Is there anything sweeter than a new puppy?

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 318

     Yep. Two new puppies. Anything sweeter than that? Yep. Two new puppies playing with two babies. Adelyn, Tobin, and I got to meet Hambone and Cornbread. Jeff and Gary's new pups this morning. And, oh man...they are the sweetest little pups ever. I took some pictures of course, and I had to stop what I was doing several times today to stare at them. And I felt the overwhelming urge to drive back over there tonight, and demand more puppy time!

     Thankful, oh so very thankful for new puppies. I love puppies. And puppy fur. And puppy breath. And puppies and babies playing together. Hambone and Cornbread were beyond sweet and cute, and it makes my heart feel warm and happy to even look at pictures of them.

Flying Hambone!

Hambone on the left, Cornbread on the right. 

Found this beauty outside Jeff and Gary's house. 

A time to remember.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 280

   

     Thankful for Dixie. Thankful for her sweet life. Missing her. And so thankful for the ten lives she brought into this world. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have Roxy, Greenie, or Goose. And seven other families wouldn't have their furry family member. Thankful for a fun day stuck inside with my two babies. Thankful for time spent with Matt's mom today. Thankful for her sweet heart. Thankful that she is always thinking about my sweet babes. Thankful for my big pot of homemade stock sitting on the stove, making my house smell all kinds of wonderful. It was a good, dreary day for making homemade stock. Also, a good day for tea and honey. Thankful for an amazing night with my husband. Every night is like a date night with him. I'm blessed. 

This is what happens when you get up at 4 o'clock in the morning. Little sneetch. 

Waiting for Dada!

So excited to see him. 

A time to mourn.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 279

     I met my parents and my brother at the animal hospital tonight. Shane carried in our beloved girl, Dixie, wrapped in a blanket. We sat with her. We talked to her. We watched, heartbroken, as she left this life. And we cried some more. It is a time to mourn. We mourn her loss, we're so sad to have lost our girl, but at the same time, we know she's up there in heaven. Running. Sliding in snow. Eating good food. Catching up with old friends. We know we will see our girl again.

     And there's this: I went back to my parent's house to sit and talk for a bit after we left the animal hospital. My dad was just walking in from taking Goose and Duke out, and I was sitting in the living room talking to my mom and Shane. And we heard a bark. A bark we cannot explain. All three of us sat up with a start. Questioning. Puzzling. Shane ran to my dad to ask if he had heard it. He hadn't. Just the three of us. One single bark. Not from Goose or Duke. But from, we believe, our Dixie girl. One bark to tell us she's okay, she made the journey safely, and that she loves us.

     Thankful for Dixie. Missing her tonight.

Watching the sunset with friends.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 277

     Today was both awesome and sad. It was awesome because we spent the day with our good friend, Chelsea. And with Patty, Casey, and Sophia. We had lunch. Talked and laughed. Played with the kids. Drank some coffee and tea. I love days spent with the people I love. Especially those I don't get to see so often anymore. My favorite part of the day was when we all ventured outside, barefoot, to see the most glorious sunset unfolding. We basked in the glory of all those amazing colors. We ran down to see the train. We walked through the wet grass. And there were kisses and many hugs on our favorite hill.

     Today was also sad. Our family's dog, Dixie, has not been well. Tonight, my dad called us with the news that there is nothing to be done to help her. And that she must leave us. We are all heartbroken. As I snapped picture after picture of tonight's beautiful sunset, I thought about Dixie. I thought about all the beautiful sunsets she got to see on vacation this past August.

     Chelsea and I were in awe of the gorgeous sunset tonight. It was good to watch it together. It was good to be together, and see something so beautiful. And if the sunsets are so amazingly beautiful on earth, how much more beautiful will they be in heaven? And if they are best to watch with a good friend on earth, how much better would it be to watch with a friend that's been waiting in heaven?

     Thankful for Chelsea. Thankful that there are friendships that last forever. Thankful for glorious sunsets. Thankful for Dixie. Thankful that she got to see some amazing sunsets on earth with us. Thankful that she will soon see sunsets in heaven that we could not even begin to imagine. Thankful that she has a pal, Skipper, waiting for her up there. It will make the wait to be reunited again not seem so long.

Running to see the train. 

A loyal, constant presence.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 87

     Dogs are one of God's greatest gifts, I believe. There is just nothing that compares to the love and companionship and loyalty of a dog that loves you.

     I've known Roxy since Day 1. I caught her coming out. My parent's dogs, Duke and Dixie, are Roxy's parents. She was one of ten black labs born that day. Because Matt was present for her birth as well, we chose her to be ours.

     She has been a loyal friend. A constant source of joy and sweetness in my life. She follows me wherever I go. She has always done this. But, there are certain days when it just hits me: there's this dog, who loves me, who thinks I'm the greatest, who follows me everywhere, who sits with me when I nurse Tobin, who lays in bed with me when I rest, who sits in the kitchen with me while I cook, who sleeps in the bathroom while I shower, who cuddles in bed with me every night...and she's mine.

     Thankful for dogs. Thankful for Roxy. Thankful that she is constant and loyal. I'm thankful she's mine. I'm thankful that she stays by my side. Literally, 24/7. She sleeps with me. She gets up with me. She stays up late with me. Eating popcorn and watching Parks and Recreation. She lays at my feet every single night while I write my blog posts. I'm thankful for her love. I'm undeserving.

Watching Adelyn.

Still watching.

Still watching...

Do my little turn on the catwalk...

Check out that hurt index finger :(

Sleepy.

Still. Watching.

So happy her Dada is home. He just got home from a 36 hour shift!

Not so happy.

Just sitting up, playing with a toy. No big deal.