Achilles’ Bentley glows brightly.

We let go of Achilles Saturday. He quite abruptly became lethargic. Had difficulty standing, refused food, so we went to the emergency vet.

The exam revealed that his pulse was thready, she was unable to clearly his heartbeat, his paws were cold. Something sinister (the vets’ exact word) was happening. it would have taken extensive testing and diagnosis to find out what was going on. Considering his age (14? 16? More?), aggressive action was problematic. We made the hard decision to let him go as gracefully as possible.

When we adopt a dog we implicitly make a bargain that we will be a responsible owner, which includes making difficult decisions.

This is the part of that bargain that really sucks.

Nonetheless I would not have it otherwise. As my brother wrote this morning, ‘It really sucks that our dear four legged friends will almost certainly die before we do. Even knowing that I would not give up the love, affection, friendship and fun they give us.’

The Bentley is a forehead blaze common to Australian Cattle Dogs and ACD crosses. When an ACD goes on ahead, the ACD world says ‘His (her) Bentley is glowing brightly.’

Chili’s glows brightly now.

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Bitter; gratitude and compassion

We are enduring a bitter cold spell, the worst in several years. The ambient temperature is -22 Celsius and the wind chill equals about -35C.

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This cold spell should abate this weekend. In the meantime I’m deeply grateful for our snug and safe little home. I’m full of compassion for the wild things which have no such safe and snug place to hole up, particularly the songbirds. So I’m compelled to generously scatter seed far and wide.

. . . and graced again

The morning following the sunset in the previous post graced us with a glorious sunrise.

It is good to be alive.

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Never

I have never seen such an exquisite snowflake as this one, on Achilles’ ear. Unfortunately for you, my reader, he moved a fraction of a second before the shutter tripped.

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Pleasant

Passing a pleasant afternoon, enjoying each other’s company.

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Hi Fitzi.

I am very glad you are here.

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Rain – welcome, blessed rain

We have experienced a lengthy dry spell – only 20.7mm of rain since June 25. We got some very welcome rain yesterday and overnight – I measured 13.7mm this morning This afternoon I measured another 9.2mm. It has fallen slowly, gently, soaking in to very dry soil, and filling the rain barrels.

Some folks might complain about rain falling through most of a summer weekend. We prefer to be grateful for this most welcome gift.

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Good for them!

On a recent summer morning this towering cumulus presaged rain. Not for us, for fortunate others. Good for them!

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Heat

A very hot spell is forecast. Today’s humidex reached 38C and this weekend the daytime humidex will likely surpass 40. Night time humidex readings will likely remain above 20 which is uncomfortable for us. We will endure it, as will much of the eastern United States and Canada. I give thanks thanks that we can afford to run the air conditioner which keeps the bedroom at a tolerable temperature.

We are blessed.

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Most special

Our most special senior Achilles takes his ease, and continues to cut a very dignified profile.

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