Thinking Back

Normie-norm circa 2006

I miss this guy.

I miss him quite a lot.

The best pup a girl could hope for-or just end up with ;)

I've been thinking road trip, dreaming it & this guy was my amazing road trip companion.  He was brilliant company; listened well, responded when necessary, sang with all the best music, listened to the books on CD I brought along & always laughed at my jokes.

Norman loved detours, side trips and all the wonders of the road.  He didn't mind the long hauls either, he def helped keep this driver awake…he was the best.

It is rough.  When you have a companion this awesome for so many lovely years, for so many miles…it's hard to think about the miles ahead.  There is going to be some lonely road ahead.

The duckie wasn't an uber favourite..the frog-yes, and alligator, bunny-bunny for sure, the silly pink pig and squirrel…but def the alligator and bunny!!

Oh my Norman, I do miss you!

Winter

Well...the snow finally came. Initially a couple of inches fell at my place and the temperatures remained below freezing for the following days. It has been brilliant! The winter sun shining down upon the frozen earth.
Winter.
Lovely.

Here are a few photos from the last week:


This is dear old Normie as the flakes began to fly. He loves the snow. Thankfully, after quite a rough go he seems to be feeling well. It's been difficult. I expect it shan't be any easier as time continues to roll by.









Here is the snow lingering upon an evergreen bough. Snow in trees--I find it quite lovely :)








I decided while in California that it was time to cut my hair. I didn't chop it all off, though. I went to a new shop and had about two inches trimmed off and asked for some good texture and wispies--no fringe. I am quite pleased with the outcome! Both of
these photos show my locks with no actual style, but they do show how much it pulled up with just a bit of weight taken off!

Perhaps I'll post some photos from Cali and some of the treats I've been working on (though I've actually remembered to photograph very few). I'm absolutely enjoying the Christmas season--and it's been made even better by the snow!
It began falling yesterday before four and has basically continued right up to about an hour ago. Since then I've seen only a few flakes. We'll see if it is going to truly let up. Either way, this is not the Rockies. Things just sort of stop when there is snow or ice.

Weird, yes.

Norman Update

Norman seems to be feeling pretty good. He is jovial and wants lots of cuddles. He likes being outside, but not walking much. I think the medicine the vet suggested is helping his quality of life quite a bit.

I did notice today that while walking Norman wasn't stumbling quite as much. I thought this was a good thing...until I noticed he wasn't always picking up his back feet completely. On many of his steps he was walking on the top of of his feet...poor guy. I also noticed his knees and hips are really being affected by the arthritis.

Thankfully, he is chipper and enjoying sitting by the fire, sniffing all around the yard and gnawing on his tasty bones.

A Sunny Afternoon

The days are getting shorter and shorter. When the sun is out it feels tempered by the cool air and low angle on the horizon. Today the sun was out. As it's rays poured down on my back porch I sat out in my rocker reading a book. I figured it was a good idea to allow myself to be drenched in the vitamin D filled rays. It was nice. The thermometer said 65 degrees. Yes, it was nice.

Norman wanted to join in the fun. I brought him out with me and he lay scanning the shrubs for any sign of squirrel. What a good look out dog.


: )

You know your dog is old...

...when he relies on his person to move his bone which has fallen just out of his reach because he can't move enough to grasp it himself!

He's a goofy pup, but he's a good pup. These bones are some of his favorite and they really do clean his teeth. The photo isn't the best...but I think it's kinda cute!

Tomorrow I'll be stopping at the vet about some Rimidil...as cute and lively as he is, he really can hardly move his heinie these days.
: (

Argh!!!

Yes, that was absolutely a full pirate Aaaargh!!! Why? - you might ask. Simple. I am frustrated.

Hello, my name is Norman and I refuse to poo.

Aaaargh!!!

Norman is getting older...and does what he wants, when he wants. There's really not much reasoning with a pup, as much as I try.

Norman did his business about 0815 and has since refused to poo.
I think 'frustrated' is a bit harsh.
More accurately, I'm concerned.
Normie-norm is having a lot more difficulty getting up from a lying position and stumbles now and again.
At some point he will either
a.) not be able to get up or
b.) not be able to do that crouch thing dogs do to take care of their business.
When this occurs...it will be a very sad day indeed.

TMI

I totally just heard you whisper that!

Sorry. That's what I have today. My concern for a very fine puppy-boy who has spent the better part of almost twelve years with me...because he hasn't pooed.

Then again, I may truly let out an argh! if he wakes me up at 0300 to go outside.

Normie sends his love...and is begging I don't actually post his business for all of Internetlad to see.

No way buddy...here goes!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Musings

Well, I haven't been very prompt in posting these days. I wish I had some brilliant reason...however, there is none. I've been quite busy at work and little things associated with said work as well as keeping up with the things I do in the time that is life! :)

The first photo of this post is of something I have been thoroughly enjoying...though I don't believe it can truly be seen in the picture: RAIN!!! It had been pouring rain when I thought to take a photo and by the time I returned to the porch it had begun to let up a bit. For me this is a welcome change. I have survived another summer...fall is on it's way!

Norman has been taking a bit more time, but I don't mind. He has required two baths a week with a special shampoo to cure the skin/hair loss he's been experiencing. Here is a photo of Norman preparing for a wash. Isn't he cute?? I should add here that Normie has been happy as a clam. He is however, moving like an old, old man. He has troubles backing up and turning around in small spaces. He chooses not to walk much anymore, just going out to do his business and smell the rocks, grass, trees and mud. He still squeaks his toys for a minute and asks for lots of cuddles.

Yesterday evening I had a bit of a kitchen tragedy. After washing a sinkful of dishes and setting them on the rack to dry, I heard a crash. It was one of those crashes...I immediately knew something I adored in my kitchen was now woefully unusable. What you see in the photo is how my three quart le Crueset cast iron pot now looks. Rather horrifying, don't you think? I am pleased to report I found a 2.75 le Crueset, cast iron, cobalt casserole with lid for the price of my extra snowball payment. (yes, I know I deserve a scolding for using my snowball payment for a pot but really, how am I to cook without a pot that can go from stove top to oven seamlessly??) It should be noted here that any donations to the Fine Kitchen Supply Fund can be directed this way :)

Today was a Monday. Hence the title of the post--pretty clever, eh??? It was one of those Mondays where my entire morning was spent at court. Mostly, waiting to go into court...court that ran over into the noon hour. Then of course there is the mail checking, phone call returning and outlook going through that needed to be completed before attending a late afternoon appointment. Thankfully, I had a wonderful coffee date planned for after work with my friend Amy. She is here in this photo holding the yummy mocha she made for me at Ladro, Bothell. It was a wonderful end to my rather busy day. I look forward to many more of these meetings...as well as some fine encounters with 'that flighty temptress, adventure'!!

So much for my Monday Musings...how about you? Are Mondays any different than any other day of the week for you?

Walk...P-L-E-A-S-E!!

This is how Norman was looking as we prepared for his little jaunt around the complex. He has his own little route all mapped out...I just follow him around. It's not that we don't go out numerous times during the day...he just likes to go--when HE WANTS TO GO!!!

It's kinda cute.

Being as old as he is, things have mellowed dramatically around here. No more romping around the place squeaking his toys. No more trying to charge after cats, squirrels or birds. No more wanting to run while we're out.

So this little display of anticipation is fun.

Norman misses everyone and is really hoping for visitors again soon!!!
: )


edit 2200: This is my first fully photoshopped photo. I know, it's not all that special, but I'm pleased! Thanks to Sarah a Scary's West for this tips!

Norman Update

Here is a nice photo of Norman enjoying an egg treat! This is one of his favorite things :) Norman had his 12th birthday in May. He still enjoys hanging out with his friends through the week and chilling out at the condo on the weekends.

He still enjoys being outside and walking around saying hello to anyone he meets. He really is enjoying summer...the sunshine on the porch and the rainstorms in the evenings.

Sadly...twelve is pretty old for a 110lb pup. This last weekend Norman was disoriented and wouldn't drink water. He wandered off into the hall and this is where he wanted his puppy bed. Overall, Normie was out of character. By Monday, he had perked up and was back to regular eating and drinking.

Norman has been a great dog. He never messed in the house or chewed up my things. He has been a great hiking companion...road trip worrier and toy chaser. He's still great at keeping my feet warm and greeting guests. I think he's going to have a great summer.

Goofy Pup!

Here is Norman. He is cuddled up with Camel, Squirrel and I believe there is a bone under his chin and Duck is behind Camel.


Next month is his birthday. He is OLD... Yet since he was a pup one his absolute favorite things to do is play with all his toys!

Ah well...I guess I'm surrounded by toys much of the time as well :)
Norman sends kisses!!!

Norman...hangin' out...

As everyone knows...this is Norman. Norman the big red dog...who is truly getting up in years. Last weekend the poor guy was just tuckered out. He had trouble moving around and getting up and down. Poor guy!


No matter how he's feeling, this pup LOVES his squeaky toys!!! It's not quite like days gone by, when Norman would run around the house playing keep away with his favorites...these days he'll play mini-tug-o-war and likes to pile as many of his toys around as he can and flip them around with his big nose!

Hope you enjoy these photos of Norman. He keeps asking who will be coming to visit him next...since he believes all visitors are just for his enjoyment :)

Happily, this weekend Norman is back to his lively old self. No trouble romping around or hopping over tree roots while taking his walks! He's not going anywhere just yet ;)

I think the only thing he likes more than his squeaky toys are the big basted bones from the pet shoppe...well, those and the charcoal biscuits that I love too! They help his breath not to smell so much!

mwah! Norman sends kisses!!

...strawberry "fresh"...

This is dear old Norman cozied up by the fire after a nice bath with some rather awful strawberry scented (at least that's what the bottle says) shampoo I picked up at the market for approximately one dollar. Perhaps the reason it was so affordable has something to do with the somewhat putrid bouquet of chemical berries.

Smell notwithstanding, the puppy dog is clean and most gratefully, the odor does not linger. :)

I'm not sure why Sir Normie is ever hesitant to get into the tub. He seems to enjoy soaking in the streams of warm water from the nozzle on his aging joints. His favorite part of bath time (still as ever) is playing with his towel as I'm trying not fall victim to the spray off his fur as he wiggles about.

He's become quite spoiled with his puppy bed sitting near the fireplace. He'll cozy up and doze by the fire for hours solo or with one of his favorite squeaky toys. Here's a shot of Norman with his Little Squirrel that Santa Claus brought him for Christmas. I too love Little Squirrel. He is brilliantly designed with a Velcro seam to replace the squeaker if it is punctured---BRILLIANT! I wish I'd thought of this long ago, as many a squeaky toy would have lived to see another day rather than being shredded to fuzzy bits as Norman tried to discover why they no longer squeaked.

Dear ol' Norman will be eleven years old in May. Though quite aged, he's not yet infirm, though a bit overweight. When well rested, on occasion, he still pounces about like a pup. He has arthritis which obviously wears him out, yet he LOVES to walk around outside sniffing and exploring absolutely everything.

He still loves visitors, believing they have solely come to entertain him. Silly old dog!

Anyway...that's all for now...Norman sends his love : )