It's A Dog's Life!

I just read a cute post on the LPM blog about two golden retrievers. Here are three of the loves of my life. Little Scooby is the young one who looks like a golden pup. I went to animal control one day to pay for Mandy and Rollie's tags. I asked if I could go back and visit the dogs that were up for adoption. End of story. Scooby was in the last pen. At the very moment our eyes met, I knew he was coming home with me. Mandy, our golden and Rollie, the flat-coated retriever mix, taught Scooby how to get along in the world. Scooby is best known for having "choosing" time in Hannah's room. When we'd arrive home from school, we'd find Polly Pockets and Barbie's who were missing limbs, under our mesquite tree in the back yard. Hannah's bedroom looks out on that tree. I can still see her standing and her window screaming and crying, while pointing to the carnage under the tree. There is something magical about a dog turning two. Scooby now knows which are "his" toys and chooses only from his Bobos and Bad Kitty selections!

Mandy girl was our golden. We had her for almost thirteen years. She was one of the most loving, sweet girls I have ever known. She was sweet but she was the alpha dog. She would often spend her days lounging on our cool tile floor, just across from the doggie door. If our dog Rollie would stick his head through the door to come in, Mandy girl would lift her lip up, just enough to show some teeth. Rollie would back out of the door and wait to come in when it was safe.

Finally, I will tell you about Rollie. He was the runt of his litter and we got him from a local rescue group. He is famous in my circle of friends for getting into Shevon's purse and taking some gum out to chew. He also shredded a bible once when we were on a weekend trip and a good friend was dog-sitting. My friend Beth called to say that the bible had been ruined...I couldn't resist and told her that it was a family heirloom bible that had been in our family for many years...I had actually bought it at a local bookstore for a dollar. Rollie lived to be 13 and a half. Now it's just the three of us and Scooby. We're hoping that it won't be long until a new dog comes our way. We want a young female and we're thinking we need another golden in the house.

Squeezing the Last Drops of Summer Juice For All It's Worth!

Kathy, I sure hope you're over that cold and gettin' used to waking up at the late hour of 7AM! I feel the same way at the end of each summer. I am blessed to have a teaching job that allows me to have summers off with Hannah. I start feeling a little blue when I know the end is approaching. I went back to work on Monday...John and Hannah took our little camper to Canyon Lake. I miss them but know they're having fun. No cell phone service there though. John drove eight miles last night to call me and tell me how much fun they had on the Seadoo. They are there with some of our neighbors who have daughters Hannah's age. John said something silly about wanting to buy a Seadoo and I laughed. I had to tell him that Scooby has been digging under the fence and that we have to have a block wall put in. My baby boy is still in mourning for Rollie...I am too. I thought I heard him whining tonight and I even talked to him. Burst right into tears when I realized it wasn't him. I also told John he might come home to a new dog (I wouldn't really). I do think we need to consider it though. Scooby is lonely. My friend Kristin let me take him to her house for doggie daycare today and tomorrow. I'm off Friday, Sat, Sun and Mondays.

Hannah went to church camp in Prescott for three days. She cried and told me she wasn't going the morning they were to leave. I had her get dressed, eat breakfast and told her we'd drive to the church to just "scope things out." She clung to my arm and had tears as her Sunday school teacher encouraged her to go. Then her friend Amanda started crying and said she wasn't going if Hannah wasn't going. I was almost ready to give up and wasn't planning on forcing her to go...my heart was breaking...I offered her an insurance plan. I told her that if she got up there and absolutely didn't like it, that John, Scooby and I would jump in the car and come get her. I meant it. Didn't need it though. She went and had a great time. I missed her but know I need to let her go do these things...preteenhood is a whole new adventure for us. She starts sixth grade on Aug. 13th. Hope to hear from the rest of you! What's new in your lives these days?

A question for all before I close with a picture tribute to my dear Rollie. I will answer this question in my next post. What has the Lord been teaching you this summer? Have you been a good student?

Beth? Annette? Jennifer? Ann? Kathleen?

Love to you all....Kate