We're camping in one of the most scenic state parks in America. See you next week!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Making The Most Of Today
This morning as I sipped my coffee I caught up on some of my blog reading. Looking at Tales and Tails, I saw that I had missed a post that sounded like bad news. Well, you probably know that beautiful Blueberry had passed earlier this week, and the post was a wonderful tribute to all the love she gave away during her lifetime. I was stunned and deeply saddened, and like so many in blogville was crying by the end of the post.
A new post was not written this morning.
Instead, I grabbed Toby's leash and my purse and we went for a car ride to City Park. We walked across the park to the dog park so Toby could play with other dogs. He played with a beagle, a dachshund, a few of black dogs of various sizes and mysterious ancestry, a pit bull/boxer. It's a hot day, and after about 45 minutes we walked back to the car. I drove to the locally owned pet store near our house. They welcome dogs into their store.
While there we selected a black kong wobble toy for "powerful chewers". We'll see how long it lasts. I also grabbed a rawhide chew to keep Toby busy while the kong was in the freezer.
The first thing Toby did when we got home was bury his rawhide chew. Apparently it wasn't ripe enough yet! Meanwhile I mixed a banana with peanut butter, stuffed the kong, and stuck it in the freezer.
Under the warm water in the shower I suddenly realized what had happened. I didn't really decide to give Toby a day full of his favorite activities.
But I had subconsciously absorbed the message from Blueberry's wonderful tribute:
A new post was not written this morning.
Instead, I grabbed Toby's leash and my purse and we went for a car ride to City Park. We walked across the park to the dog park so Toby could play with other dogs. He played with a beagle, a dachshund, a few of black dogs of various sizes and mysterious ancestry, a pit bull/boxer. It's a hot day, and after about 45 minutes we walked back to the car. I drove to the locally owned pet store near our house. They welcome dogs into their store.
While there we selected a black kong wobble toy for "powerful chewers". We'll see how long it lasts. I also grabbed a rawhide chew to keep Toby busy while the kong was in the freezer.
The first thing Toby did when we got home was bury his rawhide chew. Apparently it wasn't ripe enough yet! Meanwhile I mixed a banana with peanut butter, stuffed the kong, and stuck it in the freezer.
Under the warm water in the shower I suddenly realized what had happened. I didn't really decide to give Toby a day full of his favorite activities.
But I had subconsciously absorbed the message from Blueberry's wonderful tribute:
Make the most of love today.
I hope you all spend the weekend doing the same. And to all of the bloggers who are grieving and struggling, the thoughts of your blog friends are with you.
Making The Most Of Today
This morning as I sipped my coffee I caught up on some of my blog reading. Looking at Tales and Tails, I saw that I had missed a post that sounded like bad news. Well, you probably know that beautiful Blueberry had passed earlier this week, and the post was a wonderful tribute to all the love she gave away during her lifetime. I was stunned and deeply saddened, and like so many in blogville was crying by the end of the post.
A new post was not written this morning.
Instead, I grabbed Toby's leash and my purse and we went for a car ride to City Park. We walked across the park to the dog park so Toby could play with other dogs. He played with a beagle, a dachshund, a few of black dogs of various sizes and mysterious ancestry, a pit bull/boxer. It's a hot day, and after about 45 minutes we walked back to the car. I drove to the locally owned pet store near our house. They welcome dogs into their store.
While there we selected a black kong wobble toy for "powerful chewers". We'll see how long it lasts. I also grabbed a rawhide chew to keep Toby busy while the kong was in the freezer.
The first thing Toby did when we got home was bury his rawhide chew. Apparently it wasn't ripe enough yet! Meanwhile I mixed a banana with peanut butter, stuffed the kong, and stuck it in the freezer.
Under the warm water in the shower I suddenly realized what had happened. I didn't really decide to give Toby a day full of his favorite activities.
But I had subconsciously absorbed the message from Blueberry's wonderful tribute:
A new post was not written this morning.
Instead, I grabbed Toby's leash and my purse and we went for a car ride to City Park. We walked across the park to the dog park so Toby could play with other dogs. He played with a beagle, a dachshund, a few of black dogs of various sizes and mysterious ancestry, a pit bull/boxer. It's a hot day, and after about 45 minutes we walked back to the car. I drove to the locally owned pet store near our house. They welcome dogs into their store.
While there we selected a black kong wobble toy for "powerful chewers". We'll see how long it lasts. I also grabbed a rawhide chew to keep Toby busy while the kong was in the freezer.
The first thing Toby did when we got home was bury his rawhide chew. Apparently it wasn't ripe enough yet! Meanwhile I mixed a banana with peanut butter, stuffed the kong, and stuck it in the freezer.
Under the warm water in the shower I suddenly realized what had happened. I didn't really decide to give Toby a day full of his favorite activities.
But I had subconsciously absorbed the message from Blueberry's wonderful tribute:
Make the most of love today.
I hope you all spend the weekend doing the same. And to all of the bloggers who are grieving and struggling, the thoughts of your blog friends are with you.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
If I'm At the Hospital, It Must Be Monday
So Monday began as usual. After posing for my picture I examined all of the bushes at this private entrance just for me. My own private 'wee-wee station'! We then checked in with Nancy in the Volunteer Services. No patient rooms had been requesting visits, so we were free to roam around anywhere.
To my great relief, I heard my mom tell Nancy,"We're going to take it easy since Lily's not here and just go sit around the waiting areas."
Now that's what I call a plan! I don't like the patient rooms. I can't explain it, I just get kinda anxious. The rooms are tiny and crammed with mysterious apparatus that I never see at home. And don't get me started on the smells.
Our first stop after check-in is at Physical Therapy. That department is run by a beautiful lady, Ann. She keeps an entire drawer of treats of all sizes and shapes. She buys special steak-shaped treats just for me. Oh, Ann is wonderful. (sshhh...I'm not supposed to get treats on visits, but technically I'm not 'on duty' yet, right?)
Then I let the folks admire me. I give each one a delicate little sniff. Sadly most people see my bandana and reach right for my head. I don't really like that much. It violates basic dog manners. I mean, just because the human volunteers wear badges, you don't see people patting their heads without an introduction, do you? However, if people will stand still for a moment and let me check them out, I'll usually allow some friendly petting. Standoffish? I don't know. I don't give my heart freely to just anybody though. I let Lily do that.
On occasion there's a real dog person, as I know instantly when they pat my back, just above my hind legs next to my tail. Ohh, that feels so good!
Next I greet the ladies staffing the Garden Entrance and the volunteers at the Main Entrance. They all know me, and say hello. They don't reach for my head - except one new lady. Consequently she thinks I don't like her. I'm reserving judgement, hoping she catches on to the right spot.
Then I ride upstairs on the elevator to the surgical waiting areas. I like the elevator. I know which doors will open when I hear the bell ding above them, and I walk right to the back and sit down. When the doors open again, we are in a new place entirely! How does it do that? And why does it never take me to the park or the frozen yogurt place?
Ho hum, folks looking bored, waiting in chairs. Some are asleep. Most of them are even older than mom and dad, if you can imagine such a thing. I cheer them up by walking by, giving sniffs, saying hello. Mom takes a chair and chats with these nice strangers while I pull up a piece of floor and take my first rest. They usually ask lots of questions about why I'm at the hospital, how I became a therapy dog, and whether I belong to mom - some are surprised to learn that she is lucky enough to live with me!
But this past Monday a special treat awaited me in the second waiting area. As we walked in, an adorable child about 4 years old in a purple t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers ran to me. I was surprised; we almost never see children at the hospital. My tail popped right up and wagged. I smiled at the little girl. She introduced herself, Joey, and let me sniff her shirt while mom told her my name, Toby. She patted my back (not my head) and chattered away about her grandma's dog.
Joey asked if she could hold my leash. Mom asked Joey's grandma if she could walk down the hall and back with us. I was so proud to lead Joey slowly past the tall windows and other visitors. Automatic doors to our left swung open, but mom cued me, "This way Toby" and I turned around and brought Joey safely back to her grandma. Joey laughed. She wanted to do it again. So we did. Then Joey asked if I could go home with her. No, but we could and did walk down the hall one more time. I said goodbye to Joey - several times. She wanted me to stay longer, but my mom saw that I was getting tired. She knew it was time to go back down the elevator, get a drink and check out at Volunteer Services, then go home.
As I sprawled in the back seat on the ride home I thought of how much fun I'd had with Joey. Maybe mom will find another place for me to visit with lots of kids around. I think I might have to take a second job.
 |
| Playing with my grandkid :) |
If I'm At the Hospital, It Must Be Monday
So Monday began as usual. After posing for my picture I examined all of the bushes at this private entrance just for me. My own private 'wee-wee station'! We then checked in with Nancy in the Volunteer Services. No patient rooms had been requesting visits, so we were free to roam around anywhere.
To my great relief, I heard my mom tell Nancy,"We're going to take it easy since Lily's not here and just go sit around the waiting areas."
Now that's what I call a plan! I don't like the patient rooms. I can't explain it, I just get kinda anxious. The rooms are tiny and crammed with mysterious apparatus that I never see at home. And don't get me started on the smells.
Our first stop after check-in is at Physical Therapy. That department is run by a beautiful lady, Ann. She keeps an entire drawer of treats of all sizes and shapes. She buys special steak-shaped treats just for me. Oh, Ann is wonderful. (sshhh...I'm not supposed to get treats on visits, but technically I'm not 'on duty' yet, right?)
Then I let the folks admire me. I give each one a delicate little sniff. Sadly most people see my bandana and reach right for my head. I don't really like that much. It violates basic dog manners. I mean, just because the human volunteers wear badges, you don't see people patting their heads without an introduction, do you? However, if people will stand still for a moment and let me check them out, I'll usually allow some friendly petting. Standoffish? I don't know. I don't give my heart freely to just anybody though. I let Lily do that.
On occasion there's a real dog person, as I know instantly when they pat my back, just above my hind legs next to my tail. Ohh, that feels so good!
Next I greet the ladies staffing the Garden Entrance and the volunteers at the Main Entrance. They all know me, and say hello. They don't reach for my head - except one new lady. Consequently she thinks I don't like her. I'm reserving judgement, hoping she catches on to the right spot.
Then I ride upstairs on the elevator to the surgical waiting areas. I like the elevator. I know which doors will open when I hear the bell ding above them, and I walk right to the back and sit down. When the doors open again, we are in a new place entirely! How does it do that? And why does it never take me to the park or the frozen yogurt place?
Ho hum, folks looking bored, waiting in chairs. Some are asleep. Most of them are even older than mom and dad, if you can imagine such a thing. I cheer them up by walking by, giving sniffs, saying hello. Mom takes a chair and chats with these nice strangers while I pull up a piece of floor and take my first rest. They usually ask lots of questions about why I'm at the hospital, how I became a therapy dog, and whether I belong to mom - some are surprised to learn that she is lucky enough to live with me!
But this past Monday a special treat awaited me in the second waiting area. As we walked in, an adorable child about 4 years old in a purple t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers ran to me. I was surprised; we almost never see children at the hospital. My tail popped right up and wagged. I smiled at the little girl. She introduced herself, Joey, and let me sniff her shirt while mom told her my name, Toby. She patted my back (not my head) and chattered away about her grandma's dog.
Joey asked if she could hold my leash. Mom asked Joey's grandma if she could walk down the hall and back with us. I was so proud to lead Joey slowly past the tall windows and other visitors. Automatic doors to our left swung open, but mom cued me, "This way Toby" and I turned around and brought Joey safely back to her grandma. Joey laughed. She wanted to do it again. So we did. Then Joey asked if I could go home with her. No, but we could and did walk down the hall one more time. I said goodbye to Joey - several times. She wanted me to stay longer, but my mom saw that I was getting tired. She knew it was time to go back down the elevator, get a drink and check out at Volunteer Services, then go home.
As I sprawled in the back seat on the ride home I thought of how much fun I'd had with Joey. Maybe mom will find another place for me to visit with lots of kids around. I think I might have to take a second job.
|
| Playing with my grandkid :) |
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
BW Sunday: Happiness is Kool Kitchen Tiles -
 |
| - after a hot humid walk. |
BW Sunday: Happiness is Kool Kitchen Tiles -
|
| - after a hot humid walk. |
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Wordless Rainy Wednesday (Again)
 |
| We'll be fine, mom. We got an umbrella and a raincoat after all... |
 |
| Well - maybe not. |
 |
| This weather is booorrriiiinnnnggg!!! FYI: BOL - the second picture is an effect from PicMonkey so please don't call Animal Control! |
Wordless Rainy Wednesday (Again)
|
| We'll be fine, mom. We got an umbrella and a raincoat after all... |
|
| Well - maybe not. |
|
| This weather is booorrriiiinnnnggg!!! FYI: BOL - the second picture is an effect from PicMonkey so please don't call Animal Control! |
Friday, June 14, 2013
See Beautiful: Fatherly Love
I see beautiful when I see the the love my husband has for our children -
Turning 50, with Kevin to keep us young...
Congratulations to Sugar the Golden Retriever on the first anniversary of the See Beautiful Blog Hop!
 |
| - beginning with our first baby, Amber - |
 |
| -and first dog, Nemo. When visiting hours ended on the night of Amber's birth, Ted and Nemo shared a pepperoni pizza! |
 |
| Seeing Beautiful |
 |
| In the blink of an eye, trying not to cry, he's walking Lauren down the aisle... |
 |
 ..and always a furry baby (Kasey) to spoil. |
 |
| Doing it all while serving his country...videotaping bedtime stories to send the kids over the long months at sea... until the time comes to retire. |
 |
| Seeing Beautiful as Ted gives Kevin the U.S. Flag. It flew over the Capitol, and symbolizes Ted's service. |
 |
| Giving the toast that made everyone cry at Amber's wedding- |
 |
| - and watching Kevin grow. |
 |
| In the blink of an eye, we're trying not to cry, leaving Kevin at college... |
 |
| ... for what seems like the blink of an eye. |
 |
| And then a new generation to love. Seeing Beautiful...Grandchildren. |
A lifetime of love,
  |
| ...and Seeing Beautiful. |
 |
| Happy Father's Day, Ted |
Congratulations to Sugar the Golden Retriever on the first anniversary of the See Beautiful Blog Hop!
See Beautiful: Fatherly Love
|
| - beginning with our first baby, Amber - |
|
| -and first dog, Nemo. When visiting hours ended on the night of Amber's birth, Ted and Nemo shared a pepperoni pizza! |
|
| Seeing Beautiful |
|
| In the blink of an eye, trying not to cry, he's walking Lauren down the aisle... |
|
| ..and always a furry baby (Kasey) to spoil. |
|
| Doing it all while serving his country...videotaping bedtime stories to send the kids over the long months at sea... until the time comes to retire. |
|
| Seeing Beautiful as Ted gives Kevin the U.S. Flag. It flew over the Capitol, and symbolizes Ted's service. |
|
| Giving the toast that made everyone cry at Amber's wedding- |
|
| - and watching Kevin grow. |
|
| In the blink of an eye, we're trying not to cry, leaving Kevin at college... |
|
| ... for what seems like the blink of an eye. |
|
| And then a new generation to love. Seeing Beautiful...Grandchildren. |
A lifetime of love,
|
| ...and Seeing Beautiful. |
|
| Happy Father's Day, Ted |
Congratulations to Sugar the Golden Retriever on the first anniversary of the See Beautiful Blog Hop!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
