Hello and Goodbye to Kaboodle

When I look back and think about Kaboodle, I know that I was really like a kid before Christmas - I was feeling a blend of anticipation and excitement as my nearly 5 year old dream of adopting a retired Foxhound was finally going to happen. 

~The day we met Kaboodle~

Anyone that had been around me from this past April could testify that the arrival of a retired American Foxhound was practically all (!!) I talked about. And as an overthinker, it was all I could think about. 

The day finally arrived for Kaboodle to come to live with us. He was everything I'd hoped he would be. A true gentlemen. He was very social, easy going and affectionate, gentle and graceful too. Kaboodle seamlessly blended in with the Goldens and Labs and with the cats too. 

Yes, there was that adjustment and some things he had to learn, like not to counter-surf, but it wasn't anything we'd not taught other dogs before him. 

~Checking out the fridge~

Carl and I loved him from the start and we both just knew he belonged with us. ❤ 

As a Foxhound, his breed does best with exercise for both his mind and body. And so of course I dreamed and planned the fun walks and places (like Tennessee) where we'd go for him to take in all the new smells and maybe ones he knew too. We took him for walks around our property and I loved watching him stand there sniffing the air and taking it all in. 

As I've already said, Kaboodle completely stole my heart. He even had a heart on his side. 🤎

But as we were getting to know one another things changed as quickly as they began. He'd been so eager at mealtime, and all of the sudden, he was hardly touching his food. And as much as he loved walks, he resisted being taken. 

We were off to the vet, and through the long process of tests and x-rays, a trusted vet felt that Kaboodle had cancer. Any treatment would not have given him a good outcome or prognosis. 

So, after 30 short days, we said goodbye to Kaboodle.  The words from I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables that goes, "There are dreams that cannot be, and there are storms we cannot weather."  could never had been more true. I had so many dreams of the fun and adventures we would have with Kaboodle. But those dreams were not meant to be. 

Its been almost a month now. And I still miss Kaboodle. We crammed a lot of love into the month that he was here. For nearly 10 years, Kaboodle lived the life he was bred for; that of a Foxhound. And he retired to a place where he could dream of those places, and soak up the indoor comforts of a soft bed, and a family that loved and misses him. 

I am beyond grateful to the Foxhound Retirement Program for their kindness, compassion, friendship and support and their dedication and all they do to help retiring Foxhounds like Kaboodle, begin their next chapter, that we all wish could have been longer. We have of course been offered another Foxhound. And maybe, just maybe, in time, there will be another one. 

The Dust is Settling!

Hello Friends!  Thank you, Sallysmom and Stephanie and the others of who dropped by and checked in on us in yet another absence - How kind and thoughtful of you, and it is a perfect reminder of the kindness and friends in the blogging community. ❤

'Tis the sunflower season!

Where to start? I retired from my job on June 10th - My birthday. A perfect day at work, and a nice lunch at an amazing Greek Restaurant that's known for its fresh, modern take on Greek culinary culture. The Doctor that I work (worked?) for, generously ordered practically two of everything on the appetizer, lunch and dessert menu for everyone to try - and I'll confess that I didn't know half of what I was eating, just that it was all delicious! --one page of the menu is below

It was a really nice celebration and a lovely way to end the working chapter of my life.  And I am incredibly grateful for this next chapter. But I have to say that after chasing the clock at work for so many years, adjusting to an open schedule has taken some time. But I am getting used to it and have even adopted a new 'at home' wardrobe. 😊

I found that during the initial 'transition,' I didn't want to leave the house. I just felt emotionally flat.  And when asked by friends how I was doing, I simply said to everyone that 'I just needed the dust to settle on everything.' And I did. I think I was more burned out and tired than I thought. Because I slept. A lot. But after a few weeks, the haze has started to clear, and I am finally feeling better and more energized.

~Ree, like me, not energetic on a hot day~

Of course, no matter how I may be feeling, there are the dogs to keep me busy. And when I wrote my last post I was anxiously and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Kaboodle, a retired American Foxhound that I'd dreamed of having for more than 5 years. I will end this post on that note, because I want Kaboodle to have his own post that will be posted shortly. 

The NEW Chapter

THANK YOU ALL for your kind words and sharing the loss of Max and Jack with me. And thank-you for cheering me/us on as a new chapter is about to begin. 

I returned from my 'happy place' in Tennessee Wednesday evening. You know, I’m not one that needs to travel all the time; and the cabin is nothing extravagant.  But it's a needed change of pace with no stress and few responsibilities that gives me the time to breathe, reflect and recharge. It's a place that holds a lot of good memories for me. 

~Daisy enjoying the view at sunset~

And it's always a bonus to be able to take a couple of the dogs along too. This time, it was Ree and Daisy. Ree always loves a fun adventure and sleeping on the couch. 

~Ree, relaxing at the cabin~

And this is the first time that Daisy seemed to enjoy being there too. She rolled in the grass, and even found a place to enjoy the view and the cool grass. 

It all gave me the needed energy for the next chapter that's about to begin.....

My news is that I'm retiring from my job on June 10th. I've worked in dentistry for more than 38 years. It's time. I'm done. I've only been working 2 days a week this year, so I'm hoping the transition won't be too much of a shock. I've been lucky to have a really good, patient and understanding doctor to work for, for the last 20 years.  --Below is a photo of a 'daisy chain' my co-worker made for me a few weeks ago - I tear one off at the end of each work day - On Tuesday the 26th, when I return to work, I'll have SIX work days left! 

And our other news? Well, you are correct if you thought it involved a dog. Because it certainly does. 

On Saturday we will welcome a 10-year old retired American Foxhound to our household, named Kaboodle. 

~Introducing Kaboodle~

I know, a Foxhound is a bit out of the box for us, just like getting a Scottish Terrier was. But I became enamored by Foxhounds more than 5 years ago via a friend who rehomes retiring hounds for a local hunt club. I have read all about them, talked to several people, and I felt and feel like I'd like to have the chance to give a retiring hound a home. I like that they are gentle and good natured and social with people and other dogs - And with a good walk, are laid back, and loyal companions. 

I have waited to add a Foxhound to our household because I felt that welcoming a new breed of dog might not work given how 'selective' Todd and Jack were with the newcomers. With our dog beds getting cold, I felt like the time was right, so I reached out to my friend about getting one. 

We went out to the kennel and met the Hound Master and two hounds that are retiring, Kaboodle seemed to be the best fit for us. Below is a short video I took on our visit to the kennel. 

Kaboodle has been in a transition foster home - which happens to be my friend - for a few weeks, and he's learning all about living inside. We've gone to see him and walk him. I'll add that he's afraid of cats, so that's a bonus - His reaction to cats is something I do worry about. I've been told by several hound owners that they can and do co-exist together. However, we will need to be really vigilant until we know Kaboodle can be totally trusted around them.  

~Kaboodle transitioning to life inside~

~Learning the art of sunning on a porch~

So, that is our news. My retirement and the retirement of a Foxhound named Kaboodle. It is definitely going to be a new chapter for both of us. 

But will it involve just sitting on the porch in a rocking chair? 

Well, maybe and hopefully, just a little bit. 

~At the cabin in Tennessee ❤❤~

A New Chapter

Hello Blogging Friends!

I'd first like to thank those of you who have checked in during my latest absence to let me know you were thinking of us. It lifts my spirits to know we're being thought of and not being forgotten. ❤

It has been a difficult and emotional time for me. Just when I thought I had some renewed focus and energy, life had other plans. Isn't that the way it always goes? 

I'm not sure where to start -- other than to say that it is all almost too much for my already broken heart. 

It began with the loss of our Black Lab Jack. He came to us about 5 years ago at 10 years old with a Golden Retriever named Shelby who passed away about 3 years ago. 

But I'd been worried about Jack because the warmer spring temps was causing his laryngeal paralysis to worsen. He had collapsed twice in a week, and was unable to catch his breath and breathe. Fortunately we were with him both times, and I performed CPR, we got him onto his feet, and even with the help of a floor fan to get air moving around him, we were able to open up his airways and he could begin breathing again on his own. He was put on medication to calm him and help with his breathing, and an appointment was made with the vet for more specific and elevated treatment that we hoped would help. 

However a few days later, as Carl was getting Jack into my van to take him to the vet, he collapsed again -- Unfortunately, despite our best and frantic efforts, we were unable to get Jack to breathe again, and just like that, Jack was gone .... 

Jack's big bossy and alpha personality meant that we really felt his loss in our household. Being a Lab, Jack would never have excluded me when sharing his love and affection. But his whole heart without a doubt belonged to Carl -- He was truly what I called a man's dog. On days that he worked, Jack's routine was to stand by the door, at about the same time each day - 5:30 PM -  and wait for him to get home. They were connected to one another and were great friends. He is really missed by all of us. 

-Jack wasn't one to share, which may explain why he could carry 3 balls at once-

And as heartbreaking as it was to lose Jack and both Noodle this year, the heartbreak continued. Three days later, and just shy of his 16th birthday, we lost my beloved Max. More than anything, I wanted him to make that 16th birthday milestone. But it was not meant to be. 

Of course I knew and could feel that Max's spark was dimming, as he began to slow down and needed our help more and more and was even sleeping longer and longer. It all made me consciously embrace each day and our moments together. 

-My last photo I took of Max-

The day that Max passed away, I knew he wasn't feeling well, and he seemed so tired.... But I ran my needed errands, and came home a few hours later to find him sleeping on his bed. I roused him, but it was easy to see that there had been a change from the morning. He wasn't in any pain or distress, and we opted to let him stay at home, on his bed. And I will confess that I decided to take a quick nap, because he seemed to be at peace and comfortable. I didn't nap for very long, and when I came back into the room where he was, Max put his head up and looked towards me. I knew in that moment he had waited for me to come back, so I sat with him, and talked to him, and a few minutes later, he passed away as the gentle sound of the windchimes on our porch could be heard tinkling in a small breeze.

Of course I dearly loved Jack and Noodle, but my connection to Max was a very strong one, and very similar to the one I'd had with Todd. Max was a constant companion and devoted (and fun) friend to us both. We have so many good and precious memories of our life together. I'm so grateful that Max had a good, long and healthy life, and it was a life of almost 16 years where he was always loved. Max was lucky... And we were beyond blessed to have him as part of our lives for nearly 10 years. 

-Todd and Max in our happy place, Tennessee-

So now it has been well over a month, and I am still grieving the loss of Max, and Jack and Noodle too. It has been too much for this old heart of mine. I have not felt like myself, and have just needed the time for my heart to heal, the best it can, and keep going. And I have to keep going, because a new chapter is about to begin at our house.... In my next post, I will tell you all about it. 

I hope you'll stop back by because I'm anxious and even a bit excited to tell you all about it.