We did have some good things that we ended with in 2025.  

Our girl Ree had her 9th birthday on December 24th. Without a doubt, she acts like she is our total equal and rules don't apply to her. I wouldn't let her think anything else. She's a fun and mischievous girl and is a bit too smart for her own good sometimes! 

~Ree contemplating what mischief she'll engage in next~

Simba was also neutered in December. He was a good post op patient, and I'd thought it was the last hurdle to get over before they would be ready for adoption. 

~Post op patient Simba~

I was wrong about that. There is a family that I like for the two of them, but there was a bit of a miscommunication with their vet, and Teddy needs a few follow up tests before he's cleared for adoption. I'm hoping the anomalies that we're seeing in his bloodwork are easily resolved. 

~Teddy at the vet - Also thinking he was done with vet visits~

I've also been in touch with the family that adopted Jack Jack. They adore him, and I love getting the updates like the one below:

We all love Jack Jack. He is such a good dog. He is very Smart and he likes to hide that sometimes! 😂  I have pointed at a chew toy and said to chew on that instead of the bed cover, and he did! He has done other higher thinking too. ❤

~Jack Jack totally comfortable on HIS sofa~

So, now that we're rounding the corner to the middle of January, for the most part we are in a good place. ...knock, knock, knock on wood!!

We are all doing our best to stay warm, and I'm really hoping for the snow that is being mentioned in the coming weekend forecast.

~A *warm* moment between Max (left) White Boy & Noodle~

And we are also getting ready for what else may come this weekend. Watch this space ...

We are off and running into the new year! And it is another year that begins with my hope and determination to be better at keeping this blog going and up to date. 

But before going forward, I have to look back just a little. It was not the best in many ways. From losing 4 of our dogs - Lily, Milo, Marley and Max and our quirky Siamese cat Tiggy - And my oldest brother and my Father in Law. 

By the time we were getting ready to turn the corner towards Labor Day in September, I was planning the memorial service for my brother in Kentucky - We were also getting ready for Carl to retire at the end of September. 

Honestly, I was just not in a good place emotionally. Everyone around me knew it, even the doctor I work for knew it. He called me into his office after work one day and told me to take some time off. It wasn't a choice to work or take time off. He told me to take off as much time as I needed, and he would pay me for whatever time that would be. Dr. S, without a doubt is the best doctor I've ever worked for. 

Dr. S was right of course. So, I planned a quick trip to a part of Virginia that I'd never been before, and stayed at an out of the way Airbnb (that was very reasonably priced) for a couple of days. Circa 1889, it was originally a country store that is full of charm and history. Near the small town of Tappahannock, on the Rappahannock River, and other old Virginia towns. 

The area proved to be a perfect and fun place to explore, slow down and recharge. I came back feeling focused and ready for what was ahead. **The below photo is a marsh on the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge - Hutchinson Unit

And since I mentioned focus, the dogs of course remain my focus. Unfortunately Noodle was diagnosed with kidney disease in October. We're trying to slow down its progression with Chinese herbs, and a fresh diet. So far, he still has a good appetite and energy. I'm hopeful what we're doing will prolong Noodle's  life and keep up his appetite strong too. Paws crossed! 

We have also added our Lab foster girl Keira as a permanent addition to our crew. You'll recall that she is heartworm positive and has cancer. We have really grown to love our 'little chocolate girl.' It's hard not to feel that way. Keira is a gentle shy soul, that has come so far in gaining confidence and trust. Lab Rescue made her available for adoption and the thought of Keira leaving us was causing that familiar ache in my heart. 💔  Of course we know that our time with her will be limited. Our goal of course is to make whatever time that will be, be the best for her. 

In a nutshell, this takes us past the holidays and into 2026. Okay, not so fast, there were celebrations too. 

~Our sweet and most senior boy Max~

Sadly, we've had yet another loss of one of our seniors at our house. This time, it's our foster boy Max that came to us in March of this year. 

This sweet boy, passed away on his own, here at home - And I couldn't help but think of this quote by Gustav Klimt that brought me peace in Max's passing: 

"I hope death is like being carried to your bedroom when you were a child and fell asleep on the couch during a family party. I hope you can hear the laughter from the next room."  

Max hadn't been feeling well the past few weeks. I'd taken him to the vet because of swelling that developed under his eye. There were treatment options given that would have provided a diagnosis of what was causing the swelling - an MRI to rule out a tumor, dental x-rays to see if it was an abscessed tooth, or we could simply give antibiotics to see if it would reduce any infection and inflammation. Because the other two options meant general anesthesia, given Max's age, we opted to try the antibiotic. It did help, but some of the swelling was still there. Max's appetite also started to decrease, as did his activity level. 

His spark was fading, and despite my best efforts to try and keep him going, I knew the path we were on.  I tried to stay optimistic. Max had a 15th birthday coming in a few weeks, and I was hoping that he'd rally and be with us to celebrate this milestone. But it was not meant to be. 

I was at work on Tuesday, and so of course I wish I'd been able to be with him to say my good-byes to Max. However, I'm grateful that he was home, that Carl was with him, and it was quiet and peaceful - Max was surrounded by what he had come to know -- There were no bright lights and noise of a vets office and people around that he didn't know - Max felt the warmth of his bed, and what was familiar and nearby as he went on ahead to the place where I hope I'll see him again, one day. Until then, I will miss this sweet, gentle, quiet senior boy, that I wish you all could have gotten the chance to meet - Maybe someday you will.  As always, I am beyond grateful and thankful for your friendship and support and cheering us on in the good times, and the not so good times too. 

Not long after Jack Jack was adopted, we welcomed 8 year old's Simba and Teddy to our household. 

I was reluctant to take them because Teddy and Simba are definitely young for our household - And there are 2 of them. I agreed to take the pair only when after several weeks of trying, the rescue's Foster Home Coordinator was unable to find another foster home for them. I have to add that *She* spent a lot of time, explored every option, left no stone unturned and still came up with no one who would take them. *She* really tried. 

The two were given up because of household allergies - I guess it took 8 years to figure that out... But Simba and Teddy will be with us until at least the first of the year because Simba must be neutered before they will be made available for adoption. And, unfortunately we don't have an appointment for that until mid December. 

~Simba at the vet, not afraid of how much he weighs~

But all that aside, Teddy and Simba are really nice, easy going and good natured boys. We are beyond grateful and thankful that most importantly they are both getting along with our crew. Which was and always is, my first and biggest concern. 

As I write this, I feel like the dust has settled on their arrival at our house. And as we celebrated Teddy's 8th birthday on Tuesday, I'm grateful Simba and Teddy are both safe, and we have the chance to know these two boys, and be part of their story. 

~Teddy's birthday cookie that was shared with his new packmates~