This morning I received emails from both Mrs1885 and Zugor, describing Bigun's road to his new home. The effort these two animal-loving people are willing to go to in order that Bigun and I might be together is humbling to me. My heart swells at their generosity and love toward the helpless pets they work to help. They've set an example that I hope I may one day follow, though I cannot imagine performing it as selflessly as they demonstrate.

I've never met either of these people, except...

They go unnoticed most of the time, because they do not call attention to themselves, they just do what they do, and we all benefit from them.

They work on our roads, and keep us from ruining our tires.

They go out into the storms and fix our utility lines, so we can keep our foods cold, and our lights on.

They pick up the litter that we drop in our ignorance, so that we may still enjoy our views.

They slow down so we can pass safely, when we are...

The Hindu's Upanishad's instruct this to their reader, in order to gain Enlightenment. It's VERY, VERY hard for me to put this to practice.

Most recently was the last two nights, during our stay in a family campground outside of Salisbury, VT. There were four people in the trailer that pulled in next to us the day after our arrival. Their friends joined them that evening. Hearing their banter and laughter in the background was nice; smelling their wood smoke was NOT. (Their fire pit...

Like proud new parents, we shopped for Begun's crate today, and found one that is perfect at Rutland's Feed & Seed -- $60. It was nice that it has a divider, to keep it cozy for him until he grows into it.

Then, there were toys, chews and treats, and the halter -- another $40 at Kmart, but now we're ready for him.

Wait, the food!

My poor husband -- wait until he learns I want to buy him a life jacket! (How else can the little guy go 'yakin' with me?)...

Bigun was born in Bone Cave, TN at the Hilltop Animal Rescue Team (HART) shelter, operated by Mrs1885. He and his five brothers and two sisters are love children, from a brief love affair between Maggie, a black Cocker Spaniel, and Clyde, a Beagle Peke. They were born on May 26th.

I first saw his family photos when the puppies were about a month old. I wanted one then, but as they were in TN, and I was not; it didn't seem likely.

Yesterday, I discovered Bigun (Puppy A)...