Blossom Meets Uncle Ken

Blossom loves her Uncle Ken.  Everybody loves Uncle Ken. 

Special thanks to Michael Funderburke for editing my photo.  (It was really dark!)

Well, we survived the first week with Blossom and all is well. 

You wouldn't know it from these pictures but Blossom is NOT "low key" or "mellow" as her description read on Petfinder.  She is ALL puppy. 

I can't really show you a picture of "wild" Blossom because it would be too blurry. 

Yesterday mom supervised while I made her famous chocolate chip cookies for the first time.  Blossom stood between us for most of the mixing and measuring.  After a while, she realized we weren't going to give her anything so she took a nap.  She's good at taking naps. 

This week:  Blossom gets a fence!  They were supposed to finish the fence last week but their "shipment" did not arrive like promised.  I won't hold my breath.  

Also this week:  Laura (my niece) and Kevin (my brother) have a birthday.  I really, really have to go shopping. 

Random

Blossom loves the back porch.  I'm sure she'd rather be outside but the fence isn't quite finished.

Greta sits on the back porch every morning after breakfast.  Only now, she has a "friend".

A PetSmart employee who identified herself as a "trainer", saw us in the toy aisle and recommended this Kong toy.  Supposedly, it is supposed to keep the dog busy as they figure out how to solve the "puzzle" and get treats.  Blossom has figured out how to get treats alright.  She stares at it until we make the treats come out for her. 

They said the toy was for intelligent dogs.  I guess you can say she is intelligent.

Potpourri

I was looking on the memory card in my camera and found a couple of pictures that I had forgotten about.  This is me and my cousin, Johnny, at April and Jason's wedding a few weeks ago.

April and me:

Blossom:

Greta watching Blossom from a safe place:

Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

Poor Greta

"Blossom ate my food today." - Greta  

Blossom ate Greta's food (along with her thyroid pill) AND a brown flip flop today (mine).  So far, I've lost 2 socks and a flip flop to Blossom's puppy teeth despite the fact that she has plenty of chew toys and a bone that her foster mom gave her.  She likes to switch it up I guess!  Greta's food was on top of a table so I'm guessing we have a climber on our hands.  :-)  The good news is that Blossom is a quick learner with her obedience training.  She has already mastered "come", "sit" and "down".   She's a keeper.

"Socks taste good."  - Blossom

Blossom Gone Wild

Apparently, Greta is not the only "pouncer" in the house now.  Here's a video of Blossom being, well, Blossom. 

I Don't Know

What an exhausting week.  I'm so tired I didn't know what to title this post so I titled it "I Don't Know".  Very creative, I know.  I'm falling asleep at the keyboard so please don't judge me for this random post.....

Here's a picture of Blossom just after she took Scott on a wild run this morning.  Scott said she chased some geese.  They both looked pretty exhausted when they came back.  I'm sure the heat/humidity did not help. 

 

The girls are still getting to know each other very slowly.  It is going to take some time.  Greta is very curious about Blossom but Blossom wants to play a little too rough with her.  Here's a picture of Greta hiding under the bed.  

Here's a picture of Saint Princess Blossom sleeping. She is spotted all over....check out her belly.  (Some of it has been shaved for her surgery.) 

I can't wait to introduce Blossom to her new cousin, Sophie.  Unfortunately, Sophie's leg is not good so they won't be able to play too hard.  Sophie got a bath this weekend.  She's a little wet in this picture. I love that wet dog....

Oh and here's a picture of Blossom's first nap at our house.  This picture is from Friday.  

Now it is my turn to sleep. 

Blossom's Home

Yesterday we adopted Blossom and brought her home.  It was a long car ride but Blossom was a trooper.  Blossom loved her foster mom so much that she tried to chase after her truck as she pulled away with her favorite Labrador playmate, Loucie.  Here's Blossom on the ride home:

Blossom and Greta didn't have much to do with each other yesterday.  Greta stayed hidden in our bedroom.  Today has been much more interesting.  Blossom wants to play with Greta and while Greta keeps telling her that she is the boss, we can tell that Greta is very curious and wants to get close to her.  I'll keep you posted.  

Today we took Blossom to the vet.  Everyone loved Ms. Blossom and thought she was a keeper.  She had a few health issues going on that we need to get past (infection from her spay surgery, conjunctivitis) but the vet said that she would be a very good dog.  The vet said that she has always had Saint Bernards and she wanted to take Blossom with her and trade us another one of her dogs.  Here are some pictures from the waiting room.  Due to a kitty emergency, we had to wait for a very long time.  Blossom was bored.  

 

After the vet visit we took Blossom to PetSmart to buy her a new leash.  She chewed hers in half on the way home from Southern Pines yesterday.  Then, we went through the Chick-Fil-A drive thru.  Don't worry, Blossom didn't get a chicken sandwich but Scott did use a few french fries while training her to sit.  Tammy commented on how weird it was that Blossom always ate laying down.  Well, she does:

Blossom is already a wonderful addition to our family.  Stay tuned for more adventures with Blossom and Greta. 

Blossom Eve

Today is Blossom Eve.  It's the day before we go adopt Blossom and bring her home.  Greta doesn't realize she's about to get a new sister.  She's sleeping peacefully in her bed beside my desk.  I think we're ready for Blossom.  Scott bought a handshower for our shower.....

Then he bought her a new collar to go with her new tag:

And he researched food and bought her a stockpile of different flavors:

He also bought a book on how to train her:

I also bought her a couple of toys....

Blossom will be a welcome distraction.  I've been preoccupied ever since the ear doctor suggested that I get a cerebral angiogram.  Not only am I a little terrified of the test, I can't help but wonder what it all means.  Blossom will be a therapy dog from the moment we pick her up.  Therapy for ME!  :-)  I can't wait to see her.  

Tomorrow night, our church worship band is doing a live recording of their new album.  I was one of the lucky few to get tickets.  The album has not been released yet so they sent us raw, acoustic versions of all of the new songs so that we would know them well enough to sing along.  We have been singing a few of the songs at the weekend worship services already.  This time they will be releasing a double "album".  One will be a studio version and one will be the songs "live".  I'm not sure if there will be a DVD of the concert this time.  There was last time.  Either way, I'm ready to sing along!  

Tuesday Tidbits

Sunday, I went to a baby shower for my friend Sandra.  I have known Sandra since we started out together as babies in the church nursery.  Sandra and her husband, Trey, are very special to me and I can't wait to meet their daughter in the near future. 

Today I went to an ear specialist to get a second opinion on my pulsatile tinnitus.  He recommends having a cerebral angiogram and sent me home to think about it.  Ugh.  Thank goodness our new sermon series at church called "Room 101" is all about facing our fears.  I'm learning to trust God more and more each day.  

Growing up in church, one of the very first Bible verses we were taught was Proverbs: 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding; 

 in all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he shall make your paths straight.

 I think I like this translation from The Message the best:

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.

It's the "don't try to figure out everything on your own" that I need help with.  I guess if I could get the "Trust God" part, then I wouldn't need to figure it out myself.  

Only 2 more days until we get Blossom.  Actually, is it 3?  We pick her up Friday morning and it is Tuesday night right now.....2 1/2 days?  Either way, it is getting closer and we're excited!   

4 More Days

4 more days until we pick up Blossom.  Her name tag came today.  Here's a picture:

And a picture of Scott and Greta:

Just a normal night at our house. 

Less Than a Week

We are now less than one week away from adopting Blossom!  I searched her foster mom's name on Facebook and found some more pictures.  :-)  

Her foster mom said Blossom eats sitting down.  I wondered what that looked like....

 I think she is going to miss the pond (and the Labs) at her foster home.

Porch photo:

Her foster mom called this morning and said that her spay surgery went well yesterday and she was "chipper as a jaybird" today.  She said her husband was going to have a hard time keeping her from playing with the other dogs.  We owe their family so much for saving Blossom's life and for taking such good care of her.  We will be picking her up at the animal shelter next Friday (20th).  Let the countdown begin.....

In the meantime we are reading up on how to introduce dogs and cats.  :-)  Greta will not be happy at first but she loved Sadie and I know she will grow to tolerate Blossom and find her interesting.   

 

A Sad Ending

Tuesday I'm going to the funeral of a childhood friend.  I ache for his family.  I ache for what "could've been" in his life.  I have no answers to the "whys or the what-if's", only that God made him and God's plan is perfect.  I can find great comfort in knowing that his family is a family of strong faith and their faith will see them through this very difficult time.  

Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Our Dog

Well, we love her!  Blossom was every bit as perfect as we imagined.  She is being spayed on Thursday and will need a few days to recuperate, so we are going to pick up the newest member of our family sometime after the 18th.  She is every bit as sweet, friendly & fun as we imagined. 

(Check out her giant feet!) 

Her foster mom told me that she does not know the name "Blossom" and that was just a name they gave her for the adoption event.  They named her that because she had mentioned to someone that she could not believe how much she was blossoming ever since she left the shelter.  Scott likes the name "Molly".  So, we are going back and forth between Molly and Blossom.  If we do name her "Molly" then we will name her "Molly Blossom".  Heck, as Scott said, he may come up with something else before we pick her up.  I really like Blossom but I also like "Elsie", & "Annabelle"  - you know, good cow names, but Scott says NO!

We are so excited to bring her home.  Greta, not so much.   

Blossom

Well, we are going to meet Blossom this weekend.  I spoke with her foster "mama" and she told me the "story of Blossom".  So far it has been a sad little story but we are hoping to be a happy new beginning for this sweet little girl.  Scott found some more photos of Blossom online.  She was at a doggy adoption event.  Blossom was the only dog that did not get adopted.  I choose to think it was because God planned for her to be part of our family. Here she is being groomed for the adoption event.  

Here's an interested party checking her out.

How that lady said no to that face I don't know.  I went to PetSmart today and bought her a couple of toys.  :-)  And, I went to the attic and am washing Sadie's old bed as I type this.  I'd like to think Sadie would approve of Blossom.  Sadie was a shelter dog too.  Hopefully Greta will welcome Blossom with open arms.  I'm sure it will take some getting used to for her but she loved Sadie.  I know she can grow to love Blossom too.  More to follow....

Late or Early?

I'm starting this post at 3:20 a.m. I made the mistake of falling asleep on the couch earlier and now I'm wide awake.  My pulsatile tinnitus is keeping me there....  I've done some research on my particular type of tinnitus and found that I need to have it checked out further.  Pulsatile tinnitus is very rare and is almost always vascular related (not ear related which is the route I went).  The good news is that it can usually be cured....surgically....once they figure out what the cause is.  So, it is another lesson in a life long journey of learning to trust God.  God made me and He is in control.  

 Look to the Lord and his strength;   seek his face always.   1 Chronicles 16:11

OK so I have a few things to update you on:

The "baseball wedding" was beautiful.  Oh my, was it hot!  I'm not sure what the actual heat index was, but the temperature was 105.  I was so surprised at how many people were at the wedding and, how dressed up everyone was despite the heat.  The ceremony was perfect!  There were so many people at the reception that the AC could not keep up....however, it was perfect too.  They served "baseball related food"....BBQ, hotdogs etc.  The food was fantastic but the cake was even better!  Oh, I wish I had a piece right now.  I can't tell you how good it was but I did take a picture:

After the minister (the Groom's son) pronounced the Bride and Groom "man and wife", the Groom turned to his Best Man (another son), who handed him a baseball hat that said "Boss".  He put it on before they walked back down the aisle.  The Bride, of course, stole it at the reception and put it on her head. 

Item Number Two:

Our fence is in the process of being installed this week!  I have inquired about a dog that I saw on Petfinder a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know what it was about her but I felt drawn to her.  Even though she was at a "high kill" shelter (their words), we couldn't bring her home.  This past weekend she disappeared from the listing.  I even prayed that she had not been killed.  Today, she turned back up on Petfinder and is now at a foster home.  I called the foster home to inquire but they have not returned my call.  Before she was listed as a Saint Bernard Mix.  Now she is listed as a Golden Retriever/Saint Bernard.  We'll see if it is meant to be.....

Her name is Blossom.

Her listing says she is very mellow and laid back.  It also says that she is very friendly and loves children.  Her favorite pastimes are watching tv and giving kisses.  Most importantly, Greta wants to know what she thinks about cats.  :-)  I'll keep you posted.