Here and Gone

The week before Christmas, we found a wonderful home for our Little Big Man pup. A sweet lady from the doggie park had told a relative from MA that we had GSHP pups. After a few phone calls, John decided to make the long drive to get our pup, while doing some work on the way. However, he had no idea when he left, that he would be driving through one of the worse blizzards in Ontario history. After another long drive home, he and Blitz (pup's new name) are doing great! He was an exceptional puppy, and we hated to see him go, but I had the feeling this was a special home for him. John loves to hike 3 to 5 miles a day, and Blitz would run till his little heart gave out. So having a kind of Steinbeck journey(Travels with Charlie), both are doing well.

A hunter had wanted which ever pup was left, but when I called to tell him Ditka was left, he informed me that his wife wouldn't let him get the pup. We just couldn't leave him alone at the hospital, so he came home with us for Christmas. Katy came home too. We all decided that this little guy who had been the first pup to find a home only to be returned, and then had had 3 other people who wanted him, only to be left last, was still here for a reason that only God knew. So we are keeping him. We changed his name to Mr. Jagermiester Shot, to be called Jager. He is very handsome and a real lover. He is much calmer than Madison for the most part. He does have his Jagermonster moments, however. Maddie loves attacking her brother, and Dipity is relieved that Maddie is not attacking her. So now there are three!

Thus began the Christmas that went to the dogs. The weekend before Christmas Rob, Steve and Katy all went pheasant hunting with Dip in Iowa to return with 73 birds! Auntie Data stayed home with me and the kids. I only put up a little Charlie Brown tree, as I knew the pups would eat the big tree. Since Anni and Evy would not be here, this Christmas would be low key for sure. The highlight was after the candle light Christmas Eve service we all SKYPED Roxi and family. Evy, the birthday girl, was asleep, but we did get to open gifts via computer together. It is a wonderful thing, but not the same as being in the same room. I had taped a book for the girls. When Roxi heard my voice and realized what it was, she started crying. Anni was so cute. She told her Mom not to cry. That when they saved enough money they could come visit Chicago. How sweet. It broke my heart to hear Roxi cry though, and I couldn't hug her.

Katy would be leaving the day after Christmas for her marathon bus ride to the Houston Bowl game, and Rob would only be home for dinner, so I would have to settle for one day. We finally got to meet Mel, the girl Rob has been dating, as she was able to come to dinner with him. My parents came with their new Bogie as Santa.
Katy and Santa Bogie

After dinner they all went big game hunting on the new Wii, while I loaded the dishwasher.

Steve finishing the last glass of wine while the creatures weren't stirring. So after a few hectic days of preparations, a few hours of eating, and visiting, we were alone again with our dogs who always love us, and want to be with us as much as they can. So this will be remembered as my dog Christmas. Last year, Princesses and new baby girl, this year, pups! God thank you for healing Evy, finding wonderful homes for my pups, protecting and loving my children wherever they roam, and keeping my parents safe. So to all a goodnight...........

Have Fallen into Winter

I have meant to write so many times this fall, but once again my life was a blur of puppies, football games, holidays, and work. We had a gorgeous warm fall that just seemed to fly by, and are now entrenched in cold and snow. We were either at U of I football games, or at the lake closing the house for the season. It was Katy's last year as an Illinette, so each game was a sad countdown ending with Dad's Day and Senior Day on the same weekend.
Senior girls crying after the Three in One for the last time, but there is a Bowl Game yet.

Dad and Katy after playing drinking games at the apartment. Both were pretty tired and emotionally worn out after their last Dad's Day game and miserable loss.

One weekend we had the AKL reunion and grand re-opening of the new house. John and many of our old college friends were down for the weekend. Good memories were had by all.
Then Homecoming before the last home game. Many fun tail gates with old friends, and a chance to finally meet Rich's parents and extended family. Katy even got her new Yemm car!!!Even though we had many close games that we lost, including one to Michigan in the third overtime, we won our sixth game against Northwestern at Wrigley Field, and thus became bowl eligible. So Katy will be leaving the day after Christmas to get on a bus for 18 hours to Houston for the game on the 29th. We thought about going, but with the economy being so bad, we thought we better just watch it on TV. The basketball team has also started off with only one loss in overtime, so I am still hoping for a Final Four year!
After one of the football games, we rushed back on Sunday to show the pups, and were able to sell the two girls on the same day. Both have great homes, and the families really love them. We saw them two weeks after selling them for their last shots. Sally, now Gracie, lives in WI, and has already been hunting. Serenity, now Rascal, has her own dogie door and fenced in yard and a loving elderly couple who spoil her. Last weekend we also sold Butkus to an old employee and client of ours. They had lost a young GSHP a few weeks before, and Jorie, one of our receptionist brought him out to show Sue. He had almost found a home over Thanksgiving, but the family had two young children, and the wife thought she couldn't handle them and a new puppy. Butkus learned his lesson, and really sold himself by being calmer, and very loving. This time he found a home!

So we only have two boys left. Gary, our trainer, took them out the other day, and said both will be great hunters. I have been taking them with Maddie and Dip to the dog park as often as I can. Speaking of dog park, over a month ago, I was tackled by three huge dogs while I was out there with my pups. I was thrown into the air and landed on my tailbone and head! For the next three to four weeks, walking or climbing stairs especially, was extremely painful. I felt like three offensive linemen had hit me, and I don't understand why people do that for fun. It gave me a whole new understanding of pain watching the football games, I can tell you that.

The most upsetting thing that happened though was that in Africa my sweet little Evy became very ill. First she had a seizure, and finally was treated for typhoid fever! She is now fine, but it was very scary knowing how ill she was, and how far away they are, and how helpless I was. Roxi describes the entire ordeal far better than I could on her blog. All I can say is thank God for being with her, and curing her.

In a few weeks she'll be one year old. She doesn't even know us. Christmas will come and go, and no little voices of glee or excitement in my house. With Maddie, our puppy, I have decided to not even decorate this year, because she'll just eat everything. but deep down, I'm not in the mood to go through all that work for a childless house. Last year it was so much fun decorating the tree with Anni, and watching her tear into her princess presents, that I fear this year will be pretty disappointing. Katy and Rob just want and need money, so the only gifts will be for my folks. I spent a cold night, or I should say morning, on Black Friday to get a new TV/ Wii combo at Best Buy for our gift to each other. So instead of grandchildren this year, I'll have to settle for grand puppies. Thus my little Charlie Brown tree on the table will work out much better. And I will just have to remember that Christ is with those I love so far away.

Besides my puppies, my folks now have a new Bogie pup. We had to put their old Bogie down because he had liver cancer. A very difficult decision for my parents. SO while I was placing ads to sell my pups, I found them a duplicate Bogie, so no one at Winsdor would know that Bogie I was gone. The new puppy is darling, and looks just like the old Bogie, only lighter and full of energy! He and Maddie love chasing each other when ever they can. Thanksgiving was nuts with those two lapping the house repeatedly. A small but thankful Thanksgiving. At least we didn't make a trip to the ER or get robbed like last year!

Well at least that is a brief update on my crazy life. So much excitement in so little time. After Katy graduates this spring, life will be so boring without all the football weekends to look forward to. Maybe I'll go back to doing more theatre things. Oh, by the way, I am teaching drama at the community center. It is sad and rewarding. It has taken some time to get their imaginations going, but I am finally seeing a little success. One little boy hugged me and said how sorry he was when I was gone because of previously mentioned dog wipeout. It warmed my heart. It is nice to be missed.
Katy will be home in a few days, and she, Rob, and Steve will go pheasant hunting with Dip in Iowa, while I puppy sit. Then Christmas, Bowl game, New Year's, Katy and my Dad's birthday, a trip to Florida for the DVM convention, my birthday and Rob's birthday. Looks like life will just keep swirling by unless I have another dog wipeout. Bless all and all of mine. Thank you God for all your gifts and blessings, and for your Son, the REASON for the SEASON despite what the ACLU says. Especially thankful for the election results which hopefully can save this great country from those who are trying to destroy us from within.