Take Your Dog to Work Day

Today is another a busy day for me working in my office updating software, working on my website, editing photos, leaning how to use new album designing software. By my side as I worked is my faithful dog Max. I adopted Max from the shelter thirteen years ago. My German Shepard Gypsy had just died and I knew I wanted another dog. Not to replace her but to give another shelter pup a good life like Gypsy had had in my home. The shelter told me Max was about two but he acted more like a puppy under a year than a two year old. His age doesn't really matter unless I'm looking at how much more time I have left with this sweet dog. I can see him slipping a bit, he seems confused like not wanting to go through the door to my office or waiting by the wrong door to come in from outside. He still has his appetite and hasn't lost his mobility except he's now hesitant to tackle the stairs to the bed he loved to lay on.

As an adult I have always had a dog, always a shelter dog of mixed heritage. Max is the best natured, loving dog I have ever owned. He is very sensitive dog, aware of my feeling. If I'm happy or especially when sad he seems to know. He decides to curl up on the couch with me when I sob through one of those Humane Society commercials with all the animals that need to get adopted. Even after years of walking together he still always walks in front of me, encouraging me to pick up my pace. As for disposition he doesn't have a mean bone in his body. My other shelter dog, Ruby who I fondly call my "devil child" acts like a two year old instead of her true age of ten. She always pushes Max out of the way at the water bowl, or moves in for that one piece of food that has jumped out of Max's bowl and he never snaps or growls at her. Ruby can be at the far end of the yard and she can still be the first to get thru the sliding glass doors as Max gets pushed aside Max waits patiently to enter last.

I'm reminded today of how lucky I am to have handsome Max in my life. My sweet pup with those sad eyes.

Looking for Love in PT-Consider Adopting a Cat or Dog from the PT Shelter

Quilts of Honor Delivered to Veterans At Memorial Day Service at Marvin G. Shields Post 26.

I once had a friend who reminded me of a quilt. She had the warmth and personality that made me think of the qualities of a quilt in that she always had room in her life to add another friend. I was fortunate to be one of them for the short time that I knew her. A quilt, like Roberta always has the potential to add one more patch or section to its final product. A quilt brings warmth and comfort to all who wrap themselves in one.

On Memorial Day the local chapter of Quilts of Valor Foundation presented 30 handmade quilts to WWII and Korean veterans. I have been attending ceremonies at the local American Legion in Port Townsend for over 14 years and this had to be the most emotional ceremony I have witnessed.

I can't image the amount of time that must have went into creating each of these beautiful art pieces that was personalized for each veteran. Each quilt had the recipients name and the names of the women who had made the quilt. I usually don;t take photos during the indoor ceremonies but on Monday I went to the front of the room to try to capture a few images. Luckily with my 70-200 lens I was able to zoom in from afar without being too much in the way of the ceremony.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house during this ceremony. Each group of women that had created the quilt presented and really engulfed the veteran as they placed the quilt over their shoulders. Some were too frail to stand and were given the quilts as they sat with their families. The tearful emotions shown in the eyes of the women presenting the quilts as they touched and patted the quilt molding it to each veteran. It was amazing to witness. You could see the appreciation that this recognition and the response of the nearly 350 in attendance made for each person receiving a quilt. These lovely quilts will be part of their lives and passed down through generations honoring each mans service. Thank you to Kathryn Bates and all the quilters from the Jefferson County Quilts of Valor.