Perfect Dog Day

The dog days of summer are upon us and my three are slowing down in preperation. Traz is still having a lot of trouble walking and he's sleeping a lot. He and I are taking each day for what it is and like we decided today, He can run, chase a stick and play with Avery, so life is still Ok for Traz. Nixie is feeling good the past 2 days, she even has some hair growing back on her ears. I got to keep her the other morning as Lance had a full work day, that was a joy. I miss having her close. Avery, my 0 my I love this little guy. We are working on meeting and greeting people and other dogs this week, he is doing great. A little stand offish at first , but always friendly. A lady at the park to day commented on his name , Saying oh, Avery like the park. I said, yes that's where I got him, from some homeless people. She said, oh that's nice they gave him to you. For the first time I said, no, they really only gave him to me to take to the Vet, but I kept him. Her response was nice, "you did a good thing, how could you give him back". I thought, right, how could I, but I felt guilty for keeping Avery, really I did. I know in my heart of hearts I did what was best for Avery, but at the same time I knew the minute I saw him I couldn't ever return him to those people. He was sick, skinny, hairless and cried non-stop because of the pain he was in, day and night. It took weeks before he stopped the crying and longer before he stopped growling. I just now trust him, fully. He is in so many ways like my Shadow dog. Lance and I even joke and call him Shadow. After I took Avery in Lance said, you know you have a heart the size of Texas and a brain the size of Delaware. I find that to be a compliment! ha ha ha. Avery makes me laugh and want to play in the sunshine. What more could a person ask for!

Sometimes I question all things

Those days when all things just seem complicated, even the simple things like taking care of furry loved ones. Thankfully Traz is better. He recovered from being sick, but still is not walking good. We ARE getting old. That is just a fact. Having Avery in our lives, sometimes makes me forget that fact. He makes me laugh, daily. What I love most about puppies and Avery is no exception, they stick close. He lays near me, know matter what. He watches my every move. That is good and bad! I had a nice conversation with the guy that brought our freight at work today, he has two small dogs, one is nearly 18 years old. That is like a life time commitment! I hate that large dogs live such a short life, but at the same time, I wouldn't have known and loves so many if they lived twice as long. Today I am grateful that Traz and Avery played in the park and I got to join in. I am grateful that this weekend we will be together as a family to enjoy another Fathers Day with my Dad and I am grateful for the love of three great dogs and one special husband

The Good Rug

To my horror, we woke to a monumental mess all over the rug we just bought for our new kitchen. Poor Traz had a bad night. The vet put him on a med for the inflammation/pain, but when I called her she said it shouldn't cause this, most likely it is from all the poking and prodding, stress induced, which sounds about right, for Traz. Why I'm even trying to clean that rug is beyond me, guess I hate to just throw it away. The vet said to feed Traz Pumpkin, 3 Tbs a day, so I started that this evening. On the up side, Traz is getting around much better and seems to feel very good. I had all three dogs with me for the whole day today, it was too much. I think Traz will get to rest at home more now, which might do him so good anyway. Tomorrow will be a better dog day..!

Traz & Me

Alcatraz is on my mind a lot as of late. It seems all of the sudden he got old. Dogs lives are so fast, it always catches me off guard when more years have passed than are ahead. Traz is having a very hard time with his back legs. This is something new. I want it to pass, to see him heal, but that's not happening. I remember this part with Shadow, so afraid to hear what the vet had to say. Traz is the most faithful dog a person could have. He has more patience with puppies than I do and has helped me raise two now, Nixie and now Avery. He didn't run with Avery as much, but he kept him busy in other ways. He never lost his temper with either of them. I have enjoyed walking Traz to the park these past couple of years, hes always a perfect gentleman and never chases a squirrel until I tell him OK. I hope he has many years of the chase left in him.

Favorite Poem

The Power Of The Dog by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way From men and women to fill our day; And when we are certain of sorrow in store, Why do we always arrange for more? Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy Love unflinching that cannot lie-- Perfect passion and worship fed By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head. Nevertheless it is hardly fair To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits, And the vet's unspoken prescription runs To lethal chambers or loaded guns, Then you will find--it's your own affair-- But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will, With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!); When the spirit that answered your every mood Is gone--wherever it goes--for good, You will discover how much you care, And will give your heart for the dog to tear.
We've sorrow enough in the natural way, When it comes to burying Christian clay. Our loves are not given, but only lent, At compound interest of cent per cent. Though it is not always the case, I believe, That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve: For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, A short-time loan is as bad as a long-- So why in Heaven (before we are there) Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear.