Closer to having a puppy come home

The puppies are now four weeks old. They are starting to interact but are still wobbly and fall over a lot. Teeth now and they want to chew clothes and fingers. They just started on dog food so they should be weened soon. I'm quite drawn to Pumpkin (the last one in this series) but the breeder worries she might be a bit "soft" which might mean she wouldn't be suited to doing agility challenges. Right now, I just want someone to walk with me again. I miss my treks through the conservation area trails. It's too depressing to do without Kaylee.

Nov 18 and Golfing!!!

Had a lovely day at Flamborough Hills Golf Club today. It was a bit windy, which made it a bit cool, but quite nice and sunny. Just great to still be playing this late in the fall.

More Puppy Stuff

We went to see the puppies last Sunday when they were 18 days old. They had just opened their eyes but focusing was still an issue. The ears should open now, too. They waddled around for a bit and then crashed. Sedona then thought maybe it was time for them to have a top up! No decisions yet as more time is needed to see their personalities develop.

Puppy

One of these little tykes will be coming to live with us just before Christmas. There are four girls and two boys. We will be getting a female. They all have quite a bit of white which we really like on a toller. We miss Kaylee so much and we are very excited about a pup. The litter is in Pickering so it will be easy to get her and bring home.

Vermont

I had a little vacation in Vermont Sept 20-26. I accompanied my friend Ellen to her nephew's chalet in West Dover near Mount Snow. The nephew was there a couple of days and then went back to his home in Oklahoma. Ellen's sister just had her 75th birthday and she and her husband came to the chalet, too. While we were there, we played golf at three different courses. The weather was not too bad and the colours were just starting in the trees. The courses are difficult because of being on mountains. Lots of ups and downs and difficult stances. It was good to have an change, however, as I haven't been anywhere for awhile now. Getting a bit of cabin fever.

Lack of Communication

Sorry I haven't been doing much on the blog. I had a difficult winter healthwise and had a full hysterectomy at the end of April. Was really tired and slow for six weeks after that but now I feel fine and am back in full swing.

This summer weather has not been great. Too cool, too wet and not enough sun. I have managed to be in our pool most days since mid June, however. Too big an investment not to use it. It was too cool to turn on the heater (just a waste of energy and money) but I swam anyway. I figured if I was at the lake I'd be swimming so why not here? The heater is on now so it is less chilly.

We saw Westside Story at Stratford in July. It was a wonderful production and the music and story still work all these years later. Worth going to see. Last week we were at the Shaw in Niagara-on-the-Lake and saw Sunday in the Park with George. It was clever in how they did the sets and managed the stage. I do not think much of the musical itself, however, and especially the second act. It was almost as if the creators just got bored and finished it off.

Golfing quite a bit this summer and improving marginally. Such a tough sport that requires so much patience.

Our dear sweet dog, Ceilidh (Kaylee), died suddenly on June 30 of a brain lesion. We are having a very difficult time not having her with us. She was only 10. It was quick for her but very hard on us. The cats are well and Tux does make me laugh every day but it's not the same as having a dog. We miss her very very much.

Food bank machine

There were over 400 volunteers to make this happen. Thank you to all who contributed but also to all who made it happen.

Ancaster Food Bank Drive

We live in a relatively affluent area. It is astonishing to many who live here that there are neighbours in need. Today, Linda and I were volunteers going around the community collecting food for the food bank. We arrived at the hall and got our route. We had 95 homes to visit. The food drive was advertised for some time, signs on the major streets for a week and flyers delivered to each house. Some people were very generous and left bags of food on their stoops. But, we knocked on every door and asked for donations. Only once were we turned away empty handed (that was Linda's experience - but I had three houses totally unoccupied in Ancaster??).

Yes, the economy is in a downward spiral and many who thought they'd be okay are shocked.

However, it was a gratifiying experience and many people did donate and thanked us for doing our bit.

I have been delivering Meals on Wheels for two months now (only once a week but that's all I've been asked to do) and that is okay. I prefer to do it on my own, as I'm not good at small talk, but sometimes help is good. The "clients" ,as they call them, are varied. Some apparently have some money and family support and others have nothing. Taking a little time chatting makes a big impact. So much for small talk.

I was delivering meals on the day Ombaba was inagurated. I was listening on the radio while I was driving around. Every house I hit had either the radio or the tv tuned in. Every one was excited and we had great convertations. But, it was great day for me (I taped the speech so I did get to see things later) and I was doing what he wants - community service.

Iam's Superdogs

We took my neice to see the dogs at Copps Coll. on Dec 27. Great show! The dogs all were happy and excited to perform. The did agility, races and even dancing. Apparently, of the 300 Superdogs in N. America, 30% are dogs rescued in some fashion, usually from a shelter. Just before Christmas, an Ancaster woman was lost in the snow for three days. The search team that uses dogs are all volunteers and they did locate her alive. The dog, Ace, is a Dutch Shepherd and he got a standing ovation at the show. Lots of laughs and very impressive training.