Meet My Dog Casper

Hey guys! I'm Casper. I will be 10 years old May 1st, 2011. I'm a Golden retriever and Yellow Lab mix. I live with my mom Elizabeth, my dad Matthew, my aunt Mary, and my uncle Al.

The things I love are those very soothing belly rubs, delicious rice cakes, hot dogs, of course, and reviving back massages.

 There is one other animal I love most: Mordecai. He's our backyard squirrel. He will just sit and watch me every time I go outside. Sometimes, I will chase him, but unfortunately he ALWAYS gets away and therefore wins. It makes my hair stand up on the back of my broad neck like never before.

Here he is the little thing! Grrr!

I also love cats. They make me soooo hungry even when it's not dinner time. I see those nasty green snake eyes and I think to myself..."Yummmy!" Pardon my dog language ;)

Also, there is Guss, he's my neighbor. He is a White Golden Retriever. He will come over to the fence and say "Come get me Casper!"I will bark back so loud that eventually I have to go inside, all because of him. He is the perfect dog. He is never muddy. He is always clean and fresh.

 But, look at me. I smell, I itch, and I sometimes let it rip. Deep down inside I love Guss. He's my best doggie friend in the whole world.

Do you imagine being a dog and how everything would be if you were a dog? Well lemme tell you from my perspective. It's not all that easy.

5:45pm: You're in the kitchen. It's dinner time. People are rushing back and forth. You are a dog. You get fussed at for begging for one little bite of steak. You get your big paws stepped on, You get shoved to the side, and when it gets loud you just wag your tail and stand by the back door, hoping and praying to go outside.

But deep in my heart, I love my family so much! They always feed and water me on time, let me go outside, play with me, give me belly rubs (ohh so nice!), and every now and then will feed me one bite of fruit. "Too bad its not steak!" I always think to myself.

Well it's time for me to go now. It's dinner time!

Adopted Into Loving Arms

Fourteen years ago on July 28, 1997 I was brought to America. I was born in Piatra Neamț, (P-a-tra knee-um-st) Romania, a small city three-hundred fifty miles from the capital city Bucharest. I lived in an orphanage for the first fifteen months of my life. Sometimes I wouldn't get enough to eat and I was very malnourished.

Piatra Neamt, Romania

 In July 28, 1997 I was brought home to live with my mom and dad. I had to ride on a plane 4,766 miles to get to where my landing was. When I got home, there was a bunch of people waiting for me in the front of my house with balloons, cards, and tons of welcomes.

As I grew up I was seen to be a very sad child. I was different from other kids. I didn't act like them a lot of the time.                                                                   
When I was about 5 years old, I started to be a very violent child. I would throw things such as, balls, rocks, wood, my toys and lots of other things. As I grew up, I went to doctors constantly. I've been to over 19 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors. My mom had me seen by the biggest doctors names in VA and they diagnosed as lots of different symptoms, but none of them matched up right.

 Finally after 14 years of running place to place and violence, My parents went to the county for help. They sent us to a small place call The Attachment and Trauma Institute. There, I was diagnosed with Attachment Disorder, which means "A behavioral disorder caused by the lack of an emotionally secure attachment to a caregiver in the first two years of life, characterized by an inability to form healthy relationships. Other common symptoms, especially in children, are poor impulse control, chronic anger, and antisocial tendencies." There, an in-home therapist came to my house at least every other day, if not every. I was told that "everything will be okay." not "everything is probably going to be okay." In as little as 4 months I was "fixed." That means, no more screaming and yelling, throwing things, and hitting people. I was free of violence.

My life has changed in amazing way. The therapist didn't do this miracle, my parents didn't do this miracle, Jesus Christ did this miracle! He has a perfect time for everything. He has plans for your and my life. He has rescued me from what could have turned in to a total nightmare.

   I could have been in jail many of times, but Jesus didn't let it happen. I could have been put on foster care, but Jesus didn't want me there. He wants me here so I can tell you about my life and how He has helped me tremendously. I was rescued from the depths of despair and my life turned around completely all because of Jesus Christ.






*A special thanks to Google Images for the great pictures*

Relationships

 Do you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend? If you answered no, don't worry about "needing" one.

People sometimes think that if they don't have a bf or gf they aren't normal. I am single myself, and to tell you the truth, not everyone is normal. Everyone is disfunctional is some way or another. People often are afraid of being alone, not having anyone to be with or around, or etc. Say you are at a movie premiere, and your favorite celebrity comes strutting down the red carpet, and say that he or she has a bf or gf. You will tell yourself, "Oh they are so pretty and famous because they have the looks and the partner." That is bad thinking you need to self talk yourself a little like this.

Brain: "Sarah, you don't have a bf!"
Sarah: "This stinks! Susie has one. Brady has a gf. Why me?"
Sarah: "Wait, I know deep down inside that I am somewhat normal"
Brain: "Susie is way prettier than you, plus she has a bf."
Sarah: "I don't care brain, I'm a beautiful person just like Susie, and I don't have to have one to be normal."
Brain: "Uhh this is a battle that can't be won. I give up!"

In that short skit, Susie doubted herself. She didn't think she was normal because she didn't have a bf. Even if you don't have a bf or a gf you are better off that way. Relationships can cause a lot of trouble that can lead to horrible things in the end. If I were you, I would stay single and live life without any more problems that it already brings.

Dealing With Peer Pressure-Drugs

"C'mon man, we won't get in trouble!"...."For me?"..."Everybody else is doing it!" "You're not cool if you don't!" Have you ever heard someone say those words? Whether it's at school, after a sports practice, with friends or even with family, there are some people in this world that are going to try to entice you to do things that you aren't "comfortable" with. People everywhere are going under peer pressure and some may not be confident enough to "get out of the situation." These next few paragraphs will help you with the basics of peer pressure.

Drugs:
There are people who do drugs to "make themselves feel better" or to "get high." Teens all throughout America have that one friend or know someone who does drugs. Here are some tips to help you say "NO."

At school, in between classes, with friends, at lunch, or after a game, there are people who will want you to be "cool" in a bad way. Say you're at the mall with friends and another group of people come up to you and bombards you to come with them, DO NOT do it! Here's a short skit on how to say no.

Ben: "Hey Joey, your a baby cuz' you don't do what we do!"
Joey: "What do you do that I don't?"
Ben: "We do drugs! You should try it!"
Joey: "Nah, Ben, I don't wanna!"
Ben and friends chant: "Do it! Do it! Do it!
Joey: "I don't do that stuff; I'm good!"
Ben: "Oh c'mon guys, he's just not cool and never will be."

In that situation, Joey said no and left with no problem. Not every time something like happens will you walk away like Joey. If you DON'T do bad things you are very cool. If you do bad things you AREN'T cool at all. Sometimes teens or even adults will try to hurt and threaten you. If that happens, go to someone "in charge" like a teacher or parent; or "above you" like Jesus. He will give you the right words to say in that type of situation or any at all. Say a prayer. You don't have to say it out loud, just say it to yourself. Say something a little like: "Dear Jesus, help me! I don't know what to do!" and he will come to your rescue. 

Not Doing = Cool :)

Doing = -Cool   :(

*A special thanks to Google Images for the great pictures*