P.S. I have posted a few things below that are new--look down.
And P.S. Who knew Rob Pattinson (or whatev) sings my fav song on the soundtrack? I fell in love with that song...I have had a pandora station of him and just thought he was some artist out there.....I had no idea it was EDWARD, until I was reading an article today with his name listed. Wow, I am really stupid. I never remember actors names, unless they are my favorite, like Brad Pitt, Matthew McConnaughey :)
I still have not finished the last book....I just didn't jump into like the others, so I have not read in months! But I am pretty excited for the other movies to come out.
My friend, Krysti, just sent me this email. It is one of the saddest things I have ever read--be prepared to cry:
A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page adin the paper to present the following essay to the people of hiscommunity.
HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and acouple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever Iwas "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- butthen you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you wereterribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights ofnuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams,and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for longwalks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got thecone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long napsin the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, andmore time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently,comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided youabout bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and whenyou fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still Iwelcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. Iwas happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I wasfascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to motherthem, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spentmost of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how Iwanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love.." As they began togrow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves upon wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gaveme kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch --because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended themwith my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to theirworries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of yourcar in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that youproduced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. Ihad gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented everyexpenditure on my behalf.Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and theywill be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made theright decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was youronly family
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out thepaperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." Theyshrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facinga middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son'sfingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't letthem take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had justtaught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility,and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head,avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash withyou. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left,the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move monthsago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook theirheads and asked, "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedulesallow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first,whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was youthat you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or Ihoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention ofhappy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far cornerand waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of theday, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. Ablissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, andtold me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was tocome, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had runout of days.As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which shebears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew yourevery mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear randown her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you somany years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As Ifelt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay downsleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." Shehugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to abetter place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or haveto fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different fromthis earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey toher with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed ather. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. Iwill think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your lifecontinue to show you so much loyalty.
A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes asyou read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is thecomposite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each yearin American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate,on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet officebulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to thefamily is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love andsensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal isyour responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare leaguecan offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do yourpart to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns inorder to prevent unwanted animals. Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet. Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY.This IS the reality of dogs given up to shelters.
