The Power of Cheese

This is a video of my little Hercules and the Power of Cheese. I am breaking my own rules by using cheese to entice him to perform however it was the only way I could get him to perform his tricks on video and without a crowd around us. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken and this is definitely one of those times. And thanks to my darling daughter Lynette who helped make this video. She also helped get a couple of other tricks on video that I will share at another time. This little trick (behavior) is usually something Hercules does when he is sitting in the seating area of a shopping cart and some one is coming towards us screaming (as if they had just seen one of the Beatles) "Oh my gosh he is the cutest dog". That's when I tell Hercules to say hello and he begins waving his paws like he does in the video which of course gets him even more attention.

I think one of the reasons I want to get some of his tricks on video is because one day (hopefully not for another 20 years) I will have to say goodbye to my little guy and I desperately want to find ways to keep as many memories of him as possible. This little guy brings so much joy and love into my life. He loves attention and he knows how to turn on the charm to get it. He has not only brought joy into my life but into the lives of so many other people. He has fans all around the U.S. and he may be tiny in size but his heart is HUGE and is such a blessing in my life. I always tell him that God created him especially for me.

Thank you Lynette for getting this video (and the other ones) for me. 1437

Tribute to my best friend Bob

Yesterday was Bob's birthday!! I decided since I can't celebrate his birthday with him I thought I would write a tribute to him. He was an amazing man and I miss him terribly!!

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My Dearest Bob

I miss you!! I think of you everyday. I can't watch Prince of Tides without remembering how that was "our" first movie and how you made me promise that I would never watch that movie with anyone but you. That movie opened up a lot of painful memories for me but from that first moment that you held me close while I cried - I knew you were my safe place.

It was because of your unconditional love for me that I learned to love and trust again. Words can never express how much I appreciated you ALWAYS being there for me. I have a heart full of priceless and precious memories because of you. Memories that always put a smile on my face and a song in my heart. You were such a wonderful, compassionate and loving man.

I remember how we danced that one New Year's Eve and you held up my dress because it kept slipping off my shoulders and all without missing a beat as you twirled me around the dance floor. I remember thinking how beautifully you could dance. And just before I left you gave me a single rose and said - "Happy New Year Sweetness". Oh, how I loved that nickname and I will never forget the last time we talked and you said - "I will always love you Sweetness".

You were my protector. You were always there to celebrate the highs and lows of life with me. You are my hero. You were my safe place. You were my biggest fan. I was so blessed that you a part of my life.

I will love you forever and always. I miss you so much!!!

Thank you for touching my life and my heart in such a special and lasting way. I know you are still watching over me and one day I will get to see you again.

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I was so lucky to have met Bob so many years ago. Thankfully he was part of God's plan for my life. He was an amazing man and it's sad that he had to die at such a young age.

I remember talking to him one night when he called to talk about his upcoming heart surgery that following morning. He told me he was afraid that he wouldn't survive. I didn't give much thought to that comment because it's normal for anyone going through surgery to have concerns or fears about not surviving. I did what I could to reassure him but I don't know how successful I was. Little did I realize that the next day I would get a phone call telling me that he was in a coma. There had been complications from his surgery. I couldn't believe it and I was a 1,000 miles away. I called every day to check on him and was told he wasn't getting any better - the doctor said his prognosis wasn't good. I finally asked the nurse if she would put the phone up to his ear so I could talk with him. I wasn't expecting him to answer me but I knew he would hear me and I had some things I wanted to tell him. As I talked with him I had to choke back the tears and to the surprise of the doctors and nurses he woke from his coma when he heard my voice. And all he said was - "I love you sweetness - forever and always" and I told him I felt the same and he was gone. His death was so painful for me - to be honest at times it still is. He truly was a good man and I am so blessed that I was a part of his life.