Great Animal Movies to Watch

The first long weekend of the summer season is approaching, and though many people spend time outdoors, if you live in an area where the weather is expected to be less than ideal (of if you just want to kick around your PJs a bit for some needed R&R), here are some great movie ideas for you and your family:

"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" is the story about the dog-human bond. It's about loyalty to the "nth-degree!" The movie stars Richard Gere and Joan Allen and a beautiful Akita. Based on a true story about a dog in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s, Hachi, a dog, waits for his master's return for nearly a decade. If you don't cry, or at least get choked up about Hatchi's (the Akita) devotion to his person, your heart is stone! Learn more at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/

"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" features the voices of Michael J. Fox and Sally Field and again, showcases the devotion of pets to their owners as three lost pets make their way through wilderness, storms, and thousands of miles to return to their beloved family. SPOILER ALERT: I always cry when the old Golden Retriever crests the hill, limping but alive! See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107131/ for more information.

"Because of Winn Dixie" may be classified as a kids' movie, but adults can learn alot about life and loyalty as well! See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317132/ for more information.

I never saw "Marley & Me" the movie, but I read the book -- animal death scenes are difficult for me and with senior dogs at my house, I think I'll wait on this one awhile. But, I hear it's a pretty good movie. Visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822832/ for more information.

Additionally, there are NUMEROUS great dog and cat books available at libraries and bookstores. Maybe you want to take one on your camping trip and sit by the campfire to read in the evening. Or curl up in your favorite chair on Sunday afternoon for a good rest with a good book. "Marley and Me" was already mentioned; "Dewey" about the library cat in Iowa; "Saturdays with Stella" and the various "Chicken Soup" for pet lovers area also great reads. Check out information on these books at http://www.amazon.com/.

And, if you like knowing more about the loyalty of dogs, there's a wonderful story about a dog, like Hachi that lived in Montana during the 1930s. Like Hachi, this dog greeted every train that rolled into Fort Benton, Montana looking for his master. This dog's name was Shep, and, also like Hachi of Japan, a bronze statue of this loyal dog graces the town. Another story to bring tears to your eyes. Learn more about Shep's story at http://www.fortbenton.com/shep/story.html. There are also books about this special dog. Find a listing on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+story+of+shep&x=17&y=21

Couldn't we people learn great lessons for Shep, Hachi, and the stories behind each of these movies and books? No wonder we love our pets so much!

Enjoy a safe holiday weekend and don't forget to include your pets -- and a good movie or book or two!

A Time to Celebrate and a Time to Reflect

Merry Christmas, everyone! The dogs and cats as well as my husband and I enjoyed a delightful Christmas Eve afternoon together and now it's Christmas Day. The snow is falling, the fire is blazing in the woodstove, my husband is air-bound to visit his parents who live far away, and I have time to pause in celebration and reflection upon this past year and the wonderful ways my dear pets, my precious family, my great friends, and my loving God have helped me.

For many people today, Christmas Day, is a time to be with family and/or friends, to celebrate love, especially the greatest love of all - God's love for His creation. That love gave us His Son, Jesus, as Redeemer and Savior of all. I personally believe that includes the animals He created, for Genesis 1 tells us that when God created the Heavens, the Earth and the Earth's inhabitants, He called His creation "good". I believe God makes His presence and His love known to us through our pets - their devotion, their friendship, their comfort all reflect the love God has for us. My pets have been a great comfort and inspiration for me, especially this past year with the various struggles and set-backs my family and I have endured. Their continual loyalty and love, their perseverance, their enjoyment of life and taking things in stride serve as reminders to me that life is precious, life is challenging yet life is also to be enjoyed and friends and family treasured.

So this day, I say THANK YOU to my God, my parents, my husband, my friends and my pets for making my life special because of your presence in it. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each of you!

Little Dog, Big Heart

Almost exactly one year ago, my husband and I adopted an older male Cocker Spaniel. A family who got him in another estate had brought him into our local shelter. He obviously had been used as a stud, as he was nearly 10 years old and not neutered. We know nothing else about his background, except he supposedly needed to be “the only dog”. Well, that has turned out to be completely false.

Cody blended right in with Sage, our blind Springer Spaniel, and he seemed to take on the role of protector. It’s as though he realizes she has a handicap. The first few months when they went out together to the backyard (which they do often!), he watched her, and if she ran too close to one of the trees, or to the stair railing of the deck, Cody would try to prevent her from getting hurt.

On our walks and in our house, he is ever vigil. If he thinks a dog or a person is going to hurt me, his mistress, he sets into a barking frenzy. Once, I walked past a yard with a large golden retriever, and that dog came charging to the fence, barking up a storm! Cody retaliated, pulling on his leash and barking loudly! He didn’t care if that dog was 3 times his size, he’d have taken him on to protect me. Thankfully, the golden stayed in its yard and simply barked. We don’t walk near that yard anymore.

Our house would surely be off-limits to intruders. Cody keeps watch on a chair near the front door, with an eye on the picture window as well. Whenever he hears a diesel motor or sees a person simply walking past the front of the house, his “protection mode” kicks into high gear, and we are alerted that "something is out there!" We always know when someone is at the door! In fact, we always know when someone is walking on the sidewalk, even if they are across the street!

This 30-pound, elderly dog is totally loyal and loving. Cody – a little dog with a big heart!