Sweets from the Sweet...

My friend Lori came by yesterday with a little treat!  She is Ava's Mom and understands the grieving process we've been going through.

So she brought me some cracked eggs?  NOOOOOOOOOOOO.....

These are brownies!  The yolks are lemon curd and the egg shells...not sure how she made that but they are like a fondant.  While Lori cared for Ava at the end of her life, she would make things from the book Hello Cupcake.  They were delish and raised our spirits!  Thank you Lori.

We are holding our own.  Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers.  It's a terrigble loss for me.  Paddie was my constant companion during the past 13 years; my husband travels all the time for his job so the bond between Paddie and I was strong.  When she was 10, we recieved Teddy from my mother and two years ago we rescued Seamus. 

The boys are going through their own changes.  They are very clingy. Ted is visibly grieving.   He looks for Paddie when she doesn't wake up at her normal time (early at sunrise).  Normally Ted sleeps in.  Seamus went to my Mom's house the other day and did a really weird thing.  Just peed right in her living room.  Our vet said all this is normal and it will be a while before balance is restored to her our household.  In the meantime, we go with the flow of the grieving process and try to get some things done.

A Life of Joy

Paddie the Poodle, 1997-2010.  Mama's Baby Girl, Dad's Poop-de-poop,  lover of all, protector of children, beloved friend to Molly, honorary dog to the George family, Mama dog to Seamus, Ted and other puppies such as Rascal and Harlow.  She inspired many a song including the favorite of Helena's, "Paddie, Paddie, Paddie, the Poodle" and "Little Black Dog."  She was often called "The Perfect Dog" by those who knew her and those of slight acquaintance.  We mourn our loss and celebrate the joy she brought to our world. 

Good Morning...

Today I will give you a Paddie update.  She is holding her own, on a variety of medications that seem to have her somewhat stable.  Last week was a very good one for her.  She had been eating better, her coat had gotten a little healthier looking and she was even teasing the boys.  We noticed a change in her over the weekend and she may need her meds readjusted.  For now, she can still get around and is eating (although much less than she had been).  Please keep her in your prayers!  We know we can't change the inevitable but I just want her passing to go peacefully and easily for her.

Ava

As dog lovers say, she crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday.  She was friends with our Paddie and only 7 years old.  In the spring she had been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of mammory cancer.  Part border collie, part shepherd, she was one smart dog and sooooo funny and entertaining.  She had a whole repatoire of tricks that she loved to do.  We shall miss her terribly and send love and hugs to our dear friends, Lori, Scott, and Justin.

Little treasures

Being at home with Paddie hospice allows me the time to look at some of the little treasures I've accumulated this summer.  Like this sunbonnet girl that the nice lady at the nursery gave me.  It's for planters and there is a stake attached to her foot.  Still I think she is charming and the only one in my sunbonnet collection.

This little beauty is a little card that has a thread picture on it.  I really love it in its primitive charm!  Love the birdhouse and the little girl and her cute outfit!

Paddie, 2007

Paddie is stable although she still has some nose bleeds now and then.  She seems to be comfortable and is eating us out of house and home (the steroid side effects include excessive appetite and thirst).  She is constantly looking for me when I am not around and only about 2-3 feet away from me at any given time. So far she is comfortable and lately seems to be sleeping a little better at night.  So Doggie Hospice continues.

Fun Pet Photos!

Anne over at Bunny Hill is having a great pet photo contest!  I've been enjoying checking out the photos, some really great photos (and ideas)!

We've been looking at some photos of our life with Paddie.  We could take her anywhere.  She had quite a few dog-friends through her life and in 2007, she went on vacation with one of them.  Ava is the baby of our dear friends Lori and Scott.  Lori and I would always be calling each other about what our babies were doing and now we call each other (and send each other a lot of cards) checking on each other because both dogs have cancer.  At least I can say that I have had nearly 13 wonderful years with Paddie; Ava is only 7 and it just seems so unfair.

Ava at our house at the shore.

And our bathing beauty:

Easter Greetings

From Paddie the Poodle... Little boy Seamus...

And Mr. Ted. All of the dogs are sporting Easter ties that I made them from some leftover fabric, they seem to like them (or maybe they just like the fuss we make).

Hope you have a safe and happy holiday!

Paddie the Poodle:

"More snow, oh goodie..."

Early morning on our snow day....

This was about 10 am. We have another 12-14 inches since then.... Teddy in the back yard:

Paddie in the front, she was digging for a snowball. awww, she is so cute :)

Little Brothers

I know ALL about little brothers; I have two of my own. If you've ever seen the commercial with the little girl warning her brother, "no touching," than you pretty much know the relationship between my bro Jayme and me as kids. We took bickering to new levels. I guess that is why I find Paddie's relationship with the boy puppies so entertaining. Note Seamus' position as Paddie prepares to eat her meal. Granted, if this was Teddy, Paddie would have already chased him away. She seems more receptive to the younger Seamus--probably because he has such a calm energy--and just growls and ignores him. Seamus innocently pretends to have just casually decided to lay down there to sleep...

Seamus warily eyes the piece of kibble Paddie has dropped (slightly right of the bowl). He continues to remain still.
"Paddie Mama, is that a cat over there?"
"What? I'm just laying here getting ready to sleep."

teddy von barky

This boy has been barky since the day we brought him home.

Good thing he is so cute!

Got treats?

There you are......

Paddie was our only dog for 10 years until we got the boys. I've been trying to take her to different parks--ALONE--like in the old days because she is getting on (12 now). She can be a bit sullen when the boys are around. So seeing her in the park is such a wonderful change and back to the girl I love...

I just love to see her with a swing in her step and a sparkle in her eye. Can you blame me? Look at how pretty she is!!!!!!!!!!!

Checking in......

Things have beeng busy here at 3P and N! Between the sewing, the dog training and the gardening something is always going on! Today Miss Paddie (above) and I did some gardening, filling up the composter and dreamt of small picket fence in the front yard to really define the garden. It would mean a lot of changing of the beds but would be so nice. Now to convince DH of this :)

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Paddie says: "RELAX, it's Labor Day weekend!" We have a lot of things we are doing this weekend, starting with lunch with a new friend today and company this evening. Looks like it is going to be a lot of fun for us! What are you doing this weekend?

Paddie update

Paddie had her surgery yesterday and she is home resting. The vet said there was one big stone (which even inhibited her catheter!) and various smaller ones but their was some bruising to the inside of her bladder. She is on pain pills and holding her own, mostly resting. We'll be home with her for the next week or two until her staples are removed. Thanks everyone for your prayers and warm thoughts. It is hard for a 12 year old girl like her to have surgery but so far, she is holding her own!

Gone Fishing...

Here is an old photo from when we were at the shore two years ago. Last year I used my vacation time to do quilt events. This year, DH is using his to go fishing. Sometimes we all need a break and I think Gone Anywhere is a healthy thing to do.

Paddie thought so too :) She is the only dog I could trust to take the shore because she didn't have to be reminded to stay close or be careful. She loved the shore but mostly she loved it because she was with us and didn't have to share the attention with Ted (there IS a rivalry there). I love this pic of her because she seems to be posing like a good poodle diva should :D

Paddie in the Garden....

Beverly Nichols once wrote that he cannot imagine a garden without a cat. I cannot imagine my garden without Paddie. She is the same age as the gardens at our home and learned early on to be a good garden dog. I love all my dogs but truthfully, the boy pups refuse to learn good manners in the garden. Paddie can be let out and won't stray from our property, she chases cats and squirrels away and tolerates the rabbits as I do. She asks for very little except for an occasional toss of the ball. She keeps me company as I work and doesn't dig or need to be babysat. She is the perfect dog and one that most of my friends wish they had.

Here are the crocuses blooming before the rabbits ate them (about an hour after we were done). I like cleaning out the garden. I like the smell of the earth and rediscovering what has returned and what has not. There is a misconception among some people that cottage gardens such as my own are pretty maintenance-free. Au contraire, mon ami. First of all, I never met a year that I didn't change something in the garden. The joy of course is that just about everything is portable (except the bigger trees) so one never needs to get bored with the way that things are.

But there are other factors as well. Some plants self sow to the point of becoming a nuisance, other plants fade with time. This year, I need to replace delphiniums which seem to last in our garden for about 5 years and never seem to self sow. Years ago, I started all my plants by seed but I am content with buying plants this year.

It is all good though. Because I am outside and the air smells good and I have my special companion with me. I love LOVE LOVE spring.

Pete is sick....

Peter has had a painful start to the New Year. Yesterday morning his girlfriend called me and told me she had to take him to the hospital and that he was passing a kidney stone.
Pete has joined the unfortunate club in our family with kidney calamities. The only good thing is that I already have a urologist who will see him first thing when the practice opens on Monday. In the meantime, Pete is taking perkacet (sp?), drinking water, and taking another medication to keep his plumbing open. As if passing one stone wasn't bad enough....turns out both his kidneys have multiple stones (which is why our doctor is taking him right away). So I haven't been on the blog for a few days but I'll keep everyone posted.
Take care, do good work and hug each other often!