Well it's that time of year again. The time to write my annual blog post. It's sad I don't have time to contribute to this blog more than once a year or for a pet obituary but Facebook has kind of turned into my real time blog. I am feeling pressure this year to get this post done so I can get my cards in the mail but I am also looking forward to reflecting on our year.
I am happy to report that we did not lose any members of our four-legged family this year. After losing Rocky, Raven and Patrick in 2010 I was thankful to be spared more loss and heartache in 2011. I also went a WHOLE YEAR and didn't add to our four legged family! Proud of me? You should be! (well we did add two hermit crabs from the Wildwood Boardwalk but they have more than 4 legs) Their names are "Spongebob" and "Gary".
I had two good rescues this year. After working two relief shifts at the Humane Society I left with two foster animals. One was a sweet little black kitten (now named Fry) who needed a leg amputation- unfortunately black cats and kittens are a dime a dozen and the shelter does not have the resources to put into these cases. With a little nudge from the tech and a potential home for him (after posting a photo and a plea on Facebook) I got him out on a medical waiver. I amputated his leg and a few days later he moved with a friend to Sacramento. He has a best buddy named Bender (a dog) and is doing great! The other one I fell for was a blind (as in, he was born without eyes) Pekingese who was turned in as a stray at the Humane Society. They found his family through his microchip but his family decided they didn't want to come for him because he ran away too much and surrendered ownership. He is the sweetest guy and he is now living the dream on Fox Island with a great family who re-named him Stevie Wonder. I got to visit with him tonight and he is so happy :)
Grace and I share our little home with our crew of: three poorly potty-trained pooches (pictured above with Santa)-Kipper, Mitch and Peanut; and four fabulous felines (Henri, Ringo, Ocho and Milo). Our pony Checkers still lives across the street in our neighbors pasture.
Grace turned 7 in January and celebrated with a party at Build-a-Bear and a snow-tubing day in Snoqualmie.
In April we went to Disneyland with Grandma and Grandpa T for Spring Break.
And we also walked in the annual March of Dimes March for Babies to raise awareness for prematurity. We have never missed a year since Grace was born! Thank you mom, Amy and Asya for walking with us!
In May I took a quick trip to Boston to see a good friend and go to a concert. It was my first visit to Bean Town and I can't wait to go again!
In June I was lucky to be able to volunteer with the International Spay Neuter Network in Negril Jamaica on a veterinary spay-neuter campaign. I was there for a week and we spayed and neutered about 250 dogs (and a handful of feral cats). I loved Jamaica and hope to be able to volunteer for them again next year.
In August we took our summer vacation to Wildwood. This time we didn't rent a car and spent the whole time at the beach. It was just what we needed! We were there for our cousin Mary Beth's baby shower and a lot of our Pennsylvania cousins came down for it. We got to spend a lot of quality time with Cousin Bob, Grace's godmother Auntie Michelle, and my oldest friend Sheila. Spending a week at the beach with friends and family is the best way to unwind.
In September Grace started second grade at Voyager Elementary. Second grade! I can't believe it.
In October I made the journey to Iquitos Peru for a 2 week volunteer veterinary campaign with Vet Ventures and Amazon Cares. I worked with an amazing group of volunteers from all over the world- Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada and the US. The weather was ridiculously hot and humid and the conditions were primitive but we did some good work there.
In November I turned 42 and we took a girls weekend to Los Angeles to visit friends and go to a Kimya Dawson show. Grace even got to sing Happy Birthday on stage to me and Kimya. It was an unforgettable birthday weekend. As you can see we also visited the American Girl Doll store and had a photo opportunity on the helipad of the hotel.
I have been fortunate to have plenty of work this year. My housecall business, Peaceful Passing, is very busy. I continue to work regular relief shifts at two 24 hour emergency/referral clinics in Tacoma and I work on the mobile Spay Station a couple times a month.
On the home front I took out a home equity loan this year to have some much needed improvements done on our almost 20 year old house. The dogs had ruined the floors in one room (the "dog room"), my yard had long ago been overtaken with weeds and my deck was rotting. My friend and amazing contractor Jay Krusen of Krusen Construction and Pacific Landscapes transformed my backyard to a thing of beauty- with fruit trees, green grass, magnolias, a garden area and fire pit and a gorgeous new Trex deck.. My smelly dog room now has beautiful ceramic tile floors, and it's become our new TV room. (complete with a new 55" TV- Yes, Santa came early this year!)
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I am gradually clearing my clutter with the help of some good friends and soon my house may be ready for some company or a little party!
Grace played soccer for the first time this year. She was on a very successful team called the "Mud Hens" (they won every game). I'm sad to say she did not fall in love with the sport and says she doesn't want to play again next year.
She continues to take swim lessons at the Y and has been asked to join the swim team. She is a little fish!
By the way, did you hear about my Dad's thumb? My mom chopped half of it off in the trunk of the Prius...
And finally, here is some video of Grace learning to ride her bike...good times!
