Just a quick update

First of all, thank you to all of you that have called over the last few days to check on Chris. It is so wonderful to witness the outpouring of concern from our friends and family. I picked up Skye's remains from the vet's office the other day. The box is beautiful. It is dark wood with carved flowers all over the top. As I took the box and Skye's collar upstairs the other night, her collar jingled, and Blue barked quietly. She knew that sound and acknowledged it. It was a very sad yet sweet moment.

In happier news, Liam is two months old today. I can't believe it. He is going to the doctor tomorrow for his check up and his first shots. A few weeks ago, we made the decision to switch the kids over from their pediatrician's office to the family doctor that delivered Liam. We really love Dr. Stafford and think it is a better fit. He supports our decision to follow Dr. Sears Alternative Vaccination Schedule for Liam and that was very important to us. I am anxious to see how much Liam weighs and how long he is. The "little" guy is already wearing 6-9 month clothes!

I will update again after the doctor's appointment.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
~Author Unknown~

Skye, Chris's Great Dane of thirteen years, passed away yesterday. About a week ago she started acting like she wasn't feeling well. She had a day where she became a bit lethargic and wouldn't eat, but then she got over it. She played in the snow with Blue and hung out in front of the fireplace in the evenings with us. She seemed herself and we were convinced she had a stomach bug or ate something. Then Friday she stopped eating again and on Saturday she stopped standing. Chris carried her to the back yard on Sunday and let her lay in the sun. He spent a good deal of the afternoon outside with her. Sunday night we put her in front of the fireplace to sleep. She would pick up her head but not make any effort to stand. We took her to the vet's office yesterday morning and made the difficult decision to let her go. Chris, Cadence and I stayed with her until the end.

We are having her cremated and plan to bury her on our hill under a dogwood tree.

The Disappearance and Reappearance of Roxy

Christy, Jon, Emily, Mitchell, Michael, Emily, Ryan and Mya came over for dinner tonight. We had a blast watching the kids play and hanging out. The house was very busy all evening, so busy that we did not notice that we were missing a four-legged child. At the end of the night we said good-bye to our friends and Chris went downstairs to feed the dogs. Roxy was no where to be found. We searched under the furniture, in the closets and cabinets and in every corner of the house.... no Roxy. We called Michael and Emily and then Jon and Christy to see if Roxy could have escaped while they were coming or going. No one had seen her all night. Just before everyone had come over I let the dogs out into the yard. I went back outside to see if she was hiding in the yard... no Roxy. What I did find was a new hole that Blue had dug in the yard under the fence... a Roxy-sized hole.

I immediately went outside and called her... no Roxy. I asked the neighbors and a man walking his dogs on my street but no one had seen her. I grabbed my keys and jumped in the van. I made it about half way around Highgate Circle and saw a lady walking a dog that looked just like Lassie. I asked if she had seen Roxy. Not only had she seen her but Roxy was in her garage! :) Her daughter had found Roxy that evening around 6pm which means that Roxy had been missing almost all night!!! They had gone door to door but lived on the other side of the neighborhood and hadn't made it to our house. I was so glad that Roxy was safe! I went over to their house and they opened the door from the living room to the garage and out pounced Roxy!! That little stinker!!!

She's home now... safe and sound. Guess I need to find a big rock to put in that darn hole. Thanks Blue.... :-/