WHAT IS QUIET?

It can only be quiet around my house for so long, although just 3 days is maybe pushing it a bit....

The parties were over and I was back to work, and Mommy and Bandit and I were resting up in the evenings. Then the call came in. A friend of mine contacted me with an SOS – a five month old puppy was going to be put down. His ‘owners’ had skipped out on their rent and left behind the pup in the empty apartment, knowing, I imagine...I hope, that the landlord would find him when he came to collect. The landlord wasn’t into dogs, and when my friend contacted me she told me his days were numbered. She messaged me a picture – a cute pit bull pup who looked so much like Smooch it hit me right there! To be honest, even if the doggy was the ugliest thing on earth, I’d have picked him up anyway.

I called the vet. Yes, they could see him on the way back to my house. I would have kept my pets separate from him if there was a problem, but there was none. One of the technicians fell in love with him, and seemed very interested when I said I would have him adopted. She would ask her partner and get back to me in a few days. It has been five days now, so I expect to get word from her the beginning of this week. If not, the agency where I got Mommy is excellent, and I have no qualms about it taking charge and finding him a good home. In the meantime, he is playing with Mommy, learning to get along with the cat, and was so very gentle with Miko when she and her daddy stopped in for the afternoon.

I named him Sam – because he looks like a Sam. He listens well, has never dirtied the pen where he sleeps at night and stays long hours while I go to work, but is NOT housebroken otherwise. He doesn’t squat or lift his leg...just stands and lets it go. Apparently the apartment needed extensive cleaning. However, he is intelligent, and today had an accident only 4 times. Not bad for a young pup that lived with people who did not think getting him out for potty was a training priority. He also ‘dogs’ my footsteps – I can’t walk anywhere without nearly tripping over his joyfully wriggling body!

So now we are four, and the mop has once again become a part of my arm, much as it was when I was fostering Mommy’s puppies. The truth? It has healed my heart some, needed ever since those puppies were adopted. So I’m not sure who is helping who more here. I do know that, just like Mommy’s offspring, he will make someone a wonderful friend one day, because I will do everything in my power to start him off on the right foot.

I watch him play as all babies do, with that gleeful exuberance where nothing else matters, and I SMILE. Sending it out to you, and if it has that puppy smell when it arrives on your doorstep, so much the better!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

WHAT'S GRATITUDE?

I so wish that everyone out there could have shared this holiday season with me; shared preparations, the smells of baking and the balsam spruces decorated with pretty colored lights; shared the playing and giggles of the children, the good-natured ragging of the adults, the food, the warmth, the cuddling of my doggy and kitty when it was time to rest up and start the busyness over again the next day. Oh – and the clean-up. Must not forget to include that, LOL!

There was plenty unpleasant going on in the outside world maybe, but for these few days my house was an oasis of love and smiles and fun. To top it off, Suzie came home yesterday. She was not expected this year, so it’s icing on the cake! She and I will be celebrating her birthday (today) and Bird’s birthday (Wednesday) together – another yearly tradition that I was resigned to missing for 2016.

It's back to work tomorrow, but that’s okay. I’m tired, but my SMILE could give the Cheshire cat a run for his money! Sharing it with y’all and hoping you’ll pass it on!

Have a great 2016!!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I worked all day Thursday. I wanted to finish early but, as usual, one knows when one goes into the office but never when one will get to leave. Even with everything supposed to be on holiday minor emergencies kept coming up, so I left later than planned. I was bushed, as I seem to be after any full day of work now. However I had promised the kids that I would attend the New Year’s Eve sugar shack party and I was determined to keep my promise. I figured that a couple of hours snoozing would put me right back on top, so I cuddled on the couch with Mommy. Ah...bliss!

I woke four hours later. Oops! There were a few texts on my cell phone, all wondering where I was, was I on my way? My neighbour had sent one too, asking me if I wanted to join him and a few others outside for a bonfire – they were going to ring in the New Year from there. It was very tempting, but no. I hurried, got dressed to the nines, and arrived at the kids’ party just before 2015 ended. I worked my way through the crowd, kisses and hugs...kisses and hugs...until I reached my son. Little Miko was sitting on the table, eyes wide, and smiled as soon as she saw me. Into my arms, sweetheart, and we watched the rest of the activities together. The place was packed, the music was good but loud, and it didn’t bother that baby in the least!

When the countdown to 2016 ended, I saw there was a line in front of me, all waiting to wish me a Happy New Year. Of course! These were the people I had watched grow from elementary school age to the adults they were now, so many times sharing our home, and rarely NOT celebrating the New Year together. By this time Miko was sleeping on my shoulder, and she never budged as the line went by, embracing us both, dropping little pecks on top of her head. We were surrounded by warm and genuine love, and I am so proud of all my now-forty something youngsters – my ‘extended families’!

It was in the vicinity of 5 AM when I got to bed this morning. The calls from well-wishers started at 10. Some visitors stopped by, and I greeted them in my pj’s. I have the whole crew coming tomorrow for the birthday party, so there was some cooking to do. Like Kabu, I cheered the Habs from my TV in the kitchen between chopping and stirring (and we WON that classic!!) and now I will wash up all those dishes I dirtied then into bed!! I doubt I’ll have to run after Morpheus tonight.

It was a glorious end of one year, and a glorious start of another. A good omen, I would think! Wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR, and sending that with a SMILE...a very, very grateful SMILE!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.