DeuceDog asks: If you were a Beatle – which one would you be?
When I first saw this question, I was pretty offended. I mean, why would I want to be some nasty little bug with giant antennae?! But Handsome explained it to me – you want to know about Beatles, not beetles. And he reminded me of what their music is, and told me about their different Continue reading
A sad day
Generally I’m a very happy dog, but today I’m terribly sad. One of my best friends passed away this morning.
Joe was, I guess, a bull-terrier mix. He wasn’t very old. He had always been super-energetic and playful, always eager to make new friends with whoever was passing by his home. And his play was ridiculous, in the best way. He was small enough to stand on the back of a couch, and strong enough to jump onto it from the floor. So if you got tumbling with him, he’d be all over you, bouncing in and out, and yelping if he was excited and you weren’t playing roughly enough with him. He had a great smile that no one who ever played with him will ever forget.
Last week, he suddenly began acting very strange. Panting, walking slowly, not eating. People thought he might have accidentally eaten something poisonous. But eventually a very perceptive veterinarian thought to x-ray Joe’s neck. And there was the problem – he had two fractures. The x-rays were sent to some experts to see if there was any way to save him, but before the results came back, Joe’s life went out of his body.
It’s not just me. Everyone who knew Joe was horribly saddened by this. The family he lived with is devastated. And his constant companion, a sheepdog mix named Bunny Gorilla (I know, a crazy name, but if you saw her, you’d agree it’s perfect) will never be the same.
In our lives, we’re always so busy worrying and chasing and striving and avoiding and whatever else, we’re unable to stop and realize just how much we mean to those around us. Do you have any idea what your value is to those who love you? And even to those who just kind of like you? Can we ever know just how much we’re worth?
I don’t know if Joe ever knew how much he meant to so many. I hope he does now.
When someone dies, it’s common to say “Rest in Peace.” But that would be an insult to Joe.
Run and Jump in Constant Noise, my friend! You will be missed.
Love,
Shirelle
DCW asks: My friend, Patrick said “I wanted to be your friend because I wanted to be in your play,” then he wasn’t my friend anymore after the play. That’s when he said it. What should I do? I really want to be his friend.
Wow DCW, that’s really tough! It sounds to me like Patrick doesn’t really understand what friends are for, or what friendship is about. I imagine he’ll learn more as he gets older.
But for now, I don’t know Patrick. And you are my Continue reading
Bert asks: How do you recommend fostering good relationships between siblings?
Hi Bert!
Great question! First, check out my answer to “Why is my brother such a bonehead?” Showing that to the kids might help.
But next, I’ll start with the bad news: Sibling problems have always Continue reading
Eiramam asks: I’ve got this silly dog that wants to play constantly. How do I get my work done?
Thanks Eiramam –
Why in the world would you want to work when your dog wants to play? Is your work that great?
Ah, well, I have to say, I do Continue reading
Shirelle Asks: So what do you think of my site?
I’m really proud of this website. I’ve been working on it for months and months, helped immeasurably by two very special friends. My old dear pal Rob Spielman, of Soapbox Graphics, has served as a trusted and creative consultant. And the wonderful Sherice Jacob of iElectrify has been the architect and contractor of this edifice (that’s all big words to say she built the site). She’s a lovely and terrific person, even if she does share her home with two disgusting cats!
We’ve done everything we could to make AskShirelle.com clear, fun, and easy to use. Now what we need are your thoughts: What do you like about it, and what could stand some improvement? We’re already working on changing some things, but the more we know, the better it’ll get. So our ears are up, and we’re sitting at attention, eager to hear anything you have to tell us!
Speak!
Isis75 asks: Do manners matter?
You know the funniest thing about manners? People train us dogs not to greet people the way we want to – sniffing, licking, jumping on them – and instead to “sit and shake hands.” In other words, they’re afraid of our Continue reading
MaggieMay asks: How should I discipline my child?
When Handsome first brought me home from the pound, I had two main interests: First was Not Going Back To The Pound, and second was Continue reading
JoannaLove asks: What do you think about bad words?
I don’t speak with words, I bark. But I definitely use bad language at times. Like when I see a squirrel or a dog I don’t like outside my window. Or, worst of all, a cat! Oh do I use nasty language then!
So it would make me a pretty big Continue reading
DanaTeresa asks: What’s the best kind of dog?
Me, of course! Duh! Tall, thin, Husky-Saluki mix, orange and white, with a long nose and a gigantic heart. What could be better than that?!
Well, of course there is one kind of dog that can be better than Continue reading