The Journey Continues ...

A new chapter; new adventures; new challenges; new beginnings and new endings; these are the makings of my life as it is right now. I never thought for a moment I would be afforded the opportunity to serve in Supervisory capacity during the last chapter of my life.

I face many challenges on a daily basis which I do not mind the least. However, I am faced with the daily reminders of people in my life who are both accepting of what I am trying to do and those who are resistant to any forms of change. I desire to use what I know to make a difficult job easier. It seems to me people are afraid of change and needing to hang on to what was and fail to embrace what could be.

I have thought long and hard of what to do in this regard and what comes to mind is for me to do nothing and just “be”. I have no control over those around me nor do I wish too. But I can control my responses. I can be what I need to be: myself. Others can try to run interference but they have no control over my responses. Only I have the power to choose my responses. If I respond in anger; then I bring on more anger. But if I chose to respond in love, kindness, and understanding it can weaken the negative emotions.

It’s not the situation itself which causes my emotions but rather it’s how I think about or perceive the situation which influences the response I choose. You have heard the phrase, “As a man thinketh, so is he”. Our thinking influences our behaviour by far. If you feel betrayed you act accordingly. If you believe and feel you are loved, honoured, and accepted, you act according to those beliefs. It always comes down to our thinking and what we allow to roll around in our head which can and does influence our behaviour.

If I enter a room full of people and know half of them are resistant to change and prone to releasing negative energy I can think and do one of two things. I can focus on the people expressing positive energy to neutralize the apparent negative energy of the others. If I give in to feelings of helplessness I am defeated. If I see myself as rising above those feelings and believe the negative people have the potential to contribute positive energy to the group there is a shift. My focus becomes what I need it to be to do the job which I have been chosen to do. My positive energy can influence the group respectfully without compromising the dignity of anyone but guiding them to unleash their potential. Think of it this way, we can change our situations by one thought at a time!

We will always have people in our lives trying to refocus our attention on the trivial rather than what is important. It’s your choice whether you give your power away by getting caught up in a no win situation. We learn to choose our battles accordingly and move on to greater heights by taking along those of like mind to climb those mountains and enjoy the view and journey as our eyes are focused on not what was but what could be. I made up a little motto for myself when I first accepted this position on a temporary basis: “to think the best, be the best and to do the best”. I live by this motto every day. On my wall in my office is a quote which says:

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ...
                                  WOW ... What a ride!”     
                                                                        -Anonymous

Cheers!

Jaime

Bear as a wee puppy ...

Update ...

I can't believe my mommy stopped blogging for the past month? I mean, seriously she is missing out sharing all the wonderful things about me. Let me catch you up real quick.

Teddy, recently had dental surgery ... do you know how many treats $800.00 could buy? You do the math!

Angel, not costing a thing, is running her excess pounds off while at the daycare. I make sure the other dogs chase her around. But Angel is feisty; she chases them instead. Still same outcome ... shedding all those unwanted pounds.

Bear (me) where do I start? I love going to daycare playing with my friends and making new ones. I love the latter the best as I know my way around the daycare and let the newbies know I am incharge. The other day I met a Great Dane man is he big ... I barked at him and he took off. I did notice he tried to sniff Teddy ... he quickly made his way to his favorite hiding place. I am sure Teddy must have thought, "what was that?"

My mommy, well there is lots going on for her ... I know she's real busy at work because she has been talking about retirement again. The other day she told someone on the phone when she's retired she plans on taking in "retired dogs", you know the kind people think are too old to have around. If you ask me we are never too old just take a look at Teddy, he's old 63 in dog years! He's two years older than my mom! Don't let her know I told you.

Got to run ... it's time to get into somethings around here!

Bear

Last week of vacation ...

I am happy to report that Daycare is just around the corner. I am sure my mommy is happy about that too because Bear did get into some mischief over the holidays. So what else is new?

I too, had a good vacation and am ready to go back to work. (I will probably re-think the statement in a week from now!) The weather this week is absolutely beautiful. We are up to 19 Fahrenheit ... which is like a heat wave given the 40 below temperatures over the past few weeks.

Hence I am doing the domestic thing today ... you know laundry, vacuuming, floors, etc etc. I think you get the picture. Well I better run and put in another load.

Jaime & Company

The Ideal vacation ...

Most people consider a winter vacation flying off to some place warm during the winter months. There are many others who are unable to afford the luxury of such a dream but are just as happy to remain where they are and enjoy their current surroundings. You see it's a matter of mind over matter. It's how we think about our lives that can influence our feelings about the same.

I am not saying that winter vacations in the tropics is not an ideal way to spend time away from the cold, infact I have taken those kind of vacations myself on more than one occassion. But I also am just as happy to spend my vacation at home. I moved to the country and enjoy my surroundings to the fullest.

I think it comes down to how we feel about ourselves as it does influence our state of mind during our vacation.

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

Winter Vacation

This scene is similiar to my back yard. My french doors open to my back deck which over looks the yard. It's a beautiful site. Bear loves to run out in the yard. He faithfully does his perimeter checks each time he goes out. He lets out a bark or two announcing his watch to all concerned.

During this vacation I have received a glimpse into what retirement would be like for me. I think it will be an adjustment nonetheless a goal that I do look forward to in the future.

I enjoy the work that I am currently involved in as there are many challenges and things to learn. I think the key for me is that I have a choice as to whether I continue working or retire. I have one more week left on my vacation. The time has flown by as is the norm when having a break.

Cheers,

Jaime & Company

This morning when I opened the french doors to let the dogs out Angel ran out and started rolling in the snow. Bear came in as quickly as he went out. Teddy, well he's still in bed! The winds are blowing and it's pretty cold out there. I had thought of going into the city to pick up some supplies but changed my mind when I heard about travel warnings for today. Since I am on vacation right now it's great to not have to go anywhere.

I decided to take time off in January instead of Christmas my thinking was influenced by the weather given I drive into the city everyday. I don't mind the drive but this time of year it can get a wee bit scary at times.

Enjoy,

Jaime & Company

Angel's Birthday New years Day

Finally, it's my birthday. Yippy! I must admit that 2009 was quite the year for me. I lost my best buddy Haida to cancer. I still miss her. Then mommy brought another GSD who she named "Bear" ... I must admit the name suites him. He's always yelping like a bear. I love putting him in his place. Last place that is ... I must admit he does grow on you!

Mommy found this great doggie daycare called "The Playground Dog Daycare and Kennels" we love it. She drops us off on her way to work. I have made a lot of friends and sure do miss them over the holidays. I over heard mommy talking on the phone about taking us there during the holidays because Bear is bored. We're bored too. Well maybe not Teddy he sleeps most of the day. He's the senior dog in this pack.

Mommy is going to have a party for me today. What fun I can hardly wait.

Cheers,

Angel

The Road Less Travelled ... this will be the theme for me in 2010. At the beginning of 2009 the theme was changes and now it's time for me to move on.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Cheers,

Jaime, Teddy, Angel, & Bear

The Day Before New Years Eve ...

I can only imagine the many people that are looking to make their new years resolutions for yet another year. It seems that the theme of a new beginning is what draws people to looking back and thinking this year will be different.

What makes a New Year different from the Old Year that's about to slip away? I will venture to say there is no difference whatsoever except of course we will be writing 2010 instead of 2009.

You go to bed on December 31, 2009 and awake on January 1, 2010! What's changed? Your are still the same as you were when you went to bed right? Wrong!

Physically you appear the same but your thinking about your life has been challenged by thoughts like: "I know that this year will be different; I can make a difference; I am ready to take the plunge and rethink my options, goals, hopes, dreams etc.".

Only we can make a radical change in our lives. It's up to us; it always is up to us. We can become the people or person we are meant to be. Now that kind of thinking is power! I venture to say that 2010 will be your year of change if you decide it so. It's not the New Year that makes the difference it's you!

What about me? Well, since it is up to me to make those changes I had better sign off and rethink some things and perhaps I will post some of my thoughts throughout the year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Jaime & Company (Teddy, Angel & Bear)

2009

Another Birthday

In six days I will embrace my 5th birthday that's 35 in dog years. Teddy is the oldest, then me and last and certainly least (according to me) is Bear. Last year I was last now I am in the middle.

My mommy tells me that we are going to celebrate my birthday ... I can hardly wait. I like this time of year because mommy buys us all kinds of things. We also got a stocking full of toys and goodies from Barb & Dan who run the Daycare. Bear tries to take my new toys from me. But I show him who's boss!

Cheers,

Angel

Winter Time

This is a picture of my back yard taken from the deck. I love how it looks in the winter time. My dogs love to romp around and roll in the snow especially Angel. Bear has made his own personal trail that he likes to run every chance he gets.

We just had another power outage. We have been having a lot of them this winter already. This one lasted only a half an hour while the others have lasted much longer. Have you noticed how dark it gets at 5:30 p.m. ? Do you know what that means? I go to work in the dark and I come home in the dark. You get use to it but none the less it's an adjustment for all concerned especially me. I don't like night driving and try to avoid it if I can.

Have you noticed how quickly the Christmas season sneaked up on us this year? Well actually it happens every year. Boom it's here and then it's gone as quickly as it came. Then we have a new year ahead and hope that we can do better. We make all kinds of resolutions that are usually forgotten before the end of January.

This past year's theme for me was one of changes. The biggest one being the delay of my retirement plans. A change from being a worker to becoming a supervisor. A change from living in the city to moving to the country (2008).

This makes me think what 2010 will bring more changes or more of the same? Any change requires us to make adjustments in our lives. It's interesting for me to look at where I am now and where I will be a year from now. Since I am close to retirement and able to retire at anytime it influences my day to day decisions. It's freeing to know that I do not have to work another 10 to 15 years. I have the option of making the choice myself. I don't have anything to prove to anyone or even myself.

I chose to work right now and I will chose to retire at some point. But for right now I am content to keep working until I decide I am done.

Till next time,

Jaime & Company

Teddy, Angel, & Bear

My Birthday Today ...

You are how old?
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha HaHa Ha HaHa Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha .............

I was born 61 years ago today! I received well wishes from friends and family today.

Our birthdays allow us to think of the past, the present and the future as they all seemingly bump into each other all at once.

As I reflect on each of these areas there is one prevailing theme: changes. Absolutely nothing stays the same ... and that's a good thing. Life would be so boring it there weren't any changes happening to us. Since the future hasn't happened yet I look forward to the next chapter in my life.

This past year has been a year of many changes for me both personally and professionally. Some of these changes are for the better while other changes presented many challenges and opportunities for me to learn new things and to grow. What's ahead for me? Well, that remains to be seen.

I am looking forward to another year and wonder only momentarily what it will bring. The exciting part is the not knowing and waking up everyday to new challenges and surprises and being glad to be alive yet another day!


Cheers Everyone,


Jaime & Company

Teddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday to me ... I am eight years old today. I may have slowed down a bit over the years but I am still in charge here! I am currently having my afternoon nap so I can be ready for my birthday supper I can hardly wait!

Bear has been by a few times hoping to find my hidden stash. I just growl at him and he keeps on going. Angel is right behind him to make sure he leaves me alone.

I am retired now and certainly enjoy living in the country. My mommy takes Bear to the daycare everyday now. This has given Angel and me some peace and quiet during the day and when he comes home he's too tired to chase me around. My mommy is on vacation right now and I heard her talking on the phone the other day that Angel and me are going to the daycare too. I wish my mommy would retire soon I don't like change. Enough of me ... I am going to get ready for my party.

Teddy

Bear's First Birthday

It's my Birthday today and I managed to stay in my forever home since I was nine months old! I know my mommy had some days of "second thoughts" about me. But hey, look at me I am a real charmer. I love my mommy and I know she loves me because she found a terrific daycare for me that I go to every day when she is working in the city. I have made many new friends there and I can hardly wait to go with her in the mornings. I am very happy when she picks me up after work. The only thing is that when I get home I am worn out and have no energy left to get into trouble around the house. My mommy calls that a bonus!

For me, the daycare was a life saver as I was beside myself at times when I would come home and Bear got into things because he was "bored." This wasn't his fault by any means. I tried crating him during the day ... this only made him more hyper when I got home due to lack of exercise. Bear doesn't mind his crate but only when he decides to go in.

The Daycare that I use is called "The Playground" Dog daycare and Kennel (306-737-7927). It's ideal for me as it only takes moments for me to drop Bear off. In the mornings the dogs are out in the fenced play area Bear is very excited when his little doggie friends are lined up along the fence barking excitedly as he jumps out of my Ranger. Bear's anxiety about leaving me has all but dissipated since coming to the daycare. He seems more relaxed and yes very tired from running with the pack and playing his day away. The dogs have their rest areas and get a lot of attention and interaction from the owners of the daycare. Believe me this was a real find! I highly recommend this place.

Well I am off to plan Bear's birthday ... oh yes Angel and Teddy they to go to the Daycare. When I get a chance I will post some pictures of the Daycare. What I like about this place is that the dogs are supervised and can run both inside and outside open areas.

Later in the day, Bear had "ribs" for his birthday suppper as did Teddy and Angel, they too love ribs. They ate until they could eat no more and are now sleeping contentedly.

Three days from now is Teddy's birthday, he's going to be 8 years old! He desparately needs a hair cut. He had an appointment a few weeks ago but had to be canceled because I was under the weather. Anyway, I will call this week so he can feel better about himself again.

Angel's birthday is on January 1, 2009; she is going to be five years old!

Cheers
Jaime

Dog Chatter

Yes, it's me Angel (before I got my summer buzz cut). Have you noticed that Bear, that annoying GSD who does nothing around here but chase Teddy and me around. I mean who does he think he is anyway? I will tell you he is a first class pest!

Now let me tell you what that pest has done around here. He chews and chews and then chews some more. He told me that he misses my mommy. Teddy and me told him to get over it and move on ... his chewing is getting old.

I guess my mommy thinks so to because she makes Bear stay in his crate before she leaves for work in the morning. Do you know what that baby does? He starts to howl and whine for hours on end.

We don't mind that he is in his crate because Teddy and me get to walk around the house free without getting chased by Bear. We even lie down in front of his cage just to annoy him. He doesn't like it because he barks at us and we just bark back and walk away from him. I wonder if he will ever grow up? However, if the truth be known that pest kind of grows on you at least that is what Teddy says.

Mommy made arrangements with a boy to come over twice a day to let us outside for a pee break. When my mommy gets home she feeds us and then we go for a walk; the three of us. She doesn't like it too much when we tangle our leashes by walking all over the place. Teddy walks the best because he always has to get out of the way when Bear wants to sniff at the same post that Teddy is sniffing. We like going for walks because we get to see so many things and sniff so many different kinds of smells.

Well I better go and see what my mommy is up to she's probably on the computer working on something called stats.

Just me, Angel

Fence Slats ...

My mommy decided to have someone put slats in the fence to block my view of the neighbours yard blocked, now I ask you "Is that fair? I think not."

Looks pretty good.

You can see in the back ground the tarps laying on the ground? I had those on the fence last winter to keep Haida from barking at the neighbours dogs. I had privacy slats installed in my chain linked fence to afford my neighbour and myself more privacy. I could have done it myself. However, it would have taken me forever to stick those things in.

It's my Friday off today. I am busy with the usual domestic things around here before the weekend is up and Monday morning rolls around.

Take care,

Jaime & Company

My Fur Kids ...

If I have to look at one more picture of Bear

I am going to throw-up!

Sneaking up on the ball ...

How many times do I have to pee on these weeds to

make them go away?

Bear's hiding place for her favorite bone!

Anybody home?

What did you expect a movie?

Well as you can see my hands are full with the dogs especially Bear given that he is a puppy. They are certainly worth it as they give us a life long commitment to be our companions. Recently I came across a quote which captures exactly what I am trying to say.

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender.

You are his life, his love, his leader.
He will be yours, faithful and true, to the every last beat of his heart.
and You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion".

Author Unknown

It not only pertains to GSD's but any breed of dog or cats. Pet's give us what humans often find difficult to give: unconditional love. no strings attached, they just love us and all they want in return is food, water, treats and of course our love!

Till next time,

Jaime & Company

A Trip to the Vet

Yep, it's me, Bear! I am wearing a Victorian collar. Known in the dog world as the dreaded cone! I have to wear it so I won't lick or pull out my stitches. You guessed it mommy had me neutered. She did not want me to have to pay puppy support. Hey, make no mistake I still like the females!

I have to keep this on for 10 days. My mommy takes it off during the day as long as I am not licking or trying to pull out my stitches. I have sneaked in a few licks. I think my mommy as eyes in the back of her head and before you know it on comes the cone again. On Thursday, August 20, 2009 it will be ten days and I can bury that dreaded cone in the back yard!

The morning of my operation my mommy took me out to the truck. I am still not to keen on riding in mommy's Ranger. She tried to get me into the truck. But I wasn't so willing. I put my front paws on the truck and that's as far as I would go. When my mommy tried helping me up by lifting my back legs I folded like an accordion. She then opened the other side of the truck too. I finally made it on the truck but I fooled my mommy because as she closed the one door and was going around to close the other door I jumped out! Jokes on her. Ha! Ha! Well only for a moment she did get me back in the truck and we were on our way.

When we arrived at the vet's office I knew something was up. The lady at the counter tried to trick me to set on the scale. Yeah, right. I peed on the floor and folded like an accordion again. The lady gave up and said it's okay we weighed you a couple of weeks ago.

When the lady took me to another room without my mommy I knew something was up ... and I was right ... the rest is history.

I better go now it's time to chase Angel around the house. It's raining outside and can't go out until it stops.

Cheers,

Bear

Announcing my new arrival ... Bear

Hello Everybody,

My name is Bear, my birth name was Diesel. I was born on November 7, 2008. I am nine months old and still very much a puppy, just ask my new mommy!

I just love my new home and am getting to know the other two Teddy and Angel. I wanted to make an impression on them when I arrived but seeing that I was used to living outside I had to get use to living in doors and learn the rules.

Angel is always trying to put me in my place and Teddy, well he usually hides when I am around as I can be a little too playful at times.

My mom, well she's terrific even though I chewed her shoes, ripped the carpet in the family room and made a hole in her mattress. Now, I didn't do all those things because I wanted to be mean I am growing and need stuff to chew on. The mattress was an accident cause I was looking for Teddy's cookies which he leaves on the bed. The carpet in the family room well it's plain ugly and I was only trying to hide my treats from the others. I guess I pulled too hard on the corner of the carpet and the rest is history.

I almost forgot the old footstool filled with straw which was also in the family room. Again, I thought I sniffed a treat and all there was inside was straw! There was straw everywhere ... you should of seen my mom's face when she got home, it was priceless. I thought she would throw me out. But do you know what she did? She threw out the footstool instead ... I guess she firgured it too was ugly and didn't fit in with the rest of the decor anymore.

I heard my mommy telling someone on the phone that she was going to get rid of that carpet in the family room anyway. So I thought that it was a good thing that I gave her a head start.

Well, let me tell you about the other stuff that I am learning to do. Mommy taught me to SIT. I sit pretty good. I am learning the words: DOWN, OFF, STAY, and COME. I do the last thing pretty good. My mommy takes the three of us for a walk. What fun that is especially when we all try to go into different directions! We get all tangled in our leads.

I love it here. I am learning the ropes pretty quick. My mommy bought me a whole bunch of chew things. I usually hide them from the others, but they do manage to find them. I will have to think of better hiding places.

My next story is about my trip to the vet ... that will have to wait for another day!

Cheers,

Bear