Thanks to an obviously talented writer, Joan Fremo, for a piece that describes our lives.

Jim Willis, author of the much-loved Pieces of My Heart, barked in this piece that sure sums up my life.

My apologies to everyone for attributing this piece to Jim. Blame me and not him for the mistake. Thanks to all of you who so kindly barked in to help me get it right. Unfortunately I could not get the mistake fixed immediately so the post sat on the blog for a day before it could be changed.

Isn’t it funny how the universe works? Family things have me wrapped up right now so the Ward Pack isn’t getting the attention they deserve. You know what happens then. Sol pouts, Star barks, Annie makes moany noises cause she can’t go walkies to see the world (they have a big yard so its not for biological reasons) and Beatrice spends a lot more time trying to climb on my lap. And of course, the toys and dog hair are everywhere. A bit overwhelming to say the least.

Then this morning I got “If I Didn’t Have Animals” and it brought me back to reality. Sure, the house is messier than it would be without the Pack but my life would be soooo much emptier and less fulfilling.

If I Didn’t Have Animals

If I didn’t have animals . . .

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree –dog bones, stuffed animals ,toys, treats nor would I have to explain to people why I wrap them.

I would have money ….and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to Spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E OR C-A-R.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.

I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.

I would not have to answer the question ‘Why do you have so many animals?’ from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get .

How empty my life would be.