Chronicles of the K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street

THE MORE, THE MERRIER is featured in the Peacock Writers' A WHIMSICAL HOLIDAY FOR CHILDREN: TO BENEFIT CHILDREN'S CHARITIES  A WHIMISCAL HOLIDAY FOR CHILDREN can also be found in print. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS from THE K-9 BOYS AND GIRLS ON LOCUS STREET

It was a mere week before Christmas as Mandy and her Pack lay sleeping in their home on Locus Street... while up in the North Pole, Santa goes about making Mandy’s dream, a reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Front and center, Head Elves. We have a large dream to fulfill and I will need you all, young and old alike, to keep your pointy ears open and be on your toes.”

“Santa... are you talking about Mandy The Alpha Dog? That is a big, big dream and I’m not sure we can do it all by Christmas Eve.”

“When have you ever failed me, Gunter? Surely, Master Gunny, you will not fail me... no, not this year, please. You need to get all your Merry Band of Artisans together and get them on the road. There are thousands, no hundreds of thousands and we have little time to waste.”

"I totally am on this, Dude... umm... Santa, but sometimes we need more help, like, say, miracles... something we usually leave to the Big Guy.” Seeing Santa’s eyebrow raised, he quickly says, “All right, all right. I won’t tell you, I can’t. I’m just saying this is going to be hard.”

As he turns to go, he hears Santa murmur, ‘Don’t I know it. It was easier making the toys march.’’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Master Gunny? How are we going to change people’s hearts? Most think this type of present is too much bother... and then they throw it away.”

“But... ours is not to do or... well... there just is no ‘or’ in our case. We will do this, Pariel. Tell your wife to be ready to go in ten minutes. I have the rest of the troops to round up. I will be in the last sleigh when we take off. I’ll be seeing to it so we have no stragglers. You will be the lead sleigh. See you at the stable in ten minutes. Oh, and bring your young ones.”

Gunter, or Master Gunny as everyone calls him, shoves his hands deeply into his pockets, pulls his hat down over his pointy ears, and with his head down, walks into the whirling snow.

The drifts look like swirls ...like icing on a cake fit for a child’s birthday. Beautiful... a white Christmas for all the boys and girls. But, he thinks, better find my gloves and scarf before take off. It's beautiful but wow, it is cold!

Ten minutes later, he watches as the Serago family rush through the stable door. Pariel is prodding his two younger sons while his wife, Pinde holds onto Maro’s hand. The daughters are poking and shoving behind their parent's backs until Pinde turns and gives them her special Mama Elf stare.

“Okay line up. Fin! Isil! Maro! Luti! Lari! Twee! No more time for foolery. We’re in the head sleigh and I don’t want to catch any of you falling off. The team of reindeer picked may be second stringers, but they're swift in their strides and tomfoolery will send you tumbling!”

“Yes, Papa but who will pull our sleigh tonight?” the children sing out, in perfect harmony...

"Dear for deer, "Papa sings back, “My little dears may each pick a deer of their own.” The children run, elbowing and poking, towards the reindeer.

“I’ve got Morwa,” sings Fin, “Ha, ha,ha!”

“Holi is my pick,” trills Twee.

“Nappe!,” Isil holds the high C note on the ‘e’ until Papa bellows, “ PLEASE pick a pack of pullers peacefully! All this peeping and piping is p... p...”

"Positively un - pleasant?" offered Pinde.

"Preee - cisely! Papa patted her on the back. "Proceed, my dears."

“I have Reni,” twitters Luti.

"Mine is Rane,” chirps Lari.

“Latte” croons, Maro, as he leads her to the sleigh.

"Dear wife, will yours be Zindal?"

"Of course, Sweetheart. Just as yours will be Sari, his mate. These two shall lead the others." She scans the stable area where the reins are kept, but does not see them. "Isil Aen Serago, where are the reindeer leads with the bells? It was your responsibility to put them away."

"Oh,oh... be right back," Isil yells as he bolts out the door, running for home where he had thrown the leads under his bed for safekeeping, thinking, I'll put them away tomorrow. Then he had started reading that interesting story on 'Reindeer in their Natural Habitat' and completely forgot the leads under his bed. Good thing I'm the fastest runner on our track team 'cause Mama used my whole name. And when she does that, I know she's annoyed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Finally, they're all asleep. It'll be a couple of hours before we reach our first center for pickup. If there aren't too many to pick up, we could let them sleep for a bit longer."

"Are we going to take them all or only the ones with problems? You know some people only want the perfect ones, Pariel."

"I know, my sweet Pinde, but Mandy's dream is about the 'dinged' ones this year. Don't worry, there will be more than enough to go around. Unfortunately, there always is more than enough. Just relax, the reindeer know where they're going.

If you want to nap too, while the little ones are snoozing, here's your chance." Pinde stays awake as their sleigh weaves the winds in the ways of heaven, trailed... by hundreds of sleighs dotting the air between the sparkling night lights of the stars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Okay, everyone, wake up. We've got a load and half here to pick up and get back to Santa." As all his darlings rub their eyes, Pariel continues, "Now, kids, I want you to be quiet. Mama says you are like that sometimes, though I've yet to see it, so now it is time to show me, because our pickups will be scared and need you to be gentle. Noises will scare them. And another thing, these all have homes already so no, you can't keep them."

"Yes, Papa. We know how to touch gently and speak softly. We promise." said the children, very, very quietly.

Night after night, for a week, until Christmas Eve finally arrived - when they turn back to Santa with their last precious load, if you had looked just right, at just the right time, you might have seen that caring caravan crossing the quiet heavens.

Christmas has come early to some of the children expecting their gift. Each night, when the Serago family along with the hundreds of other Elfin families returned to the North Pole, they found Santa awaiting them. He took each load and fit it into his magic sleigh. It looked just like any of the other transports the elves used but it's magic was that it could easily and comfortably fit everything inside - from the hundreds of regular sleighs that arrived! Hundreds... ... to their forever homes, well, forever!

Each one of these precious presents, pets that had been 'dinged' by carelessness, cruelty or simple neglect, loving animals that had been victims of hurt they never deserved, every one of them now got a second, a better, chance at finding, at having and keeping... love.

They were going to homes where the children wanted them and would love them, taking care to feed and play and walk and sometimes clean up after because they were, after all, dogs and cats and birds and rats and bunnies, hamsters and all sorts of pets that children love.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mandy, was that Santa I saw leaving?"

"Yes, Sophitia, it was. He stopped for cookies and milk and to tell me it took a week for my dream present to happen."

"Did you ask him again for forever homes for all the abused animals?"

"Yes, Shadow. This year took a lot more time and he told me a secret but I can share it with you all."

"Mandy, a secret is something you're not supposed to tell, otherwise, it's not a secret."

"I know that, Snooper. But this is a different kind of a secret. This is a secret that needs to be told. Black animals OR white animals have a really hard time being adopted. People like animals with lots of different colors but not those colors."

"Well, Mandy, that ain't true. It can't be true. I mean, well, I'm black and white and everybody loves me."

"Because you're so modest, Shadow? I didn't say black AND white, I said black OR white. Santa said he kept a white cat and a black dog. Also a lot of the Elfin families took in bunnies and hamsters and snakes and rats and Guinea Pigs, Salamanders, and Geckos and some dogs and cats, too."

"Did you happen to notice, Mandy, Santa left three dogs in the living room."

"Three!? That means, we're seven now."

"Wake up Mandy, wake up! Are you okay? You fainted. You've been wanting more pups in our pack so I told Santa. I thought you'd be pleased. It was my Christmas present to you. Are you happy?"

"It was just a bit of a shock, Snooper, but this does make it a MERRY CHRISTMAS for all. You better take me to them. It's time for them to meet their leader."

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For further adventures of The K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street, meet us at

AMAZON and for ARCs at BOOKRIX

http://www.amazon.com/Peacock-Writers-Childrens-Charities-ebook/dp/B007QCST12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335745644&sr=8-1Mason and the Rainbow Bridge

by Paula Shene

“Hey, wait up guys. I wanna go to the party too,” hollered Peaches.

The dogs had gathered around Mason. He told them he had an important announcement to make. Everyone was now waiting for Peaches to get to the gathering so Mason would share his news.

“Come on, short stuff. You’re holdin’ the party up,” Shadow yelled.

Mason who usually went into the yard on solitary walks had asked the pack to follow him outside. He said he wanted to tell his message with everyone present.

Mason was the oldest in the pack at almost one hundred and nineteen dog years. He had developed heart trouble in the past couple of months, so he knew it was time to break the vow of silence he had made when he first arrived at the Home for Rescued Dogs, when he was a mere sixteen years or one hundred and twelve dog years old.

“Patience, Shadow. She’s a young one and the pups see time much more endless than we old dogs. I can wait. There is still time,” Mason assured Shadow.

“The rest of us want to hear this mysterious news of yours, so we are impatient, but as long as you don’t mind, the rest of us will just relax and follow your lead. Ah, here she is now. Go ahead Mason and lay your news on us,” Shadow said.

“I’m ready to go home and wanted to tell you all how much I appreciated my time with this family and all you boys and girls,” Mason told the pack.

Sophitia was confused. “I thought this is home, Mason. Where are you going?”

“Well, Sophitia,” the older dog, Mason, stopped a moment to clear his throat, “I’m ready to make my trip across the Rainbow Bridge. You may have noticed, I’ve been spending time out here close to the other animals that have gone on before, sorta getting tips from them on what to look for, so when my time comes, my stepping onto the bridge will be an easy passage.”

“Are you sure you need to go today? Couldn’t you stick around for a little more time,” Mandy begged him.

Mason looked at Mandy, their Alpha, “Mandy, you and the pack have been super, but there is a time and a place for everything and I’m ready to go. You’ve been asking, and I’ve put off telling you because I’ve not faced the horrors some of you have before you got here, but now it is time to tell you how I went from a pup that was well loved to where I was considered too much of a bother, and was discarded, and no longer cared for. Fortunately for me, I was dumped on those wonderful people at the North Shore Animal League. I was doubly blessed because Daddy Pres and Mommy Meghan were talking to the in-take people when I was turned over...for disposal.”

Shadow was shaken, “Disposal? They wanted you put down?”

“Yes, Shadow, that’s exactly what The Niece wanted. Let me tell you all how this came about and then if you have any questions, I will answer them before I go.”

Mason laid down and invited the pack to also get comfortable while he told them his story.

I was the runt and the only male in a litter of three pure blood beagle puppies. My father, Leo, and mother, Sara, were the lead dogs in a family of retired hunters. Their humans were kind and when it was time for us pups to leave dad and mom behind, the humans interviewed carefully and made sure our new families would love and take care of us.

My human was a ten-year-old boy named Tom, and unless he was in school, I was with him. We would go down to the local creek. Tom loved to fish. I would help dig worms to go on the hook and we’d head out for the day. Tom always shared his food and water with me and after playing fetch for a while, most times he would tell me to lie down, and he would use the pole his daddy cut from the bamboo in his yard. But sometimes, he would have me jump in the water, catch some fish, and throw them onto the shore. That happened when he didn’t catch anything and wanted to eat fish that night anyway.

Then there were times we went swimming but that was only with his mom and dad. I had a lot of fun with him, until he got into high school. He had so many activities before he got home from school and then lots of homework to do before bed, we hardly ever went fishing. Then he met Marie. She didn’t like dogs. She said I was smelly and dirty, so when she came over I was put in the yard until she left. One day she came over and didn’t leave. She and Tom got married.

Tom’s dad and mom took me in as their dog when I was seventy-seven dog years old. I was still feeling spry and would have loved to do some running but the folks said they were too old to be playing with a pup.

One day, dad’s niece came over and said she would take me off their hands. Her son would like a dog. I thought this was a good thing because her son, Harry, was a ten-year-old and I remembered all the fun I had with Tom. That was a mistake. Harry didn’t like taking care of me. Not wanting to walk me or feed me. He said I was too much trouble. His mother, The Niece, said, ‘Fine, I’ll take care of Mason. He’s old and won’t live too long anyway.” But I lived with them for thirty-five of my years. I spent most of my time tied up in the back yard unless it was really cold, then I lived in the bathroom.

One sunny afternoon in September last year, The Niece said, “Come on Mason, we’re going to the fair.” It was great getting out to stretch my legs and inhaling all the delicious food aromas. But my stomach started to cramp from the smells. I was hungry. I couldn’t remember any more when I wasn’t hungry. We walked past a lot of booths, food stands, and so many people. I didn’t know there were that many people in the world.

We came to a booth that had dogs in cages. The Niece said, “I understand you take animals that are not wanted. I have this dog and I want him put down.”

The man looked at me, then at the woman with him. He asked The Niece, “What’s wrong with him.? Why would you want him put down?”

The Niece said to the man, “His name’s Mason. My aunt and uncle are getting up there in age, so I took him off their hands, but my son didn’t take to Mason and I’ve ended up taking care of him for the past five years. That’s enough time. He’s old. Time to put him down. So, are you going to take him off my hands or not?”

The woman said, “Of course, we’ll take Mason. We’ll take care of him for you.” Without saying another word, The Niece quickly walked away into the crowd of people.

The man turned to Daddy Pres and Mommy Meghan, saying, “You were looking for a Beagle. This one is a bit older, but sounds like he would fit in with the others you have at your home. These pups we have here in cages are looking for homes and we don’t have a cage for Mason. No charge for him. You’d be doing us a favor if you took him.”

Mason Slowly stood up and shook the dust from his coat. I thought I finally found my last humans when Mommy Meghan and Daddy Pres brought me here but after I got to meet you pups, I got to meet Grandpa and Grandma. This family was so much bigger...and better than I expected.”

Mason, again cleared his throat, and continued on, “I said good bye to all the humans before we came into the yard. I don’t think Grandpa understood but Grandma had a sad look in her eyes when she said she would let me out. I wanted to talk to you guys before I cross over. Both Grandpa and Grandma were very sad when Snooper went on last year. I know Mandy, you miss Snooper too. You boys and girls need to be a comfort when I go because I think Grandpa and Grandma will be sad again.”

“You’ve talked with Snooper, Mason?” Mandy asked, with hope in her voice.

“Yes, Mandy, I believe I have. I could hear their voices as plain as day and I feel I know just what they are saying. In fact, I’m sure Snooper is waiting on the bridge to walk me over. Pupple, Winnie, Pogo, Porgy, Buddy, and Mocha... and some I’ve never met – yet. They’re waiting for me on the other side, too.”

“I don’t see the bridge or him or anyone around, Mason. Are you sure it’s your time to cross over?”

“Yes, Mandy. I’m sure. I’ve had a pretty good life compared to some of the things that you younger ones have faced. Now, I’m ready to leave and go to the final Forever Home. Take care of one another and take care of our humans – they know so little but, some of them, well... they care so much.

Mason, turning to step on the Rainbow Bridge, looked back at the pack saying, “So, until we meet again, this has to be goodbye.”

"Goodbye for now, Mason!" they all yelled.

Shadow saying to the pack, and nudging Mandy, “Come on girls and boys. Mandy, it’s time for me to take some of the responsibility off your shoulders, I’ll tell the humans Mason is now with Snooper and the other animals that used to live here. We still have a funeral to attend, and a good friend to celebrate having known.”

Shadow pushed open the door, finding Grandma, he put his head on her lap, and told her about Mason and The Rainbow Bridge.

http://www.amazon.com/Peacock-Writers-Childrens-Charities-ebook/dp/B007QCST12/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335745644&sr=8-1

This story appears in The Rain Cloud's Gift written for Children's Charities

"Mandy, I know that the worse thing for a pet to have is a mean master but I think the scariest thing is being lost!"

     "You're right Sophitia.  Being lost and away from your master is very scary and we now have the start of a 'finder's directory' that grandma picked up from Catherine Mann.  Grandma says she going to post the link right now, so let's get out of the way so this can happen."

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=212120018707&topic=15665

It's got a list of about six places so far and it is growing

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS......... 

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. 

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me 

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. 

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you. 

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. 

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. 

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you. 

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak. 

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old. 

10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank GOD for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. 

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters. 

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

This was sent to us by a friend, Kristina Farmer - Thanks Kristina!

The K9

is Brutus, a military K9 atMcChord.. 

He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward mebecause he knowsI have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duckaround a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did.Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tourin Iraq . Hishandler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents.Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gaveBrutus the signalthat meant 'go away but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid noattention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of oneguard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumpedagainst one ofthe doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse)until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's thefirst K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a bigold lug and wantsto sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.. 

K-9 Congressional Medal ofHonor Winner 

Thought you'd find this interesting. 

Talk about animal intelligenceand bonding with humans!  [we DO NOT  have the picture of him at this time]

     Snoopy had been turned into the Kent Animal Shelter because his human was unable to care for him, her two year old twins, and a newborn baby.  That's all history because Snoopy who goes by the name Snooper in the Chronicles of The K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street has been in his forever home for five years.

     Here is the link to the Kent Animal Shelter Blog  http://www.kentanimalshelter.com/

     There is a new story about puppy mill babies from the midwest with a happy ending ~   xo Mandy

I was gone for awhile and to my surprise and dismay I found a bunch of posting about drugs and one about porn.  All have been deleted BUT because I had left the door open to anyone stopping by to leave a comment, this occurred.

I apologize but I must now have you sign in as a member in order to use the guestbook.  I am sorry for this inconvenience but if you want to look around and not leave a comment that is okay too but we would love to have our guests become our friends.

     We've all been busy on the farm, putting in crops and harvesting; adopting animals and prettying up our digs.  Well that's a game and Grandma does most of the work - we tell her where we want stuff and she knows to adopt an animal when it comes up but that's just a carry over into the virtual world of Farmville.

     In real life, there are so many dogs and cats and other critters waiting for homes that it breaks our hearts knowing we don't have any more room in our home. 

     Daddy got married a couple of months ago and his bride, Megan [we all love her!  She is so neat] brought her kids with her.  Peter, her rabbit went home to be with God right before he moved here but then Thumper moved into that cage.  She needed a home.  She's a cute gray bunny with a twitch to her nose.  Pretty Bird is a tough old bird but she loves Megan, so that's all that counts. 

     And Nibbles ~ well, she's a Rat but they call her a mouse because Megan isn't sure she likes Rats but she loves NIbbles, so we guess she does love Rats and just doesn't know it.  Sophitia thinks NIbbles looks like her and Shadow [who'd thunk?] wants her for a snack and he's usually the one to tell us to back off on our snacking of his friends. 

     There's still the four of us dogs too, so you see it's a bit crowded around here and oh, oh, oh, I almost forgot the fish!  Shadow just nudged me to tell you about Bruno and Clowny - they're really big Goldfish that just moved into our pond outside and "Yes, yes Shadow, I'll tell them!" - with all their kids!  115 plus them but atleast they're out in the pond not taking over the livingroom. 

     If you have room in your heart and your home, please go down to your local rescue league and pick up your pet!  They're waiting for you! ~ love, Mandy

     "Grandma is awaiting another book from one of her favorite authors - Eloisa James - who has a contest going on Facebook.  Eloisa needs her fan page to grow to 15,000 and then her publisher, B&N, not only is giving away the book but two Nooks to two of her lucky readers. "

     "What's a Nook, Mandy?

     "It's an e- book reader that can be used with any wi-fi network.  Grandma says she liked one of those but I think she liked a copy of the book, Sophitia.  It's your kind of book - a Cinderella story with a happy ending.  At least I hope it's a happy ending.  Don't like to see Grandma cry."

     "How about me crying, Mandy?  Do you care about me crying?"

     "Well, of course I do, Sophitia!  I love the whole gang and if I love you, I want you to be happy.  Here is the link to Eloisa's new book   http://www.eloisajames.com/ ;    so go and sign up and don't worry Grandma is going to get that book one way or another so you'll have your happy ending!"

Eloisa's new book is called A KISS AT MIDNIGHT

    " It's been a bit since we've all been together and gettin' together should not be that hard because we all live together BUT Grandpa has gotten lots better since we told you about him in THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE.. and Grandma has been spendin' time on Facebook with other authors and on Farmville which is a neat game that helps Grandpa think.  We even talked her into giving us farms of our own!"

     "You know Shadow Hugh Shene,  it was Daddy who got us the farms and then talked Grandma into helping us with them.  She didn't go for it until she saw that it was open to everyone -  including personalities, and she mumbled  we're real characters all right; then she said 'Okay but you're helping them - I've got too much to do!'  Well you know how that worked out.  Who feeds us, huh?  Right!"

      "I hope she's keeps doing it because I have the prettiest farm with my pink fences and I wished Farmville a Happy First Birthday with the cooperation of my calves and goats and flowers!"

     "Come on, you furried people, we've work to do on the farms.  Don't want to keep Grandma and Daddy waiting."

     "Snooper Howard Shene, you're starting to take over my duties as Alpha!  Bossing them around."

      "It's only because I love you Mandy,  my kind of gal - you are - my roly poly Beagle..."

      "Okay, okay..stop the singing and the fat jokes...I going to the Farm....ttyl

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THERE'S SOMETHING STRANGE...  and other stories of the K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street can be found at http://www.bookrix.com/-paulashene