I've Been To The Ranch

Well, as you can see from these real great photos I've been out to The Ranch. It's where my Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ted live and it's where I go to play.

Of course, I have some duties that I perform when I'm there. If I don't keep a close watch on things the deer and all kinds of other kritters will try to come into our territory. Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ted really appreciate me doing my duties. But, on this day I was just playing.

These pictures were taken on a special day. It's called Memorial Day and it's the day we remember all the working dogs who have given themselves in service to humanity. It's important to remember those things.

On this day I ran real fast and showed off for the humans. I also swam in the swimming pool and I chased my balls. Aunt Jeanne had special treats for me too! It was a fun day.

I hope you had a fun day on Memorial Day too.

Love,

Rowan

I've Been Elevated

Archbishop Clumber, a most exalted dog and venerable barker, has graciously elevated Rowan the Dog to the post of Bishop Of Lakes And Playing. Plus, Clumber gave him this real neat red mitre!

In nominating Rowan for this great honor his guardian noted Rowan’s pastoral nature and his ease in creating relationships “person to dog.”

“The calling of a bishop has at its heart a servant leader who is able to maintain the close pastoral ties that are necessary for having fun and playing at the lake. Rowan’s character has been shaped by his obedient submission to the will of his guardian throughout his years of being a dog, which is one step up from ordained ministry. His character reflects the virtues of charity, humility, generosity of spirit, fun, and stability,” she added.

When asked by a reporter following the election what he thought of the outcome, Bishop Rowan said, “I was hoping for treats just like the other nominees. I was excited and humbled and really, really hoping for treats. It is hard to believe in that moment.” He said his first reaction was “to reach over and lick Lindy who is a dear, dear friend and guardian.”

“I have a solid working relationship with Bishop Clumber. He has mentored me and I look forward to a continuation of our shared ministry in this new light,” Bishop Rowan said.

A self-described flaming liberal for Jesus because moderates suck, Bishop Rowan said, “Our work is to grab the vision God has for us and run as fast as we can with it. Then go swimming in the lake. With Jesus Christ, every issue is an opportunity to reach out in ministry to and with all God's creatures, even some persons which may understand themselves to be bi-pedally oriented, even cats. This is our primary mission.

"We take everybody seriously, we don't turn real live human beings into issues. That's mean." Said bishop Rowan. "The world is calling us to find a way to be honest, to articulate a comprehensible faith, and to stop being stupid. That is the hope and the kind of future that we offer."

In consultation with his brother bishops and dogs Bishop Rowan has articulated a pastoral care plan which includes licking and snuggling. "There may also be times when, for extraordinary pastoral situations, it becomes necessary for me to jump or even to bark. I remain open to that," He said.

Bishop Rowan will assume office as soon as he returns from chasing ducks.

Also elected to the office of bishop this week was the human Andy Doyle. You can read about him here and see what kinds of things they say about him.

Well, as you can see from these real great photos of me I have been a busy boy lately.

I have been doing my important job of guarding the car and taking care of Lindy. When we go to the lake I chase away the ducks and I swim as good as I can with my tail wagging and everything. I've been to see my friends in Georgetown and also my Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ted at the lake. They are real nice to me. Sometimes Mrs. Elizabeth comes over to see me. She gives good pets, I'll tell you what.


I do try to keep up my appearances by wearing some fashionable shirts and bandannas. My favorite is the bandanna Romeo gave me for Valentine's Day. I look real good in that one.



This is me with my very good friend Mrs. Elizabeth. Technically, Mrs. Elizabeth is sort of Lindy's friend too but mainly she is my friend and she likes to give me pets too. Mrs. Elizabeth is patting me on my back in this shot.

A'course taking care of Lindy is a full-time job. She has to be licked and snuggled. Plus I have to do my tricks for her. But, it's all just a part of being a great dog.

I love everybody!

When Cub Went Home

This morning my guardian called me over to her desk and up into her lap and she held onto me real tight so I wiggled around and grunted. But, when she gave me some space, I noticed that her face was wet and she looked all sad. I am a dog so I knew what to do and I licked her ear and nuzzled her neck. That sometimes helps humans feel better... simple creatures that they are.

She petted me and said, "Oh Rowan, Cub has died." And she felt sad because it reminded her that someday I will die too and she will miss me a real lot when that happens. I don't care though because I can't wait to get my little golden tail. I'm going to wag it real hard when I get it too. I am.

I felt kind of bad for Lindy but I was thinking, Yay Cub!

This is a photo of Cub on the day that he went to live with his thumb havers. I think they must be real good guardians because Cub was such a good dog. One of them typed for Cub and everything. Pretty nice. That one was called The Typist. That's interesting because Typist sounds like type. Humans are like that.

Cub looks happy in this photo, don't you think? I think Cub knew that he was going to go to a very good home with nice humans to take care of him.

Today Cub went to a new home. It's in Heaven. I wonder if there was someone there to take Cub's photo today. Maybe Saint Roch was there with a camera. And Laika was probably there too because Cub is the kind of dog Laika would want to be friends with.

I bet Saint Roch took a photo of Cub and Jesus. I hope Jesus could stop laughing long enough to do a good pose. Jesus was probably real happy to see Cub. And Mary would be there too because she loves to see her Son be all happy. I think Jesus is the one that gives you your little golden tail so He has to be there. Not sure about that though. It might just happen my magic. Don't know. I hope there's a little ceremony when you get it. I think I would like a ceremony.

It is sometimes hard for me to remember the specifics of Heaven. But, I am learning a few things. The golden tail for one thing. And I know that since it's where I came from it'll feel like going home when I get there. I know that Cub will be there and that it'll be fun. Probably there are ducks that you can chase. I can't imagine that there wouldn't be. It's going to be great.

The only bad thing about Heaven is that it makes guardians sad. I wish they could see how much fun it is for dogs. But... you know... humans. When they finally get to Heaven they will understand too.

Thank you God for being the best guardian ever and for being in Heaven to welcome us dogs back home when we get there. Please give Cub a real nice new tail, golden and all. And make Cub strong and well again. Help Cub's thumb havers to not be sad in their hearts and help The Boy to be good. I love you. From Rowan. Amen.

You can see a more recent photo of Cub here.
Here is a photo of Cub with her family.

I had my guardian take this quiz to find out what kind of dog personality she has. Turns out she's a Golden Retriever. A laid back and loyal friend. Taking the quiz didn't seem too taxing for her and it's a good way to keep your guardian occupied and out of trouble for a few minutes. Plus, it's just a good way to gain some insight into your guardian's behavior. The human being is such an odd creature we need all the help we can get.

Love,

Even Cats Need Love

Nicked from Ellie Finley's Child of Illusion Blog.

I wish humans would learn to love ALL the animals, not just the cute ones like me and Scout. Ugly dogs, and even cats, need love too. God made everything, and God loves everything, and since humans are supposed to be like God and everything... Well, I just don't understand why they don't love more. It seems like humans should love more. That's what we dogs think anyway.

Lucky Me...

Because I have so many great blog friends and a couple of them tagged me for this very great meme.

What a meme is -- Well, it's kind of like Granemère Mimi, only instead of using i's you use e's. Otherwise, they are both great blog things.

In my meme I have to take all the letters of my middle name and tell you some fascinating fact about myself based on that letter.

But first I have to give you the rules:

1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother's maiden name).
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person (or blogger of another species) for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged.)

Lindy and I had a big discussion about what my middle name is. At first we thought it was THE because people call me ROWAN THE DOG. But right away neither of us could think of anything very interesting that starts with T. So, I suggested we use my real middle name, Douglas. I am named after Rowan Douglas Williams, you know.


So, here goes:

D - This is the first letter in DOG, which is what I am.
It is also the first letter in Do you want to go outside? Do you want to go in the car? Do you want a treat? Do you want to come up here? and lots of other questions.

O - This is one of the letters in the word fabulous which is also what I am.

U - U are the one who gives me pets and treats and I lick U and wag my tail for U.

G - This is the first letter in Guardian. Guardians are good. They make you to lie down on fluffy beds, they lead you beside interesting places with stuff to bark at, and take you on a good path to get home on. Also, if you get scared, your guardian will protect you so you don't have to be scared of anything. And they make sure that you have a nice place to eat your kibble.

L - This very important letter is for love. This is my main job. For more information see Grendel.

A - A stands for Archbishop. I am not a real archbishop I am just named after one. If I were a real archbishop I would already have made gravy a sacrament and I would make Christians be nicer.

S - S is the first letter in Star. I have a gold star near my chair and it means that I am a good and special dog, worthy of love and pets.


OK. That is all the letters in my middle name. I tag my friend Paul, neighborhood ruffian Romeo, and anyone else who wants to play.