It Snowed

Guess what?  OK you already guessed from the title... IT SNOWED!  And is suppose to snow the next day or two.  Woo Hoo!

I know it's blurry, MOM was trying to keep the camera dry.  And lets face it I am FAST.

Let it snow. Let it SNOW!

Some say I'm crazy because I love snow so.  I say, What could be more beautiful?  Something about a storm that brings a calmness to my heart, brings a quiet to the covered ground, when the snow falls all around.  It makes us pups want to play, brings smiles to our furry face.  Makes us want to zoom zoom, makes the coldness all worthwhile.  

Yes what could be more beautiful than this wonderland of snow?  The trees a crystal blanket with the wind that blows.  There's something about a winter storm that fills my heart with glee.  And even from the window the beauty I can see.  I can see the sun is setting, yet in the dark, an evening glow, from all this fallen snow.

Blessings,

Goose

Friends

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays I go to Canine Country Club, Bert's place.  The rest of the week I go to work with MOM.  When she picked me up today I asked her to take a few pictures of the friends I share my day with.  It was way hard to pick just a few photos but I narrowed it down to the following.    

Of course there is my best pal, Bert and his sweet sister Jamie and Scruffy

James Dean and Bert

Leona and Roger

Carly

Kenai

Bullit

Cole

Allie

Abby and Max

Danny

Annie and Shiloh

Ice

Danny, Annie, Lizzy

Porter

Lilly

Bert, he is doing better and is giving his bed a big hug.  Maybe he is thinking of Charlotte

WOO HOO I love my friends!

True friendship isn't seen with the eyes, it is felt with the heart.  When there is trust, understanding, loyalty, and sharing.  True friendship is a rare feeling, but when it is found
it has profound impact on our well-being, strength, and character.  True friendship does not need elaborate gifts or spectacular events in order to be valuable or valued.  To ensure long-lasting quality and satisfaction, true friendship only needs a few key ingredients: Undying loyalty, unmatched understanding, unsurpassed trust, deep and soulful caring, and endless sharing.  These ingredients, mixed with personality and a sense of humor, can make a friendship last a lifetime!  This is just a thank you to my daycare friends, for all the wonderful and colorful special ingredients you've brought to my life!

Blessings,

Goose

My Day

Today, even though it should be MOM's day off, she needed to go into work.  But really that's OK with me because I got to go with her.  Of course the first thing she does is walk around the church property with me.  That means 10 acres of brush, trees, a ditch, hills, and all sort of places to explore.

Then we headed back inside cuz MOM had to prepare the church for a funeral the next day.  A sad thing really.  This woman's death was completely unexpected and took everyone off guard.  But MOM said while it is sad the funeral will be a celebration of her life.

“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Then Robin came to the church.  I love Robin.  She is one of the biggest dog lovers I know and she loves cats too (her only flaw.   Just kidding, hehhe).  She had some stuff to do for the funeral too and she knew I would be there so she brought me a present.

Yep a yummie bone.

I took it into the nursery to enjoy it.  I always find little yummie crumbs in that room.  I think the little ones leave them there just for me to find after they leave on Sunday. 

After I finished my bone I asked if I could go outside and MOM being the MOM she is said sure.  Now I can go out by myself but I like it better if MOM walks with me. 

One of the things I like to do is find voles.

Come on MOM stop with the camera and let's see who can run back to the church the fastest.  Hehehhehe.  It's no contest, I win every time.

Back inside I helped MOM iron the banners that hang in the sanctuary.   Because it is Lent MOM needed to take down the other banners and put up the Lent ones.

Bert DO NOT look at the yellow fuzzy round thing in front of me.  Don't look.  I promise I did not play with this tennis ball while MOM ironed the banner.  Promise.

I am such a good helper.  I make sure the banner doesn't go any where.

Then MOM hung up the banner and took a step back to see if it looked OK.  I thought it would look better if I sat in front of it.  I think I am right and MOM agreed.

Then MOM did all sort of other things and I thought I'd give her a break and let her get her stuff done.  So I took a nap  in front of the altar.

Then it was time to go outside one more time before we headed home.  It was a good day, even though MOM was working and considering the reason she was working on her day off.  

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
John 10:27-29

Blessings,

Goose

In the Wilderness

Today I spent some time with my friends romping through the trees.  Of course my best buddy Bert could not be with us.  But he is now home with his Vickie resting and recuperating in his own personal luxury suite that his Vickie made for him.  You can check out how he is doing here.

One of the things we did today was help two of my dog friends with their Search and Rescue training.  MOM and I have done this before and we love it, MOM really loves it.  So Bert's Vickie went and got herself lost in the woods in one area and me and MOM got ourselves lost in another area.  (Of course I was never really lost I knew right where we were, I just pretended).

It was great fun.  We hiked through trees and MOM crawled under all kinds of thick brush.  We hiked to the river and then back into the woods and brush.  Then we sat on a log under some brush and waited to be found.  I know that being lost for real can be scary but I have to admit I had a great time getting lost.   As we waited MOM talked to me about when Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days.  He didn't have anything to eat, and the conditions were harsh and then "the Evil One" came and tempted Jesus.  I listened real good and then told MOM what I thought:

Can you find me in this photo?

 Whatever the reason Jesus is immediately confronted with three major temptations. And he is confronted with this basic question: Would he take the crown without the cross?  The temptations Jesus faced are the most basic temptations in life and they form the foundation for all other temptations. I would propose that when temptation comes our way; if we will pause and classify the temptation, we would be able to identify it with one of the three temptations Jesus faced. We will also be better equipped to answer with the words and obedience of Christ.  

Waiting to be found

There are times when all of us are tempted. None of us ever escapes some form of temptation.  I think what Jesus went through is a good reminder to us that goodness is not synonymous with innocence.  True goodness can come after a struggle with evil.

Can you find me in here?

The first temptation is turning stones into bread.  Bread is not how we live, not solely, and not primarily. We live in obedience to the word of God. If we come to God we come because we belong with him not because he has something for us. We come because our soul needs to be in God's presence not because our belly needs to be filled.

Then Jesus is tempted to jump off a high place.  And that Evil One uses a scripture to get Jesus to do it.  You know you can't just simply quote scripture, obviously the Devil can do that too, it's not enough.  You cannot manipulate scripture for your own purpose, or even for what we perceive to be the purpose of God.

Finally Jesus is tempted to serve Satan and if he does he will be given all the kingdoms on earth.  But that Jesus refuses to change the world by becoming a part of the world.  Then he tells The Evil One to move along.  (I like that part).  Of course Jesus would be tempted again and again in the 3 years to come.  But right from the start Jesus let Evil know that he was not confronting a man's power, but the very power of God. 

You know what?  That same power is available to everyone.  So I suppose the question is, "What does it mean for us?"  Some would say that to be a Christian means that life is all roses.  But even roses have thorns.  Life can be a struggle and a wilderness experience.  But in those times, when we try to find our way through the wilderness and when temptation comes and offers the wrong answers and choices, we have a Creator who will be with us and offer us strength.  Jesus went through the temptations too and this I suppose is the twist ending of Lent.  If Jesus saves himself, he cannot save us.  Jesus was tempted to take the crown without the cross.  He did not because he loves you.

A special note to my buddy Bert.  I know you will be tempted to climb over logs, and run and jump and greet every one who comes to your place.  But my friend now is the time to rest and heal.  I know the temptation will be strong, but you will be stronger if you resist.  You need anything Your Vickie is right there to be your strength and you have a whole world of friends who will lend you a paw, me included, I'll be the first in line to help.

Blessings,

Goose

My Day with Bert

Well I have to tell you that I have been looking forward to this day for a while.  I finally got to go romp and play with my buddy Bert.  Plus Murphy, Tye, Tucker, and Oakley were going to be there.  Oh joy, I was so excited.  We were meeting at one of our favorite places.

The day was cold but perfect.  Just look at those blue sky and the cool clouds.

"Bert! Bert it's so good to see you! Lets play."

Bert going after the ball.  Can you see the ball in the air?

Look at how much water comes off the dude. He must gain 50lbs when he comes out

"What's over there?"

Geese!  That's more than one Goose. hehhehe

"Let's go jump"

Follow the leader

Here I go

Swing the legs

Stretch it out

Stick the landing

Come on Murphy!

Then I climb the mountain.  I love that!

What a fun time we were having.  But as many of you know my buddy Bert after the jumping swallowed half of a tennis ball!  Oh his Vickie was so worried and we rushed back to the cars cuz she knew she had to get Bert to the doctor fast.  She is so smart.  Bert had to have emergency surgery to get the ball out of his tummy.  The vet did a real good job.  And I know that my best buddy is going to be fine.  But I would appreciate it if you would keep your paws crossed and say a prayer for him.

I know that Bert and I will have lots more blue sky days ahead.  But for now buddy rest, take care, and heal up.  Before you know it we will be back out romping and playing.  But we will leave the tennis balls at home.

Blessings,

Goose