Last night just as I fell asleep, a storm started to brew.  I jumped from my bed and ran to the living room, calling out, "It's ok, it's ok."  I got to the living room and suddenly woke up fully, feeling sad and foolish.  My Soleil wasn't there.  My little girl would get so scared during the storm and I spent many nights just comforting her.  Was it instinct or did I hear her? 

The vet's office sent me a beautiful card with the poem below attached that I wanted to share with you all:

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

~Beth Norman Harris

My day from hell...

First I slept through my alarm clock, totally out of character for me.

Second...I went for my coffee break at 9:40 a.m., only to get stuck in the elevator for 1 1/2 hours.  Fortunately I had company.  The security officer that operates the intercom system for the elevator was useless and had a sense of humour comparible to a cockroach.  I tried to make light of the situation by cracking jokes and making the others laugh.  I even had the elevator repair guy laughing as he tried to communicate with us.  He continually told us, "I'll have you out shortly."  Finally I couldn't resist asking what his definition was of "shortly".  This caused more rounds of laughter.  It was a regular Tostitos commercial, minus the chips and salsa. 

Third...I went to donate blood only to get the new nurse.  Just my luck.  She clamped the wrong tube, causing air to go into my vein and the donation to be contaminated.  As I layed on the table I had spots in front of my eyes.  Not a good sign.  They asked if they could use my other arm and start over, in my delusional state, I agreed.  Probably not a good idea.  When they inserted the needle into my other arm, the blood squirted.  Lovely!  The donation got underway and turned out all right.  But when they took the needle out, my arm wouldn't stop bleeding.  Now keep in mind, I am deathly afraid of needles and hate the sight of blood.  I kept looking at my watch as I had a 1:30 meeting.  I begged them to just slap a bandaid on so that I could go.  I got back to work and almost fainted in the elevator but made it to my meeting. 

Let's just say that I'll be staying in bed the next Friday the 13th. 

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said: "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey with you and your hulking son?"

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them:

"Please all, and you will please none."

8:30 a.m. this morning, the bomb dropped. 

We were hauled into the training room where our Director announced that a bid has been placed to purchase the company I work for.  Negotiations went on until 3:00 a.m. and the Board of Directors have approved the purchase, pending the share holders approval.

Some would say this is a good thing as the merger would create Canada's largest grain company and would gain International ground.  But, I'm only thinking of myself right now, rightfully so. 

This news is quite upsetting to me as I could see myself retiring with this company, or so I thought.  I guess over the next few weeks things will begin to unfold and I will have a clearer picture of my future within the company.  In the meantime, I plan on getting everything I can out of them. 

Wish me luck!

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