DAY ONE WITH BELLA

Oh how quickly we have taken this little lady to our hearts....she is adorable.

Since I am still on holiday today I took Bella into work to visit and, of course, everyone just loved her.   We then had a visit from Barbara and Harry this evening as they wanted to meet the new arrival

and she is getting plenty of good reports and cuddles.

 

Last night (her first night with us) I kept her in her basket at my side of the bed.....was a BIG mistake.

Bella was as good as gold and didn't get out of bed once.....I was awake ALL NIGHT...keeping an eye on her and making sure everything with her was ok.  Tonight she will sleep in the kitchen which will be her space for the future nights anyhow....and I am sure she will settle well.

DAY ONE - A LITTLE MUM AND BELLA BONDING

 

MISS BELLA ARRIVES

Collected our little Miss Bella on the way home from the airport - flight was slightly delayed and with our own diversion to collect the puppy we weren't actually getting home until 10pm.
Have just spent a couple of hours with this little lady and we are so seriously in love with her.

Just arrived in this new home for me - Daddy seems to like me ok !



PUPPY PREP UNDER WAY

We head off on Sunday - I am not packed yet, although I do have clothes

and some 'things' organised but.....

have been preparing a little for Bella's arrival  :)

AWAITING BELLA'S ARRIVAL

 



DOGGY MEMORIES

Thinking of training a new puppy, all the internet searches I'm doing at present, since it's been an unbelievable 20 years since we trained our puppy girls, Jessie and Jo.  And all this thinking has had me reliving many of the experiences they brought us through.  They were wonderful companions and such great company and I don't imagine we will EVER forget them.  And I do imagine little Miss Bella will often be compare to them ...... I just hope she lives up to her forerunners!

BEAUTIFUL, FEISTY JOJO

THE GORGEOUS, GENTLE, KISSING JESSIS

 

And we STILL say these are the two prettiest girls we've ever seen!!

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

We have always said we would never have another dog.  We both loved our two girls right through the 15 years we had them but, once we lost them, I was determined I never wanted to put myself in the position where I would have to inevitably face the same grief again.

 

Ben came to stay with us for a week....was here since last Friday.  He had just been here ONE NIGHT when I knew the battle was lost....we had to have another dog! 

We will never, ever forget our first two girls, Jessie and Jojo but

I am now ready to give a home of love to another little puppy.

 

I spent the week checking the newspapers and online -  initially thinking of a mini Schnauzer - then a Lhasa Apso, then a Shih Tzu.  I really was open to any offers!  There appeared to be no mini Schnauzers available, or Lhasa Apsos.  And then I found the most adorable little Shih Tzu puppy.... oh my goodness.... what's not to love??!! 

PUPPY BELLA FROM HER GUMTREE ADVERT

I could hardly wait to see her but we arranged

with the breeder to meet at Sprucefield on Friday evening and....

she is ADORABLE!!   Here's my first pictures taken

with the darling Bella.   One look at her, one cuddle

and she had both our hearts.....Jonathan is as

taken as I am!!

OUR FIRST MEETING WITH BELLA

What's not to love?????????

We pick her up on our return from holiday and I can hardly wait!!

 

BEN COMES TO STAY

JUST BONDING

We've had Debbie's Shih Tzu Ben here to stay with us for a week.....what a pet!

He's always been ready with a growl for me at ANY time - but not so this week....Ben knows not to bite the hand that feeds him :)   He has been a darling and is such a character.  We just love how he brings a toy to you when you come home....and he even tidies his own toys away!

We've had a great week with him while Debbie has been in Rome - and we will miss him when he goes home......didn't think we would feel that way!

  

......even better bonding!

Just going to help Auntie Linda with the gardening

                               

Uncle Jon and I keeping up with current affairs

Off walkies

Our bedtime selfie

 

MEMORIES OF JOJO

Fifteen years builds up quite a catalogue of memories and Jonathan and I have spent the weekend recalling much of the joy that Jessie and Jojo brought into our lives.

Letting them go has been tough. As I come into our bedroom Jojo's bed is still here - and I can't bring myself to let it go just yet. I can still smell the sweet scent of her newly washed coat in the room and last night I lifted her bed close to me and sniffed what was left of our Jojo.

TEDDY CUDDLES

Jojo was so very laid back - lazy I think! She could wander around the garden sniffing and then just decide no, she wouldn't bother peeing after all! When she got the message that she wasn't returning to the house until she did, she somehow managed to do it! Jojo could go almost 24 hours without toileting - I really think she just felt it was easier to hold on until the next time. She definitely didn't like getting wet - we've known her get to the door and, if it was raining, just decide she wasn't going out in that! She walked so gently and stately too - head held high, paws just skimming the ground - if it's possible for a dog, I'm sure she went on tiptoes. On the stairs she just seemed to glide up - almost like a rabbit in slow motion.

PRINCESS AND THE PEA!

Jojo certainly wasn't one for cuddles and nursing - always off on her own, happy just to be in her bed, or cushioned on the settee, or curled up on a mat....... until the last couple of years and then she seemed to want attention. She actually looked to be petted and stroked - loved to have her throat and chest stroked and would have sat all night for that. How often have we told her that she had missed out so much all those years- but then that's just how Jojo was. In some ways she was a very timid wee dog....she always held back and let Jessie take the lead, was never one for jumping up and when she did, she calculated her jump and leapt gently with precision.

GORGEOUS GIRL

Jojo was a rottweiler! Hard to believe now but this gentle little blonde Lhasa Apso terrorised me! Once Jonathan was out of the house her whole attitude changed and she let it be known that she was now in charge! When Jonathan worked early shifts I found it much easier some mornings to leave without breakfast rather than stay and fight with Jojo. Soon as I appeared she became totally vicious - like a different dog! She barked, snarled, bared her teeth and countless times her teeth were so close I could feel them on my legs. Nothing I could do, or not do, deterred her....... I tried the SuperNanny 'naughty step' approach by closing her in the boiler house but I ran out of time and had to bring her in before I left for work. I tried the water pistol shot but ended up with Jojo and the kitchen floor completely soaked. I tried a rolled up newspaper which she just tore to shreds with her teeth. In all of this poor Jessie would dash in, barking and nipping Jojo in the legs to distract her - which often had Jojo turning on her.

Jojo hated being brushed with a passion. Her coat was finer and I think perhaps her skin was more sensitive than Jessie's so I always tried to go carefully with her but, the nature of a Lhasa Apso's hair is that it requires much brushing.....not best news for Jojo! For a while we managed with Jonathan holding her while I brushed her, then I resorted to wearing gardening gloves to protect my hands and we managed somehow.

Jojo mellowed - she lost her hearing about 2-3 years ago and she just became the most wonderfully placid, docile, loving little dog. In all of that time we never heard her growl and she looked for, and enjoyed, attention. I wish there had been something we could have done to get her to this stage earlier in life.

Jojo was a stunner.......we see many Lhasa Apsos around town now........and we have yet to see one as pretty as our Jojo.

GOOD NIGHT JOJO

Another sad night as we have just said goodbye to dear wee Jojo.

BEAUTIFUL JOJO

She has been in decline for a while and the past couple of weeks have reminded me much of Jessie's last few weeks. Life for Jojo became just a toddle around, eat, sleep, toddle around, eat, sleep. Last night I bathed her, with the help of a mild sedative from the vet......bathing had become possible without a sedative but, if grooming was required it was necessary. She got her 6mg sedation dose at 3.45 and just zonked out. When I look back now I'm so so sorry that I continued with her bathing and grooming - surely she must have wondered what I was up to - why couldn't I see she was in distress. Did she think to herself what was I doing?? She never did enjoy being brushed so it's not even as if she and I were having some final quality time together.

She went into a sound, sound, sleep and a couple of times I wondered about it but felt she would just sleep it off and be fine in an hour or two. By the time 10pm came I was really worried and telephoned the vet's office. The on-call vet assured me that, considering Jojo's age, it was probably to be expected. The sedation could be in her system for up to 8 hours, possibly longer with her age, especially if she was frail, which she was....very.

I cosied her back into her bed with clean blankets and she just lay there, not stirring, but her eyes following me when I came closer.....sad, heavy eyes.

We all slept and I woke in the morning expecting to see her revived and ready to toddle, eat, sleep, for another day. Not so. Jonathan took her outside as was their usual routine - then fed her and walked her down the avenue. Bless her, she did manage to eat and walk but I wonder just how much effort that took her little body. Jonathan brought her back into her bed in our bedroom and I could hear her heavy breathing which was unusual - Jojo has always slept silently. I got out of bed and saw that she was just wrapped in her blanket exactly as I had left her 5 minutes earlier. I lifted her and her little body was limp, not even the energy to hold her head up, and I brought her into bed beside me. She has never been one for cuddling - a few minutes was always Jojo's limit and then she'd be on her way again - Miss Independence. Today she just lay. No fight - no interest - and it broke my heart. How I wished the old Jojo would surface and just struggle away from me. As I went to shower I settled her into bed again - still no interest and no movement.
As I left for work her eyes were sad and mournful, there was still no flicker of interest or movement from her.

When I got to work I phoned the vet's again and made an appointment to bring her in at 9.50. I picked Jojo up again about 9.30 - and still she hadn't moved in her bed.
As I lifted her out to the car I snuggled her close to me - oh how soft and sweet her fur has always been - and today she's so snowy white and fresh. Kate (the vet)checks her over and believes she may have gone into kidney failure. She says how very frail and light she is - oh how long have I grieved when I've felt every bone on her tiny back. She suggests running blood tests to check things out and says she will be in touch as soon as she has results, will also put her on a drip which should help her to come round, so I leave Jojo in her care.

Very soon after I return to work I phone Kate - I know I do not want Jojo's suffering prolonged - or her life prolonged just because I don't want to face the grief. As I phone Kate has just been handed the test results which show that our Jojo has indeed gone into kidney failure. Any relief they can give her would be very short term - her little body is giving up and all organs will start to fail. Our Jojo - the one who's been the fighter and has fought her own health battles in times past is losing this one. I know we have to let her go.

With a heavy heart the appointment is made for 3.50 - Jonathan and I will go to the vet's and say goodbye to our little lady.

END OF THE ROAD (1)

BEAUTY AND MISCHIEF ROLLED INTO ONE

Monday dawned and this is the day I've dreaded, hanging over me like a black cloud all weekend. Every time I've looked at my darling wee Jessie my heart breaks and I think that just a few more days and I will see her no more. How can I do this?

I get through work and head for home ...... bringing me nearer the dreaded hour. My girls are my first stop when I enter the house....and they know it! Because of the impending appointment for Jessie, she is to be given no tea tonight and, although it hurts me today of all days, I keep away from them. Not because they will expect to be fed.....but because I cannot bring myself to deny Jessie this last meal. How can I deprive her of food -the one remaining thing that has given her pleasure.

Somehow I while away an hour and I am racked with guilt - I go into my girls and chat to them, bringing them out to the company of the kitchen. It's been raining off and on all day and for once I don't want the sun to shine. We take a walk outside and I allow Jessie to wander around the garden, mindful as I watch her that she won't be here tomorrow, this is her last time to sniff these grasses.

I lift her in my arms and together we walk the garden. How many times have we cuddled together - and it hurts to know that it is all coming to an end. At 6.10pm I realise time is running out, if we are to keep that appointment we have to leave.
My girl sits in the front seat wearing her yellow lead, specially chosen for the brightness against her glossy black coat. Beneath her is her new blanket, marked with paw prints all over. With tears streaming down my cheeks I talk to her all the way to the vet's car park. I'm reminding her of all the fun times we've had, I'm telling her just how much she has meant to us and I hope she understands.

I carry Jessie into the waiting room and the mood is sombre - these staff know what we're here for and they also know how much this pet in my arms has meant to me. I take a seat and she settles in my arms. As I sit stroking her, attempting to offer comfort for her and for me, she stretches her little neck and licks my nose twice. Her little kisses have been precious to me and she would repeat them over and over and over again on request. She cannot know just how much this kiss now means to me.

A huge dog comes out of the surgery, my mind so far away that I cannot even recall it now. I try not to look - it just seems wrong that we should see one walk out of that surgery well and on its way home when I know I will carry my Jessie in there and she will never walk out again. Kate almost whispers us to come into the surgery - she dreads this as much as I do. I carry Jessie, her new blanket under her and set her gently on the table, in my mind I'm actually wondering if we could just back out now and go home. I'm torn, I don't want to let my Jessie go but I know for her good, I have to.

Kate explains that Jessie will first be given an injection in the hip to sedate her, and then a 'euthenasia' solution will be injected into her front leg. She gets her first injection and doesn't like it at all - bless her, she never did like them! She clings to me for security and that is more than I can bear. This girl has been such a brave soldier through so many struggles in her little life - it shouldn't have surprised me that she remains standing on the table for as long as possible. As I hold her, talk to her, ask her how we are EVER going to manage without our girl, she slowly drops her head and settles down on the table. So typical of how she would have slept, her two front legs are outstretched, paws closely side by side, and she rests her little chin on them. I stroke her gently, pushing the hair back from her face, just to look at it one last time and it feels good to be able to comfort her like this for 5 or 10 minutes without her being distressed as in recent months. It is comforting to see her sleep peacefully.

As the final injection is inserted in her little leg I know there is no going back. I'm losing her and the thought of not having her around is unthinkable. In just a few short minutes her heart stops - my darling Jessie is gone for ever...... her heart has stopped and I feel mine is breaking.

I say my final goodbyes to this little pet of mine and Kate and I wrap her in her paw-print blanket. Her little body is warm and soft and feels like she should be alive - but I know only too well she's not. Kate carries her snugly wrapped body to the car and we hug - I know she feels my pain.

On the drive home I want to scream. Jonathan meets us at the door and I cry and sob uncontrollably. Jessie has been a part of me, a loving part of our home for 15 years and I cannot imagine it without her. Her little grave has been dug while we were gone and I want her placed in it straight away - it just doesn't seem right that we should keep her waiting around. We had originally picked a spot to the left of the house, under a low, shady tree but I don't want her there now. I want her at the bottom of the garden - so I can look out and see her final place every time I look out of the window.....that's how she was in our lives - always close by and anxious for company. It wouldn't seem right that she be buried out of our sight.

As darkness closes in I can't see where she is. I nip out and place a little red candle on her grave - as I look out I know now exactly where she is. How many times has she heard me call in a panic 'where's Jessie?'.....she would understand.

END OF THE ROAD (2)

I looked at my watch - 6.45pm. I could see the gates of doggy Heaven opening wide and there she was.....my little Jessie proudly walking in, head held high. No longer did she stumble and knock into things on the way. How many times in recent months have we watched her find her way into a corner and get stuck there, unable to negotiate her way out. Oh, but not now. There she is, my 'wee woman', sight restored and bound for bigger and better things. She's now the Jessie of old - hair neatly groomed and her skirts flowing like silk - eyes dark and just sparkling with life - her bib snowy white against her pure black coat - and with her 4 perfect snow-white boots just dancing her way into doggy Heaven.

OUR GIRL!

I know my girl - she's not sitting back with her feet up......she's up there looking about for someone to 'mother' - there'll be someone just like Jojo. Someone who needs looking after and before you know it Jessie will seek them out. She'll stick that jet-black nose under their ear, flip it back over their head and she'll be washing their ears out. She'll wash their face and give the eyes a good going over -no dirty faces when Jessie's around!

JESSIE'S LAST WEEKEND

With a breaking heart the decision was made today - I visited with the vet Kate, who has treated our girls since their very first days with us. I simply couldn't put into words to her just how I felt life was like for our wee Jessie so I just had her read my post from 1st August. I watched with tears in my eyes as she read - I could have recited those words to her, I have read them so often over the past week. She gently said that she had to agree the time was right.....if life is causing Jessie distress, it is not life, and that I had made the right decision.

I thanked her! Somehow it helped to hear her say that she agreed and I could rest in the knowledge that I was not depriving Jessie of some precious days with us.

We now know the details of my darling Jessie's last day with us ...... it doesn't make it easier ....... it doesn't make it harder ...... it just makes it certain.

LETTING GO

We are coming through some massive 'life changes' or 'adjustments' this summer - I've thought today that it seems like this is a summer of 'letting go'. Perhaps the Lord is bringing us to a place of simplicity in life, a place where we are not bound by possessions? I do not know, I can only wonder.....and wait......and let go.

We've so far 'let go' of our home. My home is my sanctuary, how I love to get in there, close the door on the world and know that it's just me and mine in there. In my sanctuary I am free to be me and it's my place of solace, security and renewing. I very much make it what it is - and I have to say I'm pretty proud of my home and what we make it together....and I have loved my red door!

In Val's we have a bedroom, study and bathroom to call our own. Oh, we have evening use of a grand sitting room but, it's not ours. Amazing that we have been able to easily 'let go' and condense our possessions into these 3 rooms! And yes, these rooms are now my place of solace, security and renewing.

Sadly I fear the time is coming very near for another 'letting go'.......of my darling Jessie. We've had Jessie and Jojo for 15 years and they have been great and faithful friends. Well, Jessie has. I've had my problems and difficulties with Jojo for long years and she has certainly known how to test me and dominate me to the extreme. Thankfully she has mellowed - I put that down to her deafness - seems like she can tolerate me now that she no longer has to hear me! But Jessie - she has been my buddy through and through. Jessie has been my protector, stepping in to shield me from the fierce wrath of Jojo in her early morning rants at me. It has been Jessie who has lay on my belly, on her back and just snuggled, Jessie who slept behind me, her little chin resting on the bent crook of my knee.....and this became our pattern each day when I returned from work. In short, if Jessie could do anything to please - she did it, and more.

CHASE ME!!

Jessie was the one brimming over with mischief. When she was young her eyes just danced and sparkled with mischief - you could just see her wondering what to get at next. She was the one who waited for the shopping bags to be set down......located the carrots and worked and worked until she got them out - and she perfected it to get it accomplished in super quick time!
It was Jessie who learned how to remove the lid off my thought to be 'doggy-proof' bin - and proceeded to retrieve all the rubbish and litter it over the kitchen floor.
She could sniff out a peppermint or chewing gum in my handbag, and carefully remove tissues and other items until she got to the forbidden treat.

I've always said it was Jessie who trained us - not we who trained her although we of course liked to think we did! As a puppy we would catch her in an act, we would mention a command and that was it.....she would repeat on command. Like the time she was chewing a stone and I told her 'spit it out' - straight away she spat it out and was obedient about it ever since, even if it was some tasty morsel she had picked up off the street and really had her teeth into it. I think it mattered more to Jessie that she please us......and she sure did!

OUR GIRL IS GETTING OLD :(

The passing years and old age has changed all of that. Jessie is now blind and almost deaf and life has become very stressful for her. Touching her to reassure or comfort, offering guidance, grooming, feeding .....all these pleasurable things, that could in no way repay her for her faithfulness to us over 15 years, simply cause her further stress and anxiety. I cannot watch it!

Do I 'let go' now? - is this the time to part company with my beloved Jessie? I have loved her like I never thought it possible to love a dog - and she has returned that love in ways I could never have imagined. I've never needed words with Jessie - she just always knew when I needed an extra close snuggle and we've had many of them over the years. Now I need words ......I need to know if she's had enough....is life as big a struggle for her as it appears to me?

I struggle to cope with the distress she displays - I struggle to know what to do.
I don't want to let her go and yet I don't want her days to be filled with stress and anxiety - she deserves better. I want better for her.

REST OR RACE

I believe our two little dogs have been a wonderful gift from the Lord to us....we have no children and they have taken the place of children in our lives. Yes, I know they are dogs but they have been our dependents, our companions, our support through thick and thin. They're getting old now - 15 years old in fact, which is 105 in human years - WOW!


Meet Jojo - she is the 'lady' of the family. Jojo walks in such a regal manner I'll bet my bottom dollar she's got Windsor blood in her! And boy, does she know how to rule! Until the past year or so, when Jonathan wasn't around Jojo made sure I knew SHE was the boss....I tried every tip in the book to be dominant but absolutely nothing worked - in fact it was easier to go to work without breakfast most mornings than stay and fight with her! She's always been independant, preferring to go off on her own and sleep behind a chair somewhere - no cuddles wanted here!



Meet Jessie - she's the 'mother' of the family. Looks after everyone, frets if they fret and rejoices if they rejoice. Although sisters, Jessie has been the mother to Jojo, daily washing her eyes and ears. Jessie is the fun one, the one who would make you chase her round the garden if she had to come in, would do absolutely anything to please and would never even think of being disobedient. She's the one who needs the cuddles, the nursing, sleeping with you, lying in the crook of my arm, or even the back of my knee like that's just where she belongs and, although timid in nature herself and very easily frightened, she is the one who will step in to protect you.



Jojo is deaf now - still very much a little loner but looking for those hand signals now, watching your face for signs of what's happening next - eyes alert to every move.

HOME ALONE

Sunny warm evening, great company, super gourmet meal....what more could we ask for?

Our girls are tucked in bed just quietly awaiting our return.....or so we think !

Who knows what they get up to when we're out. You know we used to laugh together when we were in a restaurant.... children would be playing up, causing havoc and giving their parents no peace to enjoy their meal. We would say, 'Oh well, nothing to worry about, our girls are home in the garage'.

Just look what we came home to on Wednesday evening. Jessie is persistent in trying to prise the lid off the bin. She pulls and bites at the overhang of the plastic bin-liner - she knows now that if she gets it just right it works.... too much bite and she tears the bag, just enough pressure and the lid pops up. Boy, has she perfected it!

Wednesday evening we arrived home...lid was off the bin...the bin was still upright so she had actually reached into the bin for every item and lifted it out. I assume Jojo just stood by and awaited the spoils, this is her usual form - much too ladylike to get HER paws dirty!

Did they have a feast! Wrapping foil was licked CLEAN of all traces of wedding cake icing and cream, inside of a dog food tin was spotlessly clean as far down as their little snout could reach, and fruit peelings had disappeared.

Oh, don't we wish we had a security camera set up? What viewing that would make! So much for being tucked up in bed!

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

FOR TODAY.... Saturday 13th June 2009

Outside my window... this sunny day has turned rainy - thunder and lightning too.

I am thinking... after so much dry weather the past couple of weeks, everything will be so much greener again.... just hope it doesn't rain ALL summer!

I am thankful for.... a husband who truly is all I ever hope for.

I am wearing....blue jeans, black vest top and black and white cardigan, and the obligatory black and white necklace.
I am creating....just been to my first card-making class and have made my first 5 cards - truly inspired to make more.
I am going...to bed soon
I am reading.... 2 Chronicles as part of Living Whole reading plan and 'What's So Amazing About Grace' by Philip Yancey
I am hoping....that I will sleep restfully tonight. Amazed just how exhausted I am after today's class and do hope it won't be a case of 'too tired to sleep'.
I am hearing....the window is open and I hear the traffic outside, wet tyres on the road - I love the sound of traffic when I'm indoors.
Around the house... I want to get some 'corners' tidied and de-cluttered. Estate agent comes on Tuesday for valuation and I want everything ship-shape and impressive...even though I know it won't affect the price!
One of my favourite things....hot, smooth, creamy Cappuccino-hope to have one soon!

A few plans for the week....preparations for Alpha in the Workplace follow-up, some overdue notes to write and post, haircut Wednesday

A picture thought I am sharing....

My darling 'girls' looked like this until Thursday. I took them to a new 'hairdresser' for clipping and bathing - she SHAVED them! O the indignity of it... Jojo has fared better - she is resilient but poor Jessie has been left traumatised. I am so horrified I will not do the 'after' pictures....maybe in 6 months time!

Love me, love my dogs

If you know ANYTHING about hubby and me you will know we love our girls - Jessie and Jojo. Our girls are two wonderfully cuddly Lhasa Apsos who have brought us SOOOOO much pleasure, companionship and fun over the past 15 years. We pre-ordered them (before birth) and brought them home at 8 weeks - looking for all the world like 2 real-live cuddly teddy bears and they just won the hearts of everyone they met.

Not only have they been our 'best friends' but they have had much fun with each other - neither ever being quite sure who was in charge - I can assure you it was NEVER me! I've been bottom of the pecking order since they arrived.

Over the years they became affectionately known as 'The Girls' and both readily answered to the call of 'Girls' rather than by name.

Jessie has been the little mother - always looking out for Jojo and being most offended if Jojo ever gets shouted at - which has been pretty often over the years. Jessie must have company and will follow everywhere and loves nothing better that to sleep on the settee, cosied in my arms like a baby :) - so cosy for both of us!

Jojo has been extremely independent - she has always much preferred to wander off to bed on her own, never looking to be nursed, cuddled or petted. Maybe no bad thing - 2 Jessies would have taken a lot of attending to! Jojo very happily beds herself down and allows Jessie to wash her eyes and ears - quite the little lady.

It was such a surprise for us to discover that even dogs have their own identifiable personality - now that's the God of creation!

I have no doubt that our girls will feature heavily in my posts. They are now 15 years old and really showing their years just over the past 12 months.....Jojo is totally deaf but responds remarkably to hand signals, Jessie is almost totally blind but surprises us with her near misses as she runs top speed to ANYWHERE she's headed.

We've had so many fun photos of them over the years and I hope to post them over time.

Love me, love my girls.....