Right click (PC) or click and hold (Mac) and take this Baby New Year 2003; leave a comment letting me know where he's going, and (only if you are comfortable doing so) your location...city, state, or country. Let's see who's celebrating 2003 and New Friends!
Right click (PC) or click and hold (Mac) to save this wreath, and put it on your blog. Link it to the person you got it from (me) and then leave a comment for me so I know you're spreading the cheer :) !
Got it from Shannon (who got it from Jaz, who got it from Kitty, who got it from Linda, who got it from Dan, who got it from She)
The only bad holiday incident I've ever had with any of the critters here was fairly minor and quite a long time ago. Yuki was about a year old at the time. She knocked over the Christmas tree when I was at work; fortunately it was artificial with no water to spill, the lights were not plugged in at the time, and amazingly, the couch, carpet and tree "needles" cushioned the ornaments and none of them broke. I did not see her for almost 24 hours following the incident since she apparently knew that knocking the tree over would be not be looked on favorably by the biped in charge.
That story had a happy ending but I think I will still include a few reminders about some holiday items that are dangerous to pets:
Mistletoe, holly and poinsettia: Mistletoe and holly are quite toxic to animals, especially the berries. Contrary to popular belief, most varieties of poinsettia are not particularly toxic (certainly not as dangerous as the other traditional Christmas plants). Poinsettias will cause nausea and indigestion for most animals, though.
Chocolate: Of course chocolate is a year-round item in most households, and should always be kept out of the reach of pets. Since the holidays are also a time when many of us are baking, be aware that dark cooking and baking chocolates are much more toxic to animals due to the higher theobromine content.
Decorations: Tinsel isn't toxic but can cause choking or intestinal obstructions. Angel hair can cause respiratory or eye irritations.
Food and drink: Alcohol in any amount, or excessive amounts of fatty leftovers, can be dangerous to pets. Make sure your holiday guests don't help your pets overindulge either.
One more thought on pets and the holidays... warm and fuzzy commercials notwithstanding, giving a live animal for Christmas is not a good idea. If you are thinking about doing this, PLEASE reconsider.
Even if the whole family has agreed that a new pet should join the family, bring him home after the holiday bustle and stress has subsided and everyone has time to help acclimate the new family member into a normal routine.
Oh... I believe that our family and friends know us well enough to know that we would not want a "surprise" Christmas pup or bird, even with the thoughtful intention of helping us through the losses of Jake, Missy and Charlie. Uh, and if any of you didn't know... you know now, right?
Trying to get back to dog:blog business as usual. It is harder than I thought it would be, and it is hard to imagine that a house with two rottweilers (and assorted other critters) in it could seem so quiet... :(
But there are still little bits of good news. It seems that the skin irritations and possible allergies that were bothering Oscar will not be a problem during the winter. He has been off his antibiotics for almost a month and everything is looking good. Two of those weeks were spent at a boarding kennel while we were on vacation, and the rest of that time at home. Of course, it may still be that he has seasonal allergies, and he may have the same problem next fall. Maybe he is like me, and allergic to ragweed!
Uh... I said to ignore this. Yikes, no one listens to me!
Thank you so much for your kindness and support; it is the thoughts from friends like so many of you that have made it easier to deal with our recent losses.
Thanks, too, for the patience from those who requested private : posting access. I know it took me a while to catch up from vacation, but everyone was very nice about it.
A little grey bird flew up to the Rainbow Bridge yesterday evening, and spent some happy moments dive-bombing Jake and Missy. Or so I hope.
Charlie was with me for more than 21 years and through most of the major events, good and bad, in my life. Make that ALL of the major events in my adult life... I was only 23 when I bought her back in 1981. We were lucky to have her for an additional seven months after her serious illness in the spring.
Dear God... no more goodbyes for this family for a while... please?
Dear friends... you'll forgive me if I'm not too talkative for a little bit... I hope?
In our hearts we knew Missy was very old for a rottweiler, but couldn't bear to even imagine life without her. I am certain that despite the problems of old age that she had been exhibiting, she was still enjoying her winter "vacation" at the boarding kennel with Heidi and Oscar, and went to sleep on Monday night warm and comfortable on her thick quilts, dreaming of playing in the snow, and of seeing us in a couple of days upon our return from Honolulu.
I wish she had awoken once again here on earth, to see us again for just a little longer... but she didn't. Sometime early on Tuesday morning she went on her journey across the Rainbow Bridge, where she is now running, young and strong once again, with Jake and other friends.
We love you, "Miff"... and we'll see you again... promise.
