Barbaro

As much of the nation, I was very moved by Barbaro's plight and courage as he fought to overcome his injuries. I, like many others, was very saddened that he had to be euthanized. Letting go of my beloved Abbey, was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. She was our 4 year old St. Bernard with osteo-arthritis in all of her joints as well as the complication of epilepsy. Her Epilepsy did not appear until after Abbey's first TPLO surgery on her back hind leg. We went on and tried to help her mobility with a second TPLO surgery, but then her epilepsy got worse and the seizure medicines made her weak joints even weaker. After a harrowing week of several seizures a day and no mobility following each seizure, we made the very painful decision that it was time to let her go. I feel for the Barbaro's doctors and owners. I think Gretchen Jackson, a co-owner of Barbaro said it so well, "Grief is the price we all pay for love." I will never get over losing Abbey, but time does heal. Having Andy and Roy, though they could never take Abbey's place, help us remember the joy of loving Abbey.

Fetch

It was a cool, crisp January morning today and just perfect for a brisk game of "Fetch." Andy, the non-athletic pup, played a short time and then wanted to chew on the ball in a nearby patch of liriope. Roy, on the other hand had to be made to quit fetching. He even jumped for the ball as we were walking back into the house. I decided I wanted a picture of him running back so obviously elated with his catch. Unfortunately, my camera does not have a fast enough speed to catch him without blurring the fast-moving Roy. I would take the picture and by the time the camera had registered the image, Roy would be back with the ball. After several attempts, I managed to get a somewhat blurry vision of Roy's joy.
After so much exertion, both pups were ready for a nap in Dad's lap. (picture below.....

A nap is in order....

Dreaded baths

Today was a fairly warm day for January, so it was bath day for the boys. They HATE their baths, and only endure them for Mom's sake. Are they not beautiful though, or should I say HANDSOME, all fluffy and clean?!! They seem to strut their stuff once it is all over knowing how very handsome they look.

Cold Rainy Monday

What does one do on a cold rainy Monday morning? One sits in front of a fire and takes a nap!

Finny visit

Over Christmas my daughter brought her dog, Finny, a Chow/Lab mix home. We were worried that the three would not get along and if they didn't, Christmas would not be so much fun keeping doors shut and foes separated. I did my homework on the Internet and we decided to have the dogs meet on neutral territory, out on the road in front of our house. Even though my daughters arrived late at night, we took all the four legged children on a get acquainted midnight stroll. At first Andy barked at Finny, but Finny didn't pay him any mind. We made it home, and all went smoothly.
Since Finny weighs near 40 pounds and Andy and Roy combined don't weigh that much, we assumed Finny would be the Alpha dog. We did not want Finny to get pissed off and decapitate or de-ear Andy or Roy. As it turned out, my ferocious Andy is the Alpha dog and also a tattle-tale.
My boys are not allowed on the furniture. I was in the kitchen cooking and Andy came running in the kitchen barking between the kitchen and the living room. I ran into the living room just as Finny was disembarking from the couch. Little tattle-tale told on him and he got caught!
Andy seemed to rule the roost and would growl and bear his teeth if Finny came too close or did something Andy didn't like. So, apparently size doesn't count when it comes to "Alpha dogness." It is all in the ATTITUDE!
By the end of my daughters' Christmas visit, the three were almost friends. We caught them napping and actually touching each other as they slept! There is hope for the world!

Thanks

My two girls are WONDERFUL. They set up this new blog for me as my birthday present. Soon as I learn to use it, I will post more pictures of my two "boys."

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mom.
Welcome to your "Sheltie Mom" Blog.