Jaime & Bridge

In memory of Jaime, Lynne of Dip-Dip and Bridge’s blog, made this wonderful watercolor of Jaime. We’ll frame it and proudly hang it in our house. We miss that sweet girl.

Lynne is multi-talented, as she is the maker of my kids Mini-Me’s.

She lost Bridge just before Christmas. The Holidays are an especially hard time to lose a family member. Even harder when it’s your Heart Dog. I lost my Heart Dog, Stella, right after Thanksgiving. 

It’s amazing how you can get so emotionally attached to a dog you’ve followed on the blogosphere, but never actually met in person. If you would like to leave some kind words, please pop over to Bridge’s blog.

Recent Boarders

We’ve had a return of some of our regulars the past couple of weeks. We have a whole new batch over Christmas, but that will be in a later post.

We always love having Jorja. She’s just a bundle of energy. We took her over to Trina’s where she had a blast playing with Petey. They were just the right size for each other.

But she needed a nap when she got back.

We also had Cooper. He is an old man, and appreciated that our beds are lower to the ground, so he could take a comfortable nap.

His brother Sly was just as happy to sleep in a couch bed.

Jenny has taken to the couch, and is even willing to share.

They were even playing footsies.

Kelli Turns 4

Yes, Daddy?

It’s my 4th Birthday today? Feed Me! I want a treat.

Thanks, that was yummy.

I’m going to go back to taking my nap, while you get my steak ready for dinner.

Wordless Wednesday - Jenny

STELLA!!!

STELLA!!! as yelled by Stanley. Kowalski that is. We let Stella go this past weekend. I sure miss that girl. 

She was not only in pain, but she lost control of both back legs. She couldn’t go potty by herself, and she refused to go with our help. She was too dignified for that.

She licked the tears off my face as we waited in the car at the vet, waiting for them to get prepared. I’d like to think she was telling me that it was ok, and that she understood. I held her head and looked into her eyes as the vet let her go. I wanted to be the last thing she saw as she went to the Bridge. For her to know I was doing this out of Love.

Our present Mini-Me mantle is down to 4 pups (Parker, Stanley, Jenny, Kelli), and our past Mini-Me shelf is at 4 pups (Stella, Jaime, Beth, Lucas). 

Can a house feel empty with 4 dogs? It sure can. Stella was such a big presence in our house.

She was our first greyhound, and my Heart Dog. She was a Daddy’s Girl. The end of an era for us. I did not grow up with any pets. But Stella started a trend. Even Kris only grew up with one dog at a time. Now, our house is more like a greyhound way-station. 

She was so much darker when she first came up. She quickly greyed, and took on a mature look.

One of the first pics I have of Stella and Parker. He quickly learned he could not out run the Stella.

When she first came, she wasn’t a touchy-feely dog at all. Jaime finally wore her down.

She was always excited to go for a ride. To fun places, like the Easter parade.

Or Halloween.

Or the Christmas parade.

She also turned out to be a gracious host. Willing to throw grand parties.

Stella could also Roo with the best of ‘em.

Greyhounds can sit. Even in snow.

I won't miss the chemo treatments. Or having to carry her out to the yard, so she could take care of business. Or trying to get her to eat after any medication. But I would do it everyday, if it meant she could be with us for another day. 

She was the Fun Police, a chatterer, a roo'er, and a roacher. She didn’t let a missing leg stop her from roaching.

Stella has been in the CG calendar every year since she's been with us. I think it was her personality shining through that got her in every time.

She will have many friends greeting her at the Bridge. She can again share a bed with Dante.

Or the couch with her brother, Lucas.

Or snuggle up with Jaime.

Or Stella can chase Jaime chasing Lucas again.

Run free Stella. You have all your legs back.

Comforting Stella

It’s almost like Stanley knows that his sister is very sick, and is letting her know that he is there for her.

Celebratory Weekend

We had a lot to celebrate this past weekend. 

The last post was about Lena. We took Lena to a Meet ’n Greet on Sunday, and a previous VAGA adopter came with her two girls, and went home with three. She had recently lost her boy, Tristan, who we fostered for about 4 months. First time in a while it’s just been our kids at home.

It was our 10th anniversary on Saturday. We opened a bottle of wine we purchased right after we got married. It was a 2nd Grand Cru, so it held up quite nicely. Still had some tannins left. A well rounded Bordeaux.

Just so happens that our anniversary is also Ms. Jenny’s birthday. She turned double ones. As is tradition in our house, we cooked up steak.

Lets just say that everyone licked their bowls clean. Even Stella, who had just passed her 6 month Ampuversary. 

Jenny and Kelly went straight to napping to help digestion. 

Monday was my birthday, and we celebrated by going to a beer dinner at Magpie with Trina and Jason.

On a sad note, we noticed a new lump on Stella’s hip. On Monday, we took her to our regular vet who took X-rays and a biopsy. It was inconclusive, but considering where it was, what it didn’t show (osteo), and that Stella is a greyhound, the diagnosis was fibrosarcoma. We verified this on Tue with a trip to Stella’s oncologist. Stella has been pampered all year since her amputation and eating whatever she wants (roasted chickens and turkey, grilled steak). So the prescription is more of the same with some pain pills added in. She is in good spirits and doesn’t seem in any pain for now. We cherish every day we have with her.

Ms. Lena

Our latest foster is Ms. Lena. She’s a tiny little thing. I think she could walk under Kelli. She’s a spunky girl looking for a good home. She was returned from her original foster family for possible behavioral issues. But like many times before, they miraculously don’t manifest once they’re at our house. She’s been with us for a couple of weeks, and has settled in nicely. Even chewing on the deer horn.

Stinkeye and play bow at the same time.

Doing the dinner dance. Much more effective than the rain dance. When she dances like this, dinner miraculously appears.

Who wants an after dinner belly rub? Tail going ‘thwap thwap’ on the carpet.

Time for a nap with Kevin. 

Too lazy to hold her own bully stick.

Can someone light this funny smelling cigar for me?

Posing on the deck with a leaf. She just loves being outside.

Stella's 9th Gotcha Day

Yes, Daddy?

Did you know it was your 9th Gotcha Day this past Wednesday? That you started us down this path? You were our first greyhound. You were a 4-legged three and a half year old pup, and now you’re the 3-legged Ol’ Lady of the House.

Boy time flies. I’m tired just thinking about it.

New Girl Mini Me's

We now have the complete set of Mini-Me’s for all our pups. Past and Present. And Lynne also sent a Mini-Me in honor of Mr. Greyson. Thank You, Lynne. The Mini-Me’s are enjoying the cool Fall weather, and the color change.

Lena (foster) helps Kelli check out her Mini-Me. Oops! The Mini-Me actually looks scared as she falls over.

Let the staring contest commence. Kelli lost.

Really, Daddy? Why? 

Jenny: My Mini-Me smells like Chihuahuas :)

Ok, I’m ready for my Mini-Me pose. Did I get my ears right?

If you would like your own Mini-Me, please check out Dip Dip and the Bridge and Mini Me’s.

Added Note: This is the link to the original Mini-Me's for my crew.