Throw away Dane...

It came to my attention this week that there was a 11yr old Dane in a shelter in Alamosa...dropped off by a family who no longer wanted him. How can people be like that? Why do people think dogs are disposable...and why on Earth, would a family have a dog for 11 years and than decide they no longer wanted him?

Last night as we were driving home from dinner, Brian asked "Do you want to go to Alamosa tomorrow?". Clearly we have no business taking on another dog, but I was so relieved when I heard those words come of our Brian's mouth!

So off to Alamosa we went today- 450 miles round trip! We met a beautiful blue boy named Blue (yes, not very original), and his poor body shows every ounce of his 11 years. That said, he happily bounced along on our walk, not knowing his poor body is failing him.

Once he was in our car, he became a little scared and still is. He is not too sure of us, or the other dogs, but Brian has tucked him in on a dog bed where is resting comfortably. I think he is thankful for a soft bed.

Thankfully RMGDRI has agreed to bring this boy under the rescue's wing, and have graciously allowed for Brian and I to keep as a permanent foster. My house is known as the "hospice house", and I figure one more can't hurt!!

What is most troubeling to me though, are all the dog we left behind. I was only on my third kennel of pups before the tears started! It is such a small town, and way too many dogs in need of homes. The kennel staff clearly loves the dogs, but their financial funds are minimal. It just broke my heart.

At the end of the day, I am not quite sure if Blue has much time with us, but we are willing to give him love for the time he has left!

The small details...like Ella Bauer

So I am at a point in my wedding planning where the details are starting to matter. I need to pick invitations, figure out how to print addresses on them, and also figure out the whole place card fiasco.

I happen to have this week off in that I am starting a new job on Monday...one would think that I could have devoted this week to the small details! No can do! I sit down at the computer and quickly am frustrated by my lack of computer skills when it comes to on-line invitation design ...so what do I do? I go to the gym, fold clothes, and even resort to picking up dog poop to avoid the details! Can't I pay someone for this?

Today, I was incredibly happy because I had plans...official plans like a doctor's appointment and lunch with my friend Heidi. Well, after my doctor's
appointment I headed to Heidi's to find a sick 2 year old (Jack) who needed to go to the doctor, and a 15 month old (Ella) in need of a babysitter. I happily obliged, and was soon left with Ella Bauer, who was staring me down like I was some sort of alien!

Heidi left, much to Ella's dismay...which, thankfully, was quickly controlled by a can of mandarin oranges! After I gave her anything and everything she wanted to eat, I took her out of her chair. She stared at me for a while, surveying her surroundings and than threw herself out of arms toward her big pink blankie on the ground. Deciding not to press the issue of becoming the friend that I wanted to be, I went and sat down on the couch.

I was on the verge of being overwhelmed with own thoughts of studying for a licensing test, new job, new travel schedule, wedding and wedding diet when little Ella popped up at my feet...she looked at me, came a little closer, said "Hi!", and wanted to be picked up. I picked her up, she gathered her pink blankie up on my shoulder, and just laid her head down while patting my shoulder. She stayed that way for a while, watching Nemo and babbling in my ear. Every now and than she would lean back, look at me, realize I wasn't Heidie, make a weird face, than decide I was ok, and go back to laying her head on my shoulder.

The funny thing is that during this whole experience, I completely forgot about all my worries...so delighted that I had won over this little girl. I dared to not rock the boat, so sat as still as I could until she decided she was ready to roam the room!

I just found it funny that once again, it is the small details in life that stress and overwhelm me...yet, something as simple as snuggle from a little girl can make it all disappear for while. It just reminded me, yet again, it is the small things in life that matter!

Girlfriends

Simply put, I have incredible friends. But, as we all know, life gets busy. Add a husband & a few kids to that, and communication amongst friends takes a back seat on the priority list. But the true friends are the ones that you pick up like no time has passed..that is the story of the girls in this picture.

We are all sorority sisters from CU, and they all happen to be my bridesmaids. We all very different in personality, but those differences cause us the biggest laughs.

We spent this past weekend in Sedona, AZ for my bachlorette party. We had so much fun, and I am so thankful that each took time away from their families to spend the weekend with me. We did a little hiking, hot tubbing, shopping, eating and drinking! Mostly we just laughed....those deep belly laughs that only good friends can bring out of you.

I am blessed.

Happy Birthday Zachey Poo

April 15th: The two year anniversary of Zachey's adoption...since I also consider it his birthday, he is 4 years old today too! Thanks to RMGDRI for my great friend.