It is turtle time. Strange creatures with funny smells. I Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! I love the nighttime. My ears and nose working hard To...

One week ago today, we picked you up from your birthplace. We met the humans who brought you into this world. We met your mom (Shannon),...

We drove east out of Nashville On a pilgrimage to pick up JJ. ("JJ," "Junior," "Jack, Jr.") As we traveled, A rainbow hung in the sky above us. Mile after mile after mile, We watched it curve through the sky. What a joyful sign! From you, dear Jack? And then, a double rainbow ... And we knew that your spirit was traveling with us. You ... And all the company of furry, winged saints Were singing a blessing for the tiny pup Joining our family. Bless this new life. Bless this fa

Last night I dreamed of Jack. He was lost, but I knew he had Crossed the road And gone into the woods. I walked into the forest And climbed to the top of a pine tree. There was a nest there, Rocking like a cradle In the gentle breeze. The trees showed me the nest And told me he was safe, Gently rocked, Held close. When I got back to the ground I could see, far off, a circle of dancing women. White flowing dresses, Radiant warm light bathing them from above, Their arms swayed

As soon as we laid eyes on you
 Our hearts rushed in, unprotected,
 Held captive by you
 With your bright, smiling eyes. Even with your...

I'm working on a manuscript -- a book of blessings to be published in 2016 by Upper Room Books. Right now, I'm sitting in the recliner...

Bless to me this chair This strong and safe chair Under which I hide At the doctor's office. Bless to me this chair And its durable seat That hides me from the Giant vet tech who threatens To pick me up And put me on the table. Bless to me this chair In its little corner And bless to me the treats I know are in the cabinet Come quickly, treats, Come quickly, come now.

For Spec You still chase bunnies in your sleep Tracking, barking, leaping Master of the back yard You still jump in the air when it's...

Happy New Year from Jack! We are so grateful for each of you and your presence in our lives this year! Jack sends a head hug!

Spec wonders why he never gets to be Santa Dog.

Check out more of Jack's cartoons  at my Redbubble store and share Jack Gifs from Giphy.com .

Spec cries out his morning song and Jack wonders why he is up so early. Check out more of Jack's cartoons  at my Redbubble store and...

Much love and best wishes for a Happy New Year from Jack to each of you! I face the new year. With new squirrels and cats and such....

Here's a bit of Scottie Christmas for you and yours .... A Christmas Poem Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house...

Jack and I are taking a Level 1 Obedience class at the Nashville Dog Training Club. We are halfway through the class of eight weeks. There are about 10 people and their dogs taking the class. Jack loves the experience -- so many sights and sounds and smells, so many new things. He's a bit crazed by all the distractions. And I'm a bit crazed by being new at this dog-handling task. THE TASK Here's the deal. The class is to teach me . I'm supposed to get and keep Jack's attentio

Jack took up some new hobbies this summer. The one he's enjoying the most is reading. He's working his way through all the greatest dog books. Charlie the Ranch Dog Balto Walter the Farting Dog Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog Because of Winn Dixie The Clifford Series Where the Red Fern Grows Jack tried to get Spec interested in reading, but it didn't turn out so well. Spec just ended up chewing up a Common English Bible . He didn't really understand the concept of

Jack's friend, Tracy, called early this week to say that she had a job for Jack. Tracy needed help with Sammy the maltipoo puppy who was coming over for a few days. She needed someone (like Jack) -- to keep Sammy entertained. (Awwww, Jack ... we remember when you were just a tiny puppy, and now you've got your first job.) So Jack's been at Tracy's helping with Sammy. When we went to pick him up today, we observed his work for a while. (He's very good at this babysitting stuff

Jack does not like windy days. There are strange noises. Leaves start chasing you down the street for no good reason. And Very Scary Things  show up where they are not supposed to be. Like Big Scary Boxes . And Branches . And Trash Containers on Their Sides . When Jack starts out on his walks, he surveys the street to be sure that everything is ok. If something is out of place, he goes into his "I'm Alert" pose -- like in the photo above. On this particular morning, there was