This site is dedicated to the Memory of Bart 1994 - 2001 Our friend, companion, and sweetest puppy ever... He's just my dog He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being: by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags.  Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me...whenever...wherever--in case I need him. And I expect I will--as I always have. He is just my dog.   On April 30, 2001, our sweet boy was set free after a brief and sudden illness.  We will never forget the joy he brought us, the unconditional love he showed us, and the special gift we were blessed with to have known him.  He taught us many lessons, in his own subtle way, and we miss him very much.   Rainbow Bridge Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.  Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent.  His eager body quivers.  Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.  The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.  Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....   Read an article that helps explain the grieving that we go through when we lose our pet friends    Bart's Favorite Dalmatian Web Site How Old is My Dog? Dalmatian Profile from Animal Planet Dalmatian Rescue Resources   THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM A DOG Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps and stretch before rising. Run, romp and play daily. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you've had enough. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. If you stare at someone long enough, eventually you'll get what  you want. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Bond with your pack Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss. No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends. A dog's pledge... I will not eat the cats' food, before or after they eat it. I will not burn rubber through the open car window and into the fast food restaurant, no matter how good it smells. The computer's mouse is, unlike a real mouse, inedible. I will stop trying to find the few remaining clean pieces of carpet in the house when I am about to throw up. I will not throw up in the car. I will scootch my bottom along the grass to rid myself of hangers-on. I will not steal used sanitary napkins from the bathroom garbage. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc. I will not eat other animals' poop. I will not lick my human's face after eating animal poop. I will not roll my head around in other animals' poop. "Kitty box crunchies" are not food. I will not eat any more socks and then re-deposit them in the backyard after processing. The diaper pail is not a cookie jar. I will not eat the disposable diapers, especially the dirty ones. I will not wake Mommy up by sticking my cold, wet nose up her bottom end. I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them. I will not chew crayons or pens, 'specially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging. When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside. I will not drop soggy tennis balls in the underwear of someone who is sitting on the toilet. We do not have a doorbell. I will not bark each time I hear one on TV. I will not steal my Mom's underwear and dance all over the back yard with it. The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom and Dad's laps. My head does not belong in the refrigerator. I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's driver's license and car registration. I will not play tug-o'-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet. I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table. I will not roll my toys behind the fridge. The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house. If you can start the day without caffeine... If you can get going without pep pills... If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains... If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles... If you can eat the same food everyday & be grateful for it... If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time... If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong... If you can take criticism and blame without resentment... If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him... If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend... If you can face the world without lies and deceit... If you can conquer tension without medical help... If you can relax without liquor... If you can sleep without the aid of drugs... If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics... ...then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog. The Dog's Bill of Rights We have the right to be full members of your family.  We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love. We have the right to stimulation.  We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy. We have the right to regular exercise.  Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish... or fat. We have the right to have fun.  We enjoy acting like clowns now and then; don't expect us to be predictable all the time. We have the right to quality health care.  Please stay good friends with our vet! We have the right to a good diet.  Like some people, we don't know what's best for us.  We depend on you. We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs, watchdogs, hunters, or baby-sitters. We have the right to receive proper training.  Otherwise, our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife -- and we could become dangerous to ourselves and others. We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion, rather than abuse. We have the right to live with dignity... and to die with dignity when the time comes. BART'S BASIC RULES FOR DOGS NEWSPAPERS: If you have to go to the bathroom while playing in the front yard, always use the newspaper that's placed in the driveway every morning for that purpose. VISITORS: Quickly determine which guest is afraid of dogs. Charge across the room, barking loudly and leap playfully on this person. If the human falls down on the floor and starts crying, lick its face and growl gently to show your concern. BARKING: Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark -- a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing your protective bark, bark, bark... LICKING: Always take a BIG drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel. HOLES: Rather than digging a BIG hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig a lot of smaller holes all over the yard so they won't notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they'll think it's gophers. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem. DOORS: The area directly in front of a door is always reserved for the family dog to sleep. SNIFFING: Humans like to be sniffed. Everywhere. It is your duty, as the family dog, to accommodate them. DINING ETIQUETTE: Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It's also a good time to practice your sniffing. HOUSEBREAKING: Housebreaking is very important to humans, so break as much of the house as possible. GOING FOR WALKS: Rules of the road: When out for a walk with your master or mistress, never go to the bathroom on your own lawn. COUCHES: It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed. PLAYING: If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, use the flower bed to absorb your fall so you don't injure yourself. CHASING CATS: When chasing cats, make sure you never quite catch them. It spoils all the fun. CHEWING: Make a contribution to the fashion industry. Eat a shoe.