Hoffman's Hideaway: May 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Joy in our life

"Happiness is a warm puppy." Charles Shultz

She came to us when a friend went to look at her at a local shelter and called me to say, I think this is your dog. My husband disagreed, but he went to see her at my constant nagging. Joy was already a celebrity. She had been featured on the front page of our local paper with a story that she had been abused and had a broken pelvis.

This was our first introduction to Joy.

When we arrived at the shelter, they explained she was in her own special pen to keep her from running or jumping to help her pelvis heal. They also explained that a man had brought her to the humane society (that only took cats) and told them if they didn't take her, he would just go kill her. They quickly agreed as they could tell she had been injured. The vet stated he thought she may have been pregnant and her owner had kicked her to kill the babies. They were nervous about how she would react to men and children.
Troy went in to the pen first. She rolled over on her back and that was it. Troy scooped her up and said lets get her home.

She's a daddy's girl.

She's been on our couch ever since. I saw her chase a a ball once. Only once. Mostly her entire purpose in life is to be catered to and soak up love. If she could potty in the house, her feet would never touch grass.

You'll notice there is no collar. She doesn't like them. It is rare she leaves the house!

A majority of pics we have for her are on the couch. She seems to think it is beneath her to sit on the floor.

She serves as an arm rest/pillow for the kids, snuggle partner for Troy and constant source of noise for me. She is the first one to go upstairs to bed on Cole's couch at night, she is the last one up in the morning when we have to drag her off the couch and herd her outside. The is the first to bark until she is fed and the last one to get their snack at night. She does not appreciate me talking on the phone and will bark until I hang it up. I have to go outside to have a quiet conversation.

The picture above was a perfectly sunny day.

Beautiful, warm and dry. the other children were in the yard.

She's a daddy's girl. She is very clear about it. I am just here to take care of her every whim until he comes homes at night.

A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.