Update on Many Things

Note from Mom: Thanks very much to everyone for all the kind words about TaiChi. At her age, and certainly with all her age-related health issues, we knew she wasn’t going to live forever, although 19 is about as close to forever as a miniature poodle can get. And truthfully, passing in her sleep was the kindest thing she could have done for me; she hated the car and the vet's office, and I am certain that she wanted to spare me the pain of having to make a hard decision about her. As for the statement about me only knowing her for 6 years, I should clarify; my husband knew her from a young dog, but I didn’t meet my husband until slightly over 6 years ago, and thus TaiChi didn’t come into my life until 6 years ago. Although as soon as she met me, she saw “SUCKER” tattooed on my forehead, and glommed on to me as the provider of treats and belly rubs. I joke that I married my husband for his dogs, but as much as I joke about it, I pretty much mean it regarding TaiChi! ;-) I think that as soon as TaiChi and I met it was love at first sight for both of us, and we adopted each other almost immediately. Looking back, I can’t imagine life without having had TaiChi in it. She was, and will always be my little girl. So thank you again for all the kind words; if I know TaiChi, she is bouncing around, having tracked down her brothers that had gone before her, and has them whipped back into shape (as I’m sure Ben and Billy were wreaking all kinds of havoc across The Bridge)!

***

Abby and I second Mom’s words; TaiChi was a great little big sister, and I will miss her always, and will never forget the lessons she taught me about respecting my elders.

That said, Mom and Dad have done their very best to keep us busy. When we were here in the fall, we found this really cool trail called the JEM trail that goes along the Virgin River for a while, and then goes for miles and miles and miles. Abby is new to this whole hiking thing, but has taken to it like a pro; I finally have a great hiking buddy!


We have been doing variations of this trail pretty much every day (it’s close, and it goes forever) since we’ve been here. Except for yesterday, when it rained, and we stayed inside and watched it rain.

Mom, enjoying a good rain.

And we played bitey-face.


Or tail, or something.


In other news, Mom had her birthday this last weekend, and Abby and I inspected the cake to make sure that it wasn’t poisonous.

(Well, it would have been to us, but Mom didn’t let us eat any. It didn’t seem to kill Mom, so I guess it wasn’t poisonous! She was going to try to hide her age, but *sheesh* Mom, if you didn't want people to know how old you are, you shouldn't have bought ginormous candles!)

Abby gave Mom a kiss for luck!

Happy Birthday, Mom! (Even if you are on your way to becoming old!)


Today we went on a 5.5 mile hike, and we were all pretty worn out afterward!

(Yes, the Little Monster made it all 5.5 miles, but she’s been sleeping pretty much since we got home! I think Mom and Dad need to take her on longer and longer hikes so she doesn’t have extra energy at the end of the day. Because her excess energy always seems to transfer into bitey-face. And I have to hide behind the chairs to get away from the beast!)


Mom promises to take the camera on tomorrow’s hike, and hopefully she’ll get some good hiking pictures (although she’s saying something about how it’s harder to get pictures when one hand is full with Abby’s leash…). Hmmm..

Thanks again, everyone.

*kissey face*
-Fiona