• Sunny, but very, very cold out there.
And we’re getting more snow overnight and into tomorrow. Maybe 6 or more inches. Crap.
Don is happy. I, on the other hand, appreciate that we already have 2 feet of snow on the ground in very cold temperatures which ensure it won’t melt, so we don’t need more.
February is a pain in the tush. It looks like we’ll have very cold temperatures for most of the month.
She said, trying to be positive, “At least it’s sunny today!”
• I finished the C. S. Lewis puzzle:
And started on the new puzzle, which is much more difficult. I knew it would be. The grid puzzles are fun and a nice respite from the more difficult ones. The C. S. Lewis grid was my last puzzle of that kind, so I’ll probably have to order another one soon. But I like a challenge and the Opera House cover of The New Yorker is definitely a challenge.
• Finally, today marks the fifth anniversary of Scout’s transition.
She loved her pillow.
She loved to pounce.
I loved to watch her sleep.
Here she is, talking to me.
And howling. How we loved to get her to howl! All three of us would be howling.
Do you see why we fell in love with her?
She smiled all the time and never met a stranger.
Family portrait when she turned sixteen.
We toasted her this morning and told her how much we missed her. I cried. There isn’t a day I don’t miss her presence in this house. She was pure joy. She taught us to live in the moment. She was fun, she was smart as a whip, she was our baby girl for the sixteen years that we had the honor of being her parents.
We miss you, little girl.
We love you.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Claudia, such a beautiful tribute to your wonderful snow princess. I feel like we readers knew her very well because your posts were always so descriptive of her, of course accompanied by lovely photos. (I loved seeing them again!) I’m so glad you had the gift of Scout.
Does Don still get excited about snow because, to a SoCalif boy, it will always be a novelty for him? I’m just curious because of course I’m a SoCalifornian myself who’s never been in snow.
I don’t think it’s that. We’ve lived out east nearly 20 years. I think it has do with lockdown and enjoying anything that changes the blur of days. Also, when there is not snow on the ground, the topography is awfully bleak. Snow is beautiful.
Stay safe, Vicki.
I got teary reading about Scout. We’ve owned many pets and loved them all, but there have been two that were extra special to us. I see that special bond in your family portrait. How lucky you all were to have found each other.
Stay safe
We were very lucky. She was a rescue.
Thanks, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Oh, how I miss our dogs too! We had two at the same time and when they would hear sirens they both would howl and howl. I always would tell them “Sing out Louise!” We are going to get icy temps here by the end of the week. Hopefully with not much snow. Have a good day you two!
Thank you, Tana.
Stay safe!
Love to you both on this memorable day. Our dear pets will always be in our hearts.
XOXOXO
Thank you, Cathy!
Stay safe.
beautiful tribute to your girl.
i wish you and don peace every day and especially on days like this.
and those photos! not much better than watching an animal sleep, is there? that pouncing photo made smile (like her spirit was made physical, visible) and your family portrait made me cry. glad you have them.
thanks for sharing.
i feel that way about the animals in our family because they are family! looking forward to happy reunions and in the meantime am grateful for photos and memories.
hope you take it easy, enjoy the new puzzle and some snow and especially being together with the guy who loves you and will take care of that snow for you. :)
stay safe and warm!
kathy in iowa
… made me smile …
xo
She was so playful and loved to pounce!
Stay safe, Kathy.
The love and joy your girl brought you will always be in your heart. I know the sadness this day can bring and also the warm memories. I miss Charlie always. Take care of yourselves. Hugs!
Miss our babies, Linda. It’s never easy.
Stay safe.
Your thoughts on February reminded me of one of my favorite Margaret Atwood quotes: “February, month of despair, with a skewered heart in the centre”. Nary a February comes and goes that this doesn’t enter my mind—sometimes on a daily basis.
I’ll be thinking of you and of Scout, too, such a sweet face she had. Such short lives our pets have, leaving us with such bittersweet memories.
And the heart-shaped spot she had on her back!
She couldn’t have a marking that was more representative of what she was.
xo
Perfect quote! This one is one for the ages!
Thanks Shanna.
Stay safe.
That picture of Scout sleeping is just adorable. Pets are better than humans in my opinion, and we mourn them for the rest of our lives. Maybe Scout is in heaven with my Tonto. I am sure Tonto has a special place in heaven. He used to play agame with our daughter just to make her laugh. And he cuddled her back to relieve the pain from scoliosis. He deserves a place in heaven.
hej, jan.
i am sure your pup and claudia’s and don’s are in heaven. same for linda’s charlie and my family’s sweeties and all other animals. 100%.
may we all get there, too.
take care and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
We always say that. Animals are much better beings than humans.
What a sweet, loving dog you had, Jan.
Stay safe.
Dogs have taught me so much and left such a hole in my heart when they die. I never stop missing my babies, but I’m grateful for lessons learned to be carried on with whatever dog comes next into my heart.
Snow. It is lovely. And something to do. Better than bare ground. Water for the garden. Each snowflake is one step closer to Spring.
But. Why does it have to be so cold? Make driving challenging? Who thought up winter anyway? Yes, ready for springtime here!
It’s really, really cold!
But I’m glad we have some water for the well, which this snow pack will provide.
Stay safe, Roxie.
oh Scout! may we All be as worthy of Heaven as you were.
nothing but a loving soul for all sixteen years of your life.
it’s all over much too soon.
thank you for sharing these wonderful bittersweet memories Claudia.
I love seeing her sleep on her pillow too!
and your family portrait with her should be framed! it’s so good.
is it? xoxo
It is framed. We have it here in the house as well as another one from that same session.
Thanks, Tammy.
Stay safe!
Claudia — love these beautiful pixs of Scout — she was definitely special&beautiful!! We have a Scout too — she is a 10 yr old, long legged blond Lab/retriever mix also a semirescue. We also have a 9 yr old black, short legged full blood Lab named Liza also semirescue. we are grateful for these lovely companions. Sorry about your snow BUT I would trade you b/c we are getting freezing rain most of tonite & tomorrow — hate, hate freezing rain, LOL
All of our dogs have been rescues. We wouldn’t do it any other way.
Yes, you’re right – freezing rain is dangerous
Stay safe, Linda!
She was so beautiful — and what a gift she was to you. Such a sweet face. I know how much you must miss her. There may or may not be other dogs but there will never be a replacement. She’s her own girl. Big hugs, bigger memories.
Thank you so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe!
Scout was so beautiful! Such a lovely tribute to her. I always loved reading about her.
I’ve lost my two very very beloved dogs in the past four years, so I know your pain. They were like children to me as well. My heart aches from missing them, but I know we’ll all see our babies again someday!
I’m sorry for the loss of your babies, Lily. I understand how heartbreaking that is.
Much love.
Stay safe.