Category: Family

Yes Virginia, there really is a Santa

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 56 Comments

Holy moly…Christmas is nearly here! Yikes-where did the time go?

Sam here…you remember me, right…that handsome stylin’ dude from Denver who lives on a ‘ranch’ near downtown? Yup, I’m still here, though I wonder where the heck my mom is who has been AWOL for some time now.

 IMG_2359

Recall with me some of the wild stuff that happened over the past few months around the ranch.  My grandma had a serious health scare back in October and was placed in hospice care right about the same time things got crazy busy for mom at work and simultaneously while her personal life took a decidedly wild (but incredibly wonderful) turn with someone with whom she went to junior and high school with some 87 years ago. Right now, mom’s in end-of-the-year sheer hell closing crunch with clients suddenly realizing “oh jeez, it’s almost the end of the year…we gotta close this deal ASAP!” Twelve to fifteen hour days are beginning to take their toll on her but the end is in sight. After months of having to be in non-stop ‘pounce into action’ mode, she evaluated what the really important things are in life…good health, family and special loved ones, plus a tasty elk antler every now and then. You know…great stuff like that. Now that we’ve turned the corner with good news on grandma (she’s getting better with each passing week, thank you very much) and I have a new dad (I know…how cool is that?!), mom decided she’s had enough of being ridden like a rented mule so she gave notice that she intends to ‘retire’ right after New Year’s from the firm. Will she get another job remains to be seen, but after nearly 25 years at the firm, she has decided that working there just wasn’t worth the stress. Wow, what a relief…I for one can’t wait to have my mom back again. Woof-woof! 🐾

And so this Christmas, despite the craziness in this world, it is clear that we around the ranch have much to celebrate. Whether or not you believe in Santa, I know we sure do. Apart from the obvious holiday celebration, it’s also my grandma’s 85th birthday. Back in October when she first got sick, we weren’t sure she’d celebrate anything, much less another birthday, but it’s very clear that this remarkable woman is as strong as nails with so much more to do. As her family, we couldn’t be more thrilled and look forward to a spectacular 2016 with her. Mom’s nephew from Pittsburgh made good on his promise to ‘put a ring on his love’s finger’ (after dilly-dallying for 3 years-inspiration and nudging straight from grandma who made him promise while she was in hospice on her deathbed to do so) as well as welcoming my new dad to our family. Wayne and I have become such great friends hanging out all day while mom does heaven only knows what for those lawyers. He’s good to me and has taken great care of my mom. I even wait for him by the bedroom door every morning for him to get up so we can start having fun rather than wait for mom to get out of the shower. In February we are welcoming a new baby girl from another nephew as well so you can see there are loads of fantastic goings-on in our family for us to be totally over the moon and agree that…yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus.

So as you and yours celebrate the birth of Christ this holiday season…from our family to yours, please know that we send you our very best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. I know ours will be the best. Christmas. ever!

 

Live, love, bark! <3

Happy Thanksgiving

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 43 Comments

Gratefulness. This year, we here at the ‘ranch’ have so many things for which to be grateful. Not the least of which is the fact that my mom survived a gastric aneurysm last month and was placed in hospice care but is now home recovering. If you’re ever going to fail at something, flunking out of hospice needs to be right at the top of the list. We are beyond grateful that once again, this remarkable woman, the matriarch and core of our family will be at the dinner table smiling at all us knuckleheads. We love you, Mom and are sooo very happy and grateful you’re gonna be here this Thanksgiving!

Our family is also blessed to welcome home my niece’s husband and Master Sergeant from a National Guard tour in Egypt. He safely arrived on Monday of this week after being delayed by the recent bombing of a Russian airliner. Welcome home, Elias and thank you so very much for your service to our country.

Lastly, I am fortunate to welcome the arrival (just 10 days ago from California), the love of my life to living at the ‘ranch.’ Wayne and I are settling into a lovely rhythm of being a family and Sam couldn’t be happier either. Frankly though, I think Sam likes him more than he does me. 🙂

 So as you sit around that turkey, ham, prime rib or whatever with all the yummy  ‘fixins’ and watch football, I hope you also take time out to take stock for all that you have to be grateful for this year. These days, in this crazy mixed up world, it’s easy to become angry, sad, even bitter at some of the current events, but trust me, there is so very much of the positive out there as well. I encourage you to take a moment to focus on those things that matter most and at the top of my list is family.

All of us at the ‘ranch’ want to wish you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings. May you all be as blessed and fortunate as we are in our family.

Live, love, bark! <3

An open leter to Blogville

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 46 Comments

Dear Blogville Friends:

Last month we went dark. Several of you have sent sweet private messages asking if everything was ok. Without getting into the details just yet, life as we knew it changed in a blink of an eye and while infinitely improved, still has a way to go. I just wanted to tell you how much your thoughtful messages, thoughts and warm wishes have comforted me-you guys are really incredible! The love and caring that came through buoyed us through some very cloudy days and nights.

We’ll be back as soon as we can though probably not nearly as frequently as we’d like-we’re going to have to work to get back into a regular schedule. I just wanted to say how grateful I am to be apart of your community and to thank each and everyone of you for your love and support. The resident Muppet, Sam sends puppy kisses and tail wags. He’s missed you all and can’t wait to share the good, the bad and the oh-my-gosh he’s done it again adventures with you.

Be well my special friends and know we wouldn’t be here without you. <3

Your friends at the Ranch,
Monika & Sam

Live, love, bark! <3

In Memoriam

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 41 Comments

Over the weekend, my son and his family lost their beloved little Marley dog. Marley, a tiny little Shih Tzu , was all of maybe 6-8 lbs. of fur. She looked liked a little black Ewok. A wee one but one who ruled big in their household and she kept her ‘brother’ Copper, a German Shorthair in line. Marley was always sweet to the grandkids who adored their little ‘pocket dog’ and grew up with them. She was 15 years old, hated the snows of Colorado but seemed to enjoy the last 3 years of her life in paradise on the Big Island. As a small offering of comfort to my son and his family, I post the following poem which seemed to be especially appropriate to share with my son and his family as well as all of you, as we all ponder the power our pets have in our lives.

I’m Still Here

Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight-
I’m the brightest star on a summer night.
I’ll never be beyond your reach-
I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you’ll see that the face in the moon is mine.
(Author Unknown)

RIP sweet little Marley, with love and butt scratches to you.  We will miss you, little one.

Live, love, bark! <3

Thankful Thursday

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 28 Comments

It’s been beyond a wild and crazy work week with zero time to blog which I do not like. That said, it occurred the best way to deal with the stress would be through gratitude. I’m grateful for so many things especially lately 🙂 and as I was going through my photos for some inspiration, this graphic kind of jumped out at me. It said it all and more (I constantly read between the lines all the time). Here’s hoping your week has been one that reminds you of what’s important and not the noise the rest of the world is screaming at you. Be thankful and love the source of your gratitude. Awareness is hard when things are crashing all around you, but when you take a second to stop the merry-go-round, some of the best life offers is staring right you in the face (or through the screen). Embrace it, revel at it, love it and be thankful, I know I am thankful beyond words.

Live, love, bark! <3

Happy Father’s Day

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 14 Comments

 Happy Father’s Day to dads of both two and four-legged kiddos. Sam and I went to southern Colorado to celebrate Father’s Day with my parents and Sam is living the high life with his grand ‘pawrents.’ They love him as much as he loves them. A special Father’s Day greeting for my Dad who has been my lifelong inspiration and rock.  I am very blessed with this amazing man as my moral compass and life guide. Thanks, Dad!  Love ya so much.

When I come down to see my folks I realize Sam reverts back to his earlier life of living in the country where he transforms back into a scent-searching Bloodhound. My parents have a home on the far western edge of Pueblo West, a bedroom community due west of Pueblo about a 100+ miles south of Denver.  This vistas of the Greenhorn Mountains to the west and Pikes Peak to the north are beautiful and wide open. Far to the south and directly behind the Greenhorns, the Sangre de Cristos rise. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle for some outstanding vacation options, these are fabulous places. The views are incredibly spectacular and I totally understand why they live here and why it’s always good to ‘come home.’

There are loads of little critters around that intrigue Sam. Even though he makes himself at home here settling in like he owns the place, he could give a whit about the amazing variety of birds, most notably the little ‘Bobwhite’ quail with the cutest little head tuft feathers pointing upward like exclamation points. They are noisy little cheepers and scurry around in winding little paths every bit as much as they fly but he gives them no notice whatsoever. They are so entertaining to watch when they scurry hither and fro with babies in tow following behind them in a single line. The adorbs factor is definitely high when you see a line of babies following their moms. Then there are the songstress Meadowlarks, my favorite Great Plains bird. Their yellow chests and soothing song melt just away the week’s aggravations and sooth the soul. I love waking up to their sweet early morning refrain.

View of the Greenhorn Mountains

What Sam does take a huge interest in are all the rabbits and this year there seem to be jillions of them. Big fat rabbits with their tiny adorable bunny offspring; their scent is apparently pure nirvana to Sam’s big nose. He acts like a total Bloodhound and would go crazy (if allowed off leash) tracking back and forth across the paths of these little fluff ball creatures. Because there are also snakes around, he is not allowed free range and shows displeasure at me with the ‘look’ when I jerk the leash to get him closer toward me and the road. You know that look, the disapproving one that says “sheesh, can’t you let a guy have a little fun stop being such a helicopter mom!” He has a really tough life doesn’t he? 😉

Here’s hoping your Father’s Day is celebrated with loads of love and smiles with your Dad and family. How did you celebrate the day with dear old Dad?

Live, love, bark! <3

 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday ~ May 20, 2015

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 8 Comments

 On yet another cold and rainy day in Denver, I wish I were back on the beach, but not this week. My smart beautiful niece, Bailey is graduating tomorrow and I wouldn’t miss the celebration of this fabulously gifted, young woman. Best wishes for a bright future, Bai. We love ya!

Live, love, bark! <3

Do Dogs Mourn?

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 32 Comments
The whole hee-haw gang, Sam, Puck, Eliot

There was a story in a local paper several months ago about a dog who was hiking in the backcountry when his master was injured in a terrible freak fall and died. When the hiker didn’t show up, people went out looking for him and found the loyal dog lying next to the body refusing to leave. Was the dog mourning the loss of his master? Some people thought so.

I thought about that story as I realized that 4 years ago today, Puck crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Sam was the third dog to join my merry little band. Back then I already had two Old English Sheepdogs as different as night and day. Eliot was the consummate worry wart while Puck was a strong-willed pill of a dog, hell-bent on torturing her big brother (and the rest of us, too!) at every opportunity. She tormented him in all sorts of ways and he always fell for her antics and head games. She’d engage him in all sorts of devious ways and he’d fall for it every single time without fail. I swore I once heard her bark “sucker!” when she got him in a particularly clever way. As often happens in multiple-dog households, there were times when the fur would fly and despite sibling rivalry, they were completely bonded to each other.

Sam joined our little circus as a young whippersnapper doofus 7 years ago and true to her bad little self, Puck continued her puckish ways on the naive little brother when Eliot wasn’t available by tricking him into giving up toys and favorite napping spots when she engaged him with her noisy barking etc., yet Sam fell in completely in love with her despite her devious-ness and food stealing. Like most brothers rationalize, that was his big sister and he loved her deeply despite her being so wretched to him and Eliot.

Sadly our fur babies don’t live forever. First Eliot passed away, then a couple of years later, Puck joined him. Both had been rescued from the Denver Dumb Friends and while their exact ages were uncertain, they lived with me over 11 years making them somewhere around 13-15 when they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. What was most unexpected was Sam’s reaction to each of their passing and especially with Puck. Though not close to him, he was mostly confused when Eliot died, he’d look for him throughout the house for some time but he had an even more dramatic reaction when Puck left us. He clearly was distressed and even depressed. He paced from room to room looking for the friend he adored. He moped around, refused to eat and did loads of heavy sighing when he realized he couldn’t find her. I tried to give him more attention, extra long walks and lots of ear scratches. It took nearly 6 weeks before he was his old goofy self again. One day on a long walk, he spied a OES walking across the street. I thought Sam was going to bounce right out of his skin trying to get to it. He was so excited at the thought of seeing his old friend again I guess and to this day he still looks long and hard at all sheepdogs. Who ever said dogs don’t have memories must not have ever had a dog.🐾

Have you ever had a dog mourn the loss of a beloved family pet? How did you handle it? How did your pooch deal with it?

Live, love, bark! <3

National Kids and Pet Day

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 16 Comments

Today is National Kids and Pets Day and was created by celebrity family and pet lifestyle expert, mother and pet lover, Colleen Paige in 2005. According to the webpage, this day is “dedicated to furthering the magical bond between children and animals to help bring awareness to the plight of pets in shelters awaiting new homes and educating the public about safety between children and pets.” The idea of guiding children to treat pets with compassion and teaching them responsible, safe interactions seems like a no-brainer to me yet we’ve all heard horror stories about caregivers leaving small children in particular unsupervised with the family pet.

Sam loves little kids. His gait quickens to check out any stroller along our walks, his tails wags furiously and he’s always patient letting kids pets him in our neighborhood and at the hospital. Being eye level with children, it’s especially my responsibility to make sure his interactions are closely supervised for everyone’s comfort and safety and I’m ever vigilant at watching his body language around them, checking for any signs of distress or unease. Too often adults leave children and pets vulnerable by not staying close by or by not seeing signs of distress in pets by ensuring a chubby well meaning hand doesn’t grab an ear or nose and pull too hard. It’s too easy to view the family dog as a 4-legged TV to ‘watch’ the kiddos. Supervision is necessary for both the child’s safety as well as for the family pet. We all know that children raised with pets tend to be more nurturing and compassionate and make better parents and pet owners once they’ve grown up but it’s our duty to make sure it’s done safely for both kinds of kids.

So celebrate the bonds between kids and pets today but know it’s your obligation to keep your pup or kitty safe around children. Diligence in that regard keeps our 2 and 4 legged kids safe and happy. So what special tips do you use to keep your fur-kid safe around children?

Live, love, bark! <3

 

Velcro Dog

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 21 Comments

So I’ve been away on a much-needed holiday vacation with my family which meant that Sam needed to go back to the boarding kennel (remember the last time I was out of town-see this for all the embarrassing details). I was worried that another German Shepherd might be there and look crosswise at Sam and Sam would again be a bully but I was pleasantly and happily informed there were no ‘time outs’ for Sam (yay!). There were however, assorted ‘mountings’ (oy) but I guess you can’t win them all, right? Oh, the things that dog does to embarrass me.

Exhibit A

And while I had the most amazing time on the beach and sipping aged tequila, Sam has yet to leave my side since I came home. Whenever I try to do any blog work or catch up on the laptop, he straddles my lap and looks longingly up into my eyes with a please don’t leave me.”  I cannot sit down for a second without ‘Exhibit A’ jumping straight onto the middle of my lap which can be kind of inconvenient if you have to get up frequently to do anything and if I do get up, he follows me as if joined to my hip. When he’s on the furniture, he will at least lay next to me most of the time, but these days the little buddy has become ‘Velcro Dog’ and is quite stuck to me, literally and figuratively.

In order to get Velcro puppy back into the swing of his normal routine and off my lap we I eagerly signed us up for the first weekend possible to visit patients upon my return figuring it would be an easier transition for him. But yesterday I could tell he was a little off his game. Instead of his usual happy go-lucky “Hi, I’m here to cheer you up,” MO he was somewhat listless and decidedly distracted. Once in a while, all dogs will have an off day at the hospital but this was different. He wouldn’t couldn’t keep his eyes off me and never once looked for any extended period of time into patients or visitors eyes. Even with one of his favorite nurses at hospice he leaned against her but kept his eyes focused totally on me.  He laid down twice at the foot of a couple of patients beds like he was bored to tears. Poor baby, I felt so bad since I couldn’t do anything to help him out but pet him frequently to gently reassure him through touch and try to carry on conversations with patients. For this inveterate introvert, that ain’t easy.

We had several requests for visits in addition to the floor we were assigned which was full with patients. That meant it would be a long day and poor Sam struggled throughout. We came home and Sam took a very long nap and slogged through our evening walk, continually checking in with eye contact rather than the usual sniff fest with nary a second glance my way.

Today he was a tad better; there seemed to be a bunch of kids at the hospital and that always seems to brighten this simply minded pup’s disposition. Still he kept focused on me. One woman who had requested a visit both yesterday and today remarked how “in-tune” he was to me. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I think he’s suffering from abandonment issues from my absence.

Do I feel guilty about leaving him at the kennel in order to ‘pawty’ in Mexico with family? Sure, a little. But when you see a beautiful early morning beach like this, tell me that it wasn’t worth it. Go ahead, I dare you. 🙂

Mazatlan, Easter Sunday

Does your pup get out of sorts when you’re gone for extended periods of time? How do you handle it?

Live, Love, Bark! <3