Sunday, October 28, 2007
Fall colors are beginning to show
Last Sunday afternoon the wife and I ventured up to Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake area. Some of the trees had changed to their beautiful fall colors while other were waiting for cooler weather. Here are some of the pictures taken of the trees.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Another wild weekend here at the Normal Back Yard! Saturday afternoon the cat, Spook, was going crazy meowing in the family room. She often does this until she gets fed, so I assumed that she wanted new food. I finally got out the the family room and put new food in her bowl, but she was all over the furniture from one end of the room to the other. Then I spied the problem! On the window blinds was a Red Breasted Nut Hatch which had somehow gotten into the house. It would fly back and forth from window to window so I decided to open the back door and let it fly out, but the bird just wasn't interested in going out the door. The bird then flew onto our ceiling fan, it was not running, when the idea came to lower the top window right in front of the bird, and out it went!
Squirrels have been unusual too! Found one in the bushes by the garage and even had one jump up from the ground to the bird feeder platform.
This Robin is very unusual. At first I thought it a rare find, then finally realized it is a Robin. Look at the unusual eye marking, much whiter than usual, and the bill is black on top and yellow on the bottom. Not sure if this is immature or freak of nature. I do love how the robins love to bathe!
Here are a few more back yard visitors from this week end. Not necessary in order, but a Blue Jay, couple of Cardinals, Gold Finches, and a Thrush.
Squirrels have been unusual too! Found one in the bushes by the garage and even had one jump up from the ground to the bird feeder platform.
This Robin is very unusual. At first I thought it a rare find, then finally realized it is a Robin. Look at the unusual eye marking, much whiter than usual, and the bill is black on top and yellow on the bottom. Not sure if this is immature or freak of nature. I do love how the robins love to bathe!
Here are a few more back yard visitors from this week end. Not necessary in order, but a Blue Jay, couple of Cardinals, Gold Finches, and a Thrush.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thanks to all for the support during this time.
We have pets for many different reasons. Some want the faithful loving pet because of their unconditional love, others the comfort of having someone with which to share the house. I am sure that other reasons exist but these are probably the reasons that more people choose to have a pet. We seldom think of the heartache of the end times when we decide to bring one of these creatures into our home.
These loving pets bring so much enjoyment into our lives, along with an element of nuisance. I had a Blue Healer named Molly, which one of my sons insisted that we get so that I would have a dog. I didn't want a dog, but somehow we were convinced that a dog was important for old people. Why they would make you get out and walk and exercise. They also did other things that messed up the yard and more than likely you would end up stepping into.
Molly was great friend, she was always up for a walk, she always wanted to play ball. The great thing about playing ball with her was that she always brought it back to be tossed one more time. It did get rather sloppy after awhile and washing my hands later was always a must. Molly loved to find squirrels and every time we walked she would check the tree for the squirrel scent. She was so good at finding them that I learned to never doubt her judgment. It was one of the most difficult days I faced when after sitting up with her and entire night and realizing that neither of us could rest because she couldn't find any comfort from the pain that the time had come to give her the rest and comfort she deserved for all of the loving time she had shared with us.
It was toward the end of Molly's life that Ninja came to stay with us. Once again the same son prevailed upon us to take this loving dog that just didn't quite see eye to eye with other dogs. Fact is she often wanted to dominate the other dogs and biting them was just a part of the domination. Molly soon learned that Ninja could be aggressive and tended to stay away from her. Ninja for all her aggressiveness never was aggressive with people. The first time we took Ninja to see our granddaughter we were concerned as the granddaughter was at the age of liking to mess with the dog. Ninja was impressive, she tolerated the tugging and pulling and when things got to bad she just ran away and kept moving until she was ready for more "fun".
When another son left for Iraq he decided to bring us a kitten that he obtained. I was quite worried that Ninja was going to kill this kitten on the very first day. This kitten, Spook, didn't know enough to be afraid of the dog and Ninja didn't quite know what was happening in her house. It took about three days of the kitten chasing the dog before the Ninja decided that maybe Spook was her baby. Since then Spook and Ninja have gotten along as well as a mother and daughter, maybe better than the human ones.
We had taken Ninja to the vet over a year ago and found that she had heart problems, then a couple of months ago she begin to gain weight as the fluid began building upon in her stomach area. About a month ago the vet told us than we should be thinking about the future and that putting her to sleep was a good option. We struggled with this for a couple of weeks until the discomfort was clearly beginning to effect Ninja.
I don't know what the normal mind does in circumstances like this, but my mind said "How can you take this loving dog into the vet and have her put to sleep? Won't you feel like you are betraying her love and devotion?" That was a tough load to handle, but reason and assurances from the vet and staff that this was not only a humane thing but the right choice allowed us to make the decision.
After she had been injected with a sedation drug which would cause her to go to sleep ,but not permanently, she heard a couple of pups whining outside the door, she struggled so hard to get to them, but the effects of the sedation drugs had begun and we somehow got her back to the blanket and to lie down. When the vet came in to inject her and stop her heart I had to leave.
No more dogs, at least for awhile! The memories of Molly and Ninja are still sweet and clear in my mind so I will savor the memories, then maybe be tempted, much later.
Thanks to those that posted condolences!
Dan and Jane
These loving pets bring so much enjoyment into our lives, along with an element of nuisance. I had a Blue Healer named Molly, which one of my sons insisted that we get so that I would have a dog. I didn't want a dog, but somehow we were convinced that a dog was important for old people. Why they would make you get out and walk and exercise. They also did other things that messed up the yard and more than likely you would end up stepping into.
Molly was great friend, she was always up for a walk, she always wanted to play ball. The great thing about playing ball with her was that she always brought it back to be tossed one more time. It did get rather sloppy after awhile and washing my hands later was always a must. Molly loved to find squirrels and every time we walked she would check the tree for the squirrel scent. She was so good at finding them that I learned to never doubt her judgment. It was one of the most difficult days I faced when after sitting up with her and entire night and realizing that neither of us could rest because she couldn't find any comfort from the pain that the time had come to give her the rest and comfort she deserved for all of the loving time she had shared with us.
It was toward the end of Molly's life that Ninja came to stay with us. Once again the same son prevailed upon us to take this loving dog that just didn't quite see eye to eye with other dogs. Fact is she often wanted to dominate the other dogs and biting them was just a part of the domination. Molly soon learned that Ninja could be aggressive and tended to stay away from her. Ninja for all her aggressiveness never was aggressive with people. The first time we took Ninja to see our granddaughter we were concerned as the granddaughter was at the age of liking to mess with the dog. Ninja was impressive, she tolerated the tugging and pulling and when things got to bad she just ran away and kept moving until she was ready for more "fun".
When another son left for Iraq he decided to bring us a kitten that he obtained. I was quite worried that Ninja was going to kill this kitten on the very first day. This kitten, Spook, didn't know enough to be afraid of the dog and Ninja didn't quite know what was happening in her house. It took about three days of the kitten chasing the dog before the Ninja decided that maybe Spook was her baby. Since then Spook and Ninja have gotten along as well as a mother and daughter, maybe better than the human ones.
We had taken Ninja to the vet over a year ago and found that she had heart problems, then a couple of months ago she begin to gain weight as the fluid began building upon in her stomach area. About a month ago the vet told us than we should be thinking about the future and that putting her to sleep was a good option. We struggled with this for a couple of weeks until the discomfort was clearly beginning to effect Ninja.
I don't know what the normal mind does in circumstances like this, but my mind said "How can you take this loving dog into the vet and have her put to sleep? Won't you feel like you are betraying her love and devotion?" That was a tough load to handle, but reason and assurances from the vet and staff that this was not only a humane thing but the right choice allowed us to make the decision.
After she had been injected with a sedation drug which would cause her to go to sleep ,but not permanently, she heard a couple of pups whining outside the door, she struggled so hard to get to them, but the effects of the sedation drugs had begun and we somehow got her back to the blanket and to lie down. When the vet came in to inject her and stop her heart I had to leave.
No more dogs, at least for awhile! The memories of Molly and Ninja are still sweet and clear in my mind so I will savor the memories, then maybe be tempted, much later.
Thanks to those that posted condolences!
Dan and Jane
Friday, October 5, 2007
More tribute to Ninja
Ninja was always good with the granddaughter, as you can see they got along pretty good while visiting in Georgia.
Here Ninja is having her ears inspected or something like that.
More of granddaughter and Ninja
Chasing squirrels, rabbits, possum, ground hogs, rats, mice or any type of rodent or animal that moves was what Ninja was all about. Here she has decided to jump into the brush to chase a few pesky rodents.
Here Ninja is having her ears inspected or something like that.
More of granddaughter and Ninja
Chasing squirrels, rabbits, possum, ground hogs, rats, mice or any type of rodent or animal that moves was what Ninja was all about. Here she has decided to jump into the brush to chase a few pesky rodents.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Tribute to Ninja
Today is a sad day in our life here as our Normal Back Yard is missing a key ingredient with the passing away of Ninja our dog. Ninja battled congestive heart failure including the inability to get rid of fluid which built up on her heart and lungs. It is never easy to have a loving pet put to sleep, but a time comes when the suffering of the animal must be put into perspective and we must deal with our emotions and erase the suffering from our pet.
I didn't want Ninja, but my wife couldn't see her going anyplace else, so we adopted her and she joined Molly our Blue Healer. Ninja soon dominated the house making sure to put Molly in her place by grabbing her around the ear and neck and making sure that Molly did not touch her food. Ninja continued this with our cat Spook, not biting but surely growling anytime Spook got too close to the dog food.
Ninja last week included getting out of the fenced in back yard and going for a late night stroll around the neighborhood, going to Evergreen Lake and Lake Bloomington with me and even going down to the shore line of Lake Bloomington to wade in the lake water and look for whatever. She went with us on most in town trips and enjoyed the riding in the car. This afternoon, the wife took her out back and encouraged her to chase the squirrels. While she would give chase, she didn't make it too far before she was out of breath.
While we questioned our decision, it was the right time for Ninja as her quality of life was deteriorating quickly.
Here are a few pictures of Ninja
I received an email from my cousin just this morning. It speaks of a little girl and the loss of her dog and someone from the post office and how they reacted. Enjoy this story.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
She dictated and I wrote:
Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her.
She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.
I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love, Meredith Claire
P.S. Mommy wrot e the words after I told them to her.
We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven, and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked Return to Sender: Insufficient address)
On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
Dear Meredith,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me - just like she stays in your heart – young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember, Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love, I am there also Love, God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office. I just wanted to share this act of compassion.
Author Unknown
I didn't want Ninja, but my wife couldn't see her going anyplace else, so we adopted her and she joined Molly our Blue Healer. Ninja soon dominated the house making sure to put Molly in her place by grabbing her around the ear and neck and making sure that Molly did not touch her food. Ninja continued this with our cat Spook, not biting but surely growling anytime Spook got too close to the dog food.
Ninja last week included getting out of the fenced in back yard and going for a late night stroll around the neighborhood, going to Evergreen Lake and Lake Bloomington with me and even going down to the shore line of Lake Bloomington to wade in the lake water and look for whatever. She went with us on most in town trips and enjoyed the riding in the car. This afternoon, the wife took her out back and encouraged her to chase the squirrels. While she would give chase, she didn't make it too far before she was out of breath.
While we questioned our decision, it was the right time for Ninja as her quality of life was deteriorating quickly.
Here are a few pictures of Ninja
I received an email from my cousin just this morning. It speaks of a little girl and the loss of her dog and someone from the post office and how they reacted. Enjoy this story.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
She dictated and I wrote:
Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her.
She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick.
I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you will know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.
Love, Meredith Claire
P.S. Mommy wrot e the words after I told them to her.
We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and addressed it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith stuck some stamps on the front because, as she said, it may take lots of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven, and that afternoon I let her drop it into the letter box at the post office.
For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it. It had a gold star card on the front and said "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God, in its opened envelope (which was marked Return to Sender: Insufficient address)
On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words "For Meredith." We turned to the back cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
Dear Meredith,
I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. You know, Meredith, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me - just like she stays in your heart – young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets so I can't keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember, Abbey.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love, I am there also Love, God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.
As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office. I just wanted to share this act of compassion.
Author Unknown
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