Coming out of seclusion...

Hello friends. I want to take a moment to thank everyone, from the bottom of my heart, for the lovely, heartfelt words of support at my dad's passing. I thought I would get back into the swing of things much sooner, but it has taken more time than I expected.

I have thrown myself into work, trying to keep busy and stay focused. If I'm busy, I don't have time to think. Blogging makes me think. I have to think about things to write about, usually what is going in in my small little life. Dad is always in my thoughts it seems, and it's just been too hard to put into words what I've been feeling.

I want to apologize about the "Bad Case of Blogger's Block" post that showed up in November on my blog. Can you believe that that was a post I actually started over a year ago when I couldn't think of anything to blog about? I grabbed some photos from my computer, intending to eventually making it a coherent post and I scheduled it to go live the following year. I then forgot all about it and because I haven't blogged since August, I didn't realize it had gone live in its rough, non-verbal state.

So what have I been doing? Dealing with guilt of my dad having been in a nursing home/rehab facility, a place he did not want to be. Wishing I had done many things differently. Revisiting so many things and wishing I could go back in time and do some things differently which (in my mind) may have changed the outcome. Stress eating. God, have I been stress eating. I will be getting rid of my Weight Loss log on the sidebar because I've regained all the weight I'd worked so hard to lose. If I ever feel up to starting the weight loss journey again, I'll start a new log on my sidebar.

I'm still wearing dad's blue shirt. The one everyone said was "his" color. They were right. It's a beautiful shade of pale blue. The rhinestone brooch was my addition. I can say without any hesitation that my dad never sported the brooch when he wore this shirt.

When I take a break from transcribing, the shops, and/or trying to paint, I sometimes see these beauties in our neighborhood.

A friend called me last week to let me know they were in her yard, so you know I had to grab my camera and head down for a visit.

After having no tree at all last year, we decided to take a chance this year even though Baby is as crazy as ever. We didn't put any of our breakable ornaments on the tree which was a smart move because she's constantly batting at everything and trying to climb up or through the tree.

She's a very mischievous little cat and I'm certain she thinks the tree was solely put up for her amusement.

I have a feeling she will miss it come January.

Sweet Jarrett is also enjoying the tree. I think all the critters are excited that Santa will be bringing them some treats. They've been very, very good this year (yes, even Baby).

Our little Tiger, now 18, spends most of her time on Amanda's bed, laying next to the heating vent in my office/studio, or watching the world go by outside her window... Santa knows her favorite treats are Temptations and I'm sure he'll be leaving her a few different flavors.

(Baby watching for Santa)

I doubt I will be back before the holidays so I want to take this time to once again thank you ALL for your kindness and to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Donna

The pitter patter of 4 more feet...

I am so sorry I haven't been around much. We've had a lot of things going on around here, and I just don't have the time for much of anything anymore it seems. But, I have finally found a minute to introduce Mr. J, our newest family member!


"Say cheese"

Is he not the cutest little guy ever? Some of you may recognize him. I have posted photos of him in past blogposts about our Cape Cod visits. But last month, Mr. J moved in with us.


"Saying goodbye"

My dear relative found it necessary to move in with another relative in a distant part of the country. Unfortunately, there was no way Mr. J could join her in her new living arrangements. It is so difficult for older people and their animals when life circumstances necessitate goodbyes. There are so many wonderful animals in shelters right now because an elderly owner has passed away, or perhaps had to enter assisted living. It breaks my heart that these people and their devoted pets have to be separated. But this isn't meant to be a downer post. My relative has the peace of mind in knowing that her sweet Mr. J is being loved in his new forever home - with us! The following photos have been taken over the past month.


This was the first photo I took of Mr. J when we got him home. Figures it would have an orb in it (I think I'm the queen or capturing orbs!).. Anyhow, based on the location of the orb, right by Mr. J's rear quarters (oh, heck, I'll just say it - his butt), I think it might be our Mr. O'Malley or Ms. Giz checking out the new addition! After all, that is how dogs greet each other! (For any new readers, Mr. O'Malley and Ms. Giz were the dogs we lost several years ago, pictured on my sidebar.)

Second picture. Mr. J getting into belly rub pose. Since that was Mr. O'Malley's FAVORITE thing, I'll bet that orb was him telling Mr. J that I give GREAT belly rubs!

This was taken in November... Mr. J getting used to his new yard. He was also desperately in need of a good bath and grooming, but a highly recommended groomer was booked a month out, so he had to sport his shaggy look for quite some time.

Therefore I took the scissors to the fur that was hanging over his eyes so we could at least see each other! Much better! Just look at that face and that big toothy grin! I think he approves

Mr. J is somewhere between 9 and 11 years old and your guess is as good as mine as to what breeds he has in him! When my aunt adopted him from the shelter a few years ago, his papers listed him as a lhasa apso mix. But he's quite a bit bigger than a lhasa; I think I see a bit of poodle in him maybe?

This is Mr. J waiting for his supper. I was a mean mommy and held his bowl up while balancing the camera to capture this sweet "anticipation" look he wears before breakfast and dinner.

And here he is, after his little belly is full. Now just like our Baby, he looks like the picture of innocence, doesn't he? But just you wait until you see what I came home to today! You'll also get to see him sporting his new haircut...

Oh, and the transition with the cats has been a hoot. I'll fill you all in on how that is going, too!

Till next time...

Donna

Our little pound puppy (a.k.a. troll dog)!!

This is our little Ms. Giz (Gizmo, Gizzy Girl)... One look at her ears and you can probably guess why she was named Gizmo!
(click any photo to enlarge)

That was her name when we adopted her, at age 8, from a rescue group in Maine and this is what she looked like... a pair of ears with a dog attached!!


(Gizzy on an inflatable plastic chair)

This photo has an almost "alien" ("Take me to your leader") look about it! She was such a funny little dog! She loved me unconditionally (yes, I was her favorite) and she tolerated everyone else in the family (she actually did love them; her tail would wag furiously as she growled at them and acted feisty! Like I said, she was such a little troll!!!)


(She and my boy, Blackie sitting at the slider)

Gizzy, true to her (mixed) terrier heritage, ruled the roost from the get go. It didn't matter to her that our three cats had been living here for years before she came along, or that her big brother (lab/shepherd Mr. O'Malley) outweighed her by 60 lbs.... She let everyone know she was the boss from day one!


(a favorite place to sun herself - on the back of the couch)
This story has a hero, and his name is Vaughn. He, along with another rescuer named Sharon, drove from Maine to the New York City pound several times a year. Their mission: to rescue as many small dogs from the pound as possible, take them back to Maine, and find homes for them. The NYC pound takes in about 1,000 animals every week, yet only about 100 of those are fortunate enough to find homes; therefore, about 900 of the 1,000 are put to sleep ... every week. The number are staggering, aren't they?



While finalizing paperwork to adopt the dogs, Vaughn happened to wander into a back room where he spotted Gizmo in a cage. When Gizmo saw him, she immediately got up on her hind legs, clasped her two front paws together and kept thrusting them back and forth while barking furiously... Vaughn later told me that it looked to him like she was praying for her life. He went back to the front desk and told them he wanted to adopt the little blonde dog in the back room, too.

But the pound told him she was too old to be adopted (at 8 years). She was an "owner turn-in" and was scheduled to be put to sleep that afternoon, as the shelter was overcrowded; therefore there was no room for her, and again, because of her age she was deemed 'unadoptable'. Vaughn told them he really wanted to add her to the group of dogs he was taking back to Maine, but once again they told him, "No." Vaughn told them that she was 'praying' for her life in that cage in the back room and that he had no intention of leaving without her...

(Gizzy, sleeping in my office... )
... so the pound finally backed down and agreed to draw up the additional paperwork to release Gizmo to him...

I don't know where Gizzy spent her first 8 years, but I know wherever she lived, she must have been loved very much. It was impossible not to love her. My guess (since she was an owner turn-in) is that she may have had an elderly owner who passed away or went into a nursing home. Perhaps it fell upon relatives to decide her fate and they turned her over to the pound... (If only dogs could talk)...


As Gizmo aged, she developed a severe eye infection that required her right eye to be removed. But as you can see from her smiling face, she didn't let it get her down...

She eventually went totally blind in her remaining eye, but again, she lived each and every day joyfully, with a wagging tail and a crooked toothed smile... Nothing got her down.

She had also developed diabetes (a contributing factor in her eye infection). Part of her treatment was me giving her insulin shots twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Again, never a whimper. As long as she had her family (especially me), a bowl of food and fresh water, she was as happy as could be. She was a little girl, but she had a BIG appetite!!!

We lost her a year ago on March 22nd, at 16 years of age, so I've been thinking about her (and missing her) a lot this weekend... She truly was a one in a million dog...

I'm so thankful and grateful for the 8 years we shared. By watching her, we all learned more about living life with joy, dignity, and without complaint.

And I'm so thankful and grateful to Vaughn for refusing to leave the pound without this little girl... Vaughn and Sharon are no longer doing rescues or I'd definitely send people their way... But wherever you live, you can be sure that there are local rescue groups, pounds, and shelters filled with animals, all in desperate need of good homes.

I have several pet adoption sites listed on my sidebar where you can adopt everything from puppies to purebreeds to good old mutts!! And don't forget one of the major benefits to adopting an older dog - they're already housebroken in most cases!!!

Wishing you and all your fur babies a wonderful week!

I love you, my little Giz...

Donna

Love is in the air...

Love Story #1

You've probably seen and heard updates on Sam, the koala... but just in case you haven't...


Sam is the koala who was rescued from the Australian wildfires.


(photo by Mark Parden, AP)
She made international headlines after appearing in this touching photo (sipping bottled water being offered to her by Australian firefighter David Tree).


Volunteers lovingly tend to her burned paws, and she is expected to make a full recovery.



This little chap, Bob, was also rescued from the fires and and he happens to be recuperating at the same facility as Sam.

And now it appears that love is in the air (how fitting for Valentine's week!). Bob, it seems, has fallen hard for Sam and they've become quite inseparable. He has taken on the role of Sam's protector, often sitting with his arm around her. Ain't love grand? (And is this not the sweetest photo ever? Just look at those fuzzy little ears!)

Love Story #2

(click photo to watch 2 minute video)

This story made the rounds last month, so you may have already heard about Tarra (the elephant) and Bella (the dog) who live at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. But if you haven't, you must click on the photo to watch this very short video about a very special love story!

Love comes in all shapes and sizes; love sees beauty everywhere; love does not discriminate; love is unconditional. We can learn so much about love by observing animals!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!

Donna

Paint by Numbers

Oh how I wish I had some of the paint by numbers that I did as a child in the 50's and 60's! Of course I only painted horses back then... in every color, shape, size, and pose!

If you've ever visited my blog, you've most likely seen the vintage floral paint by number that hangs above my fireplace...

And in the dining room, I have this vintage PBN of swans. (There's one just like it up for auction on eBay right now!)

I just love the colors in this hydrangea PBN that I purchased several years ago. I knew as soon as I saw it that it would be perfect over the fireplace.

And just look at the colors of this roses PBN that hangs in my hallway (as an added bonus, it's signed & dated)! Some of the paint has lifted off, but that just adds to its charm. Some of the old frames for these PBN's are just gorgeous, too... this one has the perfect amount of wear and tear...

This is the swan painting that hangs in the dining room. I think swans are so graceful, and the colors in this were perfect for our little cottage. This didn't come with a frame, so I had to purchase one.

I bought this PBN of Mary for my daughter as one of her college graduation presents. She loves the paint by numbers that hang in our house, so I thought I would get her started on her very own collection for when she (eventually - no rush!) moves out! And again, this old frame is just beautiful even though two of the corners are a little out of kilter. (I even told her if she didn't like it, I would gladly keep it (ha ha), but she told me she LOVES it!).

... and I bought her this vintage dog PBN (even though he's a different color, he reminded me of our beloved Mr. O'Malley). And after all, you can't have a collection of just one! I think it looks pretty good in this frame I picked up at Wal Mart.

Yes, I just think these old paint by numbers add the sweetest cottage charm to a room!

Donna