COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL November 2, 2016
“Itsy Bitsy”
Employee!
Roger was so heartbroken when his best
friend, his 18-year-old dog, died that he
could not bare the thought of ever going
through a loss like that again — so he fi rmly
decided to never have another dog.
After 18 years without his constant canine
companion, Roger went to work at Roger’s
Fine Antiques and Collectibles, located at
2625 E. Main Street.
One day a Seattle customer entered his
store carrying the “cutest chihuahua puppy
in the world” in her purse.
Roger fell madly in love — with the dog,
that is! As Roger cooed over the dog, the
woman explained that she knew the breeder
and all the puppies were homed.
A few weeks later, the same woman ar-
rived back in his shop surprising Roger.
This time she was carrying another itsy
bitsy puppy.
“I never forgot you,” she said. “Your love
for your dog and mine touched my heart.
One of the puppy adopters returned her tiny
puppy because she was afraid that it would
be stepped on by her bigger dog.”
“I about fell over,” said Roger, “because,
in her next breath she offered Itsy Bitsy to
me — for FREE! Of course, I took the puppy
because I was head over heels in love with
her. I tell you, that woman rescued both Itsy
and me! I was so deep in grief at the loss
of my furry business partner that Itsy lifted
my spirits and made me smile again. Itsy is
the best dog. She is such a blessing, loves to
welcome ‘our’ customers, and she has never
given me a problem, only her love and de-
votion.”
Roger is known amongst his friends for
throwing Itsy wonderful birthday parties.
“It is so fun!” said Roger, “I email friends
and customers and they show up with their
dogs and gifts for Itsy.”
As a shop employee, Itsy earns $20 for
greeting customers and as the “guard dog”
at the Estate Sales they do.
“When her piggy bank is full,” confesses
Roger, “we head to the pet store to add onto
her extensive wardrobe. Because of her thin
puppy fur, Itsy wears jackets and sweaters
to keep her warm.”
Her wardrobe also includes Halloween
costumes, pajamas, dresses and Seahawks
T-shirts. Once a month, she is pampered to a
spa treatment where her nails are painted the
Photo by Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe”
Roger and his “Itsy Bitsy”
employee!
colors that match the Ducks and Seahawks,
because she enjoys watching football games
with Roger.
This year her Halloween costume had a
little devil on it that said, “I am adorable,
but watch out!”
Roger is careful that Itsy does not become
a shop-a-holic. For a treat, he lets her ‘paw’
pick a biscuit out of their low bin for tiny
dogs.
Itsy is so well known in our small town
that when his friend was pup-sitting for a
day, the friend was all but accused of dog-
napping! When he walked into a store hold-
ing her, the staff recognized her and asked,
“Where did you get that dog!”
Itsy is also apparently mystical or just a
darn good shopper!
“When I was scrolling on the internet for
a bike to take Itsy bike riding,” said Roger,
“I stood up to get coffee and left my I-pad
on the bed. She walked onto the I-pad and
it clicked onto a bike that said, ‘Buy now!’
So I did, after all Itsy picked it out, and we
love the bike!
After our bike tipped over at a yard sale,
with her harnessed in the front basket, I
was worried that she might, one day, hurt
her head. So, I ordered a tiny-safety dog
helmet. She is so cute in it, and it makes as
much sense for her to wear one as I do for
our brain safety!”
Itsy moonlights over at Cottage Grove
Professional Grooming, which is located
next to Roger’s store. When they have a
new dog arrive that is anxious, they come
and get Itsy to calm the dog, because she
is not threatening and promptly shows them
the ropes.
“After a busy work week,” said Roger,
“Itsy and I make Sundays ‘our day’. We
spend the time together walking, going for
coffee, watching movies or shopping — for
her.
As a single person, it is wonderful hav-
ing her companionship. I often ask myself,
‘What did I do to deserve a sweet little dog
like her?’
She chooses to sleep under my covers,
even though she has a bed and blankets (and
toys) on the bed.
The only show we can’t watch together is
“The Dog Whisperer”. Whenever she sees a
dog, she runs to the TV barking at it. Maybe
I better give Cesar Millan a call! I could use
his help that he gives on his show to learn
dog behavior tips. Itsy is not spoiled, she is
loved, and there is a big difference. I feel
loved, too.”
TIPS
“Itsy is one of the treasures in my shop,”
said Roger. “When she was a baby, she
wore a small cat collar with a bell so we
could hear where she was and not step on
her.”
Fun Fact! This year’s, Chicken Soup for
the Soul: THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS, has
two of Mary Ellen’s stories! This is “Angel
Scribes” fourth appearance, and sixth story,
in the Chicken Soup series!
Tell us about your “helpful” pet!
angelscribe@msn.com
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Cottage Grove
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I Believe’ is just the
beginning
F
aith in God is an amazing
gift. It starts the moment
your heart says: I believe Jesus
is God’s Son and that He came
to rescue me. That alone is an in-
credible truth. But I wonder how
many Christians decide that’s
where their faith ends, when the
truth is, there’s so much more to
believe for in this life!
One of the reasons I think this
happens is because many Chris-
tians feel they don’t measure up
to what they think they should
be. They get stuck focusing on
their weaknesses and mistakes,
rather than focusing on who
God is and what He’s doing in
and around them.
John 3:17 (AMPC) tells us,
“God did not send the Son into
the world in order to judge (to
reject, to condemn, to pass sen-
tence on) the world, but that the
world might fi nd salvation and
be made safe and sound through
Him.”
Jesus is not only your Sav-
ior; He’s your advocate. And
He wants you to start believing
God for much more than a trip
to heaven.
7A
a shield (Ephesians 6:16). So
when the enemy starts to fi re
off darts of fear and insecurity,
you can get behind your shield
of faith and keep going forward
with God.
But here’s the thing: A shield
won’t do you any good unless
it’s lifted up. You need to raise
up your shield by praying, say-
ing and doing things that line up
with God’s Word.
Second Peter 1:5 (AMPC)
says to “employ every effort in
exercising your faith to develop
virtue (excellence, resolution,
Christian energy).”
If you will exercise your faith
to become more like Christ
Himself, the way you think will
change. The things you say will
change. You will begin to live
with greater love and compas-
sion. And it will become very
natural for you to encourage
others in their faith.
I encourage you to put your
faith into action in a practical
way. Make a habit of getting up
in the morning and thanking God
for what He’s done in your life.
Praise Him for what He’s go-
ing to do. Release your faith for
what you know you need from
Him that day. And ask Him to
prepare you for whatever chal-
lenges may come your way.
Faith is the answer to every
problem you face
The Bible says the just shall
live by faith (Hebrews 10:38).
In other words, faith is an atti-
tude that can become your way
of life—and there is no better
way I can think of to live.
Faith replaces fear and worry
with peace and joy. It purifi es
the heart, fi lls us with the Holy
Spirit, brings blessing and hope,
receives provision, produces
all kinds of positive results and
quenches all the fi ery darts of
the enemy.
The Bible says that faith is
Please see JOYCE, Page 10A
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