August 21, 2013

Hubby's New Blog

 My husband started a gaming blog, so I wanted to share the link here in case any of you are interested in games. His first review is for one of my favorite games. Check it out!

The Tabletop Generation: Flash Point: Fire Rescue Review:   Flash Point: Fire Rescue The alarm goes off! You throw your boots on, slide down the pole, and hop on the engine, siren blaring.....

August 16, 2013

"Just A Dog"

 



From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," 
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."


Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.


Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."



"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.


Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.


"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman."



So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile... because they "just don't understand."
 

by Richard Biby
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Contributing Editor VHD
From "The Versatile Hunting Dog"
NAVHDA's Magazine
February 2006

August 9, 2013

TPLO Recovery Week 10 - 100% Healed!

My "bionic" puppy ;)

Riley went in for her follow-up appointment yesterday at UC Davis. In the picture above you can see her x-rays from the day of the surgery (on the right) and her 10 week progress (on the left). The vet was shocked to see that she has healed so quickly. Her bone is 100% fused and she has been cleared to return to normal activities! He did recommend slowly easing her back into her normal routine over the next two weeks to prevent any muscle sprains. The vet was very impressed that we'd been walking her using a harness to build up her muscle in the leg and they could tell it was making a huge difference in her recovery. She was a total socialite, as usual, and all the vets and students just *had* to come say hi to her and pet her. Of course, she just soaked up the attention. :)

The results from this surgery are really the best we could have hoped for and I'm thrilled that she will be able to run and play again as she once did. I let her out this morning to have a quick romp in the yard with Cooper and they both came inside panting hard after only 5-10 minutes. Poor pups are so out of shape! We're going to take Riley on her first Sunol trip this weekend for a short hike and swim. She is going to be thrilled to get back in the water again.

Baby eyes <3

We're so happy to have our baby girl feeling 100%! It was worth every penny. :)