~ OUCH ~

 Can we talk for just a moment about aches and pains?  When I turned 60 my body began the journey of decline in a much bigger way than before.  My back would go out from simply putting a dish away in the cupboard or I'd be up all night with indigestion from eating a slice of pizza past 6 PM.  It's been a spiral downward since then (turning the big 6-0).  Side note: I am now 68.

Hypertension, high cholesterol, yada-yada.  The list goes on and on.

I believe my foot problem started when I was catering to Gracie in  her old age.  She would sleep at my feet and sometimes sprawl out taking 1/2 to 3/4 of my sleeping space, and I would often find myself balled up in the fetal position at the top of the bed.  Now for some reason unbeknownst to me, my right foot/ toe/ ankle becomes so painful (usually upon getting out of bed in the morning) and I can barely put weight on it.  This all started with my sleeping arrangement with Gracie.  This pain will stay with me for sometimes days and then just like magic, it disappears for several days.  When it returns, it does so with a vengeance.  I've had X-ray showing nothing.  Been to a podiatrist with no real answers.  I have an appointment with a different podiatrist next month and am hoping for something.  Who would've thought a simple foot pain could limit life so drastically?!  But.  It does.  

I have been hesitant (for the above reason) to welcome Bubbles into our bed to sleep with us at night.  She still sleeps in her 'Bubble area' and is a perfect angel about it, most of the time.  After our final goodnight she will cry.  I go to her, remove her from her place of sleep, rock her in my rocker recliner for about a minute while she cuddles up to me and I whisper sweet goodnights in her ear, and then I place her back in there and she willingly goes to her bed to sleep.  

Sorry, I'm trying to keep my posts short and photos at a minimum.  I just wanted to whine a bit about my foot.  

My sweet Gracie, girl.  Always - my heart cries for you
to be laying once again at the foot of my bed.   You will
be forever loved.  Forever missed.

Gracie's Last. Bubbles First.

 I knew in my heart that Christmas 2021 would be her last.  We savored every inch of it.  She was an angel.  Relaxing and enjoying every minute of it.

It was special.  Christmas 2021.  I knew it.  She knew it.  And now, I look back on that time, and I am in awe of God's grace and thankful for our last Christmas with Gracie.  

 She took a part of my heart with her when she left this world.  I will never be the same.

This Christmas we have Bubbles.  And she is a delight.  From our house to yours, we wish you lots of love, good health, good times, and God's blessings upon your home and family.  Merry Christmas.

LETTING GO

When we chose Bubbles for our next pet, it was because of her strong resemblence to Gracie.  As she grows, I see Gracie in her more each day, but then again, I don't see Gracie at all.  

Gracie had longer ears, probably more cocker spaniel than poodle.  But Bubble's color is almost identical to Gracie's.  Bubbles is a bit fluffier and curlier, and a bit smarter than Gracie was too.  Once again, more poodle.  I hope her ears grow longer!  

Gracie was brave and bold, a fighter!  Bubbles is scared of her own shadow.  She must have eyes on me at all times or she whines.  She's such a baby.  

She had her first vet visit last week and she did very well.  I was surprised since every other place we introduce her to, she seems afraid.

Today we took her for a walk on the tracks, like we used to take Gracie.  Finally Bubbles is fitting into a small harness.  Birds chirping, bikes passing by, cars going down the road...  all of these things were scary to her.  We try to introduce her to new stuff almost every day.  It doesn't take too long till she's over her fears, but still.  I don't remember Gracie ever being afraid of such simple things.  

I try not to compare too much ---  but it's hard.  Gracie's absense in my life has left quite a sting. She was my heart dog.  I learned so much from her.

One thing I had to do before moving on to life with Bubbles, is that I needed to share my journaling and thoughts from my time with Gracie.  Writing the book was theraputic.  Formatting the book was a pain, and I never did get it just right.  It will be available soon.  It's just a simple small book, somewhat flawed,  that I needed to write in order to honor the beautiful dog God gave me for almost eighteen years.  

My work in progress:

 I must go now.  Bubbles needs a belly rub...

LEAVES

Revelation 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

I have had an obsession with leaves all my life.  I will pick one up, examine it, and sometimes take it inside and write on the back in remembrance of that day.  Weird, huh?  I am especially intrigued by the beauty of a fallen leaf this time of year.  It wasn't until yesterday when I was doing research for my next book that I had that moment where it felt right that I should appreciate the beauty of a leaf. 

Anyway.

Today I cry for the loss of my beautiful girl on May 26 of this year. How I loved that dog! She would have been celebrating this, her 18th birthday, by enjoying the coolness of the day.  She loved fall and cooler temperatures.  We would have likely taken her for a nice walk, got her some cake, and fed her her favorite Roy Rogers roast beef for supper.

She would have loved this day.  But.  It was not meant to be.  She no longer suffers.  On the other hand, I still cry for her absense.  Totally heartbroken!

She taught me so much.  This is what my new book is about, the things I learned from my beautiful senior dog.  I'm having a real hard time formatting though, so it is a work in progress.

Meanwhile, our distraction has arrived and is settling in quite nicely.  She sleeps beautifully at night, is 3/4 of the way potty trained, and is a bundle of energy.

She looks almost identical to puppy Gracie.  

We are so grateful for her.  God knew exactly what we needed and when.  That is why this little fluff-ball was very likely CREATED the day Gracie left this world.  And then, He purposed our steps to find her.  

Revelation 22:2

   ....  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

~~2 Weeks~~

 Thank you, friends, for the sweet comments regarding our new family member.  Bubbles will be with us in 2 weeks - when she is old enough to leave her mama.  

Gracie loved fall so much.  With the crisp, cooler air and beautiful falling leaves, my heart is reminded of how broken it is, that my girl is no longer with me.  I feel so sad without her here to enjoy autumn. Bubbles will be here just in time to distract me from my broken heart.

Thank you, Patty Mcdonald ~ we are in our late 60s and are apprehensive about raising a new puppy.  Your comment helped my anxiety.  So now I take a deep breath and trust God!