Some Thoughts

I've been here thinking that I can't believe that it's almost the end of the year. This Thursday is Thanksgiving and then onto Christmas and after that 2011.

And anyone who really knows me knows how much I love my dogs. You're probably thinking, "What's that got to do with the end of the year," right?

Here's what. I was thinking that in 2011 Jake and Rolli will both be 11 and Angel will be 9. Max will be 4. I still remember when they all were puppies, when we adopted Jake from the shelter, when Rolli and Angel wandered into our yard, and when Max followed Dave and Rolli home. It's sad to think that three of them are in the last half of their lives.

Jake is slowing down, a lot. He still acts like a pup at times, but the times are getting fewer. He still has his hyper moments though such as when a car goes up or down the road and he barks up a storm. I don't think that will ever change. I do miss him sleeping beside me on the bed at night like he used to do. Now he prefers the floor. I don't know why, he just just started doing it this year. Looking at his whitened face and muzzle, it used to be a beautiful strawberry blond where most of the white is now, I'm not looking forward to the day when he'll no longer be with us, but I know that day is coming.

Rolli is more active than Jake and acts like a puppy more times than he does. It's funny when she goes into what we call, "Rolli mode." She acts so goofy that it just cracks me up. And seeing her playing with Max outside, especially seeing the both of them digging side by side, even though they know that it's a no no, is just so cute. He loves to torment her, probably because she's the same size as he is, only rounder. But just looking at her gray muzzle lets one know that she's not so young anymore either.

Angel is slowing down too. It looks like she may be developing hip dysplasia because I've noticed that she's having trouble jumping on and off our bed. She's walking slower too. Her breed is one that is prone to it. Hopefully though, she still has a lot of years left. Other than her slowing down, she doesn't look any older. One thing that will never change is that she'll always be my baby girl.

Max, our little puppy butt and spoiled little mama's boy, still is a puppy at heart. He tries to bully Jake, but Jake has gotten to where he just ignores him, which is good. I guess Jake finally decided that he's too old to let it get to him anymore. He loves to torment Rolli, but I already said that. He's so cute when he "roo roos" her or anyone else for that matter. He's such a little clown. Right now he's in one of his favorite spots, sleeping next to me here on the couch. He hates when Jake gets there first.

I guess the weather today has a lot to do with my thinking. It's cloudy and dreary. Winter is definitely on it's way, but I'm glad that it decided not to arrive early like it did last year. We had had our first snow by now then. This year at least we haven't had that yet.

The good Lord is the only one who knows exactly how much longer any of us have here on earth and I'm going to try not to think about it as often, but to saver the time I have left making the time the pups have left as happy and comfortable as they can be. I owe them that much for all the joy they have brought into our lives. Our home would have been so empty without them. I'm so thankful they chose us.