A Love Story for Super Bowl Sunday

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road. Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible.

He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us."

She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.

Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities—just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary—he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona. If you tune in on 1 February, you can watch him quarterback the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers! Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person? Some athletes are also great people..

Happy Super Bowl! Mary Ann
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A Dog's Purpose...(from a 6-year-old)

This was sent to me by a fellow dog lover. Enjoy...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life--like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Mary Ann
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Just for Fun: Quiz for Creativity

If you live in our country's midsection, there's a good chance you're snowed in today. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and take this creativity quiz. The results are bit like your horoscope, but it's fun all the same! Pass it on to a bored friend! Ellen

P.S. The photo above represents my favorite creative activity...gardening.
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Dog Biscuit Recalls Due to Tainted Peanut Butter

We have an awesome mail carrier who often leaves a large biscuit in the mailbox for our yellow lab, Jasmine. Luckily for her, these biscuits are Milk-Bones®, which are not involved in the nationwide peanut recall linked to the recent salmonella outbreak. Many other brands of dog treats, however, are being taken off the shelves. In fact, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) recently advised pet owners to temporarily discontinue using any peanut butter products.

“The ASPCA recommends that pet parents discontinue the use of all affected products immediately until further information has been received,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services. “Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated food and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any signs or symptoms are noticed in their pets.”

Though healthy dogs are generally resistant to the salmonella bacteria, puppies and older pets with health problems may become ill. In addition, the bacteria can be passed between pets and humans.

Brands that have been recalled include Grreat Choice (sold at Petsmart) and Happy Tails. For a complete list, visit the FDA's recall page. Check often as stores and manufacturers are recalling more products each day. Better safe than sorry! Ellen
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Labs Rule--Top Dog in America

For the 18th consecutive year, the lovable labrador retriever captured the number one position on American Kennel Club's (AKC) annual List of Most Popular Dogs in America. The bulldog continues to lumber up the list, returning to the top 10 and advancing to slot number eight.

This year marks the AKC's 125th year anniversary. Back in 1884, the AKC only registered nine breeds, compared with the 161 breeds that are registered today. With the exception of the cocker spaniel, none of the original nine came even close to Top 10 status in 2008. Just for fun, here's a quick comparison of the top 10 now and 125 years ago:

1. Labrador Retriever [Pointer, now at #111]
2. Yorkshire Terrier [Chesapeake Bay Retriever, now at #48]
3. German Shepherd Dog [English Setter, now at #86]
4. Golden Retriever [Gordon Setter, now at #92]
5. Beagle [Irish Setter, now at #69]
6. Boxer [Clumber Spaniel, now at #117]
7. Dachshund [Cocker Spaniel, now at #21]
8. Bulldog [Irish Water Spaniel, now at #144]
9. Poodle [Sussex Spaniel, now at #147]
10. Shih Tzu

Amazing how things change in just over a century! Visit the AKC site for more fun historical facts and see where your dog ranks on AKC's list. Have a great weekend and remember to keep your pets inside if you're experiencing this artic blast! Ellen
PHOTO CREDIT: istock image
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Happy Inauguration Day!

In honor of this historic day, I wanted to share a very cool website with everyone. USAService.org is a nationwide database that allows Americans to either find service and volunteer opportunities in their communities or create and promote their own community service events. If you haven't run across it, check it out and see how you can make a difference for our country!
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"We are one people; We are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story."

-PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

A Cute Story

My lovely neighbor sent this cute story to me because her yellow lab resembled the doggy in this tale. Before we fixed the hole in the fence, he was a frequent visitor!

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap?" The next day he arrived for his nap with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"

Have a good week! - Mary Ann
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Peace on Earth!

Every once in awhile something happens to make me believe that peace on earth really is possible. So when my daughter called me into her room the other night to show me our dog and cat peacefully cuddled up with one another on the bed, I grabbed my camera. Jasmine and Kit haven't interacted like this since Kit was a kitten four years ago...is there a full moon or what? Ellen
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