More Puppies and Final Football Season

Is there anything cuter than an arm full of puppies? Maybe a new baby, but my grand daughters are half way around the world, so I have to settle for these lovable little faces, my grand puppies. They are already bigger than this picture shows, because now they have been weaned, so that means Dipity is done feeding and cleaning up after them, and believe me if someone could invent a puppy diaper that they wouldn't tear up, they would make a fortune!

The puppies have become chow hounds that are pooping machines, and little monsters with very sharp teeth. But they are sooooo sweet when they are asleep. There is definitely truth in the old adage, "Let sleeping dogs lie."

Here they are all crammed into the lid of a box. They love playing in, on, and chewing on boxes. It is like playground equipment for puppies. They also like running, sniffing wild outside.
This is Madison, or Maddie, the little girl that was lucky number seven to be born, and the one that looks the most like her Mother, Dipity, with the white stripe down her nose. We are pretty sure this is the little girl we will keep.
These sad sacks want their freedom to roam free too. Only when you put six puppies down, they go in six different directions. But it is really hard not to give these sad little blue eyes whatever they want.

Besides taking care of, cleaning up after, and playing with puppies, we have started the Illini football season. This is Katy's last year, and as a senior, she is now in the front row. The first game was the Arch Rivalry Game in St. Louis again against Missouri. And they once again, beat us, but it was closer that we thought, since we were ahead the first three quarters. Here is Katy at the game with one proud Dad.

After the game we drove like crazy to get home to pick up Dip and family, and head for the lake house for Labor Day Weekend. Last year Dip was a smashing success at the game shaking her tiger, but this year she had to stay home and feed the puppies, much to her disappointment. She was quite put out that she couldn't stay at the hotel. However, when Katy and Rich joined us at the lake, all was forgiven.

Last week we completely weaned the pups, so Dipity got to go to the first home game against SIU, which Illinois won big! This was the halftime score! ILL-INI! She strutted her jersey and collar to the tailgate, and loved sleeping in the motel bed without six puppies hanging on her. We had the chance to finally meet Rich's parents for the first time in almost a year of Katy and Rich dating. They were very nice, and we look forward to getting to know them better. As I was writing this, Katy called to say her new car just came in, so we will definitely see them again this weekend after the NIU game. Rich's father, ordered her new car.

Other things have happened, but I'd rather remember puppies and football, than the sadness of losing a dear, Aunt, or the worry of a very ill cousin. These and other little problems I will leave in God's hands, because there is nothing I can do but pray for those in need. There is nothing I can do about my parent's dog that is ill, or that my dear grand daughter had a worm! So I will put the dear little puppies that are in my care for a few more weeks to bed, and trust that God will care for the others that are beyond my control. I do love puppy breath when grand daughter kisses are just a memory......

Sisters

This past weekend my Aunt Jerry flew up from Florida to visit my Mother, her sister. We all went up to the lake house for a nice family bonding weekend. My Mother had been looking forward to seeing her little sis for months. I'm sure they both realize that Mom can't make it to Florida again, as we had some difficulty just getting her up to the lake. There is about 14 years difference in their ages, I believe. Rob, Katy and Rich all came up to spend the weekend too, which made it a really special visit. We played pool on the new table, we played the name game, a family favorite invented by Jason, and ate great food.

I am an only child, and always thought I would love to have a sister. I know when you are younger, jealousy occurs between siblings, but as you reach adulthood, the closeness of having a sister is a bond I will never have, even though I have had some great friends I wish were my sisters. Roxi and Katy have that special bond, and even Anni and Evy will have shared memories of a life in Africa together, that others can never completely understand. My Mom and Aunt Jerry have a bond of a long life in St. Louis before they each moved to new cities far away from each other.

My Aunt Jerry is one of the greatest people I know. She is witty, beautiful, kind, and just plain fun to be with. Even at my wedding, Steve's groomsmen wanted to pickup my aunt in her long, sexy purple dress. I do see her every January when we go to Florida for a DVM convention, and about every other year, she has joined us in NYC for our Broadway trip. My Mother use to be able to go to NYC, too, but no more. Thus, I was thrilled when Aunt Jerry said she would come visit us, and I was grateful that we could entertain her and my Mom at the lake. I don't know if this will be their last visit together, I certainly hope not. Hopefully they can both come to a future wedding for Rob or Katy, or come see Roxi return from Africa. But for now, we made some great memories for two great sisters.

We also celebrated Rich fantastic score of 34 on his test for medical school. Now he just has to hope the health care bill gets repealed so he doesn't have to work for the government.

We had Data for two weeks so she could get groomed, and Dip was thrilled that Rob came to take her home again. They are step-sisters in the dog world, but there is no love shared between them. In fact, they have a hate relationship! And they proceeded to fight when Steve yelled after the overtime score of the Blackhawk game Friday night. Of course on Sunday, the Blackhawks won again, thus for the first time since the 1960's have a chance to win the Stanley Cup this next week.

I just want to thank everyone who took the time to come for the sister reunion. Wonderful memories were made by all. We even tried to skype with Roxi again, so she and Katy could visit too. They could see us, but we could only hear them which again was disappointing, yet amazing that we could even hear them half a world away. Sure wish I had a sister though, so if someone wants to be my sister, let me know.