Dackel Princess

Babies & Dackels

My weekend was a bit on the busy side. Little Anneliese woke on Saturday with a UTI. I kept her comfortable until Monday when I brought her in to the Vets and got her a broad spectrum antibiotic. This is not Anneliese’s first infection, and right now we are trying to determine why she is getting them, and do what we can to prevent them.

Arnie, comforting his sister.

So, on Monday morning, Anneliese and I piled into the Highlander, and headed to North Sandwich, NH. We bumped our way over the roads, as currently we are in the middle of frost heave season. If you have never seen a frost heave this is what they look like.

Thankfully, I am a New England girl and I know all about driving on roads that are heaved and uneven. I would imagine that people in California and Alaska, where they have lots of earthquakes, and of course Alaska also has the snow, would know all about it.

We had a short episode of rain, while temperatures climbed to the upper 40’s. While I was walking the dogs I noted the incredible mud and puddles.

We’re all on baby watch, as Mandy’s last days pregnant play out. I wish I could make it all go quickly for her, as I remember how impatient I got, at the end of my pregnancies.

Hubby has been briefed on how to feed the dogs and medicate Anneliese. There are plenty of frozen meals and he can fix his own breakfast or go to McDonald’s.

The last item I ordered for the baby arrived this morning. I’m so excited. Once I bring it to the hospital, I will put a picture of it here. It sure is adorable!

Weekend Stuff

I woke to a very cold, yet very beautiful day. The lake is once again a hotbed of activity, as it is “The Greater Meredith Ice Fishing Derby”.

Since the big Lake (Winnipesaukee) is not frozen over, and safety must come first, there are not as many anglers out there. Instead, they’ve come over to our Lake (Waukewan) which is much less deep, and does have a fairly good surface of ice.

Still, I know I am really paranoid, and I will not go out on the Lakes at this time of year, seeing that we have had 50+ degree (F) weather recently. And rain…oh my goodness the rain has been incredible!

Yesterday and today Hubby took Lili out in the yard, and she ran and ran and ran and ran, and became one giant, muddy mess. She was formerly a lovely White German Shepherd dog! Today Hubby brought her in through the basement and washed her down. And for that he gets a big hug and kiss!

I have my suitcase packed, as we are now down to the final days of my daughter’s pregnancy. Friday was her last day in the office, although she will work at home until the little guy decides to show up, or March 7th arrives (her C-section date).

I now sleep with my cell phone next to me, and it’s on the shelf in the bathroom when I shower. Yes, I think we can all safely assume that I am excited about my grandson’s birth!

And the bonus is that I get to spend time with Savannah. I have a whole bag full of fun stuff for Savi and Oma to do.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday Five

I decided that for the next month I am going to write about 5 things that are happening to me, or around me, that is fabulous and wonderful! So without further ado, here is this weeks five.

We are now nice days until my daughter’s due date with her baby boy! I sleep with my cell phone, I shower with my cell phone on the shelf, and I go everywhere with my phone hooked to my belt. I’m not excited or anything! LOL
Lili is now responding to me when I talk to her. If she is outside and I go out, I call to her and say “Are you coming?” and she comes right to me! After all this time, she is following me!
I simply have the most adorable grandniece ever! Here is little April, and she is 5 months old and the apple of our eyes!

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I am one day away from finishing the office cleaning project! For more years than I care to admit, I have put off doing a deep clean. This year I turned on Pandora, and just did it!
I decided that I need to get up every day and put on a little make-up. I’ve never been a big make-up wearer, but I feel better with a little bit on.

So that’s my first week of happiness, on the Friday Five. See you next week, for the next installment!

TBT: Fritz

This is a collage of our dear boy, Fritz. He was such a gem. Handsome and sweet! And actually the Grand Uncle to our Lili.

July 27, 2003-March 3, 2014

Another Busy, Busy, Busy!

What an incredibly busy day I had today. Very productive and also helpful as I prepare for tomorrows storm. It all started when I woke up.

I could still feel some cartilage where my tooth used to be, so I called first thing this morning and got an appointment for late in the day.

Meanwhile, breakfast was made, and cleaned up, laundry was done, and I was out the door at eleven o’clock to buy Hubby a battery for his blood testing machine, and get the mail.

After that I rushed to my hairstylists appointment, and just like Tinkerbell, she waved her magic wand and suddenly my hair color was what it had been when I was a mere teenager! My, my, that girl is good.

I came home in time to make lunch. I know you read all that I did above and that was all before lunch! So lunch was made and Hubby was happy, but my mouth was bothering me, so I couldn’t finish eating.

Hubby decided to go off for a walk with Lili, who just looks forward to these little forays with her Daddy, like you would not believe!

Hubby arrived back and out the door I went for my dental exam. After getting some Novocaine, he found the cartilage, removed it and sent me on my way.

Tonight I’m feeling a little sore, but pretty happy that I got so much done in one day. Tomorrow is supposed to be the big storm, so I am prepared to hunker down, and watch some movies and do laundry.

A great way to spend a snow day!

Bring It On

As Hubby and I sat eating breakfast, we noted that the weatherman was forecasting snow coming into our area on Tuesday night, and then as Wednesday dawns, the snow would change to ice, slush and eventually rain.

Hubby had checked our fuel oil tank, and finding it just below 1/4 of a tank, he called to order the oil. You see we have a 600 foot driveway that is all downhill from the road.

The photo above was taken a few years ago. That’s Hubby and Fritz working to clear the drive. It’s all uphill from there.

Looking down into the bottom of the drive.

And of course, when you leave here, it is all uphill. The fuel oil trucks really have a tough time with our driveway in the winter when there is any snow or ice on it. So, we always pray for a clear driveway, when we need oil.

Not expecting that the oilman would arrive today, we were caught off guard, when as we sat down to lunch, the oilman arrived. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our usual man, but the oilman who delivers on Mondays. He was quite nice and even enjoyed meeting four slightly muddy dogs!

So, now that our tank is full, and the cupboards are as well, after yesterdays big grocery shopping event, I can safely say, “Mother Nature, bring it on!”

A Special Girl- Anneliese

I was sitting here today looking at some old pictures. There I was holding Anneliese 7 years ago, when we flew to Germany. She was going to meet her “lover” Isegrim. It was her very first mating, and I was so excited.

That breeding produced four healthy and handsome puppies. Two boys and two girls. All are still alive and well, and happy with their forever families.

But as I looked at the picture of the two of us, taken at JFK Airport, I realized just how much love I have in my heart for this small dog.

Oh, I love all my little (and big) beasties, but Anneliese now goes into the “special” category, where the names of Fritz and Shubi are listed.

Anneliese started special. When she was born, she came out kicking and screaming and I turned to Hubby and said, “Oh, I’m not keeping that one!” How wrong I was.

A few weeks into her life, this little miracle, climbed the fence from the puppy room into the kitchen, and then sat on the stack of newspapers, watching me cook dinner. When I turned and noticed her, I laughed and realized, she had decided all on her own, that she was staying, and I was her forever person. She always cuddled and kissed me when I would pick her up, and if I was sitting down, she would snuggle up next to my leg and fall instantly asleep.

Her two litters of pups couldn’t have been more different. The first time, all went well, and she safely delivered her four pups right here at home, into my waiting hands. I slept next to the whelping box and we shared her babies. It was such a special time.

The second time we bred her, the only pup she carried died at birth. She’d had a cesarean and as she slept, I dealt with the death of her puppy. I sobbed and sobbed and then I prepared how to help her when she woke up.

Anneliese knew she should have a puppy and we gave her a small toy lamb to keep in her bed. She nurtured that toy for a few weeks, and when she had gotten her strength back we took it away. We kept her on tranquilizers during this time, and once she was de-lambed, we weaned her off the drugs, but it was so painful to watch this.

I spayed her shortly after, as I could not put her through that again. In my book she had done enough with the first litter and deserved to be retired.

Now Anneliese is retired and is my constant companion. She is such a delight for me. Here are a few of her silly habits, that I find so endearing.

When we let her out to do her wee-wee, she will go out onto the patio and stand at full attention, and bark like crazy, announcing that big bad Anneliese is on patrol!

She loves ice cream, and when she sees me having some, she races into my lap, where she sits and waits for her taste!

During her wait, she will look straight ahead, and then do a quick peek at me, and then back to straight ahead and then the peek, until I am done and ready to share her little taste! It is the cutest thing ever!

She still snuggles my leg and sleeps wither her leg on my lap.

When we go to bed, Anneliese commando crawls under the covers and then will snuggle my belly, where she stays all night long. I never feel alone at night because I have Anneliese by my side.

When I traveled with her to Germany, Anneliese was such a great little traveling companion. The TSA Agents loved her. I had to remove her from her traveling bag, to go through the screening machine, and when the saw her little panties, they all went “Awwwwww”.

She is the only one of my dogs that allows me to trip their nails, strip their coats, and trim their ears without causing problems.

When I have had my surgeries, Anneliese is always first in bed with me, or in my lap. She somehow just knows. So, my sweet little Anneliese has joined the special ranks, of dogs I will never forget and will remain in my heart, always.

It’s “Love Your Pet Day”

I was looking up something on the Internet and I stumbled across the fact that today is “Love Your Pet Day”. I found this pretty funny, because in our house, every day is Love Your Pet Day.

In fact a few years back a friend of mine said that when she died she hoped to come back as my pet! It cracked us both up, but today I look at how our pets are treated in this house, and I would say, that yes, it’s always “Pet Day” here.

In fact when I think about it, my dogs, my pets, are probably my best friends. And here is why.

They listen to me, when I need to talk.
They never talk back or answer in a sarcastic manner.
They love to snuggle. Even when it is hot.
They will never complain about your cooking.
They actually feel bad when you are away from them.
When you come home, they are always happy to see you.
If you can’t finish your meal, they never get angry, they finish it for you!
They always want to go out for a ride.
A dog will follow you all around the house, just so you will stop and pat them.
And best of all, their love is unlimited.

So take your dog for a walk, or share a nice snack with them. It’s “Love Your Pet Day”!

TBT: A Gunslinger & His Saloon Gal

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th?

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you’re so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.

Many years ago now, Hubby and I were on a cross country camping trip. We’d stopped in New Mexico to buy groceries, and as I was looking at the meats, when an old woman suddenly collapsed to the ground and began to convulse. I dropped my things and ran over and got her on her side and carefully placed my grocery pad into her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue. Meanwhile, I yelled for someone to call for an ambulance.

I stayed with her, holding her, until the Paramedics arrived. Several months later, we got a call from the woman, thanking me for what I had done for her.

The thing is, this was sort of an extreme case. I try, each day, to do things to help people, animals, etc.

Hebrews 13:2 King James Version
2. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

2.What’s the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.

Forget the world. Too many very heavy things happening in the public world. I chose to think of this. My grandson will be with us sometime in the next 19 days! A new gentle soul to watch grow, to love and to share my life with!

3. Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos…your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?

Favorite black food? Gee, let me think, dark chocolate! Least favorite? Very tough, you see that’s why I am a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers!

4. A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel when you have the chance,
take care of your skin,
learn a foreign language,
make exercise a habit,
leave a toxic situation,
stop caring what others think about you,
stop worrying,
volunteer,
spend time with your grandparents,
pledge to work less,
learn to cook an amazing dish,
and seize an opportunity as it arises

What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you’re over 50, have you done all 12? If you’re not yet 50, have you done any at all? What’s on the list that you haven’t done, but would like to do?

I would love to learn to speak German, but I simply do not have a knack for languages. Sadly, my grandparents are all gone. I wish they weren’t and I could sit down and have a good long chat. Especially with Grandma Honey.

I do need to stop worrying so much, but that is a tough one. This year I plan to seize as much time as possible spending time with Savannah and my new grandson.

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what’s your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting?

There are a few. Dr. Zhivago is the classic. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the acting is as well. What an amazing movie! And for the comedic part of the winter equation, “Ground Hog Day”, with Bill Murray.

6.When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?

Just before they diagnosed my cervical disc problem. The pain was incredible, and I was so scared. I think not knowing in a situation like that is the hardest part. Once I met my Neurosurgeon, and he knew exactly what to do to make me feel better, I breathed a sigh of relief! And today it is two months since my surgery!

7. Share a favorite proverb.

I don’t know if this is an official one, but it’s the one I use all the time. I think I got it from my former husband, and it’s just stayed with me all these years. “Sometimes chickens, sometimes feather”.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My suitcase is packed, and all I need to do is toss in my toiletry kit and hit the road. Where am I going? Well, once I get the call from Mandy, I am off to be with Savannah, while Mandy and Matt bring their baby boy into this world!