Seamus

Chris had a red setter as a best-est friend when he lived in Canberra in days gone past.  I love hearing the stories about Seamus, his wonderful dog companion, and love the enthusiasm that this beautiful red dog had for life.

But one of my most favourite stories is the one about Hide and Seek. 

Chris, who has always worked successfully with dogs, used to wander into the backyard at his home in Canberra, where Seamus would be waiting expectantly for any sort of game or fun to begin.  One of Seamus' favourite games was Hide and Seek. 

Chris would tell Seamus to go and hide, while Chris counted to 10.  Seamus would quickly hide in one of the large shrubs, and then wait excitedly for Chris to find him.  Meanwhile, the whole shrub would be shaking and quivering with the excitement held within Seamus' tail and body, as he secretly hid!  Chris would wander around the garden telling Seamus that he would find him and that he was getting warmer, while the shrub just kept shaking more and more frantically!

Eventually out of just sheer excitement, Seamus would jump out at Chris, almost as if saying: "Here I am, Silly!  Fooled you!  Ha! Ha!"

I wish I could have had the opportunity to meet Seamus.  He sounded like a great pal!

Unforgettable

When I write a post to my blog, it takes some thought sometimes - it isn't always just an 'off the cuff' kind of thing.  If I wanted to write in that vane, I would just post an inane statement to Facebook- doesn't everyone?

Feeling somewhat 'blocked', I asked Chris what I could write about - writing for a journal or a paper is much easier--they give you the topics--

Chris suggested Teddy Bears - my friends.  "Bears?  That's a bit lame", I replied.  But then I remembered.  ....

I have been very fortunate in my adult life that people around me have embraced my love for Teddy Bears as much as I have.  I have so many of them and so many memories because of them.  When I pick one up, it's just not picking up a stuffed bear, it is like embracing a memory, a moment, a time when that bear really meant something to someone, and something to me.  It is for that reason that I am going to tell you the story of my Unforgettable Bear.....

When Chris and I got married, it was after a very sad and emotional time in my life.  My first husband and father of my three daughters had recently died from cancer, and then six months later my 19 year old daughter died tragically in a car accident.  Not a good time.  But Chris was there.  He knew what I was going through, and experienced each moment of grief with me.  We were such good friends, and shared a rare humour together.

Then, one day, we realised that it was OK to be acknowledging this friendship, and to realise it for what it was - Love!  To cut a long story short, we married, in a wonderful ceremony, surrounded by friends and family, and laughter and music.  Our theme song for this partnership (and still is) - 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole and his daughter, Natalie Cole.  It played at our wedding and was the song that played during our wedding waltz. 

Well, this year, on Mother's Day, as I woke up in the morning, I noticed that Chris had disappeared, and as my 2 daughters were no longer in my home, but living their own life, I sort of layed there and felt a bit sad and sorry for myself.  I remembered the burnt toast mornings of breakfast in bed, with a tray of spilt juice, and cold toast and mutterings, as it arrived proudly to my bed each year.  This year was just quiet.

Then, Chris opened the bedroom door with a tray of food, and a present.  I sat up on propped pillows, and surveyed my surprise bounty, and gave him a very good appreciative look and kiss.  As I was enjoying my rare breakfast in bed, Chris urged me to unwrap my present.  (We are like peas in a pod--we almost enjoy more the act of giving a present to someone more than anything else! )  He was beside himself!

I took the ribbon and paper from the the wrapped  bulky parcel, to discover a brown Teddy Bear, holding a mobile phone, and wearing a red t-shirt with the embroidered message: "You're so Unforgettable" emblazoned on his chest.  I looked at it's cute face, and couldn't help but smile, feeling that even though at the moment I was feeling like a lost and forgotten Mother, at least Chris and this crazy t-shirt wearing bear loved me.  Then I touched a button on his hand and he sang to me, in his own teddy bear voice, how 'unforgettable' I was.  I think I ate breakfast, it's hard to remember if it was soggy or not.  There were tears of love, and happiness, and knowing that no matter what --to someone I am 'Unforgettable'.

(Post note:  Maddie sent a wonderful Mother's Day present to me, which arrived a couple of days later, and was sent with much love - so I was double blessed!)

Anyway, this is a clip of our theme song:  Enjoy!  -

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1a40o_nat-king-cole-natalie-unforgettable_music

There's no place like home....

We have  FINALLY done it. We have finished our renovation work on this multi-level house, and have listed it on the market.  It has been a journey...

This was the house of my dreams back in 1987, when we first saw it, and evenually bought it.  We have raised 3 daughters in this house, and have had some wonderful memories. Many actually.   We have also had some sad ones.  All of those stories may make it into a story of their own one day, but for now, this is the story of this house.

When it was first purchased it sat alone, on the top of a hill, with only 3 palm trees, and 5 pencil pine trees to keep it company.  But, I could see its future, and what a life that foreseeable future has engrained on this place - it has been amazing.

This house has a spirit of its own, and responds to love.  I am sure of it.

As we have been renovating, and renewing her, this house has stood and preened and glistened, with every coat of paint that was applied, or every rebuild in one of her rooms.  She has sparkled, and loved the attention, and now stands very proudly, completely aware of how much younger and better she looks.  Sort of like an actress getting a faceflift, as the new acting roles come rolling in.  This house is very much in the same category.  She treats herself very well, and expects everyone around her to show her the same respect.

It's been fun to watch.

Weather or not

It has been a difficult time here lately. I'm blaming the weather!  It just cannot make up its mind.  I mean, one day it is perfectly lovely, so I search for my T-shirts and summer type gear, then whammo--that night it is freezing cold (at least to me!).  Chris doesn't feel the cold, but to humour me he puts up with the heaters and the sight of me dozing by the fire.

This is why I have been 'off-air'. 

It is so cold down here in our family room at night, that I can only sit for a few moments to check emails and see what is happening in the world.  (I have found another heater though, so that is now a relief!)

Anyway, life has gone on, and we have had some big issues to deal with.  I'll tell you about them in later posts. Now I'm just dealing with a runny nose, and the need to sneeze. 

See you tomorrow!

My Kanga family

I drove my little blue convertible into town the other day to do some errands, and on my return, as I was coming up our 1/2 kilometre long driveway, I met my kangaroo family again. I absolutely love them.  They would be about 4th generation by now, and the Mumma 'Roo has a Joey in her pouch.

I was slowly driving up the driveway when I noticed her first.  (They know that I will stop for them to cross the driveway, but they also know that accidents may happen and others may not drive slowly, or even stop).

Anyway, I stopped.  I watched Mumma jump across the track before me, which had just been jumped by two other members of her family. Over the years I have provided water for them in the hot dry months, and left out scraps of 'Roo friendly' tidbits, during the dry periods, and as a result we live in tolerance and on my part,  admiration for their beauty.

I have been lucky enough to experience these Roos and their family members come and go over the years, and have been privileged to see their generational families growing and living here.  At times it has been as sad for us, as for them, to see a family member hit by a truck in the early morning hours as it sped down the highway, and I have always sent up a quiet prayer for their tired and mutilated body.

I think I will miss them a lot when we move.  They have surprised me so much over the years, and have shown a quiet respect for our space, as we have for theirs. 

My guys

Yesterday, as I started to finally refinish my kitchen and its drawers, I thought the easiest way to do it would be to take the actual kitchen utensil drawers outside onto the deck, complete with their inside contents and just work on their front surface, in peace and without fear of dripping varnish or anything else on the floors inside.

Well, Big Boy 3, my ever curious magpie and great greedy guts, wondered straight away what I was doing, and brought his mates with him.  BB3 sat on one of the deck tables where some of my drawers were established for their refurbishment of beauty, and queried me.  I mean, when do I really have to answer to a Magpie, but I obliged.

"I've sanded and prepared them, and now I am re-finishing them.  They will look like new --probably better!", I said defiantly.

BB3 just looked at me, and sat on the chair of main table where I had placed two drawers, and looked at me still inquisitively.  I shrugged, and brought out more drawers, and laid them on the other tables, and then looked around. 

By this stage, BB3 has called in his friends, and they were perched on the deck railing, and suddenly BB3 sat on the drawer that held the kitchen towels.

I spoke sternly to him saying "If you do so much as poo on these tables or anywhere near these drawers you and your friends are cut off! Period!  No more treats of food, no more special delicacies for you guys--that's it!  I need your total cooperation!"

Apparently they had a conference and conceded, as there wasn't a sign of birdie interference anywhere amongst any of the drawer contents.  I, however, had a huge audience, sitting on the deck railing and unused tables.  This included of course, the BB3 family, but also the Honey Eaters and the Lorrikeets.  They all also had an opinion, letting me know where I messed up, or if I missed a spot while doing the refinishing. (Sometimes they are just too 'hilariously' helpful!) 

Sometimes it's not easy

You know, everyday I wake up feeling positive, sometimes weary, but positive.  Then I get out of bed, ...that's when it all goes down hill...just joking, but, honestly, just recently I have had infected sinuses and the the flu, or whatever they call this attrocious thing that has taken over my life, and created this weak, nose-blowing, limping for sympathy thing that has become me.  May this feeling rot in the hot spot!!  I prefer my strong willed self--not this limp rag.

But early this morning, as is my usual "dawn'esque" exercise, I sat and meditated on life, instead of quietly taking the opportunity to enjoy another few chapters of my favourite novel...(By the way Harlan Coben is a genius author, closely followed or even levelled by Michael Robotham!!)  Excellent reading!

Anyway, it made me realise that while what I am going through is hopefully only temporary, and knowing how awful I feel..some others in the world are going through much worse, very much worse, and you know,  I bet they aren't even offered the opportunity of sitting around feeling sorry for themselves!  They could be in war-torn countries, or seriously ill in hospitals or at home with not a blue sky in sight...if you know what I mean. 

Well, I felt humbled.  Mind you, I didn't feel better, but it put it all into perspective.

I thank God that I am normally healthy, and that I have people around me who love me.  It means a lot to me, and this makes me realise that I should be positive.  I know--I may grumble and say I can't do it all today --and maybe I can't--but in the end - does it really matter?  The work will get done. The task will get accomplished.  The sun will shine - because we all know:

"The sun'll come out tomorrow"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yop62wQH498

Sorry couldn't resist -- my family will chuckle and then groan, as they know this is my theme song!!

The finishing line

It was a very peaceful, sunny Sunday afternoon, and I remember wandering through the backyard to go into our 4 bay garage, to get to my car, as I needed some things from town.  Kurt was laying on the back lawn, and Georgie was near by.  Kurt didn't get up as was his usual gesture, in order to greet me,  and just laid there.  Noticing a difference in his behaviour I called out:

'What is it boy?  Are you OK?'

He still just laid there, but turned his head in my direction. to let me know that he was aware of me.  I found it odd that he didn't get up to greet me, so I went over to him, to see if he was OK. 

'What is it big fella, hey?  Are you not well?'

Kurt just laid there and looked at me, and then got up and licked my hand, while Georgie danced around his face.  (Try as much as she could to grow, Georgie never got her size much bigger than Kurt's head.  As a puppy, I had photos of her sitting in our bird bath, so small, and Kurt standing next to the bird bath, with his mouth and lower jaw about the size of her whole body!)  Yet they both loved each other so much!  Amazing difference in stature and nature, but tuned in all the same.

'Georgie, do you what is wrong with this big lug?  He doesn't seem as happy as usual does he?'

Georgie just looked at me, and went over to Kurt and jumped up a bit to lick his face.  Kurt stood there, trying to give me a grin, and accepting Georgie's licks, and then laid down again.  Not his usual behaviour, but it was a quiet and warm Sunday afternoon, so I dismissed his behaviour, and went on my errands into town.

After about 2 hours I arrived home only to find Kurt still laying in about the same place, this time with Georgie up next to him.  I dropped my packages around me, and felt for his nose.  My doggie thermometer.  It was warm and dry --not a good sign.  He was breathing a bit louder than his normal manner, and didn't have his ol' fighting spirit about him.  I went inside and asked the family members who were there if they had noticed anything strange about his behaviour.  As they had mostly been engrossed by TV all afternoon, there was little response. 

That night, I heated up some leftovers for Kurt as a treat, and while letting them cool a bit, I sat with him in the backyard.  He laid his head in my lap, and I noticed a lump on the top of his head. 

'Kurt, have you been butting trees again?' I asked hoping to get him to liven up.  But got no reaction.  I equated his behaviour to that of a migraine, something I used to know a lot about.  But he just laid there instead, occasionally lifting his eyes to look at me, but mainly he was just liking the general massage I was giving him.

I went into the kitchen and got his food, as well as Georgie's and sat with them as they ate.  Well, Georgie ate, and loved it!  Home cooked food!  But Kurt wasn't as enthused, and ate the few bites that I hand fed him.... In the end I decided to just let him be, and made sure that his water dish was close by. His nose was still warm and dry.  I put it all down to a bad day for him, everyone has one... But felt badly for him all the same.

I talked to the family members that were there that night, and said that we would have to get him to the vet in the morning if he wasn't any better, and then got on with family and night meals.  Being Sunday night, there was dinner to prepare, and arrangements for Monday's schedule of activities.  I hated Mondays. Always provided left curves, and things that just weren't needed at the best of times.  Tuesdays were always better....

Monday morning arrived too quickly, and as I got out of bed, I was surprised that we hadn't been woken up by the dogs barking in the early hours, as per normal.  This morning was very quiet.  I looked outside the window from the lower bathroom, and saw Kurt laying in about the same spot as he had the night before. 

Afraid, I called out to John, and asked him to help me with Kurt.

'We'll have to make a quick trip into town and the vet right away! I'll call my office, and you can start to get him into the car.  We'll deal with the girls and their schedules later.....Why hasn't he moved much.. He is really scaring me now!'

We both rushed into the backyard and stood next to Kurt.  He didn't stir.  His small lump on the top of his head, had grown, and it was now a noticeable size.  It looked strange on his large, square head, I remember thinking, as I reached down to nudge him in order to awaken him.. I had never had to wake Kurt before!  He was our guard!!

It was then that we realised.  Kurt was dead.  Just like that.  Gone. Dead. With a lump. It appeared later, that he may have had a brain aneurysm, or a heavy blow to his head, which didn't make sense to me. Kurt was dead.  Just like that.

I called my office and told them that once again, I would be late, and we made arrangements for John and I to meet in a few hours to work out what to do with Kurt's body.  There was a lot of shock happening to us, and we just couldn't understand it all.

Later that day, John carried Kurt to the front end loader, and drove his poor body to our "Pet Cemetery" - a shady spot on our property hidden within a grove of trees.   The hole had already been dug by John, in preparation, and we lovingly deposited Kurt's large body there.  Saying a blessing we covered the area with large rocks, and then with bougainvillea flowers.

I walked back up to the house, with little Georgie at my side, amazed that I was still dry eyed.  (I knew the tears would come later, when I fully understood what had really happened.)

Kurt was dead.  Our protector was gone. 

It was a very sad Monday!

Kurt- Our hero till the end

Kurt was the most laid back retired Rottweiler that I had ever met.  (Mind you, I hadn't met many--but I bet he was the coolest dog of them all!) 

I remember one day, as I was getting ready for work at my university position, there was commotion outside, with Georgie barking, and after looking outside the front windows, I noticed that even Kurt had gotten up from his usual 'lookout' position and was standing erect.  There was an unfamiliar car coming up our driveway, and as our house is somewhat private, it is unusual to get unannounced visitors early in the morning. 

By the time I had made it downstairs to the front door, there was a car parked outside, and it contained 4 men in uniform. At first I was a bit concerned, and immediately thought that there might have been an accident involving a family member, or some dire reason why an unmarked car containing 4 uniformed men just sat in the car at the front of my house. Kurt was standing at the drivers door, complete with tennis ball in his mouth (he obviously wasn't too concerned...) so I approached the vehicle.

As it turned out they were from the Army and wanted to get my permission to walk through my property and up into the hills behind our home to explore the area. 

'Sorry, Ma'am', the driver stated as he rolled down his window low enough to show me his identity, keeping an eye on Kurt at all stages.  'There is a general concern that there could still be unexploded devices from past war exercises in this area, and we would like to explore beyond your property if you don't mind.'

'Sure!  Go ahead', I replied, stepping aside, while Kurt just sat there with the tennis ball in his mouth grinning at these 4 men.

'Er, Ma'am, would you mind calling your dog away.  The men just don't want to have to hassle with him' the driver urged somewhat in a pleading manner.

I smiled and told him to get out the car.  He hesitated, while I told Kurt to sit.  Kurt spat out his ball, somewhat disappointed, and did as instructed.

'If you would just extend your arm slowly, and let Kurt smell the palm of your hand, he will be satisfied that you are not a threat, and you may come and go as you please.  I really do have to get to work, so I will just leave you here now, and I trust that you will be OK '

'Er, Ma'am, we would rather that you don't leave us here with that dog.'

'His name is Kurt.'

'Don't leave us here with Kurt.  We will hurry our task and be finished as soon as possible.'

I watched, along with Kurt at my side, as the two men in the front of the car stepped out, and looking somewhat waryingly at Kurt,  started to walk through to the back of our house yard and cross the wire fence into the back bushland.  I then turned to the 2 other men in the back seat and gave them an enquiring look, which they attempted to miss while they hurriedly looked at their phones or just anything else, except Kurt and I.

Giving a shrug, I went back into the house and Kurt laid down, next to the driveway in front of the house, with his tennis ball once again close by.  By this time I had phoned my office and said that I would be delayed, but that my explanation would probably be worth it, and then waited, wondering how much longer these two men would just sit in the car.  Occasionally Kurt would grab his ball and wonder over to the window at the right side of the back seat door, and push it up against the glass.  Nothing.  No movement from the car.  Obviously these men did not know how to play this game!

After about 10 minutes, the left back door opened and one of the men looked as though he was attempting to leave the vehicle.  Kurt was ecstatic!  He quickly grabbed his ball and raced around to that door, hoping to entice that human to throw his ball so that he could chase it!  But no!  The human just jumped back into the back seat and slammed the door shut.  (I was having a hard time trying to stifle my laugh, but if this was the army I was feeling a bit insecure.  If a dog could stop them, what would something more fierce do?  I tried to chastise myself for thinking like this, but just was getting impatient and figured that 4 men could have been accomplishing this task faster than just the two.) 

Eventually the other two men from the bush appeared and I went down to the car to greet them. 

'So, what did you find?'

'Our equipment hasn't shown any traces, but we will be investigating  further.  Thank you for cooperating, and giving us your time.'

'I'm sure my office will be interested', I replied, trying not to smile, and patted Kurt on his head as he stood next to me with his tennis ball in his mouth.  Reaching down, I took the ball, and gave it a good throw - to which Kurt took off immediately, like a bullet and tried to retrieve it as fast as he could, almost smiling at someone finally understanding the game!

The car backed out of the driveway a little way, did a turn around, keeping an eye on Kurt, and drove down our driveway.

Needless to say we never saw them again.

Maddie's 'Big Day Out' with Kurt er, Carl, er...Kurt

When I turned 40, I discovered a whole new life --my new baby Madison played a large role in that, as she was entering into my world and the world of us.  But during this stage and leading up to her birth, Kurt and I used to spend time together 'talking' about what to expect and if I was up to it!  He was sure I could handle it all, but I felt I was on shaky ground to begin with.  But Kurt had faith, and as we sat in the sun on those early cold Winter days in the beginning, he would put his paw on my arm and let me know that all was OK.

When Maddie arrived, there were celebrations, and upon arriving home we opened her 'bunny rug' so that Kurt and Georgie could inspect her, and give their nod.  Georgie almost jumped upside down, and Kurt just sat and grinned at me.  He knew.  He was happy. 

As time passed, and Maddie started to grow up a bit, we would let her discover her bearings in the gardens surrounding our house, closely followed by Kurt, as her guide and protector.  Wherever she wandered, Kurt wasn't far behind, and soon they became firm friends. 

The day finally arrived when Maddie started Day Care, at about 15 months, and Kurt was a bit reluctant to have her leave us so soon.  But as I had been given a position at the local university, there was very little option left for us.  I explained this to Kurt, but he still had his doubts.

During this process, my sister who lives in Michigan, began sending us books about Carl - the Rottweiler--beautiful picture books about Carl and his young side-kick, someone very similar to Maddie, although her name was Madeleine!  I would open these books for Maddie and Kurt, and tell them the 'story' according to the pictures, and they would sit, entranced, (except for the times that Georgie would distract Kurt as he was on guard duty after all!)

As time went by, the various books would arrive for Christmas presents or for Maddie's birthday, and there was excitement as she and I would sit down and discover the next adventure that had been written about 'her and Kurt' in this latest story book.  She was fascinated, and would ask me time and time again to tell her the story of the Christmas shopping adventures, or the Day Care adventures or the other adventures that Kurt (Carl) took her on.  It wasn't until many years later, that the story books and their wordless stories, became apparent to Maddie and she realised that Kurt had been her substitute for Carl.  But what a substitute!  On the days when Kurt, Maddie and I would sit and 'read' the books together they would look at the pictures and marvel at their adventures, wondering how they had been allowed to do what they did!  I always smiled, and told them how special they were, and of course, that was enough!  They already knew that!

Note:  For those readers unfamiliar with Kurt and Georgie.  Kurt was our professionally trained guard dog, who had since retired and lived with us at home.  Georgie was his side-kick and a great little friend to the world.  She was a black and tan Australian terrier, (or blue, as they are called), and was a constant ball of energy and love!)