Morning Ritual

The little things are the most difficult. The dogs and I have a long standing morning ritual. I make my coffee. As soon as I push the brew button, the dogs race to their food bowls. Willy was never more silly than waiting impatiently for his food. He would howl and dance, often tripping over and in his bowl. After Kitty was fed, we would go back upstairs where Willy and Koyuk would rush out the back door and race, with Willy excitedly yipping all the way, around the house to catch any squirrel stupid enough not to hear them coming. Meanwhile McKenzie, Cedar and I would go out the front door where they would wait to ambush and tag the others. Rowdy games of Chinook tag would ensue while I cleaned the kennel. Willy and Koyuk would then follow me to where I fertilize the blackberry brambles.  

This morning the dogs waited patiently for food. Koyuk started to rush the back door but did not go through. They all went out the front door and quietly found their potty spot. As Koyuk followed me about, the sun broke through the clouds.  I rushed back to the house for the camera.

 Koyuk is forlorn.

 That little activity wore them out. 

The Corner is Turned

Labs from yesterday afternoon showed that the dogs are on the mend. All they need now is to finish their course of 9, bitter tasting antibiotic pills per day and lots of rest. 

Yesterday Cedar was still very uncomfortable and shivering from the pain, heat loss without all the whelps inside her, hormone flush and lack of food. She was given something to reduce the nausea and as a wonderful side effect, slept all night for the first time in 8 days. She ate a small breakfast this morning. 

I never could get Cedar to lie belly up for a picture but here she is inside the crate, modeling her fancy e-collar.

 Cedar is in constant contact with me. I had to move her away to take pictures. Koyuk moved in to provide comfort.

 The three girls resting in the sun.

Willy's Sisters

BrownStone Lupin

I have received pictures of two of Willy's sisters. They share the same silly ears.

BrownStone Nala

Cedar is still very ill. I was up much of the night with her keeping her comfortable. Koyuk too is ill  She keeps herself in physical contact with Cedar and licks the occasional drop of milk her mom  is producing. McKenzie is tired but recovering. The energy level of all four of us is to move to what ever room I am in and rest there. .

Profound Grief & Healing

Yesterday, Koyuk was still on IVs in the hospital; McKenzie was ravenous for something beyond her small bland food feedings;  and Cedar went in to labor. She had heavy contractions for 9 hours, aborted only two fetuses, then started to quickly go downhill again. I rushed her in for an emergency C-section. All of the remaining 8 fetuses were dead. She was spayed to save her life.

All three girls safely home again

Meantime McKenzie spent the afternoon sleeping in the van.(There was no way she was going to go voluntarily into the clinic even though they had a room just for us. Adding to her stress was not an option). In the evening, Koyuk was released from the hospital in Springfield around the same time Cedar was ready to go home in Eugene. Dave picked up Koyuk while Cedar finished her surgery recovery. We all arrived home at the same time. Our family is now minus 11 Chinooks but the three girls are on the mend.
Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers, crossed paws and sharing of love.

Home Again

I did not post the fact that the other three dogs were in critical care when I wrote Willy's tribute. Tonight the deafening quiet of  the house without too long nails, clattering behind me wherever I went again has the cheerful noise. McKenzie is on the mend and was ready to come home. In her mind - more than ready. Cedar is still quite ill but everyone had fears of stress of being in the hospital might put her pups at risk more than her coming home. Koyuk is still in guarded condition but far better than the critical she has been until this evening. She remains in the hospital.

The three girls went absolutely crazy when we entered their area of the hospital. Until then ,no one had heard anything but occasional whines and whimpers from them. All were quite surprised at their howling and excited barking. McKenzie about wiggled herself inside out. Dave had to take her to an exam room to bring healing peace back to the hospital. I held Cedar and Koyuk as Cedar finished her last IV. I had Koyuk sedated when I left. Hopefully tomorrow she will get to join the others at home.

Dave getting quality time with the girls.

I am overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and caring we have received during these hard times. Thank you. My heart remains shattered over Willy but know you share the remaining pieces.

Rainbow Bridge

12/11/2003 - 5/22/2012

 CH "PR" BrownStone Willamette River, CGC, HIT, WD loved as Silly Willy.

12/11/03

12/11/2012 Ninth Birthday

5/21/12 - 7 hours before his death

Willy Loved Adventure

Willy Loved snow

Willy was my lead dog. On his first race, the Pole, Paw and Piddle, Willy at 7 months, with his funny ears bouncing, won the hearts of everyone. The judges created a special "Out for a Walk" prize for him.

Willy Loved new challenges

Willy Loved affection and when not in action, always had to be physically in contact with someone or the other dogs. No hands were ever kept idle. My snuggle bunny Willy slept with as much body contact as possible against and on me.  

Willy laughed and always made me laugh.

Willy not only loved us, he was IN LOVE with us as we were IN LOVE with him.

Willy - when we are together over the rainbow bridge, we will once again share love and adventure. I miss you so very much.

Ring-of-Fire Eclipse

Photography books say to take pictures in the early morning or during low evening sun. Today we has a 6:30 pm, ring-of-fire eclipse. I decided to see how taking a picture with the long solar rays would turn out so, five minutes before total eclipse I gathered the dogs.

During the last five minutes, the sky got really cloudy, which actually made viewing quite easy. This picture was taken during the total eclipse. The clouds obscured the other half of the ring.

Here is another as the moon moved away quickly followed by the clouds making any further pictures impossible.