Pure Love

I haven't been able to write anything about it until now, but we had to say goodbye to Shepherd a couple of weeks before Christmas.  It's hard even now to write these words.

While it was a tough couple of months before he left us, I am so grateful and thankful that that's all it was. He was in remarkably healthy condition right up until the end. He had just turned 15 and had been in great shape for almost all of that time. 

Other than walking a little slower and sleeping a lot better (thanks to being hard of hearing!), he was the same dog he'd always been. No, that's wrong.  He was sweeter and more precious with each passing year. We three fit together just perfectly:) The whiter his face got, the sweeter he got.

If you've been privileged to have a senior dog, then you know what I'm talking about. I think I'm spoiled for anything but senior dogs from here on out.

Autumnal

Wow, it's really looking like autumn around here!  We've got lots (and lots) of leaves in the yard.  The first big raking of the year is looming.  But that's okay...no bugs, no humidity, blue skies and crisp days.  

I finished the second bobbin on the green merino/silk and I'm about to begin playing (ha, I mean plying!).

This has,without a doubt, been one of the most enjoyable spins I've had.  I have absolutely loved watching the colors go by and the fiber is soft, soft, soft but strong - so I can spin pretty thin.  

When I was taking a few pictures of the bobbin, someone else decided to hang out with me.  Mr. Irresistible Face:

 

We all love fall around here.

A Leaf-y Pillow

In the last year or so, we noticed that Shepherd enjoyed laying in the leaves on the back patio.  So, we started raking the leaves into a pile in the middle of the patio and leaving them for him to lay in.

And he does :

I mean, I'm sorry, but how cute is that?  I'll tell you...darn cute.

Not that we spoil or pamper him or anything like that.  Right.

Pumpkin Pooch

A note from Shepherd :  (This post was written by Shepherd, our sweet senior dog.)

Flickr mosaic : Pumpkins

1. Pumpkins for Sale, 2. Potsdamer plats pumpkins, 3. Pumpkins are Tasty, 4. Autumn Leaves, 5. Autumn Leaf, 6. Pumpkin Patch, 7. Pumpkins, 8. Pumpkin Patch, 9. Waxen Wan, 10. Pumpkins, 11. Pumpkin barrow, 12. Pumpkin, 13. ~Happy First Day of Fall~

Did you know pumpkin is good for dogs?  Especially for their digestion?  Especially if you're an older dog like me and don't have the 'cast iron' stomach you used to have?

My mom and dad discovered pumpkin is good for my stomach, ...and it's delicious!  And easy on the canine stomach.  I love a couple of spoonfuls instead of milk, which sadly, I don't seem to tolerate well anymore.  So they've stocked up on cans of pureed pumpkin, just for me.  Isn't that sweet?

I say, bring on the pumpkin.

Snapshot Saturday 10.13.2012

Shepherd, the sweet senior dog

Cooler days equal days spent laying on the back patio.  It's a hard life.

January-ness

I love January for the "cosy" and "hibernating" instinct it invokes in me.  Lots of nesting, cleaning, organizing and planning go on right now.  Swatching, knitting, and spinning, too...of course.  And time with a 12-year old sweet puppy and sweeter hubby.
Good times.

The Boss

We just had an interesting weekend.  Shepherd got very sick it seemed like overnight.  He had no energy or appetite.  His back end seemed achey and sore, and he didn't even want to go for a walk!  That has NEVER happened.

So off to the doctor he went on Monday for a full check-up.  He's almost 12 years old, so we thought it might be his heart. (We tried not to panic, honest we did.)  But, thankfully, the doc said his heart was fine.  Apparently, he just had some kind of "doggy flu or something".  Today, he's pretty much his ol' self.  And I never was so happy to be bossed around!

As a neighbor once said to us..."All dogs are precious."  How true.