CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLIE PICKLER!!!!  She won  "Dancing with the Stars".    Love to watch her dance.   Amazing.   : )

Wow.... love this.   Pretty handsome hunters too.  : )

The Month of May ... it's all about kissers here at Kiss Country.  What do you think about this guy?   : )

lol.... Those kids of ours.   They are "Watching Us".   She learned.... "Worry about yourself". : )

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie,
as I looked at him lying in his pen.
The shelter was clean, no-kill,
and the people really friendly.

I'd only been in the area for six months, but
everywhere I went in the small college town, people
were welcoming and open. Everyone waves
when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle
in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt.
Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen
Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter
said they had received numerous calls right after,
but they said the people who had come down
to see him just didn't look like "Lab people,"
whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me
in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted
of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were
brand new tennis balls, his dishes and
a sealed letter from his previous owner.


See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home.
We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter
told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it
was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.
Maybe we were too much alike.


I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten
about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see
if your previous owner has any advice."

_______________
To Whomever Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this,
a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by
Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it.
He knew something was different.


So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes
that it will help you bond with him and he with you.
First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier.
Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them.
He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get
a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where
you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful.
Don't do it by any roads.

Next, commands. Reggie knows the
obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."
He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball"
and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.
Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular
store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.
He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet.
Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he
knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.
Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and
me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me,
so please include him on your daily car rides if you can.
He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark
or complain. He just loves to be around people,
and me most especially.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...
His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it
and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't
bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ...
well it means that his new owner should know his real name.
His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.

I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available
for adoption until they received word from my company commander.
You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've
left Tank with ... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ...
in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption.
Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon
was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this,
then he made good on his word.

Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long
as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that
you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust
and come to love you the same way he loved me.

If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming
to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and
of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter
off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got
that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and
give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,
Paul Mallory

_____________________
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure,
I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him,
even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few
months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star
when he gave his life to save three buddies.
Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my
elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.
"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.
The dog's head whipped up, his ears
cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor.
He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name
he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.
His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time,
his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed
as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked
his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into
his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me."
Tank reached up and licked my cheek.

"So whatdaya say we play some ball?"
His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room.
And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

If you can read this without getting a lump in your
throat or a tear in your eye, you just ain't right.

lol .... Although I LOVE this....    I bet it would become annoying.   Stay put baby.   : )

The ACM AWARDS will be Sunday, April 7th on CBS 8p.m.   Today they released the nominees.  How do you pick the winner?   They are all so good.   Miranda Lambert is nominated for Entertainer of the Year along with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift and her husband Blake Shelton.

One of my favorite songs out this year is Kelly Clarkson and Vince Gill with Don't Rush.   Yesss..... it is nominated for Vocal Event of the Year.   But... so is Rascal Flatts and Natacha Bedingfield with Easy.   : /   Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church.....

NEEDLESS TO SAY....    : )    MY FAVORITE SUPERBOWL COMMERCIAL WAS BUDWEISER.   : )    What are they gonna name that baby.   : )

Love Prince Harry.   Ohhh yes... lol...  I would love for him to meet my daughter.   : )

General Motors unveiled the new 2014 CORVETTE STINGRAY yesterday.   I LOVE THIS CAR!!!  Josh Holder, program engineering manager for the new Corvette, was at the North American International Auto Show and I had the honor of chatting with him about this awesome ride.  : )

 Josh Holder Interview

Happy New Year!!!   Let's hope 2013 is a healthy and prosperous year for all of us.

Chili Cookoff is right around the corner.   Luke Bryan will be our headliner this year and boy is he hotter than hot.   Luke will be co-hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards this year and it ought to be a hoot.   Here's Luke....    just love him.    : )

Blake Shelton's Not-So-Family Christmas:

YESSS..... I WILL HAVE TO TRY THIS ONE OUT.   : )   Would love to learn how to graft.   

Love this!!   : )   Always heard pigs were smart.

Nope.... he hasn't had a country song out yet, but i still love him.    Love this story.  When life gets tough.... never give up.   You never know what's up ahead.  : )

Ohhh yes... I love those animals.   This video is just heartpounding tho'.  Thank God mama and the babies made it.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/-6Y-8cGW7RQ

Love to take just a couple days and enjoy our Florida.   One of my favorite little spots is "Everglades City".   Everglades City is located in the 10,000 islands, south of Marco Island.   It's where the "River of Grass" meets the Gulf of Mexico.   Only about an hour from our home in Broward County too.  ; )    Bring your boat (or rent one) and do some fishin'.   Redfish, mangrove snapper, tarpon, pompano, etc.    Check out ....   captainstablehotel.com      This may just be the "breather" you needed.  : )

Naturally.... reminds me of a country song.... "Watching You" by Rodney Adkins.    Watch your mouth mom and dad.  : )

**Beware stong language!!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/i5H-x7Ri03Y"

LOVE THIS SONG!!   lol    Can't get it out of my head when I hear it.   Brings back sooo many memories.   : )   Here's a funny video their label mates made.   : )

http://www.youtube.com/embed/vFtvfIbVn1g"

Tonight is the night!!!   Game FIVE of the NBA FINALS.   Our town is sooo excited.   Planning for a big street party tonight.   Go Heat!!   Have you seen our little hometown girl... Julia Dale... who sings the National Anthem before the game?   10 years old.   I hear when she sings the National Anthem the Heat win.   Hope she's singing tonight.   : )

http://media.mtvnservices.com/embed/mgid:cms:video:thedailyshow.com:415183  

Haven't read the book yet, but certainly intend to.   Colin Powell's new book... It worked for me:  In life and leadership.  This economy has brought about changes for lots of us.   I keep the faith and just keep pressin' on.   : )   God Bless America.

How does is go?   Fifty is the new 30?   15 is the new 5?   This story just makes me smile.  She just wanted to be Tinkerbell.  : (   Maybe Disney will hire her one day.   How did she get her boyfriend to wear a Peter Pan suit?   : )  People are crazy.

J

ust happened to be watching "America's Got Talent" last night.  Loved this guy.  Course reminds me of Mel Tillis.  

Love this happy ending.   : )   Hard to believe that a woman could LIE and let this man spend five years in jail knowing full good and well that he didn't rape her.   : 0   Shame on her.    He's on the other side of this now and I'm sure a better man because of what he's been through.   Love all the people who have heard his story and stepped up to offer him another chance at his football dream.   Movie deals, book deals, all coming his way.   You certainly deserve it Brian Banks.  

Just LOVE when celebrities do this kind of thing.   Means sooo much to people.   You go Lady A.   : )

Just LOVE this banker!!!   Wish we had more like him.   Course that would mean his clients would have to be honest and trustworthy too.  : )  

Soooo.... Have you been watching "The Voice"?   Last night was the finale and Jermaine Paul who was coached by Blake Shelton was the winner of "The Voice".   Jermaine was a background singer for Alicia Keys at one time.   I really loved when Jermaine and Blake performed Sam and Dave's "Soul Man".   In case you missed it....    Enjoy  xodar

Last night in Anaheim, Jered Weaver pitched his second no-hitter in the majors in less than two weeks.  A 9-0 win over the twins.   His dad, mom and wife were watching the game.   Tears of joy were flowing after the game.   Just loved it.   Course in an interview after the game...  he said the reason he took a break after the eighth inning is because "he had to pee".   : )

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

Just LOVE this bulldog.   What a smart cookie.   Love him riding the rocking horse at the end of the video.  He was on Letterman last night too.  This puts a big smile on my face.   : )

I just LOVE to watch great dancers.   Love the latin dances.  One of my favorites is William Levy who is on "Dancing With The Stars".   Born in Cuba, moved to Miami when he was 14 years old, studied business administration on a baseball scholarship at St. Thomas University.   So ... I'll just call him our hometown guy.   : )   Wow... can he dance.   (Bruno just cracks me up)   Enjoy...   Mira Papi Chulo. : )

Housework.... we're always doing it aren't we girls.   I just love this commercial.   One for the girls.   : )

I just love these videos of the soldiers returning home and their dogs.   I could watch them over and over with tears of joy for them.   Then... there is Billy Currington's song... Love me like my Dog .   Love that too.   : )

My son showed me this.   lol   

lol... Another one of my favorites is TIM TEBOW.   : )   Don't cha just LOVE HIM.  I think every mother wants a man like him for their daughter.   Unfortunately, he decided to play for the NY Jets.  : (   He liked the coaching staff there.   I will be cheering for him when the Dolphins aren't in play.   He's been practicing his passing out in LA and should be alot better this season.   Love the game and love his character.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57405105/new-jet-tim-tebow-excited-to-play-for-ny/ 

I can honestly say I Never Thought of This Answer...

WHERE DO RED-HEADED BABIES COME FROM?  

After their baby was born, the panicked father went to see the Obstetrician. 'Doctor,' the man said, 'I don't mind telling you, but I'm a little upset because my daughter has red hair.  She can't possibly be mine!!'

'Nonsense,' the doctor said...'Even though you and your wife both have black hair, one of your ancestors may have contributed red hair to the gene pool.'

'It isn't possible,' the man insisted.

'This can't be, our families on both sides had jet-black hair  for generations.'

"Well, said the doctor, let me ask you this.

How  often do you have sex???

The man seemed a bit ashamed..'I've been working very  hard for the past year. We only made love once or twice every few months.'

'Well, there you have it!' The doctor said confidently....

"It's    Rust."

Love those little ones.   In the middle of the song she really throws in some emotion.   Yep.... one of my favorites.   What a cutie.   : )

http://youtu.be/aotrYJPKDeI 

Who says.... You're too old?   I just love this. 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57400695/101-year-old-woman-paraglides-into-record-books/ 

With my favorite things in mind....    Gosh I wish i could introduce my daughter to Price Harry.   Don't you just LOVE HIM.   : )

Look at this sweetie pie...

Remembering a story of a woman who sat between the washer and dryer in her home, holding her six month old baby, while Hurricance Andrew ripped her roof and home apart.

The strength that comes when faced with a natural disaster.    Amazing.

Watch the video here

Yes..... I love animals.   One of my favorite events that happens here in South Florida is at Zoo Miami.   It is called "Feast With The Beasts".    First of all,  the event is at night.   It's a whole different ambience.   40 amazing restaurants and caterers are there.   As you walk down the path of our fabulous zoo, you sample all kinds of food and drink.  The most extraordinary dishes created by some of South Florida's most renowned fine food extablishments.  Course the price of all this is included in your ticket.  The attire is "safari chic".   It is just sooo much fun.   Last but not least.... I LOVE Ron Magill and his lovely wife Rita.   They are two of my favorite people on the planet.  Sooo real and sooo fun.  Ron is the animal ambassador for Zoo Miami.   If you've never been.... you've gotta go next year.   What a date night.   : )