Checking In!

It has been a quiet few weeks here on my blog because our real life has just been a little, well, crazy!

On a sad note, just a few weeks after writing this tribute to our dog Jasmine, we had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep. Of course this has been a difficult time for our family as we're adjusting to a new empty spot in our hearts and home. But we do have fond memories of our big goofy girl! And to all of the other families with large dogs like great danes, labradors, etc, please make sure that you are aware of the possibility of bloating and what steps to take if this medical emergency occurs in your pet. We were able to recognize the signs very quickly in our Jasmine and rushed her to the vet right away. Unfortunately, though, she required intensive surgery to save her life and at her age we were afraid it would just be too much. She will be greatly missed. Our munchkin still gets a big smile on her face when we come home and open the door, waiting for her sniffs and doggie kisses.

And, as a reminder, even if I don't have a new post to share, I'm almost always updating my list of interesting articles and posts that I've found on other blogs and sites. So check back often and look for the tan list over there on the right side - I usually find everything from recipes and green tips to parenting and even just plain fun. Enjoy!

Finally - for those who use the e-mail subscription service - I know that you're probably not getting any actual info in your e-mails. It looks like they are coming through as just blank pages. I'm looking into it and trying to figure out a solution. If you have any hints, pass 'em on!

A child of a different nature

Before we were blessed to be the parents of our Munchkin, we were the "parents" of several furry creatures, big and small. And when I say big, I mean, well, big.

Meet Jasmine, our "petite" great dane that we adopted five years ago from the Great Dane Rescue, Inc. She was six years old at the time, still young and spritely! As many childless couples do, we spoiled her and loved her like our own child.

Of course, time goes by and life changes. Our happy-go-lucky Jas is now an elder at the ripe old age of almost twelve. And showing her age as only big dogs can. As our vet said at her last visit, "She's not even supposed to be alive!" She's made it through cancer, lupus, a broken back, and severe allergies and dermatitis. She's stiff, and she groans, and she snores in her sleep all day long, and yet she still greets us with a happy wag of her tail stump-where-her-tail-was-once-before-cancer.

Of course, like most parents-to-be with a dog, we were concerned about how to make the transition from a childless home to a home filled with the piercing cries of a wriggly foreign creature that suddenly was the center of all attention. We read tips from the Humane Society, Baby Center, the Dog Whisperer. We planned and read, read and planned, and we worried. Our Jas had always been a gentle giant, but with her unknown past and a few quirks along the way, what would happen when the munchkin arrived? When you have a 125-lb dog with a head as big as your own, filled with a jaw of sharp teeth, you have to be a little concerned.

Finally the day arrived when we brought our munchkin home from the hospital, feeling that crazy mix of anticipation, fear, excitement, bliss, and disbelief that all new parents share. We followed all of the tips to introduce them slowly, over time, until finally it was time for Jas to meet the Munchkin face to face. Rather, face to toe. Mr. T carefully held Munchkin in his arms, while I held Jas's lead very, very cautiously. Jas looked at her, sniffed her sock, sniffed Mr. T's hand, and less than 15 seconds later, unceremoniously went to her bed and with a "hrump", curled up for a nap. A little anti-climatic after our months of worry.

Fast forward to now, nine months later. Munchkin is delighted by Jas, and she perks up her head to find her every time Jas snorts, sniffs, or farts yawns. And Jas? She is the same happy-go-lucky dog she always was before.

In fact, it would appear that nothing has changed in Jas's life. This huge, momentous occasion that changed Mr.T and I forever...the arrival of our baby...seemed just another ho-hum event in Jas's daily routine of naps, poops, and feeds.

Except for one thing. Jas has always slept in the living room of our house since the day we moved in three years ago. Lately, though, I've noticed that her favorite pillow tends to migrate, little by little, down the hallway. Until it stops here:

Right outside our Munchkin's door.

Good night, dear Munchkin. Good night, sweet Jasmine.