12-19-08 Abby Sunshine & the Keen Sniffer

When we walked back home from the bus stop yesterday, Renae decided to take an alternate route, she wanted to run and get home quickly. I was up on the plan, but Abby was a little perturbed by it. When Renae turned a corner and darted off, Abby pulled the leash and let out her [...]

12-18-08 Ice Skating Season has Arrived

12-18-08 Book Recommendation

Marley & Me by John Grogan I just finished this book while sitting among happy parents watching our kids working out at swim club. I was trying desperately to hold back the tears as I approached the end of this wonderful story of life with Marley. John Grogan has such a comfortable way of telling [...]

12-17-08 Snow Sparkle

Today is one of those beautiful winter days that makes me happy to live in snow country. Although quite chilly, 3 degrees when these photos were taken, the snow is vibrant, fluffy and you can see sparkles in it. It’s dry, so the snow is really fun and you can see the poof when Abby [...]

12-15-08 Meet Thorndyke

Meet Thorndyke. About two years after Hemple moved in, we had a “Family Fun Day” where we went to the Humane Society to pet the kitties. We have done this occasionally over the years, and though it’s sometimes sad to think these animals don’t have a home, it also feels good to give them some [...]

12-14-08 Introducing Hemple

I made minor mention of Abby and her feline challenges. I feel at this time I must introduce you to Hemple, our 9 year old calico. When Renae was 1, the Humane Society was publicizing an event for adopting pets. It was a pajama party! They said, if you attended this party wearing pajamas, there [...]

12-13-08 The Comtesse d’Egmont Pignatelli in Spanish Costume

I was planning to write about the importance of dental care and brushing your dog’s teeth when I was distracted by this quick snapshot taken of Abby and myself. We were simply lounging around home as we commonly do- I wearing my cozy frock and doing some light reading (while I take a momentary recess [...]

12-12-08 Quietly Abby Sunshine, Quietly

Sit, stay, down, roll-over, etc. These are the expectations of any good dog, right? And a dog must do its duty. In sharing much of Abby’s life, it wouldn’t be accurate if I didn’t point out a bit of mischief now and then. We strive for consistency, but any dog will push the limits. So [...]

12-11-09 Wild Horses and Abby Sunshine

Have you ever read Anne of Green Gables? Well, Anne has a way with words and in keeping a secret, she describes that “wild horses couldn’t drag it from her.” I was reminded of this wonderful story today while playing fetch with Abby Sunshine. She may not be completely delighted with the new season of [...]

12-11-08 Book Recommendation

Carl’s Christmas by Alexandra Day This book is obviously a seasonal delight. The story line is imaginative; in fact, you must make up the drama because it is almost entirely illustration. Alexandra Day has only written narration on the first page. I’ve read this and other Carl books over and over, creating a new version [...]