* SAD NEWS ABOUT CHARLIE *

Ron and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Charlie Thursday evening. We knew it was coming sometime soon, but he went downhill quickly...He hadn't eaten in almost 2 days, but drank water pretty much like normal, went outside always for potty, and was getting up and down the steps okay. But Thursday he began to really look confused and wasn't walking good and the last time he drank any water, he immediately threw it up...just the water.

(He had blood tests about 3 weeks ago and had very serious problems that no one was aware of. He had liver problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and a heart murmur! And he never seemed sick or uncomfortable before then.)

We had an appointment for this morning, so we could see our usual vet, but we didn't want Charlie to have to wait that long, so the clinic fit us in and they were all so kind, just like always.

I told Ron I can't go through this again and don't want another fur baby, and I truly believe it this time.

This was Charlie on his 12th birthday, this past February. 

I love this picture! This was earlier this year. Ron was walking with Charlie, and all of a sudden this stray cat decided he not only wanted to follow them home, he wanted to walk right next to Charlie and look at him as his new best friend! (Have you ever seen something like that?!) I think it's so adorable. Our next door neighbor already had a couple of cats, and she happily adopted this little guy, who she named Lucky!

Below are just a few of my favorite Charlie photos. 

~~~~~

And 2 beautiful quotes. 

* MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT *

I haven't intentionally kept my major announcement a secret from y'all, but with all the other things going on the past few weeks, it just didn't seem the right time to share it. But tonight....

 

 

 

After Ron and I had to say goodbye on May 16th to our beloved lab/mix Vern, we both said, "Never again!" We truly believed that Vern was the last of the Best Dogs in the Whole World. We didn't even want to look at other dogs. None could ever "replace" Vern, we knew that of course, but we didn't want to ever feel that devastated again...

 

But time has a way of helping people look at things differently. We discovered we did want and need another furry member of our family. We still had lots of love to give, and we wanted another "older" shelter dog. And once again, serendipity worked its magic...

 

We are delighted to announce the adoption of...

 

Charlie: an 8 year old Beagle/mix

(I've always wanted a beagle!)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the day he came to our condo for a "meet & greet" he appeared to feel very much at home with us. We've had him now for about a month and every day he gets cuter, and more fun, and more loving! Isn't he adorable?? (How could anyone leave this beautiful, sweet guy at a shelter?? Well, because they did, though, Charlie has a new, loving home, and Ron and I are so happy and full of joy again!)

 

 

 

Snoopy is a Beagle....Charlie is a Beagle/Mix.....

Get it?! Your comments will make Charlie happy! J

* VERN IS ON THE MEND...*

Our dear Vern has been sick and after a trip to our fabulous vet (Dr. Kelly Brister in St. Peters, Mo) we found out he has pancreatitis. He was pretty sick for a couple of days but with a proper diet and medications, he is on the mend. He's not "himself" yet and may never be the same dog again. He hasn't been allowed to have any Milk Bone treats, rawhide bones or chews, or the occasional cracker or Cheezit...and it's probable he may never have them again. Ron and I are shocked he hasn't really pestered us for those things, either. We just tell him "Dr. Brister said you can't have any."...and also the occasional white lie of "No more bones. All gone!" And he'll go lie down somewhere.

He's still the sweetest dog in the whole world!

~ ~ ~

 

 

For those of you who don't know the story about Vern, here's a condensed version I posted on my blog on August 29, 2011....his 10th Birthday!

 

Three months after we had to say goodbye to our beloved Tiger, (Dec 2010) I was ready to look for another dog. Wanted an "older" dog....a companion, and not a frisky puppy. Found Vern, a lab mix, online at a shelter. His age was listed as eight, but found out he was really nine and a half.....big difference in dog years! But, we brought him home with us in March 2011 and have been in love with this fabulous dog ever since! He is sweet, loving, smart, funny and just plain perfect. Happy Birthday, Vern! May you live MANY more years.

 

So, obviously, this means we'll celebrate

Vern's 15th Birthday this August!

 

This was taken at the home we lived in then..2011

Awww.......

 

 

My laptop has been giving me trouble the past few weeks whenever I try to post photos on my blog. Earlier today, it "allowed" me to post these two...and now it won't let me do any. I keep getting this message:

 

Some library features are unavailable due to unsupported library locations.

 

And all I have to say about that is......Huh??

 

Bye for now! I hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday!

 



 P.S. There's a huge grammatical error below.

That kind of thing drives me crazy!...

But y'all already knew it was a short trip, right??!!



 



* POOR VERN IS LOOKING SAD & WORRIED *

HEY, MOM AND DAD - PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO TAKE ME, TOO, WHEN YOU MOVE INTO YOUR NEW CONDO!

 

Poor Vern! He knows something is going on, and in fact probably remembers the same kinds of things happening two years ago when we moved from our house into this townhouse. Now, we're packing and getting ready to move again, into a darling little condo with a lakeside view.... and I swear, we are NOT moving again!

(I swear I did NOT coax him to do this. He just crawled into the packing paper and stayed there for quite a long time. He looks just too pitiful, doesn't he? Don't worry, though, The Ronald and I have been giving him heaps of love and telling him that he's definitely coming with us!)

Note: I just realized that four years ago TODAY, March 12th, we adopted Vern!! I knew it was sometime in March, but I swear I did not know what day until just now when I looked it up! What a wonderful gift he's been to us; so lovable and sweet.

I'll post more info about our move as soon as I can.

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." -- Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'

"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source." - Doris Day