Diamondhead Apricot Mousse

We lost our eldest baby on Thursday night. She had been with us for 14 years, almost 15. She was bred to be a show dog and after several wins in the ring, she told us she didn’t like it. So her career ended in the show and she became our pampered princess.

We called her our million dollar dog because she had been plagued with so many health issues through her life. Eye surgeries for entropian, back surgeries (she was paralyzed twice), eye laser surgeries, glaucoma, severe allergies, eye removals and several bouts with cancer. She overcame every one of these adversities and came back stronger every time. She was deaf because of the many ear infections common with Shar Pei’s. Many Veterinarians’ said she would have been put down by any other pet owner long ago. One Vet said he wished many parents took as good of care with their children.

It still doesn’t make it any easier or stop our doubts that we did not give her enough and make her life spectacular enough.

The trip to Canada was very hard on her. I was worried she was not going to make it. How do you cross the border and land with a dead child in the truck? But she made it and flourished up here. The allergies that ravaged her in Las Vegas went away. She loved to wander around her yard and smell the forest. The cooler climate brought her to life.

A tumor was discovered in her abdomen several weeks ago. A very, large tumor. After removal, the Vet said it was 8 inches in diameter. We had a biopsy done prior to surgery deciding if it was cancer, we would let her go and not put her through anymore trauma. The results came back that it was not cancer! But it needed to be removed or she would die a horribly painful death. Even considering her age, the lab report said the prognosis was good to very good for her survival and recovery.

We had to give her just one more chance.

We had seen her come back from much worse.

She came through the surgery but once in recovery her poor old heart just gave out on her. They resuscitated her 3 times before she just would not come back.

So it is with much pain and sorrow I post these final pictures of our baby when she was a pup. (And so were we) Notice the shirt Diane is wearing.

Cheers Moussie!

The weather channel says it is raining right now in Victoria. Yes, big white fluffy raindrops. I took a ruler outside and measured 7.5 inches of fluffy white rain.

December started out very white and wet for us here on Vancouver Island. It has been snowing solid for 2 days. I made a snowwoman, which I will post a picture of. Then, a snowwoman murderer, whom shall be known only as Joe the Grinch, backed his Jeep over the snowwoman last night when he and wife Karen left our poker party. I still believe it was revenge for less than honorable poker playing. We didn’t have six shooters so it had to be handled in other ways. Unfortunately, the snowwoman suffered the most! We had a good time, despite the heavy snowfall. We had enough food for 20 people. All of it fantastic. Heather, Karen and I did most of the cooking. It was all appy's. Darren was kind enough to drive my and Diane’s trucks up the hill this morning and park them so that we can be sure that we will get to work (and pottery class :J ) tomorrow.

We were supposed to meet Doug and Dixon this morning at Starbucks and mutually decided we were going nowhere. It a shame really because the best Christmas Craft fair on the Island happens today in Dean Park, which is quite a ways away.

So, I guess Diane and I will take a walk in the forest a little later. Maybe, have some mulled wine and watch a little American football.

Diane is calling me to start the fire in the wood stove so I will leave you with some pictures of the snow, I mean, rain.

It is Remembrance Day here in Canada. Diane and I have had the flu all long weekend. We are finally feeling semi normal today. Just in time to start the work week all over again tomorrow.

Diane has started a curling class. She really is enjoying the sport, so much so, that she has also joined a beginner’s league. I have yet to go watch her in the ring, but when I do, I will take pictures to post. Of course, now she must purchase the outfit that goes along with the sport. She say’s it is a lot of exercise.

I have begun a pottery class. We started out on the wheel last week and I made too rather plain looking bowls. I kept asking the teacher, “But what about a plate”. I felt like I was in an old episode of Monty Python when someone took a self defense class and the instructor said, “This is what to do if you are attacked with a Giant Strawberry” and “This is what to do if you are attacked with a bowl of sour milk” and the student kept asking “But what about a sharp stick?” Maybe this week we will get to the plate in pottery class.

We had a Halloween party at work and I wanted to include a picture of my co-workers. I came as an American Football Fan. I know it is lame and not a very far stretch. I really had nothing else. We sold off all that kind of foolishness before moving here. I do regret getting rid of my Elvis-In-His-Later-Years (read: fat) spandex bejeweled outfit.

We are still doing our walks although we have missed this weekend and last. We are branching out to others walking trails. I’ll include some pictures of the last walk at Matthiessen (sp?) Lake.

We are looking forward to the Holidays. We both have off the week between Christmas and New Year. I’ve arranged all my deadlines at work to be completed the week before. We are having an app’y party on December 1st. It will be our Christmas party. My work Christmas party is on December 8th and Diane’s is on Dec 14th.

Well, I will sign off for now as we are going to a Christmas Craft Fair this afternoon since it’s the first day we have not been tied to the washroom all day.