Wally Boy

Morning Prayer
Heavenly Father, a new day is just beginning. Fill me with your joy and peace. I do not know what the day will bring but I ask for your guidance and wisdom. I pray for those I love and ask that any stress flow from me now and that you fill me with your grace. In your name, Amen

Wally Boy

Wally is on a diet. A visit last week to the vet for an exam began Wally's journey to health and vitality. He didn't know he was fat....but he was about to. It was overall a very bad day for Wally. Not only did they clean his teeth and extract a bad one, but they bathed and skinned him too. He hated these periodic customs of hygiene. A streetwise rescue dog learns to rely on cunning and instinct rather than the appropriate social customs of his new family. He let us all know when he came home that he was not happy.

His new guide to eating included an organic healthy mix designed for overweight more mature adult dogs. That translates to tasteless pellets disguised as food....and no scraps at the table. He used his best tactics to get our sympathy but tough love was in order in the McFarland house....because we cared about old Wally Boy.

Wally's point of view

Well Mate, it's like this. I wasn't too stressed over this diet routine. I practiced patience and knew it would all end sooner or later. I knew how my family tended to have a hectic busy schedule....that spells success for me. They would fall into the old routine of feeling guilty and give in with some treats or better yet leftovers. I practiced my best whine and lay around feverish with little energy. When that didn't work I crawled into a bed I rarely use and faced the wall.... pouting can be very effective. When that didn't work I decided negative attention would be better than no attention. Being banned to the back yard was not the results I had hoped for. Life was not good...for a pit bull...disguised as a poodle mind you.

As the days wore on..... and withdrawal from the good life set in....I really did get depressed. Starvation was not how I expected to leave this life. I had thoughts of breaking out and foraging some good garbage cans. To make matters worse they brought in the gestapo. Oh she looks like your idea of a picture book Mum...but make no mistake...this granny is a Rambo.

We squared off on day one. I gave her my low rumbling growl when she sat near me. She just reached over and scratched my ear. THAT was when I knew she was lethal. I played the aloof card with her.....and she just ...ignored me....smiling and singing her way through the day.... disgusting! I decided cunning was in store ....so I waddled over and gave her a nuzzle. She got mean then and softly called me.... Wally boy....and scratched my ears again. Trouble in Glen Iris! Then she started moving furniture. She is on some kind of mission and my family is all caught up in it... They seem less patient with ole Wally Boy and focused on the " new thing." My box of doggie toys even got moved out. I am trying to subdue my natural inclination to mark my territory because I know it will be all out war if I do. Whats a pup to do?

We all took a big trip together. I was a happy hound. I was ready to go Roo or Dingo hunting but they held me back.... they know my unleashed strength and did it for my own good. This trip was a good distraction for the ole boy...helped me forget my lingering starvation. Matter of fact I am beginning to feel some youth in my bones.

So what's the big deal with a little cleanliness and order when it brings peace and harmony in the house. I am kinda liking the good smells....I can at least enjoy that if I can't have any. Best of all my family is real happy now when the smells are good. They come in and sit at the big table where the scraps come from and talk and pray and stuff... If they are happy....ole Wally Boy is happy and I guess I can take anything they want to dish out. I even gave the ole woman a nuzzle for real this time....and let her know I was protecting her too. She must have known it because she scratched my ears again and said, " Your a good boy Wally. " Yea....I'm a wimp. But whats a pup to do?

Evening Prayer

Lord I still my restless heart in your presence. I rejoice that I am safe in your keeping. Show me mercy and forgiveness and grant me peace. Give strength to the weak and gentleness to the strong. Bring your company to the lonely and in your presence may all find rest.

May God Bless Your Day & Night,

Elaine