Bedtime Tails Birthday Edition - Go Humane

On this the 29th of April 2019, I am celebrating my birthday with you - dog owners, dog lovers, and overall lover of all furry ones!  My birthday wish on Bedtime Tails is honoring humane societies nationwide - whether by volunteering, donating, or adopting.

Do you remember the story, Casey at Bat?  In 2011, my mother and I adopted a very young puppy Rat Terrier that I named Casey.  We adopted him from The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, Illinois.  When we brought him home, his little energy was electric.  Our cat, Darby, was not too keen on having a brother...let alone him being a dog.  As a hobby, I research the history and personality types of many different dog breeds and Casey proved true to his.  Rat Terriers are known for chasing after vermin - hence "rat."  Casey saw Darby as a moving target - not a cat.  Sadly, we had to surrender him back to The Anti-Cruelty Society.  We did not have the anticipation and experience requisite to handling a puppy and especially of a breed like Casey's.  My advice to you - match your experience level with the traits of the pup you are interested in adopting, especially if you are a first-time owner.  The ultimate point to this story - we fully supported The Anti-Cruelty Society and always will.

When I was on summer break during one year in high school, I visited family in Hawaii.  My aunt suggested I volunteer at the Kauai Humane Society in Kauai, Hawaii.  I immediately agreed to the idea.  I cleaned the cat cages and doggie kennels.  The best perk?  I got to play with the puppies!  My heart melted with puppy love when I met a Saint Bernard puppy - what a bundle of fur!  And then there was the Golden Retriever litter.  They were as eager to spend time with me as I was with them.  We chased each other around the grassy yard, played with toys, took much needed breaks, and just enjoyed the company.  For every day I volunteered, this was our routine.  At the end of my stay and on return to the mainland, I felt a strong sense of sorrow.  To this day, I miss our playtime and bonding moments.  The Golden Retriever litter will forever have a place in my heart.  The ultimate point to this story - I fully supported the Kauai Humane Society and always will.

Although I am not a dog owner due to regulations in my condominium, two of my cats were adopted at the Naperville Area Humane Society in Naperville, Illinois.  

Darby Hovis - May 2005 (d. September 25, 2018)

Juliet "Jules" Hovis - April 2017

As you can tell, I will always go to the Naperville Area Humane Society for adoption.

Naperville Area Humane Society mission -

"Our mission is to promote the humane treatment of companion animals and create lasting human-animal bonds."

On this the 29th of April 2019, please support the humane society of your choice in what their unique mission is and in any way you can.  

Go Humane

The Pug Who Could Fly

Nigel was an international hit in rock and roll music.  He was well known for his expertise with the electric guitar and drums.  His specialty was the electric guitar, though.  He played with the classic rock band - The Andrew Brothers (ironically none of whom were related).  After ten years together, the band dissolved peacefully.  Nigel is now pursuing a solo music career with three roles in one - singer, guitarist, and drummer.  For now, Nigel is recording albums.  He has not played before an audience yet...but global interest wants him to.

When The Andrew Brothers performed in concert, they always took a tour bus from venue to venue.  They never had a reason to fly.  This was perfectly fine with Nigel.

There is something you should know about Nigel - he is terrified of flying.

There is something else you should know about Nigel - his adopted Pug, Charlie, is also afraid to fly.  How does Nigel know this?  The Humane Society he adopted Charlie from informed him that Charlie's last family frequently traveled the country and he always became ill in turbulence.  And so he was surrendered to the Humane Society, which worked out best for both Nigel and Charlie who love each other very much.

One day, Nigel brought Charlie to the recording studio when his agent stopped by.

"Hi Tom!  What brings you here today?"

"Hey Nigel.  I got a request this morning from the talk show, Morning Coffee.  They want to meet with you as a guest.  They know you're still recording, so you don't have to perform."

"Morning Coffee.  But that is on the west coast and we're in the Midwest!  I don't have a tour bus.  I'll have to fly!  No, Tom, no.  Tell them I am honored, but respectfully decline."

"Nigel, this is a perfect opportunity for you.  I mean, your publicity so far has been limited to local radio stations.  Morning Coffee...well, you know their ratings."

Nigel sighed and said,

"Yeah I do.  Morning Coffee is a great show, especially when they host summer concert Fridays.  I just..."

"You deserve this chance."

Nigel looked to Charlie, who seemed nervous already.

"Okay.  Tell them I said okay.

"One condition, Tom.  I have to bring Charlie.  You know how inseparable we are."

Now Tom sighed and said,

"Okay."

The next day was filled with sunshine and beautiful blue sky...and a bundle of upset nerves.

When they boarded the plane and were instructed to his window seat and Charlie's permitted seat next to him, Nigel began to panic.  What would happen if he fell ill in mid-flight?  How would Charlie react to his emotions?  What about Charlie?  Oh my goodness, worst case scenario.

I have to get off this plane, Nigel frantically thought to himself.

Too late.  The plane was racing down the runway and ascending.

The in-the-event flight instructions did not ease Nigel's mind.

He glanced out the window to see just how high up they were and found...something soothing - shining sun and a beautiful layer of clouds.  Every so often he could see far to the ground.

Nigel looked to Charlie, who was sleeping in a calm manner.  He smiled.  The trip wasn't so bad after all.

If Nigel could fly, so too could Charlie - the Pug who could fly.

Prince Pembroke

Springtime in the Pembroke countryside was always lovely.  Morning dew melted into freshly cut grass.  Leaves hinted to bud on the trees.  Flowers abound in all kinds and colors.  Spring aroma filled the air.  Sunshine and crystal blue sky weather every day.

He adored the spring season, especially with its touch of warmth.  His daily routine began early at the rise of springtime dawn.

There is something you should know about him - he is the prince of Pembroke and was born into royalty.  His family history dates as far as written records began.

If you unfold his story, you will find that Prince Pembroke is actually a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  His mother, if you will, is the duchess of Pembroke and has long been fond of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed as has her mother and mother before her.  And so his history in the family reflects her history and every Pembroke Welsh Corgi before him was honorably titled "Prince" or "Princess."

The duke of Pembroke was often away on royal duty, so the duchess tended to her royal pup every day - a task she never minded.  Morning and noontime walks were enjoyable for exercise and chasing rascal rabbits (oh boy did he like this!).  He was very proper with his potty breaks.

At the end of every day, after supper, he slowly fell asleep in front of the living room fireplace as his human mother took to a good book.

It's good to be a prince.

Hammy to the Rescue

"...As we look ahead to Christmas Day, there will be a heavy snowfall which means we will have a white Christmas..."

"I'm sorry to interrupt your weather report, Mike, but we have breaking news.  The Christmas Thief has struck again.  Let's go live to Julia Anderson, who is at the residence of the latest robbery.  Julia."

Julia nodded her head in sympathy as she heard the anchor's voice come to her ear.

"Yes, the Christmas Thief has indeed struck again, making this robbery the third this week.  Now, I briefly spoke to the homeowner, who wanted her identity kept anonymously, so I will share what she said."

"Mrs. Thompkins, I cannot imagine your devastation with all of your Christmas presents stolen.  I know how much love goes behind purchasing the perfect gifts for family and even close friends.  And so for a heartless stranger to break in and steal...for what gain?"

"Exactly, for what gain.  I know the media is referring to this person as the Christmas Thief, but I would prefer to call him - or her - a real life Grinch.  A Grinch that ruined the holidays not just for me or the other homes, but for this community entirely.  Oh gosh, I'm sorry.  I can't talk anymore."

"That is what Mrs. Thompkins was able to share just a few minutes ago.  Now, the police are still searching for the Grinch...I mean, Christmas Thief.  One potential possibility the police have is the suspect wearing a Santa costume.  Of course, being the holidays, anyone could look like Santa.  At this point, all the police can do is go door to door with the hope of a holiday miracle.  Back to you in the studio."

"And off," said Jim as he turned off the living room television.

Jim deeply yawned and stretched his arms.

The time was half past ten on this Christmas Eve.  Jim's wife and two young daughters were at his wife's parents' home in the city.  Her parents were leaving for Europe in two days, so she wanted to enjoy some time with them.  Jim spent his time alone in the house decorating along to "Deck the Halls" and displaying presents under the tree while listening to "Winter Wonderland."

As the holiday music played, Jim heard a sleepy yawn from his one-year-old German Shepherd pup, Hammy.  Hammy was stretched out on the living room sofa, barely able to move from his grogginess.

Jim lightly laughed at Hammy's laziness.  Hammy was not one to follow in his breed's natural instincts.  He was young and still growing, so he took full advantage of being cute and adorable.  

As Jim turned off the house lights and locked all of the windows and doors, he wished Hammy a good night.  Hammy apparently had no intention of leaving his cozy position.

The Grandfather clock chimed at midnight.  Jim was fast asleep upstairs.  Hammy was fast asleep in the living room.  Silent night...

...Until there arose such a clatter.  Hammy sharply woke up to sounds coming from...the chimney?

Hammy glued his focus to something or someone slowly falling down the chimney.

Plop!  Someone fell to the grate and seemingly appeared to be Santa Claus.  To Hammy, this person was a stranger...who was quickly grabbing all of the presents under the tree.

Hammy let out a vicious bark that woke Jim with a start.

Jim raced down the stairs to find the one and only - the Christmas Thief.

"Put down the presents and raise your hands above your head!  I am a police officer and will have a full squad of backup with one call to 9-1-1!"

"But I'm Santa Claus!  Don't you have any Christmas spirit?!"

Jim didn't answer as blaring police sirens responded on his behalf.

"You heartlessly stole Christmas from this entire neighborhood, so I don't have any Christmas spirit for you.  Get him out of here, guys."

The police handcuffed the Christmas Thief, placed him in a squad car, and left.

Hammy stood just outside with Jim, who looked to him with a beaming smile.  He knew his pup had German Shepherd instinct in him.

Hammy came to the rescue.

The Gentle Giant

The heat of summer settled in early this year - in the month of May to be precise.  Welcome to Illinois, declared every meteorologist.

Some happily embraced the warmth, given the frigid cold and blizzard condition in the winter prior.  Many despised the summer season because of dangerous heat indexes and ominous thunderstorms.  Amy was one of these many, especially when keeping up with her rascal two-year-old son, Jack.

Amy was a stay-at-home mother of just Jack.  One would think that raising an only child would be easier than caring for more than one.  Jack proved that theory wrong.  He loved to play with his toys and anything that could be a toy.  Amy could never catch one second to herself, which frustrated her because her husband traveled often for his entrepreneurial business.

But then there is Michael - the family's seven-year-old giant Great Dane.  He was adopted straight out of nursing.  When Jack was born, Michael took on a protective role.  As Jack has grown, Michael has learned to be patient, tolerant, and gentle.  In fact, Michael is most known for his gentle nature.  Jack, though, tends to be a rascal around Michael - tugging roughly at his ears, burying his little toddler body into Michael's giant body at nap time.

Jack loves to play outside.  Amy and Michael are always very close behind.  In this summer heat, though, Amy was concerned for Jack's health.  But Jack did not want to be indoors.  She hinted at her son every toy he would want to play with inside.  He said no.

"Michael!" Amy shouted out, hoping he could convince Jack.

With her shout, Jack raced into their home and played with Michael until he was exhausted.  The two fell asleep for a long nap.

All Jack needed to calm down was Michael's gentle giant love.