When my husband died in a climbing accident I had Alex, an 8 month old Airedale. She was fantastic for me, getting me going in the morning, making me laugh, just cuddling with me at night.
I called my aunt the other day to tell her about my mother. She is my mother's sister-in-law, the widow of my beloved uncle who was the rancher. After a discussion about my mother, my aunt asked: why is it always the holidays? Indeed, in our family, my Grandmother died on Christmas Eve, my uncle near Thanksgiving, and of course, last year with Murphy.
My mother died last night. 
Yesterday I cried after talking with my Mom's doctor. Annie came and put her head on my lap. Already wise...she knows something is really really wrong.
As I approach the anniversary of Murphy's death I've been thinking a lot about knowing when. When did I know it was time for Murph? 
So we're also caring for my father. Every afternoon, I have the girls clamber into the car and head to my father's. Time for dinner! We spend lots of time with him, then check on my mom at the hospital, and finally, the girls get a walk. Makes for a long car ride for them.
The dog's grandma is still in the hospital. Things are tough right now, so if we miss an entry, please forgive us.
It's not even December, yet, and we're already looking forward to the calendar turning, hoping for the new year. It's almost been a year since Murphy died, then Mom's various health issues...it's been a long, long, long 12 months.
When I walk in the door, tired and stressed out to the max, two Yellow labs greet me, tails wagging, kissing up my knee caps like that is the very best thing to do...and I smile.
Sage does not wear silly hats, no dog frillies, and won't even deign to sleep under a blanket no matter how cold it is.
It was a long weekend, culminating in an emergency trip to the hospital for my mother. 
Thank goodness it's Friday. It's been a long long week. Time to rough house with the girls, enjoy each other's company.
Several days ago I got back from running errands and looked out my front window. There was this animal in my yard. My mind tried to get wrapped around what it was. First I thought it was a cat, but it didn't have enough fur. I thought maybe a mole, but it was too big. 
Both girls seem more frisky. I think it's the cool air, the pedigreed sense that they should be out chasing pheasants or quail, maybe even sitting in a duck blind. But not these two, they would rather wrestle in the middle of the kitchen floor.
Sage remains on medication for her knee. I occasionally give her Rimadyl. But the side effects of Rimadyl are liver and kidney related. Not something to toy with. 
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