A Great Loss

On Friday, November 16, 2007, we lost one of our very best and oldest of friends. Mooky was with us for 14 years, and was only 6 months older than that. Since Doug and I had no kids, she became our special baby. She was with us through it all; miscarriages, graduation, and job loss. She gave us many of our most joyful and memorable times. I hadn't realized what an integral part of my life she was until I had to let her go. My gut reaction was an intense desire to keep her here with me. I hadn't expected that. I've had to let dogs go before,... but not like this. Every day of the last 14 years, almost every minute, she's been there, part of my routine, my life. With her gone it's as if millions of tiny pieces of my heart have been ripped away. I never understood before when people would say they expected a recently passed loved one to walk in the door. It's like when you go on auto pilot while driving; you automatically turn some place because you have so often before.
We are 2 people and 3 dogs in one house, yet there seems to be such a hollowness here...

Different type of book

Of course it was the title that caught my attention. This is a totally different type of book than I would normally choose. It starts out kind of weird, but you get used to that after a couple chapters. Then you begin to see how funny it is. Cathy Lamb seems to have a knack for writing these hilarious scenes, usually dialog, and so unlike other funny dialogs I've read. This is a woman's book. I think most men probably wouldn't care for it, but I am loving it. I can't wait to see how it ends.

I really liked this book. Parts of it were very strange, but that becomes part of its charm. It's definitely worth the read!

The second Solomon v Lord

So far, this book is pretty good, though not as good as that bloodhound book.

Sofie Metropolis

Just read tonight that Stephanie Plum's are Sofie's favorite stories.

New book for club

Our book for September. It's very similar to my favorite Stephanie Plum series, only Sofie is Greek, and the hunk is Aussie.

Kent Mystery Book Club Meetup

Our first book, and our second meeting on Wed the 5th. It started out good, then got frustrating, then ended as a page turner. Good job Barbara. I think I might read the two sequels!

The Bark Magazine

I found a great dog magazine! Unlike some others, this one is full of stories about dogs, rather than breeders and too many ads. In fact, it's the only magazine I've ever wanted to read all the way through. I think I'll get a subscription at the beginning of the year.

Met a photographer at the dog park...

...she does good work.

What a good read...

This story was great! John has a really good writing style and comes up with, not just funny stories, but ways of telling them that make them funny. (or funnier) I really enjoyed it.

Harry Potter!!

I finally gave in and ordered the new book. Our collection is paperback, so I was trying to wait, but I guess all the media pressure got to me.

Of course, we collect the UK versions, so the shipping is killer. Here's what our new one will look like.

Now that's what I'm talkin bout...

.....pure essence of happiness

The Sandwalker Cometh

A House for Trina

Staff picnic

Picinic Photos

Finally the shots from the picnic are available at my Flickr. Just click the link to the right. Movie shorts still to come.

Big Change

My library branch is now closed for nine months! What a drag! They packed up all the books today, and the computers, shelves; soon will go the furniture. In nine months time it will look very different. So, I will be working at desm and kent, the latter being very unfamiliar to me, as I have never worked there.

Pretty good movie, in spite of what the critics may say. The ending was unsatisfying, though.

Midnight has been adopted!!!
She loves her new family, and is now settling into her new home. YEAH!

Throw the bumper!

May 27 barbecue; dogs at play video

Just got home from Spiderman 3. Pretty good.

But...











I liked Shrek the Third better. There's just something about him...

King County Reforms for Animal Care

This beautiful Foxhound is one of the lucky ones; when his owner was done with him (maybe used for stud) Jake was dropped off at an animal shelter. But, as the shelter filled up, Jake's time ran out, so, again one of the lucky ones, he was taken into foster care through a local dog rescue group.
Many wonderful animals aren't so lucky; they're neglected, beaten, sentenced to a life as a puppy machine, constantly being impregnated and giving birth, probably while permanently restrained on a short chain (this is a puppy mill). Some dogs are trained to fight through starvation, neglect, and abuse; and some are used as bait for the fighters to practice on, then discarded when the wounds are too severe to bother treating.

Please visit King County Council Member, Julia Patterson's site to learn about her proposed legislation for reform in our county, and, if at all possible, write a letter to her that she can take to the committee to show them that their constituents want reform.
Patterson Motions for Animal Care Reforms

Here is a puppy who wasn't lucky at all; until he was rescued by a local organization. This picture was taken of Benny when he arrived at RED. He had what appears to be chemical burns or steam on 3/4 of his body. He is making great progress and bravely faces his treatments. He also has pneumonia which he is recovering from also. He wags his tail for everyone and is a joy to be a round.

Jake and Benny are both lucky now, as they wait in loving foster homes for their forever families to find them. Though, they are waiting.


http://www.metrokc.gov/council/news/2007/0507/JP_animalcruelty.htm

They say...

"Life's a bitch, and then you die." But I've recently achieved a slightly different perspective; Life's a bitch, and then you hit 40. (A fate not nearly so merciful as dying). I've already had back problems for a while, so that wasn't new, but now there's my burning feet, my tender shoulders, and my arthritic hands; all causing some debilitation. My eyes are getting worse and have developed "floaters:" little dots that I see as floating around in there, sometimes thinking it's a bug or a person (or a car, if I'm driving). I think I've lost a quarter of my vocabulary, and don't let's forget the heartburn, which seemed to start around the same time that my weight began shifting to my stomach (about which let me just say that even battling a weight problem all my life I have never been made so physically uncomfortable by extra flab), I mean, I thought my warrany had expired at 30..., but I had no idea what was coming.
And how about this mid-life crisis?? Society has always characterized it by strange behavior, they never said anything about the emotional trauma that comes with it. Apparently we're supposed to accept all our unrealized dreams, our failures, etc, so we can begin some new and wonderful life. Number one: when my emotions are fighting my reality I have no idea how to stop them and "accept" anything. Number two: how can anyone possibly have a "wonderful life," new or otherwise, without getting any of their childhood dreams?? I don't get it.

OYY! Life's a beach

Why can't chocolate look that good on me???

Here's Sirius in one of his snuggly moods. This morning he had great fun tearing a plank off the fence so the neighbor dog could come and play. Sadly, for him, he was locked in a crate while his packmates got to play with the guest he had invited.

What a GOOD dog. Wish my dogs were this smart!!