We adopted Ziggy not long after my dad died. My family was broken and so was he. Skinny, hips already gone, sitting in the small dog cages up front because he'd been there so long they were begging someone to notice him. He was broken like us. I think that's why he fit.
The shelter said Doberman/Rottweiler. The vet took one look at his double dewclaws and said Beauceron. I'd never heard of the breed. I read the temperament and it was just a description of him. Loyal, watchful, built to guard his people.
I got him for my mom, so a widow wouldn't be alone in her house. She was terrified of animals. She ended up loving him, and loving animals, because of him.
He got me through my twenties and taught me more about myself than anyone. Then Francesca came, gave him rules and toys and her whole heart, and he had one more family to belong to.
He was healthy to the day he went, and he went on a Friday night, the holiest night of my week. I don't believe that was an accident. I've never been closer to God than I was in the 11 years He loaned me this dog.
Ziggy. The best of us. 8.14.26
Doctors at a hospital in Texas informed George Pickering that his son was in a state of brain death. They explained that his son showed "no brain activity" and the decision had been made to remove life support.
Pickering, however, was unconvinced by their assessment and resorted to extreme measures by drawing a firearm. He demanded that the doctors continue their efforts to save his son's life, threatening to use the gun if they refused.
This situation escalated into a tense standoff lasting three hours, during which Pickering faced off against the police while the medical team performed additional tests on his son.
The hospital was secured under lockdown as police negotiators tried to reason with Pickering, who remained adamant. In a pivotal moment, Pickering's son, previously declared braindead, responded to his father's request to squeeze his hand, indicating cognitive presence. Following this revelation, Pickering peacefully surrendered to the authorities.
George Pickering II subsequently served a prison sentence of 11 months. Remarkably, his son experienced a complete recovery.
recently finished my 14th book this year on my Kindle & realized that I have only charged it twice since I’ve gotten it…. I’m about to start my 15th book & charge it for the 3rd time 🤯