All of My Pups, Have New Homes

On January 25th Ronda made a trip from her home in South Bend, Indiana to mine in Michigan.  Prior to our visit, we had several text and phone conversations.  I asked alot of questions.  I was intent on getting a home for my girl, where she had a furry brother or sister...and where she'd be taken care of and would be happy!   Angel is a 4 1/2 year old Coton deTulear.  The visit went very well and at the end of our visit, Ronda and Angel left for home to meet her furry brother, Mr. Darcy, a schnauzer.  When they left, I was crying and sobbing.  I knew I'd miss her terribly.  But I also knew that I had done the most difficult thing, but yet the best thing I could ever do for her.  And I knew she was happy.

The very next day, January 26th, Jenifer arrived for her meet and greet with Rosie, a nearly 8yr old Toy Poodle.  Jenifer and I spent many hours on the phone talking and texting back and forth.  She has worked for a dog rescue, so she knows first hand how hard these re-homings of my Pups was.  She was very interested in making Rosie a part of her family, but she was and still is, concerned about me and what I was and still am going through.  She was very loving and caring both to me, Rosie and Jasper when we met.  By the time the visit was over, I knew, without a doubt that Rosie would like a good and happy life, loved by both her mommy and furry brother, Enzo.  I also was assured that her a loving family, 3 step children and her husband would also fall in love with her.  Just this week, I found out that her dad now refers to her as his "little girlfriend".  How precious.

After alot of work, over a couple of weeks, Jasper finally had his first meet and greet.  Several other people scheduled theirs and then cancelled or didn't show up. before Mary and her loving furry Pup, Snowball showed up.  They drove nearly 900 miles coming here, all the way from South Carolina.  It was love at first site for all of us.  Mary and Snowball spent the night here at my house before heading for home the next morning, February 13th.  They drove about half way home and stopped at her son's house in West Virginia, where they spent the past 2 days.  They will be heading home to South Carolina today.  Jasper did very well at Mary's sons' house, with Snowball and Midnight, a much bigger dog who belongs to Mary's son. Jasper chased Midnight around the housing, barking at him.  I can just picture Jasper, who weighs 8#, chasing around a 50# dog...running him ragged!!  LOL!!

While this has been difficult for me and for the PuppyKids, in my heart I know I did what I had to do, to find someone to care for them, love them and provide for them...when I knew I couldn't.  I knew I did the best thing for them.  That's why I wanted to do the re-homing process myself, so that I would feel good about where and who they were with.  I wanted alot of things...and one was that the new families keep in touch with me, sharing photos, videos and everyday things...to help me through this difficult transition.  And they've all done that.  I am so thankful and very happy with my selections and the friendships I have formed with these new families. 

There are alot of things I'm working on, keeping busy with and adding things to my list, too!  I know I'll be fine...I don't give up.  I keep putting one foot in front of the other and getting things done.  One thing before I leave Michigan, I have to say goodbye to my two BEST friends here...something else that will be sad and difficult to do.

Please continue praying for me...I appreciate it very much.

♥

Christmas 2017 In My Sitting Room

This Christmas was quiet...just me and the Pups. 

I got my Cinnamon Rolls baked and handed out to neighbors and friends.

The Pups and I watched movies after everything was cleaned up and we all enjoyed a few treats.

My Son, Stephen and his wife, Lindsey [above, getting their Christmas tree this year] sent me an on-line Gift Certificate for PetCo.  I ordered the pups some food and some treats...and they arrived yesterday.  I didn't have much food when they returned last week and knew I needed to order it, but didn't want to have to spend much money, with the shortage of money I currently have...or don't have, really.  So that was perfect timing...the gift certificate.  My son is aware of the financial situation and what's been going on here and he decided to give me something that I could really use.  I'm so proud of him and his wife.  They are so thoughtful and I nice.  I can't wait til their baby boy arrives in March.  My goodness how that time has flown.  It seems like yesterday that Stephen was telling me they were expecting!  I'm going to be a Grandma!

I received a bottle of BareFoot Pinot Grigio Wine from a friend...it's been years since I purchased or enjoyed any wine.

Got lots of love and affection from the Pups.  They enjoyed the snow we got for Christmas...me, not so much.  I was glad to have them home for the Holidays.

Another Christmas Gift arrived yesterday, quite unexpectedly.  I was waiting for my pups' nail clippers, some other food and treats to arrive, from Chewy.com to arrive...and since I had 2 separate tracking numbers for Chewy, I figured they had to send the smaller things separate from the larger bag of food.  I got the smaller package first and opened it.  I had 4 individually wrapped in red tissue paper "somethings" and couldn't figure out what they could be.  They weren't clippers and they weren't treats.  So, I took one and began unwrapping it and saw a beautifully painted portrait on canvas of Jasper.  Oh my...tears began rolling down my cheeks.  Then I opened the next and it was another equally beautifully painted portratit...of Rosie.  The next was another portrait on canvas...of Angel.  I began crying.  The last package I opened held the beautifully painted portrait of my dog, Benny.

You see, last month when I ordered food for the pups, I knew [or thought I knew] it would be the last time, since they were going to be re-homed, due to my finances and the house up for sale.  So, I decided to send an email to the owners of Chewy.com, the place I'd been purchasing all things pup related for the last I don't know how many years.  Each year, they send a beautiful Christmas card with a hand-written message inside...straight from their hearts.  They have the best Customer Service I've ever come across.  They are a fantastic group of people!!  [BTW, I'm not getting anything for praising them and their organization...this is straight from my heart!!]  I told them the pups were going to be re-homed and I would be deleting my account on Chewy.com.  I thanked them for everything they do for all their customers, not just me.  I shared a photo of the 4 pups and said all these pups thank you too...and have enjoyed everything their Mommy has purchased for them through the years.  Here is the photo I sent along with my Christmas message to them...

Okay, are you ready?  Here are the four paintings I received as a Gift from Chewy.com of my Four Precious PuppyKids.

This was the BEST Christmas Surprise I could have ever received.  What a shock!  I wrapped them up and took them to two neighbors homes to show them off.  I couldn't believe it.  Thank you so much Chewy Team!!!  You made my Christmas!  Now, when the Pups have to leave me [again] for their new homes, I will definitely have something to remember them all by.

Do you see that the paintings were done from the photo I shared with them?

What a special company...and group of people.

Hope everyone of you had a Great Christmas!  And I wish you all a Happy New Year!

The PuppyKids Are Back Home With Me

Late Thursday afternoon, after speaking to the Mrs. of the couple who took my Pups almost 3 weeks ago, a friend and I went to their house for a visit.  A visit that I hoped would end with me bringing my Pups back home.  3 weeks ago, when the Pups initially stayed with this couple, we knew there would be a trial period of about 3 weeks, in case either of us saw a need to have the pups come back to live with me.

All of the PuppyKids, after baths and grooming...

Left to Right:  Angel, Rosie & Jasper

My friend and I arrived and the couple welcomed us, as did my Pups!  I said we needed to sit down because I was there to talk to them.  I said I felt that in talking to them, that they may have taken on too much with 3 small dogs.  They asked if I wanted to take them back home.  I asked how they felt about that and they said, "Fine".  The Mr. said that he had just asked the Mrs. after our phone call, if she thought that I might want my dogs back.  Then they said that yes, it was a bit much with 3 dogs, but they were trying.  Some things that they promised to do, hadn't been done and things I requested them NOT to do, they were doing.

Angel

 My dogs have always had my Garden Courtyard, approximately 900 square feet of enclosed patio area, with concrete block wall and gate to keep them secure.  Plus whenever they were outside to go potty or play, I was out there with them, or at least at the door the entire time.  So, my request was that they NEVER leave the dogs "off leash" in their HUGE un-fenced yard [approx 2 acres].  They had the Invisible Fence from 2 previous pups of theirs who passed away and until they got that up and running, they would take them out on a leash.  Well, just a couple of days in, they were leaving the pups out the patio door to run around their yard...no fence, a huge area of woods, a big pond and on a busy road.  We talked about changing that and they once again agreed.

Rosie

It's been cold and snowing here...and yet the pups never wore their coats to go out running around in the yard, in the snow.  These are small pups 8-12# each...and they need their bellies covered when they're in the snow.  And Angel ran a way out of sight, long enough that they wondered if she would return.  But, she did, "because she was probably cold and figured it was warm in the house".

Jasper

My Rosie, known to scrounge food from anyone's bowl or plate, be it dog or human...was allowed to even eat the cat food.  In her 3 weeks with them, she gained 2#.  She has problems when she is overweight...with her hind legs when she walks.

Angel

The pups usually go to bed [here with me] anywhere from 8-10pm, right after going potty. Then they get up about 7am. I could adjust the time if I needed them to sleep later or to even get up earlier...but it would take several days. That didn't work out for this couple, who sleep in until 9am. They were anxious to be able to sleep until 9am again, which they did on Friday morning.

Rosie, already bored with me taking pictures, she's mid-yawn!!

All in all, they were a lovely couple, anxious to keep the 3 Pups together, so the little family wouldn't be split up more, afterall, I was letting them go.  They had good intentions.  The liked having the pups around.  But...we all agreed that the pups needed to go back home with me.

While relieved having them back here...I'm already dreading when they need to leave with another family.  I don't know how that will go...but I know someday, it will happen.  I just don't have enough money [income] to support all of us.  Even when/if they divorce goes through, I'm not guaranteed to receive money from Tom.  And, no, no one has come to even look at my house, much less buy it.

Jasper doing what he does best...playing with his favorite toy!

But, for now...my Pups are safe and home to spend Christmas with me.  We do alot of snuggling since they've been home.  I've given them baths and groomed them too.  I've ordered food for them, since I only had a few days of their food left.  It's been quite a shock to my system, taking them out in the dark of night, in the snow, rain, wind and cold weather.  It's like they never skipped a beat...when we got home, it was right back to normal.

I feel so blessed that this couple opened their home to my pups and me like they did.  I feel bad for them that it didn't work out...but then also feel relieved for them, because I really believe they bit off more than they could chew with my 3 little pups.

I rescued my Pups!  It feels good to have them here.

Tom & I probably 8 years ago

I wish I could have rescued my husband, too.  That would have made the Holidays complete.  My friends say, your hubby could be knocking on your door, when you least expect it.  And, in a way, I guess he could.  I never thought I'd find him, let alone would be able to see him like I did 2 weeks ago.  I never thought I'd hear an apology from him, have him hold my hand or give me a peck on the lips again.  But, after much prayer and leaving it all to God, I did find him.  I did get an apology from him, he did hold my hand and he did give me a peck on the lips...all after being gone for nearly 3 years!  He made plans for me to come and get him and all his stuff to bring him home.  He said God will help us put things back together again.  Then his kids intervened once more and I can no longer talk to him.  But, I can continue praying and trusting God to work everything out, however that may be.  This is the time of year of Christmas Miracles.

Merry Christmas!

My PuppyKids

I remember when I made this collage and turned it into a large photo on the wall in my home.  It was shortly after the last of my Pups came to live with me.  That was in 2013...and her name was Angel.  She arrived  just 3 weeks after my precious Pup, Benny died of a neurological incident.  He'd been with me for only a short 4 1/2 years, but saw me through the worst Bell's Palsy attack ever!  He helped heal me.  In between and before Angel & Benny, was Rosie...born on Valentine's Day 2010.  And the first Pup that came into my life was Jasper and that was when he was 9 months old in 2009.

I never thought that this day would ever come.  I thought I'd always be here for them...til they crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  But, partly due to my financial situation and partly because they don't get enough interaction throughout the day with only me here...I had to re-home them.  I started putting our "feelers" about a month ago.  Then...

Things happened so fast today.  My friend and Massage Therapist, Heidi, emailed me and said that she had someone that was interested in my Pups.  Actually 2 people.  She asked for my phone number and minutes later one of those people called me.  He said he and his wife were very interested in my Girls, who I really wanted to see stay together...but to bring along the Boy, too, because they'd really like to see the "family" stay together.  That was at about 2:30pm.  By 4:30, I had the things that I intended the new Mommy & Daddy to have for the Pups ready and packed in the car and was there by 4:20pm.  I spent an hour and a half with them and then asked the question.  Which pups were they going to keep.  They took all 3 of them!!  I know they'll take good care of them - they love them already.  Even after they oopst in the house instead of outside tonight...all 3 of them...not like them at all!!!  They're retired and have a nice home and a big yard, with the invisible fence.  I just know they'll love it there.

I left there crying and cried all the way home - only about an 8 minute drive...and I've cried several times since getting home.  While being ecstatic that they're all still together with 2 loving people, in a nice home...I'm missing them and probably will for a while...a long while.

Love you Pups!!!
Miss you Forever...
Mommy

Remembering Benny...

Today, Benny would have been EIGHT years old.  Due to a sudden neurological attack, he passed away at only 4 1/2 yrs of age.  This is a post I shared a couple of years ago.

After making a trip back to the Breeder in Indiana where we'd gotten Jasper, our Maltese, just 3 weeks earlier {at only 9 months of age}...we welcomed this beautiful, loving and funny furry kid, who we named Benny {who was formerly named Squirt} into our hearts and lives.  That was June 6, 2009.  Benny was born on March 20, 2009.   I don't think I'd ever seen a Havanese before I saw Benny, and he was so cute.  He was only 12 weeks old and he weighed only 5# and could run UNDER Jasper!  That was a sight!!  You see, Maltese are small dogs and Jasper was 7# at 9 months of age.  He was calm and submissive and didn't skip a beat when it came to running up and down our porch steps.

He paid lots of attention to me when I got Bell's Palsy and would lay with me and lick my face where he KNEW it hurt me.  Then he would lay his warm body against that spot until my face was so warm and actually feeling better.

 

The painting of him {above} was done from one of the last couple of photos I took of him.  He was laying in his crate on his very favorite blanket after I'd brought him back home from the Vet on a Saturday morning.  He woke up that day not being able to step on his front right paw.  They gave me pain meds for him and scheduled tests for the follwoing Monday.

He never made it to those tests on Monday.

Shortly after I took the photos, he began a steady downhill turn in his condition and later that afternoon, he began having an awful time with coordination, not being able to stand and twisting his head way off to the side.  Since our Vet's office was closed and I was growing more concerned about him by the minute, I called the Emergency Vet Hospital.  They suggested that we could bring him in and the Vet would possibly change the medication.  I put his blanket on my lap and held him and did Reiki on him and used my Essential Oils on him...and he fell asleep.  A few hours later, when he went outside with the other 2 Pups, he couldn't do anything but barely stand in one spot...and then tip over.  That was it!

I called the Emergency Hospital and took him in.  After an exam, he appeared to get much worse, and developed seizures.  They did blood work and a few other things, and then the Vet said we could take him to a neurologist, which would probably cost upwards of $4,000 with no real chance of improvement or we could take him home and watch him.  Then I asked her if she thought Benny would die from this, because I was the feeling he wouldn't.  Tears welled up in her eyes and she said as much as she hated to even think that about our 4 1/2 year old sweetheart, she believed he probably wouldn't make it through the night.

I couldn't, in good conscience, allow him to go through what he'd gone through the entire afternoon and evening...and get WORSE...and die alone.  So, after spending some quiet time with him and the other 2 pups and dad...I decided the best thing we could do for him was allow him to die with us all right there with him.  Belive me, that was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but I knew it was the right one.

Benny passed away with us right there with him...on his favorite blanket.  It took Jasper & Rosie about 15 minutes of sniffing him and laying by him and they were wanting to leave.  We got them down off the table where Benny was and they went to sleep on the floor...while I sat with Benny.  Shortly after, we left.

That was December 7, 2013.

PuppyKid Birthday Party Today

This is the Birthday Boy - Jasper.  He is 8 years old today.  I remember the day I was at the Breeder is Indiana to pick him up.  He was exactly 9 months old.  He weighed 4 pounds.  He's now 8 pounds and has been for many years.  He is a Maltese...and can be tempermental...especially with me.  I had to take him to the Vet a couple of weeks ago, because he was kind of snappy, grumpy, growling all the time...and squeaking.  Besides that he bit me a couple of times...not hard, but he did break the skin.  He was also urinating in the house...alot.  The Vet found a couple of things...that his prostate is enlarged [could be an infection] and is on antibiotics for it.  He also has a problem with one of his hips...which would account for his snapping, growling and the like.  He is on pain pills for that.  He is feeling much better now...and so am I.  He goesback to the Vet on Sunday - please say a prayer that all is OK.

All of the Pups were groomed Saturday and Sunday - by me...and I thought it was time for some updated pictures of all of them.  So, I put this little collage together for you to be able to see them all.

Jasper 8yr old Male Maltese

Angel 3yr old 14# Female Havaton [Havanese, Coton de Tulear Mix]

Rosie 6yr old 12# Female Shih-Poo [Shih Tzu, Toy Poodle Mix]

The Pups are celebrating today...with their favorite treats [for their teeth], bananas and chicken.  We'll all have a great time.

Thanks for stopping by....

This Wasn't In My Plans for Today!

 Just this past Thursday, I posted about the Garden - Where My Pups Run Free on the TOHOT link party, so when things went from good to bad during our High Wind yesterday, I thought....This WAS NOT in my plans for last Saturday - Antique Shopping was.  I haven't been in an Antique Shop in years!  And, those of  you who have known me for any length of time, know it was one of my favorite things to do!  I used to buy...
things for my home and then others to sell in my Etsy and E-Bay shops.  

But, alas... 

Antique shopping will have to wait...for another time.

Something much more urgent came up, or should I say came DOWN during the night.  That's right...a large section of my courtyard wall, came DOWN. That's the wall I shared last week at Jemma's Link Party.   All the concrete blocks fell over...and it's a huge mess.  I have to see if I can fix it.  It's going to take alot of muscle to get this back into shape.  First of all the blocks each weigh 43# and when wet, as they are now...they weigh more.  Alot of the blocks are muddy, because they hold the soil in the wall for my garden.  Ughhhh.

There have to be at least 100 [I didn't count them all] blocks that fell down.  It's not just a matter of picking them up and putting them down...as you'll see, when you look at all of the photos.

This is the outside wall....at least half of it has fallen down.  The falling blocks stopped about 2 feet from the gas meter on the lot next door.

First, I have to make room for me to walk and work where the blocks are now.  I also have to shore up a section that is threatening to fall over.  There is an electric and a gas meter near it...and I wouldn't want that wall to fall on those!

But, if you look, you can see that the bottom row of blocks twisted and are nearly on their sides...so that means I have to pull them all out and then make sure there is gravel or sand beneath them before I can stack them.  And there is garden dirt that fell, that will have to be shoveled back on top.

Oh, boy...what a job!

At least it will be around 60-65° outside today!

Here's the inside wall, in front of my remaining hydrangeas...that I built a week ago.

While I was surveying the damage, the Pups were at play...so I snapped a few...

left to right:  Rosie, Jasper [the butt] and Angel

And off they went, while Jasper shook his head.

Now...I'm off too!

Here's my latest link to:

--- UPDATE ON THE WALL ---

I'm joining the Link Party Thoughts of Home on Thursday at:

Laura at Décor To Adore

Stacey from Poofing the Pillows

Jemma from At Home With Jemma

Laura at White Spray Paint

My Garden - Where the Pups Run Free

Following damage to our property and an injury to me by a neighbor, we planned a courtyard wall...where I could plant flowers and vegetables and be safe.  At the time, we had thoughts of bringing a dog into our home...but they were only thoughts.  About 8 weeks later, we got our first dog, Jasper.  Three weeks later, we got a playmate named Benny and we needed a way to keep our Pups in our yard!  Since we can't have fences...
 So, the plans were perfect.

Here is the courtyard plan I came up with on my computer.  After ordering all of the materials and having a HUGE truck deliver it all...Tom got busy laying the blocks and building our plan.  When finished, I got my chance...to make it pretty!!!  I planted many varieties of HYDRANGEAS and one variety of ROSES.

Here's a Drawing I did on the Computer...for our new Garden and Patio!!Things sure have changed in the last year...and for the better!  Tom and I formed a PLAN for our yard and garden and how it would "shape up" for 2009.  And I'm happy to say, we got it finished. 

Now for BEFORE and AFTER photos.  Summer flew by so quickly and with only getting plants in the ground in mid to late July...the garden didn't progress enough to take GREAT photos.  There's always 2010 and the GARDEN!!!

Wall Courtyard Garden

Oops...see the ball?  Guess who that belongs to...yet another CHANGE in the past year!!!

The black surface was our BRIGHT WHITE concrete patio, which had been previously stained and NOT touched this year.  See the PATCH of green grass?  It measures about 15' x 9'...a nice spot!!!

[the patch of grass has since been removed because the pups were allergic to it]

The following are BEFORE & AFTER Photos...

BEFORE  Summer Garden 2008 - looking from the back corner of our yard...toward the street

and NOW - AFTER!!!

The raised planter walls are about 28" tall - with a double tier (one shorter) at the very back and at the front of the patio.   We now have an 950 square foot Courtyard for our Outdoor Furniture, Grill and Pups!  

******

The NEXT CHANGE...Are you ready????  REMEMBER THE BALL ON THE PATIO - A FEW PHOTOS BACK?  IT BELONGS TO......

Our Pups...Benny on the left and Jasper on the right.  We got Jasper when he was 9 months old - from a breeder in Indiana - on May 16th.  Three weeks later, we got Benny - from the same breeder.  He was 12 weeks old.  When Benny became a member of our family, he weighed just 5# and Jasper weighed 5 1/2#.  Jasper was taller, so Benny could scoot right under Jasper's belly.  Not so anymore!!!  Jasper weighs 8# and Benny weighs 13#...and still growing.  They are the BEST dogs we could have ever gotten!!  They play well together and keep themselves occupied.  They entertain us all the time!!

Here are a few more photos of them...

AREN'T THEY CUTE???  WE THINK SO!!!

Now they have a Courtyard to Play in! ♥

[this post is from May 1, 2012 - brought back for today]

***Sadly, Benny passed away from a Neurological Disorder at the age of 4 years and 9 months...on December 7, 2013***

I'm joining Jemma today for the Link Party she's hostessing...stop by and see her.

- - - UPDATE ON THE COURTYARD GARDEN - - -