| Published 8/30/09 |
| My last picture page was dedicated to our very precious DeeDee, who was taken from us so tragically on April 6. Shortly after the publication of that page, our furbaby, Tara, also began her journey to the Bridge. I know that DeeDee was at that gate to welcome Tara exactly one month after her own arrival. |
| Tara climbed many hills during her last six months with us. Last December she almost lost her life to a severe case of Pancreatitis. But she made it known that she wasn't ready to leave us yet. After her recovery, however, she did seem to suddenly show her age. She still enjoyed doing everything she did before her illness but became tired quickly. She loved going for rides in the car (especially to McDonalds for her hamburger), but she would usually fall asleep before we got back home. She enjoyed digging in her sandbox, chasing the frogs, and barking at the garbage truck. As time went on, I had to feed her a special food with a baby spoon 3 times a day, as the Pancreatitis took its toll on her digestive system. Through all of this, she still enjoyed her life and tried to live it as normally as she could. As I was holding her on that last day, she looked into my eyes and told me it was finally time for her to go. Her body was tired and she was ready to give it up and start a new life where she would be young and whole once again. As painful as it was for us, we knew we had to give her this one final gift of our love. Rest in Eternal Peace, my little "Micro". |
| Tara's Final Picture Taken 5-6-09 CLICK HERE TO VISIT TARA'S PERSONAL PAGE CLICK THE "BACK" BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE |
| A SECOND LIFE CHANGING EVENT |
| On July 8 Serena woke up and discovered that she had gone blind. Because she is in congestive heart failure, surgery is not an option. She was very frightened and confused at first, but with time and our love she learned to adapt to her new world of darkness. Unfortunately, during this learning process she did have a couple of painful accidents. She stepped into a hole next to some jagged cinder block in the backyard and suffered a serious cut on her shoulder that required stitches. A couple weeks later she bumped her knee on her left rear leg and couldn't use that leg for a few days. Since then we have tried to remove any obstacle that might get in her way and she has become more confident in her ability to get around by herself. She no longer requires assistance to go down the 3 stairs into the family room or to find the 2 doggie doors leading to the yard. It's a very different world for her now but she is showing that she is determined to survive in it. |
| This big bone tastes good even if I can't see it! |
| Just listening to the world go by!!! |
| I still have to sleep with Mom's shirt and slipper, even if I can't see them anymore. |
| AND FINALLY, A THIRD LIFE CHANGING EVENT |
| Our Little Angel was diagnosed with severe heart problems. She is not yet in congestive heart failure as Serena is, but her problems are bad enough to require her to be on the same three heart medications that Serena is taking. So far, she refuses to slow down but she seems to get tired a lot faster than she did at one time. All we can do for now is love her and hope for the best. |
| APRIL |
| Sometimes when I look at April, she seems to have taken on some of the characteristics of her mother, DeeDee. Only recently has April begun to stand both of her ears up in a pointed position. Her left ear has always flopped over in the past. Also, April's tail is beginning to have wide white streaks running through it. DeeDee's tail was white. Could this be DeeDee's way of telling us that she is still here with us? |
| THE JACK RUSSELLS |
| Bailey, the Mother |
| Bailey with her daughter, Sarah Bailey with her daughter, Holly |
| Bailey's daughter, Jennie |
| The Brothers |
| Tucker |
| Rusty |
| MAX AND AMBER |
| Little Miss Stuck Up |
| At times Max still flips his toes over just as his predecessor, Bart, always did. |
| RENO |
| BENJI |
| DUSTY Tara's journey to Rainbow Bridge has now left Dusty the oldest of our furbaby family. Dusty found her way to our home as a stray in February of 1996. Her age is estimated to be 15 or 16. |
| THE OTHER DOG IN MY LIFE Even though Sabrina lives in Michigan with our son, Jeff, and his family, I still think of her as a very important dog in my life. She seems to love visiting us here in Florida, and we miss her when she has to go back home again. |
| AND FINALLY, THE NEW DOG IN MY LIFE (Well, kind of) |
| Remember our son, Jeff? The little guy with Princess, the Poodle, back in 1969. If not, click HERE and then click the "Back" button on your browser to return to this page. *********** Jeff has been a police officer in Michigan for a number of years. The city he works for has recently introduced a K-9 unit to the Department. Jeff is one of two officers who has been selected as a K-9 handler. I am very proud of him because I somehow feel that my love for dogs has been passed on to him. We got to meet "Chase" in July when Jeff and his family came to visit us. |
| Jeff and his K-9 partner, Chase |
| Me and the Big Guy! |
| CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO THE LEFT FOR A SHORT VIDEO OF CHASE PLAYING WITH HIS ROPE TOY. *************** CLICK THE "BACK" BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE. |
| Guardians of the Night Author Unknown Trust in me my friend for I am your comrade. I will protect you with my last breath. When all others have left you and the loneliness of the night closes in, I will be at your side. Together we will conquer all obstacles, And search out those who might wish harm to others. All I ask of you is compassion, the caring touch of your hands. It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life and spend my nights unrested. Although our days together may be marked by the passing of the seasons, know that each day at your side is my reward. My days are measured by the coming and going of your footsteps. I anticipate them at every opening of the door. You are the voice of caring when I am ill. The voice of authority when I've done wrong. Do not chastise me unduly for I am your right arm, The sword at your side. I attempt to do only what you bid of me. I seek only to please you and remain in your favor. Together you and I shall experience a bond only others like us will understand. When outsiders see us together, Their envy will be measured by their disdain. I will quietly listen to you and pass no judgment. Nor will your spoken words be repeated. I will remain ever silent, ever vigilant, and ever loyal. And when our time together is done and you move on in the world, Remember me with kind thoughts and tales. For a time we were unbeatable. Nothing passed among us undetected. If we should meet again on another street, I will gladly take up your fight. I am a Working Police Dog And together we are Guardians of the Night. |
| PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL PAGE OF 2009 |