"It's not how you start, it's how you finish."

Puppy has a BBQ fork stuck in the soft spot in his head lives two days in the woods hiding before veterinarian removes the fork to save Smokey.


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31961560/ns/today_pets/

Sometimes I thought I had a bad day.

This poor little guy was only twelve weeks old when this happened. Doctor expects him to make a full recovery;~)

It is okay to go off into the woods or our den when we feel like a fork was stuck in our heads.
The important part is that we come back out of the woods like Smokey did, reach out to others and allow them to help us back on the road to recovery.
That's what being human is all about.

It is important to venture out into the world even if there are unimaginable dangers. Enjoy your journey, meet new people, learn and grow from expereincing life out of your comfort zone. Just remember it is healthy to ask for help when life circumstances get beyond your control to help yourself.


Here is a Date Orange Nut Bread to share with people who are on the mend :~)


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Spray with Canola Cooking Spray


Ingredient
2 cups coarsely chopped dates (10 ounces pitted)
1/3 cup Cointreau
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar, or half honey/ half brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon grated orange zest (2 oranges)
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (3 oranges)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (3 ounces)

Directions

Combine the dates and orange liqueur in a small bowl and set aside for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl. With the mixer on low, add the egg, vanilla, and orange zest. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. With the mixer still on low, add the flour mixture alternately with the orange juice to the creamed mixture, beating only until combined. By hand, stir in the dates with their liquid, and the pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Enjoy ;~)