Serena and Dulce came to us as retired greyhounds. Lexie was never on the track. Her mother was a retired racer who was given to the rescue group VERY PREGNANT. She gave birth to 12 puppies -- and that black creature in the picture above was named Tiffany at birth. That was October 17, 1995. She came to live with us in early 1996 -- a very young very ungangly puppy. Always a mix of puppy and greyhound -- she was fast like a greyhound, but she sure wasn't elegant. She was not nervous, she didn't need any adapting from the track to the home -- she was a puppy and as a puppy she was sure the world loved her. And it did -- she always got along with everyone -- she was the most trouble free puppy we've ever had -- no housebreaking issues, no training issues. While she got along with the non-greyhounds, I always felt she was most comfortable with our other two greyhounds.

When Serena passed last year Lexie definately missed her company. They weren't particulary affectionate, but they were always together -- they slept on the couch together, the only dogs who slept up on the couch -- they generally went outside together, and they ran together.

My favorite Lexie story -- when it rains we towel all the dogs off as they come in. And we've had up to 16 dogs at one time -- so the toweling process can take awhile. Most of the dogs just put up with it --- but Lexie LOVED IT. She would run up first and get toweled off -- and then towards the end of the line, she'd miraculously appear for another rubdown. One day I watched her -- she'd head toward the living room when we released her from the drying station -- she would circle around and go outside again, and then stroll up the ramp to get another massage. And we always gave her another one -- she'd earned it :)

On December 19th -- two months to the day we helped Serena to the Bridge, Lexie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the humerus (Serena died of osteosarcoma of the shoulder). Lexie did very well -- not in a lot of pain, and the pain pills seemed to help when the pain got to her. She was pretty steady on her feet -- didn't have the problems going up and down the ramp that Serena did. She was very needy and loving -- always pushing her nose into our hands for petting. Last week she started to hesitate at the top of the ramp -- I had to go outside and make sure she knew I was there in case she needed me. She was fine as long as she knew I was there. Saturday when I went to work I gave her a pill, checked her leg and all was fine. Saturday afternoon when I got home the leg was at least twice the size it had been, and by morning it was 3 or 4 times bigger. She was definately in pain -- and we knew the time had come.

So, now we're without greyhounds. It's been 15 years since we've been without greyhounds. I don't like the feeling -- we have four dogs, all old friends who are comforting and loving -- but I miss having a greyhound. It's hard to explain it if you've never had one, but I miss their presence, miss their comfort, miss the serenity.

We've had many many dogs in our married life -- but we miss greyhounds and Shiba Inus the most. I hope that we haven't seen the last of either breed in our home. But no one will ever replace our 1st greys: Dulce, Serena and Lexie.

I just can't wait!

 

I'm not particularly political -- but I found myself drawn to this one for some reason.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Happy New Year to all! I've been silent of late -- for a hermit like couple, DH and I sure have been social of late. My sister and her husband were in town in the RV this last week and we met for dinner two or three times -- just like 'normal' folks. It was nice.

Then DH's brother and his wife came to town and took us out for dinner and a movie (National Treasure) which was also fun, but all in all -- when you add that to how busy the store has been, the strains of retail customers who are surprised that Christmas snuck up on them -- and some employee issues, WHEW! I'm happy to be staying home this week for three days in a row! It's not so much going out -- it's the work involved in convincing DH to leave the TV set and actually leave the house.

At any rate -- don't want to hurt myself on my first blog back -- so I'll just point out that not only was our sunset gorgeous tonight, but I actually got a photo of it.

Here's to a prosperous and healthy (not necessarily in that order) 2008!~~!

Not bad for a desert dweller

 

It's funny -- this looks nicer in a photograph than it did in 'real' life. We had rain and 50mph winds today -- didn't have the damage we did last month, thank goodness. And it seems to have left some beautiful clouds and the start of a nice sunset. Click on the photo and you can see the mountains in the background better.

Well that was a long time gone, wasn't it? It's odd how you can look back on two weeks and wonder what it is you accomplished.

Let's see -- I've listed 50 items on eBay. I've been really lucky this year and found three really great consignment customers. A good consignment customer is one who is realistic about the value of their items, and one who has items with value. Seems a simple idea, right? Oh no. Many a time I get people with 1920 National Geographic Magazines who want $25 each for them. And I have to explain to them why that's not realistic.

What else have I done? Work -- I manage a UPS Store and we've had one trainee who I had to let go and just hired another one. An 18 year old young man who has never worked before. And it's Christmas time. Am I a lucky gal or what? Patience is NOT MY STRONG point -- so sympathies to the young man upfront!

My sister has started her trek -- she's in Washington now visiting her inlaws and she's due down here right around Christmas -- which is great because we haven't been together for Christmas in about 17 years.

Boring huh? This week promises a lot of TIRED -- Christmas rush starts on Monday, one of the employees has a 70th birthday party this week after work, and a customer at the store wants to pay me to help her unbox her new computer and put it together. I think I can do that -- and she'll pay me cash -- hard to be that!

Finally, I love love love toys. Used to make enough money to have them -- now I'm too poor to afford anything. My new wish toy is a Ninendo DS -- want to play Brain Age -- and have DH play it -- I'm worried about the fact that he never uses his brain.

But cheap toys -- internet widgets. I've added a few to my blog -- look to the right. I know I know -- music on blogs, ick to many. But I set it for low volume and there is a button on it to turn it off. BUT I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

Also added a weather widget -- love that it changes from sunny to nighttime as the time changes. And a Christmas clock -- Santa!

Let me know what you think of them -- be kind, please about the music.

Have a great week!