"Richard, we need to discuss something…" I said.

"Make it quick, stooge. I have a tight schedule today." He replied.

"Richard, you've gotta stop chasing after cars, you're really hurting my arms." I said.

"You'll survive, Brian." He replied.

"Not for long!! What do you suggest I do? I can't seem to train you to not chase vehicles." I said.

" Hey, I know: when you see a car coming, let me go." He replied.

"That's it, smart-butt, time to get aggressive with you!!!" I said

I bought a can of Bitter Apple, A spray that comes in a bottle and is affective against disobedient k9s. On our next walk, I took can. This is how it went:

"Oh boy!!!" he said, "A car!!"

"Leave it, mutt!" I said.

"No." he said.

"Yes." I said.

"Die." He said.

"That's it!!! Take this!!!" I said as I sprayed substance in his mouth.

"AAAAHHHGGGGGGG" he said, "I'm melting!!!!!"

"No you're not." I said.

"That stuff is N-A-S-T-Y! OK, I'll follow your unreasonable demands." He said.

"Good." I said.

(We don't believe in shouting, or yelling, so we use "said," instead of "yelled" or "shouted.")

After a few more sprays and "discussions," Richard stopped chasing. I was obviously glad and so was he. Although Richard has his difficulties, he has a lot more "good stuff" about him.

the "good stuff"

Richard is extremely intelligent when it comes to learning new tricks. I taught him how to shake my hand in about 6 minutes. I also taught him how to catch food in mid-air in about 9 minutes. He's a very fast learner. He is also learning to stay in front yard without darting after cats and other such mobile things. Although he is currently 2, he still looks and acts like a puppy. Not only is he cute, he is also a great guard dog (just take my word for it). Oh yeah, did I mention he can talk?

Well, I think you have a good idea what my dog is like, so remember: Before you go around ranting about how cool your dog is, just think about how much cooler my dog is.

Thank you and good night

Putting labels on other people to see where people fit is not bad, except some people want to include God in this PHS equation and He does not fit.

Perhaps because we are in an election year, many people ask question, "Is God a Democrat or a Republican?" I have never heard anyone ask if God was an Independent or member of Green Party. Maybe they know something about these parties I don't.

During an election year, politicians will use anything or anyone to help their cause. Most politicians need more help in their cause than even God could give them.

However, some think it important to try to draw God into their party platform. The further behind they are in polls more they invoke Almighty on their behalf.

Knowing God as I do, and understanding as much of politics as I do, no politician in his right mind (and try to find one in his right or left mind) would even want God on their side. God deals in absolutes. A thing is absolutely right or it is absolutely wrong.

Politicians shy away from absolutes.

A politician deals with all things relative and self-serving. If it does not advance his or her cause, politician has no interest in it.

Every political party has its "spin-room." That's a place where they take what was said and spin it around for self-serving purposes. It all depends, so they all say, on what your definition of is, is.

I remember day my mother got her first spin dryer. Up to that time, she hung all washing outside to dry in God's good sunshine. Then came spin dryer and it did not matter what weather was like outside, my mother could always dry wash.

It was great. If some of clothes were not folded right away and were wrinkled, she just tossed them into dryer and, presto, wrinkles were gone.

The political "spin-zone" does very same thing. If a political candidate says something, immediately it goes into spin to get rid of those wrinkles.

God, however, does not work that way. In Old Testament we read, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Lord. For as heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV.)

It is never a question of whether God is on my side, but whether I am on His side. The only way to get on "God's side" is through Lord Jesus Christ.