Just Another Day in Paradise

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League is hosting its third annual summer camp this week. We are having the best time! Monday we had a canine unit and a groomer. Tuesday brought us agility handlers and a search and rescue team. Today we were greeted by Percy King and his exotic animals.

 I'm not sure if the kids are having fun, but I, for one, am having a blast!!!

King of Dog Toys - KONG

We have long been a fan of KONG brand dog toys and were ecstatic when they asked us to review a few of their new products.

Scarlet danced with delight when the package arrived:

Ohno couldn't wait to get his paws on the goodies:

Mom was quick to test out the Kong Zoom Groom.  We goldens tend to shed a lot and leave lots of fur all over the house.  Mom was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily this handy tool pulled loose fur from our coats.  The fur clung to the Zoom Groom like a magnet rather than floating off into the unknown for mom to clean up later.

Once mom had finished her experiment, it was time to PLAY!!  We dogs were most excited by the Kong Tails.

Tug, toss, and squeak??  Are you kidding us!!  That's our favorite combination.

I was quick to claim this toy as mine and mine alone:

Too bad the rest of the pack wasn't as keen on that idea.

MINE!!

At the end of a hard fought battle, I won! 

Next up was the Kong Safestix.  Mom wasn't too sure about this until she checked out more details at Kong's website.  Here's their description:

"KONG Safestix are the perfect throw and fetch toys. They are bendable and flexible which provides interesting and engaging fun for dogs. KONG Safestix are made using durable plastic material and are great interactive dog toys. They are meant for indoor or outdoor use and they even float!  Each size comes in assorted colors."

Ours came in red.  And we instantly loved it.  

It's great.  We love playing with sticks out in the yard, but mom's always worrying about them splintering off and hurting us.  With the Kong Safestix we can play 'til our hearts delight with no worries of injuries.  It is truly a revolutionary product for us doggies who love to chase sticks!

Nom, nom, nom, nom... good stuff!!  

"Mom, Scarlet took my toy."

 After all that it was time to check out the final product.  The Kong Cloud Collar.  It really is a nifty, little thing designed to be used like the famous cone of shame.  Only it's a cloud - not a cone.  And there is no shame involved!  Daddy says it was super easy to assemble and put on me.  And Mom liked that I was still able to maneuver without bumping into walls and everything else.  I was not able to get it off and it is even bite and tear resistant.  We give the Cloud Collar a whopping four paws up.

Behold the Cloud of No Shame:

"I make this look good!"

At the end of the day, we are all deliriously happy with our latest Kong experience.  We can't wait to see what the brilliant minds at the Kong Company come up with next.

'Til We Meet Again

The Love Shack has suffered two incredible losses this week.  First, our wonderful cat Pixie passed away, and then today we had to say 'goodbye' to Kudzu.  Keep our family especially the precious children in your prayers as we grieve for two much loved family members.

Rest in peace, Pix-a-kitty.

Run free, Zu.

Boon's Sunday Sermon #36 - Damaged Goods

I shared a few weeks ago about how butterflies and caterpillars have become a recent fascination to me.  At the beginning of the year, I began a weight loss journey.  So far I have lost 32 pounds.  My son told me last week that I'm not a caterpillar anymore but am not a butterfly yet.  He said, "Right now, Momma, you're in your cocoon."  I loved the analogy.

You can imagine my delight when a few days after that conversation my son caught a butterfly and brought to me.

I was a bit curious as to why the lovely creature allowed itself to be captured and sit with us without flying away.  Upon further inspection, I realized that this graceful beauty had a hole in its wing making it incapable of flight.  A storm that had passed through our area in recent days had damaged its wings leaving it battered and torn.  It was a sad reality that often reflects the state of our own hearts.

We tend to think if we can just get that promotion, just have that dream home, just be understood, or just lose that weight our lives will be hunky-dory.  It is not so.  We will always have another mountain to climb and another test to pass.

The Word says,  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Have the storms of life brought you down and kept you from soaring?  Is there something in your past that is holding you back from all that God intended you to be?  Give it to Him.  He makes beauty from ashes and, 
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  (Psalm 147:3)

Ecclesiastes 3:11 assures us, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  That includes you, friend.

Have a blessed week!