Popular Posts of 2013

Royal Albert Tea Party
I love my Royal Albert Tea Cups, Saucers and Dessert Plates and having Tea Parties!  The company, good tea, delicious food and conversation is the best.  
Here are the
Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2013...

Baked Zucchini Stix 

Whitman Cottage

Chakras

Benny's Story

LaStone Therapy

The Stone - Northport, Michigan 

Bed & Breakfast Tea

Chandelier Before and After

Log/Timber Cabin in Montana

Thanks for visiting me in 2013...

Have a very Blessed & Happy New Year!

Brighter Days Ahead...

I just wanted to thank you for the Prayers...and to Let you know that I believe Brighter Days are Coming! We've turned the corner on the happenings of the weekend that had us both so concerned.  Tomorrow...a re-check and hopefully everything will be OK.  After all that happened with the loss of Benny just 3 weeks ago, this thing could have gone so wrong and been way too much to bear. When we get that OK...there will be much rejoicing...and praising the Lord for a miracle.  Then I'll be posting a real update.

Good and Bad Weekend

The last 2 days were happy and joyous as well as unnerving and everything could have been totally disastrous.  We were away and didn't get home til dinner time Friday, then Saturday is when things suddenly changed and we ended up having to visit the ER and Critical Care Hospital in Toledo. Things were touch and go for a while and really could have gone either way. Update later.  

Timely Advice...

With Christmas Presents, come little pieces of toys...wrapping paper and ornaments.  Then there's all that food...and garbage and even the tree.  Take a course is Animal CPR.  Some Y's offer it and some Vets do too.  Google Animal CPR in your area and be prepared.  You never know what's going to happen, that some extra knowledge will come in handy for saving your pet or someone else's pet.

From Our House to Yours...

...from My Son

Our Family's New Christmas Story
Hi Mom, We went to a farm to get our Christmas Tree...because they let us bring the dogs along.  Anyway, I realize the next day I can't find my sunglasses - tracing back the day before I thought I had them on my face on our way out to get the tree but I couldn't remember where I may have misplaced them on the way home or later, I was sure I hadn't put them down on a counter...
at the farm when I paid because we were standing in the middle of the yard when I pulled out my wallet.

A couple days go by and still my sunglasses hadn't turned up (you know how lost things are usually "found" in time)...so as a last resort I call the farm...barely getting out the word sunglasses the guy laughs back, "You're the sunglasses guy, ha ha ha!". Turns out my sunglasses were tucked in my coat at my neck while we were looking at trees and in the course of pulling one out to look at it the tree "ate" my glasses...there they were hanging in the tree to be found later by another customer! :) Even funnier is I took a number of pictures of Lindsey and the puppies in front of some of the trees.......and, yep, you guessed it! Looking back on the pictures sure enough one shows my sunglasses hanging on the tree!

Two of My Son's Pupsters

Lilly

Louis

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Story of Christmas

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.  ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth... to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. ⁸ And there wereshepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.   9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

My Favorite Christmas Movie

This is a love story reuniting  Oscar and Emmy Award winner Julie Andrews and Emmy winner James Garner, this time as strangers who take refuge in a small cabin during a blizzard and,  despite their many differences, discover that fate has brought them together.  (Originally broadcast  11/28/99)

If you don't have the DVD or Video of this Movie, it would be difficult trying to catch it on TV or Cable.  But, don't fret...I found it, the full version, on YouTube!  

The Video is at the End of this post.  

Patricia Charbonneau also stars in the drama, which was the  highest-rated  movie on any network during the 1999-2000 season...

The story is set during the holiday season as both Dr. Catherine Howard  (Andrews) and Robert Woodward (Garner) wind up at the same medical facility,   one still missing a loved one, the other visiting his spouse.  Although they  have lived within miles of each other for years, Catherine, a striking woman  who is known to power walk to Mozart's Fifth Symphony, and Robert, a ruggedly

 handsome father of two grown children, have never met.  Outside, snow has begun to fall and, despite a brusque first encounter, when Catherine learns that Robert is stranded, she offers him a ride home in  her Jaguar. Almost immediately, they get off to a rocky start when Robert irritates Catherine with comments about her car and her driving.  Sparks fly as  Catherine struggles to maneuver the car and Robert barks directions.  Much to  their chagrin, the car finally careens off  the road into a snowbank. After  trudging through the blizzard, they miraculously discover an empty cabin to shelter them from the storm.

     The pair spars about everything from cooking to board games, but it's clear that they're attracted to each other. While the storm rages outside,  Catherine and Robert get comfortable over a bottle of wine and share stories about their pasts and their loved ones. As they break through each other's shells, the two become friends and  it becomes clear that one day they will  have a lot more to share.

     Patricia Charbonneau stars as Lori, Robert's daughter, who spearheads the search for her snowbound father and his new friend.

Holidays - Sadly, a Time for Scams...

Scammers...always looking for an easy Buck or more!  During the Holidays they are out in full force.  You've probably heard about the Target Store scammers that have access now to over 40 million customer accounts...just because they scanned their credit or debit cards when making their purchases.  And it started right around Thanksgiving.  Well, this morning, I found out it happened to us!  Never thought it would happen to us.  Hubby doesn't make purchases...
on-line, I handle all of that.   And, believe me, I am diligent making sure it's only on a secured website that I'm making a purchase.  I'm careful - and read every single word of the mumbo jumbo some places have for you to read.  But, still...when I reviewed our on-line Credit Card Statement this morning, I saw an Outstanding Authorization, one that I knew I had not made.

I immediately Googled - Continuity/Subscription Merchant BlueMountain*ECA and discovered that Continuity/Subscription Merchant {with a multitude of names after it}, is a scam!  

(This does not have anything to do with Blue Mountain Cards on-line AND there is nothing on Snopes.com about this and I tried several different methods of trying to locate info on this there.)

'Continuity billing' scams cause continuous credit card pain
By Martin Merzer

You agree to one small purchase and get billed over and over. The scam is called continuity billing, an appropriate term because if you fall for the scheme -- and thousands of credit card holders are falling hard for it -- you will experience a continuity of regret.  The remorse continues because your credit card is billed each month for generally worthless services you were tricked into authorizing.

Law enforcement authorities around the country say continuity billing scams are on the rise and warn consumers to avoid being victimized. "We've brought several cases and we'll be bringing more of them," says Frank Dorman, a spokesman for the Federal Trade Commission.

In summary, continuity billing scams work like this...To continue Reading this Article...Click Here 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Believe me, we were on the phone with our Credit Card Company early this morning - 7am - discussing this.  They closed our account.  We will need to contact the Dispute Department in about a week - 10 days in order to try to retrieve our $59.99 they charged to our account.  We declined, at this time, to have them send us another Credit Card.  I certainly did not one mailed during the Holiday Mail Rush!  We can always call them and get another card.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I hope this results in you being even more diligent then I have been in your internet credit card purchases.  It can happen to all of us! 

Christmas At Our House

In years past, I decorated every room in the house for Christmas!  Sometimes I had 2-3 Christmas Trees!  I would start decorating on Thanksgiving Day {when I was single, which I was until 2005}.  I would cook food for the day and nibble all day long as I worked.  Most years, I would have parties with friends and relatives...or at least have several people over for a Christmas Celebration Dinner...or even Brunch.  When hubby and I were first married, I did alot of Christmas Decorating in our old house...
even though our house had been for sale and SOLD just before the holidays.  See that post Here.   We were expecting to move out of that house and into our new home soon after the New Year...2006.  We ended up moving until March of 2006.  But, there was less to pack or sell before we moved.

Our first several Christmases in our New Home, we had 2 trees and sometimes 3...and decorations in every single room in the house.  We had parties.  We had dinners.  We had friends and neighbors and the occasional family member over.

We even had a PINK tree 2 years in a row.  Take a peek Here.

And then the past several years, decorating has dwindled, as it's been just hubby, me and the pups.  There has seldom been a party, a dinner or visitors and certainly no family that visits.

This year, with the added events of the past several weeks, I really haven't felt like doing alot of decorating.  I did, however, get our pretty table-top tree out of storage and got it up.  I had to rearrange furniture in our Den where so I could move the console in to put the tree on...and then got it all decorated.  It looks so pretty with all of it's amber glowing lights.  Since it's so close to Christmas, I am going to leave the decorating at that...just the tree.  I wanted to share the photos and wish everyone a Blessed and Very Merry Christmas!!

Gold Poinsettias, amber lights, a few gold ornaments and a ribbon topper...in a Fleur de Lis Pot.  After putting the tree on the console, I realized they BOTH had Fleur de Lis on them! 

No Room Lights on - No Flash - Only the Christmas Lights are Lit!

The End...Came too Soon

After dealing with the heartbreak of realizing how sick our Benny was, and then having to decide what the "right" thing for him was...all in a short period of time and with little time to absorb what exactly was going on with him...I had lots of questions.  Alot of them I asked and got answers for...but the ones afterward were so hard.  The hardest part was letting Benny go.  But, it had to be done.    I kept seeking answers.  I kept praying and asking for prayers from all of you.   Although it's just shy of Two weeks ago that this happened...
I am feeling better.  And in the process of feeling better, I found this following article and with that, some more answers.  In hopes that if the unthinkable happens and you {or us again} are ever faced with having to put your pet to sleep and all of the questions that come with that, I am posting this.

Euthanasia of a Beloved Pet

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die.

— Ecclesiastes 3:1

{This information has been excerpted from the award-winning book, The Loss of a Pet.} 

Euthanasia is one of the most difficult decisions anyone can ever make for a pet who is a beloved companion. Although the decision is demanded by humanitarian obligation, it is always traumatic for the person who must finally make it. It is perhaps the ultimate heartbreak we must be willing to endure for our adored companion animal. Aside from being the right thing to do, euthanasia can be a psychological nightmare of confusion, guilt and even final responsibility.

As loving stewards we have an unspoken covenant with our pets — that we will euthanize, if it is necessary. In the final analysis, only the owner can really understand when the time is right. And even then, emotions still make it so difficult. This is the ultimate loving act for our beloved companion animals. It is for them, regardless of the effects on us, that we must do this. But it is inevitable that we will grieve for ourselves, as well. And now we have to learn to somehow put this into some meaningful perspective.

As a pet owner, none of us like to think of the day, seemingly far in the future, when we must say good-bye to our pet. Though the thought may briefly skim through our minds from time to time, we seldom dwell on it. It is natural to feel we have a lifetime to enjoy our dear pets. Unfortunately, because their lives are far shorter than ours, we must always be ready to face this terrible decision.

The more you educate yourself about euthanasia — ahead of time — the less likely you will be to question the decision or procedure, afterward. This can help prevent those feelings of wishing you had done some things differently, and it may relieve some of the guilt that inevitably follows. Making the decision to euthanize your pet can involve conflicting emotions.

Deciding When the Time Is Right  
The decision when to euthanize is as individual and personal as you and your pet are. This is a judgment that only you can make, and it involves great personal courage and sacrifice. Many people fear they will not be able to recognize when the time is right. Do not hesitate to seek guidance from your veterinarian. It is good to include family members or friends who share a close bond with your pet in the decision-making process. This is a time when you will need the support of those who truly understand. Also, the APLB has five online chatrooms that a pet owner can attend, and receive exceptional supervised peer support.

Some important things to take into consideration, contemplating this decision may be:
Does the pet still seem to enjoy life? Is he/she able to carry out normal body functions as before — eating, walking, and eliminating? Is the pet in pain? What is the medical prognosis? What are the treatment options? Will they create an uncomfortable quality of life?

Another important consideration is, are you able to afford the cost of treatment? For some, this must be the overriding determiner. Regardless of their opinions, other people should not stand in judgment of this. In making the final decision it may be helpful to weigh the good days versus the bad days. When the bad override the good, it probably is the right time.

Remember, no one knows your pet better than you do. You have spent a great deal of time learning to communicate with him/her by reading the body language. Attend to what your pet may be trying to communicate. And trust what your heart tells you. Later, you may question this, but that is a natural reaction, and you should rely on your present reasoning.

Making the Appointment
Once you have made the decision to euthanize your pet, the next step is making the appointment. The timing is often critical, and you may need to act quickly. Some people prefer to spend a few final days with their pet. If you do have the time to plan ahead, it is a good idea to first discuss with your veterinarian all aspects of what to expect. Some important considerations are:
Will the veterinarian who cared for you pet be the one performing the euthanasia? Remember, you have the option to change this, if necessary.
Consider the time of day and the day of the week. You will need time before and after to deal with your emotions. You may need to take a day or two off from work. Do not hesitate to care for yourself. You are important. You are making this very critical decision based on what is best for your pet. Make some decisions that are the best for you, as well.
The euthanasia procedure is typically done at the veterinarian’s office, but can also be performed at home. Your veterinarian may or may not offer this service, and if you prefer, he/she may be able to offer a referral. If not, then you have some important research and networking to do. Euthanasia is normally a quick, peaceful, and should be a virtually pain-free procedure for your pet, regardless of where it is performed.
Palliation is medical intervention used in terminal cases. It can usually prolong life a short while, but always at great additional financial and emotional expense to the owner — as well as additional stress and suffering for the pet. Unfortunately, too often the treatment can be too aggressive and painful. Remember, pets are very good at concealing their pain and discomfort.

The following information is to help you understand what will take place during the euthanasia process and how your pet’s body may react. We have included some additional advice that could be useful, afterward.  

The Euthanasia Process
The euthanasia process itself should be as quick and peaceful for your pet as possible.  Ideally, this is a two-step procedure. First, a sedative should be administered, relaxing the pet, and literally putting it to sleep. Then, an IV should be established, and flushed with saline solution, to make certain that it is inserted properly in the vein.

Based on our years of experience with many thousands of traumatic cases, we very strongly recommend that the sedative be administered first, so he/she won’t have to be frightened by or feel the IV. It is understood that in exceptional cases alternate special means may be needed.  Discuss this well in advance with your vet, and insist on it! If he/she still refuses to do this (and that is uncommon) we advise going to another practitioner. It is best to avoid taking any chances, however remote, in the precious last moments of your pet's life.

When the veterinarian is ready to begin the procedure an assistant will usually be asked to help hold your pet. Once the euthanasia solution is given, the animal’s muscles will relax and the heart will stop beating. It is a very fast-acting medicine. Most owners are surprised at how quickly death comes – in seconds.

Some pet owners initially think they will be more comfortable if they do not observe their pet’s final moments, and would rather be in the waiting room (or elsewhere) during the procedure. But bear in mind that those who opt for not being present often later feel a terrible sense of guilt about this.

If possible, discuss with your veterinarian or his or her office staff before the appointment is made how euthanasia is performed at that particular office. Your pet’s health, temperament, and your preferences should each be considered when making this decision. For very small, young or old, or exotic animals, there may be some differences from the procedure just described. Be sure that you are comfortable with the procedure that you and your veterinarian choose. Again, you may need to find another veterinarian to do the procedure the way you prefer.

Saying Goodbye
Before these final moments, you will have to consider how you would like to say goodbye. You may be present for the process, and decide to do this before your pet enters the room, or just prior to the procedure. Some feel they have to say goodbye in the room before then, and leave. If you decide to return afterward, ask your veterinarian to close your pet’s eyelids, before then.

As emotionally traumatic as it is, most pet owners feel they need to be present the entire time, hold their pet, and say their farewells during the euthanasia procedure. Most people spend private time with their pets before, as well as after. Each veterinarian has his own policies and procedures, however, and you always should discuss these, beforehand. Be fully informed and in charge, despite your terrible emotional strain. Unfortunately, a few veterinarians are closed-minded and insistent on doing things their own way, despite what anyone else may think or want. This is rare, but you may find it necessary to opt for a different veterinarian and procedure. You want to avoid having any possible misgivings, later. Despite the great tensions at this time we suggest that you do not let anyone insist on anything that you do not want.

Most veterinarians will keep the body until a prearranged pickup service retrieves it for burial or cremation. Generally, it is good to make all arrangements with the cremation or burial service long before that final day, so that the last moments with your pet are as non-stressful as possible. Also your decision-making abilities will be better, at that time. If it is possible, arrange for someone to be with you. If it is possible, arrange for someone to be with you.

Aftercare Options
There are several options for aftercare for your pet’s body. These are always influenced by financial and personal considerations, or religious beliefs. Most veterinarians will inform you of the choices, as they generally have a financial relationship with a nearby crematory or pet cemetery. Cremation or burial are the most common preferences. A tiny percentage of pet owners may prefer more unconventional options, such as taxidermy or freeze-drying. We recommend that they investigate fully how that is accomplished, before deciding. There are some details and aftereffects that may deter the choice, or have unhappy effects, later.

Cremation: This option enables you to keep your pet’s ashes in an urn or other special container in your home, bury them — or even scatter them later, in a location that will be meaningful to you. And there is no time pressure on you to make any of these decisions. You can have your pet’s body cremated, either with other pets, or individually. In the less expensive group cremation there is no guarantee that the cremains that are returned (if requested) will be those of your pet. With individual cremation, the ashes are generally returned in an inexpensive box, to keep and deal with at your discretion. They will generally try to sell you an expensive urn. But usually owners, can find something they greatly prefer, later. At this point there is no rush to do that.

Usually, your veterinarian will be glad to make the arrangements and notify you when you can expect to have the ashes returned. Generally, pet owners are surprised at the small quantity of cremains that are returned. For example, a 75-pound dog’s ashes will fill a space equivalent to about half a shoe box.

Burial: Burial at a pet cemetery is also a common choice. Each has its own requirements, and any specifics should be worked out in advance, between you, your vet, and the cemetery. Although somewhat costly, it also has a sense of permanence and respect that many pet owners appreciate. Some pet cemeteries or animal shelters also offer less expensive communal burial.

There are many pet cemeteries across the country. You can find them in the Yellow Pages, under Pet Mortuary Services, or through your veterinarian. And they can be found on the APLB website. Most people don’t realize at first that the quality of management can vary quite a bit. Again, we suggest that you investigate this, beforehand, if possible. Prices vary, but expect a plot to cost at least $100 for a small pet — with additional regular maintenance charges. You can supply your own casket or buy one from a reputable retailer. Prices can vary from $50 for a no-frills plastic shell, up to over $500 for a more elaborate casket. Although they may have quality merchandise, be wary of the sales pitch often made at the cemetery or crematory. Immediately after the death of a beloved pet is not the time for you to make a good choice. Try to make these arrangements beforehand.

Burial at home is preferred by many, but may not be practical, or permitted, in your area. Be sure to check your local zoning restrictions. Also, this option is not an option for those who live in a city, or rent. Your veterinarian may have this information for you. If it is allowed, and you decide to bury your pet in the yard, keep in mind that one day you may relocate to a new home.

Whatever choices are made, you may want to bring a few personal items with you, to be buried or cremated with your pet’s body. This may be a special toy, coat, flower, poem, picture, etc. Also, you may appreciate clipping and saving a bit of your pet’s fur. Many pet owners take comfort in having this special remembrance.

Pets Bereaving Pets
Losing a pet affects not only the people, but can also upset other pets in the home. The makeup of your family has changed with the loss of your pet, and you may notice that your surviving ones may also experience grief. Sometimes you will observe crying, loss of appetite, looking for the missing pet, oversleeping, house-soiling mistakes, even disobedience. The adjustment to a new hierarchy within the home can also be a cause of change in behavior. If you feel the surviving animal is bereaving offer a special treat, a new toy — and most of all, extra attention from you. The grief should diminish over time, as does our own. It has been observed that the distress of pets is almost invariably made easier and briefer if they can observe and sniff the body of the deceased companion.

Some Final Thoughts
We get much love and delight from our beloved pets in life, and we grieve deeply for them when they die. Because of the unique enhancement they give to our lives they become a treasured part of us, forever. When a dear pet’s life ends, more dies than just a cherished friend and companion. Since we make them into living symbols of our own innocence and purest feelings, a treasured secret part of each of us also dies. This can be reborn as we slowly pick up our shattered emotional pieces and move on. Our dear ones bless us, just as we do them, and they enrich and prepare us for our moving on in life. The loving memories become a permanent part of who we are, and they live on, in our hearts. Our continuing and improving lives can be our best memorials to them.

Many bereaving pet owners will find comfort in reading “All Pets Go To Heaven”. And they may appreciate visiting the In Memoriam pages, as well.

The life and death of all creatures is also our moral concern and responsibility. Even the Bible states that man is the steward of all the animals.

Blowing and Drifting Snow

After Four Days of Falling Snow...We have all of this...and as you look at these pictures, you can actually see it piling up!  The little black fence you can see in front of the plants in the earlier pictures, no longer shows in the last few, after the snowfall yesterday.  The scenery will all be changing,  as warmer temperatures and rain are predicted for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  {click any of the pictures to see them larger}  Just when you get a good...
snow, the temperature always rises and it always rains...and washes all the pretty snow away.  I've always hated that.  {Don't tell anyone, but I do like snow - just don't like driving in it!}

I had hubby shovel a path around the perimeter of our Courtyard so that our 2 Pups would have a
track to run around on and they are thoroughly enjoying it.  Rosie, our Toy Poodle runs around and then jumps into the middle of the foot of snow at the center of the track.  She loves snow!

Jasper loves running around with Rosie, but hasn't yet jumped in the middle of the snow.

The courtyard is about 1500 square feet of space, including our porch that has 2 sets of steps, one down each side of the porch.  The Pups include the Steps and Porch in their running around the courtyard.

I designed the Courtyard and Hubby built it...in 2009...it was actually started in early spring, before we got our dogs.  Jasper came to live with us in May, 2009; Benny in June 2009 and Rosie in May 2010.   The Courtyard was completed in July 2009.

We're so glad we have a secure place for the Pups to run and play.

All of the pictures were taken from inside the house, from both my Office Window and the Dining Room Windows.

Hope you're staying warm and having a Blessed Week! 

Christmas Necklace Winner Announced...

We have a Winner!!  

I have had such fun giving away this Christmas Tree Necklace tonight!  I enjoy making Jewelry and have an Entire Etsy Shop full of "pretties".  If you haven't stopped by already, there is an Etsy Shop link on the Navigation Bar under my Header at the top of my Blog.  I have COUPONS you can use on your purchases...and they are listed on every item, just to help you...
remember to use them at checkout!!  UPDATE:  My shop has since closed.  I've retired!

Now...I hope you're almost all set for Christmas.  Just a little over a week until the big day.  Hubby and I will be celebrating at home by ourselves with our 2 Pups.  I'm certain we'll be sharing good
memories of our 3rd Pup who died on December 7th.  All of your prayers have helped us through this difficult time of loss.  Benny's sudden illness and rapid decline and finally, his death hit me really hard.  He's been more my dog than hubby's and he helped me through my ordeal with Bell's Palsy.  Thanks again for all of your kind words.

Now...on to announcing the WINNER!!

Here is the winner's comment...

Red Rose AlleyFriday, December 13, 2013 at 1:30:00 PM EST

Hi Jan,

This necklace is so pretty, and I like the beads on there, as I am a bead and jewel girl all the way. A lot of women don't like to wear PINK in fashion, but I love to wear Pink because it's feminine and elegant. I think it would be so pretty next to a winter white sweater. I would love a chance to win this lovely necklace. Please sign me up.

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season.

~Sheri 

Congratulations Sheri, from Red Rose Alley! You are the Winner!

One Week Ago Today...

Benny woke with the other 2 Pups, went outside for their Potty Break, came in and sat down in the recliner with Hubby for their usual time together.  At some point after that, Benny started favoring his right rear leg and shortly thereafter we saw the Vet {about 10:30} to find out what had happened.  Nothing definite, but X-Rays were scheduled for the following Monday.  The day wore on and Benny got progressively worse.  By the time I knew something...
needed to be done for him, the Vet's office was long since closed for the day.  So, we called the ER & Critical Care Hospital and took Benny there.  I had all sorts of thoughts about what was going on with him, but didn't get a chance to share those thoughts with anyone, they wanted to quickly examine Benny.  You can read Benny's story Here, if you haven't seen it.  To make a long story really short, Benny died last Saturday night at 10pm.

A young Pup, only 4 1/2 years old and he had been in Great Health!

This is how my week has been, just dealing with it all.  I have questions, like why he was so sick?  How could he deteriorate so quickly?  How could I have helped him sooner?  What should I have done differently?  Did the doctor earlier in the day miss something?  Did the ER doctor miss something - some sort of suitable treatment?  What if we insisted on further treatment?  What in the world happened to our boy?  Would he be alive if he was tended to sooner?  Even the question - Did I make the right Decision to let him go?  

The What If's and Why's are really getting to me.

No autopsy was done on Benny...it wasn't brought up and I was not thinking too clearly after a couple of hours watching our Boy go downhill.

In reading and researching several of the possibilities the ER doctor had listed on Benny's Final Report, almost every single one of his symptoms is listed under GME or NME.  It's very scarey, but helps me answer questions.

• Granulomatous meningocencephalomyelitis (GME)
• Necrotizing Encephalitis (NE)

There are no tests to definitively diagnose these diseases other than direct brain biopsy or autopsy examination. Many reports on GME and necrotizing encephalitis suggest that these are inevitably progressive and fatal disorders. These studies are usually based on autopsy reports and therefore all examined animals have died from the disease. We have seen a large number of animals with idiopathic encephalitis respond to immunosuppression and so a final diagnosis cannot be made. GME and necrotizing encephalitis may simply reflect one of the most severe forms of immune-mediated encephalitis. There has also been some speculation that GME may represent a form of the cancer lymphoma.

As you can see from this...I consciously KNOW I did the right thing...my ♥ is just having trouble accepting it.

This is from a person who commented on one of my comments about Benny...I thought it was so beautiful!

Please continue to pray for all of us.

Ornament Wreath

Beautiful Ornament Wreath
From Bella at Bella's Rose Cottage

This is going on My List of things to Make for Our House for Christmas 2015!  I've always Loved these Wreaths and Bella's Tutorial makes it look so easy!  So much Sparkle and Cheer!

Calming & Peaceful Visions...Made My Day!

It's been cold, with snow on the ground...and it looks pretty.  I wanted to let you know that we really appreciate all the prayers sent this way, since Our Beloved Pup, Benny died on
Saturday {you can read about it HERE}. 

I'm feeling much better today.   I feel the most calm and peaceful I have since we left the Vet ER Clinic on Saturday...
night.  I can breathe.   You see, after a difficult day and night yesterday, God gave me a vision lastnight - of Benny running in an open field of snow with small children.  While Benny was alive, he never ran in any fields and never ran off-leash except when he was in our enclosed courtyard.  Benny never was around children, except in passing perhaps, as we walked through a Pet Store like Petco.  So, these are not reminders of things he'd done...not memories.

Then this morning, as I was waking up - God gave me another vision - one of Benny laying down, surrounded by little children, all with their hands on him.  Again, not a memory.

I thank God for these visions...as they have given me such peace.  I'm calm today.  Every time I think of Benny now, besides the good memories, I have these special God-sent visions.

Benny's Story...His Final Hours & My Thoughts

We Had To Say Goodbye To Our Boy
On Saturday December 7, 2013, at 10pm, Benny died.  He was only 4 years and 8 1/2 months old.  He was the light of My Life.  He was the Middle and very Special Fur-Baby.  He was the loving "Brother" to Jasper & Rosie.  He was an exceptional Guard Dog - He let me know My Delivery Truck was on our Street Or someone was at the door, even before ringing the doorbell...
and he was always so sweet, ready to give kisses,  run around and play "Run Run Benny" and the way he begged for treats was just so precious.  He will forever be loved and missed.

Benny had been diagnosed, by our Vet, Dr Todd Smith with a Lipoma on his hip on Wednesday (12/4)...which we were to monitor.   And then Saturday Morning, he was seen by Dr Garcia because of his limp and a possible cruciate tear was suspected and he would need to be sedated and X-rayed on Monday.

The remainder of this week has been very rough

After the trips to the Vet with Benny and then an Emergency trip to the ER in Toledo lastnight, Benny died at 10pm.  In about a 6-hour hour period from a few hours after we returned {about 11:30AM} from seeing our Vet and I took this photo of him {didn't know then that it would be the last photo I'd ever take of him}, he rapidly went downhill.  

It all began with him waking up lame on his hind leg, which sent me with him to our Vet yesterday morning.  He was scheduled to have sedation and x-rays on Monday...for a possible cruciate ligament tear. 

During decline, he showed the following symptoms:  panting, staring, shaking, stiffening muscles, inability to walk and then to stand, falling down, not responding to his name, my whistle or other stimuli.  When he started breathing hard...I knew we couldn't wait to go back to our Vet in the morning.  So we called the ER and went there.  

{In my ♥ I knew he was getting so much worse...and I wondered how this would all turn out.}

The ER doctor took him in the "back" to do his exam and of that I was thankful this time.  {normally, I want to be with my Pups as they are examined and treated}  It was hard watching him at the hands of someone else.  It was seeing him from a different perspective...really scarey.  When she whisked him away, she was all VERY professional - ALL VET!

When she returned with Benny, she was quiet, head slightly down and somewhat teary eyed, even before she spoke.  She told us that the "lump" didn't have anything to do with what was going on and that she felt ALMOST certain Benny did NOT have a cruciate ligament tear.  

Then she went on to say that Benny showed all the signs of neurological problems and was deteriorating rapidly.  By her demeanor, we knew this was quite serious and life-threatening.  She quizzed us on what had taken place that was different over the last 2 weeks or so.  She asked ALOT of questions and we had no answers, because besides finding the lump and making several trips to our Vet, nothing was different.  I tried to remain calm and strong, but tears flowed like crazy.  Tom and the other 2 pups were upset too.

She was adamant that Benny needed to be seen RIGHT AWAY by a neurologist and that she could get us in lastnight.  She said "it's urgent that he be seen".  

As we sat there discussing our options, Benny continued to get worse and worse and worse.  He had a heart rate of 180.  His breathing became more labored, his eyes were fully dilated, he lost control of bodily functions, he appeared to not know what was going on or who was there, who was talking to him and then, he began having seizures.  Every 30 seconds or so, he would stop panting {and I wondered if he was even breathing} and his legs would all get stiff and push against us as hard as he could, he'd shake and his head would flop around.  Then he would go back to panting and thrashing around.  He was so hard to hold on to, but that's all we wanted to do - Hold On for Dear Life!!  His Life!!

As things continued worsening, and while blood work was being done...and we questioned whether a neurologist visit could or would be productive, I finally asked the Vet what her prognosis was for Benny at this point.  She said she really couldn't answer that - but that his condition was worsening rapidly and she felt that he could seize more and possibly even pass away that night.  So, with that and the way I had been feeling inside about him and what was happening, I knew the best and only thing we could do for him was to let him go to sleep, peacefully.  Before we did that, we awaited the Blood Work results, just in case something showed up and she felt better about saying he was treatable.  Nothing showed up on the full battery of blood work...absolutely nothing.

That just confirmed in my mind and heart that he indeed was suffering neurological damage.  I just couldn't see leaving him suffer anymore...and then letting him, quite possibly, die in pain either at home or alone {without us there} at the hospital.

At times, Benny looked so scared - especially when someone would pick him up to carry him out of or bring him into the exam room.  He would shiver and shake and wave his legs, all stiffened, around like crazy.  He'd shake his head wildly from side to side, twisting his body as he did so.  We weren't even sure if he could see anything near the end.  He just stared...at nothing, or maybe at everything.  

The Vet got a line in him in the other room, brought him back into the exam room by all of us, laid him on his blanket and left us to be with him for a while.  I couldn't get his attention at all {and I was so distraught - wanting him to snap out of it, look at me and "love me" like he did just one more time}and just as the Vet was coming in the door to get ready to inject Benny, he looked at me - I mean really looked at me and kissed {licked} my lips...his special way of saying bye bye and I love you to me!

As Benny took his last breath, I held him and talked to him and stroked his hair and Daddy, Jasper & Rosie were right next to him, too.  It was so peaceful.  And so difficult.  I think it's the most difficult thing I've ever had to do.  But it was for Benny.

Tom said, "Benny was here for you when you needed him most and you were here to take care of things when he needed you most."  Very true.

It is so hard - everything makes me think of him and missing him hurts.  He was the best dog and he was my constant loving and caring companion throughout my 18 months of having Bell's Palsy.  He knew where I hurt and he would lick me or lay his warm little body against me and nuzzle his nose into my neck...making me feel so much better.  

I will always love him and miss him.  We all will.

We'll see you again Benny!  All our Love!

Additional Thoughts from Me...

The hardest part about all of this has been going through yesterday and starting today off WITHOUT our Benny! He's the first thing I think about when I wake up. I'm trying to change up my morning routine for myself and the other 2 remaining Pups...just to find something that will make it easier to start the day. {working a bit} 

Writing this Post about Benny came easily...the words just flowed. Reading it afterwards was awful! I cried all the way through it. But, I needed to write it...to have a Journal of what happened, so that I wouldn't forget the details if we ask ourselves WHY or WHAT HAPPENED. 

This all was so sudden, out of the blue and happened to such a young and healthy Pup...that's what's so hard to understand. 

The Vet at the ER was amazing. She was so upset about Benny, that she was actually crying with us. I know she knew he was going to die, because when I asked her if letting him go was too harsh a decision she said, "No, I don't...he is so sick and suffering...and besides, if I thought it was a bad decision, I wouldn't be helping you in letting Benny go." And then she cried again. 

We really want to thank Dr Adrienne Brashand in a special way {still thinking about that}. 

I'm pleased to say that Benny's Regular Vet called today, to see how we were doing and what had happened to Benny on Saturday.  He was very comforting, too.  He confirmed that we did the right thing in letting Benny go - because when he deteriorated as quickly as he did - had a high heartrate and fever, things were headed in the wrong direction and we didn't prolong his misery by keeping him here.

We really want to thank Dr Todd Smith, Benny's regular Vet for taking such good care of him - since he came home with us at the age of 12 weeks.  He weighed 5# at that time.  He grew to be 18#.