We are trying to keep very busy after our losses last year of Ann and Orem and Gator. Bruce has been helping to keep Ray busy. I went to a Winning Women of Faith conference in Georgia with Barb, her girls and her sister Marsha. We went to Seaworld with Bruce and Karin and Gaby from Switzerland. Didn't spend much time at the camp. It's lonely without Gator there.
We are dealing with a few health issues. Ray had surgery on one of his eyes Glaucoma now he is unable to see well. His VA doc said oh well, sorry bout that, I'll send you to see a retina specialist, NEXT May! So I'm the driver now. His psych doc told him that because he has had congestive heart failure and copd and lost 35 pounds he should get Medicare as the VA is way behind and he needs attention now.
I am exausted from a UTI I've had for 3 weeks now. ick
Our cruise was fun but the food was ... ok... and no chocolate on my pillow. : (
Guess we'll have to upgrade from Carnival.
Log ride at Seaworld! Handy to have two guys to help me in and out!
Invited to join a ladies sorority by my friend MaryBeth. Been to a fashion show, a mystery dinner and the Madrigal dinner.
Been to several car shows, made Christmas cards, Ray must have made at least 6 batches of cookies, so everyone we know, including the church, hospice and DSIL cookie needs were filled! I just made some Haystacks.
Madrigal dinner.
Carnival Conquest an artsy themed boat with lots of Renoir,Monet,Degas plus, everywhere. I really liked that part. We even got to bring a Minion that Reba and Susan gave us for Christmas and of course Olaf.
Grand Turk
Cute Minion mugs from Mom and cute teardrop camper sign from Tess!
Love you all, I'll try to be more current next time. BTW Ray's older brother Orem is having a hip replacement on the 18th please keep him in your prayers for a successful outcome!
It's only been a little over a week but Cooper is perfect so far! At first we were concerned that he may have an eating disorder or some other reason for the previous adopters to return him but as soon as we got him home we gave him half a bag of Kibbles left over from Gator. He sucked it down like a vacuum! And it didn't come back up! So no eating disorder! Whoot! The shelter was not sure if he was house broken. Yeesh! And for a day he did his outside duty in the house. We kept showing him the dog door and putting him outside. The 2nd night I remembered the "paper training" technique and closed the bedroom door laying newspaper down. He had been sleeping in the bed with us since our nap on day one. He got up at 6am and peed on the paper. Ray got up and brought him outside again. That was the last time he went in the house! He learned the dog door. He also knows a lot of commands like sit, get the ball, give it to me, NO. We have left him alone and the first time he chewed up the tissue box we left on the bed. The second time he had my sneaker on the bed, but it was not chewed.
He takes a flying leap into my lap from 6 feet when he is fetching the toy and returning it! He's very tall and gangly but just 14 lbs when we got him. He's fattened up some but I think he is supposed to be a dog that is sort of Whippet shaped. He's supposed to be a Papillion/ Jack Russell. Yeah sure and Gator was a Weenie/poodle. chuckle chuckle.
Anyway as we come up on the sad Anniversary of Mom and Dad Abels I think Cooper is already helping with that.
I am dying to see what else he knows how to do! Got him some squeeky toys and he likes to play. He play bites and licks your face a lot. We are looking forward to seeing what he does with a tennis ball or Frisbee!
Ray already calls him a bedhog because he sidles right over to his side and pushes him off the bed! lol Looks like Ray is sleeping on his bedside table he's so close to the edge. When he tries to move Cooper, he flips over on his back and thinks Ray wants to play. It will be a fun learning experience!
I haven't been able to get a good "personality" picture but here are a few to give you an idea until you meet him.
He has 4 white stockings and a blaze down his nose! He loves to chase the squirrels, lays behind or under my chair or under the table near Rat's feet! Ray gave him a bath and he just sat there calmly in the tub. Opposite of Gator who did not like baths and would try to get away the whole time!
Anyway Mom! Here's the new grand dog! Love you all!
