Operation Straw

MARCUS:  HEY!  HEY, UP THERE!  I'm down here.  Remember this picture?  It's the time Jan stopped to talk to someone and I removed my harness and leash while she wasn't paying any attention to me.

PERCY:  Why are you yelling?  We're not deaf.  But we are in the dark about why you told us you want to do a post.

MARCUS:  I wanted to do a post on that new program Jan told us about after the Humane Society meeting last night.  They had a couple of ladies there to explain what they are doing.

RUSTY:  It would have helped if Jan had given us the correct information so we didn't waste time searching Facebook for "Operation Hay". There is no "Operation Hay" page.

MICAH:  It's actually called Operation Straw.  How could Jan confuse the two?  She was very happy to learn it's coming to Upson County too.

BUDDY:  A lady named Jennifer started it in Griffin.  Her local friend Becky has been helping her and now Becky is going to head the project locally.

MERCI:  Here in Georgia, there are so many dogs who live outside in weather, many without a doghouse, that Jennifer asked some of her friends to help her buy hay and doghouses for those who need them.  Word spread and now she has a group who go out with her, as well as doghouses and supplies coming in from a growing list of supporters.

CYNDI:   These nice ladies are not judgmental. They do this to help the animals and the humans too. Many humans have very little for themselves but they do their best for the dogs in their care, so the help is appreciated.

TAYLOR:  It's would be great -

MARCUS:  Other areas might have something similar.  If not, wouldn't it be wonderful if outside dogs everywhere had a warm shelter to huddle inside for the winter and shelter from the sun in the summer? Taylor, why are you holding up your paw?

TAYLOR:  I was about to say the same thing but you interrupted me.

MARCUS:  I did?  I didn't hear you say anything.  You have been here since November.  You should know by now we are a noisy crew and you have to jump in and speak up.

TAYLOR:  OKAY, I"LL TRY!

BUDDY:  He said to speak up, not yell.  Is there anything else you would like to add, Taylor?

TAYLOR:  Oh, I guess I'd like to say I hope Operation Straw continues to grow in supporters and workers and keeps spreading to other areas.

CYNDI:  Operation Straw is a good theme for today's Thankful Thursday.  We're thankful Jennifer started it and word is spreading.  

MARCUS:  Okay, Funny Farmers, that takes care of this post.  Over and out.

PERCY:  *whispers to Merci*  How did Marcus come to be in charge today?

MERCI:  *whispers to Percy*   I think his head swelled when he squeezed out of his harness.

We are joining Pepi Smart Dog for the Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Post Does Not Exist

RUSTY:  Hey, Micah, where did everyone go?

MICAH:  They went to bed already.  Guess it's just the two of us to write tomorrow's post.

RUSTY:  So what should we write about?

MICAH:  I don't know.  What do you want to write about?

RUSTY:  Well, we could ...  No, we already did that.

MICAH:  How about -  Never mind.  We better not tell that story!

RUSTY:  I have nothing.

MICAH:  I don't have anything either.

RUSTY:  So this post does not exist?

MICAH:  Right.  And if it does, we'll just deny it.

Best Canine Friend Jimmy

Jan:  Thank you for the warm welcome back to blogging yesterday.  I would like to -

MERCI:  Hey, what do you think you are doing?

Jan:  I'm just doing a quick post.

RUSTY:  This is our blog.  We are supposed to do the posts.

Jan:  But you didn't mind when I did the two posts on Sam last month.

CYNDI:  That's because we didn't want to discuss the loss of another Funny Farmer.  We allowed you to do it instead.

Jan:  Okay, then you write the book report on The Changing Season by Steven Manchester. 

PERCY:  Did any of us read the book?  *looks around at shaking heads*  No?  Then perhaps we should let Jan go ahead and do the book review.

MICAH:  Wait!  Before Jan steals our blog post for today, I would like to express my opinion on blog hijacking.

BUDDY:  And we all stand behind you in that opinion, Micah.

MARCUS:  We do?  I didn't hear his opinion. Can he say it again?

TAYLOR:  Some opinions are wordless, Marcus.

**************

 It has been a while since I have read a book for relaxation and enjoyment, but The Changing Seasons sounded as if it would be interesting reading.  After all, what could be boring about the story of Billy, a teenage high school graduate spending a last summer at home with his best canine friend Jimmy before leaving for college?  Jimmy, a senior Lab mix, was the bait that captured my attention.

I thought it would take a week or two of reading a little at a time to finish the book.  I was surprised to find it so interesting that I read most of it in one sitting.  I sat down at the computer to read another couple chapters the next evening but finished the book.  I have to admit I did skip parts here and there - some of the romantic parts.  Yes, there was romance.  There were also strong bonds of family and friendship, loyalty and integrity, an unexpected path to travel for Billy's future, and a hard life lesson in how one mistake can affect the future of more than just the one who made the mistake.

I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend the book.  I especially appreciated the story of the love Billy had for his childhood canine friend who was slowing down but still an important part of his life.  

Mr. Manchester has written a prequel to this novel, entitled The Hike—a short story illuminating the power of unconditional love between a boy (Billy) and his dog (Jimmy). Free downloads for e-readers, Kindles (mobi) and Nooks (ePub) are found here:
      PDF.
      ePub.
      mobi.

Reading The Hike will stimulate your appetite to read The Changing Seasons when it is released on February 23rd.  Once released, fifty cents will be donated to the ASPCA for every book sold.  


I was provided with a free PDF copy of the book to write this review.  I was not paid to write this and any opinions expressed are my own.

Good Night or Good Morning

MICAH:  I'm hiding out here in a laundry basket to get a little alone time before tomorrow ... er, before today.

BUDDY:  What's so special about tomorrow?

MICAH:  You mean today.  We're returning to Blogville and the Cat Blogosphere after nearly a month's absence.

RUSTY:  Yes, we're writing this today for tomorrow.  Or should I say since we're writing this very close to midnight that we're writing this tomorrow?

CYNDI: I thought we were planning to return Monday.  Is Monday today or tomorrow?

MERCI:  Tomorrow is nearly here, so what difference does it make?

BUDDY:  Whatever day it is, we're coming back from hibernation.  Wait, that's not right.  Hiatus.  We're back from hiatus. 

MARCUS:  Jan has had nearly a month to recuperate from Sam's illness and her injuries.  She hasn't done anything except lie around eating chocolate and watching TV. 

PERCY:  She has not!  She has been busy digging up the muddy mess you made around the dog pen panels, Marcus.  And worked toward getting the house cleaned despite the constant clumps of mud tracked inside. 

CYNDI:   And tried to convince you, Marcus, to walk with Merci and Buddy without starting a riot.

MERCI:  But she took my squeaky football and my soccer ball.  I have to have some fun.

BUDDY:  You'll get them back when the mud in the dog pen dies.

PERCY:  Mud doesn't die.  I think you mean when the mud dries.  

RUSTY:  Who cares whether it dies or dries?  The post is supposed to be about our return.

MICAH:  Stop arguing.  Smile and wave a paw.  We're back.

TAYLOR:  They forget I'm here and never let me get a word in edgewise, and now tomorrow is already today.  Good night.  Or should I say good morning?