Wings

Mike and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner last night. I've never been there and really enjoyed it. I did learn something, though--if I ever go again I'm getting the boneless wings. What a mess the bone-in ones make!

Mike wonders why I'm taking his picture:

I needed something to blog about that doesn't make me sad. Hard to believe we lost our beloved Shadow Dante a week ago! Today, I helped Mike with some work in the house. He's trying to replace an exhaust fan in the bathroom that, for some reason, has decided not to work. Replacing the actual fan and the switch itself hasn't helped at all. It is a mystery. Mostly, I held the flashlight because (obviously) the power had to be cut off to work on the outlet. Electricity scares the shinola out of me.

Sweetie Boy the Cat

I have had a stray cat who visits my yard on occasion. I named him Sweetie Boy (and probably already blogged about him). I haven't  seen him in ages, but there he was on my deck today. It was nice to see my scruffy little friend, especially after a check on my bank account showed that the payments regarding Shadow have gone through. It means he's been cremated. Maybe a little of his spirit passed into Sweetie. Shadow often did act like a cat, LOL! (Probably because he was raised with our two cats, Melody and Nutmeg.)

I keep so busy that I don't think I've ever been as caught up with my crafting, or my house has been so straightened up. It hasn't been a week since Shadow died, but it feels like both yesterday and a half lifetime ago.

Sweetie Boy is shy, but if I feed him salmon he lets me pet him, a little.

Happier Days

I'm a little less numb and haven't cried at all today. Not sure how I'll feel when I get the ashes next week. I had Shadow privately cremated because there was no way in hell I was going to mix my dog up with a bunch of animals he didn't know. Right now, I'm sure he's up in Animal Heaven, waiting for us, playing with other dogs I have loved in my life.

Shadow in happier days:

Diversion

Mike and I went to John and Noreen's house for a barbecue, since it is Memorial Day tomorrow. I thought it would be a nice diversion for us, and it was. Ate too many chicken wings.

But it was hard to come home. When I walked in the house, and it was so quiet, I got choked up. Mike went to a soccer game and when he was gone I just lost it completely. That's been happening a lot. I keep looking down at the floor as if I'm going to see Shadow there. I want him back so much.

Uncle Jimmy asked if I'd get another dog and I told him, 'no.' I can't go through this again. But how I wish I could see a wagging tail and a happy dance again...

...and I'm about to lose it once more. It's hard to believe how many tears a body can produce.

Shadow and me a few Christmases ago.

One of the hardest things

We said goodbye to Shadow Dante today. Cancer took his beautiful life at the young age of 8. There had been some improvements, but in the past 3 or so days he wouldn't eat and was passing a lot of blood. His breathing was hard and  you could just tell how much he was suffering.

He went very peacefully. I opted for a private cremation and we will get his ashes in a few weeks.

Mike is devastated and Nicky is really hurting, too. I keep crying off and on. I have a feeling reminders of our beloved boy will set me off for a while.

I can't write any more about this. I've emailed a few people and I need a break.

Shadow, I believe, is now chasing and catching squirrels--and he only wants to play with them!

Shadow Dante

Our 8-year-old chihuahua, Shadow Dante was just recently diagnosed with cancer in his small intestine.

The first sign of trouble was about 2 weeks ago when he stopped eating. We took him to the vet, where they took tests and x-rays, and then a sonogram. The sonogram showed a mass in his small intestine and then a biopsy proved it to be cancer.

He is now on Prednisone, which I give him with water through a dropper, as he won't eat. Well, we've managed to tempt him with ham twice in the last two weeks, but he isn't much interested most of the time.

The vet says he could have anywhere from a month to who-knows. I've cried my eyes out and Mike is very sad, too. He says this is why he doesn't like having pets.

I have decided that, as much as possible, I'm going to enjoy what we have left with this little guy rather than wasting time on worry and grief. Every time he eats, every time he runs after a squirrel or barks when the doorbell rings, it is a moment of hope. I know we'll lose him eventually, I just didn't expect it to happen for another four or five years.

He was actually overweight so that helped him as he has lost a lot. Now he feels like a puppy when I pick him up.

Here is Shadow about 2 Christmases ago, dressed up like Santa!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day. We had a barbecue with ribs, chicken, hot dogs and skirt steak, plus baked beans and macaroni salad. All six kids were here, which is the best treat of all!

I got a nice lounger for the backyard, plus candy, flowers and a set of Philosophy body wash and body lotion that smells soooo good.

Here's a picture of the beautiful flowers. Katherine made the arrangement herself: