A sad day....Goodbye to my best friend

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

On Monday, December 18, 2008 we had no choice but to put our pup Chi-Chi (pronounced she she) of 14 years to sleep. She had what is called degenerative myelopathy.

Degenerative myelopathy is a disorder of the spinal cord or bone marrow. It mostly affects older German Shepherds (between from 7 to 9 years), but also has been reported in other breeds. Signs may include awkward gait and weakness in one of the hind limbs. Prognosis for the degenerative myelopathy is poor since there is no known effective treatment for it.

Chi-Chi had fallen on Sunday evening but after taking a few minutes to get back up with some help she continued to walk although slowly. She continued to walk that evening and got up in the morning to go to the bathroom. That afternoon while I was letting out Tucker our other pup, Chi-Chi went to get up to go out too and fell flat. I sat with her all afternoon and she frequently tried to get up. I managed to discover that it was her one back leg she couldn't control and that her lower back him area was sore to the touch. I tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible waiting for my husband to be able to leave work so we could get her to the vet. I don't drive and therefor had to wait. When the vet came in and I told her what was going on Chi-Chi tried to get up and again fell. The vet told us what was up and that there wasn't anything that could be done for her. We had no choice but to tell Chi-Chi how much we loved her and would miss her but that it was time for her to be with the other pets we lost at Rainbow bridge but that we would see her again. We had 14 great years with a great friend. She was excellent around the girls when they were younger. Zoey was 2 when we got Chi-Chi and Kirsten was 4. We never had to use a leash with her, she stayed right by your side even when passing another dog. Chi-Chi was my very first dog ever! I had a fear of dogs from an incident with two other dogs when I was very young. We got Chi-Chi to help me over come that fear. It didn't take long...she was the best, friendliest, most lovable dog and I will miss her so much.

Goodbye Chi-Chi my friend, till we meet again on Rainbow bridge to cross over together...I love you...

Busy, busy, busy...

That's been me for a while now...but, I like it!

I have completed everything for the 12-month swap I am in and the package is already at it's destination. The recipient, Tina, is going to wait until Christmas to open it. I really hope she likes everything! I had a lot of fun doing this swap. Coming up with ideas to match the monthly inspiration given. Some of the ideas were from the swap mom and others came from the swappers themselves. I will post pictures of the goodies I sent sometime after Christmas.

Last month both my daughters had their birthdays. Kirsten turned 18. We had her over for dinner. Kirsten moved out just over a month and a half ago, and lives with her boyfriend and his family while they save money for their own apartment. Not the easiest time in my life, that's for sure!! Anyway, I cooked one of her favourites, curry. It was a good evening and I was sad to see her leave. It was really weird that I wasn't able to go into to her room and wake her up with birthday wishes.

Here is Kirsten blowing out the candles on her cake.

Zoey, turned 16, 4 days later. On the day of her birthday she started her first driver education course. I'm so proud of her! Zoey paid for the course with little help from her nanny but, the rest was all her hard earned money. She works at Licks Homeburgers. It's been almost a year now and she is an opening/closing night & weekend manager. This past year Zoey has purchased herself a new bike, guitar hero, a docking station for the Ipod she won at work, a Mac book, all her school supplies including clothing, and has taken her father & I out for dinner a number of times as well as going out with friends and having fun!! Did I mention she works at least 25-30 hours a week and is a straight A student!! I made my very first ever crocheted scarf for Zoey for her birthday. We also gave her a memory card for her camera.

Here is Zoey with a few friends, sporting the scarf I crocheted in the colours she wanted.

Now I'm making things for Christmas...I still have 2 1/2 pairs of socks to do and a crochet hat to start. Then there is the baking that has to happen. We give gifts of baked goods to some of our harder to shop for friends...mostly guys! LOL! The guys love the baked goods that's for sure!

Well, time to get back to knitting...

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of the year!

Till next time, which hopefully won't be a long wait...I'll try my best.