SIT-REP Comanche Lookout Park

DATE: 7 Jul 2010

SUBJECT: SIT-REP Comanche Lookout Park

TO: All JRT USMC on the dirt, in the water and in the sky.

FROM: Cpl Abbott (with help from Cpl Bridget.)


Today Papa got up real early to go to 'work' and he woke us all up at 0400. After he left Mama couldn't go back to sleep so she put us out in the dark while she futzed around the house. Then she called us in and put us in the Yella Jeep.

We rode a little ways and stopped at COMANCHE LOOK OUT PARK !!! Yeaaaa!! Its a great park that we'd been to once before with Nature Hounds.

http://www.texasescapes.com/SanAntonioTx/Comanche-Lookout-Park-San-Antonio-Texas.htm

The trails are really cool here. I mean really...there's lots of trees and picnic benches and places to sit and drink water. They're kinda rough hard stuff Mama called asphalt with lotsa gravel. Good grip for paws and tennis shoes. We walked and walked and there were lizards and rabbits and squirrels everywhere. There was even other prints that Bridget said was deer tracks.

We met several other doggie people out with all different kinds of dogs. There were just people walking themselves and some people were running. I think they are called joggers. Bridget wanted to go with them or for Mama to run but Mama says NO, Our Mama doesn't run. And guess what! Today she didn't fall oops at all. And Bridget didn't get too tired either.

We even went up the big hill to the tower. It's not a real castle, somebody just built it up there but its very nice looking. And you could see a long ways off from the bluff just past it. And there's even a water fountain up there with a doggie fountain too. Then we came down the hill and walked some more. We took the easy way down. Mama says there are some motivated people that go up and down the bluff face, but she wasn't that enthusiastic.

When we got back to the jeep, Mama said we walked 2.6 miles in about an hour. Then we had to come home cause she has to take a nap before work today. But we had a really good time and then we came home and we got raw beef heart for our dinner. It finished a perfect day for us.

Bridget and I are expecting Mama to be crashing for her nap soon. We will snuggle up to her and make sure she is comfy. She likes us to do that

So that's my sit-rep. It was a great morning and we'll sleep all day on the bed while she goes to work. I wonder what work is anyway.

Yours Truly
Cpl Abbott and Cpl Bridget
Firebase Cole , TX

Poem for Trooper.

I am a huge fan of Terrierman.com. I wrote this for Trooper, Patrick Burns' 16 year old Border Terrier that recently passed. I guess I have enough ego to post it here also. Saylor was his JRT packmate and they hunted together for many years.
--
Debi
I know God loves us, he gave us dogs.


Poem for Trooper.

Run, run, run to the bridge.
Greet your packmate Saylor.
Wag your tail and bow to her
be again the rollicking player.

You will be missed on this plain
of earthen warrens and pipes
where your master still listens
for your voice amongst the dykes.

For you are now one of legend
to those of us who know your name.
Your stories still we will hear
your life is now one of fame.

Be you proud, if dogs are proud,
where game is fast and burrows deep.
Sound off Trooper, nice and loud,
so Master may find you when he sleeps.

A commentary on LOYALTY and our little ones.

A commentary on LOYALTY and our little ones.

True loyalty is a very rare commodity in today's world. A companion who will
always stand by you is a 'pearl of great price' and is of untold value. There
is an ancient bond between mankind and our canine companions that was struck in
the ancient darkness of time immemorial. Many people have forgotten and violate
the pact by ignorance and heartlessness. Some dogs don't take it as seriously
as others. They will run and hide in times of violence or danger to them. But
not the Jack Russell. The old Parson would still be proud of the strain that he
developed from his great lady bitch, Trump.

One of the things I seriously love about Jack Russells is their undying loyalty
and their tenacity. We're always hearing about the ones who go down a hole like
Alice and can't get back. Or they get lost in the woods and have to be found.
There are even unfortunate stories of them attacking other small pets like cats,
ferrets and gerbils. These are true due to the innate nature of this little
rascals, because they were bred to be brave beyond common sense and savage to
their prey.

On the other side of the coin, however, there have been many many true stories
of the little ones standing by their owners/masters/parents to the bloody end.
There's the story of George who won the Victorian Cross for saving a group of
'his' children from attacking dogs. There's the story of the South African JRT
who remained to guard his master's body after he was killed by rebels in that
country's civil insurrection. There was the JRT who in England, saved his
Mistress from a rapist by viciously attacking the man after being kicked
numerous times. Then the story of the JRT who defended 'his' pub from burglars.
These news stories are becoming legendary.

Even television has given them a bow. There were the too perfect versions such
as Eddie and Wishbone. But then on Law and Order there was an episode where a
woman jogger was attacked and killed by an attack dog that had gotten loose in
Central Park. The investigating detective sadly commented on the death of her
little terrier dog who had fought the much larger dog to protect her.

I believe that if Nicole Simpson had possessed a JRT, there would have been
proof of her murderer because he would have sustained injuries. The dog would
not have been found wandering the streets in confusion. A Jack would have saved
her or died with her.

Oh, yes. We know they have their problems and not all human and canine personalities mesh successfully. You can have a JRT who doesn't work out for you. Something in
their background may interfere with the bonding. Or they may be too high energy
for your circumstance. If that happens, all you can do is return or rehome the
dog. They are too strong willed to conquer if the relationship doesn't take.
But we know that when we find them, or they find us, that we have a soul mate
for life. We are blessed with our little hairy Angels. And the loyalty they
give to us can only be returned as fully and as tenaciously as we can.


Debi
Cpl Abbott and Cpl Bridget.
and Scarlet the dependable Horse Marine.

Semper Fideles which means (of course) Always Faithful.

Why some people should be hurt.

In my humble opinion, there are people who should be hurt.

I'm on a list for a dog rescue group. So, I often hear about dogs that need help and people who need hurt. A good friend of mine often states there are too many people who need killing, but not enough bullets or time.

Today I learned of a 13 year old lady dog who was turned into a shelter because the owner, a Minister by the way, got a calling from her god to go and do something else with her life. Notice this god is in small letters. I do not accept nor respect a god who calls someone to desert a helpless animal at a shelter.

Can you even imagine how this poor little angel must feel? Thrown into a cold cage and surrounded by others in the same plight? Abandoned by the only people she had ever known. People whom she had loved deeply and faithfully. My heart breaks for her. Even if adopted she will take a long time to recover.

Then there's the browbeaten woman who's getting a divorce and her estranged asshole told her to 'get rid of the dogs or he'd do it for her'. My first question is if she's getting a divorce why the hell should she do anything he tells her to do? I have a few others but they get pretty messy. I've tried to get in touch but to no avail so far. My husband is not happy with me. I want both dogs. Well, I want them both safe.

I deal with stupid people every day. I think that humanity took a biological diversification along about the beginning of the 20th century. We split, just like the Neanderthal and the Cro-Magnum did. Before then, people who were that stupid and mean were usually killed by some lawman or someone meaner and smarter than him. But starting about 1890 the law came to the land and a 'kinder gentler' time began. They didn't hang people anymore for murder, rape or horse thieving. They went to jail and continued to spoil the gene pool. I'll have to put the whole thing down again for the blog.

Anyway, I have a real hatred for these types who demonstrate a complete lack of morality and sensibility. I guess I can state is succinctly by saying...

Yes, I'm a prejudiced person. Now, I don't care what color, race, ethnicity, financial class, religion or nationality you are. However, I am deeply prejudiced against Assholes. If you are one, please stay far away from me, or I will hurt you.

Stargate SG1 Story

I haven't written one in a while. This is Gen so I feel comfortable posting this here.



Title: New Beginnings
Author: Debi C
Spoilers: New Ground
Category: Written for the Other Character Challenge. Not beta'd.
Warning: Gen. G-rated.
Summary: A new immigrant makes a decision.
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were, but then someone left them alone and I‘m letting them out to play.


What was this place anyway? It was dark and cold and sometimes dank. He had left his world because it was no longer safe for him. He was a traitor. He was despised. And now he was here, a stranger on a strange world.

He had left his world to come with a man of intelligence, courage, and wisdom to this new life. But it was difficult and he didn’t know what to expect. This friend, also an alien, had told him of freedom of body, spirit and mind. Time would tell if it was a lie.

Now, this man was taking him on another journey through halls, corridors and tunnels. It was a difficult trip but finally, at the end, a huge metal hatch was opened and they climbed out to an incomparable spectacle.

It was fantastic, it was magnificent, and it was awe inspiring. They were on a mountain top looking at a glorious view of sweeping vistas, splendid trees and a never ending sky. The sun shown warmly down on the craggy landscape. There was birdsong in the air. The wind gently moved his hair with soft fingers as if to welcome him.

“Look around you, Nyan of Bedrosia. Is this not a beautiful world?” Teal’c looked at him knowingly.

“Yes, Teal’c.” He replied to his fellow alien. “It is indeed that. But will it welcome me?”

“You must keep the secrets of the SGC but, yes, it will welcome you. There are several aliens who abide here in complete anonymity.” The big man replied with a smile. “This can be your new home also if you wish it.”

“But how will I live?”

“Daniel Jackson had applied for you to be allowed to work with him here. You will be suitably recompensed and you will learn much from him. He is a good man.”

“As are you my friend.” Nyan replied with a smile. “I think I would like to stay and learn about this planet and the universe.”

“Then, stay.” The two friends stood and looked at their brave new world.

“Oh, there you are!” A familiar voice called out to them. “Nyan, Teal’c c’mon. We’re going out to dinner. My treat.”

They turned to greet O’Neill who was leaning on a friendly tree. “Geez, Teal’c. Did you have to come all the way up here? Next time take it easy on an old man.”

“You are not old O’Neill,” the warrior responded kindly to his commander. “And yes I did.”

“So what do you think, Nyan?” O’Neill swung his arm to take in the entire view. “Think you’d like to live here?”

“I think I would.” He replied steadily.

“All right!” the Colonel said enthusiastically, “Daniel will be happy about that. He’s been wanting someone like you to work with. C’mon then, Daniel and Carter are waiting for us. Let’s go get some steak.”

“And cake O’Neill?” The big man asked with a smile already knowing the answer.

“Teal’c, there should always be cake.” The Colonel turned and led them down the mountain to their new lives.

Double Dog Dare

Things I've Learned by Walking my Two Dogs

OR

Double Dog Dare.

I started walking my two Jack Russells together several years ago and I’ve had the opportunity to learn a few things about double dog walking. Cesar Millan’s methods are right, but mine work for my dogs. I’m not such a strict pack leader but then again, mine are JRTs. Here’s my take on walking my two ‘June bugs on a string’.

1. Use the same equipment on both dogs. Harnesses are NOT recommended, use collars. I don’t like chain chokes, as my dogs are both civilized and small. I prefer the martingale collar. I have heard some people can use a coupler, a short connecting leash between dogs, but I cannot recommend it with Jack Russells. I believe it could lead to fights and possible injury to one or both of the dogs.

2. The leashes must be the same length.

3. Carry a walking stick or a cane for protection against loose dogs, snakes, etc. If you have pepper spray that may work but it can backfire and it doesn't work on snakes.

4. Be sure your gear is fitted properly to include your clothing and packs. Think comfort and safety, pants not too loose or too tight, cotton socks with sturdy shoes. Wear a hat.

5. Use a backpack or a fanny pack for your supplies. You should carry:

A. water for you and your dogs, at least two bottles.
B. bowl(s) for your dogs to drink water from
C. pocket knife
D. whistle to signal your location if necessary
E. cell phone
F. Extra leash and collar for emergencies.
G. First aide kit (band-aides, sterile wipes, antibiotic cream, etc.)
H. wallet with your ID and if you have any health problems an updated list of your meds. I. always bring any emergency meds you might need on the trail such as inhalers and epi-pens.

6. If you've never walked your dogs before start by walking them one at a time to get them trained to the leash and your signals. Take your time with this as you are setting the foundations for their future behavior. I would suggest that you develop certain verbal cues to help them understand what you want from them. Words like 'Lets Go' to indicate forward motion, Perhaps ‘This Way’ for a left direction or ‘That Way’ for a right direction. There are traditional terms like mush, gee, haw and whoa but use what is comfortable for you. The dogs don't care.

7. Once you have mastered the walk try taking them both out together. If one is higher energy, in the beginning you might take him for a short walk alone then pick up the second dog afterwards. At this point in your training, I would recommend that you take one in each hand the first few times. Leave your stick behind at this point. This is just to familiarize them with walking together and to see if you have a fearful dog or if there is aggression between them. They can cause tripping problems for you and excite his pal. Dog fights can occur, be prepared.

8. When you all have become acclimatized to walking with each other, they you can start to fine tune the walk. Determine which side is more comfortable for you to control the dogs on and which side is more comfortable for you to carry your stick with. Traditionally, they go on the left side. I happen to like the right because it is my dominant hand, but that’s just me.

9. Position the dogs on the selected side of your body preferably side by side. Give your command and step off with the foot closest to them. This gives them a verbal and a visual cue to work from. Take a few steps and then give a halt command. Practice this a few times until they understand what you are doing. If they try to switch sides, don’t allow this. It can tangle you up and cause a bad fall. Just tug GENTLY on the leash or tap LIGHTLY on their flank with your stick. Do not scare or hurt your dog. This should be FUN for ALL of you, if it's not don't bother.

10. After this you will learn to adjust to your dogs and they to you. It is a learning curve. Each dog will react differently according to their natures.

I do recommend that you take things slowly and watch your feet. Dogs are tricky and will try to take advantage of many things to be where They want to be. But if you allow them free rein, you can get into trouble. You can take a hard fall just as easily on flat pavement as rocky ground with a tangle. This is a great way to get your exercise and your dogs’ also. It can be difficult at first and as I said, there is a certain danger involved.

You must be prepared, think ahead, and have the proper equipment in the arsenal in your backpack. Good luck and if you learn something I don’t know about, please let us know.

SITREP: Home Invasion

From the POV of Cpl Bridget, JRT USMC Cpl


Ooh, le'me tell it, le'me tell it!!

Okay, ruff, go ahead. But remember...

Okay, okay, I remembers.

FROM: Fire-base Cole

TO: JRTUSMCs all over the place

DATE: (what's a date?) {today of course, those numbers I told you.} (oh, okay)
DATE: 13 June 2010

Deer fella JRTMarines

I git to tell this cause it was me. Well, I gotta say, it was both of us, but I caught it and Abbott kilt it. First tho, Abbott sez I gotta set the stage.

We wuz all in the big nest all warm and comfy asleep early this morning when we hears something in the den. I wants to go see, but Abbott sez we gotta warn Mama. Sos we start barking. Mama sits up in the bed and finds her glasses and grabs the big ole iron noiseybang gun she keeps under the mattress.

She looks around kinda bleary eyed and calls out 'Dave is that you?'. Of course it's not Papa. Ifn it was Papa we wouldn't abarked. She sits in the nest and listens real sharp like. Then she hears it too. A noise...inside the house...a strange noise.

Well, hit ain't coming to the nest room, sos we go to guard alert. But silly Mama gets outta the nest and gos a loo kin carrying a holt of the iron gun thing. Well, we hears the noise agin and we go with her down the hall. Then I sees it!

Its a noisy birdy from the chimbley. Them dadburned birds have a nest in there and been making noises fer a week now. One of them has made the mistake of a-comming the wrong way down the chimbley and into the big room. Hes aflying and running into things.

Mama puts the noisy bang gun thing down on the bookshelf. I'm happy cuz I knows what it can do and I'm a little scairt of it. But now, its safe and the bird is mine. Abbott is chasing it around the room but hits too fast for him. Sos I come up and it hits the winder/door and I snatches it right out of the air and crunch down. Then I picks it up and takes it to Mama and drops it on the floor.

Well, she don't look real happy at first but she knows this is what happens to home invaders. I think she's just shocked and maybe surprised. Cause she looks at it and then says to finish it. Well, I knows we got to now cause I done kilt it but its still moving. So, Abbott, being senior Cpl an all, grabs it up and shakes it like a good terrier. Feathers fly everywhere and its ded.

Mama looks at us, says what good Marines we are and ask s ifn we want to go out. Sos we go outside and run and bark and pee like wes susposed to.

Yeah! We guarded Mama, guarded the house and kilt the invader. We good JRT Marines. Yeah!

(is that okay?) {Yea, now Mama will check it and sign it for you, you did good.} (No bro, we done good.)

Yours truly
Bridget Cole, Cpl
Firebase Cole, JRT Marines.



FROM: Firebase Cole

TO: JRTUSMC

DATE: DATE: 13 June 2010

Okay, the pups scared about 5 years off me this morning.

I was sound asleep at approximately 0500, when Abbott started barking. Bridget was standing next to him but not barking. Of course this wakes me up and I grab my glasses and my 38. I sit up in the bed and don't hear anything at first, then I call out for Dave. He knows better to come into the bedroom unannounced when he's not supposed to be at home. (He's at Lake Sam Rayburn on a fishing tournament.) But no, its not him.

Then I hear it, a flopping noise. And then something being knocked over. So I get up and call the dogs to me and we go down the hallway, Abbott in the lead and Bridget behind me. She's afraid of a gun, probably from her feral days. Then I see it. Its a barn swallow, or mud swallow. We have a community nest in the chimney. A youngster has come down the flu and is trapped in the house. It flies down to about about a 3 ft level and that the end of it. Bridget gets it and its pretty much dead, if still breathing. So, regrettably, I let the pups finish the job. Abbott picks it up and crushes it. Poor thing. It made a bad choice this morning.

But, nevertheless, my two Marines guardians did their jobs like well oiled machines. I was awakened to an intruder, they accompanied me on patrol, and the invader was dispatched in a quick lightening strike attack. So its now 0715. I can have my oatmeal, and head to the barn before it gets too warm.

Hoorah, my little Marines, Hoorah.

Debi, Cpl Abbott, Cpl Bridget and Capt Scarlet the horse Marine

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown