What was the last thing that touched your heart?

Asteri, Sandi and Kathy -

Thank you gals for stopping by and leaving your comments this morning.  I can tell you that seeing Willa tend to Claire was one of the neatest things I've ever seen.  Willa is giganic (an Irish Wolfhound) and Claire's a pipsqueek. 

Sandi - we found ”Morning Thunder” by Celestial Seasonings and are each enjoying a cuppa tea right now.  Really good!  Here's what the box says: 

“This blend’s earthy flavor begins with roasted maté, an ancient herb whose oak-like flavor is wildly popular in South America. We combine roasted maté with rich, floral black tea to produce an exhilarating morning blend with no coffee jitters. Maté and black tea are both rich in antioxidants, making this a delicious, healthy way to start your day.“

Also, based on your post elsewhere, I have uploaded Dorothy Benton Frank's book, “Sullivan's Island: A Lowcountry Tale” onto my Kindle.  She's a brand new author to me, but I am pleased to make her acquaintance through you.

Sandi - Fire it up is more than appropriate – a great way to start the day.  Turbo boosted!

Jenny - Thank you for stopping by.

Gabriel - I'm fairly confident that Willa would be happy to do the job.  She's a BIG girl.  In the event you're not familiar with Irish Wolfhounds, here is a LINK that I Googled.   As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Gabriel - tree limbs may be a better choice.  Sharing a dog house with Willa could get a wee bit … tight.

Bob - what an excellent observation!  Thank you for sharing.

That, my friend, is amazing – in the truest sense of the word!

Sandi - Yes, Willa is definitely a woman of size.  We call her Whiz Bang Willie!  When she's done something less than acceptable (sneaks food off the kitchen counter), she hides under the covers on our bed (another no-no) and thinks that because she can't see us, we somehow can't possibly see the GINORMOUS lump!  And then when we say, “Whiz Bang Willie” she starts thumping her tail on the mattress and it sounds like a jack-hammer.  She's hysterical.  Willa is a rescue – she had been beated to within an inch of her life and was extremely leary of people (I completely understand - I would be too).  At our house we've loved her to within an inch of her life.  It's made all the difference in the world [but I wouldn't want to be a burglar trying to break into our house – no siree].

The only downside is 'poop patrol' – oh lordy, lordy!

Great Danes are gentle giants!  I imagine that you have wonderful stories to share about Beowulf. 

I like your adjective – daunting – oh how appropriate!

Gabriel - Willa doesn't actually have a “dog” house – in the winter she has full run of our human house (with her two sisters, Claire and Lexi).  We also have a tuxedo cat – Dougan (tuxedo meaning black and white).  We have a six-foot chain link fence around our backyard which they all have free run of during the spring, summer and fall.  If we get storms during the day, they can let themselves into the garage where we keep water bowls and “princess mats” – thick, comfy dog pillows.  They have us trained to give them treats for things like breathing and blinking.  I'll be the first one to admit that we are completely and totally wrapped.
 
Willa sleeps on the floor next to my side of the bed (very protective).  She is not my dog – rather, I am her human.  I get up at 4:20 each morning and she gets up with me (the other two – Claire and Lexi – sleep in).  We have tea together and watch the sun come up (outside, weather permitting).  She LOVES the snow.  She slides in it.  She burrows in it.  She can't get enough of it.  When she's playing in it (and scooping it up by the mouth full) she looks like the abominable snow-woman.  Because of her ginormous size, her life expectancy is short than smaller dogs.  Together, we are making every moment count.  

Sandi - She sounds like she was a terrific companion.  Animals have a way of weaving us right into their heartstrings.  And then of course when we lose them, we go down for the count.  I think it's because of their unconditioinal attitude toward us.  They don't love us BECAUSE of anything.  They love us IN SPITE OF everything. 

Gabriel - For a couple of days?!  Well, that would certainly separate the living from the dead.

Sandi - Each month in the HolEssence monthly newsletter we feature a dog for adoption from CEAS (Coalition to End Animal Suffering).  It is beyond horrific what some humans do to, or fail to do for, animals.  In the September newsletter we are featuring Aiken.

Lee - If I remember correctly, the Schnauzer who made guest appearances in your wonderful ”Organic Gardening Made Easy” DVD was Whisker.  And now your lives are being enriched by Pepper.

I will have Len take a photo of Willa (Whiz Bang Willie) this evening.  I'll see if we can get one of her standing up next to me showing her height.  In the meantime, HERE is one of her 'Catching G Force” from the back passenger window of our car.  Yes — I am the brave and daring photographer who removed her seatbelt and stuck her head out the window to capture this shot!  Len's adjectives were a wee bit different.  If I remember correctly, he used the term fool hardy :)

Lee - you said you would like to see a photo of Willa (aka Whiz Bang Willie).  You can view it HERE.