A huge house should be full of love and laughter and, in my book, nothing can quite complete the picture without little ones running around; distributing hugs and kisses to grandparents and auntie and uncles; discovering new places to hide, and yes, getting into some tussling and light mischief as little ones tend to do. After reading that long sentence, I don’t have to tell you my daughter-in-law’s birthday was a fun-time yesterday. In spite of the rain, the BBQ happened, thanks to a covered gallery and my youngest son, our ‘Chef’, who is also the daddy of our three young entertainers. Um – we’ll make that two entertainers; the baby is only 10 weeks old, so the kisses were bestowed, but his running around has not yet begun. Then again, his cooing and gurgling smiles are not to be discounted; so it is three entertainers after all.
My oldest son and his wife arrived early, determined to miss the traffic occasioned by construction on the bridges to and from the city. One of his army buddies was with them. The two men, using the back-hoe (much to the doggies’ delight), worked on building stone steps to access my basement apartment. Men and dogs were soaked by the time they stopped, but the result is very well done and pleasing to the eye indeed!
Yoshiko, my son’s wife, helped me prepare the potato salad, then ran last minute errands before the rest of the family showed up. Then it was chatting, and teasing, and giggling, as we filled our faces. My oldest grandson stopped in for awhile before leaving to play hockey, and my soon-to-be 18 year old granddaughter brought a pretty young friend with her. It didn’t take the uncles long to realize that the pretty friend and the grandson had something going on, so the teasing went up a notch. Young Bali, our energizer-powered 3 year old, helped his mom blow out the candles on her chocolate birthday cake, then immediately thrust his chubby little finger deep into the icing before M’mère could whip it out of reach, LOL!
My daughter and Yo gathered up and did most of the dishes; the youngest of the clan was being nursed by the birthday mommy; my granddaughter and pretty friend watched over the little lads who were playing in the Jacuzzi. It’s how we end most of our family gatherings here at home. I bagged and distributed the remainder of fresh corn from the huge sack, then the three doggies and I stood and threw airy kisses and waved as they drove down the driveway and away.
It’s evident that I relish the days spent surrounded by my family. I really can’t think of anything better. I bask in the glow of it all until it’s time for the next gathering, which will happily be more often with the arrival of fall (most of my grandchildren have birthdays then), then the Christmas holiday season.
The only blight yesterday was Bud being very, very sore after all his playing. I was up more than once during the night, giving him medication and cuddling to diminish the pain. We finally fell to sleep around 4:30 AM. It would probably be easier to keep him quiet by shutting him away from all the excitement, but I know he would absolutely HATE that. I wouldn’t want anyone to do it to me if I was in his condition, so I sure won’t do it to him.
I have a major clean-up to do now, so will get to it. It’s still raining outside, which makes it easier to stay in, turn up the music, and get the work done.
I hope you are all having a nice weekend. I’m rounding off my good time by sending you a cheerful SMILE – one soaked in the love and delight left over from a wonderful day with my family. I’m sure you’ll feel the warmth – it travels in cyber space!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Showing posts with label bud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bud. Show all posts
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
BUD
The clock beside the bed told me it was shortly after midnight. I lay still, wondering what had disturbed my sleep. The dogs weren’t barking, so it couldn’t be an intruder. My fan was still humming softly, swinging back and forth, so it wasn’t the electricity clicking off that pulled me from the arms of Morpheus. But there was something…and then I heard it, a deep sigh ending in a little whine; and knew what was happening. I lifted my head and looked down beside the bed. Bud was crouched right there, motionless except for the tremors that ran over his skin with each deep breath. His eyes were glazed with pain as he looked up at me. He leaned against my hand when I reached out to fondle his head.
‘Hurting, old fella?’ His tail wagged weakly when he heard my voice. I pushed back the blankets, and he struggled to stand upright, then hobbled slowly behind me into the kitchen. Grump-puppy joined us when he heard the fridge door open and the rattle of the pill bottle. He knew the routine. It was a sure sign that cheese would be the treat – his share clean, while Bud’s pieces camouflaged the pain medication. These occasions are more frequent lately.
Bud’s health is deteriorating; both the spread of cancer, and the rheumatism so evident whenever it rains, are taking their toll. One would never know it while watching him play outside. He’s still racing around, albeit slower, and continues to push or pull his rocks up and down the hill. His breathing is quite ragged, so he needs to stop still now and then. His pride is such that, if I dare to glance his way when he’s taking a break, he’ll go right back at it again. A born show-off. A typical male, he pushes himself to the limit, then pays for it at the end of the day. When I’m away at work he has no choice but to take it easy, being closeted in the house during the day, and only a short walk or play in the evening. On the weekend, however, it would be pure torture to keep him shut up inside when he can see all the other dogs running around on his territory. Sunday nights, especially if it rains, are not usually good.
Bud has never been a whiner. If he was a human, he’d be dubbed “the strong, silent type”. He has come through dog fights, been hit more than once by cars (in my driveway, yet!), rolled down a rocky hill, and had his share of ‘owies’. We knew he had to be hurting after these episodes, but it never stopped his continual movement, and he never made a sound. More than once I’d shake my head and say “no sense, no feeling.”
It’s different now. When he is suffering, if I’m awake, he’ll come and lean against me, and stay there quietly. I know it’s time for the pain killers. At night, instead of lying by the foot of my bed, he’ll move to the head, then stays there, patiently waiting for me to get up. He only whines when he can’t handle it any longer and, even then, it doesn’t seem to be voluntary, and it’s not loud. It doesn’t have to be; an invisible finger of love pokes me, telling me my friend needs help.
I know it won’t be long now.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
‘Hurting, old fella?’ His tail wagged weakly when he heard my voice. I pushed back the blankets, and he struggled to stand upright, then hobbled slowly behind me into the kitchen. Grump-puppy joined us when he heard the fridge door open and the rattle of the pill bottle. He knew the routine. It was a sure sign that cheese would be the treat – his share clean, while Bud’s pieces camouflaged the pain medication. These occasions are more frequent lately.
Bud’s health is deteriorating; both the spread of cancer, and the rheumatism so evident whenever it rains, are taking their toll. One would never know it while watching him play outside. He’s still racing around, albeit slower, and continues to push or pull his rocks up and down the hill. His breathing is quite ragged, so he needs to stop still now and then. His pride is such that, if I dare to glance his way when he’s taking a break, he’ll go right back at it again. A born show-off. A typical male, he pushes himself to the limit, then pays for it at the end of the day. When I’m away at work he has no choice but to take it easy, being closeted in the house during the day, and only a short walk or play in the evening. On the weekend, however, it would be pure torture to keep him shut up inside when he can see all the other dogs running around on his territory. Sunday nights, especially if it rains, are not usually good.
Bud has never been a whiner. If he was a human, he’d be dubbed “the strong, silent type”. He has come through dog fights, been hit more than once by cars (in my driveway, yet!), rolled down a rocky hill, and had his share of ‘owies’. We knew he had to be hurting after these episodes, but it never stopped his continual movement, and he never made a sound. More than once I’d shake my head and say “no sense, no feeling.”
It’s different now. When he is suffering, if I’m awake, he’ll come and lean against me, and stay there quietly. I know it’s time for the pain killers. At night, instead of lying by the foot of my bed, he’ll move to the head, then stays there, patiently waiting for me to get up. He only whines when he can’t handle it any longer and, even then, it doesn’t seem to be voluntary, and it’s not loud. It doesn’t have to be; an invisible finger of love pokes me, telling me my friend needs help.
I know it won’t be long now.
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
Saturday, May 1, 2010
DONE!
I’m back!! Fortunately this is writing instead of chatting, because my voice is a little scratchy at the moment. No, it’s not a cold. It probably is the result of all my whooping while watching the Canadiens do their stuff in the NHL demi-finals.
Besides sleeping and eating, the months from February to April each year are mostly limited to working and watching hockey. Yesterday was the magic April 30th, last date for income tax remittance and, in spite of some stragglers, one could hear the collective sigh of relief in our office. Not that we stop being busy. We are mostly geared to working for companies, which means we are doing those complicated forms all year long. Our new employment agencies (which are now a year old!!) also take up enormous time, but the underlying panic, instilled in our ordinary citizens by our greedy government, is not so prevailing…unless someone is tardy and faces exorbitant late-interest fees. We do what we can to help them but…. You know what? I had better say no more about the subject – it gets me too riled. I don’t want to spoil my first day off.
And what better way to spend this day than with my two little rug-rats? It’s my youngest son’s birthday, and he and his lovely lady are going out for the evening, so M’mère gets to play with Nalou, who is now 5, and Bali, who will soon be 3. Another little person will be added to their ranks – mummy is expecting her third child by early June. Sugar ‘n spice and everything nice? The parents opted for a surprise, so we don’t know yet. Needless to say, the whole family is looking forward to the event.
Just to bring you up to date:
They have found something on Bird’s (my bro) lung, but the waiting list for the scan is 2 months (and for this kind of medical service we pay all those taxes???) The doctor told him yesterday, and he informed me last night. I’ll make an appointment with a private clinic this week, stat!
My Bud is looking good. His cancer doesn’t seem to have progressed at all, which makes me relieved to have decided against the operation. He’s still romping around outside with the other dogs, although not quite so rambunctious. He is 70 years old in dog years, and has slowed down some.
My older son Bow and his Yoshiko have purchased their first house, and are preparing to move in July. Even more exciting is the gleam in Yo’s eye when she mentions that the second of her three bedrooms is ‘perfect for a baby’!!!
And that’s it for now, folks. I should be in here pretty regular from now on – it will be wonderful to have words instead of numbers flowing through my head night and day!
At this very moment though I’m heading for a much needed nap, then will be off to wish my son a Happy B-day before kicking him out to let me enjoy the grandchildren.
Have a good one, y’all! Sending you a sleepy smile!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Besides sleeping and eating, the months from February to April each year are mostly limited to working and watching hockey. Yesterday was the magic April 30th, last date for income tax remittance and, in spite of some stragglers, one could hear the collective sigh of relief in our office. Not that we stop being busy. We are mostly geared to working for companies, which means we are doing those complicated forms all year long. Our new employment agencies (which are now a year old!!) also take up enormous time, but the underlying panic, instilled in our ordinary citizens by our greedy government, is not so prevailing…unless someone is tardy and faces exorbitant late-interest fees. We do what we can to help them but…. You know what? I had better say no more about the subject – it gets me too riled. I don’t want to spoil my first day off.
And what better way to spend this day than with my two little rug-rats? It’s my youngest son’s birthday, and he and his lovely lady are going out for the evening, so M’mère gets to play with Nalou, who is now 5, and Bali, who will soon be 3. Another little person will be added to their ranks – mummy is expecting her third child by early June. Sugar ‘n spice and everything nice? The parents opted for a surprise, so we don’t know yet. Needless to say, the whole family is looking forward to the event.
Just to bring you up to date:
They have found something on Bird’s (my bro) lung, but the waiting list for the scan is 2 months (and for this kind of medical service we pay all those taxes???) The doctor told him yesterday, and he informed me last night. I’ll make an appointment with a private clinic this week, stat!
My Bud is looking good. His cancer doesn’t seem to have progressed at all, which makes me relieved to have decided against the operation. He’s still romping around outside with the other dogs, although not quite so rambunctious. He is 70 years old in dog years, and has slowed down some.
My older son Bow and his Yoshiko have purchased their first house, and are preparing to move in July. Even more exciting is the gleam in Yo’s eye when she mentions that the second of her three bedrooms is ‘perfect for a baby’!!!
And that’s it for now, folks. I should be in here pretty regular from now on – it will be wonderful to have words instead of numbers flowing through my head night and day!
At this very moment though I’m heading for a much needed nap, then will be off to wish my son a Happy B-day before kicking him out to let me enjoy the grandchildren.
Have a good one, y’all! Sending you a sleepy smile!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
THE BUD SAGA
I’ve been telling you all about my writing site, and I think I’ve mentioned my ‘Bud Saga’ to most of you who read here. Heeding the advice from the writers who have read the story, I decided to get a copyright for it. It was done, and now the story is ‘on the shelf’ until I can find time to do something else with it. …like revise and search for a way to have it published…maybe. Because of Bud’s present condition, I’ve decided to start posting chapter by chapter here on my family blog. It’s my way of telling readers how and why I am so attached to this pit-bull. The first chapter is this morning, so here goes:
You want me to baby-sit what???
I had just come in the door when the phone rang. I was beat….it had been a long week at the office, so I let it go through the set five rings without answering. I'd check it out later.
The "later" only took ten minutes. It was pealing away again, and I hadn't even downed my first Friday night beer! I wandered over to look at the caller ID. The name aroused my curiosity…she NEVER calls here...so I grabbed the receiver a second before the voicemail could click on. What is that saying about fools rushing in...?
"Hello?"
"It's Helen. He said to call you, that you promised you'd help out. You need to come now!"
Mmm...I'm fine, thank you, and how are you? Okay, she sounded panicky. Maybe I wouldn't bring up the lack of polite small-talk. The "he" she was referring to could only be her wayward son, a friend of mine with whom I had spent many relaxing summer weekends. His house was deep in the bush, where a couple of day's absence of city noises was utter bliss. But my helping? And coming now? What was she talking about?
She was so upset, she didn't give me time to ask. Her words came out in torrents and she stammered in her hurry to explain. I only got the gist of it...he had been gone for two days, his dogs were alone at his house, he told her to call me to pick up the key, I had promised him I'd take care of the animals if he was to be away for an extended period...
What??
When I asked her to slow down so that I could understand, she dutifully repeated it all again, this time more clearly. While listening, I was casting about in my memory bank, searching for the moment when I would have made such a reckless promise. Uh...it was hazy, but I could see it. It was one of those cozy, wine-filled evenings, and I was sitting on the floor beside the fireplace, each of my arms cuddling a huge golden lab. They were magnificent animals, good-natured and well-behaved, probably because they had never been tied up a day in their lives. They were allowed to roam the immense property freely. The people in our party were discussing the pros and cons of owning canines. I was adamant in defending my pro stance. I normally try to be a helpful person, but a few glasses of wine tends to increase my willingness past all thoughts of inconvenience. My brother calls it the "mouth goes into action before the brain goes into gear" syndrome. Reluctantly, I admitted that I had probably made such a promise if the subject had come up. My reluctance was tenfold when I realized that we were smack in the middle of a Canadian winter, and this meant living in the bush. Alone. With a daily minimum ninety minute commute to work. Each way. Then the bombshell.
"I've been looking in on them until I could reach you," Helen said. "Could you make it up here by tomorrow morning? That little one, he scares me!"
My heart skipped a beat. I had forgotten that my friend had added a third dog about six months ago. I'd only visited him twice since then, when it was still a puppy, so didn't know the animal very well. It was a purebred pit-bull, and it probably wouldn't remember me either. This was NOT good!
(To be continued)
I’ll post it as I did on the other site – chapter by chapter. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Now it’s off to work I go. Have a nice day folks – the demons seem to be on vacation, so the sun is shining out there. It’s a beautiful winter’s day, and I’m SMILING!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
You want me to baby-sit what???
I had just come in the door when the phone rang. I was beat….it had been a long week at the office, so I let it go through the set five rings without answering. I'd check it out later.
The "later" only took ten minutes. It was pealing away again, and I hadn't even downed my first Friday night beer! I wandered over to look at the caller ID. The name aroused my curiosity…she NEVER calls here...so I grabbed the receiver a second before the voicemail could click on. What is that saying about fools rushing in...?
"Hello?"
"It's Helen. He said to call you, that you promised you'd help out. You need to come now!"
Mmm...I'm fine, thank you, and how are you? Okay, she sounded panicky. Maybe I wouldn't bring up the lack of polite small-talk. The "he" she was referring to could only be her wayward son, a friend of mine with whom I had spent many relaxing summer weekends. His house was deep in the bush, where a couple of day's absence of city noises was utter bliss. But my helping? And coming now? What was she talking about?
She was so upset, she didn't give me time to ask. Her words came out in torrents and she stammered in her hurry to explain. I only got the gist of it...he had been gone for two days, his dogs were alone at his house, he told her to call me to pick up the key, I had promised him I'd take care of the animals if he was to be away for an extended period...
What??
When I asked her to slow down so that I could understand, she dutifully repeated it all again, this time more clearly. While listening, I was casting about in my memory bank, searching for the moment when I would have made such a reckless promise. Uh...it was hazy, but I could see it. It was one of those cozy, wine-filled evenings, and I was sitting on the floor beside the fireplace, each of my arms cuddling a huge golden lab. They were magnificent animals, good-natured and well-behaved, probably because they had never been tied up a day in their lives. They were allowed to roam the immense property freely. The people in our party were discussing the pros and cons of owning canines. I was adamant in defending my pro stance. I normally try to be a helpful person, but a few glasses of wine tends to increase my willingness past all thoughts of inconvenience. My brother calls it the "mouth goes into action before the brain goes into gear" syndrome. Reluctantly, I admitted that I had probably made such a promise if the subject had come up. My reluctance was tenfold when I realized that we were smack in the middle of a Canadian winter, and this meant living in the bush. Alone. With a daily minimum ninety minute commute to work. Each way. Then the bombshell.
"I've been looking in on them until I could reach you," Helen said. "Could you make it up here by tomorrow morning? That little one, he scares me!"
My heart skipped a beat. I had forgotten that my friend had added a third dog about six months ago. I'd only visited him twice since then, when it was still a puppy, so didn't know the animal very well. It was a purebred pit-bull, and it probably wouldn't remember me either. This was NOT good!
(To be continued)
I’ll post it as I did on the other site – chapter by chapter. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Now it’s off to work I go. Have a nice day folks – the demons seem to be on vacation, so the sun is shining out there. It’s a beautiful winter’s day, and I’m SMILING!!
Luv from the Bush in Quebec
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