Farewell Tribute to Our Boy Jake

I've waited a couple of days to write this post because I wanted to find the right words to let you all know that we lost our boy Jake on Tuesday. I have the post already written of the events leading up to our suddenly losing him, that I will post after this. I want this post to be a tribute to a dog that I came to love very much. 

~Jake, the first day we met~

It was exactly 317 days ago that I'd met Jake. His first life was spent with someone who'd served in the military, and when there was a divorce, Jake was given to his parents. When the parents no longer had time for Jake, they felt that he'd be happier in another home. We became Jake's second foster home when it was realized that he was unable to do flights of steps. He settled in easily and nicely and got along with our crew and found his spot within the pack. 

Proving an old dog actually can and does adjust to a new life, Jake spent his time with us enjoying all the smells of the country and all the other joys of being canine. 

He mastered the art of the assistant chef in the kitchen and all things food related. 

You couldn't help but  notice that Jake was a big boy, and we tried to help him on his weight-loss journey. But it didn't help that he appointed himself the official dog-bowl-cleaner, making sure all leftover morsels did not go to waste. We tried .....  

Jake didn't know any tricks like shake, speak, or roll over . . . But he did know sit . . . 

And he had a smile that truly warmed my heart. His affection and trust for everyone he met was as intense as his love for finding a cool place to sleep and living life how he wanted. Something we happily let him do.

Jake is survived by a pack that misses him, and by two people who are heartbroken and wish they could have given him a few more hugs and a few more of those new treats he was really enjoying. 

In lieu of flowers, as Jake's foster home, we are requesting that you spend this week giving your dogs or cats extra treats, and extra hugs - the same goes for people too. And most importantly, consider giving second chances to senior dogs like Jake. Because two-legged or four, everyone deserves to be loved to their fullest potential.

And allowed to be who they are . . . ❤❤❤

God speed Jake. Thank-you for being part of our lives and thank-you to GRREAT, the rescue that was there for him when he needed a place to go. I know in time the ache of your loss will soften. But that gratitude in my heart for having the chance to know you and love you, will not. 

Happy 4th of July!

We round the corner to today, July 4th. July is my favorite time of summer. I love all the light and waking up and looking out my window and seeing the hydrangeas blooming. 

Everyone loves summer. Don't you think that people are so much happier when summer comes around? I think because it's so much more laid back and you can get away with things you may not be able to during the colder months when we're sometimes a bit grouchier.

I think the dogs are in a better mood too. Jake, Daisy and Todd didn't seem to mind the trip to the vet last week. With the 3 of them in my van, it was a reminder that my van fits our needs perfectly. I'd been thinking we could/should downsize what I'm driving, but this vet trip was a reminder that I really cannot. 

Todd had mostly a good report. He was diagnosed this year with lyme disease, which is not unusual for the area we live. He'll go on a round of antibiotics (doxycycline) and he should be just fine. What's not fine is me, as trivial as it is, I'm still feeling that guilt over his ear that will never stand up straight again. 

The report for Jake has us making an appointment for acupuncture and cold laser to see if that will help with his being more mobile. At some point very soon, I'll share more about how he's doing. The vet report was as good as it could be, considering his age of 13-14 years old, and being such a big boy. But x-rays of his chest showed us that his heart looked good, no signs of fluid or tumors. 

However, my worries escalated when Jake had a seizure on Friday morning. I'm grateful I could be home for a long weekend to keep a close eye on him. Each day since Friday has been a better one for him, no more seizures (knock, knock, knock on wood!!) and his appetite is back.  

~A very tired and worn out Jake on Saturday~

Finally there was our newest arrival, Daisy. She got a good report from the vet. We're doing a round of antibiotics to clear up an infection that we hope will help with those inside-accidents her previous owners reported that she was having. My report is that Daisy hasn't had any accidents in the house in a week and all of our dogs, even Jack, who can be moody around the other dogs even likes her. How can you not with that smile that has won everyone over. ❤

Daisy Arrives at Golden Pines

To start, I am going to spare you the saga of some drama that came from changing our internet provider. I am pretty sure it's all worked out now, and we are officially divorced from *them.*

And I also won't make a big deal about how our outdoor kitty White Boy has become friends with a member of the marauding gang of deer on our property.  Traitor? 😊

But White Boy remains good friends with our Siamese cat, Tiggy. 

I'll also not brag about a really nice birthday celebration I had a couple of weeks ago. My "bestie" at work, Chris made this very delicious pie, it was a Texas Trash Pie, and the recipe can be found here. 

But I WILL brag to you about our newest arrival via the Golden Retriever Rescue, a 7 year old girl named Daisy. 

~My first photo of Daisy~

Yes, you are right, she is younger than what typically comes to us - And there are two reasons for this.

The first one happened a couple of years ago. Daisy was in boarding and somehow injured her back, right hock. No one is quite sure how it happened. It was a clean-cut to her leg and at first it was thought it would heal on its own and she would be fine and recover. But the injury didn't heal. 

That was because the injury got infected. And when Daisy was not putting any weight on her leg it was discovered that her achilleas-tendon had been severed. That started her on a journey that involved surgery and physical therapy. In the end, it has left Daisy able to walk just fine, but she is unable to do a flight of stairs. However, she is easily able to do a few steps like we have on our back porch. We were asked to foster Daisy because our house is all on one level. 

~My second photo of Daisy, wet from the rain~

Daisy's injury was not why she was given up by her family. Daisy has been given-up to the rescue because her well to do family are renovating their home. They are currently living in a rental, and Daisy started having "accidents." in the house. And they did not want the "distress"(their word) if it continued when they move back into their newly renovated home ..... You cannot make this up - The coordinator for the rescue knows that a dog having "accidents" in our house isn't an issue for us whatsoever, so we were more than happy to welcome the very lovely Daisy on Thursday.

Daisy's intros to her new packmates and spending time with them has gone really well. 

~All the girls in the kitchen helping with dinner~

All the dogs and the cats seem to like Daisy just fine. 

Daisy is friendly, easy going and never stops smiling or wagging that beautiful tail of hers. I think it goes without saying that we are going to enjoy having her as part of our household. 

~Daisy and Max watching those marauding deer~

Welcome Daisy!

Randomness

For this post, I thought I would share some of the random photos that I've taken over the last month or so. 

Ree, always happy. 

My peonies this year. Did you know that in the Victorian age it was considered unlucky to dig up a peony bush and, if you did, the fairies would curse you. I dislike thoughts of upsetting fairies or inviting curses so despite my red peony not blooming this year, maybe I'll resist that urge to move it in the fall. But I have decided that their sweet, rosy, citrusy fragrance is what heaven must smell like.

Jaycee waiting for Carl to come back inside. She really loves him.

I was going through some things and came across my Mom's 1951 high school year book. I didn't want it. But the county where my Mom graduated from in Kentucky has a Facebook page and so I asked if anyone would like to have it. To my surprise there were a few people who did - And someone who works in "City Hall" said they'd love to have it to add to the county museum. I was thrilled to be able to send it to them and it is now part of a collection of school memorabilia. My Mom would have loved it too! 

George and Todd, before his right ear went wonky. 

My very favorite bird, the Eastern Phoebe

Ree, sniffing out crumbs because she is sure there is a tidbit leftover from breakfast. 

Tibetan prayer flags on my fence. A gift from a friend before my surgery. The colors together signify balance - And I love the thought that their catching the wind allows "the prayers" to be carried far and wide and are a tribute to nature and peace and represent a spirit of harmony. And I'm told that I must never take them down because as they become slowly tattered over time, they release all their prayerful energy.

Finally, there's Max ....

Saying good-bye for now, and thanking you for stopping by. 

Wonky-eared Todd thanks you too.❤