Memorial Day

I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. — Benjamin Harrison, 1833-1901, 23rd President of the United States of America

Decoration Day is the most beautiful of our national holidays…. The grim cannon have turned into palm branches, and the shell and shrapnel into peach blossoms. - Thomas Bailey Aldrich, 1836-1907

Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. — May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, 1826 - 1886

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot’s breast, And their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. — Joseph Drake, 1795-1820

Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism? — Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887

These heroes are dead. They died for liberty – they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead. — Robert G. Ingersoll, 1833-1899

I wanted to go to a Memorial Day parade that honored all the dogs and other animals who have died in our Nation's service, but I could not find one! I think Memorial Day should honor all of the brave humans and all of the brave animals that have given their lives while in service to our Country. Those brave animals deserve recognition too! But, having Peace in the World would be the best! I am a dog for Peace! So, let's work together to end all wars and live in a World of Peace! I'm just sayin'...

Bath

I come from an ancient breed of dog, thousands of years old and believed to be the oldest breed on the North American continent. In fact, both bone and ivory carvings, dating at 12,000 and 20,000 years old, have been found which depict my ancestors much as we are today. Five hundred years ago my kin were hunting polar bears and other Arctic mammals for food. In 2010 I am sitting in a tub, to be shampooed and conditioned. Conditioner on a dog! Oh, the caninity! What would my proud, strong, ancestors think? Conditioner. I'm just sayin'...

Fearless

"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself makes you fearless." - Lao Tzu

When the sun’s rays beam down from the sky and warmth fills the air, Porgy is allowed outside to hang with us dogs (Silvius and I). Usually Porgy will perch on the back deck, because that is my main haunt. Sometimes, though, I like to hang out in the yard, just to check out what is going on or to sleep in the coolness of the grass. When I am out in the yard Porgy has no reason to remain on the deck, so he will either fly up to a tree and munch on bark or he will climb down the deck steps and walk into the red shed. I don't know what he is looking for in the red shed, but I have told him to stay out because of the snakes that slither nearby and other bird-eating creatures. That does not deter Porgy, however, because Porgy is fearless (like Jet Li in his amazing movie “Fearless” and like Tony Jaa in his excellent movies, "Ong Bak" and "The Protector").

Porgy does not back down to bullies, a bit like this cool dog, Louk, also known as The Greek Protest Dog and Riot Dog. Sadly, Louk is homeless but he does have many humans who care for him and protect him, and he returns the favor by helping them defend their liberty. Louk puts his life on the line fighting the good fight. In a way Porgy also puts his life on the line because he will not let a possible predator keep him from living life. Porgy is skilled in the art of self defense, so if any animal tries to mess with Porgy then said animal is on the receiving end of Parrot Claw Fist or Iron Beak.

Porgy isn't the only one with cool martial art moves. I, myself, have been creating my own martial art, although I have yet to name it. Perhaps Qi Suka Do or Suka Ki Do. Or Kung Suka. It is very hard work mastering a martial art but I can already notice my posture improving and my tail becoming stronger. Before you know it, I will be able to do the One Paw Standing exercise! It will take many moons before I achieve the level of Black Collar, but in the meantime, if those Ninja Cats or Kung Fu Bunnies try any funny stuff I can at least surprise attack with Hungry Tiger Paw Form or Fire Dragon Tail Form. Just call me Sifu Suka. I'm just sayin'...

Sneaky Snake

Malamutes rarely bark, so when my human, K, heard me playfully barking the other day she knew something was up. I had found a snake slithering around by the shed and wanted to play with him, but the snake just kept hissing and sticking his tongue out at me. Rather immature, I thought. Anyway, when K finally made it out to investigate she told me to leave the snake alone so it could go home. I pretended to do so, but as soon as K went back inside I was back at the snake and managed to grab him and flip him into the yard. K heard me playfully barking again and when she came back outside she saw me standing over the snake in the yard. Busted! She was none too pleased as the snake had some injuries due to my roughhousing, and she had not wanted the snake to get hurt. K found a big stick and managed to carry the snake out to the end of the yard. The snake looked dead and he did not move at all, and that upset K. But I think the snake was just playing dead to try to get me into more trouble. I certainly did not mean to hurt the slithery guy, if he in fact did get hurt. I had only wanted to play. Later in the day both K and I ventured back to where K had laid the snake and he was gone, so hopefully he slithered away and did not get eaten by some other creature in the yard. K referenced her handy-dandy snake guide and found that the snake was a garter snake, which are completely harmless. And completely boring, as they don't play with dogs.

Aside from the fun I had trying to play with the snake I learned some devastating news earlier this week. One of my dearest, coolest doggy friends had passed away on 12 April 2010. Scuba was one of the four Desert Pups, who were a wild and fun bunch of pups that brought much laughter and excitement into my life, and the lives of many other blog-o-sphere dogs. Scuba was Top Dog of the Desert Pups and led the Pack as they threw incredibly wild parties and took thrilling road trips. Scuba even hung out with the Royals at Buckingham Palace! Scuba was a beautiful pup full of life, adventure, and love. She will truly be missed, and my heart aches that she is gone. Godspeed Scuba!

And now for something that will put a wag in your tail and give you happy tapping paws: Numa Numa.

Although I am a multilingual dog I am a bit rusty on my Romanian. However, I am almost positive that "Numa Numa" translates to "Suka Suka." That would explain why the song always brings such cheer to those who hear it. I'm just sayin'...

May Day! May Day!

The night-winds come and go, mother, upon the meadow-grass, And the happy stars above them seem to brighten as they pass; There will not be a drop of rain the whole of the livelong day, And I’m to be Queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be Queen o’ the May. All the valley, mother, ’ill be fresh and green and still, And the cowslip and the crowfoot are over all the hill, And the rivulet in the flowery dale ’ill merrily glance and play, For I’m to be Queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be Queen o’ the May. So you must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear, To-morrow ’ill be the happiest time of all the glad New-year; To-morrow ’ill be of all the year the maddest merriest day, For I’m to be Queen o’ the May, mother, I’m to be Queen o’ the May.

(excerpted from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “The May Queen,” circa 1833)

No, I am not in distress, although it does look like I am being swallowed by a field of hungry grass! I just thought I would have some fun with the name of today's holiday, so I hope I did not scare anyone. I was in the field hunting for some animals dancing around the Maypole, as I wanted to celebrate and join in the festivities. Alas, I found no Maypoles and no dancing animals, or humans for that matter. But I am sure somewhere in the World there was a May Day celebration of fun!

I am excited to be able to blog today and say "WOOF!" to every pup/kitty/animal/human! I have really missed blogging, as it is my only form of creative outlet, apart from my expressive nightly howling. When I don't blog all that creativity inside of me has no place to go, so I nap a lot. Or draw stick dogs in the dirt. I have especially missed visiting all of my friends so I will be very busy this week sniffing my way around the blog-o-sphere and getting all caught up. I hope all the news this past month has been good and happy! Sadly, one of my blogging friends lost her beautiful dog of 10 years, Henry, last week. I unfortunately never met Henry, but have read of him on his mom's blog and from seeing his photos and looking into his Soulful eyes I can tell that he was a very sweet, loving, and gentle doggy and Soul. Henry will be missed greatly, but I know he is playing happily over the Rainbow Bridge waiting for the time when he will see his loving family again!

I hope no one missed me too much! Since things are still not settled for my human my blogging will be sporadic for a while. If some of you are experiencing Suka-withdrawal symptoms, such as: fur loss, excessive drooling, constant scratching, and/or barking at the neighbors for no apparent reason, then please let me know so I can guilt my human into letting me blog more often. I can also send you a pawtographed Suka photo, since it has been scientifically proven that looking at me every day takes the awful Suka-withdrawal symptoms away. I'm just sayin'...