The work of a garden bears visible fruits-in a world where most of our labours seem suspiciously meaningless.

In loneliness, in sickness, in confusion-the mere knowledge of friendship makes it possible to endure, even if the friend is powerless to help. It is enough that they exist. Friendship is not diminished by distance or time, by imprisonment or war, by suffering or silence. It is in these things that it roots most deeply. It is from these things that it flowers.

A dog wakens your heart to joy and companionship.

If your sister is in a tearing hurry to go out and cannot catch your eye, she's wearing your best sweater.

Give a pup a home and a little love and he will give you his heart forever.

Bears being sent through the mail should never be squashed up to make them fit. It gives them indigestion.

Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling.