WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
With winter just around the corner, I thought it appropriate to share a conversation I had some years ago with a dog we had adopted. With all the dogs and cats needing adoption, I’ve found it more rewarding to visit an animal shelter than a pet store. I’ve also come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter whether a dog is a purebred or a stray mutt, their heart is still full of love.
Back to the conversation I had with Jake. Jake was never tied up outside. He was fortunate to always have a warm place where he could curl up and sleep. His food dish always had something in it, and his water bowl contained fresh water. He had friends, however, who weren’t so lucky and he wanted me to remind my dog-owner friends of a few things they should keep in mind.
Give your dog the opportunity to meet new friends. They can be other dogs, cats or even bigger animals. Meeting other creatures who might look like him makes his life more enjoyable.
Have patience with your dog. Give them time to understand what you want from them. They’ll do their best to do what you want them to do.
Please don’t get annoyed when your dog or puppy jump all over you the minute you walk through the door. They’re very excited to see you and welcome you home.
Talk to your dog or cat. You don’t speak the same language, but the sound of your voice can very easily brighten their day.
The annual Color Tour was this past Sunday. Last week, it looked as though the colors wouldn’t be at their peak for another week or so. Even without the full colors, there was still plenty of things to do, when it comes to getting Out and About with the family.
Meyer Broadway Park is usually a good first stop. Scarecrows line the walking path, fresh cider and donuts are available, and there’s usually a small bluegrass band providing free entertainment.
Every one of the stops along the tour had something for everyone. If you love fresh maple syrup, or sampling roasted duck with a variety of sauces, this was all available at no charge. If you missed out on traveling the tour, it’s a shame. It’s all there and it’s always FREE. Just another good reason to be a resident of St. Joe County.
Speaking of FREE, there’s a new store in town where everything is FREE. It’s not really a store, but it has all the characteristics of a store. The Stone House opened its doors this past March and has been doing very well since then. Located at 116 West Bennett Street, on the southeast corner of Bennett and West, the house is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 AM until 1 PM. On Fridays, the hours are from 9 AM until noon.
Stone House was started by the Presbyterian Church and is staffed by volunteers from the church. It is connected with United Way. Patrons have a variety of items to choose from. Clothing and shoes for every member of the family. VHS tapes plus a variety of electronic devices are also available for your perusal. To prevent the reselling of the items, patrons are limited to the amount of single items they may take. In other words, don’t ask for twelve pairs of shoes with plans to resell them. If you have items you’d like to donate, check with one of the volunteers to see if there is a need. Stone House does not accept any furniture, but they can put you in contact with someone who does. They are always in need of wire hangers, but are not interested in those made of plastic. If this all sounds interesting to you, stop by and someone will be happy to show you around.
The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing.
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
