Home on the Range: Eye on the Prize

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Eye on the Prize

Barkley lies on my dresser so I can say goodbye to him as I leave for work in the morning. I put his all-time favorite toy on top of the box. Mr. Squeeky was an infuriatingly loud toy but Barkley carried it everywhere. His doggie day camp had a purple one and they had a cam in the yard so we could see the dogs at play on their website and he ALWAYS had that toy so I found him one after searching about 87 different pet stores in Indiana.

So when I found this photo of him, I just had to place it here so he can keep an eye on Mr. Squeeky.

4 comments:

Rev. PaulSeptember 17, 2018 at 12:07 AM
Barkley was ... a member of your family, a friend ... a person. His loss affected many of us, and I'm glad you honored him this way. There was something extraordinary about him.
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Ed BonderenkaSeptember 17, 2018 at 7:18 AM
I love the way he's just staring at it....
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MagiKSeptember 17, 2018 at 10:57 AM
I do miss Barkley, or well your writings about him :) I've always loved Labs. Some day Ill have one again, right now my other half seems to collect American Eskimos as rescue targets, me I just have one slightly overweight Basselope well I call her that she is Beagle/Chihuahua. Anyhooo perfect Photo Composition :D
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LynSeptember 19, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Seeing the photo of Berkley made me smile and also brought tears to my eyes. He sure was a special dog and missed by all who knew him!
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Blog Readers Have Spoken

This is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful pieces of writing it has been my pleasure to read. I hope my grandkids get half of the lessons it can give. Read it, and you cant help but feel good--but you will look at life a little different.

James P - Amazon review

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I'm heavily into reading the book now and I've already laughed till I hurt. You have a wonderful gift lady

FarmMom

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A perfect book for the thinking person who has lost a beloved pet, this brief yet densely rich memoir draws its power from the author's contemplative, insightful prose. Deeply personal but filled with universal wisdom. An instant classic of the genre. - David Whitewolf, Livermore, CA
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I know when you look at a book and see every single review is a five star review, you think there's no way it can be that good. This book is that good. Ms. Johnson writes deeply of life, love, and learning about both with a terrific teacher and companion, her Barkley. This book will make you laugh, cry, and think deeply about life and love in all it's many forms. It will also make you re-think everything you think you know about squeaky toys and white carpeting.
Maureen A. Williams
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Truly a book written with a true love for life no matter what ups and downs it might bring and the love of author and dog for each other. Share both laughter and tears with Ms Johnson as you read this book. And pick a time to read it when you can finish it in one session because you aren't going to want put it down.
Dennis H. King

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As Daniel Webster stated - “Let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we have one country, one constitution, one destiny”. The flag is not a piece of cloth intended to be worn as a bikini or an outfit for your wiener dog. It is a sacred symbol of a nation. A representation of a promise of freedom. Freedom to life and liberty. The freedom for the law abiding citizen to protect their family and what they hold dear. Freedom to work hard and prosper and enjoy the fruits of your honest labor without fear that it will be forced from you to support the degradation of the Constitution. The flag is more than fabric, it's a promise. I am an American, and I will honor the flag, wrapping myself around it as a patriot would, to protect it, not wrapping it around words or actions to justify that which we know to be a breach of this promise. - LB Johnson

On the white cliffs of Dover
where freedom still dares
and the sand on the beaches
lay quiet as air;
on the bluffs lies an aircraft
who naught made it home
comrades anxiously waiting
at the Norwich Airdrome.

Hope flew in their hearts
like an eagle above
while they waited in silence
for friends that they love;
but ghosts can't come back
bearing the tales
of flying home crippled
as only courage prevails.

They'd traveled so far
to set down their life
leaving just memories
amidst all the strife;
as night waned on the cliffs
and the sea mourned alone
All that was left
would be a headstone.

We'll always remember
the deeds that you've done
as we look at old photos
faces eternally young;

The white cliffs of Dover
stand in freedom today
because of your courage
and the price that you paid.

-Brigid