I said goodbye to my Emma last night. She was in very good health all of her life until about the last three weeks when she started refusing to eat. The vet couldn't determine exactly what was wrong. I couldn't get her to eat enough.

Emma was the original dancing dog here at my house. I'm going to miss her so much. She was sweet, funny, laid back…then, all of a sudden she would put on a burst of energy and go running through the house growling and jump up in a chair and stand on her head. We used to call her "Tigger" because she would start acting like Pooh's Tigger friend and bouncing everywhere when she was a puppy. In fact, she kept doing that until just a few months ago.

I'll never forget going to the airport and picking her up when she was a puppy. I had been waiting for her from the time she was born. I was determined to call her "Lily." Somehow I thought she would be this lovely little white puppy. As soon as I saw her in her crate, looking out at me with her huge brown eyes, she started "telling" me that her name was Emma. And that's what it was.

I will miss her so much. Goodbye my sweet little girl.

Goodtime Jubilee I'm No Angel (Emma)

(Ch. Goodtime Royale Salute x Ch. Goodtime Sunshine Chemise)

September 14, 1994 - April 8, 2008

Thank you to all of the people who have sent prayers and good thoughts for Emma. I really appreciate them.

Stormy has asked me to post the following message for her. I'm posting it with a great deal of sadness. Carlotta

I would like to thank Dr. Alfonso for the privilege of writing a daily story on her blog. Also a huge thanks to Carlotta who has been very supportive, when I wrote about my stray dogs. Some days I just needed to cry on someone's shoulder. Carlotta was always there. Posting daily stories offered a wonderful opportunity to reach many people regarding the work done by volunteers, who help dogs in unfortunate circumstances. I am moving on in my writing career, to work on a book that has been simmering for a few years. Of course, about dogs. I do hope you enjoyed the stories as much as I loved writing them. Thank you, hugs to all, Stormy & Jasper.

We'll really miss you, Stormy. I think you've added so much here. You can make us laugh and cry at the same time with your stories. God bless. I know you'll be continuing your rescue work. I'll be looking forward to reading your book. Hugs and love to you and Jasper.

I hate goodbyes, preferring to say, "I'll be seeing you!" When I wind that a good-bye party was in the planning for me, I said a polite no thank you, nice of you to offer, but I'm just far too emotional for that! Everyone accepted that, or so I thought.

Early in the afternoon, the phone rang. One of the gals who helps with the dog rescue work I've been involved in said she was passing though town. She was a Gaby's (friend) having a coffee, with a dog that she was taking to a foster home. She said the dog was a tiny female Pomeranian. I have been thinking of getting a Pommie as I love the breed, and Jasper could use a playmate. Did I want to come and take a look at her?

Those gals knew exactly what to say to get me out of the house. I bought the entire line. Jasper and I drove over. I walked in the door, the place erupted with, "Surprise!!" I could see a table with a huge decorated cake, gifts, decorations and dogs. We counted 21 dogs of all sizes and breed. Included in the group were all my rescued dogs with their owners. They had gone to a lot of trouble to plan this, to get everyone from far away to gather…and I didn't have a clue what was going on. I knew I'd cry buckets before the day was over. There was nothing to do but enjoy it.

The bigger dogs were hustled outside to the back yard with the kids. The little ones stayed inside, dashing from room to room, barking, sniffing, a few wee growls here and there over toys, but they were having a great time. So many people were there, owners of dogs that I had placed into their care, they had brought those wonderful dogs with them. My neighbors, friends, all dog lovers. None of them had seen my Maltese without his long beautiful coat. He looks like a different dog, but short hair suits him.

As I mingled, ate cake, drank coffee by the gallon, the conversation was all dogs. The stories, some so heartbreaking ending, usually ending with a dog finding a forever home. We talked about the stress of the work we do. We laughed till we cried over some of the wild things we had to put up with. When emotions got to the point where we were all in tears, someone shouted, "The big dogs are out." Now there was something we all knew how to do. Work with dogs on the run.

I know I'm going to relive that next hour of my life, for as long as I live. The big dogs, nine in all, had only managed to make it into a nearby alley. Most of us were carrying our small dogs. We split up, meeting at the far end of the alley the dogs were walking along. Those big fellas took one look at the gang of women as we walked towards them, and headed right back where they came from. They were stumbling, falling over each other, just pounding the pavement to get back into the yard. One was a Border Collie. He decided to slink in behind us to herd the pack of noisy humans. When we go back to the house, those dear big dogs were stuffed into a corner of the yard watching us very warily. The Collie kept bumping the back of our legs, trying to herd us into the pack of big dogs. We went along with it, as that Border Collie was having such fun. What a photo that made. We're all scrunched into a corner, laughing like demented things, while that smug Border sat a few feet away, daring us to move. I haven't laughed so hard in years.

It was time to open the gifts. Oh my, a handmade quilt for me with Maltese dogs on it, Jasper received a new bed, a variety of things with Maltese dogs decorating each item, a new purse, (my old one so badly doggie chewed I held it together with duct tape) organic treats for Jasper, chocolates for me (YESSS) toys galore, and a special waterproof cushion to take with me when I'm sitting on the ground in the wet and cold, waiting on a dog to come to me.

The last gift, had me bawling. It was a blown up picture, with photo's of all the dogs I had helped since living in this area. On the bottom were small pictures of the new owners, with heartwarming messages. I was a mess. Some women can cry daintily, not me. I finally put a lid on it when Jasper got upset.

The party over, it the the time I hated most, saying good-bye. Once again they pleased me well, by hustling out the door in two's and three's, cheerfully saying, "Well, I'll be seeing you. I took my leave feeling warm and loved. More than that I got a good close up of how important our work with dogs is. The hours of frustration, tears, training, long drives, sky high phone bills, vet bills, and all done by people who help and love dogs. I'm gonna miss them. But there is a new town ahead, I have a feeling my work will carry on.

Cute, cute, cute. Just adorable.

From the Dallas Morning News.

Pooch Parade in Dallas tail-or made for fun
Four-legged followers of fashion compete in Pooch Parade
By KAREN AYRES SMITH / The Dallas Morning News
kayres@dallasnews.com

It was a cat's nightmare.

Lola bunny-hops at a balloon. Lola belongs to Ariel Lang. Owners dressed up about 75 dogs to compete in the Pooch Parade along Turtle Creek Boulevard. Photos by WILLIAM DeSHAZER/DMN

Dogs by the dozens – from tiny Malteses and Chihuahuas to massive Saint Bernards and English bulldogs – came to see and be seen Sunday at the 23rd annual Pooch Parade, sponsored by the Turtle Creek Association.

Many dogs that came sans costume sniffed out a comfortable spot to watch their fellow canines strut their stuff for thousands of human spectators along Turtle Creek Boulevard.

About 75 dogs had the fortune – or misfortune, depending on their moods – to be dressed up and pranced along the road by owners who hoped to win a prize in one of four categories: small dogs, large dogs, pet owner look-alike and best dressed.

The costumes made most other dogs look naked: There was the dachshund dressed in Army fatigues, the English bulldogs outfitted with plane wings and goggles, the boxer in a shirt and tie, and a 135-pound Leonberger stuffed into a woman's bathing suit with swimming goggles on his head.

"It's a fun thing to do on Easter Sunday," said Hilary Risser of Plano, who dressed up Churchill, Buttercup and Porterhouse, her bulldogs, with an aviation theme.

The parade's strongest entries drew a fair amount of attention, or petting in a dog's world. Fans lined up to meet and take pictures of Abbey, a 4-pound Chihuahua, shortly before she took third place in the owner look-alike category.

Abbey wore a pink vest with hand-sewn flowers and a small straw hat. Her owner, Debi Good, herself petite, wore a similar pink ensemble complete with a matching hat.

Rather than walking like most other dogs, Abbey was pulled along the parade route in a white Easter basket with wheels. Ah, the life of a princess.

"I like decorating, so I used her to decorate," said Ms. Good, a Euless resident. "She doesn't seem to mind it. She was in that basket for more than an hour."

Zoey Bear, a longhaired dachshund, pulled off a clown motif, complete with a rainbow wig, red shoes, yellow glasses and a big red nose. Though she didn't win a prize, her owner said the contest was worth the hour-long drive from Farmersville.

"We enjoy it every year," Carolyn Graham said.

Lisa Taylor and Scott Sura of Oak Cliff took a different approach. Rather than dress up Marley, their Brittany spaniel, they decided to honor him by dressing themselves up instead. The duo wore orange-and-white pantsuits, with hats and colored socks to hang over their ears.

"We didn't think we should make him dress up silly, so we dressed up silly," Mr. Sura said. "I think he's embarrassed."

There have been quite a few foster dogs come and go through my home the past year. Plus the odd cat or two. Add a few boarders to the list. Ike, the parrot who kept me laughing, and the dogs jumping. All the while, my own sweet Maltese, Jasper has been an wonderful little gem. He's shared everything he had. He's also had one adventure after another. Yesterday, Miss Kitty, a fierce tiny stray cat left for her new home. She was adopted by a couple who have a bulldog. Their dog took one look at Miss Kitty and fell head over heels in love. I love watching animals meet each other. I would have sworn that cat would have a hissy fit when the saw the bulldog. With her tail held high in the air, she sauntered over to the dog, rubbing her head on him as if he were made of 100% pure catnip. When I left she was purring like mad, kneading him with those soft little paws that hide super sharp claws.

At home, because of the move I'll be making soon, Jasper looks lost. He's the only pet in the house now. Its easy to see he misses the company of other animals or perhaps he got hooked on all the crazy commotion that comes with taking in stray critters. There are packing boxes in every room, my home looks as if someone stirred the insides with a big spoon. Watching Jasper roam from room to room makes me wonder if I should have another small dog for him to have a pal. This is the first time in my life I have only had one pet, this is new for me, as well as for Jasper.

The house is very quiet. Teddy's little spirit lingers, the faint sounds of all the sweet dogs who have come and gone, are still in the air. Even the parrot who called me, "Lard butt." has left a shimmer of his personality behind. Just before bed, the phone rang. A foster home is desperately needed for a week. Other foster homes are stuffed to the brim. The dog is a female, a MM breed, in other words, a mish-mash, or a 'can't really tell.' This dog is a stray, has no special needs, other than a place to stay while another foster home readies a few of their dogs to go to forever homes.

What the heck, why not. I have a week. It will help Jasper get over his slump regarding the move. Just one last time, this little house will be a haven for a dog in need. I'm looking forward to my new guest!