And Then There Were Two.......

Losing Zelda was hard. I came home from the vet's knowing that we had done the right thing, she was so very, very sick. But her paw prints were still on the hardwood floors and there was no one to share my apple with.

It was an outcome that we knew was coming for a long while. We had been waiting for Zelda to tell us it was time. And it was.

As we reflected our our years with our dogs we realized that we had not been without a dog for 18 years! We had grown accustomed to their faces. We knew we had to get another dog. And we knew we could not make a rash decision.

So I began my search.

The first place I went to was Zim's Cockers. They still have a website although they retired from breeding a few years ago. They were one of the nations premier breeders of Cocker Spaniels in the nation and they were in Grover Beach!

That eventually led me to El Shaddai Cockers in Cherry Valley, California (near Riverside/Palm Springs). They had puppies.

I looked at the pictures, I researched the breeder, I did all the things that you are suppose to do.

Then I called. She had 4 boys and 1 girl. Sables.

The parents were gorgeous and the breeding line was good.

So, within a few hours we were expecting, on December 24, 2015 to add two puppies to our menagerie.

girl

boy

Mom--this is a sable coat.

We are thinking up names (which we won't decide on until the puppies are here) but here are a few:

Hansel and Gretel
George and Gracie (running in first place right now)
Captain and Tenniel (sp)
Harry and Sally
Luke and Leila

We are open to suggestions. There is no prize and there may not be a winner. It depends on the pups.

I miss Mohawk and LadyBug and Zelda. I will always miss them. But I am excited to begin a new pack.

The Passing of the Pack

The Pack- LadyBug, Zelda and Mohawk

They were a pack and Mel and I were pack leaders. Zelda and LadyBug had numerous "discussions" over who was queen Cocker but they acted as a pack. Zelda's main job was to warn the pack of perceived danger. Lizards, birds, dirt clods, clumps of grass would all receive the same warning signal. A loud and vociferous barking.

When Mohawk and LadyBug left us on October 26, 2013, Zelda went silent. She never barked again. Her pack was gone.

And then she started getting eye infections and ear infections. Things that she had never suffered before.

Then she was diagnosed with Cushing's disease.

She perked up for awhile.

But this last year has seen her at the vet's office more often. Her medication went from one pill a day to one per day and one every other day and one every third day.

She preferred to just eat and sleep. She had cataracts and the last ear infection left her deaf.

This last week she wouldn't go outside at night and she broke her house training.

Today she looked at me and I knew.

Dr. Sagartz at Arroyo Grande Veterinary Hospital did an ulta-sound that showed a grossly enlarged liver and gall bladder.

And so, after 14 wonderful years, we said goodnight to Zelda.

I hope there is a doggy heaven and that she is there. With her pack.

 

A Very Merry Unbirthday

I have often related that the Christmas season is a LOUSY time for a birthday. Before December 25 people are running around doing things that "must" be done to get ready for the day. Then, after December 25 they sorta disappear as they make ready for the New Year parties and galas and football games.

So when your birthday falls between December 25 and January 1 you are in no-man's land.

Birthday/Christmas gifts are the answer for many people and are TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE to the recipient.

I was bemoaning this fact (okay, I was whining) to the fellow members of my weaving class. And a (rather raucous) discussion turned into what would be appropriate as an "unbirthday" party for me. Some very inappropriate suggestions were made (causing several people to miss count their threads and have to start all over again--laughing and rolling on the floor does that)

Now this group of women know me to be rather--how would you say this........bold in my use of language. They also know that it is difficult to embarrass me.

Therefore, the inappropriate suggestions were, in fact, quite appropriate.


This week I appeared and after our opening lesson our instructor excused herself to go get some hot tea for us. (Her studio is next to her home) She came back with cookies, jasmine tea, and a birthday card. They gave me a cute tree ornament that resembled one of the churches Vocal Arts sang in this past July.

My cup of tea had a "flower" in it that was quite pretty.

The whole thing made me very happy.

My friends gave me a Very Merry Unbirthday.

Thank you so very merry much!

Montana

Bitterroot Valley, Montana

I have been re-reading (for the umpteenth time) The Hunt for Red October. Love that book. Love the movie (Sean Connery is a handsome devil). And I always think of Montana. (the one officer dies saying "I would have loved to have seen Montana.")

But thinking of Montana now brings up memories of Daniel. And a lot of sadness. And a lot of joy.

Fond memories of motorcycle rides.

And festivals.

And horses.

And Daniel.

But last night, I went to see my daughter sing in the women's chorus called Canzona.

They sing a lot of new age music that is really interesting and beautiful. And the next to last song was called. "Big Sky".

Like I wouldn't know what that was about......

But the lyrics ( a poem by Charles Silvertri) and the composition by Ola Gjeilo (from Sweden) put Daniel in the empty chair next to me.

"Golden sunlight gleams off the
Rugged peaks soar up into
Big sky spreads out like a
Blue embrace of you.

Splashing streams tumble into
Rushing river cuts through
Pine tree valley full of
Green memories of you.

Every time I see that big sky I
Think of you and wonder why?
I can almost feel you right here with me.

Eagles soar high above the
Misty pine tops that grow,Roots go deep in the big earth
Deep as my love for you."
Charles Silvertri

 

I will always miss him.

But I did get to see (and feel) Montana. From the back of a motorcycle.

Thank you, Canzona.