29 November 2010

December is almost upon us

Hi!  So glad you stopped by Two Dogs today.  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are getting geared up for Christmas. Can you believe it----- that Christmas is almost upon us?  Wow, I don't know where this year went, but it went in a big hurry.
I have been testing the steamer and found a couple of more uses for this dynamo; BUT I am going to step back, take a breath, and take a little time away from the Two Dogs blog.  Probably be back after the first of the new year, maybe a little longer.  Sometimes one has to take a little breather to get the energy flowing again.  When that happens I will be back at it and I will reveal what I have been up to in the cleaning department.  Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and sane New Year's celebration. I will see you in 2011!!! 

15 November 2010

My Charlie Dog.

It's been almost a month since I took Charlie for his last ride and gave him the peace he never knew for most of his life.  It still hurts and will for a long time.  I loved Charlie dog.  A lot.
I want to thank each and every one of you who sent a card, left a message on my blog, said a prayer or two for us, or called to say you were thinking of me.  It was, and is, such a comfort to know that so many people hurt when I hurt and, most importantly, know exactly what I am going through.  But life does go on and I try to keep in the forefront of my mind good, sweet thoughts of the ten months that Charlie lived here with Toonie and me and that those were probably the best ten months of his life.  While it does not take away the pain of losing him, it does give comfort that he knew some love and kindness in his life.  My only regret is that I will always wonder if he was ever able to be that crazy, happy-go-lucky, energetic, self-absorbed wire hair terrier that defines this breed.  Charlie was never self-absorbed, he always tried to do whatever I asked of him but he no longer had the energy or health to run and play. That was taken away by thoughtless uncaring people who no doubt acquired him because he was "so cute". He was too weak and a very old 12 years when he came to live with me --- it does make me wonder. But even if he never had that, or it was constantly being suppressed by who-knows-what means, he knew love here.  Lots of love.    Wire hair fox terriers are one of the most adorable looking breeds but they have requirements that must be met or nobody is happy;  not the family, not the dog, not the neighbors.  They require tremendous amounts of exercise and grooming. They are hard headed.  I won't go into their other requirements, but I do want to say that if you are looking to add a dog to your family (or any other animal), please do your homework first. Every breed has certain needs that must be met and if they do not fit into your lifestyle and you cannot give them what they need the animal will end up the loser.  Every pet deserves a forever home and should be a cherished member of your family. 
OK, I will get off my soapbox now and spare you a repeat of the editorial piece I wrote to the local newspaper they day after I said goodbye to Charlie.  I was extremely emotional but I needed to say my piece and hopefully save a dog or two from abuse. neglect, abandonment, or being taken to the pound because he didn't fit in.  Please don't get a pet because he is adorable, or has big brown eyes, or looks at you and makes your heart melt.  By all means get a pet, but get the right one.  Everyone wins that way.  Thanks again for all your love and support.  Have a great week.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

01 November 2010

Have you ever

noticed how sometimes you are just going along, living your life, minding your own business and WHAM!!! You get slapped down for no known reason?  These past 10 days or so have been like that around here.  Sick furry kids, a leak in the roof, the list goes on.
My little Toonie Mae was confirmed diabetic and I have learned to give her insulin injections. Not something I ever thought I would be able to do --- stick a needle in flesh, but when faced with something we have to do because of the path we chose, we get a pair and do what must be done. A dear friend went with me to Tooner's vet appointment because I fully intended to have her put down if my suspicions of diabetes were confirmed.  Well, when it came right down to it I couldn't do it.  I just couldn't.  With Charlie sick and winter coming on and my foot hurting, and my hair dryer blowing up---- any excuse is a good excuse------ I just couldn't face losing them both at this time so I hitched up my britches and learned to give my sweet baby dog her insulin.  The needle is tiny, she really didn't feel a thing,  and it was the scariest thing I have had to do in a long, long time.  But as my friend said ------ this is what you chose to do so you have to learn to do this.  Yep, she was spot on.  And she has been such a comfort and encourager to me.

As for Charlie, my sweet boy is at the end of his life.  His stay at the vet's didn't produce the hoped-for results and with a heavy, broken heart I have decided to let him go.  He refuses to eat anything but chicken and even that is not consumed with much enthusiasm.  Whatever is going on with his spine is not, and will not, get better and the kidney dysfunction cannot improve with his refusal to eat his prescribed food.  The stubborn little sweetheart actually spit the stuff out when I tried to sneak it into his portion of chicken!  At this point he sleeps 98 percent of the time and I am gathering my courage to take him back to the vet for his final ride sometime this week. And now I am faced with the hardest thing I have had to do since putting Sherman down.  Keep a prayer in your heart for us, would you?