Canine-toys-r-us

Shout out to my parents for the influx of toys!

Steve and I got Charlie the snoopy and a doll, and they got him all the others. I feel rich, having so many backup toys in Charley's supply closet!!!!! Organized, prepped for famine or feast, and rich.

I hope you get a kick out of the pictures of him going crazy over some of his new toys. He is still totally in love with the little black ball A&W gave him with his Halloween costume. (Thank you again!!!)

Thinking of Gifting?

First of all, if you're thinking of gifting something I want to say THANK YOU!

I've been asked several times to come up with a wishlist - and I was *very* hesitant to do so, because I don't want to give the impression that I'm panhandling or that I can't take care of Charlie Majors. My mind has been changed on the subject, because every time I reply that to the person that asks, I end up getting a present of some kind later, so I'm starting to think people are wanting to give presents sometimes, and were just wanting a parameter to help them in selecting something they were trying to do in kindness - so my reservations were making a kind action into a chore for them instead of a pleasure.


Owner preferences:

All edibles for Charlie to be Gluten Free and American made. (I break out in dermatitis herpetiformis when my skin is in contact with gluten, and I have had a furbaby die from unsafe imported food products.)

No toys to have plastic bottles in them. I know this is a popular dog toy, but it blurs the line for Charlie into thinking the thing he brings me in need and later helps me recycle is a toy, which would be a bad thing.

Charlie Majors Likes:

Rawhide Treats.
Squeaky Toys (Rubber and plush toy).
Starbucks Whipped Cream.
Tennis Balls ("dead" ones from playing tennis work perfectly).
Handkerchiefs (He loves to wear them! We have: green, blue, zebra and American Flag).
Charlie wears Petsmart size clothing XXL (He has that deep chest of a Dane).

Items it would be nice to have:

A "Do Not Pet" sign like this,or like this.
A new leash (Beth's favorite color)
A matching collar that says "Working Dog Do Not Pet"

Charlie majors' first halloween...

Someone anonymously gifted Charlie an adorable GNOME halloween costume and his very favorite kind of squeaky toy! THANK YOU so very much!!! It's made me smile like a loon all day long! 

Charlie was a bit confused by the costume, because it had a hat and beard! He kept trying to nudge the hat back behind his ears, but the beard wouldn't let him push it back much. October is one of my favorite times of year, and dressing up in fun costumes is the best. I really can't thank you enough, Anon!!!!!!!

Thank you "Aunt" Catherine!

My sister in law, Catherine, sent me some finished photos from Charlie's photo shoot! I'm so excited to share them with you! One of them is hanging on our Livingroom wall already! :)

Enjoy!



Thank you, Catherine! You did an amazing job!!!

100 days of Summer!

Summer is 100 days of high dives, ball games, and barbecues. It’s 100 ways to dress a burger, catch some shade, or get out of town. It’s 100 chances to clear the calendar for what’s most important.

Over the course of the summer, there are 100 chances to give hope to patients in need by donating blood or platelets through the American Red Cross. Choose your day to help save up to three lives.

During the summer months of June, July and August, on average, about two fewer donors give blood at every American Red Cross blood drive than hospital patients need. If at least two more donors gave blood at every Red Cross blood drive this summer – above what’s expected – patients would be better assured of having lifesaving blood products readily available to them.

Be sure a blood donation with the Red Cross is on your summer to do list. Donating is quick and easy, and like all good things this time of year, it’s worth celebrating! Make your donation appointment today at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Feeling like myself again.

First, a huge thank you shout out to Mr. Swanson for sending Charlie a specially selected homemade version of a barkbox!!!

Charlie still hasn't finished the rawhide stick! That's a first!!! Usually rawhide treats last up to two hours only!!

Thank you!! 

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I had a visit from my dear friend JM yesterday, and was able to go to knit group today! I'm feeling much more like what I think of as how I should feel.

 Every day I've gotten up at whatever time my body decides. Some days it's before 7am, and others it's around 11, but then I get up gently, and go feed all the critters...Zeus outside, mischief and mayhem and then Charlie inside. I wash my face, and sit on the side of the tub to comb my hair, and then I walk with Charlie back to the bedroom to put on day clothes and make the bed. Charlie brings me everything I ask for (some days with only one request, and other days it takes quite a bit of coddling). By this time, the inside cats are done eating and eager to "help me make the bed" aka run like wild beasts under the sheets chasing out wrinkles and playfully grabbing the blanket as it settles down.

Then it's my turn to actually eat. I've been washing face, combing hair, and EATING every day of my leave (except those first two days. I slept). I'm very proud of this. Most days while working I've been washing my face, throwing on clothes and dealing with my hair in stop and go nightmare morning traffic. NOT girly or professional at all! And then I just sleep all weekend, leaving all the chores undone. No dishes or clothes washed, no bed made, nothing done.

 ...So I take my first three daily pills with Breakfast.

Then I sit until I feel better, but it's not so bad because I have Charlie who is willing to play gently or bring me the remote or iPad, and I have mayhem to use as a heating pad, and mischief to look at (she really is pretty....and a touch me not to boot! )

When I feel better, it's usually time to take Charlie out and feed him his elevensies (he eats like a hobbit! 4 or more times a day...a cup at a time) and maybe get his help loading the dryer, or taking him outside so we can both try to get vitamin d exposure (the lab results came I and I'm very very low on vitamin d. 1000 iui wasn't registering in the recent blood work, and I've been on it quite awhile.)

Then I am tired again, and give myself permission to be tired and lazy, because I have paperwork saying I have to be restful or I will not be allowed back at work, so I chill out and watch Charlie gnaw a bone, or we watch a nature documentary with lions or dogs. My stomach rumbles, and yay! It's a whole ten steps to the kitchen instead of a long walk, elevator ride, long walk and scarf it down because you have 20 minutes plus more walking to make sure you're at your desk on time.

I take as much time as I need for my throat to accept the food, and I'm not left feeling bruised and exhausted, because I took the time to eat each bite so I don't pop my jaw, like I do I while hurrying. It's time for the next round of meds, and I fight it just a bit, because I don't want to sleep while I'm alone with Charlie,because he's a baby and needs full attention.

After that, I might wipe the big counter and load my few dishes, and then rest and knit, or practice commands with Charlie, but at 3pm, I know to expect husband home, and when he does come home, Charlie bursts to full life and activity, rough housing with him and I know I can nap if I need to. 

That's just half a day. 

I love my career, and feel like I am helping to save lives. I'm looking forward to going back. I will be honest that I feel much more rested here at home, and it's refreshing to take this sabbatical. <3