All oregon posts

Today, my sweet old girl, Panda, turns 14. She would be born a couple weeks after and about 3000 miles away from when and where Leo and I started dating. We'd adopt her about nine months later, after quitting our jobs and moving to the west coast without jobs or a plan. Looking back, the whole things sounds ridiculous but here we all are, and I wouldn't change a thing.

This was our first meeting with Panda, back in September of 2001. She'd just been spayed, she was scared and shy, she submissive peed a little and then she curled up next to Leo. We took her home that afternoon.

Thirteen years later, her coat has gone from smooth and glossy, to downy and full, she's losing her sight and her hearing and the arthritis in her legs is limiting her mobility, but she seems happy. She still loves her food and her favorite spot in front of the sliding door where she can watch the neighborhood goings-on, and of course, she still loves the beach.

She was our only dog for six years and, honestly, it was a hard sell for me to add anyone else. Panda is a sweet, gentle, easy to train girl who came potty trained and never destroyed any people things. But Thea has kept her playing and Darwin has kept Thea entertained when Panda needs a break. All in all, I think they've been good for her.

She certainly brings me joy, and I hope she feels the same.

Friday, we took everyone to the beach, ran around until they were exhausted and then Leo shared some of his Prime Rib dinner with them. That's basically like taking them to doggy Disneyland and then treating them to their favorite meal. A pretty good birthday party, if I do say so, myself.

So happy birthday to my sweet girl. I love you to pieces.

Panda is thirteen years old, today, which is, I think, "lady of a certain age" in dog years. We probably shouldn't even be talking about it. Panda had her yearly vet appointment this week, where she got a clean bill of health. Darwin worried about her the whole time she was with the doc.

Will she ever come back?

Yesterday, we took her to the ocean because, of course we did. She's definitely slowing down but she doesn't enjoy it any less.

She's the only one who likes wading into the deep end. Some of that may have to do with the fact that Thea sinks in water and Darwin couldn't care less about fetch. His primary role is to body check his sisters. He's a real stinker.

Thea also enjoys riding her invisible bicycle.

Some seals watched us playing

And we watched some anemones do their anemone thing.

My anemone's anemone is my friend

Then we ended our evening with some fish and chips. The pups may have gotten a little bit of that too. The birthday celebration continues today. The pups are blissfully mellow, leaving the old lady to relax. Tonight, we'll cook up a little fresh salmon and sneak a little into their food, and of course, there are plenty of belly rubs and snuggles to go around.

Here's to my sweet old lady. If you have a pet, pass along a birthday scritch to him or her, on Panda's behalf.

As you may or may not know, I suffer from a chronic illness called, Early Onset Curmudgeon Syndrome [EOCS]. There's no cure, but most people suffering from EOCS, live long and cranky lives. No need to start up a fund raiser, just send truffles. So, when I saw this "Hi-Falutin'" whiskey, I knew I had to have it, even if it tasted terrible.

It neither treats nor alleviates the symptoms of EOCS but it tastes just fine and dandy. Why not enjoy a lovely adult beverage while telling the neighbors' children to pull up their pants and turn their music down?

When I have a flare up of my EOCS, I find the best remedy is a healthy dose of this:

Because afterwards, I get a few days of this:

And, if you are so inclined, a splash of whiskey while a few tired mutts curl up next to you on the couch, isn't so bad, either.

It's here, at least in Oregon and it's lovely so far.

This rock has a heart on for spring and I have a juvenile sense of humor

Spring means more trips to the beach.

Did you catch that excited whimper out of Darwin?

And more playing in the yard

I think D is aerating the lawn a little too effectively

And renovations.

New wiring and an end to that pepto pink closet, in the works

And maybe a little something else getting an overhaul, too.

Coming soon, if I ever finish doing all the things

This guy

I wish this were a picture of us actually at the beach, celebrating his birthday, but we are "grown ups" with "responsibilities" and a "mortgage to pay." "Lame."

Anyway, that's a picture from a huge batch I haven't gotten around to sorting and posting, and is hopefully foreshadowing of events to come soon. In the mean time, I'll be lavishing an extra serving of belly rubs and blueberries on this little beast.