So much and so far behind

Well, it has been a busy summer. I have a lot to share to catch up, so will try to be brief.

I see I did manage to tell you about Sally and Crosby's puppies. Well, they are now 7 weeks old and doing great! Tia and Adam's pups are 12 weeks old and also doing really well.

Lets see, I left in the beginning of July for a visiting trip up north. I went to 3 shows up there, and finally got a major on Maizie - right before I was to return her to Patti. Well, she has since picked up two more points - yippee!

I was able to visit Barbara Penny on the way up and the way back, and had great times. We went to Wegman's, and had wonderful shopping experiences with her two neighbors. After the first Wegman's run, we gathered for dinner and had the biggest feast I can remember. Thanks, Barbara!

Left Barbara's to head to my boss's house, and the van broke down in NJ. Luckily, we broke down very close to Karen Fitzpatrick's house, and she graciously came and saved me and all the dogs and pups. One of the wheel bearings blew, and I drove on it too long, so it ended up burning up the steering shaft, so we were stuck there for two days. On the good side, I got a nice visit in with Karen and Scott. Thanks, Karen! But no stop at Bob's.

I had to be in NH for a show on Wed, so left Karen's at 7pm on Tuesday, and drove all night, arriving at 4am at Tracey's. We left for the shows at 6am, and showed. Maizie showed well, was the only girl, but the judge didn't cross her over for the two points. I was soooo disappointed. Especially after nearly killing myself to get there. Oh well. Then the next day she crossed over for the major.

Tracey had her 10th Annual Puppy Reunion that Sunday, and it was a great fun! I was able to see some people and dogs I hadn't seen in years. Tracey had a raffle for ECSCA rescue with lots of great things, and I was in charge of selling the tickets. I think we raised around $750 - yippee! I won the big prize - a director's chair that was handpainted with an EC mom and pups by Maxine Raymond.

Shadow went to his new home up there. I was sad to see him go, but I know that he is already living the life - summering in Maine and wintering in VA.

Kumquat was re-homed with Mary Oberdorf, who has had 3 of my dogs now. She currently has Quid and Alice, who she got from Tracey, and now Kumquat. He is really happy there and is getting along great with the other two. I had a great visit with Mary for a couple of days after leaving Tracey's.

I also had a great visit with my sister in MA, then again in NY as she and my brother were camping close to Mary's house. Dad came up for the day, so got to see him too.

After 2 weeks on the road, it was time to head for home. I made a quick stop in NY to meet up with Patti and drop off Maizie, then headed to PA to visit with Andy and Sharon (our old neighbors) for a couple of hours, then on to Barbara's for the night. Then to home.

I arrived home around 11:30am on Monday, July 21, and as I was walking up the driveway with my first load, got a call that Sally's puppies were on the way. Whew! Then Roxy turned 13 on July 22!!

My family got a jolt late July when we found out that George, my youngest brother (age 48) was diagnosed with end-stage pancreatic cancer. He had a few rough weeks, and we all headed down to Florida to see him and help as much as we could. Carolyn went down first and stayed for about a month. Dad went next and has been back and forth twice already. I went down next and was there for about 3 weeks. My brother Charlie was there for a week, and my sister Deb and her SO Fred, are still there. My nieces, Alena, Katie and Danielle, all came to visit at different times as well. And we got to spend some time with Nathan, George's 2-year-old son (his birthday was August 28) and his mom, Heather.

Well, we got George out of the VA Hospital and he's home being cared for by hospice. They are being great, and he had a major turnaround. He is now stable, and even gardening and running around, so I headed home last week to try and get caught up here and visit with my puppies, who have been with the Heinz's. Whew!

So, if you've wondered why I haven't been updating my blog, and there aren't many photos of the puppies, that's why.

Thank you to all the people that have helped:
Carmen for opening her homes in FL for my family (they are both within 10 miles of George's house) so we all didn't have to stay in his house, or stay in hotels. Not to mention having a great place to stay!
My husband John, who patiently stayed and took care of the house all this time, along with Yahtzee, Bri and Tia. He did come down to visit for a few days in Florida while I was there.
Tina and Jim Heinz for whelping and raising Sally's litter, then taking in Tia's litter and Sam when I had to run to Florida. That was huge!
Lauren for taking in Roxy and treating her like one of the family. And to her hubby, David, for keeping Roxy in carrots.
Betty for taking in Bri and Tia while John was in Florida, and his parents for taking Yahtzee and taking care of the birds and the fish.
And finally, my other friends for being there and being supportive.

It's not over, and I'm sometimes overwhelmed with it all.

My dad and I had this great trip planned at the end of August to go west - which we canceled to be with George. It sure looked like a fun trip, but it apparently wasn't meant to be. I feel very blessed to have been able to spend time with my family down in Florida, and to spend some time talking with George. I'll start an album for Florida soon and post photos there.

Thanks for listening,
Mindy

Comments

[Sara]

so sad that I just missed seeing you & meeting my new lil bro kumquat, but i've seen tons of photos & can hear him barking in the background when i speak to mum :)
your summer sounds rather hectic with all that travelling - hope your fall calms down a bit.