Goodbye, Sweet Boy

Eight years ago we adopted a three year old Westie. I bought him for $50 on Craig's List, but after he was with us a while it was obvious he had been abused. He didn't have the typical Westie ears because he'd been tied up outside with a Great Dane and the Dane chewed on his ears and they had to be amputated. He was very nervous and barked constantly. He wasn't neutered so he thought every corner in the house was fair game for potty breaks.

But he was a sweet boy and with lots of work and even more love he turned into a loveable loyal pet. Every morning while we were having coffee, Merlin would put his feet on Stan's leg so he could get his ears scratched. His best pal was Chloe, a Westie just a year older. But I was his person and wherever I went Merlin went too.

I was cautioned that he didn't like kids, but he loved our grandkids, they were good with dogs so I think that helped.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed he was coughing and even mild exercise made him winded. I took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with collapsing trachea, something small breeds can be prone to, there is really no cure. We started him on medication, but none of it helped, some of the side effects were terrible. The vet was working on compounding a different medication. But today I could tell his breathing was getting worse and worse. I decided that I would take him in to the vet tomorrow, I wasn't going to let him suffer. Before I left for church this morning I gave him a cuddle and told him that if he wanted to leave it was fine.

All day he sat and lay by my side just looking at me. Every now and then he would slip out the doggie door and sit on the deck for a while. About an hour ago he turned up missing and when I checked the deck, there he was-he made sure we wouldn't have to see him die.

So our precious boy is gone and Chloe is our only dog now. She never left his side all day, I think she knew, too. I wrapped him in a baby blanket that came with him when the woman brought him. He's in the garage and tomorrow I'll call the vet to arrange cremation. It sure is hard to say goodbye.

Serenity

The dogs and I are sitting on the porch, knitting and enjoying this lovely spring day.

I suspect the dogs are more interested in scouting out something to bark at. Well I just heard thunder, the storm they promised is moving in. Time to go put supper on the table.

My Baby

I promise I will get around to posting my work, I've been productive but haven't taken the time to sit down with my laptop.

The baby I'm talking about?  I've been looking for a realistic baby doll to use in my Etsy shop photos, and I stumbled across a nice one at Walmart yesterday.  When I pulled it out of the bag, both dogs went nuts.  It looked so much like a human baby they had to examine it closely.  They finally decided it didn't smell like a human, but I put it up in the sewing room, just in case they decided it was a toy.

Chloe is worrying over her new baby!

Now I just need to make some baby things to photograph for my shop!

They're in Trouble Now!

The dogs love to race through the house barking, sigh....  Most of the time it isn't a problem, but once in a while Merlin will clip one of my potted jade plants and scatter dirt and plant matter everywhere.  I'm actually surprised the plants have survived.  I've had them for years-I bought a tiny potted jade from the Girl Scouts at a craft fair.  It was in a little paper cup.  It grew through a few pots, and when a dog broke a branch off, I potted IT and it's almost as big as the original.

Merlin (of course it was Merlin) really ran through there like a tornado!  Ignore the nose marks on the flap-for some reason the dogs won't clean it off no matter how many times I ask!

He hit so hard it threw dirt into the middle of the door!

Anyway, Mom yelled and they cowered.  Then I vacuumed.  I've vacuumed the living room three times in a week and the dirt cup is full every time!  Today, finally, it was only half full.  My carpet salesman friend said that it happened to him and it took a while after he got the new vacuum to catch up with the dirt.  Oh, and you know those fancy expensive vacuums that that British guy invented?  Carpet people say not to buy those-they actually have too much suction and will fray the carpet.  Who knew?  (Mine isn't the expensive one.)

On another note, I jumped on my blog to write a new post but noticed one of my friends on my blog list had a different sounding post, so I read that first.  My prayers go out to Lisa-her husband had an unexpected health issue right after he arrived at a trade fair.  Thank the Lord for modern medical procedures!  Stan had a similar event five years ago, and was able to have a stent.  He's healthy as a horse now, and got that way with a far less invasive procedure than a bypass would have been.

I was going to be a lot farther along on sewing by now but here it is 10:00 and I haven't started.  I want to sew a while then hit JoAnn's.  That plan got changed Saturday, so I'll try again today.  Stan is fishing again-yay-so I can do MY plans instead of his.  Ladies, don't let your hubbies retire!

Think We Have Summer Again!

Montana summers are so unpredictable, but if the weather people are correct, the whole week is going to be nice-in the 70's and not much rain.  Maybe my garden will get a good start!

We did have a bit of big hail one day, but it was pretty sparse, thank goodness!

Just had to show you the two dogs-Chloe was 5 and Merlin was almost 4 when he came to live with us-they're now 7and 6.  They love each other so much, and have gone from being two completely different dogs to doing everything the same, including how they sit!

I've just gone for my third acupuncture treatment and things are progressing nicely.  The first visit, my improvement was pretty profound, so I was kind of giddy!  (Poor Stan!) The subsequent ones resulted in smaller improvements, but improvements just the same.  I am much less stiff, and the sciatic pain is slowly fading.  He wants to work on my allergies, too-yay!

I updated my cooking blog too, but I kind of whined so if you aren't in the mood for a pity party I suggest not going there.  If you don't mind, go ahead, I talk about quinoa for breakfast, too.

The Week

Didn't mean to ignore the blog for so long.  It just seems things get in the way.  So here's the week in a nutshell:

Thursday it snowed-a lot!  The snowflakes were two inches across!

I sat in the hot tub with a ball cap on, to avoid a pile of snow on my head.  The flakes hit the water with resounding splashes.  Then we went to a funeral-stood at the graveside in the snow to say goodbye to a former classmate of Stan's.  Later that night, in true Montana form, the snow was gone and the sun was out.  Chilly, but we were still able to take in a Little League game.  Stan's sister Norma decided to take the night off from her kitchen remodel and come watch a game.  She was really tickled by the small serious ball players.

Friday was "Muffins for Mom" at Sydney's school.  Since his mom lives too far away, he asked Gramma.  Of course Gramma was pleased, especially since she knew Grace and Sam would be there too.  Grace and Sam didn't know and were pretty surprised.

I always take the grandkids out to coffee for their birthdays.  Things had been so hectic Saturday was the first chance we had to go.  Of course she likes to go to the local food co-op and sit on the balcony.  She has to have "fish salad."  (Tuna on a lettuce salad)

The chokecherries are in full bloom and oh so fragrant!  Too bad we don't get the berries from these trees.  The birds beat us to it-they eat them green!  Our trees are all getting so huge.

Yesterday I went to open the living room drapes and there sat Merlin on the arm of the couch.  Not sure why, but it was cute!

I took his picture, shut the camera off, then went back to finish the drapes, and this is how I found him.  The pictures on this little table don't stand a chance.  It must be a Westie trait to sit up high-both dogs like to do it.

And my log cabin afghan is coming right along.  The rows are getting longer, so I'm having to push myself to keep going.  Stan doesn't know it, but I think this will be his.

I was well remembered on Mother's Day.  I got cards, greetings, and flowers.  Jim and Millie gave me a cute brass hummingbird feeder that lights up at night with a solar powered battery.  Stan and Steve cooked lunch, and Stan made me a yummy gluten-free peach cobbler.

A nice laid back day.

From Pug to Lab

The kids found a new dog.  It's a Chocolate Lab/Golden Retriever cross.  His name is Brody and he's really good to the little kids.  That's quite a change from a pug!

A Bit of Fun Knitting

If you haven't read Jenn's account of her mother-in-law's house fire, I recommend it-a heart rending story.  Jenn had seen my post about all my sock knitting and asked if I would make her MIL's Yorkie a new sweater since his was lost in the fire.  Dog sweaters are something I haven't attempted because Westies are hot little dogs, even after a close haircut.  I looked up a pattern, made the extra small size and sent it off to her.  I didn't feel that it was small enough-so far Jenn hasn't complained-so I tried it again, with pink veriegated yarn and smaller needles.  My thought was to make the small size and give it to my oldest son for their Pug, Daisy.  I think it's still a bit on the big size so I tried it on my Westie, Chloe.  She likes wearing it, but boy she would get hot.  I tried it on Merlin but he got really wound up and I had a heck of a time getting his legs through those little leg holes!

She really thinks she's hot stuff!  Like I said, I'd let her keep it but I'm afraid she'd get too hot.  Merlin was pouting at this point but he got over it when I tried to put the sweater on him.  I think I'll still try it on Daisy, that poor thing shivers all the time.

BTW-right now it's 0 Fahrenheit, with blowing snow.  I think I want to wear Chloe's sweater.  My trip to Mazatlan can't come soon enough to suit me!

Dog Vs. Yarn

Both my Westies have the same habit-when I am knitting and my yarn is hanging down, they love to walk under it, letting it run along their backs. It must feel good.

The other day, I was knitting at my computer (blogging and knitting-the ultimate in multitasking) and Merlin was behind the recliner next to me. Suddenly a grasshopper coughed or something and Merlin flew out from behind the chair, under my yarn-couldn't leave that step out, and up on the back of the chair in the picture window. He immediately had my yarn securely tangled-around his neck, in his radio collar, around his feet. I grabbed him and the yarn, but he kept getting away and turning in circles, barking frantically the whole time. Every now and then he'd try to take off, but I did have hold of the yarn and he'd go back up on the chair, still turning circles and barking.

Of course I got the giggles, but I was concerned that I wouldn't get him loose before he got hurt. Finally, I got him to stand still long enough to untangle, but oh, what a circus!

I was knitting hats with a triple strand of yarn at the time, so the mess was even bigger:

Here they are, hanging out waiting for something else to bark at. Merlin's Radio Fence collar has done a number on my window sill. We're going to do some rearranging soon, so we can keep the barking machines out of the window and redo the sill. Wish us luck!

Crazy Dog!

I really have been sewing and knitting-a lot! I just haven't taken many photos and/or taken the time to blog about it. I'm getting ready for a baby show in the area-called Babes in Bozeman. I am making my hankie bonnets and knitting bunches of booties.

So here's something to keep you occupied until I get around to taking pictures of my projects:

Merlin can sleep anywhere, any time, and in any position!

The Escape Artist

The runaway, looking all innocent!

So I knew that Merlin was a "runner." Most Westies are-don't let them loose, they take off and Lord knows where they'll stop. With Chloe, I knew she was crazy about kids and I could usually get one of them to pick her up so I could get her. She, of course, wouldn't let me pick her up-that was part of the game!

I invested in one of those radio fences-the kind that has a base unit you plug in in the house and collar that acts as a receiver. When the dog gets out of range, the collar starts beeping and if doggie doesn't come back it give him a little jolt. It sounds cruel, but I think it is very humane-the dog can't run off, get stolen, or get hit by a car. Chloe learned very quickly what her boundaries were, and in fact that's when she became the good pet she is now. She turned into the sweetest most compliant dog-a real loving companion. It also gave us the freedom of installing a doggie door because we knew she could go out, do her business and come back in. Really nice during the night or if we had to be gone a few hours. She didn't have to stand by the door with her legs crossed or piddle on the floor.

Enter the novice dog. I bought a collar for him ($139.99 thankyouverymuch!) and am starting to train him with it, meanwhile chaining him up when he goes outside. This morning, I briefly unhooked him from the chain to untangle it and he was off! He made it all the way to the elementary school, three blocks away, where a teacher picked him up. We know the principal, and when he saw me he knew exactly what I was looking for. I suppose the leash in my hand gave me away!

I got him home and brought him inside. The chain was still outside so I tried to slide the patio door open enough to retrieve it and out Merlin went again! This time I wasted no time in getting the car-it seems he likes to ride in cars. I found him at the house right behind ours, on their porch shivering. I called for him to "load up" and he came right to me. I wasted a whole morning on that dog!

When I got him home AGAIN, I got out the new radio collar, tested it, and put it on the dog. We've done a bit of training with it, but it'll take a couple of days for him to get the idea that running away is what causes that "bee sting."

In the meantime, I'll do a triple play-radio collar, chain, and when I go get him off the chain, I'll take the leash. And he's going to be neutered very soon-I have a call into our vet.

I know Chloe will be glad when we can open her doggie door again!

Merlin follows me wherever I go, even the bathroom. Here he is in the kitchen waiting for me to finish making myself a latte'.

We got the second dog so Chloe would get more exercise, and where are they? Sleeping, of course!

It's a Boy!

Not a human boy, but a 3-year-old West Highland White Terrier. His name is Merlin and he's going to be Chloe's best buddy. I found him on Craigslist for Stan for his birthday.

Merlin, claiming Stan's lap-something Stan is not too sure about!

Chloe's not too sure about Merlin on HER human's lap!

Making friends-they hit it off right from the start.

Chloe is five, so there's not too much difference in age. Merlin needs to be neutered-I can't believe they hadn't done it before-and he needs training on the radio collar because Westies are runners, he'll run off in a heartbeat if we don't control him. He's spraying so the neutering is going to happen really soon. They both need grooming soon, too.

He's a sweet loving dog, I think he'll fit in just fine.

Pining

Our friends, Wayne and Connie, took care of Chloe while we were gone. Wayne and Connie have a menagerie and love having Chloe join the fun. Chloe has a best friend at their house-Tucker the cat. She and Tucker play together, eat together, sleep together. They are inseparable!

Since we brought her home she's done nothing but lay on the back of Stan's recliner and stare out the window. She really misses her best buddy!

I informed her this morning that I was NOT getting her a cat! I guess we'll have to arrange a playdate!

Sheesh!!!

We made a road trip to Billings yesterday to give my SIL her prayer shawl and pick up a couple of booster seats her daughter was giving to us. The SIL LOVED her shawl, by the way, and said she would take it with her to Chemo.

We got home with two boosters. We have a convertible car seat-from birth to toddler, but it was rapidly getting too small for the grandsquirts. I decided that all the covers on all three seats needed to be washed. Manufacturers don't seem to take into account that old people like DH and I need to have detailed instructions on taking these covers off and worse, putting them back on!


Chloe did her best to help-actually she was rooting for crumbs dropped by children. She found a few. The covers are drying-God help us when it's time to reassemble! I think the boosters will be fine, but that big car seat will be a big pain.On the upside, I did manage to squeeze in a trip to Hancock Fabrics. I am so proud of my restraint! The only fabric I bought was five yards of batiste, which I use for the hankie bonnets and is almost nonexistent in Bozeman. I can get it at one small shop but it's pretty pricey. I picked up some bobbins for my Viking and a bit of elastic but that was it! The major restriction was time-I could have spent more money with more time, but I'm just going to say I had self control.

Hey, it's my blog, I can lie if I want!

New Bed

I've been wanting set Chloe up with a better sleeping arrangement. I don't mind her sleeping on the couch, but I wanted to protect the couch, give here something cozier, and keep her off the recliners. (She pouts like crazy when we run her off the recliners!)

I'd seen those round dog beds in the stores-the ones with a circular cushion all the way around and an indentation in the center. They look like something a dog would really like. I was being frugal (cheap) and had been putting off buying one, hoping to find a screaming deal somewhere.

I was cleaning out a closet and came across an orthopedic pillow that I had made. I'd copied it from one my chiropractor had. It was puffy around the outside with an indentation in the center.

Oh yeah! Sometimes my brain works like it should and I immediately put it on the couch and laid the fleece throw that she has claimed over it. You can see the results. She is in love.


Now isn't that the sweetest face?!!