Where Were You? Remembering 9/11

9/11 is one of those days that our country will never forget.  I wasn't born yet, but my Mom was.  She had a work at home job then.  Her job was summarizing the news. She recorded both radio and the local TV news and then she had to summarize what they said.  She had her TV on and saw it happen on the Today Show.  Later in the day, she said she remembers just standing outside and looking at the sky.  It was so strange not to hear or see planes flying over.  She spent the next few days working longer hours at her job.  In the evenings, her and Dad just watched the coverage on TV.   It was a scary time. 

Did you change your life after 9/11?  My folks had bought land in the country to build their dream home.  They had planned to wait a few years to do it, but after 9/11, they decided to do it sooner.  You just never know what the future holds and they didn't want to put off their dream.

Mom thinks that Alan Jackson's song, Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning? is very moving.  We have attached a YouTube video and we hope it plays for you.

Here are the words:

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Out in the yard
With your wife and children
Workin' on some stage in LA?
Did you stand there in shock
At the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger
And fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
Or pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people
Who walked from the rubbel
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride
For the red, white, and blue
And the heroes who died
Just doing what they do?
Did you look up to Heaven
For some kind of answer
And look at yourself
And what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty
Cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Or close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?

Did you go to the church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I could
Tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day

Songwriters
Jackson, Alan Eugene

Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Joey,

The Greyhound Who Is Spending The Day With His Folks

All-Time Favorite Funny Post With Jack and Scout

This is Mom's all-time favorite post featuring Jack and Scout.  We have posted it a few times, but since I am not doing much right now, it is a good time for a repeat.  Mom thinks it is funny because Jack is happy with his gift and Scout was not.  Poor Scout, she was our Eeyore.   We miss you Scoutie!

Originally posted on 11/17/09

Mama went shopping and brought us each home a gift.

I got this super cool flashlight that I will use when we walk at night while camping. Isn't it cool? I bet I will really be the talk of the campground if I wear this with my jammies!





Scout received this pink hat.



Who do you think is happier with their gift? LOL





Better luck next time, Scout! LOL

Jack,
The Greyhound Who Can See At Night Now

Still Healing - Not Much To Say

I really don't have much to say.  I have been sleeping a lot.  I am feeling tons better, but the medication makes me sleep.  Mom has been keeping our blinds closed, so it is dark in here and that makes it even harder to stay awake.

Tomorrow is the last day that I have to take the medicine that is the worse to take.  It is a pill that Mom has to dissolve in water and then she puts it in a syringe and shoots it in my mouth.  It is a rude thing to do to a guy. I have to take it three times a day and I can't eat for an hour after I take it. Blah!

 I have to take antibiotics for 14 days.  We sure don't want the infection to come back.

I am still eating soft foods.  Mom said she will probably have me eat soft foods for two full weeks.  The doctor said it would take about that long for me to heal.

I wanted to play with a toy this morning, but Dad said no.  All my toys are put away.  Dad says I need to wait a little longer.

When the medicine wears off, I am ready to go.  Last night, when we came out of the RV, I did my "stand" that Mom says looks like Ralphie from a Christmas Story. He comes out of the house with his BB gun and the way he stands is the way that Mom says I stand.  I don't get it.  Anyway, I did that and Mom kind of stomped her feet.  I tried to take off running, but that darn leash.  Mom apologized and said she shouldn't have done that.  She didn't think I would get excited.  Duh, Mom!


Last night, the folks went grocery shopping.  When they got home, I let out a howl.  BOL!  I have few inhibitions when I am drugged.


Joey,
The Greyhound Who Is Feeling Much Better

Following Doctor's Orders

Friends, I spent Friday at the emergency hospital.  Yep, I even had surgery.  :::gulp:::   It all started on Wednesday night.  I was chewing on one of my bully sticks.  Dad said I had a small piece and then I swallowed it.  The folks thought everything was okay, but I knew something was wrong. I stood up and acted a little strange.  I just stood there.  I then got a drink.  The next morning, I was not feeling right.  I didn't greet Dad when he got out of the shower and I didn't say good-bye to him.  That is not like me.  Mom thought something might be wrong with my neck.  I tried to stretch my front legs and I couldn't do it.  She gave me a tramadol.  Later, we went for a walk and I was able to stretch and I burped a few times.  I felt better.  Then, a bee flew in my mouth.  Yeah, not fun!

 

Mom rushed me in the RV and gave me Benadryl.  I slept the rest of the day and felt better when Dad got home.  Friday morning, after Dad went to work, I got worse.  I wouldn't drink water and I was drooling.  Dad came home from work and I went to the emergency hospital where Scout went.  Yikes!

The vet didn't believe that I got stung by a bee.  We didn't have a body to prove it.  Mom told her to look at my mouth.  It was all red under my tongue.  The vet said they needed to run tests; blood tests and x-rays.  Mom was relieved when we found out it was not cancer.  The vet said she would attempt to look under my tongue.  She said if I didn't cooperate, she would have to sedate me.  I was good and she immediately saw the cut.  I had a cut under my tongue and it was infected.  No duh!

The vet recommended stitches.  She said we could try to let it heal on its' own but it would take a very long time since it was in my mouth.  Also, if there was any foreign matter in it, it would not heal. The folks decided surgery was necessary.  It turns out that the cut was much deeper than expected.  The vet did not find anything in the cut, but said there was a pocket and that something had been in it.  While she was in my mouth, she did a quick cleaning of my teeth.  Two of my molars fell out.  She said those molars do not have roots and fall out easily.  What?  No roots?

I didn't think the folks were coming back to pick me up Friday because when I looked at the clock, it was past Mom's bedtime.  BOL!  Then, I heard on the loud speaker "Joey's People are here"!  I waited and waited. It took them an hour to release me because the place was busy with emergencies.  Finally, I saw my folks.  I was happy but when it was time to leave, I wanted to go back to my crate.  It was fun back there.  Tons of action.

Oh, I was ticked when I got home.  I was only allowed a little bit of water.  I was thirsty!  I kicked my bowl demanding more water.  Mom gave me a little at a time, but not as much as I wanted.  I was not a happy camper.  The next morning, I was allowed water.

The doctor said I have to stay quiet for a few days.  Yesterday, I slept all day.  Dad had to work, so it was just me and Mom.  She kept the blinds closed, so it was dark inside.  I am on four different medications, so sleeping is pretty easy.

I roached for he first time in four days last night.

I am feeling much better today.  I have to have soft foods for a while. I am supposed to stay quiet and rest.  I wish it wasn't a holiday weekend. There is so much happening in the campground and I am stuck inside. At least I am feeling better.  Let me tell you, it hurts having a big cut under your tongue.

Mom says there will be no more bully sticks.  She said that last one was very expensive.  BOL!  I bet Scout is laughing that bully sticks have been banned from our house.  Actually, it hasn't been that much fun chewing them without Scout.

Eating a chopped up frosty this morning.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Has Stitches Under His Tongue But It Doesn't Keep Him From Whining

The Dance - Dedicated to Raina

 

On Monday, another one of our greyhound friends earned her angel wings.  Raina was a beautiful girl.  Her Mom, Lisa, describes her as fiercely independent and always did things her way, even to the very end.  She was a picky eater and her Mom pulled out all the stops for her. Raina was a fan of frosty treats.  Raina was 15!  Yes, you read that right, 15!

Beautiful Raina

She liked playing in the snow. This was from this past winter 2014/2015.  Look at her go.

Relaxing in her bed.

She loved her Mom.

Such a striking pair!  Raina and her sister, Emmi.

Raina with stuffies.

Raina Will ~ Lets get it done - 12/12/2000 ~ 8/31/2015

Raina was loved and missed by many, including her sisters Emmi and Asia.  Even with all the sadness right now, her Mom said she wouldn't have missed the dance.  You may wonder what she means by that.  Well, Mom knew immediately.  You see, The Dance is a song sung by Garth Brooks.  Whenever Mom hears it she things of her Dad who died many years ago.  Recently, she started thinking of Scout.  Lisa, Raina's Mom, said that it is an "anthem" for all her greyhound angels.  We have linked a video to the blog, we hope it works so that you can hear this beautiful song.  Here are the lyrics, just in case our video does not work.

The Dance

Looking back
On the memory of
The dance we shared
'Neath the stars above
For a moment
All the world was right
How could I have known
That you'd ever say goodbye

And now
I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives
Are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd have had to miss
The dance

Holding you
I held everything
For a moment
Wasn't I a king
But if I'd only known
How the king would fall
Hey who's to say
You know I might have changed it all

And now
I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives
Are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd have had to miss
The dance

Yes my life
It's better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd have had to miss
The dance

 Raina, you are missed.  You were loved. We know you are an independent lady, but send your Mom a sign, okay?  I bet she will smile when you do.

Joey,
The Greyhound Who Thinks The Rainbow Bridge Must Be Something Special With All The Greyhounds That Are There