Bluespirit

I think that Buddy has some kind of tennis ball divining skill. *g*
He's turned his back on his previous life of crime (pinching a couple of balls from over the net at the Tennis Club) & now just goes foraging in bushes, etc & finds balls instead. It's all started since we've begun to let him off the lead on his walks - now he's free to explore & mooch & find tennis balls! Honestly, we never take a ball on a walk but we virtually always end up bringing one back with us! LOL It's not like he hasn't got tonnes of balls (& other toys) of his own but he just loves to mooch about & find them.
We'd been working on his recall in the garden & decided he was doing well enough to start letting him off when we were in a secure place away from the road (like the various local parks, the towpath, the woods, etc.) He doesn't run off & always sticks fairly close to us but I'm afraid he will not come back when we call him! The little devil - he'll look up & see what we want but then carry on exploring or whatever he's doing. We're sticking with it but progress is slow. Little monkey! *g*
He's very good with other dogs & meeting people & we can always get him back on the lead if we walk over to him - he just won't come back yet.

Some pics from the first time he was off the lead...

( Oh, Buddy! )

The Cesar Milan 'Illusion' walking collar that I ordered has arrived & we're so pleased with it (thank you araestel for the heads up!) We had been using a halter type thing that went over his nose to allow us to turn his head & give more control (he's too strong for me if we just attach his lead directly to his collar.) We'd tried a Halti & a Gentle Leader - they both worked brilliantly & he walks like a dream but they started to rub his fur thin over his muzzle. They didn't rub a sore patch - just made the fur a bit thinner. Plus he didn't like them - there were always a couple of attempts to dislodge the halter at the beginning of a walk! But the Illusion collar fits around behind his ears, not over his muzzle, & he doesn't fuss over it at all. It was pretty expensive (especially with really high shipping from the States for some reason) but it's totally worth it as it really does the job & doesn't rub his fur.

His Auntie xanthelj sent him another Ood ball to replace the one that mysteriously got chewed up. *g* Here are some pics of the miraculously still-in-one-piece Ood Ball 2.0

Buddy Ood...



( The Oodster! )

I've been trying to get him used to being left for a little while - just me popping to the post box or round to the shop, that kind of thing (I'd never leave him for long.)
I got him a 'Kong' (a big rubber toy that you can stuff treats into & the dog has to work to get the treats out.) The idea being it would keep him occupied while I was gone (as well as leaving the radio on for him too.) Instead of working to get the treats, he barks while I'm out (thank goodness our neighbours are dog people & understand!) & then plays with the Kong once I come back. Oh, Buddy! *g*
Still, it's early days yet.

Oh, & Rascal's memorial rose - Sunseeker - has started to flower. It's really gorgeous. ♥
I miss Rask every day, despite loving Buddy so much that I think I'll explode with it all. Rask is always with us & I tell Buddy stories about him. I don't compare my boys - they're different & complete individuals. I love them both so very, very much. ♥

( Sunseeker... )

Everything has felt so horribly quiet & empty since we lost Rascal. I've tried not to mope about it here but this past month has been so hard.
lantean_drift was saying the other day that Mr B & I have Labrador-shaped hearts - & she's so right. :-)
Rascal really was a very special boy & he's left such a huge hole in our lives that we can't really think of going on without a dog to share our love. We can never replace Rask but we can give a loving home to a needy dog & so that's what we're doing.
I've been in touch with our local branch of Labrador Rescue & they've been over & done a home check - & they have a boy for us!

He's a black boy - just over two years old - & we're calling him Buddy. (We never renamed Rascal - that was his original name when he came to us from the rescue - but there are issues in our new boy's past that mean a new name might be a good idea.)
We haven't seen a picture of him but he's apparently very overweight as his current owners don't take him for walks & give him a fairly poor diet. That won't be a problem as we're very active & will soon get him fit & healthy. We'll obviously be taking him for a complete check-up with Jo, our vet, & getting her advice about his weight but I think good, nutritional food & plenty of exercise will have him slimmed down in no time.
He's supposed to be quite boisterous but good with adults & children, though his current owners haven't been using his commands & we'll need to refresh his training. Again - not a problem, I'm really looking forward to working & playing with him to get him sorted out. :-)

Buddy will be arriving on Friday. I'm on a real up & down ride with my emotions - I'm excited that we're having Buddy but sad because it's really brought it home to me that Rask has gone. Though Rask will always be in our hearts. ♥

So - it's Buddy Day minus 3 & counting! *g*

Okay, sorry I've been scare but I'm on a sort of emotional rollercoaster at the moment - one minute laughing over something Rask used to do & the next sobbing 'cus I want to put my arms around him & bury my face in his silky fur. I just miss him being here - he was always with us, wherever we were or whatever we were doing. ♥
I've planted the rose bush 'Sunseeker' that we got in his memory. I scattered a few of his hairs in the soil & have put a solar lamp by it - like a candle for him.
Here it is:



It's still quite small right now but it has lots of healthy-looking shoots. The flowers wil be a red-orange-yellow sort of colour, I think.

We also brought his ashes home on Friday evening. I expected to be upset but wasn't prepared for just how gut-wrenching it would be. We were both in floods of tears by the time we got from the vets to the car. But I think that I do feel more settled now that Rask's home with us.

( more... )

The canvas prints that I ordered have arrived as well. I'm absolutely thrilled with them - they're breath-taking. I can just stand & gaze at him for ages.

( pics of the pics... )

I was looking through some photos of Rask & found these & just had to laugh. They were taken a few years back, after I'd bought a couple of new pairs of Chucks & wanted to post pics of them to my lj. ('Cus I love my Chucks that much!) So I laid the boots out on the landing to take a pic. Here's what happened...

Rask - Chief Converse Inspector

( pics )



I just wanted to say thank you again - I've been overwhelmed by the kindness & support & love. It's been especially comforting to know that so many people cared about Rask - even only knowing him through stories & photos. I've been surprised at how many people have said that they loved him too & that really helps, to know that he'll be remembered like that - thank you so much. ♥
*hugs*

I just want to say a huge thank you for all the love & support at Rascal's passing.
I will reply to everyone but I'm still a bit numb at the moment.
I keep hearing him around the house & expecting to see him in his basket or coming to wake me up with a big black nose in my face first thing in the morning (the best way to be woken up ever!)
I haven't been able to put his things away yet - his beds & toys are still where he left them. I don't even want to hoover 'cus I'd be hoovering up his hairs.
I'll do it in my own time - perhaps when we get his ashes & bring him home for good.

In the meantime I've felt the need to be doing a lot of gardening for some reason. We've bought a rose bush to plant in Rask's memory. It's called 'Sunseeker' which we thought was appropriate as he always loved to lie in the sun - he'd follow a patch of sunlight all around the carpet & we had the conservatory built so that he could lie in there when he wanted. I'm comforted by the fact that even on his last morning with us he lay out on the patio in the sunshine.

I've ordered two big canvas prints of Rask - one for the lounge & one for the dining room (though I may get more.) We already have lots of photos of him around the house but I felt the need to stay connected, to be doing something Rascal-related & so I ordered them. They should be gorgeous (because he was) & I can't wait for them to arrive.

I know it's true that Rask had a good, long, happy life & that we have so many (many, many!) wonderful memories of him. However, at the moment I can't help wanting more - I have this gaping hole in my heart & I want him to be here. I know it will get easier with time but he was such a huge personailty.
My beautiful, silly, sweet boy. ♥


Here he is, soaking up the sun last year. (This is exactly where he lay on Wed morning - his favourite patio sunseeking spot!)

Rascal passed away yesterday afternoon.
He'd become really quite poorly & we'd tried all avenues & it was time to let him go; we didn't want him to be in pain or distress.
He was at home with myself & Mr B, just where he always loved to be & he knew that he was safe & loved.

We got him from a rescue centre when he was two (we never knew his birthday & always celebrated it on Nov 4th - the day he came into our lives) & he's always been an absolute joy; a real character. Always so happy & bouncy & sweet & silly. He was so very affectionate & always wanted to be with us, getting involved with everything & generally being completely beautiful - outside & in.
My heart is breaking but we're privileged to have had him - we were a happy little family together - & these twelve & a half years have been wonderful. Our lives are richer for having loved & been loved by him.

I'd like to write more but I really am just so devastated.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been in touch during Rascal's illness & been so incredibly supportive & loving - it really does mean so much to both myself & Mr B. I'm sorry that I haven't had chance to reply but I've read every comment & email & they've all been such a help. Thank you.

Thank you so much to everyone who's been in touch. It means so much to me.
*hugs*

It looks like we have a temporary reprieve - at least for the weekend.
Jo said that she's examined his throat & the nodules didn't appear to have got any bigger, however she showed us his x-rays & it looks like he has some swelling in his stomach - this may be inflammation due to irritation or it may be something more sinister. He also has something that could be more of these nodules in his lungs. She's having him in on Monday for an ultrasound to hopefully get some answers. In the meantime he's had an injection of anti-inflammatories plus something to help open his airways. We've got some more tablets to give him but he'll need to take them with food. Hopefully the injection will help him feel like he can eat something & he'll generally be more comfortable (which is really all we can hope at the moment).
So we at least have him at home for the weekend - I'm so relieved, I'd talked myself into the fact that he wasn't going to even come home with us this afternoon (I'd taken his blanket & Scary Little Kitty along just in case & he could have some of his own things around him.) I'm still worried, of course & he is a poorly old boy - but he's comfortable enough for now & he was so happy to see us when we went to pick him up. He's sleeping off the anaesthetic at the moment.
Let's just pray that Jo finds some good news on Monday. I know I have to prepare myself but I just wasn't ready for everything to happen so quickly. I'm so glad that he's at home with us - after we were away in New York - I just want to have some time with him.

Thanks again for your good wishes & thoughts - I really do appreciate your support. ♥

We got back from New York yesterday afternoon but Rascal has been quite poorly while we were away - I felt so helpless, just phoning every day.
He was staying with my Mom & so getting the best possible care & love. Unfortunately he developed problems eating & was bringing up bile & so she had to take him to see Jo the vet & I'm afraid that things aren't looking good. He hasn't been able to eat anything since yesterday morning (Mom had got him on a diet of minced cooked chicken & rice while we were away but he can't even manage that now) & is also having problems drinking. He keeps trying to bring something up but there's nothing - not even bile. We were up all night with him & have just got back from seeing Jo. She didn't seem too hopeful to be honest & has kept him in to look at his throat again & to do an x-ray of his stomach & chest. He had a blood test while we were away which was clear but she says that doesn't mean there might not be something there, what with his age,etc. He's fourteen & a half which is a big age for a dog his size. Jo says that if the nodules on his epiglottis have got worse they can't be operated on because of their position. She might be able to give him anti-inflamm injections - depending on what she sees during the exploratory - but she said it wouldn't be something that could go on for very long. We have to go back at 4.20pm to see her & find out the results.
He's such a poor old boy, not really himself. Though he was really happy to see us when we got back & Mom said it was the brightest he'd been for days. I know we have to think of what's best for him but my heart's breaking right now. I love him so very, very much. He's the centre of our world.
I'll post more when we know anything.
I'm disabling comments but please send positive energy for my poor sweet baby boy.

Mr B & I ran the Stafford Half Marathon yesterday! It was part of our marathon preparation & was a lot of fun. The rain that had been pounding the area for the last couple of days miraculously dried up & though the day was grey & windy, we were dry! :-)
We ran wearing our Cancer Research vests with our names on & had quite a few folk shouting out our names & encouraging us along. There was a nice atmosphere, though not a lot of people supporting once we were out of the town. Still - a very good day all in all.
We finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours & 7 mins - an average time of 9:42 per mile, which I was pretty chuffed with (poor Mr B could have run faster, of course but he wanted to stay with me! *g*)
There was a choice of commemorative prize - no medal this time but an engraved crystal cube or a race tee shirt. I had the cube & Mr B got a tee shirt.
Poor Rask - he's so used to modelling my medals & so he was pretty unimpressed with the cube (despite, as xanthelj pointed out, Teh Hewlett reference. *g*)



"But where's my medal, Mom?"

lantean_drift & her friend S came along to cheer us over the finish line & it was great to have their support. Yay! And thank you to all my flist who have been cheering us on over t'internet! *g*

Sooooo now just another 5+ weeks until the marathon!

I woke at 2am with an excruciating pain in the vicinity of my left shoulder blade.
It doesn't feel muscular & I wasn't doing anything 'different' yesterday that might have caused it. I just went to bed feeling absolutely fine & woke in agony.
I'm wondering if it's a trapped nerve (I've never had one so am just grasping at straws.) It was so painful (& just out of the blue) that it was actually making me cry in the night. I took some Nurofen & Mr B rubbed it for me for about an hour (it doesn't feel muscular so the rubbing didn't really help in that sense but it was very soothing) & eventually I got back to sleep.
The pain is still there this morning but I think it feels a little (though not much) easier - at least that's something. *fingers crossed*
If it's not noticeably better by tomorrow though I think I might need to see the Doctor. It's typical that this happens now - when I have the Stafford Half on Sunday!
Grrr... & ow!
Forgive my slowness in answering stuff - I'm having to sit & type quite carefully.

On a brighter note. Here's Rask snuggled up with Kosmo the Koala! ♥

I took Rask in for the exploratory procedure yesterday & I'm relieved to report that he's okay. The vet did find some nodules on his larynx but she thinks they're benign. Also, with their location (around the epiglottis) & his age she really didn't want to operate. I completely agree. Rascal is 14 & a half & I really don't want him going through surgery unless it's absolutely necessary - he's still a bit dopey now because of yesterday's sedation. The vet did say that if his coughing/hacking does get worse then she can prescribe some anti-inflammatories. Though at the moment the coughing is very intermittent & doesn't seem to be causing him any distress. She also reported that his blood work was fine & there are no problems with his heart.
*huge sigh of relief*





Mr B & I did a 16 mile run on Sunday morning. It was a lovely bright (though crisp) day & it went pretty well. This is the longest run we've done so far in this particular training schedule & I was feeling it a little bit in the last couple of miles. But we took it at a nice easy pace & it was so lovely to be out in the countryside, chatting away.
We have a half marathon in a couple of weeks & then it's the marathon at the end of April.





A very happy birthday to thegrrrl2002!

Here's a little bit of pretty for you.

(  ♥ ♥ ♥ )



Btw I'm having broadband problems - again! grrr - & keep losing my connection & am having problems uploading & downloading due to excessively sloooooow speeds when I am actually connected, so apologies for not being able to answer stuff as quickly as I would usually like.