge in other favorite activities. One involved the two-acre swilling pond. Uncle did not swim. Slogging under the weight of her waterlogged coat was an effort well beneath her standards. However, she did love to watch our Airedale swim. Jennifer would swim for hours if allowed, and Uncle—big sister that she was—would bark herself hoarse providing encouragemen—or was it criticism. 

Uncle did not take kindly to other dogs, and there were many at the Kedron. On each visit, she quickly established dominance over them, usually by tricking them into running into stationary objects like automobiles and doors. It was clear that Uncle remembered which trick each dog would fall for, but it was equally apparent that none of the housedogs remembered her. There are dogs and then there was Uncle.

Uncle loved Vermont in all five seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter, and mud. It was one of her great delights to watch us, her humans, try to cope with the various conditions and activities the seasons offered. What a joyful day it was for her when we tried cross-country skiing. It was one of the few times Uncle actually took physical part in one of out activities—carefully coming over to sniff us each time we ignominiously landed on the ground. Oh, what a wicked grin she had that day.

Once we were comfortably ensconced at the Inn, Uncle was always ready for a drive though the countryside. There she could indulge her only passion that came close to her love of drink. Uncle was a bovine fanatic. Let us drive by a pasture with cows, and she would leap about the back seat and sometimes onto my wife’s lap all the while screeching her excitement. 

In fact, Uncle was so enamored with cows, that when our son bought a pair of leather pants, it took two of us to remove her from his leg, which she maniacally clutched and humped.

In case one wonders, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens—nothing but cows elicited that excitement.

I know there are many wonderful things in Vermont, gorgeous countryside, lovely villages, handsome covered bridges, impressive mountains. Of course we tried downhill skiing and snowmobiling, bought maple syrup from local trees, and admired the colors of fall. We did all those things and more, but none bring a smile to my face or a laugh to my heart that comes close to the joy of those memories of Uncle at the Kedron Valley Inn. 

Ken & Roz Weene

Ken Weene’s poetry, short stories, and essays can be found in various print and electronic journals and collections. His novels, Widow’s Walk, Memoirs From the Asylum, and Tales From the Dew Drop Inne are published by All Things That Matter Press, along with two electronic shorts, Two Tales of Terror and El Catrin. Ken co-hosts It Matters Radio on Thursday evenings and edits “The Write Room Blog.”  A new book, Broody New Englander, should be out soon. Currently Ken is editing a new novel, Times to Try the Soul of Man, and working on Red and White, a novel of the Native American experience.

Ken’s website is http://www.kennethweene.com

Maggie's story: Rescue dog inspires a book

Maggie's story: 

Rescue dog inspires a book

Emily Hall

Contributing writer of the North Kitsap Herald

Maggie, a rescue dog, at 9 weeks old. Her journey from abandoned and abused to love and health has inspired a book.

  

By EMILY HALL

ehall@northkitsapherald.com        http://www.northkitsapherald.com/lifestyle/334383961.html

SILVERDALE — By the hopeful look in her bright brown eyes, no one could have guessed that at just seven weeks of age, her puppyhood was taken from her.

It would take someone extraordinary to notice the trying spirit of Maggie Anne, showing her will to flourish in the seemingly dog-eat-dog world.

She was a pitiful thing when she was abandoned over several hundred miles from her present-day Bremerton home. At the time of her rescue, her stomach was so insufficiently developed that she could not digest regular dog food. She would run at the sight of any person who attempted to approach her, a post-traumatic response to the abuse inflicted on her by her previous owners.

Rosemary “Mamie” and her husband, Douglas Earl Adkins, of Bremerton were devastated by the passing of their Labrador retriever, Sandy, a member of the family since birth. To fill the void caused by the loss of their four-legged companion, Douglas and Mamie began volunteering at the Kitsap Humane Society — where they found Maggie. At first, it was hard for the couple to cope with the death of Sandy, especially after years of endless love and care. While the Adkinses hadn't considered bringing another dog home, they saw Maggie and, in her deprived condition, were convinced to let her into their hearts.

Saved from an untimely death, Maggie soon became Mamie's and Douglas's canine child.

It took some time for Maggie to adjust to a nurturing environment. At first, she was cautious and fearful around people; because of the physical and emotional damage inflicted during her young life, she did not know who to trust. During these trying times, the Adkinses worked closely with Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education (KARE) to rehabilitate and steer Maggie toward the right path to behaving and functioning well.

Her stomach's inadequate development prevented her from eating like the other dogs. Specially prepared recipes had to be made for her. Thus, the conception of “Maggie's Kitchen Tails.”

Maggie
now approaching her second birthday,
is a happy and healthy dog

“Maggie's Kitchen Tails,” written by Mamie and Douglas Adkins and Martha Char Love, is a collection of recipes specifically for dogs, along with chronicles of Maggie's heroic journey as a rescue dog. The book also explains what dogs are and aren't supposed to eat. Since youth, Maggie's food had to be steamed and dehydrated until she recovered from her rescue. All of the recipes in this book have been tried, tested, and dog-approved. The food is even human-grade.

“Maggie's Kitchen Tails” will be launched on Oct. 31, Maggie's second birthday. There will be book signings across Kitsap County; the first one will take place at the Silverdale Library on the evening of Nov. 5. Proceeds from this book will help animal rescues such as KARE, PAWS, and the ASPCA. To check if there's a book event in your area, go to www.maggietails.com.

The book will also be featured at KARE's second annual Wine and Wag Gala on Nov. 14. At this benefit event, you can meet the authors and possibly the dog behind the book.

Mamie and Doug Adkins have been activists in the community helping animals.

“Every spirit deserves a happy home with a family of their own, to live free of fear, abuse and hunger, knowing they are loved above all else,” Mamie stated. “The shelters are filled with pets that have no familiar beds of their own, no toys that belong to them and many without even their own names. Please open your hearts and do what you can to help these animals find their happiness in a forever home.”

Since her rescue at seven weeks old, young Maggie Anne has come a long way. A few weeks shy of turning 2, the German shepherd/border collie mix has become the picture of progress. Her coat is healthy, shiny, and soft, and anyone could see in her eyes that because of the Adkinses’ patience and care, she is now truly living — and cradled in love.

Above: Maggie, now approaching her second birthday, is a happy and healthy dog. Contributed photo

Stop by and visit our web site and check out our Maggie as she has inspired a book with a collection of short stories and dog treat recipes. 

Maggie’s Kitchen Tails:

Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tales to Love

http://www.MaggieTails.com

MaggieTails1031@gmail.com

Be sure to order your copy today!

Authors:

Douglas E. and Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins

and

Martha Char Love

About the reporter:

Emily Hall lives in Bremerton, Wa, attending Olympic College. She is studying education with the hopes of transferring to the University of Massachusetts, slated to graduate in 2019. One day, Emily aspires to be an elementary teacher.

In her spare time, Emily works for the Olympian, where she is a reporter for the college’s newspaper. She also has an internship with the North Kitsap Herald.

The Delight of the Human-Canine Bond

The Delight of the Human-Canine Bond

By Martha Char Love

As I flew home from Atlanta to Honolulu, I began reflecting on our trip to visit family and friends. One experience that really stuck out in my memory was the time I spent with my father, Guy Whitenton, who is 98 years old. I particularly loved the time we spent looking over the proof copy of our new book Maggie’s Kitchen Tails.

Although he is nearly blind in one eye and can not see well in the other, he was determined to read a few stories in the book. After a long time starring at the pages, he looked up at me and said, “Who is the smart dog?” He was talking about Maggie. I explained that Maggie was Mamie and Doug’s dog that had been rescued and had inspired the writing of this book. He looked at her picture a while and then commented that she was part German Shepard, and with that began reminiscing about a dog named Prince that he had 88 years ago when he was 10 years old. Prince was a full German Shepard and a family watch-dog. My dad perked right up and began story telling (something he has always done magnificently) about his dog. Apparently, Prince was such a good watch dog that one time my father’s brother Joe had to take his Halloween costume off before coming back into the yard after Trick or Treating. Prince was just not going to let him in looking like a ghost.

It occurred to me since my nearly millennium-aged father and I had such a great time together reading and reminiscing on the stories in Maggie’s Kitchen Tails that other people would have the same experience as it is truly a great book for all ages—fun to read to children as well as with the special senior in your life.

After getting home from my trip, I decided to do a bit of research on the Human-Canine Bond. I felt it must be very special if it would last 88 years as it did for my father with his dog Prince. My main interest was to discover why humans are so prone to make this special bond, and I found there are a number of main psychological theories that explain it and here are the two that make the most sense to me:

1.     The Social Support Theory is that humans have an instinctual need for others (what I like to call the need for acceptance) and a dog fulfills this need, particularly when there is a human family loss in one’s life and the person is left with a strong feeling of emptiness and aloneness. This is also often seen in the empty nest when a dog comes to fill the loss of children in the home in a couple’s life. According to this theory, dogs are an important source of social support and companionship, which are two aspects that are necessary for psychological well-being of human beings.

2.     The Canine as Self-Object Theory is when a canine itself creates a human personality (or we project it to be human) and becomes a "self object" that gives a sense of support. In this case, the person may feel much stronger and safer in the presence of the canine companion.

The American Veterinary Medical Association supports that the Human–Canine Bond is influenced by emotional, psychological, and physical interactions that are essential to the wellness of both people and dogs.

Whatever theory of Human-Canine Bonding you relate to, I think you will agree that this special bond we have with our dogs is one we may keep and cherish in our feeling memory. And one day when we are sitting in our most comfortable chair in our elder years like my dad, let us hope we too are reminded of how lucky we feel that our lives have been so blessed to have these wonderful canine beings fill us with joy and love for a lifetime.

Stop by and visit our web site and check out our Maggie as she has inspired a book with a collection of short stories and dog treat recipes. Scheduled book launch is October 31, 2015. 

Special Offer

August 28 thru December 31 2015

In honor of abused and abandoned dogs, for 

the holidays, please consider this book for gift giving. A portion of our profits are donated to support groups that advocate and rescue these dogs.

Buy: 

Five (5) books, receive the sixth (6) FREE.

Two (2) books, receive the third (3) at 50% discount.

Maggie’s Kitchen Tails:

Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tales to Love

http://www.MaggieTails.com

MaggieTails1031@gmail.com

Be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Authors:

Douglas E. and Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins

and

Martha Char Love 

Jilly - The Good Kid

Jilly, The Good Kid

R. L. Cherry

"Author of the Morg Mahoney mysteries”

also

Compassionate Dog Lover

This is one of his memories as his tribute to Jilly, his furry friend

When I first met our Aussie, Jilly, she looked like a loser.  It was at an animal shelter in Woodland, CA., where she was “up for adoption.”  She had a chip, but the jerk she was registered to said, “I gave her away a long time ago.  I don’t care what you do to her.” Unfortunately for her, she also had kennel cough and was isolated, where no one would see her.  If someone had, she was not putting her best foot (or paw) forward.  Due to fleas, she had gnawed all the fur off of her butt and, to coin a term, had a hang-dog (pardon the pun) appearance.  But, thank God, I saw through that.  My wife, Kelly, asked me if I really wanted her.  All I said was, “Yes.”  I never regretted it.  She was 4 when we got her and died at 13.  I still miss her and have not been able to get another dog after almost 2 years.

After she recovered from kennel cough, Jilly (short for Jillaroo, a female ranch hand in Australia) became the best dog in the world.  Sorry other dog owners, it’s the simple truth and I’m totally objective.  I called her “the good kid” for the simple reason that she was.  She loved going on walks, totally concentrating on walking and almost ignoring other dogs and people along the trail.  If another dog snapped at her, she seemed confused, as if wondering what the other canine’s problem was instead of attacking back.  While she was almost too friendly to people, she didn’t jump on them or wet in excitement, just rubbed her but against them.  Leaving a little grey and white hair was the only damage she did.  When I did my morning crossword puzzle, she would sit by my chair awaiting a behind-the-ear- rub, but never insisting.  She did love food and would gobble down her chow as soon as it was given to her.  She wasn’t picky.

Unless I was taking her on her  walk on the trail, Jilly preferred being in the house .  If you left her outside, she would come on the deck and lie near the glass door.  We could leave her in the house alone for 10 hours without any problem, either “accidents” or destroying anything.  Well, except for her toys.  She loved them, but they had rather short life spans.  Ones like “Super Chicken” who had a rubber band propulsion through the air and “Duck, Duck” who had a duck call squeaker had many incarnations over the years, thanks to the pet stores.   If you tossed them, she would fetch them, but never easily relinquish them to you.  They were hers.  And she would gut them to prove it.  The only one who survived her was “Snow Dude,” the strangest, ugliest toy she ever had.  With long, thin arms and legs, I was sure he was not long for this world and I never saw a replacement available in any store.  She often carried him around and, although gnawed on his hat at times, never pulled him apart or dug out his squeakers.  I guess she loved that misshapen toy.  After we had to put her to sleep due to cancer and other problems, I destroyed Snow Dude rather than give him away.  He would always be hers and only hers.

Be sure to visit Ron L. Cherry’s web site at: www.rlcherry.com

for more of his talented and well respected penmanship  

We too are lovers of dogs and know the terrible loss of your best friend.  

Please let another sweet friend into your life if you should lose yours.  So many are abandoned, abused or simply tossed away as our Maggie Anne was at eight weeks of age.  They all need a family of their own.  Thank you Ron for sharing the story of Jilly and the photographs so we could share her with the world!

Stop by and visit our web site and check out our Maggie as she has inspired a book with a collection of short stories and dog treat recipes. Scheduled book launch is October 31, 2015.

Maggie’s Kitchen Tails:

Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tales to Love

http://www.MaggieTails.com

MaggieTails1031@gmail.com

Be sure to pre-order your copy today!

Authors:

Douglas E. and Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins

and

Martha Char Love 

OMG, MAGGIE SAVES THE DAY, AGAIN!

OMG, MAGGIE SAVES THE DAY, AGAIN! 

By: 

Rosemary “Mamie and Douglas Earl Adkins

Today as the sun was shining through the kitchen bay window, I had decided to make our angel, Maggie Anne a new cookie that I wanted to share in our cookbook.  She loves sweet potatoes so this one is especially for you Maggie, for loving me back!

As I gathered my supplies for baking, I decided to get my food processor out.

As I was standing back up I lost my balance, finding myself flat on my back on the kitchen floor.  

Maggie had been sitting on her front room bench chewing on a bone when I fell and the noise of the fall must have startled her.  As I was struggling to get up I could hear what sounded like a thousand horses in a stampede racing to the kitchen.

It was Maggie running hard just to be next to me.  Sitting on the floor having a good cry I was wondering how I would get up.  I have neuropathy in my legs due to diabetes and I worried about being stuck on the floor until my husband could get home.  

Luckily I could reach my cell phone but after trying to reach him a few times, I gave up.  Maggie Anne was beside herself trying to lick away my tears and kissing me everywhere. 

You could see the thoughts spinning in her head as I tried repeatedly to get up.  I have one leg that does not bend so getting off the floor is a very difficult challenge.

The harder I tried I just kept just falling back down over and over again.  Maggie became so upset she stood back staring at me but kept coming back to kiss away the tears.

I decided to scoot myself across the kitchen to a kitchen chair against the wall as Maggie Anne followed my every scoot.

I tried to pull myself up into the chair but fell again.  Maggie had been by my side only this time about a foot away staring at me as if to be thinking or getting ready to play.  I only knew I sure did not want to play!

Suddenly and without warning as I tried again to pull myself up she ran over and stuck her head and shoulders between my legs and pushed with all her might giving me the leverage I needed to get up into the chair!

She is my hero and certainly deserves these cookies along with a million kisses. How can a puppy just barely one year old be so strong and so very smart?  No one had better ever question she is my Service Dog…in Training or otherwise.  I love her dearly!

Introducing two drawings of our Maggie Anne Adkins.  These were drawn for us by a fourteen (14) year old artist way ahead of her age.  She has drawn these for our cover of Maggie’s Kitchen Tails: Dog Treat Recipes and Puppy Tails to Love due to launch October 31, 2015 in recognition of Maggie’s second birthday.

This angel has saved my life on several occasions when sleeping through a low blood sugar which could have proved deadly.  The angel markings on her chest say it all for us.  Her life had a difficult beginning when someone tossed her away like garage after abusing her at the young age of only a few weeks.  

Mamie and Doug

Due to help being available for her life to be saved, we have (Douglas Earl and myself, Rosemary “Mamie” Adkins) have decided to work with the Humane Societies and for KARE (Kitsap Animal Rescue and Education) in order to raise funds to re-home the precious lives of so many.  Inviting two other authors, Martha Char Love and Linda Victoria Hales to co-author, we have set out to create a dog treat recipe book accompanied with short stories about the adventures with our dogs…

both rescued and just loved!

We are proud to share we have a couple of sponsors and looking for a couple of more soon so we can hit the ground running with donations for these abused dogs.  

We are offering a No Risk FundRaising Program with our new book so  if you are looking to join the efforts to save the lives of dogs and help them find forever homes, please contact us for the information.

MEET MAGGIE ANNE ADKINS   

Side View

Front View

Picture

 We are sharing two “angel pose”  drawing and actual photograph for you.  Please help us decide which we should use for our cover - the Side View, the Picture, or the Front View - leave a comment.

Come join us and save a life.  It could be your own!

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MaggieTails1031@gmail.com

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Maggie Anne Adkins

Douglas Adkins

Rosemary "Mamie" Adkins