The surprise!

Look who we get to share this space with folks!!!

We are not sure who's the male and who's the female yet but, the female will probably den up soon so we'll get to figure it out. The previous owners have been feeding them every afternoon and they are quite used to us already. They we patiently waiting on us the first night we arrived. I'm sure they will have names soon and maybe we'll get to see the kits this summer.

Quiet night

Again, it seems more relevant to thank you all for your kindness and thoughts here in this post. What a beautiful extended family you all are for me! :)

The first night in the house was eerily quiet after so much time spent in the city noise. The furniture doesn’t arrive until Thursday so we are making do with what I hauled down from Seattle and what she brought on the plane. We lay on Taylor’s bed and watched some mindless movie and I kept going through a roller coaster of emotion as plans were laid for changes and placements. There are a myriad of things to do, but first order is to get what we own into the space.

The first surprise is the realization that the internet connection was going to prove to be a challenge. Cable or DSL isn’t an option that far out, so that leaves us dial-up (ugggg!) or a satellite system. Guess we’ll start with the first and end up with the latter – there are several options, but they are all spelled “money” – grrrrr. The price of rural living – LOL! Needless to say, my internet interface will be sketchy for a time, but there is always the library (where I am now) and the coffee shop.

I walked down into the pasture this morning in the rain. There is lots of renovation needed before it can truly be fit for grazing. It was most amazing to walk for more than a minute and a half and still not be to the property line! The fence and the horse shed are intact and functional as is the gate - a blessing, but there is still a lot of work to do on the grounds - perhaps some pics tomorrow or the next day.

The surprise??? Be patient!

I’m finding it’s easier to write than to talk these days. I did talk with the pet services today and agreed to pick the boy up at Texas A&M. Hard as it was to discuss, I’ll be glad when he comes home.

Bittersweet

I so appreciate all of your supportive comments, e-mails and messages. It’s hard to imagine how this would have been otherwise.

I wish I could say that I’m better – I am not; however, I am distracted in a bittersweet way since today is closing day. Sweet in that it’s a house that we’ve both looked forward to in terms of space and privacy. Bitter in that it was Taylor that gave the one-legged salute and mark of approval. He was a very happy dog the day we saw the property.

B. flew in Thursday and finally got to see the house on Friday when we met with the sellers. Their agent was having a fit because we were going to meet before closing – hahahahahahaha! “Don’t you dare blow my deal,” we could hear her say. We learned a lot about the property, neighbors, systems and politics. He had fun showing off all his handy work and she had fun rolling her eyes! This is how real estate transactions should really be done!

Off to the bank!

I'll have a surprise for you in a couple of days! :)

MY BIG, BEAUTIFUL BOY

Says it all, doesn't it?

I tried to play some music on the ride from Seattle to Texas A&M, but I found that I preferred the silence that was broken only by the background wind noise and Taylor’s sighs and breathing … anything else just seemed frivolous.

It was comforting to hear him shift about in his "palace" in the back of the Explorer; often poking his head between the seats looking for treats or scratches. I found that cracking open a pistachio is an art form while driving and we shared one for one. He always snorted when I would tell him “all done” and then would pointedly sigh and lie down as close to the seat as he could.

I usually tried to stop every 1½ to 2 hours so we could stretch our legs, play and pee. If I went over 2 hours he would nudge my arm and let me know my forgetfulness – he was a creature of habit after all.

Stopping in New Meadows, Idaho, I let him out to stretch his legs and pee. It was a crisp morning with some dwindling snow still in the shady spots and his breath was apparent as he searched out new smells and vegetation. Taylor suddenly looked up at the sound of a horse neigh and made a beeline for the fence. Two of the horses also came over and they were all nose to nose for a time. The pictures do not do his excitement justice; more so than even the elephants. He was in his element.

I shoved the dark thoughts aside completely for a time and just reveled in his bliss.

Although the camera was recording the moment, it did a poor job. I was wishing I had a video camera. The video camera happened in Ogden, Utah.

Crossing Vail Pass on Sunday we were in a snowstorm – quite unexpected, but reasonable at 10K feet! So Taylor got some snow time with several other dogs that were also waiting for the snow squall to pass. I was grateful for the video then!

We made stops to see the breeder in Boise and my brother in Glenwood Springs. Neither stop was long enough, but I was grateful that the generous travel time allowed that to happen.

It was a good trip down for him and we missed few opportunities to play and goof about. I expended an enormous amount of energy quelling and shedding the loop tapes that kept queuing up. I didn’t talk to him about how sick he might have been, just that we were going for help and I honestly think he understood. He continued to be a happy dog throughout the trip - he must’ve heard “you’re a good dog”, “you’re my best boy” and “you’re the best dog ever” a billion times.

Monday night he chose to lie on the floor next to his bed (it was probably cooler) so I lay down on his bed next to him. He was a bit anxious so I just held him and he calmed down and went to sleep – I watched the little green light on the smoke detector on the ceiling and asked the universe for help and strength. I received both.

It is hard to be so immeasurably sad and immensely grateful – sad for the obvious and grateful to have had him in my life, our lives. He touched so many lives with his presence and his countenance, through his photos and stories and through this medium. He was truly a gift and a guide. I feel his presence even now and that is what is getting me through the overwhelming loss of our big, beautiful boy.

I’m also grateful that he was able to meet so many of you, my wonderful friends. I just wish you had all been able to spend some time with my best friend. Boo reminded me today that he was more than just B’s and my friend and confidant, but he belonged to all of you as well.

I read all of your comments over and over – I am thankful for you all and I want to thank all of you that put up posts. I feel blessed with your thoughtfulness and caring – I have read them often, but do not know how to respond to your comments and posts other than here. I read your comments out loud to him last night; a habit we got into when the posts were about him. I sat there surrounded with all things “Buffle” and held his Teddy Bear in my lap as I read aloud. His bear, that has been pictured here many times and that he would bring to me everyday when I got up or came home, still smells of him and I fell asleep knowing those smells.

His 4 years and 4 months was too short a time on this plane. I am ever mindful that in that short time we spent nearly everyday together and I suppose I had more quality time with him in that short time than most get with their companions of many years. We crammed a lot into those few short years. I never knew that such pain would be survivable, but this helps: to write of the goodness and happiness – especially of the last few days, our trip. I wanted to share this with all of you and also the photos taken along the way. All of these photos were taken on this trip starting last Friday. I wanted you all to see and share his happiness. He was a dog that was loved hugely and returned it tenfold.

THE BUFFLEDOG ...

... passed over the Rainbow Bridge today.


We were fortunate indeed to have both given and received such a gift as Taylor.

I'll be back when I can talk.

short update...

... just taking a break while x-rays and ultrasounds are happening. No news at this point, but he is in wonderful hands. The ride down was good for him and he played, barked and peed often. We had a stressful, fitful night last night, but he is calmer this morning. We can only hope at this point ... just hope.

Thank you all for such an outpouring of support - you all are the very best!

I'll update later :)

What sound …

UPDATE:
Hey folks, this is Varla, Seamus's friend. I talked with Seamus today and he wanted to let you all know that he is on his way to Texas A&M. He's got an appointment at 9am tomorrow, and will hopefully know more about Taylor then. Taylor has had a really good ride down and seems to be doing well. He's hoping to have an internet connection tomorrow to update us all.

He greatly appreciates all your loving support.

Keep your fingers crossed everybody!

… does the “other shoe” make when it drops?

There is no worse opening line from your vet as “I hate to tell you this…”

The discovery of a couple of lumps during the Buffledog’s bath led to a pathology report that seems pretty grim – HISTIOCYTOSIS.

Taylor and I are leaving today for Texas A&M with an appointment early next week at their oncology department.

Right now I don’t know enough except to be broken hearted.

Homeless for a minute – but calm!

new house - satellite view - click to enlarge

Well, the deed is done – signed, sanctified, sanitized and transferred. Closing has come and gone on the Seattle house and we are officially out! Door-to-Door storage has most of the Seattle possessions and will be in route to Austin over the next two weeks. Taylor and I should arrive in Austin shortly before closing on the new house – April 16^th closing and possession! “B” will arrive after she works out her notice. So much going on right now and it all seems a bit surreal.

The road trip helped me process the release of the Seattle house and I can honestly say that I am ready to leave this town; ready for a new adventure. We told the new owners that we’d be out by 5pm on the 30^th and as it turned out we cinched the last strap on the canoe and pulled away at 5:11 – once again proving that work expands to fill the time allowed. It was truly a relief to turn the corner and lose sight of the house. The house was a wonderful place to be for the years we were there, but it was time to leave and enjoy the rewards of the last year’s efforts.

Now, on to the new adventure: Austin. Plans are already in place to leave our stamp on this new house – and – we scored on this new place. There are 7+ acres with lots of appropriate spaces; with a greenhouse, 3 horse stable and fenced pasture, a separate finished workshop, impeccable workmanship throughout and not a neighbor in sight! Here is the link to the rest of the photos of the house. The photo here is a 900+ sq ft workroom above the garage – I nearly fell down when I saw this room!!!!

The trip was a crazy, dizzy, whirlwind of wonderfulness bracketed by family issues on the east coast. Fortunately the family issues have subsided and I have been able to focus on what I needed to do for the changes in our household. The bonus of having a generous amount of travel time was being able to visit with several of you along the way. There was a very wonderful, wet and rainy afternoon spent with Tricia in Atlanta that came to an end all too soon. There was a very special and long overdue evening spent with Muse in Baltimore – again, not enough time. Carolyn graciously waded through her blacked out (temporarily) house to meet me at a coffee shop near the freeway as I passed through Virginia. It was a delightful afternoon catching up and swapping tales (lies? No way)! Taylor did get in her car when she opened the door – I had to check twice that he was still in my car as she pulled away! The house finding craziness in Austin prevented a meeting with Beth (former monarch of the Kingdom of Mean and now the Maven of Snark), but we’ve decided there will be time after the move since she’ll be so close. Meeting Laine after a long two day journey to San Diego made the decision to take the Southern route home so very worth it. Walking into her home was like walking into very familiar surroundings. Watching her doxie, Doodle, and Taylor together was a treat in itself. If you haven’t met this Crow-girl, well, you should – ‘nuff said – too little time! Leen was next on the journey and it was insightful and humbling to hear someone else going through big changes … and awesome that it’s happening with such strength. Seems we are moving about the same time and on nearly the same longitude! Varla and Muscles were next in San Francisco and we had a great time discovering the limits of our physical fitness wandering the hills above Berkley – hence the photo of the Bay – and washing down the day at a mid-eastern restaurant. Alas, that free time came to an end and it was time to return home and clear out the Seattle house.

New adventures start within days though! Closing on the 16^th and the pods from Door-to-Door arrive on the 19^th. Then, if all that isn’t enough, I’ve still got to return to Atlanta and pack up the household we left in storage a decade ago to go on the road for a year in the motor home. My butt's sore already! ;)