BEAR 1996-January 22, 2010

I lost my 14year old, "Bear" last Friday. I have been mentally preparing myself for the last few months for Bear's walk over "Rainbow Bridge", but is anyone ever really ready?

His jumping up on the spare bed stopped about 6 months ago, but that was easily remedied with plush blankets on the floor that he could mold into his own design. The steps became more difficult for him as time passed. No matter how painful or how long it took to climb them, he would never think of leaving me up there by myself. I put a water bowl upstairs to limit his trips during the evening hours. The meds he was on made him very thirsty.

I always knew he would tell me when the time came, we had long talks about it. I always thought when he stopped eating, that would be the time. I never thought his legs would betray him first.

I brought the gang into the shop on Thursday morning with no problems although Bear was a little hesitant in his jump into the back of my Element that morning. I didn't give it much thought at the time, because I've been spotting him for the past 4 months. By the end of the day he couldn't stand up. Kris and I were scheduled to start a Quilting Class that evening, so she was here to help me put him in the car. When we got to the house he still could not stand up. We feed him, and made sure he was comfortable, then headed to dinner, then class. Throughout the evening my thoughts were always of Bear, the class could not be over soon enough.

On arriving home, Bear had not moved from where he was left. I went upstairs got the flannel sheets and blankets and made up a bed right next to him. If he couldn't make it upstairs, I could certainly bring a bed to him downstairs. I fell asleep trying to breathe in his smell , remember how his fur was always so soft, especially his ears.

The next morning Bear was still unable to stand. I don't know what I thought would happen. I've been so used to being awaken by his gentle ruffs to let me know "It's time for breakfast".

I held the water bowl for him so he could rid himself of morning mouth, he drank long, as if he knew it would be his last drink. I then dragged him outside on the blanket we slept on, put a towel under his belly and held him up so he could get rid of the massive amount of water he just drank. He fell as soon as he finished. I then called Donna to see if she could swing by to help me put Bear in the car, and so she could say her good bye. Bear loved Donna.

On the way to the Vet, I stopped at Ellen and Lenny's house, so they could say their goodbyes. Ellen and Lenny took care of Harper and Bear whenever I went away. Bear loved them both very much. I have now managed to leave a trail of tears all the way to the vet's office.

When I arrived I asked if they would come out to the car to put Bear to sleep. The back of my car has dog beds in it, and I did not want Bear's last memory to be of a cold steel table. I drove my car around back and waited for Dr. Alexander. He first came and gave Bear a sedative, I only had about 10 minutes to thank Bear for being the "Worlds Greatest Dog" and to make him promise to let me know he was okay. There just wasn't enough time to thank him for everything he did for me. He went quickly and peacefully and died with my arms around him. I miss him very much.

Realistic Goals

I for one, do not make New Years Resolutions. I think it sets one up for disappointment. I do however set goals, but they must be realistic. The reason I bring all this up is because I just saw, "Julie & Julia". Julie has set a goal for her self to cook 524 recipe's from Julia Child's cookbook in 365 days. Okay, by my calculations that is a meal and a half a day, everyday, for,well, 365 days.
Julie also has a full time job, the kind of job that would make me suicidal at the end of each and every day. She has a husband, who seems (on screen anyway) very supportive and understanding, and a cat. I know each of us is different, but I definitely lack the discipline to do anything for 365 days, add going to the grocery store everyday to make sure my ingredients were as fresh as possible, and I would not have gotten through the first week. Who am I kidding? I would have been lucky to get through the first meal, and it would have had to have chocolate in it. The movie didn't go into the amount of money that was spent, or the amount of weight that was gained. Of course after cooking these meals, she then blogged about her experience. Holy Moly. I've often wondered how Rachel and Sara find the time to blog with 2 children. For Christmas next year I am sending them each the thickest cookbook I can find. I admire Julie's discipline, but I will continue to pop my "Smart Ones" in the microwave. I wonder if browning hamburger meat for the dogs could get me a movie deal?

If at First You Don't Succeed....

As most of you remember about a year and a half ago, I got Kris to agree to do a triathlon with me. What turned into the triathlon weekend from hell is now far behind us, and Kris has once again agreed to do another sprint triathlon. This one is much more convenient. The swim will be in the Severna Park Y pool, only 800 yards, and the bike (9.5miles) and run (3miles) will be on the B&A trail.
The triathlon is the 4th annual "Emily Schindler Scholarship Fund", held on April 24th.
Emily was a swimmer on the SPY swim team who was killed in a car accident in January 2004. Her parents established this triathlon to remember Emily's spirit. It is a great first time sprint triathlon. There won't be any elite athletes because this tri is not about the times you set, but about the time you have. The bike trail has a 15MPH speed limit. All in all it's just going to be a fun day. I don't know that it will be quite as organized as the Danskin Triathlon Series, but I'm hoping Kris gets as hooked as I have.

It's Official

After months of deliberation I have decided to sell Woofs & Whiskers.
I have put a banner out front offering "TURNKEY BUSINESS for SALE" for more information call 410-990-4410.
In this economy I'm not to sure how many takers I'll get, but it's a decision I made, and I will follow it through. If I have no takers by March/April, I will have a huge going out of business sale. As for what I will do next, I am still pondering. Maybe Clown School? The options are limitless. As soon as I know, you'll know.

The Simple Things

I am home from the ER, and realize how many things I just do everyday that I won't be able to do for awhile without a whole lot of pain. Little thing like get in and out of the car, bend in any direction, lay down, sleep, talk, breathe... Basically I'm a hurtin' pup. Kris, Donna and Kay have offered to come over if I need any help, but hey, I've got Terry.
Terry and I have made plans to spend Christmas Eve in Philly with his children, this was of course before my acrobatics off my shop steps. Granted I've got some pain pills and motrin, but a 3 hour car ride is not going to be fun. My problem with this whole situation is not once did Terry ask if I would be able to make the ride. I still would have gone, but just a little concern, please. We made a stop at a rest area for the dogs, who do you think had to bend over and pick up poop? As a mater of fact who walked them each and every time they had to go out? When we got back to Annapolis, Terry asked if he could do anything for me. I felt like saying, "Yeah. Leave". Do you know what he asked? If I wanted him to bring my laundry down. I in reply asked him if he was nuts. Even when I'm in the pink laundry is not a priority. Uuuugghh. I'm guessing the honeymoon is over.

Oh, My Aching Back.

The Tuesday after the "Blizzard of 2009", I got to work early enough to do my usual thing, then I thought I'd run across the street to get a nice hot cup of coffee. Well no sooner do I hit the first step, then my feet come right out from under me and I hit the next two steps with the middle of my back and my bum. Holy, moly knocked the wind right out of me. I look around to see if any judges have scored my fall, then slowly, and I do mean slowly, get to my feet. I know I'm going to be sore, but I was so sore it hurt to talk. Have you ever been so sore you felt sick to your stomach? Well that's where I was. I called my Primary Care doctor's office only to be told that I should go to the ER where they can take x-rays. I call my worker bees to see if anyone could cover me, because I can't miss another holiday season day at W&W. Linda was baking cookies, but said she could be here by 12:00. Thank you Linda. I put calls out to neighbors and friends for rides to and from ER. The dogs were taken care of as well. I truly do have a great group of friends. Everyone I called dropped what they were doing to come to my aid. As a Gunning, I don't like to ask for help for anything, but it's really nice to know that when I needed it, all my friends came through. Thanks again.

Let It Snow

The first snowfall of the season is always beautiful, that is of course if it stops at a reasonable depth. 26 inches I don't think is fun for anyone. Okay, granted the kids had some extra snow days added to their holiday vacation, but I know a few parents who were not thrilled by that. The dogs were at a loss until I dug out enough room for them to do comfortably what they usually do in much smaller spaces. I swear if I had some windmills, I could have opened a miniature golf course with the paths I shoveled out for those 2. I did get to catch up on all the "Housewives" marathon.

She's Back

Uuuugghh. I have been so remiss with my blog. I know how much I enjoy reading other blogs, so I hope the disappointment level has been bearable for all my readers.
Unfortunately, it's winter, which means I am pretty much in a "Blue Funk" for 4 months. Add that to all the other day to day nonsense I create for myself and I've got myself in a full on depression. Then I turn on the news and realize how blessed I am, then I put my big girl panties on and deal with it.
I guess by now you have all heard about our 26 inches of snow. Well it started on Friday night and continued through Sunday. Well being the ever vigilant shop owner, I am going to open on Saturday. I mean come on, people don't live by toilet paper alone, they are going to need flavored dog bubbles. Needless to say, not one sale, but I did get to shovel the walkway twice.
I left at 1:00 and by the road conditions, it was not a moment to soon.