A broken hearted update

It's with a heavy heart and many tears I have to let all of Chandlers friends know that he is now taken his journey to the rainbow bridge. It was finally his time to go. It became very clear over the course of this weekend that his body was failing him. 

Even with two young dogs around, my house seems so empty. He was the official welcoming committee each and every time we opened the door (even if we had only gone down the driveway to the mailbox). I keep hearing him and seeing him out of the corner of my eye for a split second, only to realize it's only my imagination. He took a piece of of hearts with him and it will never be the smae. 

He knew he was loved, cherished and spoiled rotten. We will miss him more than any words could ever express. We did the right thing for him but that doesn't make any of this any easier. 

I want to thank everyone for your kind words of support and encouragement over the past few weeks. 

I'm going to take a small break while the wounds are still fresh and we teach Henry and Hannah how to blog so they can officially take over and make new friends themselves. 

Happy Valentines Day and a Mom Update

Mom has posted an update on me on her blog. I don't know what it says since I'm not allowed to read it. She invites you to check it out here so you will know what's happening....

Hi everyone ! Sorry it's been a few day's since I've been able to check in. I've just been taking it easy sleeping a little more everyday trying to save my energy. Today has been a great day for me. Lots of surprises !

This morning I woke up and we got a little bit more snow. I'll take all I can get around here. All you dogs in the east coast keep stealing it from me.

I let mom know I heard someone on the front porch ( no doorbell rang) and she couldn't figure out who I was barking at. It's a good thing she listened because it was flowers from her friend Tia. 

I decided to sniff out the front yard just incase that delivery man had decided to stick around ( he might want to pet me y'know)

They decided I should get an extra special Valentine's treat. 

YUM ! I like anything with Peanut Butter in it ! 

This is humiliating but they thought it would be cute to tie a Valentine balloon around my neck for a picture I love them and wanted my treat so I let them !! 

CHEESE !! How do you like my Valentine balloon picture ?! 

I couldn't wait to get ahold of my yummy treat. i forgot all about the balloon and dug in ! 

YUM ! YUM !!

Mom made Hannah and Henry wait in their kennels so they wouldn't bounce all over me ! They look miserable, but don't worry dad made them an extra special Kong treat too so they weren't left out for very long. 

That took a lot of energy for one day so I think I'm going to spend the rest of my day resting and relaxing with my family. I hope everyone else had a great Valentines Day like me !!!

Wordful Wednesday ( a little early)

IMG_3144, originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug.

This is a picture my paw-pur-awtzi (my mom) on Sunday when it snowed. Hannah and Henry were both still asleep so she took me out all by myself for some special ball throwing time snow bounding time.

She told me this was one of her favorite and she can see all the way down to my sweet wagging soul with those big brown eyes. I was just thinking "stop taking my picture and give me my tennis ball back lady!"

Happy Wednesday everyone !!

It snowed !!

IMG_3110, originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug.

We woke up Sunday morning and it was snowing BIG FLUFFY flakes !! I loved it. I was so excited I grabbed my favorite tennis ball and ran around the backyard ! Can you tell how happy I am ?!

The boys hanging out together

The boys hanging out together, originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug.

Tonight was "boy bonding time" for me and Henry. Hannah was curled up sleeping with the girl child for the night and was being to prissy to get down and come hang out with us !

We bonded over treats ! YUM !

Mom mentioned this weekend she might take me to the dog park if I'm feeling up to it ! I've been having a good couple of days.

I had a big spurt of energy this afternoon and played tug-of-war. I'm the master of that game when I find the energy to play. I used to be able to tug the boy child all the way across the room I was so strong !

And I just wanted to point out how studious Henry looks in this picture ! He almost looks like he's scowling - BOL !!

A Dog's Purpose

IMG_0041, originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug.

This story sums it up perfectly. This is titles

A Dog's Purpose (through the eyes of a 6 year old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Showing off my love of the snow

This is a video my mom took of me last year (before I got sick) racing through the snow. We haven't had much snow in Colorado this winter and I'm hoping for more soon.

I hope you enjoy watching me running and enjoying myself in the snow !!

A word from my Sponsor ...or really just my Mom

Hi everyone !
I'm going to take over Chandlers blog for just a little post this afternoon.Today I came across a blogpost that was unexpected over at one of my (and Chandlers) favorite blogs. The Bumpass Hounds . They asked for their readers to come give Chandler some love, support and cheering up !

I can't even begin to express how much this means to me. This has been a tough emotional roller coaster ride for our family. Many of our friends don't understand exactly how much he's become a part of our family. They thinks of their "animals" as just an animal.  I found this wonderful community of "dog blogging" and knew I wanted to be a part of it. My only regret is not finding it sooner.  I think helping Chandler with his blog has become a sort of therapy through this journey that will not end with Chandler but continue with both Hannah and Henry as well.

You may notice that when Chandler is posting he is full of happiness - all the time ! He has been that way since he was a puppy. It's been a joke between myself and my husband that Chandler would be happy if someone broke his leg because they would still be touching him. His tail is always wagging and even through this journey his happy and cheerful spirit remains.

The next few weeks will be tough and I can't tell you how much everyones support and encouragements means both to Chandler and the rest of our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts !

I'm back !

IMG_2920, originally uploaded by Mssslaydbug.

My mom and dad went for a weekend in the mountains this last weekend and had to make the tough decision that I probably would wear myself out if I was allowed to go.

They decided it would be best if I stayed nice and comfortable at the vet's office ! My great vet kept a close eye on me and I got lots of rest this last weekend !

I'll be back to the normal blogging schedule this week. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend full of bellyrubs and wagging tails !