Abby: Counting my blessings.

I feel so bad for the people and animals in Joplin, Missouri. My mommy tells me they had a very bad tornado hit their town and that many of them didn't survive. And the ones who did survive? I understand they have to stay in temporary shelters because their homes are no longer standing.

This makes me realize I should count my blessings. I am thankful that I live in a warm and cozy home with a mommy and daddy who love me very much. I'm never lonely because I have four brothers to play with anytime I want. There is a big grassy backyard for me to run in and long walks to look forward to in the evenings. And then, when Mommy and Daddy go away on  vacation, I get to stay with Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike. They give me lots of love and attention. They also have five dogs that I get to play with. Oh, we have so much fun!

But things haven't been so good for the animals affected by the devastating tornadoes and flooding that recently hit the south and midwest. Thankfully, the HSUS and the ASPCA and are working to rescue and reunite pets with their families. HSUS has a video explaining how they went about helping dogs and cats after the big tornado hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a few weeks ago. The ASPCA blog reported that within just a few days after the tornado hit Joplin more than 60 pets had been reunited with their families! I am so happy there are people in this world dedicated to helping animals in need.

Thank you, God, for my home and my family. I feel very blessed. And, God, please bring safety, comfort and peace to the families and their pets who have lost so much in recent weeks.

Love,
Abby

Hobbit: I'm famous!

So, my mommy and Poncho told me to stay humble, but it's really hard! You see, my mommy wrote an article about me for Guideposts magazine and guess what! It was printed in the June issue which came in the mail today! We are very excited around here!

Do you remember when I wrote on January 31st about the big photo shoot? That was lots of fun, but very tiring. I fell asleep a few times while the photographer was taking pictures. That's very easy to do when I'm lying in Poncho's arms. Anyway, the pictures turned out great! I'll be sure to have my mommy scan in the article and put it on here. (Nevermind, I found a link to the story on the Guideposts website! Here it is: http://www.guideposts.org/pets/angel-dog-restores-health-and-faith)

Back to my being famous. Like I said, my mommy and Poncho have been telling me to stay humble, that it is not very becoming to make it all about me. They said I've been more demanding ... expecting to be fed earlier than the others and to be held more than usual. They tell me that I need to focus on the purpose of the article, which is to touch the reader somehow, whether it's to bring about a smile or hope to simply to warm the heart. They are right. I hope our story did just that for at least one person.

Signed,
Hobbit

Gus: Yay for the shelter dogs in Jackson County!

My mom told me a wonderful story today! She said an article in the local newspaper explained that an animal shelter in a neighboring county is adopting out more dogs and cats than ever. In one year they have gone from euthanizing most of the animals there to adopting out 97%! This is such great news to me. I lived in a shelter for three months when I was just a puppy, but then my mom came to get me. I am very lucky. Most shelter animals aren't. If a small group of volunteers in rural Jackson County, W.Va., can make a difference, then why can't the same thing happen at other shelters across the country? My mom said she feels very energized by the success of the ARF workers and wants to see what she can do to help.

Wouldn't it be great if all shelter dogs and cats got the same happy ending that I did? I have a home where I feel safe and loved. I always have a brother or sister to play with, all the stuffed toys a dog could ask for, and a mom and dad who give me kisses and hugs. And one of my favorite things about my home? Sleeping on Mom and Dad's bed any ol' time I want! Yes, I'm lucky. No, I'm blessed. Thank you, God, for taking care of my family and me, and please watch over all the homeless animals.

Love, 

Gussie

Huck: I love big fluffy couches.

I love a lot of things. I love twigs, leaves, newspaper, mail, pillows, but couches are my favorite! My mama and papa must have figured this out a long time ago and that's why they bought the two doggy couches for me. They sure do know what I like! I'm almost done with these two, so they might need to start shopping for new ones. I don't care what they look like, just as long as they are fluffy. I thought I saw Mama looking on the internet today for some kind of elevated dog hammock made out of steel and super-duper tough fabric. Hmmm. That didn't look too comfy and I don't see how that thing has any chewing potential. I don't know what Mama is thinking. Surely she'll realize that style of bed won't suit my habits and just find me another big couch or two.

When my mama and papa came home tonight they just couldn't get over the progress I've made on the couches. Mama was so proud she took pictures!

Well, I'm pretty tired from tonight's activities, so goodnight, Diary.

xoxo,
Huck

Look how busy I've been!

 It's like floating on a cloud!

Buster: We're back!

Uh, it seems that a bit of time has passed since one of us Coleman dogs has written you, Diary. My apologies. I do believe the five of us just got purdy busy with our daily lives. Ya see, a lot has been goin' on. For one thing, the weather has been a bit harrowin'. Hail, rain, wind and floodin' one day, sunny, hot and humid the next. It's got me a bit uptight and I gotta release that energy somehow. Well, I noticed that Huck seems to have a great way of dealing with his anxiety, so I thought I'd give it a try. Yup, it appears that couch-chewing is quite therapeutic. Maw was so surprised when she caught me tearin' into that couch the other day. I promised her I wouldn't do it again. She wasn't mad at me 'cause she knows I'm such a good boy. It also helps that it was one of the dog couches in the garage and not a people couch. Nope that wouldn't be good.

The whole couch-chewin' thing purdy much leads in to what else has been goin' on 'round here and that is the usual Coleman doggy dysfunction. First, we got Huck and his crazy energy level that never seems to quell. (Nice word, huh?) Then we got lil' Abby who does absolutely nothin' to help with the situation. Huck gets all excited over everything and starts chewin' on furniture, twigs, newspaper, and whatever else he can get his paws on. Lately he's even started to nip at my legs. I'm not too fond of that and I've told him so. Well, that's where Abby comes in. She gets all riled up and tries to control the situation by barking at me and rough-housing with the Huckster. It's not their fault, I guess. They're good kids, they've just got a lot of "puppy spirit."

"Puppy spirit." I like that. I think no matter how old, tired, and arthritic Gus, Hobbit and I get, we still have a little puppy spirit in us. I know I can't move as fast as I used to and I don't have as much patience as I once did, but deep down I still feel like a big puppy. A big sleepy puppy right now.

Goodnight,

Buster Booglebear

Huck and Buster napping together in the sunlight.