The "Odds" Series and "Old Dogs Are The Best Dogs"

I read three of her books in the "Odds" series: Unseen Odds, which has ghost stories and pranks from the pioneer days, Against All Odds, which is stories of the pioneers when they were on their way to Utah and some stories about the first ones who settled here, and Oddly Enough, which is about the early days with some stories like the boy who tricked a mob so he could save the LDS missionaries, and the convict who saves a woman he finds out in the desert, and, one that I find especially funny, one about a woman who makes sweaters for her naked geese! You'll have to read that one to find out why they become naked, but it's funny in the end!

There's also another book, one I got for Christmas, called "Old Dogs Are The Best Dogs" by Gene Weingarten and photographs by Micheal S. Williamson. It's got portraits and a small one page paragraph about the dog who, in all the portraits/life sketches, is over ten years old. Ten years, for most breeds, especially large dogs, means that they are geriatric dogs. I actually own two geriatric dogs: Zues, a 14 year old (in January) basset hound/blue heeler mix, and Rikki, also will be 14 in April, (who is my baby girl!), who is a german shepard/border collie mix. I also have a 3 year old (in June) golden retriever/rottweiler/blue heeler mutt named Catcher. His mother was a pure blue heeler and his dad was a golden/rottie mix.
But unlike young dogs, older dogs have alot to teach us about aging gracefully, what really matters, and how to live in the moment without feeling like your missing something. You've never really known a dog until youve known him in his old age. They are truly inspiring creatures. I hope to never be without a dog, (or two or three), in my life.