One day, while I was at work, she got out of her crate (yes, she figured that one out) and decided to have a little party.  I have posted a picture of the aftermath below.

Even though she is a lot of work, she brings great joy and laughter to my life.  It has helped me with the loss of my wonderful companion, Poohbear, whose 16th birthday would have been today.  I miss you Pooh.

I suggested that maybe she should think about ordering cluster mailboxes instead of the individual ones again.  I had seen them at many apartment complexes that I had been through and they seemed convenient enough.   She thought that would be a good idea, but had to get approval from the owners first.  The mailboxes could not be purchased just anywhere, they have to be US Postal Service-approved cluster mailboxes.  She said that she would look into it and do a little research to see where she could purchase some commercial cluster mailboxes.

I went by her complex yesterday and saw that they were installing the new CBU mailboxes and they looked absolutely wonderful.  The mailboxes were a sleek black and looked great!!

I asked a friend for her suggestions and she suggested that I get some rain chains.  I had never heard of or seen a  rain chain and asked her what it was.    The chains rain water down from the top creating a beautiful effect.  They are a nice alternative to the old plain jane rain spouts found on most homes.   I looked around at several different websites and found that rain chains come in various sizes and shapes.  I think that a rain chain or two or three would make a great addition to my exterior home decor this year, and help me get out of my winter doldrums.

She said that she would call me and we could have coffee and look for a new temporary home for her together.  I love shopping for houses, especially for other people!!  She will be there for 6 months to a year and needs a place to call home. Just a cozy 2 bedroom house with a small yard would be perfect.

I asked her how she was going to find a place to live while she is here in the U.S., and she told me about a website that her company had told those chosen few about, where they could “shop” for homes in Canada right from her own home computer.  Well, pooh. I thought she meant we could take a trip to Canada together and look at houses!

I wish her all the luck in the world and can’t wait to go visit her in our great neighbor to the North.

So I hit the good old Internet and low and behold, I found a  site where I could get a USB battery charger!!!    The prices seemed reasonable enough and they had so many items to choose from.  I  I cannot wait until it gets here here, so I can continue to capture Roo’s antics to share with the world.

I went to see my podiatrist about my foot; I called two weeks ago, when it started bothering me, but with the holidays and all, it was awhile until they could get back to me.  He took an X-ray of the foot and suggested a walking cast.

So, I am now on an air cast for a month.  I hope that this will help and I won’t need to get a shot of Cortizone (very painful) or worse yet, have surgery to remove the bone spur.  That would mean another month on crutches and I still have to walk the puppy, clean house, go shopping for groceries and all the other things in life.  Wish me luck!!!

What next; or do I dare ask?  It sure is hard walking a new puppy while on crutches, but it is a new challenge to overcome, and I like a challenge.

I guess I will just push on and take life as it comes.  It can’t get much worse, can it?  I hope not!!

I noticed last night that she was not walking well.  She had lost control of her hindquarters.  This morning, she was just walking around in a fog-like state, just following the sound of my voice as I readied for the day.  I was going to take her in by myself, but found I was too upset to do so.  So, I called my old friend, Larry, and had him come over and take us to the vet’s office.  When he arrived, he said that she just did not seem like herself.

So, we took her to the vet’s office, I made the arrangements and said a very tearful goodbye to my wonderful friend of 15 years.  She hesitated as they took her into the back, as if she knew she would never see me again.

I met Pooh in 1996, 9 months after she had been born.  She was tied to a dog house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and totally ignored, except for being fed regularly.  I took her home, along with the dog house.  She never wanted anything to do with that dog house ever again, and I can’t say I blamed her.  She was scared of her own shadow back then.  She never even barked for the first 6 months that I had her.  I thought that maybe she couldn’t.  After awhile, she came out of her shell and became a normal, well-adjusted dog.  She followed my every step too, and was always there for  me, no matter what.  I will miss her greatly.

I had her cremated and have her ashes in an urn here at home.  My peace needs to come from the knowledge that she is no longer suffering and is in a better place.

You see, I don’t go to the doctor unless I am in a lot of pain or really ill.  I know that I should go more often, but with the deductible on our health insurance, I really can’t afford to go unless it is a absolute necessity.

Health insurance companies have a real good racket going for themselves.  Any insurance company, for that matter.  You pay these high premiums month after month and then you have to pay a co-pay and a deductible on top of that.  Most deductible’s these days are outrageous if you want to get a decent, affordable premium. No wonder people don’t go to the doctor and take better care of themselves.  We can’t afford it!!!

I realize that the insurance companies are out to make a profit, but this is getting ridiculous!!!