A Second and Third Goodbye

A few days after the loss of Tiggy, I was off to Kentucky (where I'm from originally) for the memorial service for my oldest brother who passed away earlier this year. It was his last request to be buried next to our parents and brother. I'm grateful we were able to do that for him. I gave his eulogy being reminded of how quickly time and life passes you by, and that before you know it, you are standing at a gravesite, saying a final goodbye. 

On the morning of my brother's service, as I finished preparing my eulogy for him, I happened to notice the words on my hotel key-cad that I'd not noticed before. How fitting .... 

Despite the circumstances of our trip to Kentucky, it was good to spend time with family, to reconnect with cousins, and a longtime friend who, I have to mention, dated my brother in 1975. Their relationship may not have worked out, but ours has been a friendship that has lasted 50 years. 

Back at home, before I left for Kentucky, I was worried about our boy Marley. It was easy to see that his spark was starting to fade, and there were changes in his appetite and energy that I couldn't overlook.

Despite that, he was in good spirits and up and around a bit when I returned, and I was hopeful for more days together. Unfortunately, Marley declined again after a few days, and I knew it was time to say our goodbye's to one another. 

~A very tired Marley, the day we met July 2023~

Marley was without doubt, the classic and quintessential Golden Retriever with every single one of the endearing qualities and characteristics that Goldens are known and loved for. I told everyone that I think I literally kissed the color right off his face! 

Marley may have been mostly blind, but his sense of smell never failed him. He always knew where the food was and his hearing was tuned perfectly to hear the sound of dog bowls being filled and vegetables steamed at mealtime. 

~Marley sees the light during a power outage~

Marley always made me laugh because as I was getting all the dog bowls ready, he'd push his head between my legs and look up at me, and wait hopefully (with a smile) for a breakfast or dinner appetizer. 

In every way a dog can be, Marley was a true treasure. And, despite the sadness I am feeling, my heart and soul is filled with such gratitude for being asked in July of 2023 to be his foster home and to have the chance to know Marley and love him and have him for part of our lives for 799 days. 

There is so much I miss about Marley ... and I always will, until I see him again. 

Thank you friends for stopping by again today. I have one more goodbye to tell you about that is a happier one. 

One of Three Goodbyes in September

September was for us, a month that met with 3 losses at our house. 

The first was our our Siamese cat, Tiggy who was with us almost exactly 6 years. 

Longtime readers may recall that Tiggy was the 'bookend' to a senior Lab named Sophie whose owner went to live in an assisted living facility. Both have passed, and knowing that Tiggy is reunited with those who loved him first, brings me comfort.

Tiggy as a Siamese cat, was, to say the least, an unusual character. He ate plastic bags, and never purred. We barely saw him for the first year he was with us. And when we did see him, and we tried to pet him, it was always met with a bite and then he'd go back into hiding. He really was not a nice cat. 

But then, after about a year, Tiggy changed. We started to see him more often, and the dogs that he once avoided, he began sleeping next to. 

This change came about the time our outdoor kitty, White Boy arrived. The two could not have been more different, but they became good friends despite how different they were.  A reminder of opposites can and do attract. Whatever it was that made them friends and companions, I give White Boy all the credit for teaching Tiggy all about being a cat and being part of a family.

It was also about that same time that Tiggy started sleeping with us, every single night. I grew up with Siamese cats, and I've always known that they are generally more sensitive to the cold due to their short, fine coats that provide little insulation. During the day, especially in the winter, Tiggy would sleep on the bed under the covers. And, at night he would curl up next to us. It was in those quiet moments at night when he would sometimes let his guard down and would stretch out his paw and touch my face. However, I wouldn't move, for fear he might bite me ... Which he sometimes did... Old habits I guess...

I feel strongly, that Tiggy believed, as most cats do, that he was nothing short of royalty. He may have thought that more about himself, because he was a Siamese cat. But he lived life on his own terms. He was in his own way, a gentleman. And, being a gentleman, with no warning, he decided on his own when it was time to leave us. More than anything, I wished I could have said good-bye to him before he left -- But the butterfly sitting on the porch railing at 10:30 that night, gave me that chance. 

Hello September!

Well, we round the corner flying past Labor Day weekend. What a whirlwind summer it has been. I am looking forward to things slowing down, and hope it happens soon. 

But here are a few things we've been up to. 

Our boy Max was groomed a couple of weeks ago. Our last groomer retired and Max was way past due because I was having trouble finding someone I trusted. At 15+ years old, of course I want Max treated as gently as possible. As luck would have it, Maryal, who worked for and was our dog walker (she was let go when business slowed) and knows our dogs, returned being a part time groomer.

So, Maryal came, and she set up a mini portable grooming salon in my kitchen. I gave Max a bath early that morning so he'd be dry and rested before he had to stand on a grooming table. And when she was done, there was practically another Max on the floor of my kitchen. WoW! 

But Max feels so much better, and even has a bit more of a spring in his step - That of course makes me happy too! 

~Max was cold after he was groomed - Understandable after losing all that hair!~

On another day, the spotlight was put onto Keira when she was a demo dog for a *Trust Building Massage* seminar. The class allowed the participants to learn and practice different massage techniques, while building trust with a particular dog. Several were included and Keira was asked to participate because she's a bit shy and nervous. She did really well allowing everyone to practice on her -- She was a bit unsure of the massages, but loved that lots of treats were involved. Her tail never stopped wagging. I was really proud of her. It was also a good experience for Keira, and I'm glad that the therapist who does Noodle's massages and cold laser therapy asked us to be part of the seminar.

~Keira enjoyed being a demo-dog!~

Then it was Jack-Jack's turn to go to the vet this past Saturday. Why I made an appointment at 8 AM is beyond me. But the most perfect family is very interested in adopting him. They have already met him, and fell in love with him right away. Unfortunately we've found a lump that needed to be aspirated, so we're waiting on the results for that. I'm hoping for a good report. To not jinx anything, when everything for Jack Jack is diagnosed and decided, I'll tell you about the family that hopes to add him to their home. 

~Jack-Jack happy to be going home after the vet!~

For me, September is going to be a busy at the start of the month. I'm off to Kentucky next week for a few days to attend my oldest brother's memorial service. We've waited until the weather was cooler and family and friends could be there. Although a sad occasion, it'll be good to see everyone. `

--Thank you for stopping by to see us!! 

~White Boy~

Hiding in Plain Sight

Thank you all for cheering Keira on as she settles into her new life with us. 

One of my biggest worries with dogs like Keira is her escaping because she's skittish and she would be hard to find and catch. So when I don't see her with the other dogs, I feel an instant panic. Then I begin a bit of a frantic search everywhere. I know it's irrational, because my rational mind is reminding me that everything is secure, and there's no way she darted past out the door. 

But the irrational voice in my head is louder and I am searching everywhere inside and out and calling her. Which I'll add that a raised voice scares her a little bit. 

And then, I stop because I see her. Doing what I call "hiding in plain sight." This time it was behind the coffee table. In dim light, she can be hard to spot. But there she was, watching me and probably wondering "what is wrong with that lady?"  Can you see her?? 

Panic attack over until next time. And yes, there has already been a next time. It'll be a daily thing for me. At least for awhile.