I'll Still Celebrate...

 

Today would have been Kessie's fifteenth birthday.

She's been gone since August of 2011, but I still find myself looking for her when I walk into a room. Kes shared my life from the time she was eight weeks old until the instant she passed. We shared nearly fourteen years together. Of course, I still think about her (and all the dogs who've gone before).

In honor of her birthday, I'd like to share one of Handsome's favorite posts that I wrote two months before she died. I'm not sharing it to make you (or me) sad. I'm sharing it because if you have ever opened your heart to a pet, you'll understand. And if you haven't, perhaps this will give you a glimpse into what life with an old companion can be like. 

We Could Learn A Thing Or Two...

There is just something so wonderfully sweet about an old dog. Kes will be fourteen in November. She's already lived a long life for a Labrador retriever who spent her younger years working.

Kes can't hear as well as she used to, or perhaps she has just decided that it's not as important to come when I call her now. She might have another agenda that she doesn't care to share, but that's really alright with me. Perhaps I'll learn something new by following her for a change.
She's always watching, even with eyes that don't see as well as they used to. I might drop something that she'd care to eat, or maybe she'll see me grab her lead, which means I'll offer to take her for a ride in my car, or we'll head out for "walkies". Her legs are stiff and arthritic, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to take a little stroll. There are still so many things in this vast world that she wants to smell.
Kes still rolls her toys across the floor and chases them. She's not as steady on her legs as she used to be, but that never stops her from wanting to play. When I return from a night out with the girls or a trip to the grocery store, she pops up from her "waiting place" in the hall and runs to me with her tail wagging. "Where have you been?", she'll ask. "I've missed you." She's always rewarded with a "Hi, Kessie Bear. I've missed you, too." and a pat on the head.

Dogs are blessed with a "live in the moment" mentality. They don't feel sorry for themselves over something that happened yesterday, or lament aches and pains. They don't hold grudges. They don't mourn losses. They love unconditionally - always.

Having an old dog isn't easy. It's getting up in the middle of the night when she needs attention. It's lifting her when she falls. It's crying when she doesn't feel well, and it's fear about tomorrow. It's the price we pay for all the gifts they give us during their lives. It's why we keep doing it. You know, getting young dogs that (hopefully) turn into old dogs. Who share their sweet lives with us and make us richer for having loved them.

 Happy Birthday, Kessie Bear.

Memory Lane Monday - Halloweens Past...

This Memory Lane Monday is so close to Halloween that I thought I'd make it the theme for this month. Rather than focus on the spooky and mischievous aspects of the day, I'm going to share a few "dress up" memories. Perhaps they aren't specifically Halloween, but dress up is fun any time of the year, isn't it?

If you were a kid during the Baby Boomer era, you most likely had a cowboy or cowgirl outfit. Handsome and his little brother were no exception. I love this picture and I think they're adorable. Look at those smiles...and the boots!

Before we came to Florida, I was a Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. The last year I attended Seminar in Dallas, Texas, our party theme was "Fabulous Fifties". You aren't surprised to see that I dressed up as one of the Pink Girls, are you? My girlfriend, Wendi (not pictured) is a hairdresser, so she was all too happy to give me a bouffant hairdo for my long hair. We had a ball.

I looked to find the one photograph that was taken of Handsome and me early in our relationship when we went to a Halloween party. I made my own velvet cat costume, and a long, hooded robe for Handsome. He went as Merlin and I was his black cat. Sorry I couldn't locate the photograph to share with you, but I promise to look more throughout today. If I find it, I'll scan and include it here.

I'll close today with a photograph of Kessie dressed as a witch. I think I may have shared this picture with you before (a long time ago), but I can't share a Halloween memory without including her picture again.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween this year. I just can't imagine anything more fun than choosing a costume and getting dressed up. Be safe, take care of the children and don't eat too much candy.

Thanks for joining this Memory Lane Monday. If you have a memory to share, please write about it on your blog and link back here (below). If you don't have a blog, go ahead and share a memory in your comment so others can read it.

Looking Back on 2011...

As I reflect on 2011, I look back upon a year filled with joy, sadness, anticipation, fun and new experiences.

I promise not to dwell on the moments of great sadness, but I can't close out this year without remembering the beautiful lives of my Labrador, Kes - and my first Corgi, Fezzik Inconceivable. They filled our days with unconditional love and laughter.

Both left me this year. I miss them every day, and will never forget the lights they brought into our lives.

We had the adventure of our lives when Handsome, Kes and I embarked on a four month trip last summer. We packed our essentials along with too many extras into our Airstream and set off on our travels.

Together, we covered nearly 11,000 miles, 13 states, enjoyed friends and family, and were a part of some incredible music performances. We learned that we can live happily together in a small space, and that less "stuff" is actually liberating. We're already planning our next big destination!

Brynwood's Taggart (aka Tag) joined our adventure mid-trip (July 4th) and he immediately fit right in. He was a natural for traveling, and did his best to make friends with Kes.  We're so glad that he's a part of our family now,  and we're looking forward to spending many more years with him. Even now, he considers the Flying Cloud his home, and he gets quite animated when he realizes we're going out to spend a little time there.

Although Kes didn't return home with us, she'll always be with us in spirit. I miss her silly ways, and her ability to teach the puppies by example.

I also had fun creating beautiful things in 2011. If you click here, you can see my 2011 Completed Projects Flickr album.

I want to thank all of you for the comments, love and support you've given me. You help lift me during the most difficult days, and made them more bearable. You shared all the good times with me, too. You may never know the true effect that blogging has had on me. What started as a little personal diary, grew into new and wonderful friendship and a celebration of my creative and personal life. Thank you for being a part of this adventure.

The Summer of Discovery...

By now, you know that most of my posts over the past four months were written right here...at my laptop on the dining table in our Flying Cloud.

We traveled nearly 11,000 miles between June 9th and September 24th, and slept in our own beds all but three nights (one night in each of our sons' homes, and one night I spent with my mum and stepdad).

The main purpose for our traveling this summer was for Handsome's musical endeavors. We began our trip with three weeks in Meadville, PA, followed by a side-trip to Battle Creek, MI to pick up the puppy; Rock Island, IL, Oskaloosa, IA; Milwaukee-area,WI; Jackson Center, OH; Romeo, MI; and finally Williamsburg, VA before returning home)

Both dogs traveled easily with us, and although we sometimes felt tight for space, we managed quite well.

We stayed in some incredibly pretty campgrounds, during some awfully hot (and sometimes rainy) weeks, and we met some wonderful people along the way.

We reconnected with dear friends, caught up with family, and spent quality time with each other. We sadly said "goodbye" to our sweet, old dog in Wisconsin.

We commemorated September 11th at the TerraPort facility at Airstream's factory in Jackson Center, Ohio...

and I was giddy-happy watching my husband make beautiful music at nearly every stop along our journey.

It was a summer of discovery for me. I learned many things about traveling in our Cloud, and wanted to share my Top 10 with you.

1. I'm not a "camper". I travel in my home on wheels and enjoy the comforts of private showers, meals on dinner plates, and being cool (or warm) and dry, as we move from one place to another. 
2. It's hard to write blog posts that don't give away the fact that you're away from home.
3. You just don't hold a grudge when you live in 250 square feet. 
4. I only need to take 1/3 of the clothes I packed for this trip.
5. I won't bother to pack quilt kits and lots of fabric. I never touched them.
6. I take direction for maneuvering the Cloud into it's camping space better than I give direction for same. Additionally, I'm really good at backing up the truck and hooking it up to our camper. Handsome is really good at driving us safely to our destinations.
7. There are things I can't do in the camper that I'm able to accomplish in the studio.
8. I missed my studio, but enjoyed the journey.
9. Four months is too long to be away from home, but
10. I can be anywhere, for any period of time and be happy...

 

...as long as I'm with this man.

We really had a grand summer. Music, family, friends and time spent together away from our everyday routines. Even though you didn't realize it at the time, I'm so glad you joined us on our journey. 

Tuesdays With Tag - Growing Up On The Road...

I didn't tell you for obvious reasons, but we've been traveling all summer in our Flying Cloud. We left Florida on June 8th and returned home last Saturday, September 24th.

That means that Tag never saw his "real" home until he was over five and a half months old...and all of the photos I've shared with you of him have been taken "on the road". In fact, Tag lost his puppy teeth and grew in his adult teeth while we were traveling!

Kessie and Tag spent a lot of time together in roughly 250 square feet of living space...and puppies and old dogs need a lot of sleep.

 

Traveling "covertly" over the last four months made it a little difficult for me to write blog posts, to say nothing of how hard it was to walk up and down a narrow hallway with two dogs sacked out in their favorite napping place.

Kes was never one to sleep upside down, so I've always been amused to see my little corgis so relaxed in such an exposed position.

 

We're back in Florida now, minus my sweet old dog, Kes, but it's going to be fun to be able to show you how Tag is settling in here at home. He's already been in the pool (on his own!) and he can't believe how much running room he has now.

Rather than just charging up and down the hallway in a 27' camper, he has beds to run under, lots of places to hide, and his own pool! He's in puppy heaven! (Actually, he's lying on the bed next to me as I write this post. He's settling in just fine.)

We'll never forget the first four months of his life with us as he (and Kessie) shared our Big Adventure of the Summer of 2011.

I know all of you understand the reason I had to keep this secret, and I really appreciate all of you who hung in there with me in spite of the serious lack of creative posts. I'll tell you more about our big adventure - and all I learned during our time away - tomorrow.

Homeward Bound...

We left Williamsburg, Virginia yesterday and are nearly home. 

I've had this ceramic pin for about fifteen years and

it's always been one of my favorite, whimsical pieces to wear.

It reminded me of Kessie with her silly ears, and

she was never one to turn down a little ride in the car.

It just seemed the right image for today's post.

I'm hoping to find an artist some day who could make another one 

for me, but with a corgi that looks like Taggart grinning out the window.

Tag has become quite the little traveler, so it would be perfect for him, too!

I've got so many exciting things to share with you in the next week,

least of which will be a giveaway that I've been planning 

to celebrate over 800 posts (It's actually 867 today!)

I'll do my regular weekend posts, but starting next week I'll share a few

revelations and then launch my 800th Plus Post Giveaway. (Catchy, eh?)

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions for locating my

Rhapsody of Grace fabric. I placed an order online yesterday 

and received an online confirmation for my order right away. 

I'm crossing my fingers that they actually have what I need now.

Because we're on the road, and I placed the order online while we

were driving (don't you just love modern technology?) I'll have to

wait until Monday to call and find out if it's on its way to me.

I'll be home late today, and will be back in the studio as soon as I can.

Enjoy your weekend...I have lots of relaxing planned!

Goodnight, Sweethearts...

When we first moved to Florida ten years ago, we arrived with four dogs...Kes' dad, Morgan; my male Labrador, Bannor; Kes and my Golden retriever, Kirby. While Kes and Kirby always got along, they always vied for my attention. I didn't get one girl without the other. One should always be so fortunate to have the affection of a dog, let alone more than one. I've been blessed, that's for sure.

When our younger son lost his Labrador, Friday (Bannor's litter mate), I asked if they'd like to have Kirby come and live with them. I knew she'd love being an "only dog" and all the attention she would have to herself. They said "yes", and Kirby went to live with them about nine years ago.

After our granddaughters were born, Kirby took on the roll of nanny/ protector/big sister to both of them and they all enjoyed a loving relationship as one big happy family.

Whenever I went back to Wisconsin, I could still see my pretty Golden girl and snuggle her as she snuffled me - knowing that she now fully belonged where she was with our son and his family. It was win/win for all of us.

DC's Kirby of Hawk Hill

 06/28/99 - 08/08/11

On Monday, sweet Kirby went to The Rainbow Bridge. I was so glad that I was able to see her and tell her that I loved her one last time. She had been sick for some time, but passed as gracefully as she lived her life. Her family - and ours - mourn her passing together, but we know that she's a young, healthy dog again and that brings us comfort.

DC's Lady Kes of Morgan

11/03/97 - 08/09/11

Yesterday, Kes went to meet her at The Bridge. Kes was three months short of fourteen years old. In addition to all the old dog afflictions, she had been declining in recent months, losing fourteen pounds since June. She no longer had a zest for life, but wanted nothing more than to be with us.

When you love your dogs as we do, you know that that's not a good enough - or fair - reason to keep them with you. She was beginning to suffer and so we had to be as loving, but objective as we could be. We finally made the ultimate sacrifice that a pet owner has to make. We let her go.

This song kept running through my head today (in fact, it's one of the last things I said to her), so I'll close by sharing it with you.

For my Facebook friends, I know the video won't show. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9N8yOgaU

I'm going to take a few days off. I know you'll understand. I just want to step back and take the time to mourn the loss of our sweethearts. I'll be back with my Sunday Scripture.

Duke

 

 

11/03/97 - 08/10/11

UPDATE: Kes' last remaining litter mate, Duke, died Wednesday.  I can't believe how much he looked like his sister! One more good dog joining the party at The Rainbow Bridge. Our sympathies go out to his owner and family. I know he'll be sorely missed.

Tuesdays With Tag - Getting Along With Kes...

Kes asked me today if I was actually going to start writing about her newest little affliction.  I had to explain to her that Tag's fans are anxiously awaiting news of just how he's fitting in here at Brynwood.

She just sighed and said, "Fine. When are you going to write about this old dog? Tag. Tag. Tag. All I ever hear is Tag!"

I told her I'd include her in my first official Tuesdays With Tag post. That seemed to settle her down a bit. It's really difficult nearly impossible to take Tag for a walk that Kes doesn't want to hobble along. Seems she's more jealous than protective, but she tolerates him as long as he isn't trying to bite her face or feet. She hates that!
We took him for his first visit to the vet last week and I'm proud (and relieved) to announce that he's received a clean bill of health. The vet says he's perfect...having all the essential elements in all the right places. You know how happy we were to hear that good news! He also has spots on his tummy that our granddaughters refer to as "polka dots"...and our grandson says that Tag reminds him of a little bunny when he's lying down. Our own little "bunny butt with the polka dot tummy"! I like that.

Tag officially weighs 15 pounds, and as you can tell from the age ticker that I've installed on my right sidebar, he's now three months, three weeks and two days old. Pretty soon he'll be growing into those ears of his!

He's doing a fine job of becoming a good corgi citizen. We're working on sit, stay and "don't jump" right now. All the little girls love him unless he jumps up on them. It's just not the polite thing to do. I've been telling him about the adventures he's going to have once we start herding tests, so it's very important he learns the obedience basics first. He's not convinced yet, but we'll keep working on it anyway.

He also learned a new trick last night and jumps through my arms when I hold them in a circle. He did it about ten times before he lost interest. Once I know it's not a fluke, I'll ask Handsome to do a little video that I can share with you.

Well, Kes just came to inform me that I've written quite enough too much about "that darn corgi" for this week. I'll make sure she's napping next week when I write his post. We don't want the Labrador getting her nose out of joint, after all.

  

The Search For A Finished Project...

It wasn't easy finding a finished project. I had to enlist the talents of an intrepid corgi, and even then, it took a while. You see, it happened like this...

The dashing young corgi cut quite a line as I approached him in his element. I inquired as to the cost of his services and he looked casually over this shoulder to inform me that he "worked for kibble". We quickly agreed to his terms, and shook on it. In no time, he was on the job and employing the services of his trusted mentor, the well-known Retriever, Miss Kessler. 

Of course, Miss K wanted to start by canvassing the yard. She always finds what she's looking for there, but something was bothering the corgi. You see, he'd been in the yard for a while and hadn't seen anything that looked like one of my finished projects.

Nevertheless, how could he possibly inform his mentor that she was on a cold trail? He decided to take a new approach after the yard yielded no results (or rabbits to chase).

In his best corgi stealth mode, he ambled into the side yard to see if he could glean information from any of the talkative humans. They never even knew he was there - his parabolic ears capturing every word...every nuance. Still, there was no lead.

Finally, he relied on his instincts and figured that the object of his search must be misplaced. He turned his attention indoors. Eureka! There, tossed carelessly on a mattress was the most recent completed quilt, looking finished but forgotten.

He rushed to me to tell me he'd located the piece and that I should take a picture immediately. Having found it after dark, the image was less than stellar. I promised him that I would take a much better photograph of the aqua quilt tomorrow to share with all of you.

Tag would love to say goodbye for now, but he's very busy enjoying his payment for a job well-done. After he's finished counting his kibble (and teasing Miss Kessler for being of no assistance whatsoever) he'll be off to take a well-deserved nap.

I guess this is the official end of Silent Fridays. Thank you all for being so supportive as I worked my way through a difficult time. Happy Days are here again.