More snow pictures!

               

A swing down memory lane….

Thinking about Ari…  It’s almost 3 years.  What a dog!  He taught me so many lessons about life for sure:

• He taught me to never give up and it’s never too late to start.  When you have a goal that you really want to achieve, just simply do what it takes to get it done. 
• He taught me that sometimes you just need to do the same thing over and over and OVER again until you get it right.
• I learned from him that mistakes are made when reaching for a goal – that’s just the way it is – but the greatest learning comes from mistakes and that’s when the most progress is made. 
• He also taught me that failing in public really isn’t all that bad. I often thought of Roosevelt’s speech about “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena”.
• And he taught me that the most important thing is to have fun, goofy is good and to really enjoy the journey! 

Some moments among the thousands I remember and smile… 

           

And then there is the fun loving goofy guy who never seemed to mind what we did to him!
    

And finally, a link to the amazing call off video when he headed towards the judge.. and called off of him very well!

What a dog!

Brita’s Health Challenges

Brita’s 6 now.  Just turned 6 last week.  Had she not had surgery for lumbosacral stenosis, she most likely wouldn’t have been here today.  She was going downhill pretty fast in May and by the 3rd week in June she couldn’t jump in the side of my van without crying.  It was surgery or manage increasing pain until it was unbearable and then say goodbye.  Today she shows no sign of the pain she had and has gotten much of her muscle back on her rear.  I thought it would be good to put links to the posts together so anyone else who may be going through this with their dog will be able to see what we went through. 

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Well wishers from Facebook!

Brita’s journey

Day 1 after surgery

Day 2 after surgery

At this point, I went into the hospital to repair the broken hip I had walked on for 2 weeks.  Brita made a speedy recovery and within a few months acted like nothing was ever wrong.  What a blessing to be able to fix her.  And thank goodness for pet health insurance or I would be paying on the $4000 bill for a long time. 

This wasn’t the first surgery Brita had.  When she was 6 months old her lower canines were growing in the wrong way and poking a hole in the roof of her mouth.  Here is her dentist.

So in total, she’s had 3 surgeries – these 2 and her spaying and she’s come through all with a positive attitude – but then, dogs don’t feel sorry for themselves, do they? 

Winnie at the bakery

            

 

 

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Winnie at the dog wash

Since I was going into town today I volunteered to take Winnie to the Soggy Doggy Dog Wash on 47 near Shopko in Menasha. She was a pretty dirty girl and needed to be spiffed up before Thanksgiving! 

This is what I wrote to her mom as I was leaving the dog wash.   and when we got there I said Winnie needs to see Lisa! 

Let's just say first of all that no one was hurt, no one slipped on the floor that was covered with shampoo when the bottle flew out of my hand and I was able to clean up even though I didn't have to. However, I didn't attempt to wipe the water off the ceiling.  They really need to give out more than 2 towels for times like this.  Whatever made me think that my super-duper rain gear used in sailing and pouring rain would keep me dry I don't know but luckily I had a change of clothes in the van.  It's not really her fault, you know,  I should have been more insistent on getting her used to it before she was a year old.  I no longer think I need to work out when I get home.  We're leaving now and will be there shortly.  If you like us you'll put Copper in the run ...  I don't think either of us has the energy left to greet her.... we'll make up for it, tell her... I brought her a pig's ear from the bakery.

PS...  and I got the door to the dog wash back on it's hinges after I pulled it off AND Winnie didn't strangle herself swinging around when I hooked her up in the tub.  In many ways she reminds me of Kobie and this is yet another example! 

In the photo to the right Winnie is planning her escape.  I should have foreseen a problem when I had to lift her into the room.  And above is the wonderful “tub” with the door I managed to take off by the hinges that I also had to lift her into.

 

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