Today I want to talk about how we are blessed by animals around us and how we need to let them know we care. Joe Exum put the organization "Friends of Man's Best Friends" together a few years ago and great numbers of animals have been given quality lives as a result of his effort, and the efforts of his dedicated associates who give freely of their time, money, and expertise in the promotion of this noble cause. I plan to have Joe on my television show in the near future to discuss this enterprise and how more of us can get involved in the promotion of it.

If you have ever had to say Goodbye to that "Best Friend" in your life , you know how difficult that experience can be. But you also know the great comfort you can take in knowing that you always loved and appreciated them. My Emma and I cried unashamedly a few years ago when we had to say goodbye to our beautiful Golden Retriever, Prince, who had been struck by a vehicle and rendered lifeless. I also remember how our daughter, Jessica, and her family wept as they said goodbye to their beautiful dog, Sarah, who died at the age of 15, which is the equivalence of 105 human years. Sarah was a loving and loved member of that family, and she knew it.

Our son, Jason, always had a deep appreciation of and compassion for animals, especially for those that were homeless, and our son, Reece, Jr., and his family share that compassion in word and in deed. Of course, all animals are not young and beautiful, as highlighted in a 1983 poem by Janet Adkins, titled "A Prayer for Unwanted Animals," which states as follows: "For the one-eyed and lop-eared; For the worn and cast out; For the stiff-jointed, old, deaf or blind, used up and abused by man unkind ; For the sick and starving that patiently wait without whine or whimper to suffer their fate; Because they all share Creation's soul, in Your Kingdom, Lord, make them lovely and whole." So while it is good to celebrate events such as "Celebrate Animals Week," let's change that to "Celebrate animals Each Day, Every Day." We will be glad we did! Now to close with a couple of humorous examples:

At a motivational seminar three men were asked to come up on stage, and then were asked, "When you are in your casket, and friends are coming by and paying their last respects, what would you like to hear them say about you?" The first man said, "That I was a great doctor and family man." The second man said, "That I was a wonderful human being and a great teacher." The third man said that what he would like to hear them say is, "Look, he's moving!"

Additional Humor: The old gentleman was in his advanced years and had been a widower for many years. Some friends of his decided to surprise him by arranging for a "Call Girl" to go by his home and be very romantic with him. On the arranged evening the young lady knocked on his door, and when he came to the door, she asked, "Would you like super sex?" The old gentleman paused a few seconds, and then said, "I'll have soup."

HAVE A WONDROUS DAY!