My Daily Entertainment

I'm compelled to tell a story about my sweet boy, Neeman. Dog not child. No matter, he's mine, he's adorable, and for those that know him know what a gentle giant he is. Neeman is our yellow Lab and he has no idea how big he is. I can't say he's the smartest dog around but his personality more than makes up for his lack of intelligence.

The other day my husband came home from work and, as always, was assaulted by the dogs at the door. Although sometimes it can be painful, I consider this to be the best feeling in the world. Being greeted everyday with such enthusiasm and warmth. Unconditional love and appreciation that just radiates from their furry faces and wagging tails. As far as the painful part, I admittedly have my share of bruises covering my legs from these welcoming attacks.

Anyway, that particular day Jason noticed something was different. Before being attacked he not only heard the gallop of Neeman's large paws nearing but also a banging and pounding of something ramming into the wall with each step Neeman took. Now maybe I should preface this with the fact that Labrador's get very hot in the summer. They're big and have a really thick undercoat so the "dog days of summer" is no joke when it comes to this loving breed. For this reason, Neeman likes to sleep right on top of the air conditioning vents to stay cool.

Back to the story. As soon as Neeman gets near, Jason sees something swinging from his neck. At first glance, Jason is thinking maybe I tied something to his collar as a gift or chore for him (most likely the latter). This isn't such a stretch because we both have been known to use Neeman for little things around the house. For example, running outside to get the newspaper or going to the bottom of the stairs outside to fetch a toy he left in the yard. He is also always willing to transport things from me to Jason or vice versa when one of us is on the couch and the other on the chaise. After all he's got to earn his keep.

Well upon further investigation, and after getting the dog to calm down, Jason discovered one of our floor vents hanging from Neeman's neck! I so wish I had been there! His dog tags had somehow gotten twisted down into the vent and he now was wearing it as a necklace. The part about it that I love the most is that it went completely unnoticed by the dog himself. He was just so happy that Daddy was home the fact that a heavy, metal object was dangling from his collar didn't even phase him!

So in honor of Neeman here are a few pictures I'd like to share....if only I'd gotten a picture of the incident!

Unnerved

One of the down sides to not having a job....I've noticed the news is on ALL THE TIME. I keep my TV on pretty much all day and because of this I tend to see the news about 3 times a day. I don't necessarily watch the whole newscast, I just hear bits and pieces as I pass by while doing chores around the house. Unfortunately, this is enough to be unnerved by what I hear. It seems to me that there have been more shootings in the past few months than usual (I hate that there is even a "usual"). As we speak the news anchor is talking about the shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. A couple of days ago we had a shooting at a local, and very popular bar downtown. The week before that a police officer was shot and just last night a teenager was at the park and was shot in the neck.

Perhaps the one that hit closest to home involved a man I didn't even know. It impacted me because the victim was a very good friend of some of my good friends. I never met him but it was made clear to me what a good man he was because my friends all loved him so. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A victim of circumstance. The bullets weren't meant for him but for others he was with. For this act of cruel revenge he gave his life. The pain my friends have had to bear for the past week is tragic.

What is wrong with people? It makes me sick to think about what could be going through the mind of everyone I pass on the street. Or for that matter, the neighbor down the street that I don't know well. It's no wonder so many people in our world live in constant fear. A fear that can be so encompassing they can't leave their homes. I hate to be such a downer but sometimes I just can't bear to hear the news. I don't want to imagine a world so vile that stepping out of my front door is more of a chance I take than an opportunity to savor. Very sad.

I've gotta get a job because the news is really bringing me down!