A Rainy Update

The other day, just when I had decided that I wouldn't try to contact Rainy's new family anymore since it has indeed been a while since she's been with them, I received an email from her mom with some pictures. And while I still miss her so and know that it was *me* and not her that wasn't ready for this, I know she's happy with her brothers and having other puggies around I think has made all the difference for her. I know that I'll be looking for another dog probably in the early spring next year (or maybe a bit before even) and I know I'll be more ready then. But Rainy will always be in my heart.

A Trip to Acadia

We started a long weekend trip to Bar Harbor, Maine by going to Acadia National Park. We climbed Cadillac Mountain overlooking the Porcupine Islands, finding the geodetic marker at the top, climbed the Bubbles and went out to Bubble Rock, went to Schoodic Point to watch waves crash on a shore that is rocky and craggly and everything you think of when you think of a Maine coast, took a boat ride out to the Cranberry Islands and saw seals and an ospry (in addition to the many gulls who followed us around) and ended our last day there with a sunset on top of Cadillac Mountain, where we met a puggle named Stella. I think she was enjoying the people more than the sunset. In addition to days of hiking there were evenings of enjoying the wonderful seafood of Maine. Lobster stew the first night at the Bar Harbor Inn was the absolute best ever!! I even tried (on a dare from my friend) lobster ice cream which was being served at a local ice cream parlor, Ben and Bill's, in town. We even got to watch the conference championship clinching game (Blackhawks vs. Sharks) in a restaurant in town the day before we left.

Chicago Blackhawks are Champions!!

After a season that began in Finland back in October, the Chicago Blackhawks capped off a great season by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals to win the Cup for the first time since 1961! Just a short 4 years ago the Hawks didn't even make the playoffs. Three years ago, when they had Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews playing their first seasons, they missed the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. And now, they are the champions! What a night! There are helicopters hanging over the lakefront and happy people shouting on the street -- there will be no sleep tonight in Chi-town, just a night of happy celebration!

*I promise I'll get my Acadia pictures loaded and do a proper post soon!*

We Were Thankful and Now We Need

After 30 days of The Gratitude Project, finding so many things to be grateful and thankful for, now we need to ask for help -- help for our little buddy Anakin. He was rushed back to surgery today -- and it's his birfday! Sheesh! If you've got any good thoughts or prayers to spare, please keep Anakin and his mom Katy and his dad Rob in mind. And stop by and send some good vibes their way http://thoseelginpugs.blogspot.com/

The Gratitude Project Day 30

For the Gratitude Project, I'm posting three things I'm truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small every day for 30 days.

Day Thirty: 1. Puppy breath. 2. the small things in life like flowers and sidewalk games and watching butterflies and the smell of freshly mowed grass and dew in the morning that we don't always notice in our busy lives but would miss if they were gone. 3. that humans still have the capacity to forgive.

And so goes the final day -- for now! -- of the Gratitude Project. Thank you for coming along on this journey.

We interrupt this Gratitude Project for this Special Announcement...

So I was watching the Food Network, and a commercial came on. And what did I pay attention to? Oh, just the cute teeny tiny puggie in the commercial! Just before it ended I caught what the commercial was for -- so I could look it up! Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM1hQHAzG20

The Gratitude Project Day 29

For the Gratitude Project, I'm posting three things I'm truly grateful for, no matter how silly or small every day for 30 days.

Day Twenty-nine: 1. All the dog blogs I read every day. 2. pinot noir. 3. long distance friendships.