In the six plus years I’ve been writing this blog, this has been the longest time between posts. I can’t say exactly why. Maybe I figured we could all use a break. In hindsight, I realize it wasn’t very nice of me not to let my loyal friends know I would be absent for awhile. I didn’t plan it that way. One day just turned into another.

I’ve been spending time with my California family. Gus was supposed to have surgery to replace a heart valve last week, but it got postponed until next week so I came home for a few days. I’ll fly back on Saturday so I can be there in time for his surgery on Monday.

It has been great to spend some quality time with both Gus and my brother, Billy. I could write a book about everything that has happened to us in the last two weeks, but I’ve been asked not to.

We have a new doggie. Her name is Nellie May. We’re all still getting used to each other, but so far so good. She has a sweet disposition with a funny side. I have been a little under the weather for a few days and she has shown a lot of empathy. I think dogs can tell when their humans need attention from them.

I went out for a walk with Nellie this morning so she could teach me how she walks on a leash. I watched training videos last night so I would be prepared, but I didn’t do so well. We’re going out for another try in a few minutes. I sure hope she brings better training treats this time.

We’re also being investigated by the German Short-haired Pointer Rescue group. They were going to speak to our vet today and then call to set up a time to come and interview us and decide if we would be good foster-to-adopt parents.

I don’t know if we’ll need references, but if we do, I think we can probably come up with a few.

We have a tradition of giving our dogs a name that ends in ie along with a middle name. The first name we tried out was Ellie but we both kept calling her Lillie so we tried Cassie, and then a couple of others that didn’t fit. We almost named her Wyn (What’s Your Name) but it didn’t end in ie. We got a dog tag with Nellie May on it so we would be invested in the name and not be tempted to change it again.

We just got back from my walk. I’m doing better on the leash, but those treats just don’t agree with me. I’m going to ask Nellie if I can have some Tums. We all know who the new boss is.

We got up at 3:00 a.m. yesterday morning so I could catch a 7:00 o’clock flight to Ontario, CA by way of Phoenix. I decided on an early flight because I dislike fighting.

I hear they have regular bar fights on passenger flights now. Mostly because passengers drink too much before boarding and then get upset because they have to wear a mask.

I didn’t get very far with this blog post yesterday.

Brother Billy picked me up at the airport. We needed help getting out of the parking lot and had differing opinions on how to get back to Gus’ house. Gus and Mom moved there 30 yrs ago, and Billy has been there 4 out of 5 days this past week. I guess he was coming at it from a different angle. I don’t know what my excuse was.

Last time we went to the Jone’s County gathering in Mesa, AZ, we stopped at a Dollar Tree store. After leaving, we drove for an hour before passing the same store which was 2 blocks from our destination.

I guess my brother and I are directionally aging poorly. Cousin Lav and Gus were both with us. I don’t know what their excuse was.

We decided we always get where we’re going. We just need to allow more time…lots more time. The cost of gas is killing us.

I wasn’t able to escape the Texas heat , but it’s all good as long as Gus has a successful surgery (Thursday) and a rapid recovery. Say a few prayers please.

We’re going to my favorite bakery this morning to have coffee and pastry with some of Gus’ friends. After that, Gus has insisted we stop by Trader Joe’s to get my favorite cheesecake for later. We’ll be sure to allow plenty of time to get there.

I just noticed there are pictures of Bill and Liz, their kids and grandson, and some pictures of my kids, and grandkids, on the walls. I don’t see any of Kip and me. What’s up with that? My brother has been spending far too much time over here, but I’m here now.

Give Billy an inch and he takes a mile…sometimes in the wrong direction.

When I lose a family member, friend, or pet, (Lilie and Pattie were all three), the thing that comforts me the most is to understand that they will live in my heart forever. The thought makes it easier to adjust to life without them, and once the pain of loss begins to subside, it is replaced by fond memories, touching, or funny stories, and gratitude. All of which warm my heart. I know what they say is true. “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

Many of you know that Kip and I lost our little cocker spaniel, Pattie Ruth and our short haired German pointer, Lilie Dale. We had to have both of them put to sleep on Tuesday. It was unexpected and surreal. I think we are still in shock. Pattie had a stroke and while removing what was thought to be a benign fatty tumor in Lilie, the vet found an aggressive form of cancer that couldn’t be treated.

Kip and I have made a good home for more than a few dogs in our forty years of marriage. We have always tried to let them go when it was time, and we’ve always been there with them to say goodbye. This is the first time two of our much loved friends went to doggie heaven, otherwise known as rainbow bridge, together.

Even though she won’t admit it, Dollie Lee, the cat, misses Lilie and Pattie, too. She is acting very needy. She has always used the doggie door to go in and out at her leisure. Now, she wants us to open the door for her. She meows for treats every hour and craves lap time.

We have been overwhelmed by all of the kind and loving messages so many of you have shared with us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We only had Lilie Dale for a year and a half, but she was so very special to us. She was the happiest dog we had ever met. Her tale wagged constantly and she danced for her treats. Pattie was Sammie’s sister. We had them both for thirteen years after finding them running the streets of Gun Barrel. Pattie was always a little plump and rather lazy, but she found her voice after Sammie died and she and Lilie became really close.

Now, I head for California on Monday to spend some time with one of my favorite guys in the whole world. Gus is having some surgery next week and Billy and I are going to hang out with him for a couple of weeks while he recuperates…

This is not about me, personally, but I have seen families and friendships suffer because of strong opposing views and the confusion in our world continues to get worse. The anger is frightening. We seem to have lost sight of the important things that must be cherished and protected. Is it just me or do you agree that no one seems to have an end game? We must have a common goal before any kind of progress can be made. All I hear are buzzwords.

We think about our differences and in our hearts we feel despair.

And then…

We think about the times we were in need and they were there.

We think about our worldly views and the chasm which divides us.

And then…

We think about our faith in He who’s there to guide us.

We think about our shared beliefs that we know must be protected.

And then…

We think we can save the world but saving ourselves remains neglected

We think about friendships that suffer when resentments replace love.

And then…

We think about relationships and the valued histories disposed of.

We think we’ve been forsaken and we could both be right.

And then…

We think it possible to reconcile without being boastful or contrite.

We think we can bear this cross if our love is unconditional.

And then…

We think it’s worth the effort to build a friendship that’s invincible.

Faith, hope, love, trust, and forgiveness will get us where we need to be.

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