I have been feeling very sorry for myself and going through major grieving after losing my beloved dog. I tore my house upside down with cleaning trying to take my mind off of it. My wonderful husband just got me the two most adorable Boxadors. They are 8 week old brothers, Barney and Buster. I still miss my Cooper but I am loving my new boys. Thank you so much for checking on my welfare. It is great to have on line friends who care for one another. : > )

With all of the problems in the world THIS is what people decide needs to be changed? I am embarrassed to be human over this. People are homeless, starving, unemployed, have sickness and disease, they have lost loved ones to death. Schools have a funding shortfall and are in an educational crisis. The drop out rate is high. Schools graduate students who cannot write or spell. There are legitimate race issues that need to be worked on ~ this was not one of them. I will not waste my time trying to protest the Siuslaw Vikings. I do not feel that their mascot demeans me at all. I am a 3rd generation American. My family immigrated from Sweden and Norway. I have "Viking Heritage." My husband is of Cherokee, Welsh and English descent. He is not offended by "Indian" mascots. Mascots are chosen on the supposed strength or cunning of the chosen animal or people. The hope is that by adopting a strong mascot that it will cause team members to emulate the positive attributes of the mascot. This whole brouhaha points to the irreparable problem with too many people ~ the need to find a reason to take offense and manifest their argumentative side instead of focusing on how each person as an individual can contribute to society in a meaningful way. I am ashamed of us all. We should be focusing on REAL issues.

Thank you for the chuckle. How many teams of bicycle riders does it take to pull a horse in a trailer?

OB, I miss him so much. I have lost pets before but never one like Cooper. He was a 122 lb lap dog. He slept in the hallway just outside my door. He had a comfortable dog bed in the laundry room but he wanted to be closer to the family. We tried letting him sleep in our room but the husband is a world class snorer so he wanted the hallway. He was my yard work companion, right by my side all the time until it was too hot, then he found the nearest shade. Yesterday it was only the cat and I in the yard. The cat jumped on one of the chairs on the patio and slept, totally ignoring me. Did you ever get a new best friend?

Thank you VBG. Your new puppy is very cute. I hope you get a lifetime of happiness with her. It is true that you cannot replace pets who pass away but you can find new ones to love. You are a kind and compassionate person, thank you.

People who say "just a dog" have not had a really good relationship with a dog. On Saturday we had to have my dog of 10 years put down. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am an adult and have lost dogs before. They are like family, closer than most family. They live with you and give unconditional love at all times. They never treat you unkindly and bring so much joy and happiness just because they get to be by you. It is bad enough to lose an animal companion to old age and seizures but to have one taken away and held for ransom and then found dead is beyond belief. There is a special "reward" for people who commit such heinous acts.

Did you not write, "I would LOVE to have read the comment that was deleted. " I supposed you were referring to OrwellsAmerica's comment. That comment was very racist and offensive and was deleted by the administrator. I did not report the inappropriate comment. There is only one commenter that I have ever reported and that was when the commenter made a blatantly rude comment toward an individual who might have read his ranting post. I doubt Mrs Obama is reading this forum. If you want to disagree with anyone's political view that is fine. I do not agree with the Obama's view on politics but I will not allow racial bigotry to go unchallenged, nor drinking and driving nor child abuse and bullying.

I believe I said, "since you are NOT racist..." The deleted comment above was not directed toward the politics of Mrs Obama, but instead on the color of her skin. The writer suggested that she and those who have similar genetic background move to their ancestral homes. This would be as ridiculous as suggesting that I should move to Europe as that is where my family emigrated from. I was not trying to be facetious or argumentative and am sorry if I have offended anyone. I seem to be catching a lot of flack lately for my inability to comprehend others and their sarcasm, etc.

Even smart people can make mistakes. We just learn from them rather than repeat them. Thank you for not drinking and driving.

It was not so much about the Obama's politics as is was a hateful, racist rant. Since you are not racist I am sure it would have been offensive to you too. In an opinion forum people have the right to state their belief and defend it. They do not have the right to spew hate speech to try to incite others to follow them. Debate ideas and principles not skin color and the right of people of color to live in this country.