Behind Bars and NOT liking it!!

                                                                          FREE ME!!!

Mr. Spanky, the not-so-patient patient,  is chaffing at the bit to be freed from his enforced confinement!  About 5 more weeks is what I estimate before the x-ray that will determine if his sentence will be commuted.  The surgery for his broken leg after being trampled (accidentally) by his canine sibs went well and this past Monday he was happy to be able to get his bandage and that annoying halo off!! 

The accident happened when he was trying to come in the patio door and the other two dogs were racing out said door.  It was canine chaos that resulted in howls of pain!  I had just come home after school and hadn't even set my purse down.

We raced off to the vet suspecting the little leg was broken.  Alas, not only was it broken, it required orthopedic surgery by a specialist vet that cost a fortune!  He was able to come home on my birthday, April 13.  Best gift I could have asked for! 

For two weeks he endured the misery of the bandage and the
obnoxious halo.  (He says, "Yeah, I may look cute but this thing sucks!!)  The pain meds helped....  He learned to maneuver that bandage like a pro, but, in spite of the halo, he often tried to take a chunk out of that leg!


At first he was fairly docile about not moving around too much on the healing leg, post bandage.  Now, however, he is so ready to rumble that I've had to even switch indoor fencing to keep him contained to the small area required for proper healing.  He also has a similar enclosure outside -- his outhouse, so to speak. 

He wants to run free, chase and tumble with Smokey and Mac.  He wants to resume terrorizing poor Mac who was his "live" chew toy.  Mac has been enjoying having Spanky behind bars, needless to say. 

Spanky has been more vocal toward Smokey, who, I'm sure was the primary culprit in the broken leg, being the heavier dog to run over him.  Something tells me Mr. Spanky is plotting his revenge when he is finally sprung.  Smokey beware....

It's been four weeks since the accident.  Spanky is doing great in spite of being bored and antsy and ready to join the fray again.  By June he should be back in action and doing what puppies do when not behind bars!

  Don't Fence Me In!!!

Spring Surprise!

I went to bed last night with a few flakes falling.  I woke this morning to an amazing 5" snowscape!!  What a delightful surprise!  This is Spanky's first snow, and he has mixed feelings.  It was strange but fun until Smokey decided to romp and bury him in the snow!  LOL!  Poor baby snowball!

This is the snowiest winter I can remember!  Love it!  And, though I'm ready for Spring and warmer weather this is a fun way to spend the last day of Spring Break.  I certainly won't complain about spending the second day of Spring enjoying my favorite white delight!

R2D2: Most Precious Furkid #1

                                                                          

                                                                      R2D2

                                                                1997 - 2010

This morning my precious R2 crossed over the Rainbow Bridge where Bear Bear, Betty, Rusty, Maxx, Kaiser, Patches, Popcorn and all the other family and friend furkids were waiting to welcome him.  Letting him go was almost more than I could bear so soon after losing my sweet baby Bear.  This time was especially hard. 

In 1997, 2 days before our Connor boy was born, I had to let go of my first Sheltie, Rusty, 14,  who suffered a massive stroke.  It was a crushing blow.  A week after Connor was born I wanted to fill the void that my Rusty had left so I found a lady who had one 10-week-old Sheltie puppy left who needed a loving home.  When I first saw R2 he was standing at the railing of a playpen, wagging his tail so hard I thought he would fall over.  It was love at first sight.  It's hard to remember a time without him now.

Connor and Sam don't know life without R2, always foraging for food, barking and having some part of his body in most every picture we ever took around here.  I just assumed in my heart that he'd always be here with me, sleeping on the foot of my bed, looking for food and chasing squirrels and cars and people on the inside of the fence with Bear and Smokey.  Getting old sucks; so does losing the ones your love, human or fur. 

How could I lose both my beloved furkids in the space of 2 months?  I don't expect an answer.  Life and death happen.  What matters now is how much love and joy R brought to my life.  I can't imagine not having all the wonderful memories that lie on the other side of the pain I'm feeling right now.  My life would have been much less rich without either R or Bear.  The heartbreak of losing them both will ease in time and the memories will make me smile and laugh, not cry as I do today.

Ironically, the new pup Spanky, came to me via the lady who brought R2 into my life.  Little did I know a week ago when I got Spanky that I would be losing my precious R.  In spite of the pain I need to focus on the new, naughty sweet little bundle of fur.  Sadly, I haven't had much time or emotional reserve to spend on him this past week of realizing my R was failing and there was nothing the vet could do.

So, this morning I had to say goodbye to my #1 furbaby.  I held him and talked to him for over an hour before it was time to go.  I held him in my arms as he left me.  The last voice he heard was mine saying how much I love him.  I told him he would be home soon and never leave again.

I have my furkids cremated and they come home to stay.  Soon he will be back with us where he belongs.

I love and miss you, my precious pup, my sweet old R!  You'll forever be here in my heart.

Spanky U. Rascal Patterson

Meet Spanky U. Rascal Patterson!!  This is the new pack member!  He was born on Jan. 10 and will celebrate his 7 week birthday with his new pack family tomorrow!!

I hadn't intended to get a pupper, but my rescue puppy adoption fell through last night when the meet and greet was a totally disaster!  Connor met the foster parents outside, took the leash and he and Sebastian came bounding into the house at break-neck speed!  He barrelled into his mother's room where she had the Beagle and Dachshund in order to let R2 meet the puppy first.  Smokey, the Beagle was terrified, started barking and never stopped until the people and pup left!  It was utter chaos..

Connor, our dogs, the new dog.....it was a nightmare!!!  Finally Sebastian started barking back at Smokey and lunged...   I wasn't going to work. 

I cried all night and was heartbroken.  After talking to my vet this morning she suggested a pup might be a better fit for our pack.  Found a Sheltie pup for sale in the paper and we set out to see him.  Turns out it was the same lady I bought R2 from 12 years ago!  Like R, back then, he was the only male left.  He was and is perfect! 

So far so good with bonding issues!!  We've launched ourselves on a new adventure!! 

Snowscape!

As my family and friends know, I love snow.  I love snow and I love trees.  Yesterday, we had a record snowfall in this area and I've been smiling for over 24 hours!!  Had to capture the snow and trees on film.  Thought I'd share some of my fun winter wonderland shots! 

Bear Bear

  Bear Bear

1999 - 2010

This afternoon I lost a precious and much loved friend and constant shadow.  I had to put my sweet Bear

to sleep.  There is a huge hole in the heart of this little family.  Our special pup was and is much loved and

we will miss him terribly.  Goodbye my sweet Bear Bear.  My heart is heavy with your loss. 

I know you'll be waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Holiday Snow, Round 2!

Surprise, surprise!!  Another round of holiday snow for the Metroplex!  It was beautiful!  Also, perfect for snowballs and snowmen.  So.......... Sam and I took advantage of the unexpected white repeat.  Above are the Sam and Pam Snow Peeps, below are some fun pix..

Snow Soccer

The ultimate snowball is born.....

Snowball rollin' growin'....

My snow fan