Hambone

We knew this day was coming.  We expected it nearly six months ago.  But it still doesn't make it any easier. 

We lost our best friend last night. 

Hambone (or Bone) was 18 yrs old.  He was our first "child".  CP and I had been married a little over a year when we decided to increase our family.  Since CP is allergic to animal dander, we had to choose a dog that wouldn't bother his allergies.  He had a black poodle as a child so we looked for another black poodle.  We drove about 30 min from our home to a breeder and got to choose our puppy. 

On the drive home, we tried to think of names.  Lots of names were mentioned - Thunder, Tux (he had a little white spot on his chest), Spot, and at one point, CP said "Hambone".  I have no idea what made him think of that name, but I started to laugh.  I told CP that if I didn't stop laughing, Hambone was going to be his name. 

Well, you know the rest of the story.

We worked really hard to make sure he was a people dog.  Our house was on the main road of our neighborhood and lots of people used to walk the sidewalks.  We would sit outside with him and introduce him to everyone that walked by.  He was a wonderful, friendly poodle. 

We took him to obedience training at the local Parks and Rec.  He ended up winning "Most Improved" by the end of the six weeks.  (Of course, I think this was because he was such a rowdy little guy when we started!)

He was so little when we first brought him home, he would have to hop in the tall grass to get around.  If it snowed, he would sink up to his shoulders. 

We eventually moved to another town in NC and Hambone (or HB as we sometimes called him) started having seizures.  We took him to the vet and were told that the seizures would shorten his life span.  With an average life span of 12-15 yrs, we figured we'd be lucky if he lived 8-10 yrs. 

While we lived in that town, he became "friends" with our neighbor's cat.  One of our fondest memories is of the two of them running around in our backyard and crashing into each other as they tried to jump across a small trench (we were building a walkway) from opposite sides.

In 2003, we moved to Florida and for some unknown reason, he stopped having his seizures.  We still figured that after having them for the 8 yrs we lived in that town that he probably didn't have much life left.  Thankfully, we were wrong.

Of course, at 18 yrs of age, he was mostly blind (only saw light and shadows) and deaf.  He laid around alot and kept us company.  When we had company over, he would still come up to check them out and on occasion he would do his "rabbit run" where he would scamper around the house like a rabbit. But those times had become very few and far between.

Since we homeschool, the kids are used to being around him all the time.  He would come into the homeschool room and lay down on his rug and hang out with everyone.  At times, he would go visit Grandpa - even if Grandpa wasn't at home.   But that won't be happening any more.

We are going to miss our best friend.

Our Best Friend

Not long after CP and I got married, we got a dog.  We decided that would be good practice for having a child.  You know - can't go on long trips without planning.  Waking up in the night to take out to do their business. Always pawing you for your attention. 

When we moved to a different town in NC, he started having seizures.  We were told that these would shorten his life span.  The average life span for a miniature poodle is 13-15 years.  At the time, he was about 2 yrs old.  When we moved to Florida 8 yrs ago, the seizures stopped.  He was 9 yrs old.  We thought we wouldn't have him much longer given the shortened lifespan as a result of the seizures. 

When we started the adoption process last year in January, we worried that he wouldn't make it until we brought our son(s) home.  He made it.  He is now 17 yrs old.

But last week, we werent' sure he would make it much longer.  CP found him on the floor in our bedroom - not moving.  HB sleeps with us and usually barks when he is ready to get down.  He didn't bark that day.  Apparently, he fell off the bed and hurt his hips/legs.  When CP took him to the vet, she said he was having seizures again.  His vision (which was poor to begin with) is now worse.  Apparently, he is now totally blind.  His hearing (which was minimal) is also now worse.  CP wasn't sure if he would make it through the day.  He was considering the possiblity of putting him to sleep - so he called me at work.  I told him to take him home and lets watch him for a few days.  Fortunately, he has improved steadily and he is still with us. 

The question is

for how long?

Sunday Snapshot - A Little of This, A Little of That

This past week has been busy and my photos reflect that.  Here is what's been going on with us lately.

We shipped JA and AT off to Boy Scout Camp e-a-r-l-y Saturday morning.  They are travelling by bus with their troop to Kentucky.  This is the farthest from home (without us) for them ever. 

Just to prove HOW early they left, CP took a picture of the sunrise on his way home :-)

HJ wanted to make some crafts yesterday so I pulled out our craft basket.  TJ saw what she was doing and wanted to join in.  This is one of his creations!  It was neat to see what he came up with - I doubt he ever had the opportunity to do something like this in China.

This is HJ's creation.

While TJ still isn't crazy about dogs, he tolerates Hambone well.  But GW, adores Hambone; HB climbed up next to him and laid down while GW and CP were doing school work last week. 

Earlier in the week, CP brought home a Slip-n-Slide.  We found out from a previous one that they work best if you slide with something like a tube.  Here are some pictures of their fun!

Sunday Snapshot - Gardening

Since we live in FL, it is too hot to plant a garden in the summer, so we have Fall/Winter gardens.  Since we spent all yesterday morning/afternoon at the baseball field, we went to church last night.  So we were able to get up this morning and get started on our garden.

We all chipped in...

even the dog!

Since we had all the tools out, CP decided to transplant one of the large plants that was inside our screened in pool.  Here are two leaves from the plant.

AT spotted a beautiful flower and tried to put it in my hair, but it wouldn't stay.

While waiting for me to give them their next assignment, HJ and SG made a teeter totter and started playing.

When we were all done, the kids (at least 3 of them) cooled off in the pool!