Dog demonstrates unconditional love daily

Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.

-- Will Rogers

I was speaking to a luncheon at Trinity-on-the-Hill United Methodist Church last week, and, given the time of year, we were all talking about being thankful.

Of course, I told them I was thankful for the big stuff in my life. I can't think of any of my co-workers I'd change places with. But there's a lot of little stuff, too.

In my case, that little stuff is a furry, white 6-year-old West Highland terrier who makes my day every night.

You see, I can see the front door when my car pulls into the driveway every night. I can see the series of small windows that go up and down each side of the door, and in one of them, the one on the bottom left, I can see a fuzzy little face every single night when I pull in.

My wife's not waiting. My son's not waiting. But my dog is waiting. And as soon as he realizes the garage door is coming up, I can see him wheel around and bolt for the kitchen door I will soon enter.

He is frantic and active and very, very happy to see me.

No matter how bad the day has been, I'll forget it because my dog reminds me what joy looks like.

TURKEY DAY STUFF: Want some conversation starters for the holiday?

Want to have something to say so you won't have to listen to your brother-in-law's golf exploits -- again?

Well, here's some Thanksgiving trivia to get you off the hook.

Q: What was the first Thanksgiving menu?

A: Turkey, venison, oysters, fish, clams, boiled pumpkin, corn cakes and cranberries. It was cooked for 140 pilgrims and Indians by four women and two teenage girls. At the end of the meal, Chief Massasoit's brother Quadequina slipped into the woods and returned with a bushel of popcorn.

Q: When did Macy's begin Thanksgiving parades in New York?

A: That would be 1924. But in 1927 it replaced live animals with big balloon animals -- a dragon, an elephant and Felix the Cat. An inflated toy soldier rounded out the parade.

Q: When is Thanksgiving celebrated in Canada?

A: It's over already. They celebrate gratitude the second Monday in October.

WHAT'S THE RUSH? Where has November gone? Where has 2009 gone? A month from today will be Christmas Eve.

HOLIDAY WARNING: Here's a story for the holidays. Just days before Thanksgiving, a couple received a mysterious envelope in the mail. Inside were two tickets to a play at the big city theater and a card signed: "Guess who?"

Intrigued, they went to the theater, had a great time and returned home to find their back door open and their home robbed of many valuables.

On the kitchen table was another nice card signed, "Now you know."

TODAY'S JOKES: It seems a priest and pastor from the churches of a small village were standing by the side of the road, pounding a sign into the ground that read: "The End is Near! Turn Yourself Around Now, Before It Is Too Late!"

"Leave us alone, you religious nuts," yelled a driver as he sped past them.

From around the curve, they next heard screeching tires and a big splash.

The pastor turned to the priest and asked, "Do you think the sign should just say: 'Bridge Out'?"

Reach Bill Kirby at (706) 823-3344 or bill.kirby@augustachronicle.com.