Our beloved Schatze

Back on a cold day in early 1994, my sister in law and I went "shopping" for a dog at SPCA and animal control. Michael and I weren't able to have children of our own, so I decided I wanted a dog. He said "no" - I said "you're crazy." And I had always told my Mom that I was wasn't going to have kids - I wanted puppies. Well, my wish came true. I found this darling little "who done it" puppy (just 10 weeks old) at animal control. One wouldn't think to find such a young pup at animal control - but through a mistake in the waiting list for this little beauty, I got the phone call and rushed to pick her up. Back at home, I pulled in the garage to see my husband standing at the door and all I could say was "Congratulations - it's a girl!"

Schatze become the love of our lives. She became my best little four legged friend yet learned very quick to listen and obey "Alpha" Mike. "Mom" was always her playmate and best friend. She quickly wrapped herself around both of our little fingers and we all became inseparable. She was such a beloved member of our family and so very good natured - open to any new friends (including cats, rabbits, opossum - oh, and humans too). Funny little thing she was though, she could never learn to play "fetch." She would soon accompany us on countless camping trips to Hatteras although she hated the water. She would try and follow Mike into the water when he took to his surfboard...only to find out that it's pretty wet (and deep) out there! She just loved being with us regardless of the heat, the sand, the water, or having to sleep in a tent on the floor (except during thunderstorms - then she got the air mattress).

She was our best friend and our first and only child, if you will. In August, 2007 our little girl underwent an emergency surgery to remove a very invasive, cancerous tumor from her ribs. We didn't know at that time if she'd even make it through the surgery. After all, she was almost 14 years old! Pretty good for a "big dog" at 50 plus pounds - so experience tells us. We brought her home to let her tell us when it was time - when she was too tired to go on. Our little girl was a trooper and gave us many, many more months of companionship, love and happiness.

She turned 15 in January and we could tell by the look in her eye that she was tired, unhappy and uncomfortable. She had trouble negotiating the stairs in and out of the house, couldn't see or hear well, had little quality of life and wasn't eating very much. So we did the last final thing we could do for her - and let her go.

And we miss her very much.

Happy Christmas

I hope this finds everyone ready for Christmas and that no one has lost their minds getting there. I've posted before about how hectic the holidays are and how we try to cram so much shopping, eating and fellowship into just a few weeks. If only we celebrated our birthdays that long!

I really wanted to let everyone know that we (spousal unit, crazy cat, senile dog and 6 happy fish) extend our best wishes to each and everyone of you. We hope your holiday season is full of happiness, peace, sanity and family (can you use sanity and family in the same sentence?). We are sure that you, just like the rest of us, has had a very rough year with the economy and can only pray that with a new administration in D.C., something is bound to change.

With that in mind, let us not forget what all the retailers would like us to - that Christmas isn't really about the economy, black Friday or Cyber Monday. How much we spend or save, how many good deals we get or how much we spend on one another. It's really about letting those that mean the most to you know how much you love them. I love my entire family - from my wonderful husband of over 20 years, to my wonderful Mom (aka my best friend), to the sister I never had to my nearest and dearest friend from childhood (and you know who you are).

I love my brothers, my Dad and their significant others. I love my countless friends at home and those at work. Those friends who have moved away and those who are still here. It really sounds so cliche, but we are nothing without our friends. Those friends who are always there - who will show up when you ask, regardless of the time of day, or how trivial the matter may seem to them.

It truly is a wonderful life - but we are here for such a short span of time. Make the most of your wonderful life - tell the ones you love just how much you do love them. Make the most of your wonderful life - take time to plant a flower, talk to a child or be with someone who might be alone. Make the most of your wonderful life - forgive someone who hurt you in the past or maybe, just forgive yourself for something.

Make the most of your wonderful life.

Be happy - have no regrets - smile.

Merry Christmas to All. May you have lots of love in your heart and friends on your doorstep. We wish you a wonderful, happy and healthy new year.