March 2009 – Page 2 – The Dackel Princess

Watching Anneliese Grow

It’s a fun thing to do. Each day now I sit and watch or stroke or belly rub Anneliese. She is changing so much. The last three days she hasn’t had a big appetite. She’s also been quieter and has napped quite a bit.

And she has been so much sweeter! Now I have to tell you that with Hubby and me she is very demonstrative. One of the reasons I kept her way back when the puppies were born, was because I felt a special bond with Anneliese.

However, in the last week she will sit in my lap, snuggle my chin and just be the loveliest girl!

Greta was the same when she was pregnant. This sweetness has continued and I found that being a Mommy has made Greta an even better companion. Often this is the case.

Of course Arnie and Fritz are perfect just the way they are. Sweet, loving, wonderful boys!

Anneliese Is Pregnant!!!

Today was the day I took Anneliese in to the Veterinarian’s for her first pre-natal exam. She loved going for a ride, but was a little suspicious when we arrived.

She remained calm and was happy to see our Vet. Dr. Julie, and her technician, Ann. Both women were with me the day Dr. Chris delivered Greta’s babies two and a half years ago. So today was very exciting for us all.

Anneliese’s belly was palpitated, and gently rubbed and pressed until Dr. Julie pronounced that Anneliese is, indeed

pregnant!!!

She could find at least three little buds, but suspects more, as Anneliese has gained nearly 2 pounds!

Multiple births will do that to a girl!

Now we wait. Her due date is the 25th or 26th of April, but we will go in one week before her due date for an x-ray to determine how many babies she has inside!

Such good news! I really needed that!

My Dad

My Dad passed away on Thursday morning at 7:30. His battle with heart disease, leukemia and emphysema finally were over. He passed away with a nurse by his side. Somehow I think he wanted it like this. I don’t think he wanted Mom or Mel, to have to remember him in those last moments.

Today I want to share a few pictures of dad over the years. The first picture is from a newspaper article about our family back in 1966 when Dad did the music for The Sound Of Music and Mel, Mom and I were in the cast. Yes, that is me sitting next to Dad. I was 7 years old.

The next picture is Dad and me when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I was going through a chubby phase.

This is a picture taken on the one and only trip I took alone with my parents. We went to Bermuda to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Notice that Dad always had on a tie. He wore one every day until after he retired from teaching.

This is a picture of Dad with my two girls, Katie and Mandy. Dad didn’t travel much, but he and Mom came one day to visit us in New Hampshire. It was so great to see them.

This picture was taken before I started Weight Watchers. It didn’t matter to Dad. He always loved us no matter how we looked.

And this is the last picture of all of us taken at their 60th wedding anniversary last July.

And this was the invitation to their party. We used what I thought was the nicest picture of my Dad and Mom from their wedding.

My Dad was born in Boston on January 12th 1927. He was the only child of my grandparents, Sam and Elsie.

He met my Mom when they were 13 and 14 years old. Dad was a pianist and Mom was a ballerina. She loved his smile and his musical ability and he loved her dancing and her red sweater!

They married in 1948 in Brighton, Massachusetts. My brother Richard was born in 1951, Mel in 1953 and I came along in 1958.

Dad was the music teacher for the school system we attended on Cape Cod. He also played the organ for church services and for weddings and funerals all over our home town. During the summer he worked on the desk at the local police station.

The end of his life was difficult and painful. We were all so relieved when he went to Hospice because his suffering was finally over and was no longer in pain.

As I stood by his bed on Sunday and held his hand I looked around at my sister and mother and father and realized that this was the last time the four of us would be together. The next chapter of dad’s life would be spent with my brother and daughter, Katie in Heaven.

Rest in peace, Dad. I love you.

Two More Days

Two more days until we go to the Veterinarians to find out if Anneliese is pregnant. I feel almost 99.9% sure that she is, but I will be happy when I hear from trained fingers that they feel the little embryo sacks that indicate that she is with pups.

She is being even more loving and likes to snuggle more and more every day. I am just thrilled to see this. These are all good signs.

My Dad is slipping away. That’s about all I can say for now. I am thankful for my faith in God at this time. It helps to get me through the day.

A Spring Day In New Hampshire

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Our thermometer rose to 50 degrees (F) and the sun shone brightly. The snow melted, the dogs played and the husband enjoyed spending a little time in the driveway moving snow from the edges to melt on the pavement.

Since it was St. Patrick’s Day I put a corned beef and cabbage meal into the crock pot to slowly cook all day. Oh my, it smells good!

Meanwhile, I caught up with my other work, clearing the clutter (we are terrible clutter-a-holics. Why is this?), and doing laundry too. I was actually quite productive today. It felt good to keep busy.

My sister called me when she could to let me know how things were going for my Dad. Sadly, it’s not good. I wish I could be there. At this point it doesn’t matter too much to him, but I wish I could be there for my mother and sister.

Ah, life.

Home Again…& Anneliese

I drove home today. I took a route I have driven hundreds of times and yet today, I missed my exit. I was driving along on the highway, and found myself surrounded by tractor/trailer trucks. They were close and kicking up dirt and made me very nervous. I put my foot to the floor and tried to pass them and they held me and a few other cars out. And that is how I blew my exit.

Up here in northern New England, if you miss an exit, this can mean the next exit might be considerably up the road. This was true. 13 miles up the road!

No worries, I told myself. I looked at the map and planned my route across the state. I started on the alternate route, and got about a third of the way across and the road stopped! It was closed! I had to drive back to the Interstate, and then south 25 miles, to pick up the route I should have been on the first time. Now I was an hour late!

I met Mandy for a little retail therapy (shopping) and then arrived home at 4:00. I was greeted by four happy dogs, two of which smelled like they’d been rolling in something really horrid!

So Greta and Arnie and I all took a shower and got nice and clean. It seems that Anneliese is staying nice and clean these days. But then, perhaps in her delicate condition she finds those horrible smells something to avoid. She is looking adorable these days. Here are two pictures of Anneliese’s belly! What do you think?

March 16 013

March 16 014

My Dad is resting comfortably. I am glad that I got to see him and spend a little time with my Mom and sister. It’ll be the last time that the four of us will be together.

It’s good to be home now, and to be with Hubby and the pups. And the next time I go anywhere I am going to bring my GPS. I sure don’t want to get stuck driving around like that again!

My Dad

I raced down to Connecticut today as my Dad is now in Hospice and not doing very well. I wanted to see him. I wanted to say good-bye.

I dreaded it, but found the scene quite comforting. Dad is in a wonderful Hospice, being taken care of by fabulous nurses and finally, he is in no pain.

His room looks out at the ocean and when he wants to he can see sailboats and seagulls.

But mostly now he sleeps or drifts. But for him the pain is over.

We talked some, and I cracked a few jokes and I even sang to him two songs. He was happy to have me there, with my sister and mother. He smiled.

I don’t think it will be much longer.

I’m Thinkin’ Biscuits In The Oven!

Today I was looking at Anneliese and all I could think was, she looks pregnant! Anneliese usually lies on her belly and sleeps, but today she flipped over onto her side and slept with her belly just starting to stick out a little.

Yes. At this point she is “cute pregnant“. I always felt I was “cute pregnant” early on when I was just starting to show. You know, a little pop in the belly that made it impossible to zip and button your jeans? Yeah, that’s how Anneliese looks. Like she couldn’t button her jeans! LOL!

We took her out for a ride today, as she is always the first dog at the door when we get our coats on. My shy Miss now wants to be out and in the car. She loves to travel!

Anneliese’s grandma came over tonight for dinner. Barbie is the owner of Bernie, Anneliese’s Daddy. We looked at pictures of my Germany trip and planned our breeding of Greta and Bernie this summer.

When I look back on the great pups they had, I am just as excited as I am right now, with Anneliese.

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!!! Wonderful!!!

The End Of The Week

Friday I had an appointment with my retinal surgeon. I have a problem with my retina and eventually will require additional surgery, as I am slowly losing vision in my left eye. The appointment went well, as I don’t need surgery in the next couple of months, and I am truly blessed with an excellent doctor who treats me like a member of his family.

My only problem was driving home afterward. They had to dilate both of my eyes, and the sun was so bright, and it was reflected on the snow and I COULD NOT SEE! I ended up stopping in a shop and getting a cheap pair of sunglasses to wear over my regular sunglasses so I could drive home. This is the first time I have had this problem. Usually the dilation doesn’t bother me.

On the home front, Mr Arnie Man has just been so darn cute the last few days. I think he missed me while I was in Germany. He cuddles pretty closely to me, (Hubby as well) and has been giving me the cutest poses.

Hubby and Arnie.

March 10 015

Mr. Arnie Man.

Anneliese continues to show signs of pregnancy. I can hardly wait until next week when I can bring her in and find out for sure.

Life’s Happenings

The day was bright, with blue skies and cold winds. Somehow it helped to energize me and get me out to do the shopping and the visiting that I’d wanted to do.

I took Anneliese with me, as she has become almost my “Siamese twin”. Whenever I get my coat on to go out, I find Anneliese sitting at the door waiting for me. It’s a nice change from the shaking little girl that she was before her trip across the Atlantic to meet Isegrim.

We went to the Post Office, and mailed my application to Weight Watchers. Anneliese was also able to bewitch a few people there with her adorable ‘come hither’ look! Oh those big brown eyes of hers, just make people go weak in the knees!

Then I was off to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I ran into a woman I know and her two children. Needless to say, they also got to visit with Anneliese.

My last stop before I got home was at a craftsman’s shop where they sell fine jewelry, pottery and other hand made items, to see my friends, who also love dogs. They’ve been following Anneliese and her foreign love affair and they were happy to see pictures of Isegrim and to see Anneliese. They were thrilled that she has become more confident and no longer shakes with worry.

Yes, Anneliese sure has grown up since her trip to Germany!

I came home and got a call from my sister that my father has been placed in Hospice Care. It’s a blessing, really and now I pray that the good Lord will ease his pain and bring him home.

Today is Friday the 13th. Somehow, it just doesn’t worry me at all. Probably because I am starting to think about life in different terms. I don’t believe in curses or spooky things. Life is life. It’s as good as you make it, and the end? Well, who knows.