Hard Work!

Real life took the drivers seat this week, which in turn caused tumbleweeds to blow around my blog this week.

It all may have taken me away from blogging, but there was nothing that was going to keep me from getting Todd to his grooming appointment on Thursday.

And there was nothing that was going to keep Todd from trying ...

...to get off the obnoxious bow afterwards and to try and get rid of that pretty smell.

AFTER he checked out the corner of the yard again ... Just like he was doing in our last post.

It's hard work that really wears out a Scottie!

The Focus of a Scottie

There are many national days to celebrate -- National Cookie Day, National Pie Day, and even National Get Over it Day.  But it's difficult to see how all of those could even begin to compare to National Puppy Day, even though the pie and cookie day might come close.  So today, we celebrate our puppy, Todd.

~Todd, June 2011~

Todd doesn't care about any of the celebrations.  He has been far to occupied with what's going on in the corner of the yard by the barn.  He was there last evening.

  And he was there this morning.  

 I was home early from work, and after a quick pit-stop he had to check out what he may have missed.

I'm guessing Todd didn't miss anything. I told him that but I don't think he believes me.

Because he's still out there.  The Goldens would have long forgotten about whatever it is.  But not Todd. He has the focus that only a Scottie can have!

Maybe Tomorrow

The calendar may have said today was the first day of spring, but Old Man Winter wasn't going away that easy. Today about 3 inches of wet, sloppy snow fell.  Maybe tomorrow when the temperatures are supposed to say spring, Todd can play with his favorite red ball instead of sitting on it!  

All That Matters

My day off work is spent catching up.  It included the holistic vet coming and seeing Gus. We're both happy with how he's doing.  He's been with us for just shy of 10 months now, a milestone considering there were some who never thought we'd see one month. I've decided that each day with Gus is a milestone, and we're grateful for these "days of grace" with him. Despite eating twice as much as the other dogs, Gus is noticeably thinner than he has ever been because of the loss of muscle mass. He has increasingly more difficulty getting around than before, and needs us to help him more. A symptom that the degenerative myleopathy (DM) is progressing. But Gus keeps trying and there is no doubt he's just as happy as he was the first day he came to us.  That's all that matters.

Feathers in Our Path

I want to thank all of you who took a moment to leave kind, thoughtful words of support for the loss of Beau.  It's always a sad day when you lose one of your four-legged-family members, and your sharing the loss with us, and your friendship, really means a lot. I'd also like to give a very special thanks to the blog, POTP and all those who came from there and left their kind caring words on the loss of Beau. If you've not visited there, you should. It's truly a very special blog for those who really need the POTP (Power of the Paw). Click here for the link

Our week ended quietly.  Today has been one of clouds and rain. (Yes, that's still snow from last week).  

For a rugged Scottie like Todd, (that needs a visit to the fur-stealer!) .....

the weather is never an issue. He loves being outside in any kind of weather.

I actually don't mind so much either. So, this morning, first thing, I pulled on my rain boots and the dogs and I went for a walk.  On our walk, I found these two feathers.  

A friend of mine mentioned that Native American lore says "that when you find a feather in your path, you are on the right path." I've not seen these kinds of feathers before. With their bright yellow (gold?) that runs through them, I'd like to think that it's a sign that Beau has gotten his wings. Maybe it's both.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend! 

~A Scottie's gotta shake it off sometime~

Good-Bye to Our Most Handsome Beau

Tonight our candle is lit to help our boy Beau find his way to the Rainbow Bridge.

~Gus and our (electric) candle~

I met Beau on July 28th, 2014.  

~The day we met!~

Our time with him passed much too quickly.  How I wish I could have had seven years with him instead of just the past seven months. But there is not a single ounce of regret in opening our hearts and home to him.

Beau lived life on his own terms and by a routine that he must have known before he came to us.  We would adapt to his routine of eating first before going out, and he would adapt to ours of enjoying plenty of treats when he came back in. And together with the specialists we went through the treatment for his severe ear infections and entropian in both eyes.

~Waiting for the Ophthalmologist~

Even though these issues were never fully resolved it was enough to relieve the pain and the discomfort. Beau seemed happy and content in his life with us.

Beau found a companion with Gus, and the two often slept close to one another during the day. On Monday when they were laying next to one another and I was giving them both treats, I found myself humbled by these two very different senior boys. Gus the more carefree and silly of the two, Beau the more serious and reserved. Both never let their physical limitations keep them from enjoying life.    

It has been an honor to have had the chance to know Beau, care for him, worry about him and love him. I hope it was enough. 

God speed to our most handsome Beau who will be missed and not forgotten. I look forward to the day when I'll see him and all the others at the Rainbow Bridge.    

Angel Watch for Beau

Our snowfall from a couple of days ago is doing just what it was predicted to do, melt.  My yard is muddy, wet and the ground is saturated.  I couldn't be happier about it!

On the inside, we've begun what I call "Angel Watch" for our sweet boy Beau. You'll recall that x-rays found masses in his chest just prior to my going to Kentucky. Thankfully he was "okay" while I was gone.  But in the past week Beau has begun slowing down and not eating much. I spoke to his vet because we'd decreased the amount of the steroid prednisone that he's been taking. Dr. D agreed that it would be okay to go back to the original, full daily dose to see if that would make a difference.  It has somewhat, but I don't think it's helping enough.

Given that, we'll do what has been done before and let Beau set the pace in this, the final chapter of his life. And when it's time, we'll do the last kind thing that can be done for Beau, and send him to the Rainbow Bridge. Until that time comes, Beau is in no pain, there is only peace.

Snow Days

Long time readers of my blog know that in the past I have loved snow-days, and I have looked forward to being home while the snow is piling up outside.  But I think that my getting stuck in West Virginia a few weeks ago when coming home from Kentucky changed that. Thursday we had a snow day, and usually I'm outside with the dogs, taking photos of their fun in the snow.  But that wasn't the case yesterday.

~An "inside" photo of Josh~

I was also feeling a bit of dread in having to be out in it when I had to get to the post office to mail something to someone who wouldn't wait until I could bring it to them.

But there was something so peaceful about our little town and being out when so many were at home.

~Main Street~

Back at home we settled into the day.

~Gus~

Today is another snow-day off from work, and the sun is out. And it has changed how I'm feeling about our latest snow fall. I really enjoyed being outside in the crisp air when the dogs and I were out this morning walking in the freshly fallen snow.

 But maybe I'm feeling this way because of the chocolate cake I made yesterday  ....

that I had for breakfast this morning  ...

Enjoy your Friday!