Write My Life

Merry Christmas to all!

Cody enjoyed Christmas. His present was in a box which he opened in order to get to his stuffed squeaky dog.

Afterwards, he was a very tired puppy.

Mike’s family came to visit us for the holidays. We went to the beach, Marine Mammal Center and Huddart Park for archery.

Cody enjoyed all the family time but also really likes just snuggling at the end of the day.

We went and hung out in front of the library today. He’s so good with children. He sits even without a command and never jumps. Here is some more Cody photos!

Rope toys are the best.

OK. Squeaky toys are really good too.

Cody outside at normal speed.

Cody outside at “puppy crazy” speed.

He wasn’t very happy when he first saw Jennifer’s soccer ball. He’d bark at it and jump all around. I put a soccer ball in the house and played with him around the ball. He bumped into it a few times but continued to play his favorite game. Then, I click/treated any movement toward the ball. Finally, he was playing with it and now he’s making Jennifer work extra hard to use her ball in the backyard.

As many of you know we lost our beautiful 13-year-old black English Cocker Spaniel Arthur to lymphoma in August. We had been thinking about getting a new dog before we even knew he was sick. At first when he departed us we didn’t know if we were ready for a new dog. Ultimately, we were and November 1 Cody joined our family.

Here are some photos of Cody. It’s hard to take photos because he’s always trying to mug me or stands too close to me. I look forward to a solid “stay” command. 🙂

On the porch swing:

He loves to chew and munches on sticks and pinecones and chases leaves outside:

He’s asleep. Ahhh…. Time to catch up on other things!

Auld Sod Red Magic Merlin CGC CD OA OAJ OAC NJC
“Merlin”

November 6, 1993 – May 2, 2009

A wonderful companion for myself and my family for 15 years.

I will always remember the uncontainable excitement and sparkle in his eyes when we played fetch.

I will always remember his willingness (and patience with me) in doing all these strange things (tracking, obedience and agility) that I asked of him.

I will always remember his desire to be with me for a walk or just lounging around the house.

To live on in our hearts and minds forever…

You are deeply missed.

Today I did some layouts to celebrate my older English Cocker Spaniel, Merlin.

Merlin is showing a few signs of slowing down – sleeping more and not hearing as well. He had high kidney values at his last exam. We think a change of diet and a dental cleaning may help with that. Otherwise, for 14 1/2 he looks great. He still enjoys many things, especially meal times.

Katie Pertiet: The New Black paper; Pattie Knox: Hearts from SpeedByte No.95; Jesse Edwards Wildflowers Alphabet – all DesignerDigitals; Font: CK Cosmopolitan

This layout is from an older picture but it is so typical of Merlin until he started slowing down a few years ago.

Rhonna Farrer, 2 peas, Free New Year paper 2; Jesse Edwards, DesignerDigitals, Wildflowers Alphabet and CK Cosmopolitan font

It’s been a long time, but this year we took the dogs with us on our vacation. We had several reasons and it all worked out well. The dogs enjoyed being with us, playing in the snow and getting to take many walks.

Merlin, 14, stumbled a bit on the snow but enjoyed it. He barked whenever we would stop walking. He didn’t want to sit still!

Arthur, 10, had plenty of energy! When we did stop, he would instantly climb into my lap for cuddling. He was so lap happy that when I got into a sled he joined me and sledded down a very small hill on my lap.

When the “regular” returns, we often forget to note it. Looking at a photograph of Merlin and Jennifer together reminds me of the fact that Merlin is back to his “regular” self. No longer is he beset with back problems and aches that troubled him last spring. Instead he is enjoying life (maybe with a little less stamina predictable for any dog approaching 13-years-old), fetching his ball and running in circles. I’m so thankful for his return to health.