More Arctic Blast 2008

The front yard displaying how much snow we got. The county shut down yesterday so Lyn got to stay home and take pictures. I got to work.

Pesky squirrel pictures:





They are so obnoxious and keep eating most of the bird food. They are obviously not starving squirrels.

The feathered visitors we like to see.

Towhee at front yard feeder:



Flicker at the woodpecker feeder in the back yard:



Feeder by kitchen windows:



Because there were no clinics open today and work load was very low I had to be off work. I'm kinda hoping it's that way tomorrow, too. I'm still working on Christmas presents for my parents and had to quit knitting today because of tendinitis in my 4th finger (who knows why). I spent the day reading instead and looking over reading challenges for the year to join at Library Thing, Good Reads, and Shelfari.

Lyn and I are not exchanging presents this year - a decision we made based on the fact that we got new floors, a new patio door, and a new oven this year. Plus, Keri and Ryan are getting married next year and we're getting the puppy in January. I didn't need a thing and neither did Lyn. It's a nice change of pace.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

But we've had some delightful visitors, including this House Finch that fed at one of our feeders today.



And this "something" at a backyard bird feeder.



We also have a charming visitor named Graham visiting us for the weekend. He's our first experience with puppy sitting for Guide Dogs. He has a lot of energy and loves snow, which is good since we haven't really been able to take him out to stores or restaurants this weekend.



In Guide Dog news, we've been told we're getting a female yellow lab whose name starts with the letter A. Parents are Bingham and Bruna. I'm pleased, but I had no preference for male or female and so I imagine we were switched with someone who did have one.

The weather got really cold last Sunday and we've had a daily accumulation of snow. Vancouver didn't get what Portland got, until today. We're expecting freezing rain tonight. I'm warm but worried because my son has to deliver pizzas tonight. Even Lyn admitted that it was hard to drive today - he will drive in most weather conditions.

Up to last Sunday I had been working on the Julskalender.



I got to day 3, but got so cold that I went to the homespun yarn I have stored and chose some mystery yarn that I think I spun over 10 years ago. I think it's an angora/merino blend. I started a cowl and finished it this afternoon. It's a first for me in a few ways. I used a pico hem, I used handspun yarn for a project, and it's my first cowl. I'm pleased, but unfortunately I'm allergic to the angora. That's a first too. I think I'll be gifting this cowl.



In book news I finished The Outlander by Gil Adamson. It reminded me a lot of Cold Mountain, but was definitely different. I think it's my favorite book of the year.

Lace Swap, part 2

I received this gorgeous lace package from partner, Betzi, in the second round of the Lace Swap at Ravelry. I got 2 patterns, both from Knitspot - Spiralacious and the Butternut Scarf. The alpaca lace is for the Butternut scarf, the green Rowan Cashcotton is for Spiralacious. The Lily Chin Chelsea yarn is for the Clementine Shawlette, a pattern I already own.

I received great chocolate, of which only the candy bar is left, made by Gertrude Hawk in Pennsylvania, local company to Betzi. There is also a tiny crochet hook which I can use for adding beads to shawls, 2 little notebooks, removable highlighter tape for helping me keep my place in charts, and Eucalan soak. There was coffee but the bag unfortunately broke during route to my house, darn it! I think I can salvage some of it.

A wonderful swap, Betzi. Thank you so much! I want to start knitting it all now!

Puppy info

We're getting a male yellow lab whose name will begin with the letter T. Woohoo!

I also found out we're getting the puppy a day earlier than I originally thought.

Next week we'll be puppy sitting a 6-month-old male yellow lab and I'm excited!

826LA Collaboration

Flora and Fauna had the honor of teaming up with designer Amy Martin to Create 826LA's Holiday Cards. They can be purchase via their website, or stop by the Echo Park Travel Mart if you are in the L.A. area. All proceeds go toward funding 826LA.  

Winter 2008 Knitty

I got a sneak peak of the new Knitty before the e-mail alerts went out. I love every pattern I looked at, but can't get back in to download anything. Apparently lots of people feel the same way I do! Wow! Best group of patterns I've seen in a long time (because I can actually knit and wear them). It's going to be a busy winter! I think it's going to be my winter of knitting sweaters. More later, after I get back in.

Weekend catchup

I haven't shown any yard pictures in awhile. This is a sunbathing squirrel Lyn saw sleeping from his office window on Saturday morning. Squirrels have been swarming our yard, eating all the bird seed and being a nuisance, but I enjoy them anyway and love this picture.



I have one finished sock to show since I can't show the Christmas things I've been knitting. This sock is what I call my mindless sock pattern - just simple knitting in the round, make a heel flap, gusset, instep, toe, and finish off in kitchener. This Kaffe Fassett yarn was a sport weight and it went really fast. I like doing this kind of sock every once in awhile. I get something with little effort. I'll finish sock #2 after Christmas.

I've found a few projects that excite me that I want to start very soon. One is this Advent Calendar scarf from a Swedish publication that I found at Ravelry. Here is the link. I think I have some fingering Louet wool in light green that I can use for this.

Also, thanks to Chelle I found this pattern while I was catching up with her posts at Ravelry. It's a pattern called Guided by Love and is a fund raising sock for Seeing Eye in New Jersey. I was so excited by this, just in time for something to do during the waiting period for the guide dog puppy that is coming to us in about a month! For anyone wishing to get involved in the fund raiser, the pattern is available until December 18, so hurry if you want to get it.

I swear there's a group for everything at Ravelry! Everything!

We had a puppy Christmas party at puppy club on Thursday. We came home with a lab door ringer, a chocolate bar that said Merry Christmas in Braille, and a smaller puppy paw print chocolate bar, plus some new toys for the puppy and a crate so we can start puppy sitting. We met lots of nice people, including people waiting for puppies like us and people who had just gotten puppies. I saw the first 2 shepherds since I've joined the club - Guide Dogs for the Blind is not breeding these now, but I guess there are still a few around.

Keri and I spent Friday looking for venues and found a promising one open on the date she wants to get married. She's still looking and we're both trying not to get too overwhelmed. My family has started their insane-making travel plans (I can't begin to explain what they do) and I'm trying not to get involved. I can provide the date and hopefully they'll make it for the wedding or whatever get-together we're going to have. I'll be a charming hostess, but please, just make your plans and tell me when you're arriving. I'll be so happy to see you when you get here! : )

Of course, I need to know dates by Monday - tomorrow - since I have to submit my vacation dates at work on Tuesday. No pressure!

Invites, Birds, Cake

I had the pleasure of designing invitations for my friends' wedding in Austin, TX. Andrea, the bride, is a lover of all animals especially birds, so I drew her a couple of little sparrows and incorporated them into the invites. (I'm also proud of my hand-drawn map, complete with drawings of the church, the country club, UT, and the TX capitol.)

The happy couple then gave my bird designs to the cake maker extraordinaire at Coco Paloma Desserts. She translated my bird designs into fondant beauty! Furthermore, the cake was amazing, with a chocolate layer AND a vanilla layer. I will confess I had a slice of each. 

Swap from Finland

It's been a busy week. I've finished one knitted gift and am working on another, hoping to finish it before Christmas. This week I've discovered cowls and other one-skein projects - the only kind of project I can hope to finish before Christmas.

Early this week I received a fantastic swap package from Finland, an individual swap that we decided to do by ourselves. My swap partner wanted KnitPick yarns, and in turn she sent me yarns from Finland. I really feel I got the better deal. I like Knitpick yarns, I just like yarns from another country much better.

So, in the package were angel stitch markers and a heart necklace, made by Tiina, and a polar bear keychain. I love these!



Some Kamena lace dyed by Tiina in a very pretty coral:



Mokka-Sukka sock yarn in gorgeous reddish-browns and brown. I love this sock yarn. It has a Zitron base but is dyed in Finland. I've seen other colorways in stash at Ravelry and just love it!



Haandu in wool, bamboo, and mohair. I saw a lot of socks made out of this at Ravelry, but I don't know. It's too pretty for socks.



Novetta Cloud, wool-bamboo mix in red and green. I'm not sure what I'm going to make yet - Tapestry cowl, hat, neck warmer? It's next-to-skin soft and I love the colors. I need to relearn color knitting techniques.



Faro lace in a gorgeous brown:



Kettle holders also made by Tiina. They're very Christmasy and already in use.



I loved my swap package, Tiina! We're thinking about doing this again in the spring.

I'm off to do venue hunting with Keri! She has some good ideas.

Approved!

So, around the first of the new year, we'll be raising one of these in our home:



This is going to open up a new world for us, and I can't wait to be part of the guide dog puppy raising community!

Thanksgiving, Keri and Multnomah Falls

Why might I have a picture of Multnomah Falls on Thanksgiving Day/Keri's birthday? I've been waiting to talk about this all week!

Keri has been infatuated with water falls since learning photography, especially Multnomah Falls. Today, on their way to Ryan's family in Spokane, Ryan stopped at Multnomah Falls for a "pit stop." He then suggested that he and Keri climb to the bridge. Once there he proposed to her and she said yes. She was quite excited when she called me around 8:45 this morning. So, there will be a wedding in our family and I'm quite pleased.

We went to eat at Lolo in Portland on Sunday evening since Keri and Ryan would not be with us today. Ryan showed us the ring when Keri stepped away from the table for a few minutes. She had been anticipating a new camera for her birthday, which we all found amusing. I can confirm that she's not upset that she didn't get a camera. It's been hard not to blog about this all week, but now I can tell everyone. Oh - Lolo's is a great place to eat. Tapas are my new favorite food.

Night Before Thanksgiving

It's a blustery, cold evening and I'm waiting for the kettle to boil so I can have some decaf Earl Gray tea. That's right - decaf. Ordinarily on an evening before a holiday, I'd be drinking caffeinated tea, but alas, I work tomorrow. This is the fate of those who send in holiday requests by Outlook timed delivery. Never, never will I do that again!

Fortunately, I have a coworker who traded shifts with me, so I'll be able to join my family for dinner, and I won't be doing much cooking. Keri's birthday is tomorrow, but she's going to be eating with Ryan's family and won't be joining us. It will be me, Lyn, Kevin and Tim. I'm thankful to have any family member to dinner these days - I know the time is coming when the days we're all together at the same time are few and far between.

Last week's puppy outing was very interesting. We went to the Washington State School for the Blind and were exposed to Braille. We used a machine to type out Braille and had printouts of the Braille alphabet and short-hand notes. It's a code and I'm sure I could have figured it out eventually. We were interpreting The Night Before Christmas. I also saw a computer program that is used to transcribe print into Braille - a much easier process. Lyn used to work at WSSFTB in his college days and was reminiscing about people who had been there when he lived in the dorms. Puppy home visit is Saturday and I'm on pins and needles!

So, it's holiday time again and knitting pictures will not be forthcoming. I am reading though. I gave up on The Echo Maker, one of the worst books I've read in a long time. I'm now reading The Zookeeper's Wife, about the family that owned the Warsaw Zoo during WWII. I love resistance stories and this one is no exception. I would have to warn that there are accounts of animal cruelty in this book, but it's a good story nonetheless.

On the recommendation of Leslie at Mini-Aussie Rescue and Support, I'm also reading Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide Interpreting the Native Language of the Domestic Dog by Brenda Aloff. This is a fascinating book and I keep studying Aidan to see if he blinks at me and to see if he is using negotiating postures or appropriate sniffing techniques. You have to see this book to understand what I mean.

When I picked up the Brenda Aloff book at the library, I also found Working Dogs: True Stories of Dogs and Their Handlers by Kirsten Mehus-Roe. I read the chapter on Assistance Dogs and longed for my first guide dog puppy. I read the chapter on working dogs and longed for an Australian shepherd.

Water has boiled and my tea has steeped a long time. I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to try to, despite the daily warnings we've gotten at work all week on the dangers of eating too much. So, eat in moderation, don't have a 2nd piece of pie or 2 slices of different pies - it's the people you're with that count, not the food. Ha!

International Scarf Exchange 7

Sign ups have begun! Check it out here.

The time frame is doable and I love this swap. It's one of the ones I've decided to do whenever it occurs.

Guide Dog Puppy Club

I went back to puppy club tonight and met 2 brand new puppies - they had just arrived a week ago. I was impressed with how easy they were to handle. The puppies are handled from the time they are 3 weeks old, but these were the calmest puppies I have seen to date. They were yellow Labs and I think they're going to be great guide dogs.

I also turned in applications to raise puppies and to be a puppy sitter. I've been to 3 meetings, will go to a graduation on Saturday, and will have a home visit next week. We'll also be attending an outing next week and then we'll have to puppy sit 2 puppies who are in different puppy stages. I'm a little nervous about the home visit because the visitor brings a dog to see how our pets will react. I'm worried about Aidan and how he'll respond to another dog in the house after his experience with Charlie. He was wagging his tail when he sniffed my hands after class tonight, so I hope that's a good sign.

I'm having lunch with Keri tomorrow for the first time in 2 months and I'm looking forward to that. I finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and loved it. The Echo Maker (book I'm reading now) is okay, but it doesn't grab me like Edgar Sawtelle did. I didn't want the book to end. I'm almost finished with a pair of socks, but they are a Christmas present for my mother so I can't show them yet. My goal for the weekend is to finish them.

Lyn's Halloween Pumpkin and message

VOTE!

Saying goodbye to Charlie

I hate to post this, but we released Charlie to an Australian shepherd rescue yesterday. Theo had stopped coming inside, was disappearing for days at a time, the other 2 cats were hiding upstairs and never coming down, and Aidan was just a shadow of himself and was becoming fearful. I learned that if Charlie ever killed a cat or bit someone, he would not be adoptable and I was terrified of something like that happening. Rather than trying multiple techniques that weren't reliably working for us, I begged and pleaded for Lyn to let the breed rescue take him so he could have a chance for a better fit than us and so we could salvage our relationship with our other animals. Rescue was able to take him within minutes of my request and I'm relieved, albeit sad too as Charlie was a gorgeous dog, loyal, smart and friendly and had a lot of potential. I struggle with a feeling of failure, but am trying to look on our releasing him as an act of love. Sometimes adoption just doesn't work. Thank heavens for rescue groups. There's nothing like adopting from people who understand the breed of dog they're placing. We may continue to work with the group for a placement for us, but we're waiting for awhile as it's going to take some time for humans and animals to recover from this last experience.

I'm busy checking out new swap buddies at Ravelry - three swaps in all. Two are organized swaps, one is an informal with a woman from Finland. I love the idea of just swapping with individual people and may pursue this some more in the future. I'm afraid swaps are just a part of my life now. I really enjoy getting to know people this way. One of my swappees is from Vancouver and we're already making plans to have coffee. My third swappee is a medical student in Richmond. I promise I will not complain about doctor dictations! The theme of that swap is relaxation, and boy does she need to find some time to relax, probably the idea is a source of amusement for medical students.

Flora and Fauna Press 2009 Calendars

Finally...after many months of design and printing, our 2009 letterpress calendars are here. 

These quarterly calendars consist of 4 designs, each inspired by a season and printed in three colors (a true test of our registration skills). The best part is, we've provided dotted trim lines, so you can have 4 little prints to frame when the year is over. 

(click thumbnail for larger image)

Chocolate, Coffee, Yarn Swap

I think I'm going to have to write more later. I'm excited by this package and want to explore it some more. Click on the picture to get to the Flikr account to see details.

I loved my package, Elena! Thank you!

Dog Dance Video, Unraveled, and October Woolgirl Sock Club

I came across this video at Ravelry in the Fuzz Butts (Australian Shepherd) thread.I think Charlie and I are a long way from accomplishing this and after attending 2 training sessions, I have to say that our "Look" command is not as accomplished as this dancing pair!

Charlie and Aidan seem to have bonded over chasing squirrels. Things are better, Aidan's tail is tall again and he initiates play with Charlie and Charlie plays back. Charlie is still a little toy hog, but things are relatively peaceful and I can pet Aidan again without him being attacked. Theo disappeared for 4 days but came back last night. Charlie doesn't lunge at the cats when we bring them downstairs. I'm still cautious, but more optimistic that we're going to be able to keep Charlie.

I learned this week that Unraveled, the yarn shop that got me back into knitting again, is closing. I visited Lisa at Unraveled today and know that she's closing because it's a good time for her to do this and that it isn't because she has to. Downtown will feel empty without Unraveled. I was someone who loved having 2 stores in close proximity - it gave me a reason to have out-of-town visitors a place to go (if they were knitters). I came home with a few things - probably one of the last times I get to bring something home from Unraveled.



I got these 4 booklets - 2 of Berroco, 1 Norah Gaughan, and 1 Aspen Leaf Wrap.



Paca Peds sock yarn in Grapevine colorway.



Araucania Ranco sock yarn, color 318.

I also got the Opal Harry Potter sock yarn in Hedwig, but I neglected to take a picture.

I don't know if I can go back to the 40% off sale in November. I hate going-out-of business sales - it's too sad!

Yesterday was a great sock club day because I got the October sock club shipment from Woolgirl. I love Jen's themes. This was a cherry blossom theme - not fall like at all, but I loved it. I'll probably get around to this sock in February when I'm longing for cherry blossoms or any flower blossom to come out. If interested, click on the picture and read the caption about the package contents there. I can't get over that sugar stick! The pattern is toe-up and is not the same pattern on both sides. I'm still not fond of toe-up, but this pattern uses the Magic Toe, so I'll give it a try.

Fall Season Swap

This is the Seasonal Fall Yarn Swap I received from Fern in California. There should be a Tiger cup in this picture to go with the Green tea, but it didn't make it in because I had already used it when I took this picture. Love the hat-scarf pattern and Cascade 220 yarn. I can't wait to do this. The Gummy candies are long gone. The candle and honey hand cream smell great, and Lyn wants the Island calendar. I'll have to get him one for Christmas - it's perfect for the dark and rainy days ahead.

I have now completed my fall swaps. There are more to come, I just love swaps!

Treat Yourself...

It's October... the time of year we are all tempted by little Halloween size candies and chocolates sitting around in dishes everywhere. My suggestion is to forgo all the store-bought, partially hydrogenated candies and go for a quality treat. Purchase one at your local bakery, or make one yourself. 

MUMMY & GHOST CUPCAKES- cookie jar bakery

HALLOWEEN CAKE- bleeding heart bakery

VAMPIRE CUPCAKE & FRANKENSTEIN CAKE- both from horrorgourmet

Fall Lace swap

The first swap is from the Fall lace swap at Ravelry and my spoiler was Anke from Germany. I loved what she sent me. The candy is gone now - long gone. I love Haribo gummy bears and chocolate from Germany is the best! She sent me all these bite-sized pieces of chocolate so I told myself more than 1 wouldn't matter. Ha! Anyway, the chocolate was great. I also loved the Tundra sock yarn and the pattern that I'll be using the yarn for. I loved the stitchmarkers that Anke made herself and I'm using them right now in a project I'm working on. I also love the little plate. Thank you, Anke. I have been enjoying your package for about 2 or 3 weeks now!

Swaps

I just received a swap package from Cheryl in Ohio who was my spoiler in the Autumn Sock or Scarf Pattern Swap on Ravelry. I chose a scarf and Cheryl sent me the Knitspot Opens and Folds Cable Scarf with Burnt Umber Shetland Spindrift to knit it with. She also included stitch markers, homemade soap (which smells great - rosemary and herb), wool bat to spin, Stauf's roast coffee, which also smells great, and a felted pumpkin that I just love. This was a great package to celebrate the fall season and I look forward to buying soap from Cheryl's new online store located at www.bythehearth.com. I just looked and I think I want one of everything! Thank you again, Cheryl!

Getting this package today reminded me that I have other swap packages I need to record. I posted pictures at Flickr and at Ravelry, but want to put pictures in the blog. I need to get the wool bat out of the way first, Charlie wants it!

Crochet/Knit show; OFFF

Things haven't been exactly smooth with Charlie. I have a strong desire for this adoption to work, but I'm having some doubts about Charlie's exuberant personality on the other pets in the house. He is just adorable,very friendly and endearing with people, but not so much with other pets. Aidan is staying in corners and won't even make eye contact with me now indoors. The cats continue to hide upstairs and we have to keep everyone separated. Then we have nice walks, like this afternoon, the dogs play and I wonder what I was worried about, until Aidan starts acting like he's been whipped. This is killing me! I'm in contact with Mini-Aussie rescue, but what happens with Charlie remains to be seen for another week.

Anyway, I'm still knitting and I'm going to post pictures of purchases at the Crochet/Knit show and Oregon Flock and Fiber. I can't say I totally enjoyed myself this year - I was still not doing well after Shane's death and just wasn't feeling very sociable. Lyn took me to both festivals but hung out doing work in coffee shops while I shopped. It was kind of overwhelming at both events - just unending booths and crowds. However, I purchased quite a few things for me and for swap partners.

I got sock yarn



Lace (The Misty Alpaca came from StitchCraft)




and fiber



I put descriptions of everything at Flickr if curious about particulars I want to save space here.

We saw llama and alpaca and rabbits at OFFF, but I didn't see anyone I knew and don't know if I'll make this a yearly event. I certainly have more fiber and yarn than a person can use, which is why much of it is going to swaps. Anyway, that's about all I have to say about the festivals. Hopefully next time I go to any fiber event I'll be in a better frame of mind.

Introducing Charlie

This is Charlie, our new mini-Australian shepherd. He's a year old and we got him from a rescue group in Molalla, Oregon. He was said to love other animals, be crate trained, house trained, intelligent, and friendly. He's all of those things, except I think he wants to kill all our other animals! He's still very puppyish and is quite dominant in his behavior with Aidan our Cairn terrier. They get along very well as long as they are walking and as long as they are outside. Inside I think they're going to kill one another. Cats are another story. They're all hiding in fear upstairs right now.

I really thought we were going to have to take Charlie back last night, but we started Aidan's training today and the teacher gave us some excellent advice in working out the dominance behaviors. We are to ignore Charlie for the next few days and to a certain extent we're to ignore Aidan. We are to walk them together as much as possible, because dogs bond when they walk together, or let them play outside as much as we can allow them to. Inside if they fight we're to make a very loud EH sound and clap and then leave the room. We essentially have to let them work it out. If these measures don't work in a day or two, the teacher is willing to come to the house to help us out. I feel better about everything today. She even gave us instructions on introducing the cats to Charlie.

So, hopefully I can tell you all how I really feel about Charlie in a few days. I love him to death! He is just beautiful and he moves like a rubber band. Very fast and limber. He jumped from the floor, across my legs, and to the couch today and I think he's going to be trained in agility. He definitely needs a job! Classes for Charlie may start as soon as Tuesday.

Today is my last day of a week-long vacation. We spent it looking for a dog, going to Guide Dog classes, and doing household things. Lyn finished the cork flooring (not bamboo - my mistake) and it looks beautiful. We looked at a house we liked that is closer to town, but I don't know if we can swing 2 mortgages. Oh, Lyn was stung by 2 yellow jackets on Monday evening while working in the yard. We spent 4 hours in the ER and fortunately he didn't have a serious reaction this time. We think it was because he had been taking antihistamines for about a week prior to the stings. Lyn killed the nest (that was against medical advice - don't do this!) and I think we're yellow jacket free now.

Here's another Charlie picture.

Learning about raising guide dog puppies

I went to my first guide dog raisers meeting last night and Lyn joined me around 7:30 (He was on his way home from Seattle and in Chehalis when I called him). I found the group very friendly, eager to answer questions and share experiences. I was put to work right away with a raiser-dog pair, Michael and Jogger/Jager (I'm not sure of the spelling) and got to clean an ear and work on calling the dog. I learned how to place a dog in "sit" appropriately. There were many dogs of various ages and stages and I certainly got a good idea of how much work it is going to be to raise a puppy. I was struck by how much community involvement there is in the group. They go everywhere with these dogs and that is a bonus for me considering how much time I spend at home.

We were sent home with a manual and instructions to come to a few more meetings, puppy sit 2 dogs of different stages, and attend a graduation. I attended a graduation 3 years ago and it was one of the highlights of my life. I can't wait to go again!

Lyn enjoyed the experience and we're both enthusiastic. We'll see how it goes. I'm uncertain how Aidan will respond and I'm sure the puppy sitting will answer a lot of our questions about that, as well as whether we really want to undertake this responsibility.

Next post will involve fiber. I've yet to take pictures of what I acquired at either the Knit/Crochet show or Oregon Flock and Fiber. It's raining today, but I'll see what I can do.

Investigating puppy raising

I picked up Shane's ashes yesterday - a disheartening experience because no one at the front desk was present when we initially bought Shane in on the 23rd. Also, no one ever called me to let me know the ashes were there. I had gone in to get some cat food, which they had called me about. So, I checked out with Shane's ashes and cat food on the same bill. The ashes were handed to me in a blue bag and were in a container with paw prints that looked like a cookie container. It was so impersonal and so I felt new grief all over again.

So, I have applied to Australian shepherd rescue. I'm not sure we'll be deemed smart enough for an Aussie, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Also, in just a few short minutes I'm leaving to go to my first puppy club meeting for Guide Dogs for the Blind. We're applying, but I'm not sure what we're applying for yet. Maybe just puppy sitter, but hopefully we'll want to raise a puppy. There are a couple of options in raising dogs. They're only raising labs now, so I get to choose male/female, black/gold. Really, I have no preference at this point. I'm very excited. I've wanted to do this for such a long time!

Trying to move on

It's been a hard week. I wasn't sure I could post here for awhile, but feel the need for some distraction, so here I go. I joined a pet loss group at Ravelry and hopefully can find some comfort posting there.

I have a strong urge to get another dog as I can't tolerate getting used to the space Shane left behind. However, Lyn grieves differently and I'm going to respect that. I'm also contemplating fostering dogs for the humane society or a rescue group, or applying to Guide Dogs for the Blind as a puppy trainer instead of acquiring another pet.

There's also Aidan who needs to go to dog training. Today I checked out Everything in the Ark and was excited about classes and training methods. I signed Aidan up for a class that starts in early October. The facility will be expanding soon to include agility training, search and rescue, and other dog-related activities that Cairns enjoy. I met 2 Catahoula Leopard dogs and fell in love with them. They're huge! I mistook them for Great Danes at first.

Aidan and I also went to the dog park and he played with another Cairn named Max and a Boston Terrier named Milo. Max looks so much like Aidan and I believe came from the same breeder. Both were initially bought from the mall pet store who usually get their Cairn terriers from the same breeder. I acquired Aidan from a coworker who had bought Aidan at the pet store. She and her husband had decided that they were not meant to be Cairn owners so they let me buy him from them. We got him when he was 4 months old. It had been my intent to train Aidan to do agility or some terrier-related sport, but Shane's medical needs pretty much ate up our dog budget. I don't think it's too late to start training a dog at any age, so I'll start now. I'm hoping that we learn a lot and get involved in some new activities. It seems to be a good plan for distraction anyway as we work our way through grief.

Tomorrow is Flock and Fiber Festival. I'm looking forward to that and will post pictures tomorrow.

Goodbye, Sweet Shane

Shane's condition deteriorated today to the point that I didn't think he could make it through the night. I promised him he would not suffer, so we took him to the vet this evening, and lying on a comfortable couch, surrounded by pillows and by us petting him and telling him how much we loved him, he received 2 injections that ended his suffering. I'll miss him so much!

My Big Red Dog

Three years ago our sweet Cairn Ronan died from a horrific endocrine disease. About a month after his death I just sort of sauntered into the humane society to look at dogs, just in case I could imagine getting another one. I practically stumbled over this gorgeous big red shepherd who was sitting out in the lobby with a volunteer so he could get some public exposure and hopefully get adopted. This dog had been let go by his previous home and had had 2 unsuccessful placements in a very short period of time. He was older and at age 7 many dogs just aren't adopted. I pet him for a long time, and forced myself to go home. He haunted me. I knew his chances for survival were not good, so I talked my husband into adopting him. I got him for a "bargain," as the humane society was letting older dogs go for a minimum price. Shane had had his shots, was socialized, got along with other dogs, loved cats and was said to love riding in cars. There as a catch, however. He was limping and would need some medical attention. Since I had successfully helped one of my dogs with a torn ligament, I assumed this is what Shane had and imagined the long walks we would take to strengthen his leg and the great company he would be lying at my feet as I worked.

So, I took him home where he proceeded to practically howl from fright riding in the car (never has outgrown this) and he refused to climb stairs so I had to carry him up to get a bath to get the kennel stink off him. I did take him to the vet the next day and found out Shane had not 1, but 2 bad knees and would need surgery on both of them. I got a second opinion from a second vet (who ended up being our permanent vet) who proclaimed Shane's stifle (name of the condition) as the worst she had ever seen. My bargain dog became quite an expense. We were able to avoid surgery but went through water therapy and Shane started taking medication. About half a year later, Shane was walking comfortably, even chasing squirrels and our new puppy Aidan. His personality blossomed and we've all become very attached to him. Shane does love cats and will protect them from terror Aidan, will shepherd small dogs at the dog park and avoid big dogs like the plague, is afraid of thunderstorms and practically sits in my lap when they occur; in fact, the ONLY time in Shane's life that he climbed stairs was when we had a thunderstorm. He loves to chase squirrels, loves to have barking spats with the dogs living behind us, and loves his treats. He greets me when I come in with bags wagging his tail and loves it when there is something in the bag for him.

Last week Shane wasn't feeling well. We took him to the vet thinking maybe he had a virus, but just in case we wanted to have him checked out. He had lost a lot of weight and the vet found multiple enlarged lymph nodes all over his body. I'm waiting for the official word from biopsies but my vet feels Shane has an aggressive and advanced lymphoma and that his prognosis is very poor. He's on prednisone for palliative treatment, but she estimates that Shane only has about a month or so to live. We're heartbroken. I have some slim hope that the lymphoma isn't as advanced as she thinks and that perhaps we can afford chemotherapy, but I'm bracing myself for the inevitable and am going to spend as much quality time with Shane as I can. I have a vacation coming up in 2 weeks and I'm canceling the spinning retreat.

My brother Dave once howled with laughter when I told him the story of how I acquired Shane the bargain dog. He may have been expensive, but I am so glad that we adopted him and gave him 3 years in a loving home. I would do it again in a heartbeat. He's been the best dog I've ever had!

Miniature Posts Series: Tiny House Blog

There's something attractive about the idea of cutting down your possessions and moving the essentials into a 15" x 15" space. That being said, there is also something terrifying about it. While most of us will never do this - outside of an apartment building, that is - we can still read about those who do on Tiny House Blog. We thought it would be a good idea to buy three of these tiny houses to constitute one normal-sized house, with a garden between the three. That would never be inconvenient!