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 - He Loves Birthday Parties...

Both of our granddaughters love to draw, so Granddaughter #1 decided to draw a picture of Tag. When her first attempt looked a little "leggy", Grandpa suggested that she just draw "his feet attached directly to his body". This is the result of her effort. We really love it!

The girls got a cardboard castle and coach as part of the celebration. It was more of a party favor because all of their little girl guests helped paint the outside. We saw them the day after the "kiddy party" when all the finger paints were dry.

Granddaughter #2 asked if she could hold Taggart's leash, and what Grandma could refuse? Of course, I immediately handed over the reins and Tag was invited to join them in the castle. We all know that Corgis belong in castles!

I was able to take a picture of all three of them together...Two little princesses and their tiny Royal servant.

Birthday Celebrations...

Handsome and I are blessed with one grandson and two granddaughters. The girls were born three years and one week apart. Granddaughter #2 turned four years old on August 2nd, and Granddaughter #1 will be seven years old on August 9th.

Yesterday, they celebrated with pizza and cake, and they had their pictures taken wearing the special birthday crowns I made for each of them when they were born.

The first one I made was quite grandiose. I wanted to include photos of each of the people important in her life at the time...Mama and Daddy, all of her grandparents, her uncles, aunt and cousins. We're a small family, so all of her family fit onto her crown. I used Swarovski crystal beads and hearts and added a top tier with a hook to hold interchangeable charms showing how old she was that year. I made ten of them. (I know I'll need to make more, but I figured I could make those later.)

She had a grand time sorting through the silk bag that holds the "year" charms to find the #7. Once located, it was placed on her crown and she posed for her picture. (The back of the crown is secured with silk ribbon, making it adjustable.) I made her crown before I started blogging, so all I have are two close-up photos that I took when I made it. This is one and this is the other.

This is Granddaughter #2 wearing her birthday crown. I wrote about it here when I made it for her. Little did I know what a Fairy Princess she would really grow to become with that sweet red hair of hers. You can also see a few closeup photos of this crown in my Flickr album. This is one of them so you can see the detail.

Her Mommy teased me saying that she and Daddy have a "problem" with this crown because it looks so much like a wedding headpiece. Perhaps some day, our granddaughter will choose to wear it on her wedding day, but that really wasn't my intent when I created it.

When I made each of these crowns, I envisioned a child who would wear it to celebrate every blessed Birthday of her life...and remember this Grandma when she places it on her head.