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.

Among the MIssing

Last weekend Terry and I headed up to Gettysburg. I have been fascinated with the Civil War ever since I first saw "Gone With the Wind". As soon as we checked in, we asked what the best way to see the battlefield was. We were told to get a tour guide who actually gets in your car and takes you to all the significant spots, and in Gettysburg, there are plenty. We got a gentleman by the name of Gar. He was great. I am a firm believer that a guided tour is only as good as the guide. After the 2 hour tour, I am sure I would have been a deserter. Holy Moly, the carnage was unbelievable. We got to an area called "Devils Den", which is a rocky dwelling that sharp shooters used to pick off Union soldiers on Little Round Top. Well throughout this portion all I could think about were hiding places in between rocks that would have kept me safe.
1 out of 4 soldiers were either killed, wounded or among the missing in this 3 day battle. I'd still be hiding.
Sorry about the lack of photos, I'm having a little technical difficulties. They will be posted later.

3 Wishes.

Have you ever thought, I mean really thought, given the opportunity to have 3 wishes granted, what you would wish for. Of course if your running for Miss America, you would wish for World Peace, No starving children and Peace on Earth.
I took my 14 year old dog Bear to the vet yesterday, and 1 of my wishes would be for our pets to last the same number of days as we do. Bear has had Cushing Disease for the last 3 years, which has been kept at bay with twice weekly medication. His belly has been abnormally extended for the past few years which has been ultra sounded to make sure nothing else is growing inside. Yesterday, Dr. Etter drew blood to run another battery of test. The results should tell us if he has a thyroid problem. He has had blood in his stool from a medicine he's on for his joint pain, so that medicine will be replaced with something else. He has bumps and lumps all over. My poor boy is just getting old.

Famous Quotes

I think it was P.T. Barnum who coined the phrase, "There is a fool born every minute".
We recently had the 4th family meeting since my mother's passing. So many things came out at this meeting that I found myself speechless. If I were to put all my true thoughs in this blog it would turn into a book, and not a very nice one at that. So I have gone to my mentors for some of their views on a very troubling outcome.
Thomas Jefferson "He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a 2nd and 3rd time, till at lenghth it becomes habitual".
"Honesty is the first chapter of wisdom".
Abraham Lincoln "If you forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizen, you can never regain their respect and esteem".
Benjamin Franklin "Lying rides upon debts back".
Shakespeare "It's as easy as lying".
Barbara Kingsolver "The truth needs so little rehersal".
My 2nd Grade Nun " Always tell the truth. If you can't always tell the truth, don't lie".
and last but not least. "Figures never lie, but liars always figure".

The Pressure Is Off

I always figure I'm writing this blog so the family can keep up with my activities. There are times when I have a hard enough time keeping up with my activities, so I have decided to keep you as updated as possible.
After 3 back to back trips, I have finally caught up with laundry, my dogs know who I am again and I'm about to change my summer/winter clothes out. Ho-hum.
Last weekend Terry's son Christopher, got married. After months of planning, the girl that I had lined up to work for me, called and said she couldn't. Okay, so now the scramble is on. I called everyone to see if they were free. Short of flying Ryan home I was stuck, so I broke the news to Terry who was not pleased. So the plan now is after closing on Saturday, I will head directly to The Omni in Philadelphia, arriving just in time for the rehearsal dinner. At the 12th hour Tricia called and said they were not taking the trip, so she could work after all. I called Terry 1st thing Saturday morning and told him I was on my way.
The wedding and reception was lovely. The DJ at the reception played all 70's and 80's music. People were actually doing "The Bump". The bump... can you believe it. I was sure the reason that that genre was chosen, was so all of us old folks could feel young again, and remember when staying up passed 10:00 was an every night occurrence. That's the way.. ah ah, I like it.. ah ah

A Family That Travels Together......

I have been on many bike trips, and there is always one in every crowd. The group on this trip was, bar none, the best group I've ever traveled with. I think one of the main reasons was 9 out of 18 in the group was family. Actually there were only 3 siblings (out of 6) on the trip but they brought their significant other and 3 friends. We all know anyone who comes from a large family has a great sense of humor and plays well with others. These guys were great. I had so much fun on this trip that I hardly noticed the constant overcast sky.

I wonder how my family would do together on a bike trip. You are all cordially invited to join Terry and I in Tucson next year. We are planning a bike tour through the Sonoran Desert, February 28th-March 5th. Start saving your pennies.

Rude Awakening

The last thing I remember before my head hit the pillow, was Karen setting her cell phone to wake us at 7:30am.  Well at about 3:00am I heard this chirp.  Now, have you ever been in such a sound sleep that a noise becomes part of your dream?  Well that's what happened until about the 4th chirp.  I just thought, man Karen's cell phone has a loud alarm, and it goes off at such long intervals.   Even Karen, with her earplugs in, woke up, so I know it's not a dream any more.  Karen figured out it was the smoke detector. I'm still in a fog, trying to smell smoke.  Karen has thrown my suitcase on top of this chest directly under the smoke detector and is trying to unscrew the device from the ceiling.  The chirp is going off at 25 second intervals, Karen can't loosen it and I am fully awake now.  After  15 minutes, even with her bike tools, Karen decides to call maintenance.  Now this is a B&B, so it was probably the daughter of the owners.  30 minutes later we are back to sleep, but not before Karen has dubbed the dead battery, "The Chirp of Death".

Easy Rider

The Sojourn vans picked all 18 of us up from The airport and took us directly to our digs for the night.  The Heart of the Village Inn.  An absolutely darling B&B in Shelburne, VT. (technical difficulties with photos).  Once we all signed our waivers releasing Sojourn from any truck squishing, broken appendages,etc., we all geared up for a warm up bike ride.  After the 9 mile ride we went to "Shelburne Farms".  OMG!!  The farm was created back in 1886 by William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt.  You know if the name Vanderbilt is involved it's stunning.  It was built as a model agricultural estate.  It is now an educational non-profit center.  Unfortunately we got to the farm an hour prior to closing, so instead of watching the process of cheese-making, we got to see them wash out equipment.  They didn't let us go to the petting zoo, because there was a child's birthday party going on.  I think you all know what I was more disappointed about.  Anyway we finished up at the "Farm", and headed back to our B&B to shower and get ready for dinner.  Now remember, Karen and I have been up since 3:30am, and I am running on empty.  Dinner was delicious, but right after dessert I excused myself and went straight to bed.  I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Vacation Fast Forward

I know I haven't finished my Wyoming Trip and you have yet to hear all about Costa Rica, but Karen and I have just landed in Burlington, Vermont to start our 7 day biking adventure.  It's our first planned trip since Montana last year, and yes, we opted to have a tour group take care of everything.  That means no lugging and extra 20 pounds, so I have packed something new to wear for every day of the trip.  I am also thrilled that all our hotel rooms will have WiFi, unlike the middle of nowhere, Wyoming, and Karen does not require the attention of my Costa Rica companion either, so sit back and enjoy our trip.  Photos will follow as soon as I figure out how to download them.

You Can Lead A Horse to Water.....

On one of the most beautiful days at the Ranch we all headed out to the Lake. We rode to the top of a bluff so you could enjoy the full view of this man made lake. The view left us breathless. I'm not sure if it was the view, or the height that took my breath away.

From the top of the ridge we followed the trail that took us to the beach.

Boy did we have fun.

Liza actually took off her saddle, and rode bareback in the water. She is a great horseman. Everyone loved watching her race her horse up and down the beach.

Now I see Liza having all this fun, and figure "how many chances will you get to ride a horse bareback in Wyoming". So with the help of Liza I gave it a shot. Needless to say I will not be

not be joining the circus anytime soon, but I had a ball.

Round 'Em Up

What would a Dude Ranch be without a round up? Tuesday morning we all get up earlier than usual, so we can help the boys with a cattle round up. We're going to bring them in, because they have been sold off to a new ranch. 400 head, better wear my gloves for this. I really had a good time with this little adventure. We split up into 3 groups, one to the left, one on the right, and my group, straight up the middle. It's hard to imagine 400 head of cattle spread over 50 acres, but the area is fenced so they can only go so far. Now the fun begins, but there are a few rules, Don't get of f your horse to pet anything. Yes, the baby cows are cute, but stay in your saddle. Do not piss off the bulls, that is alot of weight with horns at the end.

You will all be happy to know that I followed all the rules, although there was this really cute little calf... and all the cattle were delivered without a hitch.

Rider Down

The first night at dinner I was seated across from a gentleman named Mike. He was not a rider in the van because he came out a day early. Come to find out he works at AACC, and lives in Severna Park. What are the chances? We talked about everything Maryland and said our good nights.

Monday morning we saddle up and take our rides into the ring, so the cowboys can measure our skills and make sure we have the right horse. Well, I am riding right behind Mike when all of the sudden his horse starts bucking. I don't mean just one kick with the back legs, his horse must have kicked six or seven times. If the 8 second clock was running he may have won a prize.

As it was, he fell on the horn of the saddle on the first buck, the second he was leaning sideways probably from the impact of the first landing. The third buck he was way over, but still holding on then finally fell or jumped right into the fence.

Being the ever vigilant blogger I got these 2 shot, but I felt a little paparazzish, so then I asked if I could help. He stayed down for about 60 seconds, got up, tried to walk it off, but was in obvious pain, so headed to the closest clinic 45 minutes away. Now Mike was an experienced rider, this was his 2nd trip to the Ranch. I'm beginning to second guess my one day a week, English riding lessons.

After going to the clinic, getting some "don't take while riding horses" pain pills, Mike decided to catch a flight home on Tuesday. I think his final diagnosis was fractured pelvis, bruised ribs and total disappointment.

After all the drama of the morning was over we went on a slow, cautious trail ride. The country is so expansive out west. Miles and miles of nothing but view. Now that is fine for a week, but when you want to run to the store for some little necessity, like Ben & Jerry, and have to drive 45 minutes one way, I just think that would get old after a while. You need to be a certain kind of person to enjoy that type of solitude.

Meet Your Pony

Monday morning we all got to meet our horses. The cowboys got up real early to bring them in from the west field. We were there just in time to see them running into the corral.

My horse was a chestnut mare named "Cricket", Liza got a spicy little number called"Tex-Mex". Cricket was not as sweet as I would have liked. Once I had her saddle on and was cinching the girth, she turned around and bite the bejezus out of my arm.
Luckily I had a long sleeve sweatshirt on, but I wore a bruise on the back of my forearm for the rest of the trip. So much for my forearm modeling career.