Hello. I’m your blogger, Michelle, and dogkisses is my personal blog.
I named this blog after my sweet dog, Ruthie Mae.
Ruthie gives the slightest little kiss on my arm each time I reach into her bag of food.
The little kisses remind me of snowflakes landing ever so gently, melting my heart.
I’ve written about several subjects in this blog. I’ve always enjoyed writing and have long hoped to write non-fiction stories about my life experiences.
“You should write about your life,” many friends have suggested over the years and I couldn’t agree more.
I’ve always enjoyed stories. Oral or written. Especially real life ones, whether they’re mine or someone else’s. I’ve also lived through situations and circumstances that upon reflection, are far more than ordinary.
I started writing around age eight with my grandma’s help through letters to family who lived in a different state than us. I got my first diary and a desk in early middle school. I loved both!
I still have that desk. And a story worth telling as to how the desk was lost to me for years, but my mom was amazing to find it and buy it back!
I’ve always loved dogs. My dad raised Beagles after we moved to his home town in North Carolina when I was seven years old. We called them rabbit dogs. I loved the meat but my dad spared me the view of any rabbit before my grandma cooked it for us.
Jack, who was very cute and a good hunter, was my dad’s last dog. His tombstone has a carving of a man with his hunting dog and a gun. Daddy left us too soon. He was barely sixty. I was twenty-six.
After living with chronic health conditions for many years, I have a deeper appreciation of a dog’s unconditional love and companionship.
Dogs are good medicine.
I understand better now why my dad loved his dogs. He liked sitting in the woods, listening to them bay. He liked the end, when Jack got a rabbit, but most of the time, he came home empty-handed.
“It ain’t as much about getting a rabbit, as it is about me having time to myself,” he told me. “I like hearing ’em go after one.” He smiled a lot when he talked about his dogs.
I’m blessed with my mother, who is eighty-seven, as I update this page (October 31st 2022). She’s as high-spirited as ever.
I’m also blessed to be a Mother! I have a grown son and am a very proud Mom. My son has lived with a mental health condition since he was about 19 years old. He’s a survivor, like his mom and grandmother.
My best friend is a dog. She’s also my medical support animal. She might be the sweetest dog in the world! She’s my tender-heart. Her name is Ruthie. Ruthie-Mae to be exact.
Ruthie is also a hunting dog. She hunts squirrels, although I don’t let her, but she would and she has. She once killed a big rat and when we found a black snake in our house, she wanted to kill that too.
Mostly, Ruthie Mae hunts insects.
No spider or bug gets by Ruthie Mae! Ever! She must hear them, because I’ve seen her jump up in the dark of the night to go find whatever insect, almost always a spider, decided to crawl on our floor. I get up to find her right in front of them, with her eyes glaring at them, so I know exactly where they are.
We recently moved, so thank goodness, Ruthie no longer spends her nights hunting insects indoors!
Sweet Ruthie Here!
Ruthie, like all dogs, is a teacher.
Mostly, Ruthie teaches me about being gentle. Ruthie is a true tender-heart.
Dogs have a lot to offer and when I listen, I can hear their wisdom. They sure do know how to live.
Tiny likes Yogurt!
In January, 2013, we parted with our dear friend, Tiny, the very handsome fellow in the image (left).
Tiny was my son’s dog, so he was my grand-dog 🙂
He was the best friend in the world to my son. Tiny could communicate with me telepathically when my son needed me. He was an amazing animal!
Tiny lived twelve years! That’s a pretty good life for a big dog, and Tiny boy was a big dog, sort of.
We love you Tiny!
Free was our first family dog. She’s the shiny black dog resting on the river rock at the end of this page. I have lots of “Free” stories and awesome memories of her. She made our small family bigger. When she got tall enough she’d always get in on our hugs. My son and I loved that. We both adored her.
My son picked Free out of a litter at the Apple festival on Franklin street in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Free was like a sister to my son. She was mostly Lab mixed with Border Collie. She was smart!
Free lived from 1993 to 2006. What a sad time it was when we had to let her go, but Free left me with a heart full of love. Particularly, a love of dogs.
Thanks for visiting this page and if you feel like taking a stroll through my blog, dogkisses, feel free to leave me your thoughts. Your emails are never published.
You may also visit my photo-nature blog, Green Healing Notes (http://greenhealinggirl.wordpress.com/) where I share nature’s beauty.
My Lucky Little Lady
Copyrights Apply to all Images and Text in this blog.
If you would like to use an image or any part of this blog for Non-Commercial purposes, please honor a Creative Commons Copyright and Share Alike, giving a clear link back to Michelle and/or Dogkisses’s Blog @ https://dogkisses.wordpress.com/.
Thanks for visiting!
Below: Links to posts by Michelle.
- Pain in fibromyalgia
- Homeless with Dog (A favorite post)
- Hope Grows in the Garden
- Green Healing ~ Good Greens! (Green Healing Notes)
DOGKISSES 
Posted by hope4theheart on December 2, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Hello dogkisses – thank you for the like on my blog. I am so very sorry you have suffered so much with FMS. I was diagnosed in 1998 so I can very much relate to your struggles. It’s been a difficult journey, but I can honestly say that God has been faithful every step of the way. I had to get to the point where I could be completely honest with God and myself to be able to find unconditional hope. To give my heart a voice with all the doubts, questions and fear that were locked away. To be willing to look a things I’d believed all my life and let God show me whether those things were actually true or not; some things were; some things were not and I needed to let go of those things. It’s been amazing how the answers and the journey has unfolded. That’s what I am trying to share through my blog so that others such as yourself that face chronic pain and chronic challenges can be encouraged with hope. Life can be better. I’m living proof. May God bless you with healing and hope.
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Posted by Michelle on December 3, 2012 at 8:22 AM
hope4theheart, Hello!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. And, I very much enjoyed my visit to your blog.
Thanks for sharing with me this part of your journey. I just read a post this morning about living in fear, or letting go and having faith that God will take care of us. (I hesitated to write ‘take care’ of us, but I have a little faith. Maybe more…) sigh… It is hard to let go of all the pain, esp., lately as it is strong every day and all night too. There is so much sadness and strife in my life these days, but what a better time to let go, you know?
I’ll try to remember to visit more often. I need to hear from other people, esp., lately, that things can and will get better. Thank you for that in this hopeful message.
My heart is open, and like a teacher used to say to me, my “mind is ripe.”
Peace and Blessings to you also!
Michelle.
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Posted by misslisted on November 13, 2012 at 12:28 AM
Hi Michelle, I wanted to respond to your comments on my “A difficult story to tell” thread, but for some reason I cannot. Can I email you? I couldn’t find your email address. Thanks, Chris
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Posted by Michelle on November 13, 2012 at 12:38 AM
Hi Chris, Thanks for your reply. I think I should have commented at the end of the thread instead of your reply to another comment. My email is dogkisses2@gmail.com (I keep forgetting to post it). I look forward to hearing from you.
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Posted by Lisa and Stella (@_LisasLife_) on August 14, 2012 at 2:15 PM
I just stumbled across your blog as I was looking for butterflies and dogs and it looks like you love both as much as I do. I will definitely be visiting again, a lovely site you have here 🙂
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Posted by Michelle on August 15, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Hi Lisa and Stell, So glad you found my blog and when I have time I will come see you 🙂
Dogs and Butterflies! What a great combo I think.
Take care and hope to see you in the blogosphere soon!
Michelle.
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Posted by Steven Olson on August 3, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Its great as your other content : D, regards for posting . “A single day is enough to make us a little larger.” by Paul Klee.
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Posted by Androgoth on May 11, 2012 at 4:33 AM
How delightful my friend…
Androgoth Xx
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Posted by Michelle on May 11, 2012 at 7:08 AM
Hello Androgoth! So very nice that you visited my Dogkisses’s blog! Thank you 🙂
Peace and Blessings,
Michelle aka ‘dogkisses’
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Posted by Fergiemoto on January 21, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Chronic pain – ohhh I can soooo relate – along with many other symptoms. In one of my blogs I share some of my story and most recently about physical and emotional pain. I can’t take medications for any of my symptoms, so I have to find other ways to manage it. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Posted by dogkisses on January 21, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Hi Fergiemoto,
I change this page from time to time and sometimes I wonder when and where my “story” begins, or what story I’m trying to share. Emotional pain is hard to deal with, so I really want to read what you’ve written about that. I’m sure physical pain is related to my mental and emotional health. Lately, when stress gets worse, so does my pain. I have high hopes that this year will be better! I’m eating more whole foods, and this does make a difference in my energy levels and also, my mental health. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment and I look forward to visiting your blog again.
With many well wishes,
Michelle.
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Posted by Fergiemoto on January 21, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Hi Michelle,
Here is where I share part of my journey and treatments. It took a long time and a lot of struggles before finding professionals who really listened and could give me some answers. Many well wishes to you as well!
http://fergiemoto.wordpress.com/
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Posted by dogkisses on January 22, 2012 at 9:33 AM
Hi Fergiemoto,
Thank You! I really appreciate you leaving the link, and I read some last night. I enjoyed reading about the tools to work with emotions. I am coming back 😉 as I was way too tired to comment or continue reading last night. My mom is recovering from surgery as I write, and my sisters are with her now at the hospital. I will go back soon, but I have exhausted myself worrying, to be honest. I am praying she recovers quickly and that her temp is normal when I call back.
Peace and Blessings,
Michelle.
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Posted by Paul Handover on December 22, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Dear Michelle,
See http://learningfromdogs.com/2011/12/22/the-versatile-blogger-award/ hopefully, self-explanatory!
More background information here http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/about/
Best wishes and thanks for your efforts,
Paul
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Posted by dogkisses on December 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM
Hi Paul! How wonderful to see your beautiful avatar (gravatar?) on my page and, of course, to hear from you. Will visit your site, hopefully this evening after I finish some Christmas letters. Thank you so much for thinking of me, esp., since I’ve been so busy these past several months. I’ve been thinking of you lately and have missed reading your blog. Thanks again. Best wishes to you too! Michelle.
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Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on October 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Hi Michelle.. Hows things..??? Ive been thinking about you.. loads and hope you are both doing well..
I just want to send you an award. The Versatile Blogger Award… I know you havent time right now.. But thats ok.. I just wanted you to know you were on my list of Great Blogs I visit.. the award is here
on my Blog.. and just know that ALL things WILL work themselves out my lovely friend.. and you are both gaining so much strength from all of this.. I feel it in my bones
Hugs… Sue~Dreamwalker
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Posted by dogkisses on October 22, 2011 at 6:33 AM
Hi Dreamwalker! You send your messages at such important times. If only I had the time and energy to express how so. Thank You! My son is doing very well. Aho!
I am having a time of pain with muscle spasms sooo bad! Found mold all over everything in my bedrooms, so must pack up my things. Such a huge time of change.
Thank you for the award!!! Another blogger also gave this award to me recently. I hope to properly accept it soon. I’ve tried to write in my blog, but there is so much to say, well, I literally have writer’s block b/c of it. Or whatever you call it when you have too much to say. Kind of like having too much to do and not knowing where to start. (exactly like that!).
Hoping all is well with you my friend. Thank you again. Hugs2u2… xoxoxo Michelle.
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Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on October 22, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Hi Michelle… sorry to hear about the Muscle Spasms arrrgh know so well how they were both legs at a time some nights… But i find if I drink plenty of water now and vit C helps too..
As for the Writers Block..some times I get like that… and think what the heck can I post.. so I post about what I know… and it doesnt have to be long either.. or a Video that inspires …
just take one day at a time Michelle.. and remember to breathe… deep.. sending you a few more drum-beats and Aho back..
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Posted by dogkisses on October 22, 2011 at 8:51 PM
Thank you Dreamwalker! I finally stopped cleaning and packing and had a bit of good dark chocolate. Yum… (I’m taking Vit-C and some good minerals too. It’s helping).
Yes, I should post a little something. I’d like to. I hope to take the time soon.
Thanks again for your encouragement and inspiration too. I appreciate those drum-beats! Aho.
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Posted by Spirit Walker on May 23, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Hi Dogkisses,
You said my blog had been deleted. Not so. I’m there nearly everyday. The URL is: http://mysticwanderings.wordpress.com/ Sorry, there was no other way to reach you, so I came here. Peace and blessings.
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Posted by dogkisses on May 23, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Hello Spirit Walker,
My sincere apology. When I click your address, greycatt1, it says blog has been deleted. I was obviously confused about the name of your blog. I went on the next day to look again and found you at the site you listed, “mysticwanderings” –forgive me. I have a very tired brain and when I did find your site again, I was too tired to comment and didn’t think about what I’d said in my earlier reply.
I’m glad you commented to clear this up. Thank you! Also, I’m very glad that your blog was never deleted!
Peace and blessings to you also Spirit Walker,
In gratitude,
Michelle, a.k.a. dogkisses.
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Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on May 15, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Hi Michelle, just sending you a few thoughts and hope your day is a better one.. Love Dreamwalker.. Im still sending and I Drummed you a vibe or three.. 🙂
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Posted by dogkisses on May 16, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Hi Dreamwalker,
Thank you. I’m still hanging in there. My son and I both enjoyed your videos the other night. We love the Cherokee song. He could sit for hours watching. I tried to get him to leave you a comment but he’s never done that so it probably seems strange to him. I know it did to me before I had a blog. I can honestly speak for him and say he likes your blog as much as I do. Thank you for your many healing gifts and friendship.
Love, Michelle –and my son too.
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Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on May 21, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Hi Michelle, just sending you a few thoughts again my friend.. I would be delighted if your Son left me a comment.. Sending you a Big Hug… It only has to be Hello! :-).. Wishing you lots of Healing thoughts… love Dreamwalker xx
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Posted by dogkisses on May 21, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Hello Dreamwalker! Thank you my friend. So glad to see this comment.
I’ll tell my son. He’s here visiting for a little while.
Hugs to you too,
Michelle.
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Posted by Autoimmune Maven on March 12, 2011 at 1:45 PM
I’m so glad I found your blog! I love animals-especially dogs. I have a house full of rescues and wouldn’t have it any other way. I read your comment on Mo’s blog and thought I’d pop over. I would love to add your link to my blog, if it’s ok with you.
Thanks,
Sheila
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Posted by dogkisses on March 12, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Hi Sheila,
Thanks for popping over! Speaking of animals, I was just trying to add a gallery of mine, but can’t seem to figure it out today, even though I’ve done it before. My brain is tired.
Thank you for asking to add my blog as a link, which is fine and I am honored 🙂 (I peeked at your blog and also saw your gravatar’s link to “Graceful Agony,” another great blog).
Off to rest my tired brain… maybe soon you’ll see some good pics of my furry friends, but then I guess we all think our dogs or other pets are the cutest of all. One thing for sure is their pics don’t need much editing. So beautiful just as they are.
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Posted by alwaysjan on February 6, 2011 at 6:42 PM
I love having your gravatar on my comments at the moment. (I was going to write ATM, but thought it sounded like I charge $ to comment!) Maybe it’s because the newest member of our family is a shelter dog who just completed Obedience School last week where they kept all of the students “distracted” with peanut butter-filled Kongs. On some days, I swear that my dogs keep me sane. 🙂
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Posted by dogkisses on February 6, 2011 at 8:42 PM
Hi Jan,
My gravatar is my little princess with silky fur. She is mighty pretty isn’t she?
I’m a firm believer in a dog’s ability to keep us sane, at least those of us who love and appreciate what a dog has to offer.
Peanut-butter! That’s what I need to do right now –go freeze some in a Kong. A great dog toy! That also keeps me sane when the sweet princess won’t stop bothering the older dog like she’s doing right now.
Now, that will be a penny a word. Wait, who pays, me or you? 🙂
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Posted by David Gillaspie on January 3, 2011 at 2:39 PM
The idea of blogging and letter writing seems close. In one you have strangers reading and understanding your blog ideas; in the other you have people close to you ignore and reject letters. For a writer, the space between the two is huge, and an example of what to expect in day to day conversation.
And none of it is enough to to say “I give up.”
The ‘Lovely Blog Award’ is well deserved.
David.
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Posted by dogkisses on January 3, 2011 at 6:17 PM
(reply edited October 2012 by blog author)
Hello David! Thanks for your visit and comment.
I’ve re-read your insightful note several times (almost two years later as I edit this reply!), and each time I attempt to understand, “the space between the two is huge, and an example of what to expect in day to day conversation.”
This is a most perplexing statement for my little brain 🙂
dogkisses
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Posted by Paul Handover on December 31, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Wow, what a lovely end to the year to have your comment on Learning from Dogs and then come and find your own great writings. Really hope we can share some stuff over the coming new year.
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Posted by dogkisses on December 31, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Hi Paul! I must say your gravatar just put a smile on my face. A big one. My cheek muscles feel funny. I need to smile more often I guess 🙂 Yes, I am glad to have come across your blog and look forward to “learningfromdogs” in the New Year!
I hope you have a nice New Year’s eve and of course, A Happy New Year to you!
dogkisses.
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Posted by lazfreedman on October 26, 2010 at 10:15 AM
All the Best,Dogkisses
Wonderful blog…Thank you..love the Photos also!
Peace, Love and Joy ,to you and yours
Laz
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Posted by dogkisses on October 26, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Thank you Laz.
Peace, love and joy to you also.
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Posted by myfoggybrain411 on April 6, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Hi there! I was on my Twitter account for two seconds when I found a follower who I thought you might want to connect with… I hardly have time to go on Twitter these days with my job taking up so much time, but I thought of you.
Not sure if you have heard of this but looks really interesting:
Here’s the twitter person to follow and contact: http://twitter.com/whenmedicine
Hope you are doing well!
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Posted by dogkisses on April 6, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Hi– thanks for these links. I will most certainly check them out. Thanks for thinking of me! You are really so kind. I left a note on your blog. I hope you are doing well also and I look forward to checking out the links. Thanks again.
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Posted by Rose on March 23, 2010 at 10:39 PM
Hi sweetie! I’m not sure if my replies to your comments get to you so I thought I’d reply here. If you go to the bottom of my website you’ll find a link to Lena. Her stuff is great and free! Also, are you on Facebook? If you’d like to correspond outside of the websites go there and you’ll find me! Talk soon!
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Posted by dogkisses on March 24, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Hi Rose– I responded on your blog. I hope my having a blog on Google doesn’t confuse people. I may or may not keep it. This blog is for sure my favorite and will be where I continue to write essays. I’m glad we connected and I also had you confused with a different person. Glad to get my names straight. I hate brain fog!
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Posted by Jacqueline on December 8, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Magic bikes rock! I had a bike in China I named “Hong Long” (Red Dragon). We went on many adventures together!
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Posted by dogkisses on December 8, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Hi, Nice to know someone knows about magic bikes! Very cool!
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Posted by Jacqueline on December 10, 2009 at 2:15 AM
🙂 I wrote a little tale about Hong Long in response to your post on my website. Thanks for visiting!
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Posted by Cheryl Ann on November 6, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Again, wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Lot’s of Love, C-
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Posted by dogkisses on November 30, 2009 at 12:07 AM
Thank you for visiting and commenting!
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Posted by BBB on September 28, 2009 at 7:08 AM
You got it right! 🙂
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Posted by dogkisses on September 28, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Thanks BBB! I really appreciate it and learned a few things today. I had no idea about those links.
Hope you had a nice day!
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