Cooper Arrives (unexpectedly) at Golden Pines

Well, you all were right. It didn't take long for us to get a new addition. Lab Rescue asked this afternoon if I'd take an 8 year old boy named Cooper that needed to be moved from his foster home TODAY. Of course I say yes, and he was dropped off at my office as I was leaving work. 

~On our way home from work!~

I don't know much about Cooper. Other than he was given up by his elderly owners who could no longer care for him, and he came into the rescue about 2 weeks ago. However, Cooper apparently isn't sleeping at night, and this was becoming a problem and causing some frustration and so the Foster Home ask that he be moved. 

We've not done any one on one intros. But Cooper doesn't seemed bothered by the dogs passing by him in an ex-pen and vice-versa. I was told by his foster home (who could not have been any nicer!) that he is easy going....except at night when he pants and paces and whines and won't settle down. I wonder if he has sundowners syndrome? 

Well, lets welcome Cooper and see how it goes.   

A Quiet Time and a Forever Home

It's a quiet time at our house right now. That's working for me, because I've really not been feeling well. I've pretty much come home from work, fed the dogs, and gone to bed. Thankfully, I'm feeling a bit better. And even though I've been sleeping my spare time away, it hasn't stopped life from going forward.  The Eastern Phoebes have been back for more than a week, and they've wasted no time building a nest above the garage door. 

Meanwhile, Todd and Max had their spring haircuts last week.

~On our way home Todd is my co-pilot~

While they were getting their spa treatment, I spent a really nice day in Winchester, Virginia treating myself to lunch and window-shopping. 

~Window shopping~

And last Sunday, I took Shelby and Jack to meet a couple that were interested in adopting them. They are retired and like everyone, they're home almost all the time, and they have 3 acres that is beautifully landscaped and fenced in for the dogs. The meeting went really well, and I enjoyed our visit, and I know Jack and Shelby were very comfortable there. They were eager to adopt them both, but I gave them a few days to think about it anyway. 

~At the home of Wendy & Denis~

Fast forward to today, and Jack and Shelby are now at home with "Wendy and Denis." It was a rough start when Wendy fell over Jack when we got there this morning. But no worse for wear (thankfully) the signing of the adoption contracts and the rest of the visit was uneventful. 

~Photos I used to "advertise" Jack and Shelby for adoption~

However, I do have to confess that I stole something from Wendy and Denis ..... Jack was chewing on an old tennis ball, and when I mentioned about his tearing it up, neither Wendy or Denis seemed concerned about it. But because I have made a career out of worrying about things like intestinal-blockages and choking, and not wanting Jack to maybe get the ball after I'd gone, I took it from him and slipped it into my jacket pocket. It goes without saying that of course I never take things that don't belong to me, but in that moment, I really just felt like it was something I needed to do to make sure Jack was safe. There's a part of me that feels guilty for taking it, but another small part of me that doesn't. Maybe I'll send them a new can of tennis balls as restitution for my crime. A picture of the ball is below - Can you see why I was worried about Jack's having it?

~The stolen tennis ball~

Back at home, its been another relatively quiet day. For the first time in what I'm sure is at least 10 years, we do not have a foster dog or cat. I know there are not as many dogs coming into rescues right now. But I still have a small worry that Lab Rescue may not ask us to foster for them because of what happened with Buddy. So all I can do is wait to see what or who comes next. And whatever or whenever that comes, I know Todd will be ready. And so will I. 

What Time is It?

I’m a morning person. I'm usually awake by about 5 a.m. 

But I have to confess that today with the time change, I'm not sure what time I woke up. It seemed like every clock said something different. 

Although it did feel like the dogs were sleeping in this morning, because at what would have been the "old time" the dogs finally stirred. Or was it the old time? 🤔

Which takes us to mealtime. I'm the one that always feed the dogs, and because of that, they don't always get fed at the exact same time, especially at night. When I'm in the kitchen, and they hear the bowls, they know their mealtime is coming and they start to get excited. I know some nights they are really hungry even with a good snack mid-day. 

~Shelby and Ms. Yellow in the background waiting for breakfast~

But today, are the dogs getting fed an hour later, or is it an hour earlier if they're fed by 8?  Looking out the window, I'm not sure what time it is, although the clock is right in front of me. 

I know there's always a bit of a fuss when the clocks are changed. But for us, it doesn't really matter too much, we'll figure it out and get through this time change. The dogs know they're going to get fed.... eventually. 

I think Todd understands that.  He probably thinks that running our lives by clocks is foolish.

I think it's time to learn from the dogs. Especially on a weekend! 

Okay, Your Turn: What do you think about changing the clocks? How does your household cope with the time change?

We Are Okay

~George and Shelby~

It has been a quiet time for us as we've settled into our 'new normal,' without Buddy and Charlie. I know that I need to let go of everything that happened over Buddy and to focus and remember the moments that connected us.  

As for Charlie, it goes without saying how much I will always miss him. I'm at a loss for words to express how grateful I am for his life, for our life together that has more than 14 years of memories that will always connect us. Thank-you all for sharing Charlie's loss with us and remembering him. ❤

Life has a way of continuing and now that things seem and feel a bit brighter, I'm noticing that Spring is here! Okay, okay, I know it’s not official until the sun passes directly over the equator sometime on March 20. But it is here. I have heard its opening notes in the pre-dawn-chorus - but it is missing the song of my very favorite bird, the Eastern Phoebe, which should be back any day now. Added to that at night in the woods behind us, we are hearing the spring peepers which are the frogs that make that crystal clear “peep, peep, peep” call that, when you get enough of them together, sound just like sleigh bells. All of these unique sounds combine to create a piece of music unmatched by any symphony. 

~An Eastern Phoebe last year~

Even though it's supposed to get cold again in the next few days, along with the sounds, the smell of spring is also definitely in the air, just ask Todd!  We are both glad that it's here. 

What do you like best about spring?  Along with all the new smells, I think Todd likes digging holes. Although, he likes doing that in any season. 😊