Remembering

Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

Today was the funeral of my human's aunt, so it is a somber day and a day to reflect. I had never met her as she lived in South Africa, but I have listened to my human and her cousin (one of my favorite people) talking about her and I know I would have loved her too.

Its hard to lose someone you love. At times like this, it seems that sadness and loss are all around us, all our lives. Sometimes you feel too tired to carry on hoping. But it always seems that when you least expect it you find strength or strength finds you. It comes in all sorts of forms, a kind word, a smile, a hug, or a sense of calm and peace... Rescue comes just in time.

To all my friends and family who have gone, I am thinking of you and remembering our times together. And to my friends who are dealing with pain and sadness, I am thinking of you and hoping that you will be rescued too.

Rest in peace, my dear aunt. Say hello to Mikey and enjoy the ice cream.

Clifford George

In memory of my brother Mikey (Michael Frederick Jackson)

Friday

I am happy to report that I had my morning walk today! As I told you yesterday, I missed my walk in the morning because of ice. But then I got sidelined for my evening walk because the human had a conference call and didn't get out of her office until about 7pm. So, not only did I not get my evening walk, I also got my dinner late!



I was not happy, and sulked all evening. But today looks like it will be a better day - or at least for me especially if the human can tear herself away from work long enough to get to Costco to buy my food.



Ahhh! Food! Glorious Food! No Kibbles 'n Bits for me! Like many Schnauzers, I have developed pancreatitis. This is a painful disease that makes it difficult for me to have any fat in my diet. If you want more information about this, visit my human's website - she runs an organization that deals to all diseases of the pancreas. (For humans, but most of the basic information applies to us canines too). Anyway, enough of the scientific mumbo jumbo, what this means to me is that the human cooks organic chicken breasts, organic jasmine rice and organic green beans. Then she carefully measures this mixture into portions, and freezes individual portions for me. Apart from tasting really, really good, this diet keeps the pancreatitis at bay - at least most of the time. I have trained her well. Some say I am a lucky guy. I say I am a smart dude who has trained my human to obey my every command.



There's another added bonus to this eating plan - the cat doesn't get any! She eats some dry cat food that is apparently well balanced - Ha! Ha!



Well, I might not post anything again until Monday. I might have a busy weekend - you know, with the ladies... I will give the scoop on Monday.



Til later

Clifford George Jackson

My first posting

This blog is a collection of my thoughts - and as a thirteen year old Schnauzer, I think I have some wisdom to share. Mostly, though I intend to ramble on about my life, what's happened today, that sort of thing.

Right now my life is kind of peaceful, and I like it like that. It gives me to think about the important things in life. When there is too much going on, one doesn't get to contemplate too much.

I have had an interesting, not always good life, but I am not going to talk about that today. I will share my past with you at some stage, but today I want to talk about what's going on at home.

I missed my morning walk today - snow and more importantly ice everywhere. In case you don't know, here in Columbus we have about 20 inches of snow on the ground (and no, I am not exaggerating) Some of the snow started melting yesterday and refroze overnight so when I step outside I went sliding. Of course the human said stuff about it being too dangerous. I was pretty annoyed and insisted on eating several extra treats to make up for it.

We went for a quick walk to my cousin's house at lunch time. He is leaving for South Africa this afternoon. His mother died yesterday, so we have all been sad. I was pretty excited to see him and even managed to look interested in playing with the dog that lives there. Oscar award winning performance! I also met their new cat - well, really a kitten. His name is Dwight. He did the usual, predictable cat stuff - hissing, arching his back - you know the whole "I'm an invincible cat" act. Well, living with a crazed cat I was not that impressed.

Well, I need to catch some ZZZZs and brew up some more philosophy for you.

Later,

Clifford George Jackson