Today another school was attacked. 26 victims. 18 of them children. It was not a high school or college. This was an elementary school. The dead children are kindergarten children! Babies!
When did it become open season on our children?!
I cannot even imagine the anguish the parents are going through right now. How do you explain to children their friends, brothers, and sisters are dead because "bad" people just one day decided to open fire on helpless children? How do you explain to parents your child is dead and it happened in a place where they were suppose to be safe? A place you trusted to send them too.
How do you explain to a nation that our children are no longer safe in school? That we have pushed God out of our schools and our country and now no one, not even babies are safe to leave their homes.
Are we going to have to lock down all our schools now and place armed guards or police in them? So our children feel more like they are being sent to prison every day instead of a place of learning and a place to be with friends and feel safe? Do we home school our children and do away with public schools completely?
I may not know all the facts of what took place this morning but I do know this: An entire Kindergarten class was wiped out by someone who planned this and someone who strolled right in with guns. I know there are 18 babies dead. I know there are 8 adults dead. I know there are brothers, sisters, spouses, mothers and fathers who will never find peace again in their lives. And I know that today..in this country...even our schools are not safe.
I am pro-gun ownership. I know that some will now lobby for stricter gun control but that will not help. It was not the guns who killed all these people. It was a man who just happen to use guns as the means. How did this obviously disturbed or maybe even evil person manage to go through life and someone not notice he would some day do this evil act? How could anyone who knew this was going to happen not call the police? Surely he had to mention his plans to someone. Maybe that person did not take him seriously but they still could have told someone!
How could God have let this happen? Perhaps because we have pushed him out of our schools and country because of a minority of people who find him offensive. Maybe because the majority of us who are Christians let them. We did not have the backbone to tell them we do not want to hear your blasphemy so instead, we kept quiet. Because we did not want to "offend" them.
I, for one, have a firm and unshakable belief in God. I have never seen him but I have seen the miracles he has performed in my family. I do not need to see him to know he is real and I do not need to see proof of his existence. I see it every day I wake up in the morning and walk outside my home. I see him every day in the faces of my children. And I read his word every day in my Bible.
What happened today is not God's fault. It is not a gun's fault. It is the fault of the individual who decided he was going to walk into that school and perform his evil act. He alone is responsible for the massacre in that school. Him and his accomplices. The shooter took the easy way out. He is dead. In my opinion, everyone involved should have done the same thing.
I will pray and ask God to open his arms for all the innocent people who have died today. I will ask him to comfort the parents and relatives and let them find peace and justice. I will ask him to show mercy on this country. And I will ask him to forgive me for being glad the shooter is dead and wanting his accomplices to die a horrible death.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
When City Folk Move To The Country
I can understand why "city folk" want to move to the country. It is peaceful. Crime is almost non-existent, it's a great place to raise kids. There are just so many advantages to living in the country. You do not have to be a farmer here.
It can also be a shock. The wild animals. No trash pick-up every week unless you contract it yourself. Finding that you have to purchase your gas and electricity separately and during a bad storm your electricity can be out for hours. In the winter you can also be snowed in for days depending on the location. No city trucks to come by and clear the street or road for you . Usually the farmers in the area do it themselves. It is quite a change in your life and a shock to your system if you are not prepared for it.
When I first moved back home to take over this farm, a "city" family moved into the house a mile or two down the road. One of my pastures was right next to their property. I had about 20 cows in that pasture. One day a woman drove up and wanted to talk to the owner. I told her she was talking to her and she said to me, "Can you please keep your cows quiet. They are disturbing us. Will you please keep them quiet until at least 10:00am?" I said, "I'll see what I can do." She got in her car and left. I was laughing so hard I had tears.
The next morning I arrived at that pasture at 6:00am with two very loud semis and unloaded another 20 cows into that pasture and left but not before I made as much noise as I could. Would you believe this woman actually called the sheriff on me?! He called me laughing so hard I could hardly understand what he was saying to me. He told her there was nothing he could do since I had broken no laws and had every right to do what I wanted with my own property.
This woman harassed me for weeks. Every where I went I would run into her. It was almost like she was stalking me. She would try to berate me and embarrass me in public and in front of people I had known all my life. All who knew me tried to tell her to stop but she would not listen. Something had to be done. One day I was telling a cousin about all this. He was a member of a local Biker Club and said his club was looking for a place to have a big rally and one of my pastures would be perfect. So we decided on THAT pasture.
So for the next couple weeks my cousin and his friends went to work. We temporarily moved all the cows to the farm. Moved in a couple of semi flat bed trailers to use as a stage. We put them almost up to the fence that separated my property from hers and had portable toilets delivered.
The rally lasted for 2 days. Over 100 people attended to play, eat and listen to very loud music that lasted late into the night. The loud bikes and automobiles in and out for two days. A couple fights broke out but didn't last long. It was something that normally I would not have agreed to but I was on a mission and I was not about to be pushed around by that woman. For the two days the rally took place, she did not come out of her house.
The mess I was left with was worth it. It took me 3 days to get that pasture back to normal and less than a month later they moved out and a FOR SALE sign went up. Some of the farmers and I bought the house. We tore it down and extended our fields.
The moral of this story: Don't mess with farmers because we don't mess around.
It can also be a shock. The wild animals. No trash pick-up every week unless you contract it yourself. Finding that you have to purchase your gas and electricity separately and during a bad storm your electricity can be out for hours. In the winter you can also be snowed in for days depending on the location. No city trucks to come by and clear the street or road for you . Usually the farmers in the area do it themselves. It is quite a change in your life and a shock to your system if you are not prepared for it.
When I first moved back home to take over this farm, a "city" family moved into the house a mile or two down the road. One of my pastures was right next to their property. I had about 20 cows in that pasture. One day a woman drove up and wanted to talk to the owner. I told her she was talking to her and she said to me, "Can you please keep your cows quiet. They are disturbing us. Will you please keep them quiet until at least 10:00am?" I said, "I'll see what I can do." She got in her car and left. I was laughing so hard I had tears.
The next morning I arrived at that pasture at 6:00am with two very loud semis and unloaded another 20 cows into that pasture and left but not before I made as much noise as I could. Would you believe this woman actually called the sheriff on me?! He called me laughing so hard I could hardly understand what he was saying to me. He told her there was nothing he could do since I had broken no laws and had every right to do what I wanted with my own property.
This woman harassed me for weeks. Every where I went I would run into her. It was almost like she was stalking me. She would try to berate me and embarrass me in public and in front of people I had known all my life. All who knew me tried to tell her to stop but she would not listen. Something had to be done. One day I was telling a cousin about all this. He was a member of a local Biker Club and said his club was looking for a place to have a big rally and one of my pastures would be perfect. So we decided on THAT pasture.
So for the next couple weeks my cousin and his friends went to work. We temporarily moved all the cows to the farm. Moved in a couple of semi flat bed trailers to use as a stage. We put them almost up to the fence that separated my property from hers and had portable toilets delivered.
The rally lasted for 2 days. Over 100 people attended to play, eat and listen to very loud music that lasted late into the night. The loud bikes and automobiles in and out for two days. A couple fights broke out but didn't last long. It was something that normally I would not have agreed to but I was on a mission and I was not about to be pushed around by that woman. For the two days the rally took place, she did not come out of her house.
The mess I was left with was worth it. It took me 3 days to get that pasture back to normal and less than a month later they moved out and a FOR SALE sign went up. Some of the farmers and I bought the house. We tore it down and extended our fields.
The moral of this story: Don't mess with farmers because we don't mess around.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Badger
Badger was the dog I got about a year after Thunder passed. He was a Rat-Terrier. I bought him from a farmer who raised the breed. It was not a puppy mill but a farmer who loved the breed and took very good care of his dogs and kept their area clean. Badger was 6 weeks old when I saw him and I picked him because he was the smallest and he bit me. I thought it was because he was feisty. I didn't realize until he became older that it was because he was an arrogant jerk.
He was easy to raise and train. He learned early to go to the door when he had to go out. The problem was he loved it outside and went to that door often. And at 6 months old, he had the other animals hating him. To the point many times I had rescued him from angry cows and horses. Even the geese ganged up on him. Must have been that habit he had of peeing on them. Something I know he did for revenge after one day of chasing cows and one kicked him. He never chased them after that but he would catch them off guard when they were laying in the field and pee on them. In fact, he did that to any animal that made him mad.
Badger would also pick out who he was going to sleep with then get in their lap and stare at them with half closed eyes when he was ready for bed. If that didn't work then he would go to the bottom step and bark until either you told him to be quiet or you got up and went to bed. And he always got under the blankets down by your feet to sleep. He hated winter and being cold. When the furnace blower would kick on, he would stand on the register until it kicked off. Then he would run to the couch and get under the afghan I kept there to stay warm.
One day I was walking out to feed the chickens. I had a pail of water in one hand and a pail of feed in the other. Badger caught one of the horses laying down and he walked up and hiked his leg. The horse jumped up and Badger took off in a run with the horse behind him. The horse jumped the fence and was right behind Badger. And they both ran straight for me. I had the horse on one side and Badger on the other then Badger got tangled in my feet and I landed on the ground. I was soaked from the water and the feed pail went flying. It ended up on the ground with feed all over. I grabbed Badger and threw him at the horse. The horse bit him on the rear, Badger yelped and took off running into the house. I put the horse back in the pasture. A couple hours later, Badger was outside and walked right by the horse that was standing by the fence. The horse whinnied like he was laughing at Badger. Badger growled and kept on walking. He never peed on that horse again. In fact, he stayed away from him that day on.
One day I walked out and noticed the cows in a circle with their heads down and I heard the familiar growl of Badger. I don't know what he did but he had the cows mad enough they had him surrounded. I ran out into the middle of them and grabbed Badger and took him to safety. He went back to the fence and kicked his hind legs at the cows and then walked off with his head held high like he didn't have a care in the world.
There are several apple trees on the property. When apples fall off the trees, if they lay long enough they ferment. Many times I have seen the horses and cattle eat them and get "drunk". The squirrels eat them too and one squirrel in particular, that is always hanging around the house, is a mean drunk. One day I heard a commotion outside. It was Badger barking and the squirrel chattering. I went outside and the squirrel had Badger up a tree while he was on the ground chattering and wouldn't let Badger come down. I never laughed so hard in my life! I chased the squirrel (I named him Stubby because he has a short tail for a squirrel) away and helped Badger out of the tree. It was a short tree with limbs close to the ground so he wasn't up very high. I still do not know how he climbed that tree.
Badger had more courage than brains. He would go after anything no matter how big or small. And as arrogant as he was, he would do his best to be a good protector. When coyotes would come down out of the hills, he would go after them barking. I would have to call him back to keep him from getting hurt. Once when he saw a raccoon by the creek he went running after it. The raccoon grabbed him and held him under water and if I had not yelled, it would have drowned him. Badger was a good mouser. Just as good if not better than any cat. More than once he tore up the house going after a mouse. Once he saw one, he never gave up until he had it. He was also a good snake killer.
I don't know for sure what happened to Badger. I have always believed that coyotes got hold of him. I let him out one night and he never came back. That was not unusual because sometimes he stayed outside all night. Especially in good weather. The next morning when he still was not home, I went looking for him. I found part of him on the far side of the pasture. I never found all of him and can only assume something big got hold of him. I buried him there and put up a small stone for him.
I had Badger for almost 5 years. Losing him was as painful to me as losing Thunder. Even with all his faults and as aggravating he could be at times, he was a great dog.
He was easy to raise and train. He learned early to go to the door when he had to go out. The problem was he loved it outside and went to that door often. And at 6 months old, he had the other animals hating him. To the point many times I had rescued him from angry cows and horses. Even the geese ganged up on him. Must have been that habit he had of peeing on them. Something I know he did for revenge after one day of chasing cows and one kicked him. He never chased them after that but he would catch them off guard when they were laying in the field and pee on them. In fact, he did that to any animal that made him mad.
Badger would also pick out who he was going to sleep with then get in their lap and stare at them with half closed eyes when he was ready for bed. If that didn't work then he would go to the bottom step and bark until either you told him to be quiet or you got up and went to bed. And he always got under the blankets down by your feet to sleep. He hated winter and being cold. When the furnace blower would kick on, he would stand on the register until it kicked off. Then he would run to the couch and get under the afghan I kept there to stay warm.
One day I was walking out to feed the chickens. I had a pail of water in one hand and a pail of feed in the other. Badger caught one of the horses laying down and he walked up and hiked his leg. The horse jumped up and Badger took off in a run with the horse behind him. The horse jumped the fence and was right behind Badger. And they both ran straight for me. I had the horse on one side and Badger on the other then Badger got tangled in my feet and I landed on the ground. I was soaked from the water and the feed pail went flying. It ended up on the ground with feed all over. I grabbed Badger and threw him at the horse. The horse bit him on the rear, Badger yelped and took off running into the house. I put the horse back in the pasture. A couple hours later, Badger was outside and walked right by the horse that was standing by the fence. The horse whinnied like he was laughing at Badger. Badger growled and kept on walking. He never peed on that horse again. In fact, he stayed away from him that day on.
One day I walked out and noticed the cows in a circle with their heads down and I heard the familiar growl of Badger. I don't know what he did but he had the cows mad enough they had him surrounded. I ran out into the middle of them and grabbed Badger and took him to safety. He went back to the fence and kicked his hind legs at the cows and then walked off with his head held high like he didn't have a care in the world.
There are several apple trees on the property. When apples fall off the trees, if they lay long enough they ferment. Many times I have seen the horses and cattle eat them and get "drunk". The squirrels eat them too and one squirrel in particular, that is always hanging around the house, is a mean drunk. One day I heard a commotion outside. It was Badger barking and the squirrel chattering. I went outside and the squirrel had Badger up a tree while he was on the ground chattering and wouldn't let Badger come down. I never laughed so hard in my life! I chased the squirrel (I named him Stubby because he has a short tail for a squirrel) away and helped Badger out of the tree. It was a short tree with limbs close to the ground so he wasn't up very high. I still do not know how he climbed that tree.
Badger had more courage than brains. He would go after anything no matter how big or small. And as arrogant as he was, he would do his best to be a good protector. When coyotes would come down out of the hills, he would go after them barking. I would have to call him back to keep him from getting hurt. Once when he saw a raccoon by the creek he went running after it. The raccoon grabbed him and held him under water and if I had not yelled, it would have drowned him. Badger was a good mouser. Just as good if not better than any cat. More than once he tore up the house going after a mouse. Once he saw one, he never gave up until he had it. He was also a good snake killer.
I don't know for sure what happened to Badger. I have always believed that coyotes got hold of him. I let him out one night and he never came back. That was not unusual because sometimes he stayed outside all night. Especially in good weather. The next morning when he still was not home, I went looking for him. I found part of him on the far side of the pasture. I never found all of him and can only assume something big got hold of him. I buried him there and put up a small stone for him.
I had Badger for almost 5 years. Losing him was as painful to me as losing Thunder. Even with all his faults and as aggravating he could be at times, he was a great dog.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Farm Humor
Farmer John and his wife Mary were sitting on the porch having a serious conversation.
Farmer John: If I die before you, will you remarry?
Mary: You know how I hate being alone. I probably will.
Farmer John: Will you let him drive my tractors?
Mary: Someone has to work the farm and keep it going so yes I would.
Farmer John: I can understand that. It makes sense. Will you let him wear my bib overalls?
Mary: Oh no! He's taller than you!
Farmer John: If I die before you, will you remarry?
Mary: You know how I hate being alone. I probably will.
Farmer John: Will you let him drive my tractors?
Mary: Someone has to work the farm and keep it going so yes I would.
Farmer John: I can understand that. It makes sense. Will you let him wear my bib overalls?
Mary: Oh no! He's taller than you!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
When I Started This..
I started this blog for myself for several different reasons. It was not easy to do this because I realize that other people will be able to read them. I have always been somewhat the kind of person who did not tell a lot about myself or my life and only tell people what I want them to know. Only certain close friends know a lot about me. I have family members that do not know as much about me as a few select close friends.
Blogging is new to me. A niece has been after me for a long time to start a blog. She thinks I have a lot of good stories to tell. The problem was: Should I blog about my paranormal experiences? Should I blog about my life on the farm? Should I blog about my own personal opinions about certain things? (I am very opinionated as you will find out)
I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay with one subject or two or many. So I have decided to blog about it all. What ever I feel like blogging about at the time. I am not an author nor am I an expert on anything. My opinions are my own. I am not "politically correct" so some of what I put down may offend people. (all I can say about that is...if I offend you then don't read my blogs) Be warned, I am known to use very "colorful" language.
You may read about my paranormal experiences, my life as a farmer, my views on politics, religion, kids, animals, a favorite recipe or 20. In short (I know, too late) you never know what the subject of each new blog will be but neither will I.
You are welcome to read them and leave comments. No matter if you agree with me or not. I may not respond to your comment but I will read them.
Blogging is new to me. A niece has been after me for a long time to start a blog. She thinks I have a lot of good stories to tell. The problem was: Should I blog about my paranormal experiences? Should I blog about my life on the farm? Should I blog about my own personal opinions about certain things? (I am very opinionated as you will find out)
I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay with one subject or two or many. So I have decided to blog about it all. What ever I feel like blogging about at the time. I am not an author nor am I an expert on anything. My opinions are my own. I am not "politically correct" so some of what I put down may offend people. (all I can say about that is...if I offend you then don't read my blogs) Be warned, I am known to use very "colorful" language.
You may read about my paranormal experiences, my life as a farmer, my views on politics, religion, kids, animals, a favorite recipe or 20. In short (I know, too late) you never know what the subject of each new blog will be but neither will I.
You are welcome to read them and leave comments. No matter if you agree with me or not. I may not respond to your comment but I will read them.
Ghost Hunting On A Budget
These things are all nice to have when collecting evidence but if you are just starting out or on a budget, you can get by with less.
Besides my trusty flashlights, which I bought at the local Dollar General, I only use a digital voice recorder which I bought at Radio Shack for under $40.00. It came with what I needed to connect it to my computer to download any E.V.P's I captured. I also bought a large Maglite flashlight for $20.00 which not only provides me with more than enough light for dark, unfamiliar places..it is heavy enough to use as a weapon. (that is another story) And while ghosts do not perform on cue, you are more likely to get E.V.P's before any photo evidence.
I also use a Kodak Share digital camera I bought at WalMart for $125.00 and the chip for it which cost me $15.00. It not only takes photos but it also takes video. I can take the chip out of the camera and insert it into my Hewlett Packard printer and load photos and videos to my computer. I bought a pack of rechargable batteries and an $8.00 charger.
And I also have a small backpack to carry my "equipment" around in.
Having a lot of expensive equipment to "lug" around may be nice for some but I prefer to travel light. And if you are just starting out or you are on a budget, start out small. You can always save up and buy the rest of what you want one piece at a time. But my point is..You do not have to invest thousands of dollars to do paranormal investigations.
It doesn't matter how much equipment you have or how many "hot spots" a place has, you are not going to be able to cover them all and there is no guarantee you will capture anything. Most of my best evidence has come from just walking around a place with my voice recorder taking random photos and when I take a photo I always take 3 or 4 of the same spot.
And don't forget to stay safe and never investigate alone.
And don't forget to stay safe and never investigate alone.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Thunder
Thunder was a purebred Siberian Husky. When I first saw him cowered in a small cage I knew I would be taking him home. He was so small and so timid. He was red and white with blue eyes. So beautiful. My heart just melted. I got him from a breeder and before I left the breeder told me that if I had not taken him, Thunder was going to be put down. When I ask why he told me, "Because he is of no use to me. He was born with one testicle and can't be bred." I couldn't believe it! After a few choice words, I scooped him up and took him home.
The next day I took him to the vet and was told he would not be able to breed but I didn't care. I got him to be a companion, not a breeding machine. And through the years, Thunder and I were inseparable. I took him almost every where with me. The only time he was not riding "shotgun" in my car was when I went to school. Everyone in town knew us and knew him. He was a friendly dog and as he grew, he looked more and more like a wolf. He got bigger than what was normal for his breed. Instead of the 55 pounds I was told he would be, Thunder weighed almost 80 pounds and with his wolfish looks, no one dared mess with me. He was also taller than he should have been.
He had this game he liked to play. I would give him a treat and he would try to put it in my hand. When I tried to take it he would growl then run. I had to chase him so he would eat his treat. Sometimes he would lay in the door way and when I headed that way he would slap a paw down on his treat and bark. He would not eat the treat until someone acted like they were going to try to take it from him. It was comical.
Thunder was also nosy. When a friend came over and left their purse on the floor, he would manage to get into it and take everything out. Never stole anything. He would lay everything on the floor and just look at it. Once a man came out to work on the furnace. The man would lay a tool down and Thunder would steal the tools. the poor man would go all over the basement trying to find his tools. When he found them he came to me and ask, "Would you please tell your dog to give me my tools back?" So I had to wrestle Thunder to get the tools.
My dad was crazy about Thunder. And dad was not a dog person but he would get a small bag of cookies and the two of them would sit on the porch and eat them until the bag was empty. Dad drank ice tea. He would sit in a lawn chair outside and would pour some in a dish for Thunder and the two of them would sit in the shade drinking ice tea.
Being a Siberian Husky, Thunder had a very thick coat. he shed so much in the spring you could make a sweater with all the fur. But he would lay still while I brushed him until I had all the loose fur removed. In the winter his fur was so thick he could go outside in the worse winter storm and it never bothered him. Once he was outside during a heavy snow. When I looked out the window I couldn't see him anywhere. I was so upset. All I could think of was he was lost or he froze to death. I went outside and started calling his name and suddenly a small pile of snow moved and out he came. Stretched, yawned and then came to me. He laid there and let the snow cover him while he slept.
He liked going to the vet. No matter what the vet did to him, he would take it. Sometimes he would moan but not once did he try to bite. The vet said he was one of the more pleasant dogs to work with. I think Thunder liked going because the vet always gave him a treat and the girls there would always pet and hug him. He loved attention.
Thunder was a great companion and he and I were "in tune" with each other. It was almost as if we knew what the other was thinking. He also knew when I was not feeling well or was sad. When I was ill he would lay by my bed constantly. When I was sad, he would get on the bed with me, lick my face then lay his head on my lap and sigh. He would stay that way for as long as I needed him. I would lay or sit there and stroke him until I felt better.
A few years back, Thunder developed cancer. I kept him as comfortable as I could for a while but rather than see him suffer, I had to let him go. I called the vet and the next day I took him for his last car ride. When I pulled up to the clinic, I noticed a backhoe out back and a small hole. I don't know why that caught my attention. I led Thunder into the clinic and gave him a hug. The look in his eyes told me he knew this was the end for us. The girls there all gathered around and a couple of them had tears in their eyes. Even the vet was sad. I took his collar and tags then gave him one last hug and went to my car. I could not watch him be put to sleep. I sat in my car and cried like a baby. I was crying so hard I couldn't drive. I happen to look up and saw the vet carrying Thunder to the small hole and gently lay him in it. He made a special place out back for him. I got out of the car and walked over. Stood there for a few minutes and then went home.
A few months later I was cleaning out a closet and found a bit of Thunder's fur. I picked it up and just started to cry. I suddenly felt a lick on my face and immediately smiled. This would not be the only time I would feel his presence. When my dad passed away I was sitting on the couch. I felt like my world had ended and I felt that lick on my face and felt the weight of his head on my lap. Last year when one of my sisters passed away I was again sitting on the couch crying thinking everyone I loved was leaving me. Suddenly the couch moved. You could see the cushions move as if something was walking on them. Again I felt the lick on my face and the weight of his head on my lap. I even heard his sigh.
I needed him again...and again he was there.
The next day I took him to the vet and was told he would not be able to breed but I didn't care. I got him to be a companion, not a breeding machine. And through the years, Thunder and I were inseparable. I took him almost every where with me. The only time he was not riding "shotgun" in my car was when I went to school. Everyone in town knew us and knew him. He was a friendly dog and as he grew, he looked more and more like a wolf. He got bigger than what was normal for his breed. Instead of the 55 pounds I was told he would be, Thunder weighed almost 80 pounds and with his wolfish looks, no one dared mess with me. He was also taller than he should have been.
He had this game he liked to play. I would give him a treat and he would try to put it in my hand. When I tried to take it he would growl then run. I had to chase him so he would eat his treat. Sometimes he would lay in the door way and when I headed that way he would slap a paw down on his treat and bark. He would not eat the treat until someone acted like they were going to try to take it from him. It was comical.
Thunder was also nosy. When a friend came over and left their purse on the floor, he would manage to get into it and take everything out. Never stole anything. He would lay everything on the floor and just look at it. Once a man came out to work on the furnace. The man would lay a tool down and Thunder would steal the tools. the poor man would go all over the basement trying to find his tools. When he found them he came to me and ask, "Would you please tell your dog to give me my tools back?" So I had to wrestle Thunder to get the tools.
My dad was crazy about Thunder. And dad was not a dog person but he would get a small bag of cookies and the two of them would sit on the porch and eat them until the bag was empty. Dad drank ice tea. He would sit in a lawn chair outside and would pour some in a dish for Thunder and the two of them would sit in the shade drinking ice tea.
Being a Siberian Husky, Thunder had a very thick coat. he shed so much in the spring you could make a sweater with all the fur. But he would lay still while I brushed him until I had all the loose fur removed. In the winter his fur was so thick he could go outside in the worse winter storm and it never bothered him. Once he was outside during a heavy snow. When I looked out the window I couldn't see him anywhere. I was so upset. All I could think of was he was lost or he froze to death. I went outside and started calling his name and suddenly a small pile of snow moved and out he came. Stretched, yawned and then came to me. He laid there and let the snow cover him while he slept.
He liked going to the vet. No matter what the vet did to him, he would take it. Sometimes he would moan but not once did he try to bite. The vet said he was one of the more pleasant dogs to work with. I think Thunder liked going because the vet always gave him a treat and the girls there would always pet and hug him. He loved attention.
Thunder was a great companion and he and I were "in tune" with each other. It was almost as if we knew what the other was thinking. He also knew when I was not feeling well or was sad. When I was ill he would lay by my bed constantly. When I was sad, he would get on the bed with me, lick my face then lay his head on my lap and sigh. He would stay that way for as long as I needed him. I would lay or sit there and stroke him until I felt better.
A few years back, Thunder developed cancer. I kept him as comfortable as I could for a while but rather than see him suffer, I had to let him go. I called the vet and the next day I took him for his last car ride. When I pulled up to the clinic, I noticed a backhoe out back and a small hole. I don't know why that caught my attention. I led Thunder into the clinic and gave him a hug. The look in his eyes told me he knew this was the end for us. The girls there all gathered around and a couple of them had tears in their eyes. Even the vet was sad. I took his collar and tags then gave him one last hug and went to my car. I could not watch him be put to sleep. I sat in my car and cried like a baby. I was crying so hard I couldn't drive. I happen to look up and saw the vet carrying Thunder to the small hole and gently lay him in it. He made a special place out back for him. I got out of the car and walked over. Stood there for a few minutes and then went home.
A few months later I was cleaning out a closet and found a bit of Thunder's fur. I picked it up and just started to cry. I suddenly felt a lick on my face and immediately smiled. This would not be the only time I would feel his presence. When my dad passed away I was sitting on the couch. I felt like my world had ended and I felt that lick on my face and felt the weight of his head on my lap. Last year when one of my sisters passed away I was again sitting on the couch crying thinking everyone I loved was leaving me. Suddenly the couch moved. You could see the cushions move as if something was walking on them. Again I felt the lick on my face and the weight of his head on my lap. I even heard his sigh.
I needed him again...and again he was there.
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