Echo9er

Photo taken 2008.08.22 from my driveway as I was getting ready to leave for work.

I think I’ll pass on this one…

Running Mates

Via Grouchy Old Cripple

I received this via an email today. It really struck me. My wife and I immediately thought of our German Shepherd, Brewster. He died almost 2 years ago. He was almost 13 years old at the time of his death.

Brewster lived a good life. He loved us, his humans. He loved to play, romp, and watch. He was curious. He was one of a kind. We still think of him often. I think this little 6 year old hit the nail on the head — Dogs already know how to live a good life and love everybody…

A Dog’s Purpose (A 6-year-old’s perspective)

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.”

Samantha is keeping an eye on something (or perhaps someone)…

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

July 17, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following deaths:

US Army — DoD Release #608-08: —Iraqi Freedom
Staff Sgt. David W. Textor, 27, of Roanoke, Va., died Jul 15 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a vehicle incident. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, Wash.

The incident is under investigation.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

To see the whole amazing story, buy the full dvd at http://www.bornfree.org.uk/shop/acata… and help The Born Free Foundation save more wildlife.

Christian left the Kora Reserve in 1973. He made his new territory along the Tana river, but when the Wakamba herdsmen kept bringing their livestock to his hunting ground, he moved on. George Adamson said in his autobiography, “I used to count the days on which we hadn’t seen Christian, but when they reached 97, I gave up recording them in my diary.” Because a lion can live from 12 to 15 years in the wild, Adamson believed that Christian ended his days in the Meru National Reserve only a few miles up river.

Category: Pets & Animals
Tags: Christian Lion Africa Ace Rendall Born Free

Check out the video at YouTube:

Thanks, Chrys, for sharing this. I’m a sucker for a happy ending.

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

July 16, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following deaths:

US Army — DoD Release #603-08: —Enduring Freedom
1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii, Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif, Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga, Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle, Wash, Cpl. Jason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn, Cpl. Matthew B. Phillips, 27, of Jasper, Ga, Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, of Haw River, N.C, Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, Mo, and Pfc. Sergio S. Abad, 21, of Morganfield, Ky died of wounds suffered when their outpost was attacked by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades from enemy forces in Wanat, Afghanistan, on July 13. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

Emily, Bradley and Grandpa.

7.6.2008

Via You Tube and Improve Everywhere…

Just a few pictures from around the house and elsewhere…

An Iris that we don’t remember planting…

A couple of industrious ants hard at work…

Buffy alert as always with her Goal Post ears…

and finally, Samantha…

Today is the First Day of Summer. I know this, because Google tells me it is…

Today is Flag Day.

Display yours with pride…

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

June 11, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following death:
Operation Iraqi Freedom:
US army — DoD Release #470-08:
Pfc. Thomas F. Duncan, III, 21, of Rowlett, Texas, died June 9 in Sinjar, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash. The incident is under investigation.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

What a bunch of pompous asses we have in Washington. Especially Maxine Waters. Check out this video…

Link: sevenload.com

I haven’t seen it in the news print. I haven’t heard anyone talk about Ms Waters stumbling over the word “socializing.” The great people of California need to fire her, SOON!!

Here is Rush Limbaugh on the subject…

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

June 2, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following deaths:
Operation Enduring Freedom:
US army — DoD Release #470-08:
Spc. Christopher Gathercole, 21, of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Pvt Andrew J. Shields, 19, of Battleground, Wash died May 31 in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 173rd Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Bamberg, Germany.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

May 28, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following death:
Operation Enduring Freedom:
US army — DoD Release #458-08:
Spc. Christopher Gathercole, 21, of Santa Rosa, Calif., died May 26 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

May 23, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following death:
Operation Enduring Freedom:
US Navy — DoD Release #443-08:
Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon, 37, of Orem, Utah, died May 20, as a result of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device in the Aband District, Afghanistan. The sailor was attached to Commander Navy Region Northwest, Bangor, Wash., and serving in Afghanistan as a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial

Diamond Rio in Las Vegas… Great song… Video. Great Video… Great group…

Uploaded to YouTube by eden512. His comment…

This is an awesome song, and I thought it was worth forwarding on. It was recently performed at a Diamond Rio concert in Las Vegas. Although Diamond Rio had never previously recorded a “statement” song, they felt compelled to record “In God We Still Trust.”, and guess what, sadly, the major radio stations wouldn’t play it because it was considered politically incorrect. Consequently, the song has never been released to the public.

Thanks, Chrys

I have heard the National anthem sung so many different ways. I have heard it butchered. I have heard it on electric guitar. I have never heard it like this.

Watch. Listen. Share. These girls are AWESOME!!!!!!

Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.

May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hearts.

“Death comes to all. But great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.” — George Fabricius

May 9, 2008
The Department of Defense announced the following death:
Operation Iraqi Freedom:
US Army — DoD Release #398-08:
Pfc. Aaron J. Ward, 19, of San Jacinto, Calif., died May 6 in Al Anbar, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came under small arms fire while conducting cordon and search operations. He was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Releases

 

Click on the names above for more information — Salute to Fallen Heroes Memorial