Gifts From Loved Ones

Today has been a day of blessings.  Gifts.

My first gift of the day was the enthusiasm my students showed when we read about the Titanic.  I had 100% engagement for the half hour text and discussion in all three of my classes.  When I told them I’d get the laptop cart Friday and let them research about it, they cheered!  Don’t tell me low-income kids don’t want to learn.  Huh.

Then I got home and found a box tucked inside my screen door.  In it was a jewelry box with a pretty gold necklace in the shape of a heart.  The letter attached was from the Danbury Mint with a personal message from my father, wishing me a happy birthday.  On the back of the necklace is the inscription “My little girl yesterday, my friend today, my daughter forever”.  I will treasure this always.  My dad hit 80 and turned into mush.  I love you, Dad.

I then treated myself to a real dinner, steak, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed green beans marinated in a little lime salad dressing.  I made enough for lunch tomorrow, so this gift to myself will continue to give!

The highlight of the day was my gift from my sweet old dog, Ava.  She offered me the opportunity to steam clean my hallway carpet.  I have been wanting to do it for a few weeks, but… well… I just couldn’t resist this evening.  My carpet looks fabulous, and I now plan to take Greenies off her list of approved snacks until I decide if that’s what caused her to decorate my carpet.  Thanks, Ava.  I owe ya one.

Sunday Funnies – Basset Beauty

I “stumbledupon” this link the other day.  My daughter and I had a great laugh over some of these pictures.  If my Ava actually worked herself up into a genuine run, she’d probably look like some of these guys.  However, at her age, a bouncy walk is the best I can hope for.

 

Enjoy.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/basset-hounds-running

Soulmates

Well, my dog Ava and I have been together just about 24 hours now.  Her foster mom brought her to me yesterday and I signed all the adoption papers.  Since then, she has followed me around like she was a little puppy.  When I sit on the couch, she shoves her nose under my arm so I’ll pet her, and as of today, she will lie down in front of me and roll on her back for a belly rub.

We took a long walk yesterday evening after dinner.  By the time we got back, my head was splitting, and Ava was exhausted.  We both went to bed early and slept all night.  Ava sleeps often.  In fact, she is dozing nearby as I type.

She does not bark, slobber, or get into anything.  Like me, she is a low flow kinda woman.  Just relax, eat, sleep, eat, relax… you get the idea.

We’re going to get along just fine.

Hello Ava!

Soon I will no longer have to talk to myself when I’m home in order to have a conversation.  Ava, the rescue basset hound will be joining me!  Now I will have someone to talk to.  Although I suspect Ava will just look at me like I’m nuts, I won’t feel quite as insane as I do now when constantly talking to myself.

Ava is a nine year oldish basset who came from a shelter on the East Coast.  Not much is known about her, but she has been with her foster mom for almost a year.  She’s a one-eyed black and white hound who is heartworm positive, but she is also quiet, submissive, and sweet natured.  She is not a barker, nor is she a “counter surfer”.

Some are surprised that I would want to adopt such an old dog.  But after my experience trying to find homes for my eight year old cats, I know how difficult it is to adopt older animals out.  And since I am getting older myself, have arthritic hips, bad knees, and chronic migraine, I feel an affinity for Ava.

And her name is Ava, for crying out loud.

I am adopting her through Suncoast Basset Rescue, headquartered in Gainesville, FL.  They have been excellent to work with.  You can check them out here.  And if you do, look through their available dogs and you’ll find my Ava!

Much Better Than an Alarm Clock

True story.

I woke up with a pretty serious migraine this morning.  After a couple doses of Imitrex, my head felt better but I was wiped out, so I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Then I felt someone licking my elbow.  I opened my eyes to see two big, brown, soulful basset hound eyes looking into mine.  Now, I don’t know anyone with a basset hound, nor does my ex-husband, in whose home I am staying for now.  (long story… I am staying in my daughter’s room).  Anyway, I reached over, petted the dog several times.  She never made a sound, just looked me over, turned, and walked back out of the room.

Turns out, my older daughter and my son-in-law went to the shelter today and brought home a basset hound.

All I know is an elbow lick from a basset is one of the loveliest ways I can think of to wake up.  I drifted back off to sleep with a smile on my face.