Nina Arrives at Golden Pines

I am my usual behind this week and I want to tell you all about Todd's clan reunion, and a few other things.

~Todd saying "hello" to the bovine part of the clan~

But first things first....

On Wednesday evening we welcomed a new addition via Lab Rescue, named Nina. She's 12 years old and was confiscated by an Animal Control in West Virginia for cruelty.

~A photo of Nina at the kennel~

I've no idea what happened to her. I really don't want to know. But what I do know is that after three days we're finding what we knew when we met her that first night; that Nina is an easy going, gentle and beautiful black-lab. She likes our dogs, but doesn't like them to "get in her face" which is just fine. Max is that way too.

So, with her past behind her, as Nina's new and better life has begun, I am glad I can be part of her story and her gateway to helping her find the perfect forever home.

Welcome Nina!

Recentering and Balance

So you may have been able to tell that despite my last post from Kentucky, I took a break from blogging.  I cut back on other social media too. I had been feeling a need for a break even before we lost Eva. And when she left us, that break just sort of happened.  I realized while I was in Kentucky just how emotionally and physically tired I was. And even though I have been saying "I am okay" I have not been myself for the last several months.  So, I decided to just step away, to recenter and try to put life back into balance.

~Max enjoying the bright sun on Thursday~

So, for the last two-plus weeks, I've been working at doing just that. There is still work to do, it does (of course) take time. But it has begun. I'd told the doctor I work for a few months ago that I wanted to cut back my hours. So my 4-day weekends began last week. I am not feeling the benefit of the extra time as of yet. But it'll come.

~Kirsten - The time for a New Forever Home for her is near!~ 

Adding to how I've been feeling is the news. I'm a news and politics junkie, but I've cut down on reading and listening to all the rhetoric. However, I have been volunteering with my local political party by canvassing and knocking on doors. I'll admit, it takes me way out of my comfort zone. But its been great therapy to be able to vent and be among like minded political people.  **Don't forget to vote November 6th!!**

I'd been feeling guilty that the dogs were behind on their yearly exams and so Mobile Vet came and caught our crew up on their care and vaccines. I am very quietly cheering and celebrating because **knock on wood please** we are five months post surgery and so far, Charlie's tumor has not returned.  Yyyaaaayyyy!!!!  Did I say to please knock on wood?   

~Charlie!!~

On Wednesday our foster boy Alf had surgery to remove the mass in his chest and be neutered. Despite being a little sore and reluctant to get up, he's doing really well.  There's still more vet care that's needed for him, but that will wait for him to heal from this round.

~A shaggy Alf~

And yesterday Charlie and Todd were off to the groomers. Todd and I are off tomorrow for a Rocky Creek Scottie Reunion on Saturday.  It's going to be a chilly picnic, but Todd is ready to look his best!

Thank-you Friends for stopping by. Your thoughtful kindness, friendship and support has become a constant that I treasure. And I look forward to catching up with your blogs and your news. Enjoy your weekend!

~Rhett~

A Trip to Memory Lane

A trip planned in March has had me out of town since Thursday.

It has come at a good time. This much needed break to clear my head and recharge is a dog-less trip down memory lane.

Yesterday morning I stood in front of my high school and was taken back nearly 40 years to an age of innocence and a world so much different than the one I know today. Around me old and new friends from that time.  It's easy to see that we are a pretty diverse crowd. Life has taken us in so many directions.

~Fort Knox High School~

But at the time we attended Fort Knox High School, (in Kentucky) we all had one thing in common, our Dad's were in the Army.

I suppose at times like this it is only natural to rummage around in ancient memory and recall events and classmates and the journey to adulthood that is high school and is so full of first-time experiences.

~The United States Bullion Depository, or the Gold Vault, what Fort Knox is famous for~

To say our class has experienced change is understated. We did not imagine a world where we would carry a phone in our pockets, and connect on something called "social media."

For a lot of us, we've not been back to Fort Knox for many years.  I was lucky in that a friend of mine who used to live down the street from me still lives in the area and works on post.  She gave me a great tour of Fort Knox and was able to show and tell me all about what has changed, and what hasn't.

~Our house hasn't changed at all, at least not on the outside~

And talk about change, this weekend I've seen lots of gray hair and waistlines that have expanded. Of course my classmates looked at me and saw the same thing. But despite those outer changes I also saw football players, cheerleaders, fellow band members, and even "that girl" who bullied a few of us. I wonder if she remembers that?

~The fire-station nearby across the street that we used to go and buy a soda and candy bar for 25 cents!~

I guess it's a reminder that maybe we can’t really go home again - There are some that say you shouldn’t live in the past. I suppose that's a good rule to live by for the most part.

~The movie theater near our 'housing area' that I spent lots of Saturday's~ 

But for this weekend, and for this class reunion, that phrase was tossed out the window, as we remembered those good times and shared a weekend with friends and classmates from long ago. I'm especially glad I was able to come and spend time with a friend who I've stayed in contact with for more than 40 years. She is a true connection to my past, and I treasure our friendship.

~This seemed like such a steep hill to ride our bikes down. It doesn't seem that steep any more~

Today I said good-bye to those classmates, and had a really nice visit with family that still lives in the area. On Monday it'll be time to head home and back to my life.  I miss the dogs.