Monday, September 8, 2014

Still here!

I've missed blogging and I've missed my blogging friends. A huge THANK YOU to those that checked in on me in my absence. I did not mean to be gone so long, but life suddenly became a bit overwhelming and I needed a break from just about everything, only doing what was absolutely necessary.

Chance is still with me, but the Vestibular Disease has taken a toll on him and us. He wouldn't eat anything for a while so I cooked chicken and rice for him. He tried to humor me, but soon after, threw it all up. My next move was offering canned food. He gobbled it up like there was no tomorrow and most importantly it stayed down. We took him in for follow up blood tests and learned that his liver is severely compromised. He also has cataracts and hearing loss. The vet said Chance is on borrowed time...he's 14, after all. She said to give him all the canned food he wants and keep him comfortable. I pray the Lord will take him when it's time, to spare me having to make "that" decision. Ooops, here come the tears.
My beautiful and loving Chance in 2011.
Let's see...what else have I been doing? I worked for my former boss for ten days which left me very tired. But it was so nice to talk to some of my clients. We have the nicest customers!

I also enjoyed a few fishing excursions with my dad. Caught a 5 lb. bass, which made my dad so proud he took it to the taxidermist to have it mounted. Exactly an hour after I caught the 5-pounder, Daddy caught a 6-pound bass. It was one of the best fishing days we've had so far.

A couple weeks ago Double D and I purchased new bikes. We have been riding around our neighborhood every day. I love riding so much better than walking or running. The most distance we've covered in one ride is 5 miles; the goal is to get up to 10 miles. I installed an app called Runkeeper that stores all the details, such as average mph, speed, distance, GPS coordinates and calories burned. It's a great way to get us moving.

One more thing I'll mention is another app called Day One. I use it to journal my prayers. Often I find that my thoughts are so easily distracted that I can hardly put one coherent sentence together in my head. However, writing my prayers helps me focus. I figure God must love the written word since he gave us the Bible. I think doing this has finally solved my prayer problem.

Well, I've prattled on enough. If you're still here, below are images of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail that visited my lantana on August 8th. Surprisingly, I really love the black and white versions! I will catch up with everyone this week!









43 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail life does get in the way. I do hope Chance feels better he is lucky to have you.
Your photos as usual are incredible and always make me smile.
Fishing and biking oh both of those I enjoy too. Take care. HUG B

Roan said...

I'll pray you get your wish for Chance. I had to make the decision last year and it was the most difficult decision I have ever made. The vet was a 25 mile drive away. That was the longest and the shortest ride ever. Fergus has helped, but sure do miss Willie. Love these shots. That first black and white almost looks metallic.

Hootin Anni said...

It's good to see you post a blog for us [and for yourself]!! My dear, it's always so difficult with our fur babies as they age and come near the end of their time!! I have said over the years after they leave us behind, that "I'll never get another one...it's too hard to handle". But then, I do and I'm glad I did. They're wonderful companions and never EVER complain about what we do wrong...y'know?

You're all in my heart and prayers.

PS...love the fact that your dad had your bass mounted. Would like to see it in photo sometime soon.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

You know many prayers for Chance.

My wife looves butterflies...I'll send her over :O)

Happy Monday

Bethany Carson said...

Beautiful shots of the swallowtail!

Unknown said...

Sounds like your time away was productive as well as restorative. Sorry to hear about your Chance ...

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Chance is such a beautiful beautiful dog!! My parent's were told a few years ago that their dog was on borrowed time but he ended up living 4 more years :)

nookworm said...

You are in very good form with your photos in spite of the serious concerns for your beloved pet. I sense that you are determined to live life and enjoy and endure all it gives you through your efforts to keep moving forward. The second and last pictures took my breath away! Thank you.

Anita Johnson said...

While I love both the colored and black and white photos of the butterfly on the lantana, it was your writing about prayer that touched me most. I need to start writing down my prayers too...yes, God gave us the written word, I hope I can give back thanks to Him by writing them down when my jumbled mind isn't thinking clearly. Excellent!

Stephanie said...

Oh Gail, how my heart aches for you! I have thought of you often over the last week and continue to lift you up in prayer!

Your photos are beautiful and the black and white ones are probably my favorite - just gorgeous!

Sending you lots of love and hugs!

TexWisGirl said...

glad you have found something chance will/can eat. i love your butterfly photos. the b&w really show off their delicate legs!

Irma said...

Hi Gail,
Good that you're back, I hope the dog is still alive for a while.
It's terrible to have to miss him.
The butterflies I find absolutely great.
Best regards, Irma

you-wee because said...

So much pain and so much beauty in only one post - that's what makes you unique, Gail!
All the best for you and your doggy,
Uwe.

Anonymous said...

I pray you don't have to make the decision. We had to put down our last dog. She had a brain tumor and cried constantly. The vet wept with us. So hard.

My dog Max got up one morning, went out for a pee, came back in the house, got in his bed, curled up and died.

I always say...no more dogs...but of course, there are always more dogs.

Anonymous said...

Chance is eating - that's good. Wishing the very best outcome for him.
These butterfly photos are absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Keeping you both and Chance in my thoughts!

And what gorgeous butterfly shots.

hootnonny said...

Ain't life grand! My thoughts are with you and Chance. Brings back loving memories of my daughter's sweet Golden we lost a year ago.

Love the butterflies. They're finally showing up here, but I haven't seen any with camera in hand.

Have a great week!

Beate said...

I'm so sorry to hear things have been so tough for you, especially watching poor Chance. I hope he'll be able to enjoy the rest of his time, I'm sure he'll be happy just to be able to spend it with his wonderful, loving family. Bike rides are so much fun. And those pictures are absolutely amazing. Love the black and white ones, too!

GreenComotion said...

Beautiful butterflies and a lovely dog.

Wish Chance the best! We have 13.5 year old Old English Sheedog with Degenerative Myelopathy and we wish y'all the very best!

Peace :)

Inspired By June said...

Yea! my lunch buddy is back :) Chance is beautiful, Gail, and I know you will savor every lasting moment with him. Congrats on the big catch, your dad cracks me up - so sweet to have it mounted for you, lol! I never thought of doing butterflies in B&W, they're so colorful, but I agree, the B&W's are fantastic! Have a blessed week!

Pantherka said...

I think of you very much!
Your photos are beautiful.
Greetings.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Oh my goodness! Those Swallowtail shots are exquisite. I had never thought of writing out my prayers,but that sounds like a good idea. I will think on that for a while and then make a decision.

21 Wits said...

God bless you and Chance to, he's in my prayers too. He's such a lovely dog, and I know just a sweetheart. And what amazing butterflies as well!

Ida said...

Thank you for checking in. I'm glad you are doing everything you can to make Chance as comfortable as possible. It is so hard to think of losing our fur babies (I know we have two 14 year old cats that I'm dreading the idea of making that decision some day) but we also don't want them to suffer. May I just say those butterfly shots were stunning.
Hugs and Prayers coming your way.

Debbie said...

awwww, I hope chance continues to eat the canned stuff, I would have selected the chicken and rice ;)

The butterfly images are gorgeous!! I would not think to choose b&w, but they show a really different, just as beautiful, side of them!!

It's nice to see you today!!

Hilary said...

Beautiful Chance. I just came from Barbara's blog and it would seem that you and she are going through the same roller coaster ride with your beloved dogs. I hope Chance can hang on for a while and share some more happy times with you.

Anonymous said...

Gail, I hate that we're both going through this with our beautiful old puppies right now. I'll keep Chance in my prayers, too. I'm glad he was able to keep the can food down. Everytime we think we've figured out what Max will eat, he turns his nose up at it the next time. I'll have to try that prayer journal app. I was going to ask you about your prayer journal. Your butterfly photos are gorgeous - you do such a great job with composition, making them stand out from what the rest of us do.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Gail, you and Chance are in my prayers. It's always a sad and difficult time at this stage in our fur-babies lives and my heart is with you. Such a sweet photo of him.

I'm glad you've been enjoying fishing with your Dad, and those photos of the butterflies are incredible.

Anvilcloud said...

Sorry about your troubles. I like the bfly pics, particularly the b&w ones.

Willow said...

Gail I will keep you and Chance in my prayers.
I certainly know the impact dogs have on being such a huge love in our lives,
Glad you took some time to work things through and nice you got in time fishing with your dad.
Your photos are amazing.
Take care sweet girl,
Willow

Evelyn S. said...

Sorry that you Chance is struggling this way...as are you! I had a break from blogging because we actually took a week off and went to Portland (I know you know that already). It's so dry there now, so I'm going to schedule an earlier trip right now. I said we had to come back to dry Eastern Oregon to see green lawns again...other than on golf courses we passed. How in the world do you enchant butterflies to allow you to photograph them as you do??? This one was so beautifully perched on the lantana (I recognized it because I tried to grow it one summer, unsuccessfully.) Glad you're back.

LC said...

I, too, have been mostly MIA. Overnight visitors, travel, heat, computer issues and a general mild downward emotional spiral kept me away from the computer. The butterfly photos are wonderful. And I agree. The b and w are exquisite.

LC said...

And this comes with prayer for Chance. I am sure he senses that he is surrounded by love.

Betty Manousos said...

hi gail, my thoughts are with you and chance. wish him the best.

your photos are beyond beautiful! love the butterflies.

(((big hugs!)))

Betty Manousos said...

i am so sorry to hear about your beloved pup... never been in favor of euthanasia, but I cant stand the sight of my pet's suffering either...but it makes me feel so sad when I think about it.

EG CameraGirl said...

LOVE your butterfly photos, Gail! I hope Chance is with you a while longer. :)

Breathtaking said...

Gail I'm very sorry that your dog Chance is feeling so unwell, hope he manages to keep up hisstrength with the tinned food.Difficult times! Your butterfly photos are all breathtaking images.
Warm Regards.

Helma said...

Hi Gail,

I hope with all my heart that your dear Chance still will stay with you for a long time but he should have no pain. Very difficult if you see that your dear dog friend is so sick.

I also read that you did like the excursion with fishing with your dad, but also have done. Fun things at work all things Haden
Your photos Butterfly I find just fantasist sich !!!!

Mitzi said...

Oh honey...I'm so sorry to hear about your pup...it is so tough when that time comes along. The images of the swallowtail are stunning as always! Keep your chin up sweets...big hugs, xoxo

Unknown said...

Prayers for your Chancie, he is so loved, I know how hard this is... So sorry.

Love your pictures, stunning as always and bike riding sounds fantastic!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Sending good thoughts for you and Chance ... I am so sorry, such a rough time.

I've been gone a lot myself and hadn't had time to mliss you even. I hope blogging is a help for you. Sometimes it is good to share.

Wondeful butterflies, both versions.

Linda said...

Wonderful photos! I'm sorry that your dog is ill.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

taking a break renews the soul. Praying for the furry one, I know we had to make that decision 5 times and its not easy. GOD keep you safe.