A little good with some not so little bad

Hello friends!  I hope the New Year has been good to you so far.  We’ve had a little good with some not so little bad.

First, as many of you know,  my Hercules crossed the rainbow bridge on the 19th.  It is still painful to talk about but, we are getting through as best we can.  Teenie has helped us so much and we are trying very hard to comfort her as well.

Hercules was my first dog.  He came in my life up as a puppy and I loved him for 12 full years.  How I came about finding him well, if you know anything about me, you know I have always been fascinated with police dogs.  I heard someone was selling some puppies.  Their father was a K9 Officer and their mother was with Search and Rescue.  I had to have one!  Al and I went to see them.  I already knew I wanted a boy.  Herc was running around the house chasing another little dog.  He was full spirited and I knew he was the one.  I turned around to leave and Al was holding Teenie!  I was like, “You’re getting one too?”  So, yeah, they’ve spent their whole lives together.  I knew very little about raising a puppy.  Thank God for Al.  I had no idea what a full spirited, high energy dog could do!  He kept me on my toes most of time.  A few times he knocked me to the ground! He loved taking long walks in the wee early morning hours. I never once felt scared.  I knew he would protect me no matter what.  And, trust me, there were a few times he had to show his teeth and snarl at some late night folks.  They kept their distance.  I swear he was the smartest dog.  He had a vast vocabulary.  You could tell him to “Go find the blue ball” and by gosh, he would push his nose through a mountain of toys and come up with that darn blue ball in his mouth every time.  And, he would go crazy if he couldn’t find it.  We would have to get up and look under furniture and go through other rooms of the house until that ball was found!  He just impressed me over and over. His love for the frisbee and the ball were insane.  We still have a muck bucket in the outbuilding full of tennis balls. 🙁 The house is a bit quieter.  No matter what room we are all in there is always that little empty spot where he would be laying or sitting or begging for cookies.  I miss his slobber spots on the floor.  His last year was truly an answered prayer.  He was a trooper all through his chemo and living the life of a tripod.  God gave us 12 incredible years with him and we feel blessed.

Hercules Seidl (1/5/2010 – 1/19/2022)

In other, happier, news…..

The cats are all doing well.  We broke down and bought a little heater for their room.  It’s getting down to 12 degrees tonight.  So I am so happy we purchased it.

Honey and Bun are doing wonderful.  Their wounds have practically healed and they love the snow!

I spent most of last week purging.  I went through the bathroom closet, the master closet and some boxes in the basement.  It felt good to rid myself of “stuff” and it kept my mind busy.

Evie and Caleb came to visit for a few days mid-January. We took them to Cumberland Gap and did some antiquing.  We had the perfect day.  They unfortunately had to leave a day early because snow was coming.  They neither one could risk getting stuck here. 🙁

And, snow it did!  I was happy to still have the Christmas decorations still up.  It all looked so beautiful with the snow in the background.

I did finally take most of the decorations down.  I left all the garland, small trees and deer up and purchase a few pillows here and there for my winter decor.  I have never done a winter decor but, I’m liking it.  I have decorated for Valentines Day in the past but, it’s a lot of trouble for just one day.  So, I’ve decided to decorate for the four seasons mainly, with obviously, Thanksgiving and Christmas, going forward. Let me know what you think!!!    Painted a few pinecones  Just flipped the napkins over as they say “Merry”, “Joy” and such on them.     The loft.

Al and I came up with a few “goals” for this year.  One being to take an adventure somewhere locally once a month.  This month we went to Bristol TN/VA. What a lovely little town.  We did some antiquing of course.  There’s so much more to do!!  We will definitely go back when we are able to stay for the weekend.

We are also working on several basement projects!  I hope to let you see what we’ve been up to in another week or so.  I’m so anxious to get the basement finish!  I know I keep saying that but, I cannot wait to decorate it!

Until Later, Take care and Stay safe.

XO,

Elisa

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ― Roger Caras