Good morning!
I slept in, which might account for my cheery tone. It rarely happens these days and I’m basking in the glow of over eight hours of sleep. As I sipped my second cup of coffee, edited photos, and checked my email, Don called – he also got a good night’s sleep. Applause for the Hill-Sparks clan.
Here’s one of the tiny little plants I bought at the supermarket. I used a take-out container lid that I found in one of the cupboards as a ‘saucer.’
And here’s the other one. These deep window sills were just crying out for something green. So now I have three vases full of flowers and two potted plants.
Don took Scout to the Vet yesterday. I thought it would be a good idea to check in with him about Scout. Sometimes we wonder if we’re doing the right thing (even though in our hearts we know we are) and we just want an objective opinion. Don told him everything that’s been going on and what we’ve been doing for her and about her falling and her bad hip. We’re relieved to know her heart is strong. As he did when Riley was alive, the doctor told Don that we were dedicated and loving parents, that many people would have made the decision to euthanize their pet by this point. We can’t imagine doing that, of course, certainly not because things become ‘difficult’, though we constantly assess and reassess Scout’s situation. She still loves to eat, she sniffs around when she’s outside, and when she has a good day, she’s more than a little demanding.
It’s not time yet. My mother was in a nursing home for three years and, although we wouldn’t have wished that on her, the fact is she had a strong heart, she loved to eat, and for a lot of her time there, she was fairly cognizant. Though I think we can keep people alive too long when they’re on life support of some kind, Mom wasn’t in that situation. It wasn’t her time.
When it’s Scout’s time, we’ll know. At the very least – the very most, actually – I pray that I will be given guidance when that decision needs to be made.
As if to reinforce that, Scout gave us her own message: she walked around the lawn outside the doctor’s office, looking strong and in good shape – Don shot a little video of it for me.
So, it’s hard to see her struggle, it’s hard to see her sometimes in pain, but it’s also a gift to have her with us and to know that we won’t let her suffer. Never that.
By the way, the doctor told Don that Dame Scout is their oldest patient.
So we’ll love her and watch her and help her and be there for her until the end.
Okay. I’ve decided that it’s a good thing to get packages when you’re away from home, even if they’re things you’ve ordered for yourself. So far, I’ve received a couple of boxes from Amazon filled with reference books and a two Susan Hills.
And yesterday, I received this:
Roseville, of course. An eight inch high vase in the Peony pattern, which was made in the 1940s.
The other side.
It was packaged with care, wrapped in a lot of thick bubble wrap, nestled in packing peanuts. Take note, sellers: that is the way to pack a breakable.
It’s in pristine condition. No chips, no cracks. Perfect.
I wasn’t sure where to put it. It ended up here:
I think I am in love. I love all Roseville, but I really love the patterns that have a textured background, like this one.
I’m not called today. Darko is staging the second half of the play and there are no individual coaching sessions scheduled. I think I might visit the Wadsworth Athenaeum – the beautiful museum that is just a couple of blocks from the apartment building.
Happy Wednesday.
Oh Claudia – thank you for the Scout update. I’ve been thinking of her so much. You and Don are so wonderful with/to her. And such a pretty vase – nice choice. Enjoy your day with a museum visit and (I’m sure) plenty of reading. Our 24″+ of snow is melting fast — it didn’t even get down to freezing overnight. I still think this is the weirdest winter ever.
Oh, my heavens, isn’t it? Such a strange, strange winter. I wonder if we’re going to see anything ‘normal winter’ in February or March? I hope not! If this is abnormal, I’ll take it. At the very least, Vera, we don’t have to worry about Scout navigating on the ice.
Have a wonderful day to yourself. Great post as always.
Thank you, Mamey. (By the way, I love your name!) Have a great day.
Our Cody was also our Vet’s oldest patient, we all knew when it was time…
Love the Roseville, do you ever put water and flowers in the vintage vases? Those flowers look like they belong in that vase! I love my amazon boxes and my free time with my hubby away on business.
I do use some of my McCoy vases – I have to make sure they’re water tight because sometimes older pottery leaks a bit!
So good to hear that Scout is okay.
S
xo
Thanks, Sue.
Good news about Scout! It’s going to be a great day Claudia! Doris
Bless you, Doris! Thank you.
I love that vase. It is right out of the 40’s.
I’m sure when it’s time to say ciao to Scout you will know. She’s not your first rodeo.
How old is she? She knows she is loved & in good hands.
We had a Chelsea girl that made it to 18 + years. I’m still not over my decision to let her
go but I know I did the right thing. It still hurts to this day and that was almost 2 years ago.
She was the perfect doggie. Of course.
We have a new girl now, Lucy, and we love her but it doesn’t ease the pain we feel for
Chelsea.
Ok. I’m done. Sorry.
Those are some nice plants by the way.
Enjoy your day.
Monica
She’s 17, Monica. Just turned 17 earlier this month and she’s a mid-sized dog – a border collie – so 17 is an amazing achievement. I know you how you feel. Other beautiful and loved pets come into our lives, but we never forget the ones who have passed away. They are still in our hearts. I think of all of our dogs who are no longer with us and still cry when I think of them.
Great news about Scout! Gorgeous vase…my mom used to have one just like it. It’s turned into a picture perfect Wisconsin morning…hope your Hartford morning is just as grand! ;)
It’s going to be in the 40’s today and the sun just came out!
Good Morning .Good news on the home front. Love the shades on the vase.Nidia
Thank you, Nidia. Good news, indeed. I can relax a bit now.
So good to hear that Scout has such a strong heart. I know you and Don are doing the right thing for her. Your hearts are strong also! It’s not easy taking care of an aging member of our family, but we do it. That vase…Love it! I am going vertical with my next Roseville purchase :) I bought two plants yesterday instead of flowers. They just made me so happy. Enjoy your day.
hugs,
Linda
Go vertical, my friend, go vertical! Enjoy your plants and the fact that they make you smile!
Celebrate all the good news, Claudia! I believe that how one treats animals is a huge reflection of who they are as human beings. You and Don are absolute gems in my book. Have a fun day at the museum. I love museums.
Oh, thank you, Wendy. That means a lot!
The new Roseville piece is lovely. I was happy to read that Scout had a good checkup – I hope that affords you some peace of mind while you’re away.
It does. It doesn’t make everything go away, but it gives us some guidance and now we will just concentrate on loving her and helping her.
That’s such good new regarding Scout! I’ve been worried about her. I follow her story as much as I do you :) I’m so glad that her heart is strong and that she had a good day yesterday. My little Gracie has arthritis in her back legs and sometimes they give out on her, (little dog-too much jumping). I know how you feel about watching and worrying over them as I do the same. When she’s having a bad day I worry and fuss over her to try and make it all better.
Love the vase. The colors are beautiful.
Thank you, Betsy. It is still hard watching her fall so much, and I’m sure her bones and muscles ache, but she’s doing okay and she wants to be here. We’re grateful she’s with us.
So glad to hear the good report on Scout. Old age just catches up with us all at some point! LOL
Glad she was feeling better. Love your new pottery piece.
Judy
Well, it’s a good report in that we know she’s hanging in there and she’s going to be with us a bit longer. That’s a sigh of relief!
Your home away from home is looking positively cozy.
Keep meaning to get to the Wadsworth, please let us know what you think of it.
I didn’t get there today, Elizabeth, but I’ve been there before and I love it. It’s a beautiful museum, not too big.
Very glad to hear such a good report on Scout. Makes it a bit easier to enjoy all the time you have with her now. PS – sounds like you have a pretty wonderful vet too – very sensitive. IMO, most vets have better bedside manners than most MDs. In many cases, MUCH better. So many of their patients they see from roly-poly puppies to elegant elders like Scout. Must be a little hard for vets sometimes – to know that. Let’s see, looks like you got yourself a teeny hosta and a spider plant. Very pretty. ☕️
There are several vets who work in our local practice, but this one in particular is our favorite. He was there with us when we were dealing with Riley and making those decisions. I trust him implicitly. He did say that when she declines, it may be a sharp decline. At least he’ll know how to compare where she is then with where she is now.
Don’t know it it’s a hosta – the leaves seem too thin and papery for a hosta…but maybe it is!
I’m sure the good night sleep everyone had was in large part afforded by the kind and encouraging words of your vet. I don’t know how they do it. We have OUR animals to go through these things with ~ but THEY have everyone’s animals on their minds….at least the really good vets do!! Our vet, the techs and the receptionists have shared so many tears with us over the years. It is, indeed, a very noble profession, and they are angels.
Hope you have a great unplanned day off today!!
I used to work part-time for a vet when we first moved out here – off and on for 3 or 4 years (they let me take time off when I had a show to coach) and I can’t tell you how many times we all cried when we had to say goodbye to a beloved cat or dog. Sometimes, it was so painful I couldn’t bear it.
Such good news on Scout. :)
At least we know we’re doing the right thing, Deb.
Scout has THE BEST parents! So glad the visit to the vet was a positive one and that your girl seems to be in good spirits.
She isn’t the same girl she was, but she’s stoic and strong and an angel.
Its was a good idea to go to the vet to have her checked and know that you and Don have been doing the very best for her and she seems to be doing well. That always takes a load off of your shoulders. Love all the flowers, plants and the vase. Finally have dug out from all the snow. I measured Saturday afternoon out in the backyard and had 25 inches and it was still coming down. Maggie just loves the snow. I wasn’t sure how she would take it but its good to know I don’t have a problem with her going outside!
have a great day
hugs
You had a LOT of snow, Nancy! Dogs, I think, usually love the snow. I’ve had dogs who have rolled around in it. I think it must feel refreshingly cool on their heavy coats!
Yes, Claudia, you will know when Scout’s time has come, as I did with my Sooner. One day he just looked at me and I knew he was no longer enjoying any part of being alive. As long as you still have questions, it is not time yet. I hope to see many more wonderful posts about Scout.
I hope so too, Debra. Thank you!
Claudia – It’s a blessing when our pets become more than pets to us – keeping you all in my thoughts/prayers.
P.S. I’m enjoying seeing how you are making a little ‘home away from home’ with all the little touches you’ve added.
Thank you, Regina. I’m such a nester that I have to make a homey nest wherever I land.
I’m so glad to hear such a good update from the vet today about Scout. She is so lucky to have you and Don as her parents. I like that you make your place a home while you’re away. I love the little green plants. My plants are struggling this winter and I’m not sure why since I’m doing the same thing I always do in the winter time for them. They just look a little “down in the mouth” for some reason.. Have a lovely afternoon my friend.
Blessings, Betsy
I hope these plants do well. The windows they’re in front of get awfully cold. I’m going to keep my eye on them and if they look like they don’t like the cold, I’ll move them to another place in the apartment, Betsy.
Your greenery and vase are great, but really that writing on your Dame Dog is really lovely and touching. I sense your love and loyalty to such a family member. I think there is compassion and sensitivity in constantly reassessing her state and situation. I’m glad her heart and appetite are still going strong. I agree, that is showing she’s still living the good life with you all.
She’s our girl and we’ll do anything and everything for her, Ellen.
Your great fur baby parents to Scout. I could’ve cried when you had to leave home and head back to Hartford and were feeling so torn where Scout was concerned. It’s a momma thing! We refer to our Manx cats; Miss Moxie and Mortimer { Arsenic & Old Lace} as our fur babies. We just can’t love on them enough. Especially my husband who never grew up with pets in the household. Kids and animals go hand in hand. I’m really worried about Miss Moxie when our daughter heads off to college next year. This cat is totally wrapped around our daughter’s pinkie!!! LOL…
Your first photo of your healthy variegated pothos plant and second of the variegated spider plant make things so springy. I’ve been bitten by the garden bug as I have a 250 sq. ft. bed to redo along with reading extensively to educate myself on all my lovely pollinators I want to keep coming regularly every year.
You’ll be home more regularly soon {wink}
Hugs,
-A.
Thanks so much A! Always good to meet another animal lover. What would we do without them?
Like you, I can’t wait to get back to the garden. Spring can’t come quickly enough!