We're back !

Hi everyone ! I'm Henry ! You might remember my older brother Chandler.  He went to the bridge last month after a long fight with lymphoma. He was such an important member of our family. Mom and Dad have had a rough time the past month but enjoy remembering all the love he brought to our home. He passed on this fun blogging thing to me and mom says we're done with our blogging break. 

In fact I have BIG news !! Exciting news !!! I can't wait to share it with everyone !!

Our family decided to be a foster family for the Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue !! We decided to do it in honor of Chandler. He would be so proud of all our hard work helping other dogs find their forever loving homes. 

Our first foster came a week ago. He wasn't even a Golden Retriever ! I heard my mom explain though that black dogs have a harder time finding a home though and he needed a little extra help so our rescue stepped in.  He made the long trip from Kansas to Colorado so we could help him !! 

His name is Cecil and he is a 3 year old mix. There has been lots of debate on the type of dog he is. The shelter in Kansas insisted he was a Labradoodle.  Our vet says he is a Giant Schnauzer/Lab Mix.  We say that no matter what kind of dog he is, he is special ! 

He always minds his manners, never barks, loves to play with me in the backyard, and knows how to make the best sad faces so mom and dad feel sorry and give us more treats ! 

He is going to visit someone this week that thinks they might like to be his forever family. I've enjoyed having a big dog to play with in the backyard. I'm going to really miss him.  I'm also very excited he might find his forever home because we helped !!

I'm thankful Chandler left this blog for me and can't wait to meet new friends ! 

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.