hard choices - Dog Gone

My dog has gone to the other side.  The most beautiful GSD I've ever known.

Hope to see him when I cross over some day.  (Many years from now)

Today I took my beloved Dog, Winzer, to the vet to have him euthanized.  Had to carry him in as he could no longer walk.  He could no longer hold up his back side enough to poop or pee.

This am I took him for a walk in his wheelchair and he tried to be upbeat.  We played ball in the living room but he would not get his backside off the cushion even to chase it one foot out of reach.  He was done.

Yesterday he had fallen in his poop and tracked it in.  I cleaned it all up and then gave him a bath on the spot.  I must have been a sight when I'm out front in shorts washing my dog.

Earlier this week I got the boys to come over to see the dog one last time.Warning them it was coming to this.  This hard decision that I had put off by buying an expensive dog wheelchair to buy time etc.  (That will be up on Craig's List shortly)

Here is a photo of Thomas giving Winzer a brushing earlier this week.

I often joked that he was Not related to the royal Wndsor's.  But to the California Winzers' ...  so that's when I'd explain the spelling...  Then it made sense to them.  Good for a laugh.

But my Winzor...  A sweetheart dog.  One of the best.  A GSD with soft heart that liked to throw his ball to someone to have it tossed.  And often picked a child or girl for this treat.  He was smart.  He knew that a kid or woman would not throw it too far!

It has been a very long time since I took him to the Airport Dog Park.  It has been a long time since I took him to the local park full of local doggies off leash.  His degenerative myelopathy was making its way up the spine and it was time to call it.  We worked through the first stages with additives.  Then medications for arthritis and pain.  Saw a specialist and tried a interesting cocktail of drugs that made him too doped up to be happy.  We backed off and back to the Rymidal alone for he still could be part of the family mentally while on it.

Lately he has not been missing out on Milk Bones.  Or Duck Treats.  Or plenty of wet can food with extra tasty bits of Cheese or Chicken added to encourage him to eat and be happy.  Even went to "The Dogromat" to pick up some frozen dog food in the raw.  Got him the Duck.  His favorite.  Got the full duck with extra hearts and gizzards and added that to his kibble.  Did work for a time.  He was old and was eating less and less.

His first photo was 6/9/2007 when I was making a Lost Dog flier that I put up on all the phone poles around our house.  I advertised with the Mar Vista Community Counsil and other locations.  Called all the pounds and told them to call me if any inquires for a full grown German Sheppard came in.  We had him checked for both brands of tracking tags.  None.  No calls.  Even two adverts in the LA Times.  By this time we were smitten with his personality and he was attached to us and stopped trying to leave the yard.

2007 -

now in 2014 - 7 years and 18 days later

And that is a lot of time...  He walked into my heart and put paw prints all over me.  Inside and out.

Rest in peace Winzer dog.  I will wish you well on your journey to the other side.  Someday when I make the crossing I hope to see you there waiting for me. We can run and play ball again then.

Several Welsh Corgis, an American Eskimo and now a German Sheppard.  All have a peace of my heart. Oh and I'll never forget my cat Chuck.  The most dog like cat I've ever known.  They all have a bit of my heart.

If there ever was a dog that could walk on water...  It is a German Sheppard.

May you all know the grace of a loving and caring pet. Big or small it helps us to be more human.

In loving memory of my Winzor Lambert - R I P

Years Ago I Made a Resolution to Listen to My Dog.

A smart dog.  A very good dog.

Keith  ^.  .^ 

PS...  Had a close encounter with a wild Coyote recently and in a way a spirit guide let me know it was okay now to make this decision to let him go to the maker of us all.

Nice day for a Fathers Day Luncheon

2014 is a transitive and resetting year.  2013 was "Change" in a big way.

This year in the new home... frequently called "Casa" by me as of late.  New traditions are being formed.

This year of the boys are getting into a new groove themselves.  Ryan in an apartment in SM and Thomas in an apartment in MDR with his Mom.  Recently they both had car changes.  Ryan to a more humble but dependable one and Thomas into his first car.

I let them know that for Father's Day there was plans for a luncheon at our "Casa del Rey."  That way Carolene can cook for both her father and for me.  Making our gathering a larger family circle and celebratory in a very nice way.  A new transition to our new traditions in our new Casa.

Carolene's poppa, Daniel, is a very fun and sweet old gent.  Getting on in years his forays out to see the world are rare and can be exasperating to him.  So it is super special for Carolene to get him here to the house.  She loves him so much and misses the fun and vibrant man she adored for so many years.  Used to being a man about town and a part of the "In" crowd it is a big change for him too as his health limits him to very few dinners out per month.

Also my mom, Lillie, rounded out the party.  She has not seen enough of the Grand-kids anyhow.  And she and Daniel are a good combo at the table.

Carolene set the table three days in advance.  With a Blue theme.

The menu was selected to satisfy the two Dad's to be celebrated...  Steak. Warm spinach salad. Thrice baked potatoes. Pecan pie and home made taffy with whipped creme to take care of some sweet tooth needs too.

Elevated by Carolene's style and flair we relaxed and feasted.  What a warm blanket of caring and sharing.  I want to wrap myself in that often.

My son Ryan brought me a touching card and thoughtful gift of a few golf balls.  So we took the afternoon to take in some golf.  A nice time.  We walked and walked again.  We had many memorable shots.  Here is one on the 2nd hole.  (11th for the day as we played a second 9 racing the sun)

We both landed on the Green from 145 yards out

Two balls side by side in the center of the green

Ryan got a good read from my put attempt

The Lakes down in El Segundo is a nice little course with plenty of green grass and hillside and trees to effectively give you the feel of playing a much bigger course.  On the Long Drive bet Ryan won. I was longer but just off the fairway.  I make part of the bet include that it has to be on the short grass.  But on the second attempt at the long hole Ryan belted two awesome shots and one to the front of the green some 240 yards up a hill (2 out of 3 each).  Yup, I had to pay him again.

We had some very nice Father and Son time.  All a dad can want from Fathers Day is the chance to show off the joy of being a Dad.  Here is my Joy.  My Son Ryan.   Thomas is also a son to be very proud of.  Unfortunately he decided to not attend.  But he was with us in spirit.

He's a cancer... a bit hard shelled at times.

T-man did send me a happy fathers day wish via text message.  The preferred method of communication of his generation.

Goofy that Ryan found the Crayfish and pulled one from the pond and put it on the green.  But there you go.  Ryan is a fun loving goof like that.  We had some off the wall fun with the little creature before we let it go in a different pond.  Back when the boys we little they had a pair of crayfish in their bathroom for a year or two.  Ryan brought it home from the last day of school.  Can't send it back.  So after setting up a nice fish tank the boys had live creatures in their bathroom to check out while brushing their teeth etc.

I'm sure it has a special place in the world for them too.

Fish Wish Granted...  A nice day.

Love was shared.

Feeling good inside.

Keith   <"><

With Father's Day approaching - wistful moment

Just a few days from Fathers Day.

I recall the flood of emotions that I enjoyed with the birth of each of my fine sons. They are healthy and beautiful people.  Sweet examples of my family with traits that I can see going back generations.

My early years as Dad were great.  We did stuff.  I worked hard to be with them.  Building a back yard swing set and encouraging them to be strong and capable men by being good strong and outgoing boys that knew they could do stuff for themselves.  So many little things that add up over time.

The little boys are now young men.  21 and 17.  Both driving and dating and figuring out that school is for them and not for me or their mom.  Surprise!

Back to the Good-Ol'-Days 

Here is a old photo that recalls a very happy Dad memory for me.

I had engineered the slide to be on a big hinge so that we could easily lift it.  Good for putting it into the inflatable pool and giving a fun splash at the end of the slide.  This was a great day for them and for me to watch their joy and jubilance.

One of many happy times.  With luck they will pay me a visit on Fathers Day.

I had to stake that swing down hard to the ground.  They played hard.

A sample of a Happy Dad moment from 2001 I think.

Keith

Hockey, Baseball, Football soon enough? Wishin' I was Fishin'

The other night I watched as the L A Kings win the first of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Go Kings.

But the sports I prefer to watch is Football and Baseball.

This picked my interest...

I used to love going to a Dodgers Game with my boys.  At least one or two games a year.

And my boys love Star Wars a lot.  So this works for me.

Happy Friday.

TGIF

So do I go fishing or do I go repair my boat?  Decisions decisions.  At least I filled my last vacancy and can go fishing or hang out on the boat and tinker.  Both have good up sides.

K   <"><