Holidays can be hard...

The Holidays are upon again..
How I long to see those 4 little feet rustling through the piles of leaves. Leaves so deep all I can see is a happy little face and tail standing erect! How Ginger loved making all the noise she could in those leaves..
Next week she would be right by my side in the kitchen as the ham and Turkey cooked.. waiting for me to " "accidentally" drop a small piece now and then. Those big brown eyes waiting in anticipation. The Holidays truly are the hardest, the most empty... cherish every moment with your precious pups, your families..
Blessings to all, Colleen

Hi there Colleen! Yep, the holidays can truly be so hard. And of them all, I think Thanksgiving has been the hardest for me ever since my mom died three years ago. I know I've talked about this before, but she was such a wonderful cook and baker, and sharing Thanksgiving with her was always such a special joy. In recent years while she was still alive, we'd only hosted small gatherings at my house, but having her alongside me in the kitchen was such a blessing. She knew just how to time everything, and even towards the end when she didn't feel like doing the cooking herself, she'd sit on a chair and coach me as I bustled around. And she *always* still made the pumpkin pie herself, with crust from scratch. Her special added ingredient was molasses. This week, when I see the molasses jar on the shelf, I still just want to cry.

Of course, COVID hasn't helped things. Because we felt afraid to travel in 2020, it was just hubby, Luna, and me here at home. Boy, I missed my mom so much I swore that we had to do something different last year. So we packed up Luna and ourselves and drove up to spend the week with my brother and his family in Tennessee. Given Luna's frailty, the traveling and hotel stay was stressful. But Turkey Day itself, spent alongside our larger family, was a relief to me. I had no cooking responsibilties, and just got to socialize and eat! We'd likely be doing a repeat this year, except Luna is now far too fragile to travel at all. And I don't feel like trying to coordinate with anybody else here locally. I totally realize this is my bad, not even to try to make things cheerier for myself. But I just don't feel like it. Said no depressed person anywhere, anytime: "Let me schedule a big group activity that I have to be cheery and "up" and responsible for!!" So it'll be hubby, Luna, and myself once again. Since I have absolutely no expectations, though, maybe the holiday will turn out OK after all. I do love to eat, and since I'm only cooking for ourselves, I can make exactly what I want to. And having Luna here with us yet again for another Thanksgiving is absolutely a gift that I shall not overlook. But for the most part, I'll just be piddling around the house this next week. So if anyone wants to stop by here to chat, I'll be available. And I do definitely hope that the rest of our K9C family has as safe and satisfying a Thanksgiving celebration as they possibly can!

Marianne

Marianne,
Happy Thanksgiving... I am truly sorry how difficult this time of year is, especially today for you. I do so understand about the molasses..
Any time I went to the store I had trouble in the potato chip isle. My dad loved Pringles so any package of them brought me to tears. Still can at times... Same with Ging and the pet food isle.... I.....Just.... can't...yet.
It is just Ron and I today. Will possibly go over to see momma and my sister for just a little bit this evening.
I am so glad Luna is enjoying another Thanksgiving with you both! So, so special.
Sending hugs and love to you..
Colleen

Happy Holidays to my forever family!
This time of year can sometimes be such a struggle. The empty chair, the unused leash still hanging near the door.
Sadness that we will never have another Christmas with those we loved and lost.
The sadness comes because we are not satisfied with the new Christmas, it just cannot compete with Christmas past. Some say, well then, make new traditions. That can be hard to do if you are older, perhaps not having the same resources or health or for any other number of reasons.
Recently, my husband had eye surgery and has to sleep on his back surrounded by pillows so he does not turn on his eye.
I have been “camping” in our bedroom on a less than desirable air mattress for over a week with another week to go, so very exhausted and stressed. I thought I could forgo putting up Zoe’s tree. I was concerned I might hurt myself trying to move our dining table and lift the heavy tree sections. I set up a tiny table top tree and after four days found myself so sad, fighting back tears. I knew I had to do one good thing and that I had to be very careful trying to do it.
Somehow, I managed to slowly inch the table over 4” giving me barely enough room for the tree and very slowly and carefully lifted the tree sections, taking breaks in between. Long story short, Zoe’s tree stands in all its glory one more year. In hindsight, it probably was not the smartest thing to do but I found a way. It was so important to me as this will be my Koko’s last Christmas. I have stopped crying and even though the holiday will not resemble Christmas past in any way, I have my Zoe’s tree for my darling, loving Koko.
Be kind to yourself, find one thing that can make you smile, to find a small bit of joy and then maybe even though the holiday is different, even though the holiday is sad, the memories are not quite as painful. Maybe we can make it through.
Love you all.

Oh Addy, I can’t tell you what a comfort it is to read your post on my Luna’s thread, and also your reply here. It’s been ten days now since she left us, and I still can’t believe she’s really gone. Please know that even if you accomplish nothing else today, you’ve already taken care of *your* one good thing by writing to me and to our family here at a time when I needed it so much.

Quote:

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The sadness comes because we are not satisfied with the new Christmas, it just cannot compete with Christmas past. Some say, well then, make new traditions. That can be hard to do if you are older, perhaps not having the same resources or health or for any other number of reasons.

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You’ve put my own feelings into perfect words. I’ve been kind of hard on myself, lately, thinking that I’ve been spending far too much time living in the past in recent years. But the reality is that I truly have lost so many dearest relatives and friends during this time. Dear ones who cannot be replaced, and will never be forgotten. And yes, what with the social isolation of COVID, it’s felt so much harder to even find safe ways to fill my time outside of the house — let alone to try to forge genuinely meaningful new relationships.

I know there will still be joyful days ahead for me. But maybe it’s OK to flat-out acknowledge that my *most* joyful days may indeed be behind me now. And to come to peace with that, knowing that there’s an arc to our lives and that I’m now closer to the end than to the beginning of mine. And that it’s OK to treasure memories on days that I’m too tired to try to search out new experiences.

And in the vein of treasuring memories, I can’t tell you what peace it gives me to know that Zoe’s tree is up and sparkling once again this year. It restores precious memories of Zoe for me, and also memories of a time when our family here was so much more active. And dearest Koko — our K9C dog around town! Knowing in advance that this will be your last Christmas together, oh my, how poignant it will be. Please give our sweet boy a giant hug from me. Treasure every moment you have together. I know you will. So much. And know that we’ll be right here by your side, too, whenever the time comes that you may need us.

Thank you again, my dear friend, for writing to me and to us all. And best wishes for the merriest Christmas that this week can bring to you and to your hubby, Koko, and the rest of your family.

Love always, Marianne

And Christmas morning is here. In the midst of both joy and sadness, Christmas morning is here once again. A day that is given to us only once each year, no matter what. On this bright cold morning, I’m sending wishes of Christmas hope to warm the hearts of all our family, especially those of us who are needing those wishes the most. Do take care and do stay safe. And may we all find comfort in knowing that love is forever. ❤️

Merry Christmas to you, dear Marianne, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Well, a new year has begun for us all…whether we feel ready for it or not. An empty house is not how I would have wished to greet this morning. But yet, I’m trying to find peace and express gratitude for all the gifts I *have* been given during this past year, including spending many more days with my sweet Luna than I would have imagined possible last January 1.

To all our K9C family, I send out my love and best wishes. Wishes of comfort for those who need it, wishes of happiness yet to come even when it seems so hard to imagine. Once again take care, stay safe, and Happy 2023 to all my dear friends.

Marianne

Hello all and kinda Happy New Year.. I am reading a lot of the above and am touched and in complete understanding of each of your posts. I will repost my poem for all of you at the bottom of my post.
Holidays are extremely difficult to maneuver. You want the joys, and yet sadness fills more thoughts than joy. You want peace, yet a restlessness stirs inside longing for holidays years ago. The normal we had will be no more. We all know that, and yet long to change the outcome. We try to balance the emptiness with the thankfulness but it is definitely a difficult balancing act and one that dips from side to side quite often. I cannot believe we are coming up on Ginger's passing 2 years ago and Dad's Birthday this Tuesday making it almost 7 years since he passed. Also lost a dear cousin just days before Christmas. I have laughed and cried all within the matter of minutes. I have felt like it was yesterday Ging was still here, and then it seems like years since I have held her, bathed her, walked her, took her to McDonald's. I just still plain miss her and want her back! That is the " normal" I long for! But reality sets it and I know it cannot be. We can still long for those times, not one thing wrong with that! We grieve deeply, miss dearly because we loved and have known a love so strong. That we can be forever grateful for! Does it help dry the tears? Nope.. does in mend our broken hearts? Probably not. But we can support each other, lend an ear or a hand and let each other know it's ok not to be ok. Our circle of grief does not disappear, it only grows larger so we can make room in our lives for it. I love you all and send hugs and prayers always. Blessings, Colleen..

Empty collar,
Empty chair.
Hard to believe
You're both not here.
Lump in my throat
Tears in my eyes
You both were
My hardest goodbyes.
A little piece
Here and there,
Holes in my heart
That won't repair.
You took with you
The very best.
Of my heart
And left the rest.
I'll try to fill it
Best I can.
Unconditional love,
Lend a helping hand.
But no amount
Will fill those parts,
Reserved for you
Deep in my heart.
So thankful for
The time we had.
Miss you Ginger,
Miss you Dad!

12-23-21

We lost our chihuahua, Doree Darling, yesterday morning. Her 18 year old body just could not take it anymore. I had so hoped that she would just drift off in her sleep, but that wasn't happening. Hubby finally agreed that it was time...it was really way past time, but as soon as he said "maybe" I called the vet's office and luckily my vet was on duty and said he would do it if we got right down there. My husband didn't even have time to think although I knew he would start to change his mind. She was in terrible shape and the vet let him know that she was miserable and it had to be done. He couldn't stay in with her, but I held her head and told her how much we loved her and how good she was. She was so tiny, but again, the silence is deafening. I know that Gable, Lena, Andee and all the cats were there to greet her and she can see again; walk without any pain again; remember everything she forgot; and she is free of the mammary gland cancer that she was diagnosed with right before Thanksgiving.

I must say that this has been the most dismal holiday season I have ever had. I miss all my babies...there are only two left now. The last time we had two dogs was 2005. We have been crying all day. Not a good start to 2023.

Hopefully things will get better.

Happy New Year?

Oh Joan. I’m crying, too, right alongside you. I’ll come back again when I can see straight and I can form some words. They totally escape me now. I’m so very sorry for you and your husband. I know what a special sweet companion Doree was to him. My husband is taking Luna’s loss so hard too. It’s just so hard for us all.

And Colleen, thank goodness you’ve been here and you *were* able to write. What you wrote is so perfect and so true. And once again your poem touches my own heart so deeply. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of this. And especially for your hugs. I’m needing hugs so desperately right now, and I can feel yours coming straight to my heart from across the miles.

Love to you both,
Marianne

Well, Joan, I’m back but still minus the ability to think of words to convey how truly sorry I am about Doree. How sorry I am about everything. I know you’ve had so many heartaches and challenges during these past months, and so many holidays clouded. It’s just not fair and my heart aches for you.

It’s an especially hard morning for me, too. I’m looking at the Christmas tree lights for the last time. Today we’ll take the tree down and drive it over to be recycled into mulch. I know it makes no sense at all, but it feels like I’ll be saying another final goodby to Luna. We had bought the tree while she was still alive but had not yet put it up. We almost didn’t have the heart to put it up afterwards, but we did. And we both ended up feeling so grateful that we did. The twinkling lights cheered us so much during the dark early mornings and the late evenings. The one cheery thing about the empty house. But this evening the house will be dark again, and I think it will feel like really saying goodbye to her a last time, too. I’ve got a lump in my throat already and I’ve only just gotten up. I miss her so much. So much.

Well, my goal in writing this morning was to try to say something of comfort to you. And here I am, going on about myself again. I guess if there’s any truth to “misery loves company,” at least I’ve got the “company” part covered for you. Please know that I am indeed thinking of you right alongside me during these tough days. On this cold January morning, I’m sending my hugs and warmest thoughts flying northward to you, my dear friend.

Yes, I know...I don't want to take ours down, not that Doree noticed it anyway. Luckily it's an artificial one and I can keep it up for as long as I want. The poor little girl was in so much pain. I am so glad that he finally agreed to give her some peace.

And you are a comfort to me, Marianne, you always have been.

Cooper had blood work done Friday. He's gaining weight, drinking a lot, constantly hungry...and guess what? It looks like it might be Cushing's AGAIN. I'm still processing...what are the odds of having three different dogs, three different breeds, and Cushing's. ALK 1966, ALT 226. The vet wanted to do the LDDT, but I can't afford all the testing and meds this time around. I'm not even sure it's really Cushing's. He's always been hyper and nuts, so I'm going to put him on a diet, start walking him to get the weight down, and see if it makes a difference. He's almost 15 and the stress of taking him to the vet for testing (on both of us) would be too much.

Like I said, still processing...

I miss my big beautiful boy, and I miss Lena. I'm still in Doree mode, thinking I have to check on her, listening for her to move around in the playpen, trying to decide what to make her for dinner to get her to eat. Then I remember I don't have to do any of that anymore, and my blood pressure goes back down, and I feel guilty because it's a relief. The stress of watching her get worse and knowing that she must've been in agony, was so hard, but he wouldn't see it and he didn't want her to go.

I've been having a hard time getting my thoughts together to put here. It's like they're swirling around in my head and just won't land (LOL). Everything is changing, and I don't like change.

Thank God the holidays are over...but I'm still not taking down the tree ;)...

Love you!

Oh Joan. Cooper and Cushing’s??? I. Can’t. Even.

I totally understand your thoughts about him, especially at his age. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you can get some improvement through weight loss. And I also totally understand the conflict of Doree mode. It’s the same for me. I still instinctively catch myself checking the clock at Luna’s mealtimes, and timing when I should be trying to get her down the ramp to the yard. We went to a friend’s house for dinner last night — our first social outing since she died. For the first time in what feels like forever, I didn’t have to stress over struggling to get her out to pee beforehand and we didn’t have to watch the clock to head home by a certain time. We stayed late and I didn’t check the time once. That was a genuine relief and the change made me realize just how much stress I’ve been under for so long now. But of course, then the trade-off was coming home to the empty house. That was not good at all, and so it goes.

Anyway, please keep us updated about Cooper. And in the meantime, I’ll be repeating NOT Cushing’s, NOT Cushing’s NOT Cushing’s, over and over again…

LOL! That's my mantra, too. And I totally understand the feelings about Luna.

I hate to say it, but I think the Facebook group killed this forum. I had to stop looking at it because there were just too many people, too many responses, too many deaths, and it just wasn't personal, at least for me.

This forum kept me sane when I was going to lose it, and you are responsible for that, Marianne. I already responded on your other post, so you know how I feel.

Go forth and enjoy your time with your husband....

Love, Joan

Hello Joan and Marianne,
I am catching up in the posts and my heart aches for both of you. I totally get where you both are emotionally. I still go through the same thoughts with Ginger. Listening for her, wondering what to fix her that she will eat, rushing home to see her, only to stop myself, and let the tears fall remembering she is not here. I have none of that to do and my heart aches to do it all over again, but do it better, love her deeper, be patient much more often. To right the wrongs I feel where I failed her. My precious little girl. I too struggled about the Christmas tree... we only have a table top one, but I, (we) decided after saying goodbye to Ging March 2021, that since she loved the tree, used it as a night light that it will stay up year round with only the ornaments that are hers, the one empty chair for my dad and the small twinkling lights that helped light her way to the kitchen for her food and water. Not a day goes by, probably not even an hour goes by, that I do not think of her and miss her, her unconditional love, her caring heart. The need to be needed is immense. The most painful tears are not the ones that fall from your eyes and cover our faces, they are the ones that fall from our heart and cover our souls. Prayers, love and hugs to you both... special prayers for Cooper.
Blessings always, Colleen

Yes...all that and more, Colleen.

Hugs and love to you, too...

Well, I guess it’s time to gently ease the doors shut again on our 2022 holiday house. But if anybody continues to wish to write more, either now or at any time in the coming year, please feel free to do so — the doors here are always left unlocked!

When we did reopen them last October, I never expected that I would be needing so much comfort here, myself. But I guess it’s often good that we can’t predict the future, because otherwise my Halloween and my Thanksgiving spent with my sweet Luna would have been so overshadowed by what was to come. Living in the present has always been a tough challenge for me, and right now my present definitely sucks. But I’ll remain forever grateful for all the good holidays of the past, and hopeful for good holidays yet to come.

At any rate, as always, I wish to thank everyone who has joined us here this year. So much. And I’m truly hoping that 2023 will bring at least some measure of peace, comfort and joy to us all.

Love, Marianne

Much love Marianne.. always available to lend an ear.
Blessings, Colleen

We are always here for you, Marianne...and not knowing sometimes, is always better.

Much love and hugs ♥

Hi Guys! I know our dear family continues to shrink, and ever fewer chairs are needed at our holiday table. But I can't resist opening up the doors to our holiday house yet another time. I confess I do it largely to please myself, because even in the midst of hard times, the holidays still hold such a special place in my heart. And I *do* love to blab -- that's how I got my name after all ;-). So now that the doors are open, I'll undoubtedly keep right on talking throughout the holidays, even if it's just to myself :-)))))))))))))

It's a perfect golden evening here in Georgia, I've got my Halloween mantel decorated, and most of my candy bought. I plan to also buy my orange and purple pansies next weekend to set in pots on our front steps alongside our jack-o-lanterns. So that's about all the prep that needs to be done.

Of course the big elephant in the room is that nobody's here to wear the orange collar. For the first time in 30 years. Yep, that's hard. But we'll put it out, regardless, and set it on the front table. Right by the door. Right where the spirits mingle on that special magic night. We're to the point where we're starting to think about adding another furbaby to the family during the coming year. For now, though, it's still just a thought. So the coming holidays will suffer from a huge absence, for sure. But it remains a gift to be here to honor our memories and to celebrate the days that are still given to us now.

So "Happy Halloween" in advance, to all our K9C family. And of course, please know, if it's *not* a happy Halloween for you -- this is the place to come and talk. That's why our holiday house was built in the first place. Always to offer a safe place to talk for our family.

Holiday love to all,
Marianne

I've been slowly decorating...Sibbie hates Halloween so no more animatronics. I'm letting Josh have the ones he wants and the rest I'm going to sell or donate. He's 15 now and he's got a busy social life that doesn't include hanging out with his grandma (LOL). So this will be a very trim-downed Halloween. I am perfectly fine with it! I have Lena's Boo shirt hanging on my mantel with the other decorations.

I think I told all of you that Doree, hubby's 18 year old teacup Chihuahua, died New Year's Day and we were down to two dogs, which was very manageable. No matter how many times I said that, I suspected hubby would get another against my wishes...and he did. Of course he involved Josh in his scheme and they came home one Sunday afternoon in May with a two month old, 1.8lb Tricolor baby apple-head Chihuahua. I was furious (again). He is not well enough to handle a puppy, and I was sure that Sibbie would kill her, but she didn't, so now Sibbie and Cooper have a little sister who I named Raina (LOL!) She's an adorable monster, who makes me laugh even though she's chewing on everything, eating whatever she finds, and annoying the crap out of poor Cooper. She's such an odd shape, her head is not as big as other apple heads, but she's long with these little legs and she slips out of every halter I've gotten for her. I can't let her loose in the backyard because we have grape vines and grapes are all over the place and I know she'll eat them. Walking her is an adventure where she thinks it's an "all you can eat buffet"! I'm constantly pulling things out of her mouth, while making sure she doesn't back out of the halter. She doesn't like clothes either and I have all these cute dresses and sweaters I want her to wear, but she tries to rip them off. She is definitely not wearing Lena's Boo shirt on Halloween!

But Sibbie seems to love her and Ray Ray loves her big sister. Actually, she loves everyone she sees, and gets so excited when the mailman, UPS, FedEx and Amazon come to the door. I think maybe I will be able to sit on the stoop with her and hand candy out this year like I used to do with Lee. So maybe Halloween won't be as bad this year, especially since Gable got sick Halloween 2021 and he will be gone two years 11/2. I still miss him and Lee terribly...

The holidays will be different, Raina is so curious about everything and loves packages (she thinks everything is for her). I'm going to have to get scat mats to put around the Xmas tree...and if she gets any of my Annalees or stuffed decorations, their toast! She's so bad when she's bad, but so adorable when she's good...I hate to admit it, but I love our new baby! She's very smart, understands a lot of words, and has gotten into routines very fast. She also knows that Sibbie is the boss, the Queen and number 1 in this house...and I am Mommy.

So Happy Halloween to all of you from all of us!

Love,
Joan

Oh Joan!!! Welcome to little Raina!!! I’m hoping against hope that you *will* be able to hand out candy with her this year — that would be sooooooooo grand! And reading about your adventures with her also gives me hope that maybe we’re not crazy to think about getting a new puppy ourselves. I’ve been advocating for rescuing an adult smaller dog, but hubby’s heart is set on one more Lab puppy. Ever since COVID, he’s been working from home and he could finally share the responsibility for raising a puppy. Which he *thinks* he wants to do — I’m not so sure he’s really aware what all’s involved! But when a boy wants a puppy, it’s kind of hard to say no. So as I said before, we’ll see…

But in the meantime, I can’t wait to hear all about Raina’s first holiday season!!! She sounds like a little pistol, for sure. But how sweet that Sibbie loves her. I remember how worried we were as to how Peg would react to Luna. Peg had been such a wild child herself beforehand. But after we brought Luna home, Peg really turned into a Momma dog and took her little sister right under her wing. Their relationship together was so sweet. So it sounds as though the same may end up being true for you guys.

OK, I’ll definitely be anxious to hear a holiday report from you ;-). I know that Gable will never be far from your heart on Halloween, but I bet he would be loving his new little sister, too. And he’d be so glad that you’ll have some new holiday joy.

Sending tons of hugs from my Halloween house to yours!

P.S. Does Raina ever calm down enough to sit in hubby’s chair with him? She may be too much of a wiggle-worm right now, but it sure would be sweet if she ever does…❤️

Oh Joan!

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!!! Raina sounds like a sweet sassy girl!

Marianne,

After Harley and Bear passed I had adopted 2 rescues, older poms, and when I was ready to have another furbaby the rescue places told me that I had to put a fence up in order to adopt, so adoption wasn't for me, and now I have Jax and he sure he is the light of my life. I hope that in time you'll find a furbaby, that furbaby sure will be lucky to have a loving home such as yours!

Ahhh, thanks Lori! And I gotta ask whether you'll get to spend time with Misty on Halloween? I remember her being a sweet little wolf a couple (or more?) years ago. I sure wish I had a little trick-or-treater to borrow for the evening...!

Thanks, ladies!

Marianne, my friend out in East Hampton got a 5year old German Shephard when her 8year old died of Lymphoma last year. She was a breeding dog and the owner didn't want to breed her anymore. This was the first time my friend had gotten one that wasn't a puppy that she could train herself, or that she had gotten from the Monks (already trained). Ossa was not used to being inside, she had been kept outside in a kennel, but after some minor mishaps, Ossa has settled in and Connie is very happy she took her. Her Gracie was a wonderful companion and she was devastated when she had to be put down. She lives by herself out there and when the Summer people leave after Labor Day, she is quite isolated, and she was worried about not having a companion. It worked out very well.

I had Misty twice this week, she stayed overnight, boy she wears this ole girl out!! She's back with her dad now so I probably won't see her for two weeks, she said she's dressing up as a cheetah for Halloween, hopefully her dad will send some pics!

What good news, Joan! Raina sounds like a real hoot! She will keep you young...or crazy one. :D I can relate to a degree. In my case there is NO ONE ELSE I can blame but myself. I seem to have a new dog tho I am trying veryveryvery hard to make this NOT so. You've heard the old saying...no good deed goes unpunished. Let me tell you a story.

Alaska is solid white with 3 gray freckles on one ear and is one of the bully breeds, a Pibble, and, true to her nature, she is a sweetheart. Alaska started out life with one of my neighbors. He loves her and she him but due to circumstance beyond his control he was unable to care for her as she deserves. She has NOT been abused tho. She was loved but love is not enough. They moved in almost 2 years ago when Alaska was a puppy...and I started talking to the young man (15 at the time) about letting me find her a home. About 3 weeks ago he came over and gave her to me. He said he had thought about all the things I had talked with him about and decided I was right....she needs more and deserves more. (Plus he's had time to mature a bit. 😉 )

I had a home lined up for her for ages. They love Pits, know the breeds, have had them in the past, and currently have 2. They came over and met her 3-4 days after Alaska became mine and fell in love with her and she them. They called a few days later and told me they wouldn't be able to take her after all. The woman knew she was facing a major surgery in Nov or Dec but they had time to get Alaska settled in before that happened. However, in all the testing that is done for the big surgery they found her gallbladder had to come out, which happened about 3 weeks ago. So this recovery will run into the major surgery recovery and they simply couldn't take it on. Her hubby works 10-16 hours a day and usually 7 days a week so it would all be on her to manage the dogs. Just too much and I understand.

So I am searching for a GOOD home for Alaska. She is 2 years old, very smart and loving. In the short time she has been here she has become house broken, crate trained, and learned to walk on a leash (pretty good LOL). She is also FULL of energy! Which means she is too much dog for the old ones in this house. She needs someone who can run with her, play Frisbee with her, and so on. She also needs more room to run than my little yard in the mobile home park can provide.

She needs someone who will love her as much as I do, or more, and who will provide for her every need.

This is basically what I posted on Facebook about a month ago. One interested person and the lady brought her back the next day....just as well tho because I had decided the home was not right for Alaska (a hoarding situation based on photos she sent me). Another lady interested but hubby says no way in you know where. LOL Meanwhile I am falling more and more in love with her and she me. She's been in my life since they moved in...coming over to play with Bud or just to visit. So if ya'll know anyone who would give her a great home let me know. She deserves so much more than I can give her.

I have to say I was really worried about her hurting Bud in their play because it is SOOOOO rough and he's getting close to his double digit years but she's the one getting torn up! At first I'd tell Bud to be careful, she'd rip his face off. Now I have to tell Alaska to be careful or Bud's gonna rip HER face off! ;):D They have so so much fun together and I no longer worry...they can hold their own! Alaska has also proven to be exceptionally good with the visitors that come to stay. I still dogsit. ;) I've had one client say they didn't want their dog around a Pit but everyone else trusts me enough to remain with me. And Alaska has been soooo good. She wants to play with them at first naturally but quickly learns which ones are too small and which ones can play with her...or are fast enough to give her a good run! LOL

I've been kinda weepy here lately and like the coons when it came close to time for Squirt to leave, I wonder if Alaska came when she did for a reason. Bud showed up when I was recovering from the cancer and not sure of my future. Coons and Bud...now maybe Alaska? But she needs more than me and she has to come first. But I have a feeling she will help me through the coming holiday season. Crazy can do wonders! :D:o:D

What a wonderful story, Leslie! Some things are just meant to be. Raina is getting into our routine, and is fitting in really well. She's an adorable devil and gets away with whatever she wants to. So far Sibbie is still the boss, and Rai listens to her. She still annoys Cooper, but she loves him and after driving him crazy chewing on his cheeks and ears, she will settle down and wash his face and eyes before she cuddles up to him and sleeps. Too cute!!

Have I told ya'll lately how much I despise people sometimes? I do. Today especially.

My beautiful Alaska is gone. Monday evening she attacked Bud...and not in their usual play. She was serious. Tuesday morning she attacked him again...with me doing all I could to hold her off of him. I lost my grip on her and fell back against my recliner. Alaska rushed to me and stood over me snarling. She turned back to Bud with him running away trying to get under the furniture to get away from her. I got hold of her again just as she grabbed his neck and she turned on me again. I finally got her out the door and Bud crated. When I opened the door to get her crated she ran thru the house and threw herself at Bud's crate trying to get to him. She tried to bite me a few more times before I could get her in the crate. After checking Bud over I called Doc B. This gorgeous, so smart, and so sweet dog left this life yesterday morning thanks to humans who should never have any dog much less one of these breeds. My neighbor who had Alaska now has another Pit puppy under his porch.

I hate human beings.

OMG, Leslie! How awful! Thank God you and Bud were not badly hurt.

Oh, sweet Leslie,

I am so so sorry that you had to go through this, you're such a kind and loving person, my love and heart go out to you and Bud.

Wishing all our K9C family a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving. Things are turning out a bit differently than had been planned for hubby and me. We’re currently vacationing in the Colorado Rockies, and we were slated to join family in Denver today to share a holiday meal. But we’ve got a winter weather warning hanging over our heads, and nope, after our many years of living in Atlanta, we’re not prepared to head out under the threat of driving home in a foot of snow! At the moment, our fridge holds a pork tenderloin, package of instant mashed potatoes, box of Kraft macaroni, and leftover pizza. But thankfully the local grocery store will be open today, so we can head over to beef up our supplies before the snow arrives. So it will not be the holiday we had planned, but a cozy snow day in the mountains is nothing to be snorted at, either.

So once again, sending my best wishes to the rest of our family here. Holding a special place in our hearts for our absent loved ones in the midst of gratitude for all our memories. And hoping for yet more special moments to come.

Marianne

That sounds lovely to me, Marianne! (lol). Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh my gosh Leslie. That is horrible! So very sorry. People
Can suck sometimes.

Marianne that kind of sounds lovely. Snow and cozied up celebrating the holidays. How long are you there for?

We celebrate thanksgiving in October, Canadian style, these days.

Hunny is retiring the end of this year. I will be working probably another 5 years. Who knows though. Same company but I changed jobs this year. Moved up in leadership. Pist. That just means more work. Hahaha still
I’m loving this position.

Vanilla is still bratty but she is our baby. We just adapt to her needs. She is currently on my lap tapping me with her paw for attention. Okay now she is just rolling over demanding pets. She hates phones and iPads.

Wishing you all safe and happy holiday and much love.

Sharlene!!!!! How great to hear from you! It’s always wonderful to get your updates. And I just gotta ask whether any of your renowned company parties are ever going to reappear?? I’m guessing COVID interrupted all the fun, and the world has changed so much since then that perhaps the parties are likely gone for good. But it was so much fun to vicariously attend the parties alongside you back in the good old days…

As always, best wishes to all your family, And thanks so much for stopping by :-))))))

I wish they would come back. But alas, we got a CEO who could suck the sun out of anything. He is gone at the end of this year as our company was sold to one of the big incumbents. The biggest in Canada. I mean I guess we will see what they do next year. This year is a bust though. I have gone to a few fun parties not company related this year. So that is good. Back yard bands and catered food and crazy fun. Can’t complain about that.
We do have thirsty Thursday where a bunch of us get together at the Black Angus for drinks after work. That’s how I ended up with a new job and moving up the corporate ladder. Which I didn’t necessarily want but the job is fun so what ha gonna do. Hahaha. I’m a Process Analyst now and stick my nose in everything. Sounds about right eh.

Last Friday was girls night and we hung out around a fire pit with charcuterie boards and too much bubbly. Didn’t get to bed till around 2 am. Wow. That is harder than it use to be!!

Tomorrow night is a bunch of us heading to an Italian restaurant. I think there is something every weekend till the new year.

Hope you are enjoying your winter interlude.

Thirsty Thursday — I love it ;);););)

If you don’t stop back by again before New Year’s, Sharlene, here’s wishing you a wonderful start to 2024!!

Well, here we are, just one sleep away from Christmas Day. I’ve got our presents under the tree and our food all ready to go, so it may be time to just curl up under a warm blankie to take a winter afternoon’s nap. I remember how wondrous and exciting Christmas Eve felt to me as a child. So much hustle and bustle; so many people coming and going. It’s so much quieter around the house now, which makes me feel wistful. But it’s also very peaceful. So there are pluses and minuses. “To everything there is a season,” after all.

To all our K9C family who celebrate Christmas, I wish you the very best. May your lives be touched with a bit of magic, in whatever form you are needing it the most. Perhaps it’s excitement; perhaps it’s peace and solace. And comfort. Above all, I wish everyone the comfort of love and hope.

Remember, the door to our holiday house is always open should anyone else wish to add their thoughts here. But even if not, please know that I send my holiday greetings out to you all!

Merry Christmas 2023 ❤️