Goldfinch and Grosbeak at the feeder – Mars, PA – June, 2017
Sometimes
I wonder
how you put up
with me.
Then I remember,
oh I put up with you.
So we’re even.
Author unknown
Lovingly dedicated to a guy I call “Merv.”
He calls me “Gert.”
I put up with him.
He puts up with me.
Let’s do it until eternity. ❤
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cloud Thoughts.
Do you ever wonder
if clouds look down on us
and say,
“Hey!
That one is shaped
like a puffer fish!”
-or-
“That one looks like a
Scottish terrier!”
(which is, by the way, what I see in these clouds… go figure!!)
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Oliver and Charlie
Stop and Smell: A Charlie Guest Post.
When we go on our daily walk, Mom talks about and enjoys a lot of the smells this time of year. She oogles and googles and swoons about the lilacs and the wild honeysuckle and even freshly mowed grass.
Sometimes Mom breathes in deeply and says, “Oh Charlie, do you smell that…. ‘yadayada’?”
I say, “Whatever…”
I would rather smell my friends.
Yep – I like to stop and smell my friends.
This is my friend, Oliver. He is one of my buddies, and this is how we greet each other.
Mom groans, “Oh Charlie!”
But Oliver doesn’t seem to mind.
And besides… he does it too.
“Oh Mom!”
I know they say a dog is a (wo)man’s best friend, but sometimes we just don’t see eye to eye!
Or should I say we don’t smell nose to nose?
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jager the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Charlie & Jager Playing Tug – April 2017
Tug.
There is nothing better really…
than a good game of tug in the Spring sunshine.
Especially after a long walk with my best buddy, Jager,
smelling and snacking along the way on all the goodies nature leaves for us.
We allow Mom and Tracy to come along too…
They think we need them so we let them follow behind us with leashes so we don’t lose them or they don’t go running off.
Sometimes we have to tug them along.
They don’t seem to enjoy tug as much as we do….
What’s up with that??!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jager the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Paws and Cherish the Moments: A Charlie Guest Post.
Hi Friends –
As you may know, I have recently become an uncle – Uncle Charlie.
And I must tell you – I have fallen in love with my new little niece.
At first, I wasn’t sure about her. It wasn’t that I didn’t like her… I just didn’t know what she was…. I looked at her, I sniffed her, I licked her…… but not much happened. Mainly my mom just held her (and sort of ignored me…).
But a few months have passed, and now she is getting to be a bit more fun. She plays with squeaky and squishy toys on the floor. She rolls around and makes funny noises. She allows me to give her kisses. And she loves to watch me, so I try to show her how to play by demonstrating with my toys.
And sometimes, I just like to lay down with her and relax. It is good to “paws” and cherish these sweet moments.
When you aren’t sure what to make of something – a new person – a new situation – a new smell or sound – just paws…..
You might just find there are moments to cherish in that paws.
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
PS: If you would like to read a really sweet book written by a man AND his adopted dog, please check out “Who Said I Was Up for Adoption? A story about one calculating dog and one unsuspecting human,” by Colin Chappell. When Colin contemplated the idea of adopting a dog, he did so warily, for he had seldom spent time with dogs and one of his primary canine experiences came when he was bitten by a German Shepherd at age fourteen. He certainly was unprepared for the complexities of caring for the seventy-five pounds of rescued, furry attitude he encountered in Ray. But perhaps what he was even more unprepared for were the emotions he would feel once Ray invited him to be his friend. Who Said I Was Up For Adoption? tells the evolving story of this adoption (though it remains unclear just who did the adopting). Funny, heartwarming, and emotional, Colin and Ray’s story is really two stories, for part of learning to let an adopted dog into one’s life is learning to see from a perspective other than your own. True to that knowledge the book is narrated from parallel, alternating viewpoints-Colin’s and … Ray’s! All net profits from sales of Who Said I Was Up For Adoption? will be donated to the Oakville and Milton Humane Society, a remarkable organization that rescues and rehabilitates dogs (and many other creatures) and matches them with suitable, loving humans.
Colin also blogs about his life with Ray at A Dog’s Life: Stories of Me and Him.
Charlie’s Dog Lessons for People
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Smile…
I know that this may sound cliche,
but won’t you give it a try today?
When you see someone whose eyes are dim,
greet them with a wide, happy grin?
Show those dimples and pearly whites,
it may just be their day’s highlight.
A smile is contagious and fun to spread.
Just do it, you’ll see – full speed ahead!
It could be the cure that heals the blues,
maybe even the common cold and flu.
It’s easy, and it is free to give.
it can even be a kind forgive.
A simple smile can spread some light,
and be the way to make a day bright.
It’s a gesture, it’s a gift,
it can be a huge lift.
If everyone tried this once per day,
imagine how lovely… imagine how gay.
You can turn the world on with your smile
You can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
RIP Mary Tyler Moore – Your smile will be remembered
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, except a brown dog.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
and Charlie couldn’t reach them – he didn’t even dare.
Mom and Dad were nestled all snug in their bed,
while visions of head cold relief danced in their heads.
But Charlie was anxious, he just couldn’t sleep.
He wondered if Santa would bring him a treat.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Charlie ran to his door to see what was the matter.
He flew out onto the porch and skidded across
Woofing and sniffing even every piece of moss.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
made it a bit easier for Charlie to see all below.
When what to his wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
“It was SANTA – Oh Santa! You’re coming to my house.
I knew you would remember – I’ve been a good boy!”
Charlie ran back inside and jumped into bed,
he climbed under the blankets to cover his head.
He quietly waited and listened intently,
but he waited so long, he fell back asleep.
The next thing he knew, Dad was getting out of bed.
Mom gave him a pat, and said “Okay – Go Ahead!”
His stocking was full! Santa really was here!
A new donut, a new donkey, and a tasty new bone.
Another Christmas miracle
for an adopted brown dog.
Merry Christmas Eve!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
Hi Friends –
Happy Sunday! It’s me – your buddy, Charlie – back with a guest post. I hear some of you have been missing me! 😉
Let’s talk laps today.
Mom is always trying to coax me to sit on her lap in the evening.
She begs…
she pleads…
she bribes…
she pretend cries…
PUULLLLLEEEEZZE! Sheesh!
I’m just not a fan!
I much prefer to sit in my own seat – especially when it is lined with my favorite soft, chenille blankie. I am, of course, within close enough range where Mom is very welcome, and even highly encouraged, to scratch my chin and belly and rub my ears.
I do, however, like to sit on the laps of guests that come to our home…
especially those that aren’t particularly fond of dogs and don’t understand how amazing doggie kisses are.
These are the laps I am particularly drawn to…
so I do choose to jump into those laps.
Even when they push me away.
Even when Mom says “Down Charlie!”
Even when Dad says “No Charlie!”
A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do – right?
I wholeheartedly believe my purpose is to teach all humans that dogs are wonderful and doggie kisses are the best!
We all need a purpose – and until someone comes up with a better one. This is mine!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
I have the best Mom ever!
She went to the office yesterday for a meeting and left me home to play.
Not only was it a beautiful Fall day…. she made a whole toy box out in the front yard for me to play with.
Isn’t she awesome?!
She put all these great little pumpkins on a bail of hay surrounded by flowers to make them smell nice. It really did look pretty, but I’m sure she wanted me to feel free to play with all these fun things. Right?
I had a blast tossing them around the yard.
After playing with them for a while, I discovered not only are they fun to roll around the yard, but they are DELICIOUS to eat too!
So I ate a few.
Seriously – am I the luckiest dog on the planet?!
Thanks Mom! The yard might not look quite as decorative as you left it, but I sure had a fun day!
Woofs & Wags,
Charlie
Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends. Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model. Some of his best friends are Mike theUPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house. If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com. If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.
the creative life in between 