Her Gift to Me

Message from Subi's Mom, Lacy,


Some sadness today, as it's the one year anniversary since Subi's big sister Blossom went to Rainbow Bridge.

Blossom started out as my parents' dog. She was born to a litter of a dog belonging to a friend of my mother's. Mom wanted a dog just like Blossom's mother -- instead she got something far different. Where Peaches was docile and mannerly, Blossom was hyper and athletic. For most of her fourteen years she only had one setting...fast. I was in college when my parents brought her home, so I actually missed her puppy year and have only a few precious puppy pictures to treasure.

Through college, I kept complaining that I missed having a dog and told my parents that I wanted a basset hound when I graduated. I thought that would be an excellent graduation present. Since I had to move back home after school, I got instead what amounted to a "Basset Hound IOU". Also, I got the dream dog I never knew I always wanted.

I loved Blossom right away and even though she was thoroughly bonded with my parents, I decided that a takeover was in order. Having had a terrible and often tragic history with pets, I swore to be the best pet parent I could possibly be. Blossom got her vet check up twice a year and went to the doc at the first sign that something was amiss. To my mother's chagrin, she slept on the bed with me - her back to mine. We went for R-I-D-E-S every chance we got. She saw me through every little sadness, and I saw her through swallowing a Beanie Baby, Vestibular Disease, and the pyometriosis that nearly killed her. It was my duty, but it was also an honor.

When she turned fourteen I knew the inevitable was approaching. In the previous years she had begun to slow down due to spinal arthritis. So, while treasuring every day with her, I also prepared to do what had to be done when the time came. Sadly that time came a year ago today. I'm proud to say I didn't shirk my duty and I didn't run like a coward. I held her in my arms while she slipped from this world. I miss her every day. Every time I almost called Subi "BoobooHead".

Some ask how I could I be so willing to do it again -- to love and so inevitably lose. I tell them I can't imagine not wanting to. Sure, the ache in my chest was like a black hole and the tightness in my throat was like a vice, but the tears were cleansing and righteous and well-earned. When all was said and done I had given her as a good life as I was capable.

In return, she taught me how to give my love without reserve and without concern for what the future may bring. Blossom awakened something inside of me, a deep part of my soul that had slumbered in all the years before loving her. That part of me knows that I still have so much love to give.

For now, Subi is the sole beneficiary of that love, but I hope someday a golden in need may come into our life at just the right time. And when that happens, I will be ready and willing and full of love to share.

And that is Blossom's gift to me.

Sad Tidings

Our friend Sam lost his big sister, Cisco this weekend. Mama and I are very sad and it makes me remember the haiku Mama and I wrote when my big sister Blossom passed away.

Your bowl is empty
Leash on its hook -- abandoned
My heart is broken

If you would like, go visit Sam and offer him and his family your condolences.

Wordless Wednesday

This Week: 2 Years Ago

That's me!

Domo Arigato!

That's "Thank you very much!" in Japanese.

Just why, you may ask, am I saying "thanks" in Japanese? Well because just a few days after Christmas I received a package from Japan. I've never been there, but Mama tells me it's very far way. So far away I couldn't get there on a R-I-D-E. Now that's far!

As those of you who've been reading my blog may know, I have friends from Japan, which is why my full name is "Tsubomi-san", Japanese for Miss Flower Bud.

This year, my Japanese friends, Yuui (pronounced 'You-wee') and Toui (pronounced 'Toy') sent me this beautiful hat, which my mom thinks is adorable.


This gift is very special, because what Yuui and Toui didn't know is that it is the perfect accessory to go with one my new, pretty parti-collars. As you can see:

I am stunning! Am I not?

Domo arigato Yuui and Toui! I send you doggie kisses from America and hope you have a Happy New Year!

Unexpected Windfalls (of the Kitchen Variety)

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through our home
Wafted smells from oven
Which made my mouth foam

As I honed my begging skills my human Uncle D disappeared into the kitchen. Now, usually I follow into the kitchen, but as I said I was begging and couldn't abandon hope of receiving even the tiniest tidbit from Mama, or from HGM. Which is why I wasn't in the kitchen then disaster struck. Or should I say, disaster for Uncle D...

Glorious windfall for me.

He claims he was taking the apple pie out of the oven and was almost to the counter when the whole pie pan bent in half and escaped from his grasp; falling in all of its scrumptious glory to the floor. And as everyone knows, according to Universal Canine By-Laws (applicable to family pets only):

"If it's on the floor, it's fair game."

Mama was afraid all that pie would make me sick, so my family cleaned the bulk of it up, but just when I was about to lose hope...they called me into the kitchen and LET ME CLEAN THE FLOOR! Oh joy! Oh Rapture!

Making sure I get to all those hard-to-reach spots....

And that no crumb, no matter how small, gets missed...



Some of it even splattered onto the dishwasher...

Of course I was more than happy to clean that up...

I get the warm fuzzies just thinking about that night. Good times.

I love apple pie!

In closing, I would like to point out that Mama says that it's been a tough year all around and that we were luckier than many. So here's to hoping that 2010 is full of unexpected windfalls for all my friends far and wide.

Special Delivery from Mother Nature

Some of you may not believe this, but here in Katy, Texas (just west of Houston) it doesn't snow here very much...or ever. At least that's what Mama says, and she's lived here her whole life so she oughta know. Strange thing is that it's snowed here three times in the last five years! And this year was one of them.

Mama had been practically buzzing all week when the man on TV said it was going to snow on Friday -- and even better...it was a Friday when Mama didn't have to go to work. Those are my favorite days!

First thing that morning, Mama went through my wardrobe and picked out a shirt for me to wear (my favorite!) for extra warmth. Then, while Mama was away from the house, running errands, I could smell the wind kick up and then this cold, flaky stuff started falling from the sky.

So this was "snow".

After a while, Mama came home and took me outside to check it out.

Hmmm...what is this? It is cold and slightly wet.


When I get wet, I have to shake.

Very carefully...sniffing this stuff called snow. Ooh! See my new collar? It has jingle bells on it. I love jingle bells!


I have decided that this snow in my yard is unwelcome. It may make Mama happy, but I believe I'm happy that it doesn't "snow" here often.

Mama is now threatening to take me someplace where I can really enjoy snow. She says there are places were the snow on the ground is so thick you can't even see the grass anymore. No grass? Where shall I pee? This idea doesn't sound like one of Mama's best.

Although she said that it would involve a long R-I-D-E so it's not the worst idea she's ever had.

Hiding in Closets

It catches me by surprise every time! Just when I start to feel safe, the loud popping starts after dark. This time though, Mama made me a goose down nest in one of the closets and closed the door. I felt pretty safe in there and the loud-popping became just a muffled sound. In fact, I felt so safe in there I didn't want to come out when morning came -- but my bladder had other ideas!

Mama says there will be more popping in the nights to come. Since we live outside the city limits without laws against popping, there will be loud popping every night of the week -- just like on July 4. I do not like to hear this. For the next week I will have to make sure to take my last potty trip outside before the sun goes down. I don't know if you know this...but it's a long time from sunset to sunrise.

A long time!!