On the Fourth Day of Christmas

Hello, friends!

My mama is on a trip to visit my blog-friend, Whistle, and his people and other animal friends on the Gulf Coast. While she's away, I have to go upstairs to use the computer. It has a really good screen, and the keyboard is MUCH easier than using the pawtop computer. I think I'll use this one all the time now. I don't understand why I couldn't go on the plane with her. I am very well-behaved, and I would think that having me around would be good for people who have fear of flying.

Did you have a good Christmas? There was a lot of good food at my house, including Swedish meatballs, cheese grits and finally pizza on Boxing Day. My mama says that is not a day for fighting, but an old-fashioned tradition of giving presents on the day after Christmas. Instead of giving boxes, we ordered pizza and a nice man brought it to us in boxes. While my family is eating pizza, I sit beside the dining room table and look as pretty as I can. That usually gets me some crusts, and if I'm very lucky, the rest of the pizza, too!!!

While my mama is away, our Papa Bear is lonely. He took us to the beach this afternoon and it was fun! Sam tried to catch the waves. Silly Dog! I looked around for people who needed company. There is always someone with lonely feet who needs my attention.

A lot of people sent kind wishes when I told you about my Sore Elbow. I want you to know that my new medicine is making me feel MUCH better. I like it okay with cream cheese. I did NOT like the Pill Poppers, even though they taste like beef.

I want you to visit two other dog blogs for me, okay? One belongs to Scout, who is a new dog blogger. The other one belongs to my special friend, Cub. Please read her blog and keep her in your prayers, okay? She blessed me, and I want to bless her, too. I'm sorry she has to go to the doctor so much, and I hope they are taking good care of her.

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

Writing with One Paw

Dear Friends,

I haven't been typing because my elbow has been bothering me. It's hard to type with one paw. Tonight I am dictating to my mama, and she is typing my words for me.

Tuesday I went to the vet to have my teeth cleaned. They gave me sleepy medicine, and I did fine with that, and now my teeth are beautiful! But they also took some pictures of my elbows, and Dr. K said it was no wonder I have been holding up my left paw, because the arthur-ities in my left elbow is pretty bad, worse than in my right one.

My mama says that when I was a puppy, before I had surgery, that was the worst one then, too.
So Dr. K said I should take some new medicine. I hate it! It comes in little pills, and since I am not a little dog, I have to take a lot of them, three at a time, two times a day. Sometimes I get a special cookie after, but Dr. K also says I can't have so many cookies, because I weigh too many pounds. I think that is a very rude topic of conversation!

Right now, my elbow feels pretty bad, but my mama says it will probably take a few more days for the medicine to really make me feel better. And if it doesn't she will call the vets and ask what they think.

I don't really like peanut butter, but I wonder if my mama could put cream cheese on my pills? She says that sounds like a good idea! We'll try it tomorrow.

Here is the most important thing I want to tell you. Some people who let their dogs have puppies don't stop to think about stuff like arthur-ities. They just want to sell puppies, so they don't get their mama and daddy dogs checked for problems like mine. Those people are mean! I am glad to be alive, but I hate to think of other puppies and dogs having pains like mine. It's just not right.

If your people are thinking of getting a purebred puppy, please tell them to talk to my mama first. And don't go to a pet store! The puppies there came from puppy mills, and every time you buy a puppy at a pet store, it just makes the puppy millers want to sell more. They are greedy. They don't think about the dogs, or how long the will live in little cages. Please, please think about it before you get a puppy.

My mama and Papa Bear did not know the right things to do when they looked for a puppy, and my mama says they learned the hard way, but they aren't sorry I came to live with them, just sorry my elbow hurts so much. We all love each other. If you are a dog or a cat, I'm sure your people love you, too.

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

Friday Five: Think About These Things Edition

My mama posted this at RevGalBlogPals:

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8, NRSV)

Friends, it's nearly Thanksgiving in the U.S. and it's the time of year when we are pressed to name things for which we are thankful. I want to offer a twist on the usual lists and use Paul's letter to the church at Philippi as a model. Name five things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise. These could be people, organizations, acts, ideas, works of art, pieces of music--whatever comes to mind for you.

Clearly, Molly the Blogging Dog belongs on such a list. Thanks to jo(e) for the great picture of Molly.

Hey, it's a meme about me!! (I had a really good time with jo(e) when she came to visit.

I'm going to play it!

1) True is a word I like, and it's what I try to always be. Being a dog, I don't have trouble being true to myself, but I have also learned from my brother, Sam, that being true to your own family matters. He is a very loyal dog. He likes our people better than all other people, except maybe Louise, who takes us for walks. He loves her a lot. Sam is true to Louise and to us. I appreciate him!

2) Excellent is when we are walking in the woods, and I am feeling hot, and right close by I find cool, cool water to drink. Sometimes I even lie down! My mama and Papa Bear don't always like it that I lie down, but they understand how hot I get and that I need to cool off.

3) Worthy of praise is church. I really love going to church. The people are very, very friendly. Some of them sing, and I like to sing along. That is how I praise God! Wroo wroo!

4) Pleasing is when people are petting me and telling me I am pretty.

5) Honorable and commendable are the people and groups who take care of animals who don't have homes. One of those groups is down in Mississippi, where my friend, Sister, lives with all her cats: Andy, Whistle, Fish and Dubby. I am a member of the Humane Society of South Mississippi. They even send me mail! You can join, too. There is also a group that rescues dogs like me from puppy mills and auctions. You can read about them here. You can even see pictures of the dogs they rescued!

You can play this meme, too, and I hope you will!

Blogger Meet-Up!

Hello, friends!

Today I got to meet a world-famous blogger, jo(e)! Even though she is a cat person, she seemed to enjoy touring City By the Sea with my mom and Sam and me. We went to all the places with the best views. We smelled the sea air. We took pictures of sailboats and lighthouses and each other! We walked around until I was too tired to do anything but lie down, and jo(e) took my picture then, too.

I really liked her.

A nice German man took pictures of Sam and me, too.

The picture here is one my mom took at Not Quite Lands End Beach. I stood still for at least a second to help her.

I hope jo(e) will come to see me again some time. Also, I can't wait to see the pictures she took of me. She wants you to think I was nekkid, but I swear I kept my coat on!

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

A Good Day

Today my mom told me I had mail! I was so excited! She brought the card out to the backyard, where I was playing with Sam and our cousin dog, Luna. It had my name on the front, and our address, too!

Inside was a note from my good friend, Sister, who lives on the Gulf Coast with my mom's friend, St. Casserole and a lot of cats.

Sister doesn't like funder either! She agrees with me that funder is no fun.

I am happy to have a friend far away. She is my Paw Pal.

The leaves here are crunchy. The weather is called "fall" because the leaves are falling down. It's fun to kick them around on a sunny day in the yard with Sam and Luna. I hope you are having a good day, too!

Friday Five: The B-I-B-L-E

It's time for Friday Five! Mother Laura asked some questions about the Bible.

1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?

That's easy! My mama took me to church to illustrate one! I was just getting ready to take my Canine Good Citizen test and the lesson for that week had something about distractions in it. I went into church for the Children's Time and my mama talked about distractions and how that is part of the CGC test and part of the life of faith, too. People liked me, and they understood my mama's message better after watching me do some of my tricks, even though I was in church. I kept my eyes on my mama and showed my eye contact!

I also learned that there are "alternate" translations, and "the sin that distracts" was in one of them.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2, NRSV)

I know I get distracted sometimes and want to run off, and it must be even harder for people, since they aren't as good as dogs, mostly.

2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).

I like the RDSV (RevDog Standard Version).

3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?

There's a story about a lady who tells Jesus that even the dogs under the table get the children's crumbs. I like that idea. I get the children's crumbs a lot, and even their leftovers. It makes me sad that some children don't have enough to eat. That lady was smart, and she helped Jesus think about who he was here to talk to and love, which is everybody.

4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?

I prefer to discuss the great canine theologian, Martin Wroofer, who once said, "Wroo wroo! Too many rules in Leviticus! Listen to Jesus: love God, love others and love yourself. And don't forget to love dogs, too."

5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?

I think you should always include all the creatures. Don't forget the dogs. Or the cats. When I was scared of the No Fun-derstorm last night, I got on the bed with my mama and Baby the cat, and Baby didn't bother me at all, and I didn't bother her either.

Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?

I like to sing, so I love the psalms, especially the rejoicing ones! Even when my elbow hurts, which is a lot lately, I try to stay happy. If you're ever feeling glum, just read Psalm 150. It says, "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!" And I do.

I hope you'll play, too.

Five Questions!

Hi, friends! I'm back from my dog-blog-battical. My elbow has been bovvering me, and I didn't feel like typing, but now I have new medicine and feel much, much better.

These questions came from Cub, my friend in a Big Hot State. (By the way, Cub, that was Sam standing on the snow. I was down below in that picture, just the top of my head showed.)

1. You are a Ministry Dog. What is your favorite kind of ministry?

Thanks for asking this one! I enjoy Ministry of Visitation with older folks, and Ministry of Canine Education with the children, and I enjoy Ministry of Worship, especially when I get to be in a drama at church. But I think my favorite is Ministry of Coffee Hour. Sometimes they have sandwiches, and once I even got cake!

2. Like me, you have a dog brother. But you also have human boys and a human girl. What's that like?

My human boys and girl LOVE me!! My girl watches TV with me. My boys scoot over and let me get on their beds when I hear FUNder, which I call NO-Funder. Sometimes they walk me. I like it when the Oldest walks me, because he lets me do all my bad tricks and can't stop me. Heeheehee... I miss them, but my mom says they will be home for Thanksgiving, which is the most delicious holiday of all!!

3. Is the floor slippery at your church? Some places in my church it is, and I slide all over.

At our new church, a lot of the floors have carpets. I like them because they are flat and worn down and easy to walk on for me. Even the Molly-vator has a carpet! The Vestry floor is slippery, so I have to be more careful there.

4. Same question I asked the other dogs: What is one secret of a blissful life that you'd like to share with your thumb-havers?

Always look for the best in everyone, including yourself, and be sure to appreciate those good parts. If you love yourself and love other people, that's a good way to love God, too.

5. Frosty Paws: ever had them? If yes, share your opinion; if no, do you plan on trying them?

I've never had them, but once I had some vanilla soft serve ice cream with dog cookies, and it made me very sick. I lost a lot of weight. (I gained it back, sadly.) So I'm not allowed to have ice cream things anymore.

That's my five questions. If you want me to ask you some, leave a comment underneath here, okay?

Time to get my beauty sleep.

Love,
Your Friend,
Molly

Catching Up

Hello, world!

It's me, Molly!

I've been resting on the couch after a ramble in the woods this morning.

Here's all the latest news from my house:

• Both our boys went away to school. Our mama closed the door to their room, so I can't go upstairs. She says it's not because of me. It's because of our cat, Baby, who pees on things. I would NEVER pee on things in the house. That is just not nice.
• Our Papa Bear went away, too, but Mama says he will be back in six weeks, and it's already been one week, almost, so that makes five weeks.
• I am good at math.
• Our girl is in 7th grade. When she comes home in the afternoon she likes to watch Naruto. I like that show! We sit on the couch together and watch after she does her homework.
• Our Mama has been walking all summer, so now she likes to go for fast walks.
• I prefer slow ambles around the neighborhood.
• Especially since it suddenly turned into summer again. I have a fur coat, and I get hot!
  
• Sam has allergies, so he has to take pink pills to stop scratching. He barks everytime someone walks by our house, and when cars go by, too.
• Our Old Man Cat went away, and Mama says she doesn't think he is coming back. That makes her cry. I say there's no telling cats what to do, but if I could, I would have told him to leave a note.

How are things at your house?

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

Friday Five: Word Association, Redux

Hello, friends! It's me, Molly!!

I haven't blogged for a long time. First of all, it was hot here, and I didn't feel like doing much but resting and keeping cool. Then our pawtop computer wouldn't work, and I am not allowed to use my Papa Bear's, so I had to wait until it was fixed again. Then my Mom had to take it to work. Surely you see my difficulties!

But here I am, ready to play the Friday Five.

Below you will find five words. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem or a story.

1. vineyard -- My Papa Bear has a t-shirt that says Martha's Vineyard. He wore it the night he met my Mom. She says it is very special, and now he only wears it about once a year. The rest of the time it stays in his dresser.

2. root -- In the spring, when I go out in our yard, I smell things under the earth. I try to dig and find them. My mom says they are roots, and she asks me to stop digging, so our young trees in the backyard can grow up and give me more shade. That seems like a good reason, so I try to stop. But sometimes a girl just has to dig, know what I mean?

3. rescue -- Rescue people are the kindest in the world! I belong to a special group that rescues dogs and cats and puppies and kittens. Sometimes they send my mail about their good work. They are The Humane Society of South Mississippi. My friend St. Casserole helped me to join because she heard I was upset about the animals who lost their homes and families in Hurricane Katrina. It's easy for the rest of the world to forget, but people on the Gulf Coast are still trying to rebuild, and that makes life hard for their pets. I hope you all give something, somewhere, to help animals who don't have homes! I have a t-shirt, too, from HSSM. Thanks, St. Casserole!!

4. perseverance -- I had to ask my Mom about that word. She says it means sticking with something even when you don't feel like it because it's really hard work. I think it means giving your people a paw poke, gently, when they forget to pet you or give you their pizza crusts.

5. divided -- Sam and I are divided from the cats at our house. The cats DO NOT like us. I bet if I met Littleman Kitty or Whistle and Fish they would like me. I hope they would. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and I am afraid if the cats don't learn to like me, our house will fall down!

Thanks for reading my word associations!!

Love,
Your Friend,
Molly

Friday Five: Hasty Edition

As posted by reverendmother at RevGalBlogPals:

Today, what are you:

1. Wearing -- a lovely tricolor fur coat

2. Reading -- Greyfriars Bobby (the dialect is a little hard to understand, but I'm enjoying it)

3. Eating -- Merrick dog food, it's the best!

4. Doing -- blogging with my Mom in the kitchen

5. Pondering -- wondering whether I wouldn't be better off in the attic, since I think I hear Funder!!!

Sad Tonight

My mom's friend is hurt. Mom loves the dog at their house a lot, so I am praying for my RevGalDogPal. I wish people could be as loyal as dogs are.

Sadly,
Your friend,
Molly

Dreams Do Come True!

Hello, everybody!
Remember yesterday I said I wanted to make better friends with cats?
Well, lately, I've been going upstairs early in the morning to see if I can get some snuggles before Sam takes them all. My Papa Bear has been boosting me on to the big bed, and I get to snuggle between Papa Bear and my Mom. Sometimes Baby the Cat is there, but she usually hides behind my Mom.
Today she walked right over to me! I made friends with a cat!!
Love,
Your friend,
Molly
P.S. She smells very, very interesting.

Friday 5, Gifts and Talents

Over at RevGalBlogPals, Sally writes:

Our Circuit (Methodist) is having a "Gifts and talents day" tomorrow- we have a minister visiting from another circuit who has modified the Myers Briggs personality test and added a few things of his own to run a day where we get to look at ourselves in the light of giftings and of the whole church. The idea is to encourage everyone with the news that there is room for you in the ministry of the church- and perhaps to discover where that ministry might be.....

It should be an interesting day, and one where I hope people will leave feeling encouraged and challenged...

So with gifts and talents in mind here is todays Friday 5;

1. Personality tests; love them or hate them?

The only important personality test is the one I give to everybody I meet: it's the Molly Berner Temperament Index. The three possible results are:

Loves me

Likes me

Doesn't know what's good for them

2. Would you describe yourself as practical, creative, intellectual or a mixture ?

I am highly intellectual and creative about getting my people to serve my practical needs.

3. It is said that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame; have you had yours yet? If so what was it, if not dream away what would you like it to be?

I'm not famous? But I'm on the Internet!

4. If you were given a 2 year sabbatical ( oh the dream of it) to create something would it be music, literature, art.....something completely different...share your dream with us...

My whole life is a sabbatical. Come on over to the couch, and let's have a nap.

5. Describe a talent you would like to develop, but that seems completely beyond you.

I would like to be able to make better friends with my cats.

How about you? What talent would you like to have?

Five Things I Dig About Jesus

Rosie and Jenny tagged me to do a meme about Jesus. They want to know five things I dig about Jesus. I had to ask my Mom what that means, because I know about Jesus and I know about digging, but I thought digging was in the backyard, when I smell the roots starting to move under the ground. She explained that this kind of "dig" means like a lot and think is cool. So here goes!

1. Jesus loved everybody, even people who nobody else liked. That's how I feel about people, too, and I love being like Jesus that way. I always say hello to everybody and try to make them feel happy.

2. Jesus told a lot of stories. I tell a lot of stories, too! Wroo Wroo!!!

3. My mom says this list is not just about me. She says think of something that is different from me. Hmmm.

Okay, I've got one. Jesus liked walking from place to place so he could talk to as many people as possible. He didn't wait for people to give him a ride. He used his own feet. (I prefer the car.)

4. Jesus loved the little children, back when people didn't make a fuss over them. That is sweet. I love little children, too. (I can't help it, Mom, I really can't.)

5. Jesus told people to love each other. That's the most important thing there is.

What do you dig about Jesus?

8 Things About Me!

Hi, everybody!
My friend, Seeker, asked me to play a game and tell you eight random facts about me. So, here goes!

1. I am a BERNESE Mountain Dog. I am not a Burmese anything, but lots of people say it that way. My ancestors came from the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland, and I am proud to be a Mountain Dog.

2. I like to look pretty, and I don't mind going to the groomer, but I hate it when my Mom brushes me. It's not as much fun.

3. Every time I meet a Chow, those dogs with the purple tongues, they want to play with me, especially the boys.

4. My brother, Sam, is very jealous when I play with Chows.

5. We have three cats at our house, and not one of them will let me sniff his or her bottom. I swear, all I want to do is sniff.

6. I have a weakness for Dog Nip. Sometimes I just have to roll in it. Life's too short not to. Seriously.

7. I love going to church almost more than anything, especially going in the big church when the choir is practicing and I can sing along. Wroo Wroo!!!!

8. When I was a puppy, I had operations on one hip and both elbows and they had to shave a lot of my fur off, and I didn't like it one single bit. I looked silly.

(That's a picture of me after my hip surgery, with one of my human brothers. We're both more grown up now. Don't tell him I used this picture, okay? I really liked that pretty bed, but when Sam was a puppy, he peed on it, more than once, so my mom threw the inside part away. She's always saying she'll get a new one to use with the pretty cover, but she never does.)

I don't know who to tag except Whistle and Cub. Will you play? If any of my commenters would like to play on their human's blogs, that would be great, too!

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

Not Fun

Dear friends,

I don't know why they call them Funderstorms. They are not FUN!!! Whenever I feel the thunder coming, I want to run away! I pant and pant, and no one can make me feel better. I feel all electric inside. I go to higher ground. My mom says I could work for the National Weather Service. She also says higher ground is a good him, but I don't know what she means.

Last night we had big funderstorms, and they came right at dinnertime, and I could not eat in my usual spot because I was too upset. My human sister brought my dish upstairs, and when the storm got quieter, I could eat my supper, mostly.

Do you like funderstorms?

I really, really don't.

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

A New Tree

Dear Everybody,

I have a new tree in my yard!



My Papa Bear dug up the stump where my favorite bush used to be, and then he and Mom planted a pretty new tree. It doesn't have much shade yet, and Sam peed on it. I told him to stop it. But he just did it again. Papa said Sam was christening the tree. I object!



Now Papa Bear is digging up stumps in the front yard, too. It all looks strange. I don't know if I will like it. Mom says we will get some new shrubs, but I have a feeling I won't be able to fit under them when I get free.



Yardwork is tiring, I'm going to have a nap now.

What's happening in your yard?

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

P.S. If you click on the pictures, you can see them bigger at Flickr my mom says.

Friday Five: Big Event Edition

My mom posted this:

Did you know that the major purpose for forming a non-profit, RevGalBlogPals, Inc., was to be able to attract grant support for a large scale RevGalBlogPal meetup? My dream from the beginning has been attracting financial support that would allow as many of our bloggers to be together as possible.

RGBP, Inc. now has a planning committee, and we are in the early stages of planning the RevGalBlogPal Big Event. What, When, Where and Who are all on the table at the moment. In that spirit, I bring you the Big Event Friday Five.

1. What would the meeting be like? (Continuing Ed? Retreat? Outside Speakers? Interest Groups? Workshops? Hot Stone Massages? Pedicures? Glorified Slumber Party?)

Wroo wroo! I like Interest Groups. Are those like Playgroups? Would there be separate rooms for RevGalDogPals and RevGalCatPals? Or could I finally get to meet Whistle and Littleman Kitty? Could we have a special group for Therapy Dogs? And will you paint my toenails?

2. When in 2008 might you be able to attend? January? Shortly after Easter? Summer? Fall? Some other time?

My calendar is wide open!

3. Where would your dream meeting location be? (Urban Hotel? Rural Retreat Center? New England Camp? Southwestern Fantasy Hotel? Far away from civilization? Nearby Outlets or Really Great Thrift Stores?)

Obviously, it needs to be at a pet-friendly resort. Sheesh!

4. Who would make a great keynote speaker? (That's if #1 leads us in that direction.)

I have a lot of things to say! Pick me, pick me!

5. Did I leave out something you want to suggest?

Yes. The most important thing on the menu: Milkbones.

Dream big for the Big Event!!!

As posted by my Mom at RevGalBlogPals:

Tell us these five things about parties, birthday or otherwise.

1) Would you rather be the host or the guest?

I LOVE to go to parties as a guest. I LOVE it when people come to my house, too! But I suppose I prefer getting out and socializing.

2) When you are hosting, do you clean everything up the minute the guests go home? Will you accept help with the dishes?

I just let Sam lick the dishes after I nibble on the tastiest leftovers.

3) If you had the wherewithal, and I guess I mean more than money, to throw a great theme party, what would the theme be?

When my Mom has her Hobbit party, I will be there with Sam, because we both have Hobbit names for our fancy names. I'm Songbird's Merry May Gamgee, and he is Rosier's Loyal Samwise Gamgee. We already have the hairy feet!!!! And we love a party, and we love to eat. So we're all set. (May Gamgee is a real sister of Samwise. My mom found her name in the Ap-pen-dix; she told me so.)

4) What's the worst time you ever had at a party?

Who would have a bad time at a party? I guess the only bad time I had was a Thanksgiving dinner where I had to go back to the car. It made me sad. Another dog was there, and he thought I was big and scary. He loves me now. We just had to get to know each other!!

5) And to end on a brighter note, what was the best?

Any party with Pizza!!!

You can play, too! And leave me a note if you stop by!

Friday Five: What are You...

1. Wearing -- a beautiful tri-color fur coat! It's a little warm for summer, but it's awfully pretty.

2. Pondering -- why do the cats run when I just want to play with them?

3. Reading -- "All Creatures Great and Small" I like it a lot. It's my favorite hymn, too. Did you know there's a verse about Berners?

The loving, noble Berner,

With coat rust, black and white,

Is our beloved companion,

Whose spirit brings us light.

(My mom wrote it for a Berner Blessing service.)

4. Dreaming -- of legs that don't ever hurt me.

5. Eating -- this morning I had venison stew, yummy!! Also, cookies.

What are you up to today?

Friday Five: Surprised By Joy

Hello, friends! I haven't been blogging lately because my arthur-ities have been bothering me. I'm not an old dog, you know; I'm only 5! But I've had arthur-ities since I was a puppy girl in my hips and my elbows. Now I have it in my right wrist, too, and since I'm right-pawed, I didn't feel like typing.

But, today I am feeling good! So I am playing the Friday Five!!

Tell us about five people, places, or things that have brought surprising, healing joy into your life.

1) My mom says the place I came from had people who didn't really care about good health for dogs; then she told me she couldn't have asked for a sweeter dog with a better nature, and she hugged and kissed me. That is Joy # 1!!!

2) When I'm feeling sore, and I can't go for a walk, I like to lie under my bush in the backyard. The snow hurt my bush, and my mom said we're going to have to cut it down, but she promised I could have a new one. That is Joy #2!!!

3) I like Winter best, because if you have a big fur coat like mine, the Summer is too hot, and even Spring, too, sometimes. But, in the Spring, I can smell something in the earth that I want to find, so I dig and dig until the roots of things show, and I can smell them even better! That is Joy #3!!!

4) Sometimes on gloomy days, my mom gives me a marrow bone! I love them!! That is Joy #4!!!

5) Even though she says it's time to leave the dog park, my mom always lets me wrassle with Sam for five more minutes! That is Joy #5!!!

What makes you feel joyful? Write and tell me, okay?

Love,
Your friend,
Molly

Friday Five: Rivers in the Desert

For this Friday Five, name five practices, activities, people or _____ (feel free to fill in something I may be forgetting) that for you are rivers in the desert.

1. I really love to meet new people. I like dogs, but I love people even more. Most people love me, too, unless they are just afraid of big dogs. I tell them, "You should see my brother at home!"

2. Milkbones are the best treat ever! I would do almost anything for a Milkbone. My mom calls them "doggie crack," but I'm not sure what that means.

3. The smell of cat food in the air, either being put down for the cat or freshly thrown-up by one of our cats. I can smell it anywhere in the house, and I feel it's my job to go and clean it up as quickly as possible.

4. Sitting in my chair in the living room. I like to hang out with my people in the evening, when they are watching TV. Sometimes the kids try to get my chair, and sometimes I might let one of them, but I prefer to sit in it and be with all of them. They can lie on the floor. It won't hurt them.

5. Going to the vet. The people there all know me, and when I have an owie they make it better. I have had lots of owies in my life. My joints are not very good. When I was still a puppy I had two kinds of surgery, one for a hip, and one for both elbows. Today the vet (her name is Dr. Molly, isn't that high-larious?) told my mom I have arthritis in one of my wrists, too, so I am going to take a bigger dose of my medicine every day and see if that helps. My mom loves me a lot, and so does my dad, even if he is grumpy sometimes when I lie down during a walk. But now he will have to let me because Dr. Molly said so!

What are your rivers in the desert?

Snow Day Pictures

Yesterday it snowed a lot! Then it turned to rain. I thought it might be different in the front yard, but it wasn't. My mom stood in the rain with Sam and me for a while, and we watched our human brother shovel. It was NOT fun. I got very wet.

But earlier it was okay. The new snow got really high on top of the old snow, so high Sam could look over the fence!

(That big mound on the fence is a rug. One of the cats peed on it. I guess it's going to the trash someday.)

Anyway, when our mom saw Sam standing up so high, she called him, "Sam! Sam!"

He listened to her.

I'm not sure why he does that.

I know I don't. Not when I'm in the backyard having fun.

What do you like to do in the snow?

My Birthday!

Today I turned five years old! My mom says it is amazing that a girl who had hip and elbow surgery when she was still a pup can have so much fun at 5. I think she is very silly. Fun is all about attitude!

This morning I went to the dog park. It was sunny and the snow was crunchy and I told everyone there it was a special day!!

WROO WROO!!! I said. WROO WROO!!!

Tonight for dinner I got my favorite treat. My mom took me to McDonald's, to the drive-thru, and we got Molly Burgers. We call them that because once when I was a puppy I took one right off my human sister's plate before she could stop me. They are DELICIOUS!!! (But hold the pickles, and definitely hold the onions. I don't want BAD BREATH on my birthday.)

This is a picture of me giving my mom a paw in our kitchen. I wish you could all come and visit me!

Love,
Molly

My Day

Hello, everyone!
I have a little problem with snow. I really, really love it! It is so exciting to run on the snow! I love the cold air; it makes me feel like a puppy again!!
But I hurt my toe on Wednesday, and then I wrenched my leg on Thursday, and today I made my toenail bleed again.
That is NO FUN.
On the other hand, it stopped right away, and my sore leg was fine today. Also, my mom took me to the dog food store this afternoon, and I finally got a Greenie. It was delicious! Then she read Riley's comment and now I can't ever have another one.
Oh, well. I get a lot of treats, so I can't complain too much. (Don't tell my mom I said that, okay?)
My birthday is on Tuesday. I will be 5 years old. I hope I get a cheeseburger, because that's my favorite thing, and my mom and dad call them Mollyburgers, because once I took one away from my human sister, just took it right out of her hand, because cheeseburgers are VERY EXCITING!!! Even for grown-up dogs who are turning 5.
Just thought you might like to know these things,
Love,
Molly

Ouch!

Dear World,
Today I tore off one of my toenails on my front left foot. It hurt!!! There was blood (not too much), and my mom said she felt faint or something.
My human brother used to work at the vet's office, and he cleaned my boo-boo. He had to give me a little foot hair trim, which I DID NOT LIKE, but he was gentle.
Now I am wearing a bandage and a sock. I got the first bandage off, but my mom (who did not faint after all) put on another one, and then the sock.
The sock FEELS ridiculous and looks FOOLISH!!
I'm going to the vet in the morning and tell them what I think about it. This boo-boo totally ruined my fun time at the park, running around in the snow with Sam and our friends.
Not so happily,
Molly

What I Did on Friday

Hello, friends!
Yesterday I FINALLY got to go to church again. We took a long ride in the car, with a stop for donut holes, thank you very much. Then we pulled into a vaguely familiar parking lot, and when my Mom let me out, I sang, "Wroo wroo! I'm here!!!"
Mom told me I was not Ethel Merman, and this was not Broadway.
Then we went in the door and got in the elevator.
I probably mentioned to you before how much I love elevators.
My new friend Long Hair Lady was there in the office, and she heard me singing as soon as the elevator doors opened!
When I got thirsty after all the cookies they gave me, my Mom emptied the pretty bowl on her desk that has person treats, and took me over to the ladies room and filled it with water. I like to drink from a pretty bowl.
We had a visit from a nice man, and I very politely took a nap while he was talking to my Mom.
I get bored when my Mom is working on the computer, but I keep an ear out in case we have other visitors. Whenever anyone comes to the door, Mom gets up and I give a paw, and someone gives me a cookie. Yay!
After work, we went to the hospital, but I had to wait in the car. Then we drove back to our town. I could hear my mom talking to Whistle's mom on the phone; they were making each other laugh, but I didn't get the joke.
When we were almost home, Mom drove by the dog park, and she even turned in, but she told me there was a guy in the shelter there drinking from a bottle in a brown paper bag, so we had to go home instead of playing. Quelle disappointment!
I bet you didn't know I could speak French.
What are you up to today?
Love,
Molly

Did you hear?

Did you hear the news? We finally got some snow here, for heaven's sake! It fell on Saturday. I am really, really enjoying it. That's a picture of me in the backyard in the early, early morning, which is why it looks sort of blue. I was running, because snow is fun!!!

I like to lie on the snow. Sometimes my mom comes to the back door and says, "Molly, are you stuck to the snow?" But she is smiling, and I know she isn't really worried at all.

Today Sam and I took a walk with our Papa Bear and our mom and our human girl. We drove to a neighborhood in our town that is right next to some really nice woods, and we took a circle trail. Sam and I were very busy, because there was a lot of pee-mail to read all along the path. We didn't go up on the ridge because our mom was COOOLLLD! Then we came home and had supper, and then we told our Papa Bear we needed *more* supper! It's cold outside! We need extra fuel!!!

Then we told our mom we needed her dinner, too. She always gives us what we want. We got some leftovers.

Now it's time to sleep, because tomorrow we're going out in the snow again!

Friday Five: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm a RevGalDogPal, so I'm playing the Friday Five!

Change is a given in life, yet it's not easy for any of us. So strap on your seat belts and let's talk about it:

1. Share, if you wish, the biggest change you experienced this past year.

Sam and I used to go to doggie day care at a really nice place. Then it had to stop having so many dogs come, because the neighbors complained or something. I don't know why anybody would complain about dogs! It's ridiculous.
So, we were sad to stop going, or at least I was, because everybody there loved me and I got to put my paws up on the counter and open the treat jar with my nose, and they all thought I was super-smart and very pretty!!!
Also, they had lots of woods for running and I miss it.
BUT, then our mom called a really nice lady who takes dogs for walks and to the dog park, and now when we need help, she comes over. Sam loves her more than anyone, and I like her a lot, too, but more when we go to the dog park. I'm not into the leash walking. Would you like me to walk you on a leash? I'm just sayin'.

2. Talk about a time you changed your mind about something, important or not.

When Sam came to live here, I didn't like him. But he got better.

3. Bishop John Shelby Spong wrote a controversial book called "Why Christianity Must Change or Die." Setting aside his ideas--what kind of changes would you like to see in the Church?

More churches that welcome dogs. And I am sure Cousin Jack would agree! He told me I was pretty when he came to visit!
Also, more churches that welcome everybody. I love everybody, and I'm sure God does, too.

4. Have you changed your hairstyle/hair color in the last five years? If so, how many times?

I am almost five years old. First I lost my puppy fluff. Then I had to be shaved for hip surgery and then for elbow surgery, and then I got a crazy-short haircut to even it all up. That was not my best look. Now I keep my coat long and full.

Here's a picture when I had my puppy fluff.



5. What WERE they thinking with that New Coke thing?

I don't care as long as they don't change the Milk Bones.

Kits and pups, join in and play!

My Animal Friends Far Away

Hello, everyone!
I want to tell you about my animal friends far away on the Gulf Coast. My mom's friend, St. Casserole, gave me a special present, and I am a member of the Humane Society of South Mississippi. They send me letters in the mail, and I think about the animals who lost their homes, and I feel sad for them. Some animals got lost, and lots of new baby kittens and puppies were born, and since their people didn't have houses anymore, the animals went to the shelter.

While my mom was visiting St. Casserole and Whistle and Fish and Andy and Sister the Dog, St. Casserole started making Stuffies. You can see them in the picture. But if you click on the word Stuffies, you can read more about them. If you or your mom or dad will make a donation to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, then send an e-mail to St. Casserole, she will send you a special stuffie.


I have one! She is a purple kitty with a big blue smile, and she is sitting on our mantelpiece. I would never chew her; she is too special.
I hope you will go and visit St. Casserole. She is Whistle's mom, and Whistle is a blogger, too.
Love,
Molly
P.S. Sam says he can't believe how good I am at making links!!!

Friday Five: Renewal

My mom says:
In this week that looks unlikely to hold a complete day off, I am pondering renewal. List four ways you like to relax or give yourself a break. Then name a fifth, something you've never been able to do, a self-care dream.


Hmmm. I'm usually pretty relaxed. But here are some of my favorite activities.

1. Snoozing in my chair.

2. Riding in the car, especially when we drive through at the donut store.

3. Visiting the coffee shop with my mom when she has a meeting. They give out cookies! Then all the people come over and pet me.

4. Eating a cheeseburger. It doesn't happen often enough, but when it does, YUM!

And my dream of a renewing thing to do?

5. Take myself for a walk and go wherever I want. I promise I would be careful crossing the street. There are lots of people out there just waiting to meet me!

Or, I would like to go to Mississippi and ride on a truck with the volunteers. I bet they need a ministry dog there!

What makes you feel refreshed?

My Day

Dear friends,
Wroo wroo! I had an exciting day today!
This morning after breakfast, I was relaxing in the living room when I heard my mom say, "Molly, would you like to go to church?"
Would I? You bet! I jumped up!! She put my leash on, and we were off! We stopped at the coffee place and she got me a munchkin! I was really happy.
Then we started driving. It was a long, long drive, not like our old church.
When we got there, we went in a strange door, and then we got in the elevator. I love elevators! Every dog should have a room with automatic doors to carry her around the building!!
In the office I met a pretty young woman with long hair who helps my mom with her work. She gave me cookies and petted me. Then another lady came in to visit. When all the visits were over and my mom said, "No more cookies, Molly," I decided to lie down on the rug and wait patiently.
Next we took a ride to a lady's house where other ladies were making crafts and having lunch. I sat in the car for a while, but I also got to go in and say hello. They liked me! But they wouldn't let me eat the cat food.
After that was the best part of the day. I met a new friend, Sandy the Brittany Spaniel. She is 8 years old, but she is as much fun as a puppy!!! We played with her stuffed animals and ran around in the snow in her backyard.
Then we had another long ride. My mom got out of the car twice, once for coffee and another time for books or something.
Finally we got home and I was hungry!
Wroo Wroo!!! Where's my dinner?
I got dinner *and* seconds--delicious!
Now I must close, for it is time to rest on the couch.
Love to all,
Molly

I knew it! I'm Royalty!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Royal Highness Molly the Rustic of Burton-le-Coggles Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Cats and Dogs, you can play, too! What is your title?

Dinner Al Fresco

It's me! Molly!!

We finally got some snow!!!

I went out to play, and I didn't want to come inside again. So I said, "Woof!" And my mom is smart, and she speaks Woofage, and she told my Papa Bear that I was asking to eat my supper outside.

And she was right.

And so I did! It was delicious!

Do you have any snow?

Badda Bing Badda Boom Friday Five

It's been a very full, busy week. Here's the F5, short and sweet.

The questions are simple, the answers unlimited. Go!

Who = Me! I'm Molly!

What = Bernese Mountain Dog, Ministry Dog, Friend of Everybody!

When = Oh, I don't care, stop by anytime!

Where = You'll find me in the living room, curled up in my chair.

Why = You have to ask? To bring dog cookies, of course! And to pet me!

Cats and Dogs, leave me a comment and you can play, too! Get your people to do linking, though, because it's hard without thumbs.

A New Church

Dear World,
The other day I got in the car with my Papa Bear and the two big boys from our house. We left Sam at home. I was excited! A trip for me! Without Sam! That usually means church.
Sam, you see, doesn't like crowds. He likes woods and stuff. I am the dog who likes all the people.
So we got in the car, and it was very crowded. Usually I ride in the front seat with my Papa Bear, and I can lie down on the seat and ride like a Princess because he makes it flat. Then Sam sits up in the back. But on this ride I had to share the BACK SEAT with our oldest boy, the one who goes away for a long time, then comes back and drinks all the milk, my mom says.
We drove for a long time. Finally, we got somewhere!
I had never, ever been there before. There was a big white building, though, and I know what those are! Lots of them are churches!!
Church is the place where lots of people get together and pet me. Sure, they do other stuff, too. They stand up and sit down, they talk and sing. They drink coffee! But I find that petting me is one of people's favorite things to do. It makes them smile!
So, we got to the new church, and we went up some stairs and through two big doors, and then some more doors and I was so excited I sang, "Wroo wroo!"
And I looked up and saw my mom, and she was standing up high and smiling and she said, "My family is here!" And everyone smiled and laughed!!! And I said "Wroo wroo!!"
Later all the children petted me, and then I went to mom's car for a while, and then I got to go to the party after church. They had some really good-looking sandwiches, but I didn't get any. I stood up as tall as I know how, but that didn't help.
At our old church, some ladies used to bring dog cookies in their pocketbooks, just for me. I need to teach these new ladies to bring cookies, too.
How are things with you? Do you ever go to church?
Love,
Molly

Here I Am

Dear World,
My mom finally let me have a blog!
I want to tell you all about our new church, but it's late. I'll get back to you tomorrow.
Love,
Molly