What Did I Miss Most?

All is quiet here at home.  Carl is finally back from his 10 day trip to Wisconsin to see family.  It's kind of hard to say which I missed more, him or my good camera that he took with him, having his help with the dogs, or the good camera (did I mention that already?)  All of them I guess!

The weather today could not have been more gorgeous!  There was low humidity and lots of sunshine!  I sat on the porch for awhile with the dogs and we enjoyed one another's company as the sound of cicadas filled the air, and the elusive hummingbirds which I've been trying to get a picture of buzzed around.  

Todd who hasn't spent much time on the front porch enjoyed it too. Being overprotective, I've been afraid that he would try to leap off, but so far, he hasn't...At least not yet.

Rudi has almost totally lost her appetite.  She wants nothing except dog-treats, which I give her by the hand-full. Tomorrow I'm going to try to remember to bring home a fast-food-hamburger.  Dogs always love them, right?  I left work early yesterday when our dog-walker called and said that she was laying in the crate and wouldn't come out.  When I got home, Rudi was up on her feet but was very quiet and seemed uncomfortable.  I've started her on pain medication which seems to have helped because this afternoon she found the enthusiasm to play frisbee.

Each day that we have together is a good day!  

I hope yours has been a good one as well!  

(Did I mention that it's so nice to have my good camera back, and oh, Carl too?!)

Just What I Needed

The day has been just what I needed, quiet and uneventful.  It gave me the chance to get caught up on everything from the dusting to the laundry.  Todd's curiosity about everything continued as he explored the inside of the dryer this afternoon.

Last night he became acquainted with a big toad on our porch.

I silently gave a cheer and a prayer of thanks as Rudi reached day 50 of grace today. Each day that passes becomes more of a valued treasure, time more precious.  We quietly celebrated with a very, very brief game of frisbee.  Anytime she has one, she seems happy.  It goes without saying that I'm happy too.  

  I hope you've had a good weekend!  

Dog Tired!

I can't begin to say what a good feeling it is that it's not even noon, and I'm home and done with all my errands.  The dogs have all been walked, fed, loved and played with.  They are all napping nearby.  Sitting here at my computer I'm watching the hummingbirds out my window at the feeder.  There is a welcomed feeling of peace and calm as we wait for the forecasted rain later today.  

It was a week that started out so well, but took a bit of a detour.  With Carl gone it became very busy and hectic.  It didn't help that I got a ticket on Wednesday for making a turn in an 'authorized vehicle only' place on the highway.  Of course I have my reason for why I was turning around that comes complete with the excuses that I didn't see the sign at first and with another car behind me doing the same thing, I had no choice but to make the turn.  The police officer, who I thought was arrogant and indifferent, didn't care about any of it. The maximum fine for this horrible crime that I have committed is $250.  I can only hope for leniency.     

Rudi continues to do 'just okay.'  I took her with me to the farm stand this morning.  She tries to accompany us on our daily walks, but because she wears out easily, she'll stop along the way and lay down.  I usually go back and sit with her until she has the energy to walk back to the house.  On some days she'll have no appetite whatsoever, other days she'll eat most of her meal.  For the next mealtime I try to make the exact same thing for her hoping she'll eat again, but she'll refuse it. I can only keep trying.

Todd started day care this week.  He really loved it!!  One of my biggest reasons for wanting him to have this experience is because I'm concerned about Todd being so shy and reserved around people that he doesn't know. So I think that his having positive interactions with people when I'm not around will be good for him. Of course playing with 'kids his own age' is just as invaluable.  When we've gotten home in the evenings, Todd has been so worn out, he has just eaten his dinner and fallen asleep for the rest of the night.  I have had to wake him up to take him outside and he's even been too tired to chase the cat--Now that's dog tired!  

Your Turn to Make a Wish!!

My week is off to a winning-start and I feel so lucky today!  A few days ago I posted about a Facebook photo contest, that the shop where I buy dog food was having.  The winner would receive a $100 gift card, that I really hoped to win.  I have to be honest,  I felt a bit selfish asking for your votes, so I removed the post on the last day of the contest.  But today, I found out that I WON by a mere 16 votes!  The manager of the shop told me that 2 weeks ago I was behind by more than 40 votes--So I can  only conclude that those needed votes came from those of you who voted from that post and from Lynn at Rocky Creek Scottie Adventures who also posted it--THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

As if that wasn't enough, a kindly fairy granted my wish when Nancy at A Rural Journal had hers granted and was given the chance to pay it forward.  The Fairy Hobmother works for Appliances Online, a web retailer of household appliances in the UK and has such a fun job, granting wishes and spreading happiness to bloggers.  And it really made my day to receive an email a few days ago granting my wish for a fun new toy for the dogs!  The toy that the Fairy Hobmother picked out was a whirlwheel and it arrived today!  It's a fun toy that flies and squeaks which are the two favorite things our dogs love!  Rudi was the first to try it out, and it really provided a nice lift for her today too! 

The Fairy Hobmother has offered me the chance to let YOU make a wish too!!  All you have to do to maybe have your wish granted by the Fairy Hobmother is leave a 'wishful comment' below.  You don’t have to restrict your wishes to items that Appliances Online sell – you can wish for just about anything you'd like!  There’s no rules, no catches, and please don't be shy – just leave a wish and let The Fairy Hobmother know what your most tangible wish would be for, she'll read them all, and choose someone to sprinkle with Hob Dust.  It's as simple as that! 

THANK YOU all again for voting for our picture, and 

THANK YOU FAIRY HOBMOTHER for granting my wish!!