My Life.Feeding 3 dogs & 11 fish

What a few weeks this has been! Two weeks ago I was joyfully anticipating my trip to Seattle. I was going there to spend time with Sheryl, Heath and the most important person, Hirsch.

 The Saturday before I left, I went to my Yoga class and when I arrived home I "hopped onto"my computer and started to compose my Newspaper column. As always I lost myself in my writing and finally after I was happy with my creation, I took a moment to check my email.

I was very upset to find an email from Zofia, our JCCARE California leader. There was a Chin in the Sacramento ASPCA that needed to be sprung. He had been there for two weeks and was starting to develop aggressive Kennel behavior. The animal coordinator recognized that he needed a change. It was hard on him and even harder for him to get adopted when he circled the cage and bit anyone who came near him.

Here I was about to go out of town and this dog needed my help. I made arraingments with Zofia to drive him half way to LA (about a three hour drive..Ira would go along) so that I could hand him off.

We drove to the animal shelter, talked to the coordinator who filled up our dog crate with this tiny, gorgeous chin. This was our first time springing a Chin from a shelter and Zofia had suggested that it would be easiest for the dog to travel in a crate.

On the way home I sat in the back seat and talked to him. He looked more scared than viscious.  I also named him Max.

To make this story just a little shorter, I will tell you that he perked up when we introduced him to our dogs and fit right in. It was clear that he was someone's pet.  He obeyed commands and walked well on  the leash.

The next morning I got a call from Zofia with good news. She had another foster placement for Max in Sacramento. I had actually done a home visit for this lady who had then adopted a Chin from JCCARE.

We made arraignments to drop off Max at her house. It was one of the hardest things that we had ever done and it took a long cry and some writing to feel a little better. We had fallen in love with this enchanted little dog in the space of twenty three hours.

Amy and her dogs also fell in love with Max and he spent a wonderful week with her. But the story gets even better. Amy has a friend named Jerry who had seen a picture of Max when he was at the ASPCA. By the time she called to check on him for adoption he was gone. Imagine her suprise when she finds out that he is safely and happily living as a foster dog with Amy.

 Last Saturday I did a home visit for Jerry and Max. But Max is still with Amy. Max is a sweety and he fit in so well with  Amy and her crew she could not let him go.  Max is a little dog with angel wings and so much good charma that he has created the life that he deserves!!! Amy and her three dogs are having a ball!

So that covers the dogs part of my exciting three week. The planes part is the calmest. Since the beginning of 2009 I have flown Southwest Airlines five times, three times to Seattle and two times to Corona. I have visited both girls three times but we drove to LA one of those times. My goal is to earn a free ticket with Southwest Airlines and I am only three trips away. That should be very easy as I can't get enough of those babies.

Today, Thursday April 16 (there was a bit of a lag between the start and finish of this entry) is the one week anniversary of my trip home from Seattle. The dogs and Ira were very happy to see me come home and I was as happy to see them as I was sad to leave Seattle.

Sheryl, Heath, Hirsch and I had a wonderful time together. In the morning, I got up early, and grabbed him from his parents room. We then spent at least three hours of quality time together while his parents slept. I fed him a bottle of breast milk, changed him, held him, sang to him and rocked him. My one handed skills greatly increased. The last morning he threw up on me, peed on me and pooped on me and I was still sad to leave and go back home.

 When I arrived in Seattle Sheryl and I walked the entire path around green lake, and then met Heath for lunch. We were off and running inspite of the fact that Sheryl and Heath were tired!!

Another day we ( the entire gang) went to Discovery Park and hiked a bit and then out to dinner at a very nice restaurant.  I also went to the Pediatrician with them.

The best event was when Hirsch attended his first Seder. You know how much I love Seders and together we had a small and calm Seder the last night I was there. I left the next day and after Sheryl dropped me off at the airport she and Hirsch went to the Mall.

I am looking forward to Mother's Day Weekend. We are hosting a baby naming and four generations of our family will be in attendance. Our house will be full with the GG's (Great Grandparents),Grandparents, Parents and the babies). Lots of things to do before then but I am more than up for the challenge of hosting an event for our family and friends to celebrate the arrival of a new generation.

Busy times!!  Hugs Eileen