Happy Valentine's Day!

From dogs...








OLD












Ella

















Stella









AND NEW













Sasha

Bag o' tricks

Hello OLD DOGS!

Just a shout out to those among you who may be lying about, putting on the pounds because of some old tale about not being of much use after a certain age.
I'm here to tell you that an old dog can ALWAYS learn and be a valuable addition to the household and community.
Some also say "every dog has his day", so... old or young,
(here or gone) let today be your day!
Step up and show the world that new trick!


May I share some highlights from my own experience?


First I took some classes , got my degree and became a viable member of the dogforce.










I learned to help Mom sort through tons of email and assist with the marketing of her CD.
Those keys are pretty close together and my eyesight isn't that great anymore but I manage!














I screen all incoming music.




















When it comes to video editing,
I'm always glad to offer a second opinion.
(I don't much care for this guy... too many notes!)










And, of course, I'm an absolute PRO whenever there's a photo opportunity!






Mom has set up my very own emailbox - please drop me a line if you're so inclined at
askStella@newTrick.us!

Stay tuned for more new tricks.

The Winter's Tail

"A sad tale's best for winter"


















"We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk in the sun"














"What's gone, and what's past help,
Should be past grief."






















"Exit, pursued by bears."
























"A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."


















"The self-same sun that shines upon his court
Hides not his visage from our cottage, but
Looks on all alike."





















Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance."






Quotes from The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare
baptised 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616

The Golden In Winter

The day we agree on anything is the day pigs will have wings!








Queen Lizzie had no sons.
She had three whiskered things
but she disowned them.






What family doesn't have its ups and downs?










How did we get here? Step by step.
















I scheme a lot,I know.
I plot and plan.



But there is more to me than that.

Don't everybody sob at once!

I'm still a marvel of a dog.

the dog star ★

The first star in the sky tonight
a star's light ...

is always on

the brightest one
I see tonight

I will name for you

A clear light in the southern sky
is there for us...

until the dawn

to catch the twinkle in your eye,

for us to wish upon

Though our paths may part as the years go by
as near and far we wander
I will look for the light in the southern sky
and I'll know where you are

My first star, always in my heart
ever constant,

never gone

Stella, shine for me tonight

you'll always be the brightest star

Cairns of Mt Loretto park

There is a man









who builds cairns in my park.

They are constantly being knocked down,

either by the tides or by kids






but he builds them back again.







My mom gets angry that people are insensitive




but the man says he enjoys the process.













My mom says




he has become one of her heroes.









Works by Douglas Schwartz, artist and groundhog wrangler at the Staten Island Zoo