Annie: Good-bye Hello

In the last few weeks our dear, loyal Springer Spaniel Annie has not been herself. The vet ran tests, prescribed meds, and gave us the best diagnosis he could. He felt Annie was in the early stages of liver disease. We had gone through this painful diagnosis with Shelby in the early summer. We were devastated.

We took her home and coddled her, loved on her, and prayed. One day last week she collapsed and couldn't walk. She wouldn't eat and was lethargic. Could this be the end? We carried her in to the vet and he wasn't sure all of it was liver disease. We took her home, changed her diet, and prayed even more.

On Tuesday night we cried and shared memories of Annie thinking she would need to be put to sleep on Wednesday. We didn't want her to suffer. It was a tough decision.

She was not ready to say good-bye. She got up on her own and ate. She came begging for people food in the kitchen. She headed out the doggie door and went outside. Her tail wiggled, she was Annie again.

It may be short-lived, but Hello Annie. What a joy to spend more time with her. Tucker was pleased also.

Sibling Assignment #161: What I Will Leave Behind

I gave the sibling assignment this week.  My sister reminded us of the beauty of our hometown  here and my brother illustrated with his pictures the beauty of his new town here.

"When you want to surround yourself with beauty, where do you go? Take five pictures of that place and share your thoughts on it's beauty"

Today I took five pictures of what I will leave behind. We are moving in June and leaving behind beautiful gardens that hold memories, have been perfect subjects for photos, and brought us joy that is immeasurable. Today I took a break from packing up the house to focus on the simple beauty that surrounds us in late April  around our gardens. 

 The combination of a tulip, light, and rain brings the simple beauty of this gorgeous plant front and center. I wish I would have kept track of the names of the tulips of planted. Hopefully I will be able to duplicate them.

 We visited the gardens at Manito Park about fifteen years ago and saw this shrub in bloom in early spring. We thought it was a rose, but knew that couldn't be because of the time of year. I called to inquire and learned it was a Kerria plant.I had to plant some!  Planted in a row they form a hedge that blooms and blooms in early spring. Today ours was in full bloom in front of the greenhouse. Hopefully I can take some starts with me.

 Another tulip I love because of the blurring of colors in the blossom. Raindrops are an extra addition of beauty.

 When I lost my beloved dog Nikki in 1996 my mother gave me a gift to honor her the next spring. This dogwood tree has never bloomsed as beautifully as it has this year. I am blessed with its beauty as I leave it behind ,but hold precious memories of my dog and my mother's generous gift.

Everett wanted a small orchard and the apples have been very successful. There is nothing more striking than the blossoms of apples and a signal that fruit will be on the branches in the autumn months. I hope the new owners of our house love apples.

There will be more pictures as I take garden walks and slowly say good-bye to the gardens at Martin Creek. I am already creating the gardens on Cameron Ave. in my head and on paper.

Faceless Portraits Part 2

 

  I am still experimenting with Faceless Portraits, but this series has a focus below the waist. It was interesting what my camera captured today as I roamed around my classroom while students were taking a test.

 

At home I continue to capture faceless portraits.

Annie: My Own Brown Eyes

BROWN EYES

In early youth I made a vow
That if to Cupid I should bow,
The one for whom he aimed the dart
At my desired, unclaimed heart,
Must have brown eyes; large, soft brown eyes.

Time came when eyes looked into mine;
Large, soft brown eyes that seemed to shine
With intellect. Did I succumb?
Oh yes! for though the lips were dumb,
Those lovely eyes I deemed a prize.

Within their depths devotion shone,
And as they gazed into my own,
They seemed to say, "My love is thine.
Please let me know that I have thine."
And Oh! I knew his heart was true.

My arms his snowy neck entwined,
And I rejoiced a love to find
So worshipful, so constant, true.
How oft they've thrilled me through and through,
My collie's wise, large, soft brown eyes!

by Mrs.S.L.Dempsey 

 ( although mine is a springer spaniel, I still love the poem)

November 3rd: I Am Thankful for Annie

We have two dogs and both will get mention this month, but today I am thankful for Annie, my springer spaniel. Annie is different than any other dog I/we have had. She loves attention, but also likes quiet time in her own space for long periods of time. Sometimes I think that describes me!
 Annie is like my first springer Nikki in that she is very intuitive to my feelings. She can get all shook up when she sees I am upset. Fortunately I haven't had a meltdown recently because I think it is hard on her!  That ends up being the best thing for both of us.

 She is very obsessive. She is obsessive about squirrels in trees, kittens that join the family, and whether that is JEJ coming in through the door. She is also a comedian dog that makes you laugh. She talks to us like she has so much to say, but it does sound funny. Any time she finds an old, dirty toy outside or an empty plastic container she carries it to her favorite couch , then rolls on it. Over and over again!

Annie loves to cuddle up with me on the bed when we squeeze in a nap, she has a habit of holding out her paw for reassurance, and she loves, loves, loves her sister Shelby and all the cats. She is a terrific dog and I am glad she is mine!

April is National Poetry Month: Dog Music

Dog Music is an anthology edited by Joseph Duerner and Jim Simmerman dedicated to dogs. I really love the collection, but as always with poems about pets, too many of them are sad. Today I didn't want to share a poem about the death of a dog. Here is a happier one about a springer spaniel named Cynthia.

Lines on a Dog's Face

Wallace said, "What the eye beholds may be
The text of life," and in this case it is
The Springer, Cynthia, whose eyes
Are the brown corridors of vaduity,
Moral deserts where the absolute Nothing
Is, or nothing but her repetitions,
The fence line patrol, the daily quarrels
With the cat, begging always for scraps
And a nap to sleep it off, then waiting
Alert for something to be known.

Agent of operation, living primordium,
Memoir of Something clearly in her stare
Which would say only, "I have known this
For a very long time, retriever
Of the stick locked in crocodile teeth,
Living the life of the fanciful
Scenario, chasing doves, the evening
Meal, her wrinkles busily playing
Out a program, a sontermporary opinion,
The repetitions that govern her earth, and mine.

-Michael Gessner

My springer spaniel Annie

Best Dogs: Best Images

Today I just sat by Annie and Shelby and let the camera capture what it could.Dogs are often tough to photograph. These two don't often sit still or by each other enough to get a single picture. Today they cooperated. Enjoy the images.

What is Annie Saying Now?

We always wonder what Annie is saying when she throws her head back and "sings."

.... and what is she trying to tell us here that is so important?

The other two are not very interested. They are just glad the love seat is back in front of the stove and a warm fire is burning! Perhaps Annie just explained the meaning of life, but we couldn't quite understand.

Obsession: Springer Style

All the springer spaniels I have known tend to be obsessive. The obsessiveness can involve "a stray cat that was on a fence once a year ago, but let's see if it is back" ,lookingfor squirrels while camping, or being on watch for danger out the car window. Our Annie is Miss Queen of Obsession as you can observe from these pictures.
There is a small bird in the tree and I am not moving until I see it.I hear a squirrel up that tree at our campsite! Yes, I am staying right here.
Is that a bird, a squirrel, or what? I am planted here until I find out.Okay.... now I see something over here!I am sure there is a seagull hiding in that wave! See ya!
I know that cat is still down there somewhere. Where is that cat? I am on watch until I see it.

Celebrating National Poetry Month #17: Cure for Puppy Fever

Annie right after we brought her home.Shelby about three months old exploring the old galvanized tub.


Cure for Puppy Fever

Place two rawhides in a

dog dish and stir.

Next add four puppy kisses.

Take two tiny Milkbones,

a squeaky ball, and

a cute little bark.

Wrap them up in

a soft blanket.

Place them close to

my heart.

Add warm, soft fur and a sweet whimper.

Blend with devotion and

unconditional love.

Enjoy with a puppy chin resting in your lap.

inlandempiregirl, 2005

Shelby's herding her new little sister.Shelby showing Annie the ropes on her first camping trip. Shelby is a little over a year older than Annie.

Sibling Assignment #92: A One-of-A-Kind Annie

Silver Valley Girl gave the sibling assignment this week. "Write a poem, essay, song, or story about one of your pets, and how having that pet has made your life better." I will connect my siblings' posts when they are done.


A One-of-A-Kind Springer Spaniel (photo by raymond pert)

Annie is a flushing out a mouse from under the deck ‘til it’s found hunter,

With a love and protect you show of loyality,

An obsessed with scraps, squirrels, Lily, and stray cats

One-of- a-kind springer spaniel.

A search until she finds kitty candy bars and rabbit pellets,

Plus springing in the air looking for Shelby until she tires,

And if she hears the sound of the clippers she trembles

kind of springer.

A can’t wait to get a drink of water in the lake while camping ,

With hears the sound of the treat jar from outside kind of ears,

And a listen while she sings morning dog songs

One–of-a-kind springer spaniel.

A needs lots of love and attention springer,

A run through the fields with ears flying in the summer critter,

And wants to ride in the car even if it means just going to the garage kind of springer.

Annie is a hide in the carrier while I yell during a Zags game girl,

A sleep on the bed and snuggle in the afternoon dog,

And a watch in the window for hours for me to come home

One-of-a-kind springer spaniel.

I am a love Annie ‘til I die kind of dog owner,

Enjoying the spirit and silliness of this springer spaniel,

Knowing she is waiting with her body wiggling when I arrive home every day,

Annie is a gift…. a one-of-a-kind springer spaniel.

by inlandempiregirl

(this form was inspired from a poetry workshop I attended last week by Marti Mahalyi)