I'm Back!!

OK, I'm done hibernating for now. I reserve the right to go back into hibernation if the cold temps come back.


As I've been tucked in with my pillow and blankie on the couch this has been part of my entertainment. This is a face off between a Tit-Mouse and rapidly growing baby squirrel. I'm sure he was only half that size last week. I put seeds on the deck to keep Squirrel Monster from chewing thru the bird feeder.

I have a lot of catching up to do, so here are my Thankful Thursday entries. These things made me happy this week.

I have some wonderful blog friends. Several contacted me when I disappeared to be sure I was OK. I thank you so much. Suffering from depression, a person feels all alone, but you guys let me know that I'm not alone and so far I've been able to fight off the dark thoughts.

The collage above was done by Nicki. She took my header showing Samba and the pups running down the hill and pulled in pics of Samba, Fudge and each of the six pups we kept. Rob and I both love it and we're framing it. Thanks Nicki, I know that took a lot of time and I really appreciate it.


Missy Morgan has a cyst in the middle of her back. It's been there for years and never changes, until now. Yesterday it appeared a little larger to me. This morning I showed it to Rob and he agreed that it was considerably larger. Both Fudge and Sky were attracted to it and wouldn't leave it alone. We know that dogs can pick up on illnesses, including cancer, so Rob dropped her at the vet clinic this morning.

The vet called a couple hours later and said it is a sebaceous cyst and was getting ready to pop. It did pop during the exam and so they aspirated it, cleaned the whole area and put an antibiotic ointment on it. Now she's on her way home, good as new. This makes me very happy.


Now for a Samba update. This is a subtle difference but in the photo above, taken before Christmas, her eyes troubled me. She looked sick and sad.


In this picture taken this week, she looks more alert and curious. I told you it was subtle, maybe only I can see it, but Samba is feeling better. She's still losing hair, but we hope that will turn around soon.

Now for some things going on in blogland that you might want to get in on.


There's a contest on Dawn's blog. She's collecting lapghans for a nursing home. They need to be washable and approximately 32 x 37. Check her blog for details.



If you haven't read Red Dog Knits blog, you're really missing out. Kristi writes about the adventures of raising twin boys Gangles and Scrappy. These two are so cute and funny that you can't help but smile.

Kristi is trying to get crafters busy making teddy bears for the emergency workers in her area to carry in their vehicles to give to children who are involved in traumatic events, fires, domestic violence, drug raids, etc. Her cause is called Comfort Bears and will be ongoing. Check out the details at her blog and be sure to take a look at the boys.


Finally, for those of you who will never make it to Westminster, which is 99% of us, here is a virtual dog show that we all can enter. And it has great prizes. Best in Show gets his or her portrait painted.


Here are the categories:

Cat Dogs - Some doggies are, well, CATS. Right? So if you are a cat which is actually not a dog, never fear, you can enter here.

Hound Dogs - Do you bay at the moon? Become deaf when your snooter is engaged? Run fast on long legs? This is your category.

Herding Dogs - All you guys and gals who love to round things up, enter here ( yes, even Border Collies which are not actual dogs, but alien beings from the planet Agility).

Sporty Dogs - If you do a sport or are basically a good sport about life, then you are a Sporty Dog.

Non-Sporty Dogs - Bad dog! Bad dog! Grouchy? Sore loser? You know who you are.

Hard Working Dogs - Have a job? This one is for you.

Cracker Dog Insane Terriers (CDIT) - Let's face it, first of all, we are Relentlessly Huge terrier fans here at the estate. Plus there just is nothing like a terrier. Show us what you got.

Check out Mango's blog for all the details, how to enter and take a look at the great prizes.