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A Special New Year 2011 Message from Harley McGuire

Sedona AZ (January 2, 2011)–A special New Year 2011 message from SedonaEye.com star columnist, Harley McGuire.

The Year 2010 was a good one for me. I celebrated my third new birthday on April 18, 2010 because, on that date in 2007, my mom officially adopted me from the rescue place in Texas.

When C. Bentley Hill, Owner-Publisher of the New Sedona Times (now The Sedona Eye) wanted me to write for her paper . . ..well, it was like a bolt out of the blue for a nobody-pooch like me. However, with the support of my fans (those with two feet and four feet) I think, maybe just maybe, I am able to offer a few smiles along with some head-scratching and thoughts. Mommy has assured me that never ever is one able to please everybody. Perhaps.

In such a topsy-turvy world from global to national, and local politics with matching erratic weather activity, is it little wonder that just for a change–a view from the lighter side–appealed to at least a few humans and their four-footed furry companions? It’s to those special living beings that I dedicate my message of humble gratitude that you accepted and acknowledged me with questions, comments, and suggestions, recognizing the need for compassion for the truly helpless who are incapable of helping themselves.

Based on that premise, I would like to share with you the following provided by my own mommy:

                                                 JUST A DOG

          From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or,

          “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog.”

          Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog,”  

          and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments

          were brought about by “Just a dog.” In those days of darkness,

          the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose

          to overcome the day.

          If you, too, think it’s “Just a dog,” you will probably understand

          phrases like “Just a friend,  “Just a sunrise,” or Just a promise.”

          “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship,

          trust, and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

          For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog.”

It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,

the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me

and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

          I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog.”

          It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being

          “Just a man or woman.”       

          So the next time you hear the phrase “Just a dog,” smile,

because they “Just Don’t Understand.”

                                                                      ~ Author Unknown

So on this, the second day of this New Year 2011, let us hope that our elected officials at every level will lead us in the wisest direction for the benefit of all the people, without prejudice or influence as a result of pressure from special interest affiliates.

Likewise, let the suggestions of my fans to alter their pets prevail, in an effort to rid the surplus of homeless animals which crowd shelters and humane societies. I just know if my own crown jewels were still intact, my offspring would have been adorable and amazing. However, what if they ended up in a puppy mill or met with the fate of our beloved neighborhood bear? Yikes, that’s something I don’t understand.

Lovingly now and always,

Harley McGuire

Star Columnist, Sedona Times Publishing 2011

7 Comments

  1. Tennessee Dean says:

    Excellent!!

  2. JOHN says:

    I AM IMPRESSED WITH HARLEYS UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE
    LOL TO HIS MOM!

  3. Hollywood Jim says:

    We love you, Harley!

  4. Martha says:

    Harley, I always enjoy reading your articles. You always have amazing insights about many things. I know you are just the most wonderful dog. Please give your Mother my love and best wishes for this new year 2011.

  5. Marilyn says:

    I love Harley…he has such insight!!

  6. Robertson and Morrison says:

    Until reading the sentence about your “birthday”, Harley, it did not occur to us that our dogs real birthdate was “adoption” day. We used to try and guess when they were born and celebrate accordingly, but now realize that their “birthday” is the day they became members of our families.

    Stopped at a busy intersection’s traffic light, an eagle-eyed neighbor noticed a box in the median that seemed to be moving and worried by its unknown content pulled over and walked back to investigate. Thus began the life journey of two lice covered, desperately in need of vet care, newborn labrador retriever pups. During a visit with the rescuing neighbor and meeting the two new-found pups in need of homes or pound bound, five earnest beggers ranging in age from 15 to 5 began a coordinated assault on four adamantly opposed parents whose combined NO WAY ON THIS EARTH became MAYBE IF YOUR FATHERS WILL AGREE to a resigned OKAY BUT ONLY IF YOU–and the tossaway pups found homes, side by side, with an eventual single fence around co-joined backyards to give plenty of running space for growing labs and chasing children. Five children learned to scoop poop, walk a dancing dog in snow/wind/rain, and the two sets of parents that NEVER intended to have a dog in the house or even in the yard learned to cope with masses of shedding black dog hair, the occasional chewed furniture piece, accidents on antique rugs, and holes dug in the middle of landscaped lawns. Now all eleven members of our families cannot fathom the day when there will be no black lab to scold off the couch, or to lay a head on while crying…so, to all the Harley’s, the Mandy and Cole’s, the Inoch and Sadie’s, the countless pets who taught us not to take ourselves or our possessions so importantly, and to act with humor and grace while being licked in the face or sniffed in the behind, we love you. To those of you who never wanted a pet, or to those of you who feel that replacing a pet who left with a piece of your heart will be too difficult, we ask that you reconsider. Thanks, Harley, for letting us share our happy-ever-after story.

  7. Harley McGuire says:

    With a tail that is wagging my entire body I thank you, Robertson and Morrison, for the heartwarming story. The eleven members of your blended families are the best life has to offer. Shame on those scoundrels who abandoned the innocent little puppies in the first place. There’s NO excuse for doing such a thing. Bad, bad, naughty, naughty. (oops, I learned those words from “Guess Who”)

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

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