Goodnight WildDog

I read this article recently about pet hospice and realized I was already doing it. WildDog, our elderly sheepdog was a funny, orderly, mischievous devil of a dog.

We got WildDog from a rescue, by accident. He was supposed to go to someone else, and they decided they didn't want him. We were looking at another dog when they told us he was ready for us.  Dahey knew he was the dog for him as soon as he saw him, so we hurried down the highway on a cold, snowy day and picked him up.

The foster family told us he got queasy in cars. Dahey held him all the way home in his lap. He did just fine as long as he was petted while he was riding in a car. This always made going to the groomer and the vet an adventure. I told WildDog, "If you are good, you'll get a cookie," and he'd watch me put the cookie in my purse or pocket. He'd try to get at it, if he thought he could get it. However, he could be a perfect gentleman. It just varied.

WildDog was famous for flying through the air and snatching things off counter tops. Dahey was an eyewitness or I never would have believed that he really did eat all those blueberry muffins I wrapped up for my sister for breakfast from the MegaWarehouseStore. He also loved good loaves of bread. Not those artisanal ones Grumpy may talk about, but good, slightly soft, bread that is not cheap. I cannot count the number of loaves that he "opened" (i.e. chewed a hole in) to eat a couple of slices and leave the remaining loaf lying on the living room floor (since this is where he liked to eat his snacks.)

He was a great companion. He came from a breed known for herding, guarding and sticking close to humans. He was really my dog, because he picked me, but Dahey was his alpha dog. When Dahey travelled for work, he didn't always listen to me. It would take a couple of weeks. Sometimes, I had to put Dahey on speakerphone for the dog to listen. Occasionally, he relented.

When Bubba came along, he bonded with him over fistfuls of spaghetti. Bubba loved launching handfuls from his high chair and watching WildDog run. They had their spats (he even bit Bubba once), but the boys got along well.

Tonight, even after the gentle warnings, I had given Bubba about WildDog dying for months, Bubba cried and cried. WildDog was the only dog he'd ever had his entire life. He was his furry brother.

We will miss the pet, but character and spirit of WildDog, the charming little herding dog, will live on in our hearts.

Good night WildDog. See you at the Rainbow Bridge.

I needed a laugh

And the Shaming section on Little White Lion provided it today. Thanks to my old nursing clinical instructor J.

Ah, memories of WildDog in his youth, running up and snatching bread, muffins and potato chips off the counter tops, before any humans would find them.

He was (and still is) smart. Leave him unattended, and he'll steal the stuff when he figures that you're gone to work for the day.

May none of your pets end up eating anything too messy or expensive!

Stay tuned...

Sunday stealing, just for you, dads

I'm not exactly sure if this is truly the Father's Day edition, but I'm posting my answers below today for a selection of the questions.

Bubba was the pancake master for breakfast, and so far, our day has gone really well. Dahey liked all of his gifts.

Enjoy your Father's Day wherever you are!

What is your ring size?
Depends on which hand. One ring finger is an 8. My mother told me not to crack my knuckles, but I didn't listen...

How often do you wear jewelry?  
I'm not an accessory freak, but I wear "work-appropriate" jewelry every day.

When was the last time you consumed alcohol?  
Last weekend.

What is your favorite comfort food?  
It depends. I love bread (my greatest loss while on this low carb diet) and anything bread-like.

Do you prefer broccoli or asparagus?  
Asparagus would be first.

What color are your bedroom walls?  
I think the color is called "linen" (basically a white color, chosen by my husband).

With whom do you live?  
Dahey, Bubba and WildDog. We have visitors occasionally, but none lately. Dahey's got a couple of coworkers and a couple of cousins who've lived with us at one time or another.

Which Star Wars movie is your favorite?
Return of the Jedi. I'm old school.

How about Harry Potter?  
Don't really have one.

What was the last movie you saw in theaters? 
Probably Paranorman.

Did you get the popcorn or candy?  
Always candy. I'm a Sno-caps kind of girl (if it's chocolate, I get it).
 
Have you ever played miniature golf on a date?  
Yes. Over and over and over. Not a lot to do for teens on dates when I was growing up.

Do you always use good grammar?
I try.

Do you have an accent or a speech impediment?  
I have been told I have an accent, based on the region of the country I'm from.  I'm often mistaken for a Canadian. (You know, eh?)

What did you eat today?  
Breakfast omelette. I really wanted lots of pancakes, but I didn't make those low carb ones.


Do you prefer to watch or play sports?  
Play, definitely. If it's pro, I'll watch.

What size engine is in your vehicle?  
Depends: one four, one six cylinder.

What do you need to do tomorrow?
Get up and go to work (ugh!)

Who says Sunday is a day of rest?

Not at the RehabRN household...at least for me.

No cleaning, lots of laundry and plenty of cooking: Endives with ham in bechamel sauce, leek, potato and carrot soup, cheddar beer bread, and stewed apples.

Now I can go back to work for a short week. Thank you relatives for inviting me (and the crew) to Thanksgiving dinner. We (especially me) appreciate it!

More to come...