Memorial Day and My Peep

The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.

~~ Thucydides, Greek Historian and Author, 460 – 395 BC

Happy Memorial Day! Today is a bittersweet day of both celebration and remembrance. Originally called Decoration Day, it is the day we set aside each year to honor and remember those who have died in our Nation’s service. Officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Memorial Day celebrated its first observance a few weeks later, on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

My Pack and I humbly honor and salute all the humans and animals who have given their lives in service. Rest in Peace.

Woofing of peace, it is time to put an end to all these nasty wars so people and animals the World over can once again live in harmony, beauty, happiness, and love.

Paws crossed!

Rainbows and sunshine! Just what the World needs!

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Sébastien Slodtz, Hannibal Counting the Rings of the Roman Knights Killed During the Battle of Cannae, circa 1687-1704

Ernst von Bandel, Hermannsdenkmal (Hermann Monument), Dedicated to Arminius (also known as Hermann), circa 1838-1875

Back to me...

Some of you may have noticed that many pet bloggers are participating in Sarge’s very cool Holiday Event "Peeps on Parade." While my human, K, unfortunately did not participate in Sarge's event, she liked the idea of introducing the human behind the pet blog. So, as a change of pace, and for the first time ever, my human's photo graces my blog. May I present to you my peep, K! And her beautiful mom!

My human, K, (right) and her mom (left) in St. Paul, Minnesota, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. Circa 1999. {Click on photo to enlarge.}

I have great love for K's mom. When K headed to California to try and make a go of it, and could not take me, K's mom took me in and gave me excellent care. She also helped me to handle my sadness of being away from K. I really had a great time hanging with K's mom and we had a lot of fun. Sadly, in 2005 during my stay, she passed away. God rest her Soul. We really miss her. K's mom's favorite charity was Disabled American Veterans. So on this Memorial Day, we also honor all the wounded Vets and pray they get the help and assistance they need, and deserve.

You may have noticed that the photo is 12-years-old. I think K looks very much the same, except add about 12 years of the ravaging effects of horrible human aging graceful aging. When I asked K why she finally relented to putting a photo of herself on my blog she said, "everybody else is on the internet, so I thought I would be too." Sounds good to me! Hey...what a minute...that sound vaguely familiar. I'm just sayin'...

Stormy Times and Tummies

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.”

~~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca a.k.a. Seneca The Younger, Roman philosopher, 4 - 65 Century AD

It has been hard to be a happy dog these past few days as severe storms and tornadoes have been devastating so many lives in and around where I live – Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and a few other Midwestern states. I know that my Pack and I have been very blessed to have been spared the worst of these storms, and for that we are very grateful. But such tragedies over the past few days have put a sadness in the air and our hearts cry for those who have lost loved ones and/or their livelihoods in these powerful storms. We send our prayers to all those affected by the storms.

A hiatus from the storms.

Very windy.

What do I see on the horizon?

Storm clouds, a common sight lately.

Silvius, perhaps it is time to head back home.

Wait, is that bunny I smell? Hey, I smelled it first Silvius!

Sad for all those hurt by the storms and hoping the sun comes out and brings healing.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Etienne-Maurice Falconet, Tender Sadness, marble, circa 1761-1763

Corrado Giaquinto, The Birth of the Sun and the Triumph of Bacchus, fresco, circa 1762-1763

Back to me...

“It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.”

~~Marcus Porcius Cato, Roman Statesman, 234 – 149 BC

My thoughts exactly! What tummy grumbles, tummy gets. Speaking of tummies, or bellies, whichever you prefer, I am in a belly contest! My adorable kitty cat friend from Portugal, Kika, is holding a cat and dog best belly contest. Because of the overwhelming number of belly entries submitted, Kika has put the contest on one of her other blogs. You can view and vote for the bellies here: cat bellies and dog bellies. You are allowed two votes total: one for a cat, and one for a dog. On the dog page I am lucky number 13, so please vote for my belly! However, my sweet Italian friend Chicco [Ciao, Chicco!] is also in the contest, and is number 2. If you prefer Chicco's tummy, then please vote for Chicco. Or, just vote for whichever tummy you find to be the cutest. Voting is open from 26 May – 31 May. May the best belly win! I just hope it is mine. No pressure. Really. No pressure at all. But remember, the more votes, the happier my belly, and a happy belly makes for a happy Suka. I’m just sayin’…

Where Is Suka?

When last seen, I was heading home after attending the FiveSibe's Cinco de Mayo Paw Party, which was a total blast! Those pups really know how to throw a great party!

Let me just get my sombrero on...

Now I am ready to paw-tay! ¡Olé!

I had such a great time and wished I could have stayed longer. Thanks FiveSibes for inviting me!

So, where have I been for the past two weeks? I think it is pretty obvious.

~~ MOMENT OF BEAUTY ~~

Limbourg Brothers (Hermann, Paul, and Jean), Anatomical Man, page from Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, circa 1416

Domenichino (Domenico Zampieri), The Maiden and the Unicorn, fresco, circa 1602

Back to me...

Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire. ~Virgil

Were you able to see me? I have been enjoying life in Springtime. Sometimes you just need to take a break and smell, play in, and nap in the new bright green grass. Until the ticks start sucking your blood. I’m just sayin’…