A New Beginning

Earlier this month I lost my best friend and love of my life, Sissy Dog the Beagle. I found her on the road here in my home town of Clarksville,Mo. For 6 years she had been by my side and I loved her so very much. She was the bestest little girl anyone could ever hope for. Not to have forgotten her already, but in her honor, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF A NEW FRIEND.

His name is Buddy Boy. I have had a lot of Beagles in my life, but never a little boy. We'll see how this adventure turns out.
The death of a pet is disenfranchised grief. It's a loss whose significance others don't recognize. You're not supposed to lose it from the death of your dog. You post a sad Facebook update, do a blog, and go off to work, as I did. But, when you come home in the evening and open the door, you are struck by a strange new stillness.- silence without a dog. It was that if a machine that had been humming for 6 years, had suddenly stopped.
I couldn't get through it. I went to stay at my brothers house for a few days, but the pain followed me there. I was forced once again to go home to that big, old, cold and empty house. I just didn't know what to do.

On Facebook, my Blog, at work and even by mail, every one said get another little dog to help me through this. I felt it was wrong. I didn't know what to do. Finally after crying fits, hateful comments to some people and mind wondering days, I thought I had to do it. I had to get another dog. I called all the local shelters and no one had a Beagle. I looked on Craigs List and none there looked just right. Friends sent me clippings of little Beagles in need of adoption. For some reason none of them did the trick. One friend mentioned that I try Beagle Rescue on the computer. I did and still no luck. I looked both in Missouri and Illinois. Then on the second day, when I was looking, there he was. One look at his face and I knew he was the one. He was in a shelter about an hour and a half from here. I called, filled out the application , I was excepted and I made plans to pick him up.

That was last Thursday. less than a week and I am already crazy over the little guy. We have had our moments. he was afraid to climb the stairs, so I had to carry him up for bedtime. I lost my patients and yelled at him, which set us back at least a day. But after reading  how to work with him in this matter, on a computer site, as of today, this problem is almost solved.

Today we went for a car ride and met my Aunt, Linda. She made me a real pretty welcome gift. A hand made blue and white quilt. She thought it might be good for the car seat, but daddy likes it so much, it's on my bed in the kitchen.

My daddy and me took Selfies of each other. We were just being silly. Was fun though.

My Heart Is Broken, My Sissy Is Gone!

How knows why things happen?  Who is to say why we are made to suffer so? Are we not doing right, have we gone astray? I have no answers. All I know is sometimes the pain is more than one can bear. A week before Christmas my Sissy Dog was acting funny, not quite herself. At first I never thought anything about it. But, as the day went on, she seemed to be less and less that once lively, sweet, energetic, loving dog, that she has been for the last 6 years.This was Thursday the 20th of December.

The next day I was late for work as I took Ms. Sissy to the Vet's office first thing. She was not that bad, just not herself. The doctor saw that Sissy was holding her little head down, so she suggested x-rays. The results were some trouble with her spine. Sissy has always been an active dog. She has gone on more than one big adventures, where it took hours and hours to get her back home. She jumps up on my big old antique bed, into the fan and on top my head when I set in the kitchen chair and watch TV. The vet gave her pills and said she was to have rest for the next week.

I took her to work that day and then home, where she was given her pills and put to bed. She was no better or no worse they next day. So I took her to work with me again. I have trouble leaving her, I loved her so. I guess getting in and out of the car and going in and out of the shop was a little much, so the next day I oped to leave her home. She seemed a little weaker and not the sweet, loving little girl she used to be.

Sissy was very spoiled and very much loved. She had the full fun of My Old Historic House, shop and any where else we might end up. She never took advantage of this, as she was a perfect little girl and so beautiful.I never minded her being in an antique needlepoint chair, it was her house too.

Sissy never meet a stranger, loved all people and animals. Even when mean old cats would slap her, she would just back up gently and have a look on her face, like," why did you do that?"Get meet people coming in the shop and at the house with jumps and kisses. She knew all our good friends and she evn knew the sound of one of our friends truck. Bruce used to walk Sissy when I had to be away for the day and she could not go. When she heard his truck, she'd perk up and be so excited. If he did not stop in and say hello, she's wait by the door with a sad look.

Christmas day I stepped out for a few hours and went to a friends house for lunch. I stayed a little long, but when I go home, Sissy was at the door to greet me, tale wagging, and that kiss, kiss  was coming out. I thought, what a great Christmas Present, My Sissy is coming back. I made a pallet on the parlor floor so we would not have to go up the stairs for bed and I could be close to Sissy at night. I don't mind sleeping on the floor, but it is not easy to get up and down. Sissy usually sleeps under the covers with me or under my arm. Since she has been sick, she was sleeping on a pillow close by, I missed her.

The day after Christmas Sissy had gone a little backwards. I thought maybe she had over done by meeting me at the door and because I forgot to put something in the wing chair in the kitchen, she had jumped in and out of it. She was not great, a little slow and cautious. I wasn't really worried, but longed for her to come back to me. By this time she was on complete bed rest except bath room breaks. She wanted to go around the block to find just the right spot. It took her awhile, but she was steady on.

The next day Sissy was worse, her pills were running short so I called the vet and she said come get refills and we talked. She assured me that she needed time and said to make the bath room walks shorter and to lift her up and down the side porch stairs and by all means give her the pills. I worshiped this dog, I prayed over her daily. I even asked the Lord to take me and spare her. I wanted my little girl back. It became harder and harder for me to leave her for hours when I had to go to work. She was so weak in the mornings when I left, I never knew what to expect when I got home. But, I had to work.

New Years eve a friend of mine came and brought dinner as I did not want to go out and leave my little girl. Sissy sat under the table and wanted a bite or two. By the time he had gone, she was on her pallet and was hardly moving. I called the vet the next morning as Sissy was really week then. She did not want to get up and when she did she was walking on her front ankles and dragging her back feet. Another call to the doctor said she needed the pill dosage upped so I did. This made her out of it and the Sissy I knew and loved was no longer there.

I went to work on Saturday and my neighbor and good friend of mine and Sissy's came and checked on her. She called and said she was week, but she had gone out side and made it back in. When I got home that night, she was down and did not want to go out or move. I did get her to take her pills and eat and drink a little.  I was so worried. The next day I called the doctor and she said to keep giving the pills, keep her warm and quiet and bring her in on Monday. That was today.

 I had to go to work at 11 PM and work till 5 AM. I hated to leave her, but I had to go. I worried all night about her. When I got home Sissy was very low, not responding, I rushed her to the doctor, but she passed while we were in route. The doctor said she had had a stroke, her heart gave out and the pain was to much. She was gone. It didn't seem right, but the fact was, she was gone.

I'll never know how a beautiful, healthy, sweet, little dog can go down so fast and there seemed to no way to help her or stop it. I just have to muster up all my strength now and try and get through this. My Sissy that you all knew and loved to hear about is gone, gone for ever, never more to kiss me, snuggle with me and be there when I needed her most. I loved you more than any one will ever know. You were beautiful and wonderful. My sweet little girl that came from the streets to the mansion, where she lived like a queen and made me the happiest person in the world for a little over 6 years. Rest in Peace my sweet little girl. I still don't know why,but I have to except it.

Last Minute New Years Eve!

For those of you that know me well, you know that I have a little Beagle Girl Dog, Sissy, that is the light of my life. She came to me about 5 years ago ,when she was found running in the streets of my little home town, Clarksville,Mo. She is a dear. Sweetest little girl in the world. She loves every one, goes to work with me, helps with tours and greets people every where we go. Well, a week before Christmas I noticed she was not her self. I was so worried about her I took her to the doctor. After blood work and x rays, we found out, that she has some way hurt her back. She has been in a lot of pain. I tried to keep her going, which hasn't helping her, so now she is pretty much on bed rest. Because of her poor health ,I pretty much canceled Christmas. No decorations, no parties and  I basically lay on the floor and encourage her to get better. Well the same was going on for New Years Eve. A good friend called to check on us at 4:00 PM, New years Eve. He asked what I was doing and I said staying home with my baby girl. He offered to pick up carry out and come share the evening with us. I excepted and a time of 6:00 PM was set. I got up and got busy, picked up the beshuttled house, put things a way and set the dining table real fast.
 

Last summer I went to an auction. It was at a church that had remolded and they were selling some of the stuff they no longer wanted or needed. One thing that I bought were boxes and boxes of old Christmas ornaments. They were still in the original boxes and had the old yellowed tissue around each one. They had discolored and were wonderful, something that can not be reproduced. I bought box after box. I knew I would find a use for them sooner or latter. Well, sooner was for my New Years Eve table, 2014.

I am pretty organized, sometimes it scares me, most of the time it makes me happy. I went to the closet and found a tub marked New Years Eve. I pulled these strands of blue stars out and thought they would add a nice touch, as I was using blue and white china.

  I always keep votive candles around. These were pale yellow and smelled of spring, but they'd have to do. I chose not to use a table cloth, as there was no time. So I used some vintage, soft Damask napkins  and placed them around a Victorian Dome full of wax fruit and flowers. I always use my silver  birds as they are among my favorite things.

It came together pretty fast and I was proud of it. My friends were surprised and pleased when they entered the dining room. The food was good and the company was better. Sissy Dog even managed to get up and set under the table and begged. I have been yelled at by her doctor as she is too fat. What is a person to do? But she did manage to get a bite or two.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year. I hope  2015 is the best year ever. Last year was very hard for me, so I for one, am glad to be starting a new one. In closing here is a picture of my sweet little girl. She is all wrapped up in her Christmas throw, a gift from one of her many friends. Happy New Year!!!!