A Southern Girl

Just a dog…

Family • Random Ramblings

Today, I heard a friend of mine lost her dog.  She had done everything to try and get him well. Countless sleepless nights and trip after trip to the vet.  Sometimes, though, nothing is enough.. God has other plans.  Those who aren’t ‘dog people’ or animal lovers just don’t understand the love we as humans have for our 4 legged friends and the love we get in return.  Anytime we decide to share our lives with an animal, we know that, chances are, we will be faced with having to say goodbye at some point.. and regardless of the heartbreak we feel when that time comes, the joy they bring to our lives in the short time they are on this earth makes it all worthwhile.

The unconditional love we get from our pet… they don’t care how much money you make, what you look like… all they care about is a belly rub and a kind word.  They would be happier with you on a cold street somewhere than by themselves in a mansion curled up by a fireplace.

Anytime I hear someone say “It was just a dog” I am reminded of Baxter Black and his thoughts on the matter.

 

I remember it like it was yesterday having to say goodbye to my Ladybug or “Bug” and “Buggers” as we affectionately called her.  It felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest… and that is no exaggeration. If you have never experienced it, then you don’t know… and if you have, then you know all too well.

Rest in peace my sweet girl… dogs most definitely will be in ‘my’ heaven too, Baxter.

A day at the ranch…

Family

A few weeks ago we went for a long overdue visit to Uncle Ronnie’s ranch.  He invited us out to give Lane a little taste of ‘ranch life’.. and boy that’s all it took.  This little boy wants a ‘ranch’ now so bad he can hardly stand it.

 

Lane watching the horse get warmed up so he can ride.

Gotta hang tight to that hat!

Well, after riding for a while, Uncle Ronnie tells him that it’s not all about having fun…

you have to work too, if you’re going to be a real cowboy.

Feeding time!

And the horse stalls need cleaning…

He had entirely too much fun cleaning poop… goofy kid.

Overall, we had the best time! Like I said, it was a long overdue visit. This little boy has got it bad…. he went from only wanting a horse, to thinking he needs a couple of cows… a sheep… a pig… and a goat.  I would have to say, this Mama would be just fine with that.  Something about seeing him do all of these things just makes my heart smile.  The responsibility is teaches a child is priceless.  Now, we just have to convince Daddy… 😉

Love this…

Family

There once was a woman with big perky breasts
Then cancer came and left a flat chest
Then chemotheraphy was what it’s about
And very soon her hair all fell out
Then doubt and self-pity turned into fear
And she couldn’t stand to look in the mirror
Then she looked and said “what the hell”
I don’t feel whole, I’m just a shell
Then anger sparked the will to fight
A war against cancer that had no right
There’s purpose in life with so much to do
To give in to cancer and just say I’m through
There is life to live and memories to make
Children to love and cookies to bake
So keep up the fight and never give in
This is your life you’re in it to win
Believe in yourself and encourage others
The wives, daughters, sisters and mothers
To all the women who have to endure
Don’t give up hope there will be a cure

Written by Rick Watson

Cancer Sucks….

Family

It’s funny how much your life can change in an instant.  In a matter of seconds something that is the most important to you above all else…. your family.. becomes threatened.  This past Monday I took my Mom to a doctor’s appointment to find out the results of biopsy test.  To be honest, I wasn’t worried. I woke up that day the same as any other day. I just knew that it would be nothing…. well that’s not entirely true.  Of course in the back of my mind the thought was there.. the dreaded what if ?  But call it denial, call it blind faith.. whatever you want to call it, I wasn’t overly concerned.

We get to the appointment… and we both knew that when they started dragging up 1.. then 2.. then 3 chairs that this wasn’t going to be the “Oh, you’re just fine..” results we were hoping for.  Even then, I am still thinking….”Ok… maybe they are just going to tell us that the benign tumor will need to be removed and are wanting to discuss the procedure.”  The doctor comes in and then gives us the results…. it’s cancer…Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  I have to tell you, after that, it pretty much seemed like one of those scenes  in a movie where you are seeing through the eyes of a character and their mind trails off… voices fade… and the room kind of blurs.

It didn’t last long because I instantly went into the mindset of “Okay, now what?”  I had to be strong not only for my Mother, but also myself.  The news could have been a whole lot better… but it could also have been a whole lot worse.  The tumor is fairly small… not as small as they would have liked.. but about the size of a dime.  I’m thinking let’s get her into surgery NOW… I want it out. Period.  But unfortunately it doesn’t work that way.  We go back in tomorrow for an MRI, that will help them determine more of a big picture of what we’re dealing with.  Monday morning is the appointment with the surgeon…

As crazy as it may seem… I haven’t cried… not one tear.  Not really sure why.  I don’t know if it’s because it just hasn’t hit me yet.  I don’t know if it’s because in my mind defeat is not an option… and that this is just one of those times where you make the decision early on that you will do whatever, whatever it takes to get through this.  We are all tested at some point in our lives.  I can’t say that this is a test that I look forward to, but it was the one given.  We will pass this test, and any other test that comes our way.  “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”  We are going to kick cancer’s butt.