Sunday, December 23, 2012

The Finish Line and 500 Posts

It's three days before Christmas, and today is the day I've been waiting for because I have crossed the finish line--All the shopping is done, all the cards that are going to get sent are in the mail and my lesson for church today has been taught--Now I am just hoping that the packages that I mailed will make it to where they need to be, tomorrow.  But my time is now my own, and I can enjoy the holiday. Tomorrow Carl and I have dinner reservations at a favorite restaurant for Christmas Eve. For the holiday they have a special menu that we are both really looking forward to.

Wendy has had a little set back, and doesn't have an appetite. I'm hoping that it's just the cold bothering her arthritis and the medication I have given her today will help. Her spirits seem to be 'up' so that's encouraging.
Keeping our spirits up today is a win by the Washington Redskins, and a homemade chocolate torte given to us as a gift by a friend. The torte is moist, dense, and has a rich, deep chocolate flavor--What a Christmas gift!
To end this post, below is a fun picture of a former foster dog named Paige that was taken at the rescue event that Humble, Lucas and I attended last Saturday. She and her owner, Carolyn, have been together about six years now and both are very near and dear to my heart.  Paige was considered 'un-adoptable' by many in and outside the rescue because of her reactive behavior.  But I felt strongly that Paige just needed the right person to give her that chance. Carolyn saw the same potential in Paige that I did and she helped Paige to realize that she didn't have to be the defender and protector of the world, that she (Carolyn) could do that. Because of Carolyn's love and dedication, Paige has become a well adjusted and confident Golden, who is totally devoted to Carolyn. Carolyn is on the board of directors of the rescue and takes Paige to the rescue events where she has become a perfect ambassador for the work the rescue does. I will always be thankful and grateful to Carolyn for opening her heart and home to Paige and making such a difference for her. And finally,  I will just add that according to Blogger, this is my 500th post.  Some of you reach that milestone much quicker and easier than I have. But it's still one for me nonetheless--So here's to the next 500 posts and a very Merry Christmas to all of you!!
~My former foster girl, Paige~

49 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas to You, Carl and your entire canine crew :) I love the picture of Todd with his tartan scarf!

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh, that sweet white paige face!!! love that happy story! bless you, kim, and all of your babies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on both, Kim!
    Thank you and Merry Christmas to you all, too. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations on the 500th post! Quite a milestone.

    We love to hear stories like Paige's. Hoping you wave a wonderful Christmas and Wendy wants to eat!

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well done reaching 500 posts! Love and happy Christmas to you all. Hope Wendy picks up, bless her. Lily. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. OMD 500 post, we just went by 100, congrats on making it. Yeap its always good when one of us rescues make it. The Laddie Todd looks good with his Tatan around his neck.

    Your Pals
    The Scottie Twinkies
    Have a Most Happy and Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't know where to begin here because you've said so many wonderful things in this post!
    First of all, congrats on your 500th post! It is indeed a milestone and it takes a lot of dedication and time to do that! Good for you! For me, I feel as if I'm in a private conversation with you as I read your posts and that is a gift, my friend!
    Wendy is in the same "appetite boat" as Daisy is and I feel your concern! It must be the medication, poor girl! But I must say that she looks happy! Keep us posted!
    I love, love, love the picture of Paige in her holiday fare because she is truly beaming with pride and she also looks like she feels safe and loved!
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your story of Paige is, indeed, one of a good match and a loving relationship. We are finished with Christmas preparations here, too. The evening of the 23rd is generally one where my husband and I make a leisurely trip out to pick up a last thing or two, and enjoy the fact that we are finished. We did this earlier today, and now we are settled in watching football ... what a nice win by the 'Skins today!

    Merry Christmas to you and your furry family.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Merry Christmaas, Kim, to you Carl and the whole crew!

    -Bart and Ruby and Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  10. Merry Christmas to all of you. I'm happy for you that you can now relax and enjoy the holiday. I love Todd in his scarf.

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love that rascal Todd with his lovely tartan scarf. Perfect!

    Paige's story was just the one we all love to hear. Congrats on your 500th. My old blog got hijacked and I don't know how many we have done.

    A very Merry Christmas to you, Carl and the pupguys. You are a good friend and I like knowing you!

    Cheers and hugs,
    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

    ReplyDelete
  12. Paige's story, lovely, Wendy, hang in there, dear girl; Kim , Season's Greetings to you and all at Golden Pines, with Very Best wishes from Jean and Hugh

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice post! Congrats on the 500 marker and have a Wonderfully Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Kim, wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations on #500. I can't believe that I'm closing in on #1000 sometime in the spring.

    All of us wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy new year.
    Sue, Rob and the Pack

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh wow- congratulations on your 500th post. That is wonderful!
    We hope Wendy is feeling better tonight-- maybe just the arthritis- like you mentioned.
    And thank you for sharing the story of Paige--- it made our hearts happy.
    Have a good dinner tomorrow night- we wish you and Carl a great Christmas filled with love and peace- and a wonderful New Year.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  17. Merry Chritmas to you and your whole beautiful pack.
    Blessings,
    Goose

    ReplyDelete
  18. A joyous and Merry Christmas Kim and Carl, and all those lucky enough to call Golden Pines their beloved home....they are blessed beyond words.
    Love,
    ~Jo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well done on reaching 500 posts! Wishing you, Carl and all at Golden Pines a wonderful Christmas and a great 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Todd looks adorable in his little tartan scarf!

    I really enjoyed reading about the success that Carolyn has had with Paige and I will now start my day with a skip in my step :)

    Merry Christmas to you, Carl and the crew.

    xxxx

    ps Congrats on 500 posts, I too have just reached that milestone :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Kim,
    It's so nice to be sorted so soon before Christmas, isn't it? Now you can just relax and enjoy... What a lovely, uplifting tale about Paige...it warms the heart - a perfect Christmas story. I hope that Wendy will perk up soon too.
    Wishing you all (Humans, dogs and critters) a wonderful, happy Christmas. Thank you for your continuous love and friendship over the year/s. Consider yourself (((Hugged)))too.
    With love from your friends in South Africa

    ReplyDelete
  22. Merry Christmas to you and all your furry friends!!! Have a wonderful day tommorrow xxx

    ReplyDelete
  23. 500 wonderful posts with golden moments though sometimes sad.

    Todd looks so festive & Paige is a star.
    Happy Christmas to you & all at Golden Pines x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations on your 500th post and here's to the next 500 :) Merry Christmas to all of you at Golden Pines.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Merry CHristmas to you and Carl and all your four legged family,

    Gill in Canada

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hope very one at Golden Pines has a merry Christmas, see you after the big day!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congratulations on reaching 500! A wonderful Christmas when it comes .

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations on 500 posts, Kim! I wish you and Carl and all the furbabies there at Golden Pines the merriest of Christmases and I hope to meet you at an adoption day sometime in the new year! Hugs to all the furbabies!

    ReplyDelete
  29. A very merry Christmas to you, your family, and all the wonderful dogs we love hearing about. x

    ReplyDelete
  30. The world is a much better place with people like you and Paige for giving these beautiful dogs a chance, Bless your hearts.......Enjoy the Holidays my friend......Blessings and Merry Christmas, Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  31. 'Top of the mornin to Todd'! What a cute photo!
    Great to hear the 'success story' for Paige....Carolyn sounds to be a 'whisperer'.
    Happy Holidays Kim.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Merry Christmas to you and your whole pack Kim! I am so very blessed to have found your blog this year you inspire and encourage-rescue ad love.
    Congrats on 500 and I look coward to the next 500.
    Congrats on Paige's success and prayers for Wendy.
    Gods blessings to you and yours
    Mare

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kim,
    Congratulation 500 post is a lot of posts!
    Todd looks so cute with his tartan scarf.
    Glad you and hubby are going out for dinner. All the restaurants shut down on Christmas eve at 5:00 so no special dinners around here.
    The picture of Paige is funny with those antlers.
    Wishing you and Carl and of course the crew, a very merry Christmas and all the best in 2013.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Merry Christmas to you Kim & Carl and your canine gang. Sending good wishes to Wendy. Congratulations on 500 posts - we can't wait to read the next 500! And best wishes to Paige & Carolyn too.

    Woofs
    Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

    ReplyDelete
  35. 500 dear heart! yes! a milestone for sure.
    and your lovely purpose in life just keeps marching on. here's to energy and rest and strength for the ride!
    xo
    tammy j

    ReplyDelete
  36. Merry Christmas to you all. Here is hoping that everyone (rallies) and stays healthy through the holidays. Todd is so cute in his scarf!
    Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  37. Merry Christmas ..
    Greetings from Sweden!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congrats on 500!! Just stopping by to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

    Basset Momma, Freddie & Gloria

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hey Golden Pines Gang, Jet here. Hi Miss Kim.

    Yippee, your time is now your own. What a pawesome effort you have made to make others' holiday special. You now deserve to enjoy yours with your family.

    Mom said the torte looks scrumptious by the way.

    We can see why you have such joy seeing Paige, a gift that keeps giving. :)

    We wish all of you a Merry, Merry Christmas filled with health, joy, laughter, love, belly rubs, abundance and a few tasty tidbits.

    OMD, we almost forgot to congratulate you on an amazing milestone. Stupendous!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Your gifts go further than you can imagine - the positive ripple effect you have on the world is to be admired and copied widely. Merry Christmas to you, and ALL of yours!

    ReplyDelete
  41. The story of Paige is so heart-warming. It does take dedication to re-train a reactive dog. Way to go to you for fostering Paige and Carolyn for rehabilitating her! My "Shyla" is also in the "reactive" category (although she reacts by melting down rather than fighting) so I understand how much work it is to overcome this!

    I hope that Wendy has found her appetite, and that you and Carl are enjoying dinner tonight. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Merry Christmas Kim to you and all your pack!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ha! I love Paige's headband. Too cute. I need to find a small one for Jackson. :) Love the football and chocolate torte combination. Perfect in my book! I wish you and the entire clan a very Merry Christmas. Hugs to Wendy - hoping she's feeling a little better today.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Dear Kim,
    I wanted to wish you and yours the Merriest of Christmases! How wonderful the animals are that you've fostered and rescued, and what a heart-warming story about sweet Paige and Carolyn! Thank you so much, my friend, for visiting me and leaving your sweet comments, always. It has been encouraging to me more than I can tell you.
    Have a marvelous 2013, my Dear,and keep blogging!
    Hugs,
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh, and congratulations on your 500th post! That is no small accomplishment!!
    Hugs,
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  47. Paige looks so sweet in her Santa ears and red jacket ~ if all dogs could just find that right person for them that would be a
    Christmas miracle. A Very Merry Merry Christmas to all at Golden Pines.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Sweet William The Scot

    ReplyDelete
  48. I think Paige proves there are no bad dogs. What a sweet story!

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  49. First congratulations on making 500 posts, that is an enormous accomplishment!!

    Second I'd love to know some of Carolyn's tips, does she write a blog? There are times that Delilah still reacts to other dogs. :-(

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!