Update on Gwinnie - and Bella is a Great Pyrenées?

My sweet Gwinnie had her cataracts removed last week.  She got over her intestinal infection just in time for surgery! Dr Best is a wonderful canine opthalmologist. She and her team are very caring and took really good care of her the entire time.

I took her in at 10:30 last Wednesday and stayed with her for the 2 hour pre-op eye drops. They also were monitoring her blood sugar. They took her into the operating room at 12:30 to begin removal of the left cataract first. She wanted to check the health of that eye before we made the decision to do the right. Dr Best said it would take about 30 minutes and then she would come out and let me know about doing the right one.

I decided to make a quick lunch run - a Wendy's was just a few blocks away and I could eat quick and get back before Dr Best need to talk to me about the second cataract removal.

So I ate fast and rushed back. The assistant came in and said they hadn't started yet because Gwinnie didn't want to go to sleep!! It was taking a long time for her to close her eyes!!  Little stinker! Finally a little after one they were able to begin.

30 minutes later Dr Best came to tell me that everything looked good and I told her to go ahead and do the second eye. Around 2:30 they brought me a really groggy Gwinnie with new eyes!!  She has a cone she will have to wear for at least two weeks and 3 eye drops that have to be given multiple times a day. She hates the cone and the eye meds! 

Boy, am I glad I use a grooming sling to do her insulin shots (she won't stand still for those either!) So I put her in the sling, give her the right eye drops for the right time of day and reward her with treats. Of course, Max and Bella get treats, too!

Here's Gwinnie with her new eyes

She is one tough momma!! She has a one week follow-up on Wednesday. It's great that she can.see! I don't know yet how much or how far she can see but she can certainly see my hand coming towards her holding a treat!

Now, about Bella. I used an Embark DNA test on her. I have been curious, for the 7 years that I've had her, regarding her parentage. NMDR had no info on her or her siblings because some unexpected man in Arkansas walked over to our rescue van when it was parked, said "I hear you're picking up dogs. Here's mine", handed them a box with three puppies in it, turned around and walked off. I fell in love with her when I saw a picture of her on the rescue van! Her's was the first rescue I helped with after I started volunteering at NMDR.  She grew so fast and changed so much in the next few months. But what a beauty! It didn't really matter to me what her breeds were but, as I said, I have always been curious.

And here's the big reveal!

19% Great Pyrenées???  I always knew she had hound in her as that's pretty obvious in her body shape and behaviors. I suspected a bully breed because she has a definite stubborn streak and is super affectionate. But I'm stumped about the GP!

But, she is one perfect pup no matter what. And here's a photo of Max as it isn't right that I leave him out!

I feel so blessed to have these three sweet pups in my life. 

Thank you for taking the time to read today's blog post. I appreciate all of you and I hope you have a dog or two or three in your lives, too! 

Adult-Like Wonder

We often hear the expression "child-like wonder".  It needs no explanation. We have all seen the awe on children's faces when they see a butterfly or a rainbow or a falling star. I believe we should never lose that wonder and curiosity about life.

The photo is of the Rose Window at the Cathédral Notre Dame de Reims. (Did you know many of the Gothic cathedrals in France are named for "Our Lady"? Not just the one in Paris.). 

I must confess that I am in total awe of these creations. I can never pass up the chance to go inside a church in France.  Large or small, they hold a fascination I find hard to explain. I can't wait to visit Notre Dame de Paris and see for myself all of her splendor renewed!  Over 2,000 artisans worked painstakingly for five years to restore her to her original beauty! I watched every video I could as the day approached for the grand opening. I was in total awe of the work they were doing.  

I feel fortunate to live in a region of the world that has so much natural beauty. I simply have to look out my window to see Pikes Peak which is today covered with snow.  And I am encouraged by the blue blue sky and the sunshine. 

I was at the zoo yesterday and loved seeing all of the amazing animals who call Colorado Springs their home. I am especially in awe of the big cats. They are so majestic and elegant.

My gorgeous Elsa will be 10 in June 

The majestic Ouray. It breaks my heart that she will never fly. She came to us with a severely broken wing that had to be amputated. She would never have survived without human intervention. She is the epitome of beauty, resilience and strength. Those are qualities of which I am always in awe.

What causes you to feel that child-like wonder? Amazing geographical features, flora, fauna, human creativity? There are so many wonders in - and out of - this world. I challenge you to find time to step outside of your everyday life to find joy, passion and amazement. Find those butterflies, rainbows and falling stars. It will do you a world of good!

Thank you for including me in a small part of your day. I do so appreciate your time. Merci!

Uh-Oh, Ouch and Oh Là Là

Hi! Gwinnie here. Mommy asked me to help write this week's blog post since my life has been filled with uh-ohs, ouches and oh là làs. When she wrote the first post of this title it was about all the things she went through to get her old house ready to sell. She was a crazy woman (imo) to scrape off popcorn ceilings and redo wood floors! And all that painting! Wow! She was really motivated to move to France! You know what motivates me?  Food!!

Anyway, back to the post and my stories of challenges and victories. I want to start with the oh là làs. I was adopted!  By the best mommy in the whole wide world and have a brother and sister who love me. I have a big backyard with lots of flowers and herbs and trees and bushes. Until 4 years ago I never knew those things existed. See, I spent the first 7 years of my life in a cage in a terrible place called a puppy mill having lots of babies so the owners could make lots of money. I got fed the least amount of the cheapest food possible with no medical care. (That's probably why I am so motivated by food!) So, hooray for being adopted and having a home and a couch and a bed and toys and warmth and I'm clean and loved on! This is a photo of the first time I met Max and Bella at the rescue. It was love at first sight! 

But I have had my share of uh-ohs and ouches. Just a week or so after coming home with mommy she noticed I was coughing and wheezing when I got excited or energetic. The vet said I had a partially collapsed trachea for which I now take meds twice a week. That controls it really well! No more coughing and wheezing for me! Then I started holding out my right leg and only using the other three. The vet said my luxating patella was getting worse and I needed surgery. About a year after that the other leg started bothering me so I had that knee fixed, too!

So now my throat and my legs are great! But then about 18 months ago I developed diabetes. That was pretty scary for mommy, but the insulin works great for me. Twice a day after morning and afternoon meals. I lost a lot of weight so I get extra meals that Max and Bella don't get to have! 

Mommy was worried that she would never be able to travel again because she would have to find a sitter who knew how to give insulin shots. And then we found Tera! Yay! However, there's a new problem. I went blind over the course of about 6 weeks. I have cataracts on both eyes. It happened so fast! All because of the diabetes.  As Mommy was deciding if she could afford cataract surgery for me I got really sick last week. I had a severe gastro intestinal infection and ended up spending the night at the emergency vet hospital. I got to come home the next day feeling so much better! The cost was pretty crazy! 

But my mommy loves me and wants me to have a good quality of life so I get to have the cataracts removed in 2 weeks and I will be able to see again. Mommy has had to help me so much since I went blind. I can get up on the couch and the bed without help but then I get disoriented once I'm up there and can't get down by myself. She has to take me outside at night because I am totally disoriented out there. I will be able to run and jump and play fetch again!! It will be wonderful!

So, you see, I have had my share of uh-ohs and ouches in my lifetime but I am definitely living the oh là làs now! I'm so happy! Mommy calls me resilient. I don't know what that means but I think it means I love my life now more than anything else in the whole wide world!!

Mommy said to be sure to thank you all for reading my blog post. Maybe I'll do it again sometime. Or maybe Max or Bella will want to tell you their stories.  Whatever bumps you have a long the way I hope you have a family that loves you and will keep you safe and happy. 😊💕

My Ongoing Love Affair

In the original post of this title I spoke of my love of France and why it has always (since the 8th grade) had a pull on me. I do love everything about France - the history, literature, art, architecture, music, food, culture. I love the slower pace and that they still take 2 hours to have lunch! What a very civilized (and healthy) habit! 

Since returning to Colorado I have renewed my other love affair and that is with God's creatures - great and small.

I love going to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! I love my weekly visits with my special zoo friends. By now most of the animals know me and the gorillas will come to the window to "visit". Asha, our 31 year old female is especially friendly. She loves to see what's in my purse. She will sit in front of me with her legs crossed and wait to look inside. On occasion she will pull up her stool to sit on so she can see the photos on my phone. I adore her and feel so humbled that she wants to spend time with me. I know all of our gorillas and enjoy their personalities but Asha and I seem to have a special connection. I remember when she was born! 

My other "love" at the zoo is Elsa, one of our 9 year old "cubs". I have loved her since she was born! She has two brothers but she was always the most curious and the the most feisty. And the most agile! She figured out how to jump up onto the deck (where mom, Lomela, would hang out to get a break from her three kids) long before her brothers did. You could tell how pleased she was with her new-found ability. She would jump up there with Mom and then look down on the boys as it to say "nanny nanny boo boo". The boys were not happy!

Else is also Daddy's Girl. She still loves wrestling with him and cuddling up to him when they sleep. 

The zoo has become my happy place. Its a special feeling to spend time there. I always learn something new which makes my visits even more special. 

I do visit with all the animals, but I spend the most time with Asha and Elsa. Although lions don't really visit! Ha! But I know she knows me and recognizes my voice.  If she's in the outdoor habitat and I call to her from the upper visitor deck she always turns to see me. 

My other love is, of course, is dogs. Especially my three whom I will write about in a later post.

We all need love and compassion in our daily lives. I feel blessed to be only 15 minutes away from one of the top rated zoos in the nation.  And three lovely rescue dogs are always excited to greet me when I get home.

I will always have a passion for France! Once I'm  back from a visit I'm ready to play my next one.

Find your passion, whether near or far, and you will find joy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Merci infinement!!

Distractions, I Mean Balance

i had other plans for today's blog post but after the news I received this morning I feel a need to speak about love, forgiveness and acceptance.

The original post of this title from 10 years ago was about work vs play and how important it is to balance that to keep one healthy in every way. But I didn't include any mention of the importance of  relationships in that post. 

We all need others in our lives and we should not allow politics or religion or even cultural differences to determine who our friends are. Or to use as an excuse to strip people of our love.

As I write this my sweet (unofficial.) god daughter is in a medically induced coma in California. I have known her for her entire life. Her older brother is  one of Andy's dearest friends. Her mother is someone I love dearly but feel like we are far apart geographically and in many other ways. 

Especially at difficult times we should gather as much love around us as we can. We need to learn to forgive and accept that we will never agree on everything but our differences should not alienate us from people who have been in our lives for many years. 

I know as we get older and life experiences change our views we often see others in a different light. And it's okay to acknowledge that. I know that feelings get hurt and that can distance us and change how we feel about the other person. 

But I hope and pray that we will not turn our back on the person who may truly need our love . Or refuse to let the other person make amends. 

I do know there are some bridges that can never be rebuilt. But hatred and hard feelings should be put behind us or they will destroy us and affect every relationship we have now and in the future.

As sweet Brittany lies in ICU in California I pray not only for her but for her family to be able to feel all the love that is coming her way and that it can be a healing time for all of them who should be bringing as much love to her as is possible. I pray that those who have been alienated for whatever reason will be allowed to show their love for Brittany. It is true that those closest to us can hurt us the most. Those slights are the most painful and words once spoken can not be taken back. 

In times of sorrow and depression and hard times we need our friends and family. Even though Brittany is in a coma I know she can feel the love and I'm sure it would mean a lot to her if all of her family could gather round her in love.

My friends, as long as there is life there is hope for repairing friendships and family relationships. We all need love and acceptance, especially from those we consider to be family. 

This is a new year. Every day is a choice - to choose love and acceptance or hate and divisiveness. I count my blessings every day and can't imagine my life without all the love that surrounds me. I hope I can show that choice in every word and action.

Please pray for Brittany and her family. Choose love. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. 

But Why, You May Ask

Why do columbines come in different colors? Why do they seem to like that spot in my yard? Why do I love animals so much? Why are the mountains so tall?

If you've ever spent much time around a three year old you know that's one of their favorite questions. They are trying to figure out how this world works - how their world works. As we get older we seem to lose that curiosity which is sad. 

I had many people questioning my desire to live in France. Why do you want to live there? Why don't you want to live in the US anymore? Aren't you afraid of terrorists? (This was just after the attacks in Paris and Nice) 

(This restaurant near my cottage became a favorite!)

I decided I would blame it on my dad's innate curiosity of life. In my original post of this name in January of 2015, I wrote about an adventure we had on a camping trip. An old deserted log cabin far off the beaten path. My dad - who would have been happy living the life of a mountain hermit - was in awe of everything he saw. While it just looked old and broken down and filthy to me and mom, Daddy could see the cabin as it was when it was first built. My dad could see the beauty and the promise of a life in the mountains that the builder must have felt as he examined everything with humble respect.

I have inherited his sense of wonder in new experiences. Having traveled to France numerous times during my teaching career I knew that France was someplace I would always have marvelous experiences. And I couldn't wait for those experiences to begin.

I hope we can all keep that child-like curiosity and keep wanting to know what's around that next bend! I loved all the adventures I had while living in France. I always look forward to my next visit. France has endless adventures waiting for me! 

But one can find awe and adventures in so many places. And I pray that all of us can find new adventures in 2025. Experiences that pique our curiosity and lead us to ask "why". Questions that will take us out of the mundane to search for answers that will bring us to a greater understanding of our world and the beauty around us.

Thank you for reading my blog. Your comments are always appreciated!  A bientôt, mes amis!

Lists and More Lists

(If I were to list all the things I love about living in Colorado this blue blue sky would be at the top!)

I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with making lists.  My lists are made by putting pen or pencil to paper and writing down what I need to remember. I need that kinesthetic action of brain to hand to pen to paper. It's just not the same if I try to type it into my phone.  

I have always been a visual kinesthetic learner and nothing works better than writing things down. I still use a physical day planner (this year's planner has Impressionist paintings) that sits on the desk (that my dad made when he was in high school!) where I can see it every time I pass by and can be reminded of what I need to do today and in the days to come.  

When I'm preparing for a trip I have numerous lists going - in the living room, the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen - so that when I think of something I can immediately add it to the closest list.

I do have packing lists that stay in my luggage and in my carry-on. But there are lots of things that need to happen for me to be ready to leave my house and my dogs for any amount of time. 

As you can imagine I had looonnnggg lists leading up to my move to France. So much that had to be done! You can read about the beginning of those lists in my original post. (Click on the Web version icon at the end of this post. Find 2015. Then January)

But all the lists in the world can't prepare you for an emergency like the one that hit me in July. That was so much more than a bend in the road! That was a major detour!!  As the poet Robert Burns wrote, "the best laid plans of mice and men do often go awry." But I'm happy to say I'm back to making lists again as I plan for the future. (I do look forward to the day that there are no more doctors appointments for the week ahead!)

And I am proud to say that I keep the pen, pencil and paper manufacturers in business 😊

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!  A bientôt, mes amis!