Website Update and New Blog

Website Update and New Blog


January 8, 2011


By Julie Kay Smithson, AWM (Always Wiggles' Mommy) aka LookingOut4Them


It's a new year and past time to catch readers up on events. This website has languished for ten months, waiting on the person whose idea it was to start the site, to supply it with updated information. Numerous requests for this information have been met with delays, excuses, etc. Bottom line: I already work eighty hours a week and cannot put any more of myself into keeping this web log aka blog updated and current/correct in its information.

Ohio is in the throes of a major change in its dog wardens. More than fifteen percent of the dog wardens on the contact list are no longer in their jobs due to retirement, job restructuring or termination.

So, I will occasionally post helpful, articles, information, etc., but will not be keeping the dog warden contact list information updated. Thank you for understanding.

On a new note, my own beloved dog, Wiggles Blue Heeler -- who shared his life and love with me unconditionally for over twelve years and who loved the whole world and everyone in it -- shed his earthly trappings on Sunday morning, December 5th, 2010.

A celebration of Wiggles' life was held on December 11th, 2010. We had two half-sheet cakes, each with a photo, lots of photos, blank notecards with a photo for folks to write remembrances in, and kisses. Wiggles stock-in-trade was kisses -- one of his nicknames was Many Kisses -- and this was the year Hershey made individually-boxed, 1 1/2-ounce kisses. There was a kiss for each of Wiggles' friends, his last gift to them. I highly recommend a celebration of life for others whose beloved pets are known to a number of folks. Just be sure to bring a few boxes of Kleenex to set on the tables!

For those of you that knew Wiggles, you know that he will live forever in our hearts. He was a miracle worker and I was always certain that he was a gift on loan from God. I am thankful beyond words for every moment of every day, week, month and year that Wiggles graced my life with his physical presence, and am grieving much, but trying to use Wiggles' ever-positive outlook to help heal.

Please visit this new blog, Wiggles Blue Heeler, at: http://WigglesBlueHeeler.blogspot.com enjoy it, take the poll (right side), and share with everyone you know that loves animals and appreciates unconditional love. It is my prayer that not only me, but also others, will be helped by it.

I'm also working on Wiggles' book, which will hopefully be completed by July 19 (his birthday).

Have you a remembrance of Wiggles Blue Heeler that you'd like to share? Please comment on this article to share with me.

To Animal Control Officers & Dog Wardens, From Those You Serve

To Animal Control Officers & Dog Wardens, From Those You Serve

Thank you for loving your job, which means loving the animal that cannot defend themselves against abuse, neglect, etc. We understand that yours is often a thankless job, but we appreciate you more than you will ever know!

Thank you for looking past our shivering, frightened, lost, injured, aged, abused, abandoned, or ill countenances, to the one-of-a-kind animal soul within that was NOT born dangerous or contagious to others.

Thank you for harboring no ill will toward us if we, out of terror from our past experiences with some people, growl or snap at you. You know we don't mean to hurt you. You know we are out of our minds with the baggage that has been heaped upon us by the thoughtless, ignorant, uncaring people we've had as "owners." You do your best to seek justice for us, though you are hampered at what seems like almost every turn by toothless laws and an overwhelmed, understaffed judicical system. We understand, kind sir or ma'am. We love you because of all this, and more. We just cannot say so in words, but we are so grateful, just the same!

Thank you for being there for those dog lovers who trust you to try to help them when unforeseen things happen to their pets and doing your best to reunite us with our people.
Thank you for the professional way in which you do your job, yet for still having the kindness and maturity not to judge things by what they may appear at first glance.

Thank you for all you do that no one will ever know -- from those like the poor, expectant dog abandoned in a rural roadside ditch, who owes her life and the lives of her puppies, in no small measure to your solicitous actions -- to the abandoned litter of newborn kittens left alongside a rural road. Each of us animals that you help, adores you and thanks you from the bottom of our grateful animal hearts!

Thank you for having heart, soul, manners, and the indefinable "something" that makes you shine at your work and truly love it.

Thank you on behalf of all those dogs you've yet to meet, who will trust you to do your best for them.

Thank you from each of us that have been helped in some way by your kind actions -- even if it meant helping us over the Rainbow Bridge to a place where there is no pain, aging, illness, injury, or suffering. We understand and we love you, even though we cannot tell you in words. It is not your fault, the circumstances that brought our paths together at that place that was at the end of our earthly lives.

Please know that, when you visit us one day at Rainbow Bridge, we will cover your face and hands with kisses, romp with you in heavenly meadows of the most beautiful flowers and soft grass, and tell God that you're the angel we met on earth!