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Berries too Early

Bongo checking out a manzanita bush with berriesWhat’s this?

These aren’t supposed to be here yet.

What are berries doing while it’s still winter?

All the other Manzanita bushes still look like this.

.

.

.

.

Bongo next to a manzanita bush full of blossoms

What? You can’t tell the difference?

Well then, check this out.

Manzanita blossoms

Blossoms.

All the other bushes are still covered in blossoms.

So where did all these berries come from?

I’d better do something to hide these berries from my person.

Bongo in front of the bush with berries

If she sees them she’ll have her camera out in no time.

And she’s going to have plenty of time to take pictures of berries without starting now.

Hey person, look over there.

Don’t look this way.

There’s nothing interesting here.

Person, what is your camera doing out?

What could you possibly find here to take pictures of?

Manzanita Berries

This is going to be a long picture taking season.

***

Bongo Fact: Manzanita means Little Apple

Can you tell why these bushes are named Manzanita?

 
19 Comments

Posted by on March 5, 2014 in Bongo, dogs, humor

 

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Riding a Colt

Jesus riding a donkey into JerusalemHey person, I’ve been listening to all these Bible stories that promise me treats and I’m still waiting for my treats.

What do you mean, there’s no treats in this story?

Then what’s the use of listening.

There’s an animal in the story?

Okay, I guess I’ll listen.

***

Jesus and His disciples were approaching Jerusalem and came to Bethpage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.

***

I could chase after that colt for them.

You know, like I tried to chase after those horses we saw on my trails?

Just don’t keep holding onto my leash this time.

I am listening.

***

Jesus said, “Untie the colt and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

***

Is Jesus going to chase after that colt?

***

The disciples went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?”

***

Isn’t that inhumane treatment of animals to keep them tied up?

Those disciples were just being nice to that colt.

Yes, I’m listening.

***

The disciples answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

***

Jesus must have been a popular guy.

***

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, He sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields.

***

I don’t get it. Now the colt and the road must be really warm, but if the people took off their cloaks aren’t they shivering?

***

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!”

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

Hosanna in the highest!”

***

I guess Jesus was a popular guy. Those people must have been so busy shouting that they didn’t notice they were cold.

***

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

***

I think I heard one of those stones crying out when we were on my trails.

It was not a bird.

 
8 Comments

Posted by on March 2, 2014 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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Eeny Mina Miny Treat

Parable of the 10 minasI’ve been trying to climb a tree ever since I heard the story last week about Zacchaeus in the tree.

Scratchy is useless.

He’s supposed to teach me how to climb and he won’t even leave the house.

Okay, I’m not getting anywhere with the tree thing, I might as well listen to the next story.

Maybe this story will be about treats.

***

Jesus told a parable because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.

***

Do dogs get treats when the kingdom of God appears? Because if they do I’m voting for it to appear at once.

I am listening.

***

Jesus said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.”

***

What are minas? Are they like treats?

***

“’Put this money to work,’ the man said, ‘until I come back.”

***

Oh, it’s money. Well, I can pretend they’re treats.

***

“But the man’s subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’”

***

He must have been stingy with his treats.

I’m listening. How do you think I know what the man is doing?

***

“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the treats money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina treat has earned ten more.’”

***

Woo woo! Treats for everybody!

***

“’Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina treat has earned five more.’”

***

And more treats for everybody. It’s a real party!

***

“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’”

***

What a loser. He’s not even invited to the party.

***

“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’”

***

He could have left that mina treat with me.

I would have deposited a lot of slobber on it.

Yes, I’m listening.

***

“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina treat away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas treats.’

‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’

***

I’ll eat some!

***

He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them – bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”

***

I know who I’m hanging out with.

That guy who has eleven minas treats has plenty to share.

***

After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

***

Hey Jesus, where did that guy with all the treats go?

 
8 Comments

Posted by on February 23, 2014 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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Climbing a Tree

Zacchaeus being called down from the treeWhat?

You’re telling me there’s a song that goes with this Bible story?

But you won’t let me post it because it might irritate some of my friends?

Oh, it’s a kid’s song?

What about a dog song? Woo woo!

I’m still waiting for Jesus to give me extra treats.

Okay, I’ll listen to the story.

But if I don’t like it I’m gonna start singing.

.

***

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.

***

I bet Zacchaeus has some extra treats for me.

What? Nobody liked tax collectors?

Then he really needs to give me some treats.

I’ll like him if he gives me treats.

I am listening.

***

Zacchaeus wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

***

Okay, now I’ve got it.

In order to get Jesus’ attention you’ve got to be up in a tree.

Sounds easy enough.

Oh wait. What do I do?

I don’t know how to climb a tree.

Scratchy, come here. Now!

I need you to give me tree climbing lessons.

I’ll listen – as soon as I get up in this tree.

***

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “Jesus has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

***

I guess Jesus had better think twice about who’s house he visits.

***

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

***

Zacchaeus, I think you cheated me out of some treats.

***

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

***

I think the only thing that’s been lost are my treats.

***

***

Don’t tell my person, but if you really want to hear the song about Zacchaeus, it’s right here.

 
13 Comments

Posted by on February 16, 2014 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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Can You See Him?

Jesus and Bartimaeus Mark 10 46-52
Last week Jesus said I had to serve people and I’m not going for it.

Unless it’s cleaning up the spills on the floors or giving you exercise.

So you might as well forget telling me a story this week.

What do you mean, you were going to tell me about another miracle that Jesus did?

I like miracles.

I changed my mind.

I’m listening.

I mean it.

I’m really listening.

You’re going to make me sit and roll over and beg first?

I know how to sit and I’m really good at begging – but I never figured out that roll over stuff.

Please tell me the story.

***

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

***

Wow. That blind man can beg too.

Yes, I’m listening. I told you before that I was listening.

***

When the blind man heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

***

Hey, that blind man is kind of in the same shape I am.

I don’t know what Jesus looks like, and neither does he.

***

The blind man called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

***

Do you think Jesus would have mercy on me and give me some treats?

I am too listening.

***

Those who led the way rebuked the blind man and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him.

***

Oh no, that man’s in trouble now. He shouldn’t have shouted like that.

***

When the blind man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

***

Whoa! Wide open question.

I’d ask for some treats.

A whole bunch of treats.

***

“Lord, I want to see,” the blind man replied.

***

Is that all?

He should have asked to be able to see and for bunches of treats.

***

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

***

I’ll totally praise God if He gives me treats.

 
9 Comments

Posted by on February 9, 2014 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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Confident or Humble?

Pharisee and the tax collectorI’m still praying for those treats and you’re going to tell me another of Jesus’ Pair a Bulls?

I’m not finished with the last one yet. There sure are a lot of bulls around here.

If I listen do I get some treats?

What!? I’ve got to listen before I can have some treats?

Oh, all right.

***

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

***

I’m confident.

Is Jesus telling this to me?

What do you mean, if I listen I’ll find out?

***

Jesus said, “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’”

***

Wow, that guy thinks he’s pretty good.

I wonder if he’s nice to dogs.

I’m listening.

***

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”

***

I bet that guy feels bad because nobody likes tax collectors.

I’ll give him loves – if he gives me treats.

***

Then Jesus said, “I tell you that this man – the tax collector – , rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

***

I’m the humblest dog around.

Now do I get my treats?

 
14 Comments

Posted by on January 5, 2014 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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Keep Bugging

English: Illustration of the Parable of the Un...

English: Illustration of the Parable of the Unjust Judge from the New Testament Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:1-9) by John Everett Millais for The Parables of Our Lord (1863) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey, I think that faith thing does work.

Remember last week when I said I had faith that I would get treats?

Well, I did get treats for Christmas so my faith did work.

I’m supposed to what?

I’m supposed to thank Jesus for the treats my faith brought?

Maybe you should just tell me another story.

***

Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

***

Jesus is telling another one of those Pair a Bulls?

They must have had a lot of bulls around in His day.

I am listening.

***

Jesus said, “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’”

***

Did that widow have to keep getting appointments to see the judge? I bet she had a really big phone bill from making all those phone calls for appointments.

I’m listening. I’m listening.

***

“For some time the judge refused to grant the widow justice. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’”

***

See person. That’s why I keep bugging you until I get what I want. You know that I won’t quit until I get it and you get tired of my bugging.

What, there’s more?

***

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

***

I have faith.

My faith brought me treats.

Thank you Jesus.

I have faith and treats.

Well, I used to have treats.

I think I need more faith treats.

 
8 Comments

Posted by on December 29, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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No Treats for Anybody

"Rich man and poor Lazarus" (1865). ...

“Rich man and poor Lazarus” (1865). Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You mean there are dogs in this Bible story?

Did that man in the last story give them treats?

Oh. He didn’t know them? I thought everyone in the Bible knew each other.

Okay, I’ll listen. I want to hear about the dogs.

***

Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.”

***

Did the rich man hand out treats?

I am listening.

***

“At the rich man’s gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.”

***

That rich man should hand out treats to Lazarus and the dogs.

***

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.”

***

I bet those angels handed out treats.

I’m listening. I just want to know where the treats are. Those dogs are getting hungry.

***

“The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’”

***

They don’t have treats in hell, do they?

***

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’”

***

Wait! Stop! Don’t give those dogs any treats. I don’t want them to go where that rich man is.

What? I’m not in the story. I don’t have to give up my treats.

***

“The rich man answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’

“’No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

***

I guess Lazarus won’t be bringing those brothers any treats.

 
8 Comments

Posted by on December 8, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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The Manager Who Passed Out Treats

The-ManagerHey person, I’m still waiting for that fattened calf you told me about in last week’s story.

What!? You’re not giving me one?

I’m leaving then.

Maybe you’ll feel all sad and try to bribe me to come back with a good chunk of meat.

If I listen to the story do I get treats?

***

Jesus told His disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

***

I think that manager was in real trouble. Is he going to get locked up in dog jail?

Okay, I’ll listen.

***

“The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg – I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’”

***

Is he going to bring those people some treats?

I’d welcome him into my house if he brought me treats.

I am listening.

***

“So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked them first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’”

“’Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.’

Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“’A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’”

***

So where’s the guy that owes him sheep, or cows, or goats.

We might as well get a good meal out of this.

I’m listening – but can’t you come up with some good food?

***

“The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

***

Does that mean like giving someone treats so they’ll be my friend?

***

Jesus continued, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?”

***

I’m totally trustworthy.

You can trust me to eat every treat I find.

***

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

***

Whew! I thought you were going to say that you can’t serve both God and treats.

 
3 Comments

Posted by on December 1, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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The Banquet

Bongo at the table smiling

This Bible story is about food?

I can’t wait to hear it. I’m drooling already.

Did Jesus feed thousands of people again?

I’m all ears.

***

Jesus went to eat at the house of a prominent Pharisee.

***

Oh, I get it. Someone fed Jesus this time. I wonder if that Pharisee invites dogs to eat at his house.

***

Jesus said to His host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

***

I can’t repay for my dinner, so I should be invited all the time.

I’m listening. I’m listening.

***

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

***

Blessed is the dog too.

***

Jesus replied,: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”

***

If all those people can’t come that means there will be lots of leftovers. I bet they’ll give them to me and all my dog buddies.

I am listening. I’m waiting for the food part.

***

Jesus continued, “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

***

Don’t bring in too many of those people. There won’t be any food left for us dogs.

***

“’Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’”

***

Oh good. Time for a dog party.

***

“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

***

Here I am. I’m on this country lane out here. I’ll eat the banquet that those ungrateful men wouldn’t come and eat.

Jesus does care about dogs, doesn’t He?

 
13 Comments

Posted by on November 10, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

 

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