Bark In The Park 2008We took the girls to Bark in the Park today and I just uploaded photos from their Big Adventure. They are exhausted but had a great time. Lots of great booths with puppy toys & treats, fun games where every puppy gets a prize. And, we got souvenir paw prints to bring home. Bark in the Park benefits the local shelter, Animal Friends and all the wonderful work they do to help homeless animals in our area.
The Penguins have made it to the last round — the Stanley Cup final round. And there’s a chance we might actually be at the game where Sidney and the team raise the Cup and skate around the rink in front of us!!! I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s going to be like! Let’s Go Pens!!!!
We are sad. No more Colby or Erik on our beloved Pittsburgh Penguins. Army (Colby Armstrong) came up through our AHL team and always seemed to play with his heart and soul. Erik, while much quieter off the ice, had a wicked shoot-out shot and while he was out for the last several weeks with an injury, he too will be missed.
I know everybody is excited about Hossa coming here - but I’m going to miss Army & Erik.
Army was one of the few players to dish it right back to Paul Steigerwald (the host) of the local “Inside Penguins” tv show. Paul has a tendency to be downright rude and obnoxious to the players being interviewed and Colby dished it right back to him - but funnier than Paul ever is.
I can hope that we get Army back this summer in some other trade (without losing anybody else that’s been here). He plays so well with Sidney - and they’re close friends and roommates when the team travels. I just hated to see the team chemistry so disrupted.
It’s going to be weird to see him playing with the Atlanta Thrashers here in Mellon Arena on March 2nd. But hopefully Hossa and the other guy who is coming with him (see how much I pay attention!) fit in and we have a good run at the Cup.
photo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website
Sidney & the boys ushered in 2008 with a victory in the Winter Classic. I was a bit skeptical about having a game outdoors - would there be excessive injuries and ruin play-off potentials? But I was wrong - and it looked like all precautions were taken to protect the skaters. I was very glad we were watching the game inside though - all that snow and cold temperatures wouldn’t do it for me. But it looked like everybody there was having a fantastic time and hopefully the NHL does it again next year.
Happy New Year!
2007 ended on so many sad notes. Ashley passed away as did an uncle of mine, a great-aunt of Steve’s. Other friends and family members are recovering from serious illnesses and other drama. We’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed & helpless in viewing what’s going on around us. It makes me wonder if the law of attraction does indeed work for the bad stuff as well as the good. So, if indeed that’s true, I’m going to make a conscious effort to concentrate on more positive events and less on the news media reports.
I have been spending the holidays revamping the website. More pictures of quilts are now up - more on the way. I still need to add Rainbow Bridge pages for dear Magick, Lancelot & Morgan. It’s just been too tough emotionally to do so.
Ashley passed away this afternoon.
Our warren grieves her passing and are sending out vibes to her family and friends. Candles are lit for her journey.
(picture courtesy of Judith Barnett’s website)
A friend of mine, Criss is suffering through a nightmare. Her daughter, Ashley, pictured above with Jack (Ashley’s dad), fell into a coma last Tuesday and was taken to the ER and admitted to ICU. She has an MRSA infection which has spread to her brain and isn’t responding to the drugs they’re able to give her (she’s allergic to several). The drs have told Criss that Ashley won’t wake up and that the infection will eventually take over sweet Ashley’s body and she’ll be leaving us. I’m being extremely brief in my description of the situation because, frankly, I can’t bare to type the details at the moment.
All who know Criss, and countless others, have been praying for a Christmas miracle. However, it looks like God has other plans and Ashley will, in all, likelihood, be crossing very shortly.
It is devastating. A healthy 24 yr old stricken down by a UTI-turned-MRSA infection. Her family will need our thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months to come. She is their only child and they are all very close.
Please take a few minutes and pray, send positive vibes or whatever your spiritual path leads you to do, for Criss and her family as they face this horrible, horrible situation and for Ashley to make a gentle and painfree crossing (should it be her time, as drs have indicated).
Criss has posted a few pictures of Ashley, along with several of Ashley’s adopted bunnies & dogs - view them here.
Ashley is like her mother - a fighter for the underdogs, a lover and protector of animals of all species, strong and independent.
So very, very sad. Her family is going to need lots of strength and compassion to get through this nightmare.
Paige has finally come home and what a day! She loves being on the sofa already and Izzy’s green fleecy bed. She doesn’t like being in her “room” - or crate as other people call it. But Izzy is bringing her toys to entice her to play so we think they’re going to get along wonderfully well. Food time is still a cautious time - Paige keeps trying to get to Izzy’s bowl and Izzy just won’t stand for it. But they’ll work it out, I’m sure.
We just gave her a bath as well. Now she’s snuggled under a quilt “recovering”. But she did really well.
In about 11 hrs, we will officially have one more furry creature in our family. We’ll be signing the adoption pages tomorrow morning and Paige, a blue Doberman puppy will be ours! She already has webpages up — see the “Our Dogs” section to the left.
She’s absolutely adorable & incredibly sweet. She defers to Izzy for everything and just wants to kiss poor Izzy. Izzy enjoys playing with her but isn’t quite sure about having to share Mommy & Daddy just yet. Hopefully, Izzy’s period of adjustment is short-lived and they’re snuggle buddies very soon. Paige picked us - and wants to be Izzy’s little sister, that’s just obvious by how she reacts everytime the dobie puppies come to play.
Welcome Paige!
The Family Pets, Trips, and Visiting Pittsburgh sections of my re-vamped website are now complete.
Enjoy!
I’m in the midst of upgrading the site. It’s going to take several days (ha!) to get all my photos and pages converted to the new Word Press Theme. The “visiting Pittsburgh” is finished and I’m working on “trips”. There is a lot of bunny info I want to compile and upload to one convenient place as well.
Stay tuned.
News looks at issues surrounding the case
In my opinion, regardless of his criminal convictions - be they federal or the upcoming state charges, he should be done playing in the NFL. He has pleaded guilty to several counts. It’s splitting hairs which counts/what they specifically mean, how the lawyers worded things.
He funded a despicable business. Period. An illegal business involved with gambling and inhumane treatment of an animal. I don’t buy that the animals are “bred” for this as an excuse to be involved in the so-called sport. Horses are bred to race but are also heavily regulated for their health/safety. How many vets are on-site for these “sanctioned” dog fights? I highly doubt any.
Aside from the dog-fighting business, he was associated in some capacity with gambling, thus putting a bad light onto his professional sport career. It is a PRIVILEGE to play a sport at such an elite level - be it football, hockey, baseball. You sign on to be a role model for thousands of young people throughout the WORLD. If you do anything that contradicts your morality clause in THE CONTRACT YOU SIGNED, you forfeit your PRIVILEGE to play at such an elite level, receiving those big checks.
So what about those folks who say that professional football will suffer without his talents? So be it. There are several other good players, without the slightest hint of criminal activity, waiting for a spot in the NFL. Let them prove what they can do - how much they can elevate the sport - on and off the field.
And don’t get me started on the race card issue. What he did was illegal. period. Black, white or purple, he should be prosecuted. He just happens to HAVE MONEY, making his defense a bit easier. In this country, like it or not, Money Is Power. He has the money - and he had the power to rise above his poor upbringing - raising the bar for those in his posse. But he choose to go down another path and he should suffer the consequences accordingly. How many inner city kids will LOVE to go to college on a full scholarship and walk out with a degree that will help raise their families from poverty? He had that opportunity and ruined it
Pay you debt, Vick, and use your time behind bars to find another career - hopefully one that’s legal and doesn’t involve gambling, professional football or raising pitbulls. You seem determined to stay in the gutter, so perhaps you should start looking there.
It’s been pointed out to me that my blog is a big outdated now. I’m working on that - as well as updating the photo sections.
Isadora, the puppy, is over year old now so it’s time to post newer pictures of her.
The bunnies have settled into their happily bonded lives. Ben & Maya snuggle constantly and their webpages still show them as singles.
And then of course, the quilt section needs to be updated, too. I’ve worked on lots of projects.
So maybe that’s why I haven’t posted much.
I’m very excited that the Penguins are going to stay in town though. It’s been a edgy few weeks for us in that regard. And we’re looking forward to the playoff run - first one in a really long time for the Pens.
Speaking of which, tonight is our last night of season tickets (we have tix for every other home game). So I better get my “uniform” ready now - hockey jersey & white turtleneck.
Let’s Go Pens!
Ah, yet another night of insomnia. Yes, it is indeed 2:45am and I can’t sleep.
Why is that, you may be asking yourself? Are you worried about something - an upcoming test? a job interview? your bank account balance? finishing a project by its deadline?
Why, no. None of the above. I just can’t seem to make my brain shut down. I close my eyes. I take a few deep breaths. and BOOM. I’m wide awake with my brain racing 100 mph. Jumping from one ridiculous topic to another. Keeping a notebook by the bed to “jot down those to-do’s” isn’t helpful. I’d keep making list after list of the most ridiculous things.
Tonight the path was something like - Izzy needs a bath. And we need to brush her teeth. I wonder if she’ll be freaked out at the next obedience class. We need to sign her up for a class soon. The bunnies are running low on litter, I need to go to Animal friends and get more. I wonder if the next bunny meeting is there - and can we wait to get the litter until then? I need to cut Ben’s cubby-hole house out of the box tomorrow. And find a box suitable for Madison & Kazi’s cardboard house. I should probably clean the basement while i’m doing that. I should just gut the whole house and get rid of all the clutter, maybe that would help me sleep. hhmmmmm…. wonder the husband would mind if i started working on that NOW. this instance, starting in our room.. Somehow, I think not.
So, pillows in hand, I trudge to the 1st floor, where I have the internet, plenty of podcasts I need to listen to and CDs to rip to add to our library. But I am actually tired, that’s what is so funny about this insomina. I really am tired and I might actually be able to sleep.
If i could actually remember how it is one falls asleep. What is the actual process?
and so the cycle starts over again.
At least the puppy can sleep through my bout. She’s snoring away, and in the morning, she’ll come bouncing down the stairs, eager to greet the morning, giving me slobbering puppy kisses while I’m trying to sleep. It’s a nice greeting, don’t get me wrong, but knowing it’s coming in about 7 hrs, means I should get some sleep NOW.
Until then, maybe I should work on updating the bunny portion of my website…..
It’s been several months since I’ve blogged.
haven’t really felt the need to share anything with the world at large, especially since Magick’s crossing.
Izzy has been keeping us busy with her antics. She’s definitely a small bundle of love, sent by Magick.
I’ve been trying to research about the political candidates for the upcoming elections. We have a vacancy in our local city council because our member was ‘promoted’ to mayor when the city’s major passed away. Not much is available online though from the individual candidates. HELLO folks - it’s the 21st century, if you’re running for office, get yourself a website to promote where you stand. otherwise I’m left with the newspaper articles - and some of the local newspapers have obvious slants of whom they prefer and they don’t include the many independents running.
I’m also at a loss about the governor’s race. On one hand, we have the status quo - and he’s anti-Pittsburgh and anti-Isle of Capri’s plan for a new arena. On the other hand, we have a former sports guy with no political experience, which may not be a bad thing but we don’t need another “bush” man either.
The senator’s race is a no-brainer. Anybody who can actually say, with a straightface, that homosexuals are into beastiality deserves to lose his job. And it would actually be nice if he and his family actually lived in the state. I love Virginia as much as the next person but how can you have your finger on the pulse of your constituents if you’re not ever here. Oh that’s right - just be a Bush yes man.
We shall see if this round of elections is fixed. I have many serious doubts about the true democractic state of our union.
Our house was an awful place. And getting worse. I hated to leave because it meant facing the doorway when I got back - to an empty hallway. Seeing the yard and knowing our girl wouldn’t ever be playing in it again. It kept her crossing as fresh as it was that dreadful morning.
Not a good way to pay tribute to all that she brought to us — the laughter, kisses, joy. the love. So I begged her to send us another little angel. A little soul that would - not take her place - but supplement our family. Be her little sister.
And she must have heard me.
We’ve adopted a beautiful little puppy - and we’re naming her Isadora. We’re bringing her home on Monday. 2 more nights. We’re almost giddy. Trying to get the house puppy-proof. Magick was such a good girl, leaving things alone that weren’t for her. But we know that a puppy isn’t going to be THAT good. At least not in the first few months. So, we’re getting ready.
I’ll be revising the website to give little Izzy her own page. She’s adorable and playful. She gave Steve 2 licks and a nibble on his ear - just like Magick used to do to her Daddy. So yeah, we strongly feel she picked Izzy — and sent her in our path. And she’s going to be a handful — a little spitfire. And a wonderful way to extend our family. Another soul for Magick to watch out for.
Because our hearts still feel empty — we still get teary-eyed when we stumble on a random toy or share a special memory. But we don’t start remembering that dreadful week in Philly, watching our girl slipping away from us. We smile through the tears now.
Life does indeed go on. And we can sit and cry, go to the ugly boo-hoo cries. Or fight through it. Strive to honor Magick’s life - and save another little soul by making sure she never goes hungry, always gets cuddled when she goes to sleep, gets plenty of play & romp time, is never too cold or too hot.
And just maybe, Izzy will save us a bit, too.
stay tuned. her page will be up shortly!
It is with terrible sadness, I am blogging about the passing of our dog, Magick.
She was a wonderful, loving creature - we were blessed to have shared her short life with her. We adopted her in November 2001 when she was barely 8 wks old.
She died on Friday, February 17, 2006 at the U of Penn Vet Hospital. We held her head, telling her over and over how much we love her and that it was ok to leave us. Dr. Morgan was very kind and my DH saw her wipe tears from her eyes as she performed the procedure.
Last weekend, Magick started to feel ill. We thought perhaps it was a doggie-flu. She was being treated for problems with her rectal-area. We thought it was a result of dry-food. We added fish oil to her diet. Saturday she showed little interest in food. barely ate unless we hand-fed her. Sunday she didn’t eat at all and only went outside twice. Monday we took her to our vets. they x-rayed her and did yet another rectal exam.
The x-rays showed a mass, on top of her colon. An ultrasound was recommended but that she would need another procedure (TBD by the ultrasound) so it was best if we took her to an animal ER/specialist immediately. We determined the best place for us, would be U of Penn. we came home, while Magick remained at the vets, receiving IV-fluids. We hurriedly packed clothes, made phone calls to have our bunnies taken care of in our absence, and left for Philly (a 5+ hr drive from here).
On Tuesday, she had an ultrasound & needle-aspiration. The devastating result — cancer. Lymphoma. on her kidneys, spleen & lymph glands. The mass was actually her lymph glands, so surgery was ruled out immediately. So our nightmare began. Chemo was started immediately.
But our girl was so sick. She was still throwing up. Wednesday, she perked up — it looked hopeful but we waited for the bloodwork to show the chemo was working. Thursday she started to feel worse. Bloodwork showed her kidneys were close to failing. More throwing up.
Friday morning, she wouldn’t get up to outside. We got the phone call — the phone call none of us ever want. Her bloodwork had greatly worsened overnight and she was throwing up more, with blood, indicating her GI tract was irritated. We rushed to the hospital to help our baby girl make that final journey. My beautiful baby girl. Her life cut way too short. She was only 4.5 yrs old. She was never ever sick before this week. This cancer just spreads so quickly — and silently. Hardly any symptoms. Every Dr. told us — we didn’t miss ANYTHING. We didn’t delay treatment.
We knew the responsbilities of owning a pet. That at some point, we would have to help her cross, in all likelihood. But we NEVER EVER thought we’d being facing this at 4 yrs old. never.
So we had to come back home, without our beautiful girl. With HUGE holes in our hearts. We spent the weekend at my in-laws, watching tv. We just got home on Sunday evening. Facing the front door. facing her crate, her toys, her food bowls. The torture of putting those items aside - out of sight for the moment. Some to be donated to shelters, some to be given to other family members’ dogs. The sobbing so much that I couldn’t walk or stand up. The primal-scream kind you only see on bad tv shows. We lived it. It sucked.
We owe her so much. We had to do this for ourselves. It was brutal. going to sleep that first night. We slept on the floor in the living room. Can’t sleep in the bedroom yet (partially because I needed to steam-clean the carpet because she had thrown up Monday morning before we rushed to the vets and didn’t have time to really clean it up before rushing to Philly — we had higher priorities.)
We do not, for one second, regret our decision to go to Philly. We gave her the best chance to beat this - we didn’t care how much our vet bill was going to be. We didn’t want to look back and think - if we had spent $500 more - maybe she would still be with us. I have no idea what the final bill is but I imagine it will be close to $4000. I say this as a caution for those reading who have dogs. How much is their life worth to you? Enough to forego this year’s vacation? This year’s bonus? wipe out your savings?
To us, the answer was a very, very loud YES. But unfortunately, our ending isn’t a happy one.
I asked my girl to send us another angel - when we’re ready. Some other puppy that needs a wonderful home. I think she understood. i told her it was her job, at the Bridge. To look after us - and our bunnies. To send us another puppy that needs us. We also told her to go ahead - to go play with her buddy Kodiak, who had crossed last year. Her ears perked up at the mention of his name. We told her to give him lots and lots of kisses for us. and that it was ok to let go — she would be safe and not hurting anymore.
And within moments, our girl’s lively spirit wasn’t in the room anymore. Just her body. And I couldn’t sit there, without her spirit. We are somewhat comforted by the fact that we know in our hearts, that she wasn’t scared or in pain. She went surrounded by as much love and kisses as we could send her off with.
Leaving the hospital was a daze. We had discussed cremation with our vet in Philly prior. But, we knew it was a teaching hospital. one of the best vet schools in teh country. Our last gift — her last loving gesture — was to allow them to perform an autopsy, as long as we got her back to us whenever they had performed the autopsy. (yes, i know it’s not an autopsy for an animal — but to us, she was a small person, so to me, autopsy is appropriate.). We thought if it would help drs find a cure for this dreadful cancer - one that is too common for canines, it would help. We don’t need to kmow the results. All we know is that our girl is gone. We don’t really need to know the whys — at least not now. We have asked that our local vet be supplied with the results, so if in the future, we do decide we want to know, she will have that info for us.
I must stress that the dr never broached the subject — we did. She was very very grateful for the gesture. But we were adamant that we needed our girl’s remains back with us. and were assured this would be so.
That will be another brutal day in our future. We believe in keeping our pets ashes with us. When we finallly depart this earth, our pets will be cremated with us. (Boy, isn’t that just more morbid thoughts today!).
I know when faced with difficult circumstances, there is supposed to be a lesson in there. I’m finding it very difficult to see what lesson could be learned from making a beautiful, innocent creature suffer in any manner. Yes, they were able to give her some pain meds - but Wed-friday they couldn’t because it would interfere even more with the poor functioning of her kidneys. She was nauseated and throwing-up but we were assured that the pain wasn’t intense. She was still eager to go outside and pulled the techs down the hall. until friday.
I’m hoping that somebody else out there will learn some lesson from all of this.
That you take your pet to the vet as soon as any weird behavior or symptoms occur. Surely the office visit fee is less money than what you would spend when faced with ER care when it is life-threatening. We didn’t miss any symptoms.
Love your pet. everyday. Take pictures. Make a BIG deal out of Gotcha-Days, Birthdays (even if you have to estimate the date..), gift-giving holidays. Spoil them. They are only with us for such a short time. We are so grateful for the webpages we have, with lots of pictures of Magick.
Decide BEFORE your pet is sick - if euthanizing is called-for, will you be in the room with your pet? Do you plan to cremate, bury or get an urn or some memorial box? Knowing these things - letting your vet know ahead of time, can help you from making snap decisions you may regret.
What lengths would you go to save your pet? we all say we would do whatever it took — but would we? Could you drop EVERYTHING — take time off work, leave your house with an hrs notice to go to an ER, possibly several hrs from your house? At U of Penn, they want a deposit of 1/3rd the estimate cost upon admittance into the ER. We were looking at $1000 deposit. Credit-cards come in handy. Not to mention the cost of the hotel we had to stay in (and room service when we couldn’t face the outside world). We had to buy some clothes (running out of undies & socks — it seemed cheaper to buy new than pay hotel laundry service - it also gave us “something to do” while waiting)
Print out the directions to the ER/specialist center closest to you - before your pet is sick. discuss this with your vet ahead of time. Some vets might prefer other ER centers (have contacts there, etc.). Having mapquested these directions (along with a list of hotesl in the area) can come in handy when urgency is needed. When your pet is so sick, you may not be in the right frame of mind to boot your PC and get this info.
At U of Penn, we could only see our girl for 15-20 min a day. That was incredibly hard for us - it was surreal. We didn’t feel like doing touristy things in Philadelphia. It was difficult to judge how she was feeling. And we missed our girl. She wasn’t fearful of the dr or anybody else in the ward, so that helped us. The dr was wonderful with our girl. Again, no regrets about our decisions. We just wouldn’t like to make them again. We want our girl healthy. back with us.
but now we have to get used to life without her energy - her puppy kisses greeting us at the door. Her sitting pretty when it’s time to go potty. Her ears perking upwards even more at the mention of a “bye-bye in the car” or “walk” or “ice-cream”.
We are coping. more hours are going by between sobbing outbursts. We’re discussing adopting another bundle of joy. Not as a replacement but as an addition to our family. Magick will send us somebody appropriate. Somebody that will bring joy and laughter into our house. We are good puppy-parents. and we will be again.
We went to the Western PA humane society this afternoon and played with two puppies. It was wonderful for us. Being around so much life and kisses. We shall see what happens. It helps me — looking at dogs that need good homes. Thinking about which ones will be a good fit for our bunny-filled household (no terriers, hounds or beagles…). We both love labs. I’d like a yellow lab - less resemblance to our black lab love, Magick. But the DH adores black labs - so we’re open to whomever she sends. She’ll know what’s best for us.
So, I’m going to end this incredibly long blog post.
My beautiful, beautiful puppy-girl, Magick, Mommy loves you — always. There is no past-tense. We love you when you were here with us - and we love you now that you’re at the Bridge. Love doesn’t stop. We will see you again and I will miss you every second we’re apart. When I close my eyes at night, i’m wrapping my arms around my sweet-baby girl and giving you a snuggle. You have a huge part of my heart with you - so please send it back to me, in the form of a new puppy for us to dote-on, spoil and love. (and it wouldn’t hurt if you did this SOON!).
Photos here
Recently, I helped some of my family continue a tradition of building gingerbread houses during the holidays. This year, we traveled to my cousin’s home in VA to help Maris (almost 2 yrs old) and 2 of her friends - Brett & Ryan. Ryan was unable to attend so his mother stepped in and made his house for him. Brett’s parents helped him - but Brett had definite ideas about how he wanted his house decorated and did a great job.
The kids had a blast — and did actually manage to put some candy on the houses.
After the decorating, an incredible brunch spread appeared and we were able to eat real food (yeah, like we weren’t sneaking tootsie rolls all morning!). A great time was had by all.
Pics are posted on my site. Last names aren’t used, to protect the innocent.
Stef & Vince’s Wedding photos
Almost a month later, I finally edited the photos we took over the weekend of my sister-in-law’s wedding. Pictures of my in-laws decorating the church and the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner are on the first link and the actual wedding and reception are on the second link.
I apologize for any red-eyes, making my relatives look like demons. I also cropped many of the photos for space for the web. If anybody wants a copy of a full .jpg version, please email me and I’ll forward it to you.
A good time was indeed had by all.
I also spent some time updating the photos in my Quilt section. Uploaded pics of recent wedding quilts and other projects.
Fun little quiz to take my mind off the fact that my new embroidery/sewing — top of the line machine is broken and I won’t be able to use it until it is repaired.
Crossing my fingers that the repair will only take a day or so.
