I loved you best

I Loved You Best
By Jim Willis
So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.
I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.
There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.
Your place I'll hold, you will be missed
,the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

Sasha is gone

This is the first and last time a human will post on Sashaville.
When we came home from work today, Sasha couldn't get up. She hadn't moved from the spot she was in when we went to work in the morning. She laid there all day, didn't even get up to go out. She wagged her tail when we came in, but couldn't do anything else.
She tried to get up when we asked if she had to go out, but she just couldn't do it.
We knew it was time. We were hoping to have some of the fluid drained from around her heart tomorrow, but it wouldn't have done anything at this point.
So we did the only thing we could do for her. We ended her suffering. She is at peace, comfortable and running around again. Eric and I were with her when she went to sleep, so she wasn't alone. She was surrounded by love.
She was our first Siberian Husky. (if you've heard the story before, please bear with me) We had no idea we could find a purebred Siberian Husky in a shelter. We figured we'd go to the pet store at the mall. Fate had other plans.
My sister in law called me to see if I wanted to go to the shelter with her, to help her pick out a dog to adopt. I'm always for playing with dogs, so I went along.
We walk in, and there she was. Second cage on the left. A little black and white, bi-eyed Siberian Husky. I couldn't believe it. I immediately called Eric, and told him we had to get to the shelter first thing in the morning, because we had to adopt a dog (by the time we had gotten there that evening, adoption hours were over)
We weren't even in our house yet, so Sasha came home with me for 3 weeks, until we moved. My parents' old dog hated Sasha and her energy, so she hung in the family room for 3 weeks, where she ate a computer plug, 2 bags of beggin strips, an Elmo costume, and 3 jars of finger paints. We had pink and blue and purple pawprints all over the basement, and the couch, and the love seat.
We knew nothing about Sibes, besides the fact that they're gorgeous. Sasha gave us an education and fast. She loved to eat the phone book, and any hardback.
We had a round papasan chair. She kept all her toys on top of it, and all the stuff she stole that she shouldn't have underneath it. We'd come home and go see what she got into. She ran by us with a huge bottle of olive oil one day, and a bag of garlic another-clearly an Italian Siberian Husky.
She was the boss of the house, keeping Isis and Ray in line, as well as any fosters we had in the house. As soon as they came in, she mounted them, so they knew who was boss, and all was well.
She didn't keep her bossing to dogs. My father in law was in her spot on the sofa. She squeezed behind him, and shoved him off the couch, then curled up in his spot and went to sleep.
We had her for 9 years, almost. Her birthday is April 8. We don't know when it really is, but that's when we saw her at the shelter. 8 is my lucky number, and we got all our dogs on the 8th. We signed Isis's paperwork on Feb. 8, and we adopted Ray on October 8th (his real birthday).
And we met Sasha on April 8.
I can't believe she's gone. I'm waiting for to jump on the bed and shove me out of the way, or claw me for my breakfast, or jump in my spot when I got up, or hog the blankets, or do any of the million things she did every day.
I just don't know what I'm going to do without her.
Godspeed, Sasha.

Bad news in Sashaville

The humans dragged me back to the vet (TWICE today).
The lump in my leg isn't cancer, but the ultrasound had bad news.
I have cancer in my lungs and a big tumor on a muscle near my right shoulder.
There's nothing they can do for me, but feed me lots of good stuff and give me pain meds.
Thanks to everyone who sent me god wishes.

ER again

Yesterday I wasn't myself. I was limping badly on my bad leg, and just felt lousy. I didn't even greet my humans when they came home from work. I just laid on the dining room floor.
THey knew I wasn't feeling well, so they took me back to the ER. They drew blood and did an x ray of my shoulder again.
Apparently I'm anemic, and they don't know why. My red blood count was low.
And there's a lump on my elbow that wasn't there last month on the x ray, or 2 weeks ago when I saw the surgeon. They don't know what it is. Could be just tissue. Could be (gulp) cancer.
So I'm going Monday for a suckfest of tests. Redraw my blood to see if that was just a one time thing. Aspirate the elbow lump to see what it is. Get an abdominal ultrasound to be sure there are no lumps anywhere else (the vet didn't feel any).
The vet I saw was the one who deflated Isis's fat ear at Christmas. She is very nice.
So if you could send some good vibes out to me, I'd appreciate it.

Back to the vet

The humans were worried that I was still limping after a week or two. Um, duh? I hurt my leg, it doesn't get better in an hour. Geez.
So they made an appointment for Wednesday, and if I stopped limping, they would cancel it. Tuesday I limped extra hard, just for good measure. They haven't taken me ANYWHERE since I hurt my leg, and I'm bored, so I figured a vet trip would at least get me out of the house.
When we got to the vet, I wanted to play with all the dogs. Noone wanted to play though. Some of the humans asked why I was there, since I wasn't limping any more. I saw the vet for maybe 30 seconds, she watched me walk, and said I was fine. I don't have to be carried up and down the stairs anymore (that was humiliating) but no dog park for a month (booo)
So my shoulder is healing nicely. Thanks to everyone for your concern.
And to get them back, besides dragging them to the vet for nothing, I've been waking them up at odd times to let me out. Sometimes 2 am, sometimes 5...whenever I wake up and think of it.

OK, this isn't fun any more

So for a while the limping was fun. I didn't hurt too badly, and I got liverwurst all the time. But things are really starting to get on my nerves now.
They have the stairs blocked, so I can't go up or down. My human dad has to carry me, which is humiliating.
But NOW, since I'm still limping, they've blocked me from getting on the sofa OR in the window. My favorite thing to do is sit in the window and howl at everyone. What am I supposed to do? I'm stuck here on the floor with the blind dog.
Look, that's me glaring from behind the gate.

Apparently they don't appreciate the full vehemence of my wrath, because look at what they're allowing.

Yep, that's that big suckup load, Isis, sprawled in MY WINDOW.
Clearly this must be punished, and severely.
Any suggestions about how I should seek vengeance against the humans?

Limping=cheese

I highly recommend limping. Just pick a paw, and favor it a little.
It will probably mean a vet visit, and I know that's not fun. But get past that, and things get better.
I've been getting extra cheese and livergreat since I started limping. They try to give me pills, and I keep spitting them out. So more cheese or livergreat to try to hide the pill better. Then I lay around and look sad, and everyone feels bad and pets me and gives me treats. The humans have been all worried about me, so they're extra nice.
I'll probably stop in a few days, but it's really great fun. Give it a try. Remember, pills are hidden in the treats, so be sure to spit it out the first few times. But then you have to take it. If you don't, they'll just shove the pill down your throat, defeating the purpose of limping for livergreat.
Have fun!

Dog park

So, yes, those traitors took Isis to the dog park without me. I live with rotten people. My leg doesn't hurt that much.
They said they didn't have any fun, but then I heard them saying that Tashi (Meeshka's half sister) Polar AND Tristin (DWB) were there. So how could they not have fun?
To add insult to injury I found these pictures on the camera. Maybe it's me, but it sure looks like they're having a pretty good time.

My rotten night

Dogs 054
Originally uploaded by karenbelfi

My shoulder's been hurting me on and off for a while. Last night it was really sore, and I could barely walk on it. I tried to hide it from the humans, but they caught me.
So they dragged me to the ER vet, who played with my leg and made it hurt more. Does that make sense?
Then they took xrays, and showed there's nothing wrong with it. Um, so why does it hurt?
They sent me home with some drugs and I have to rest for a week. Now, for the worst part. The humans have been talking about going to the dog park Sunday with other huskies (including, I heard, Meeshka's half sister) and now I CAN'T GO!!! Isis will get to go and have all the fun, and I'll get stuck at home.
Ooh, I'm not happy about that. Something's gonna get shredded for sure.
They better not have any fun at the dog park.
OK, back to resting. I'm still pretty sore.

I've been tagged.

Holly tagged me to share 7 weird facts about myself.
Here goes:
1) I will not catch food if tossed at me. I'll let it bounce off my face, then eat it off the floor. No matter what kind of food.
2) I will catch snowballs if you toss them at me.
3) I like to bury my biscuits all over the house.
4) I love to eat hardback books.
5) I don't like when Ray steps on me, and I'll growl at him if he does (so what if he's blind?)
6) I have eaten: a pound of fudge, chocolate covered espresso beans, candles, books, phone books, the human mom's wedding shoe 2 weeks before her wedding, cantaloupe, a pack of strawberry gum, a roll of Rolaids, an Elmo costume (the eyes), a computer cord, and a container of fingerpaints.
7) I have a super black stripe down my back, like a skunk stripe. No undercoat grows there ever. It's jet black, and about 6 inches wide, all the way down my back.
Here are the rules:
Now, the rules to the tag:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the blogger who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Post 7 random or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 bloggers and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
I tag Girl Girl, Quincy, Magic and Georgie, , Bama, and Guinness and Shiloh.

Stupid Superdog treats

Ray has been creaky lately. He's the blind dog who I let live in Sashaville. The humans say he has arthritis. He creaks getting up, and is slow on the stairs. When we would go for walks, he'd lag behind Isis and I.
He's been getting a supplement for it, which is great, because we all get liverwurst. It's the only thing he'll take the supplement in (way to go, Ray)
Well, lately the supplement hasn't seemed to work as well. So the humans heard about Super Dog treats. They are a sponsor of Karen Ramstead and her dogs on the Iditarod.
So the stupid humans tried them. Now, Ray's an idiot. He runs around, bangs into me all the time, gets in the way. He now keeps up with us on walks, and gets all tangled up in our leashes. He even tried to MOUNT me the other day. Apparently eating Super dog treats also gives one a death wish. I let him go with a good snarl, but he won't get away with that for long, even if he is almost 11, and blind, and creaky.
I'm keeping an eye out for the next box of Superdog treats, and I'm gonna shred them.
Sasha, the only Superdog around here

FINALLY

As you may remember, we were on our way to the dog park when Isis ruined it with that ridiculous fat ear situation.
THEN we couldn't go because her ear had to heal. Well, FINALLY, it was healed enough to go to the dog park.
We went yesterday! It was nice and cold and great dog park weather. Isis had fun with some yappy beagle. I met a cool Akita/Sibe/GSD mix and a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
When the yappy beagle owner was leaving, I snuck past the first gate, and almost made it out, but the humans caught me and dragged me back in.
Hopefully since fat Isis is on a diet, we'll go to the dog park more so she can run off the flab.

Blogger business

Tristin and Quincy's humans have a new business. They make personalized clocks, and they can put your photo on it. Really, what else would you want to look at on a clock but a beautiful dog face (or hamsterberian, or cat)? Check it out here! And spread the word. The more clocks they sell, the more treats for our friends Quincy and Tristin.
On another note, I heard something from the humans that while Isis's ear is still stupid looking and bent, it is apparently healing well enough to go to the dog park soon. I'll keep you posted on the situation, and post a picture of her dumb looking bald, floppy ear.

New yard!

Apparently we're getting a new backyard. Really, it's about time. The OLD backyard was all muddy, and I do hate to dirty my paws. So they have finally decided to do something about it. They said it's all done, and looks nice, but we can't see it yet. Something about having to seal it (why we need seals in our new backyard is beyond me) and the seals can't come for a couple weeks. So until then, no dog pee in the yard.
SO this is good and bad news. The good news is they have to walk us a lot. We've never gotten so many walks. The old guy Ray is getting a little tired out, I think. But Isis is really chunking up, and could use some walks. I don't, of course, need to lose a pound, but I enjoy a good stroll. The bad news is when they don't walk us, we have to go out on the deck which is covered with plastic so our pee doesn't get on the new yard. The plastic is slippery and yucky and wet. I'm not happy about that at all.
I think the humans should just stay home from work and walk us whenever we want until we can use the backyard. But they don't seem to care what I think, since they're both at work now. Sigh.
Sasha, pouting.

New blog!!

There's a new dog blog in town. Delaware Valley Siberian Husky Rescue, based in PA, is now blogging about their rescue happenings. I almost got a brother from them, before the blind dog joined us all those years ago.
I offered to help them with their blog, hoping the humans will let me use the computer for that and I can sneak here and blog more (and go treat shopping).
So everyone please stop by and say hello to DVSHR!
And please feel free to link to DVSHR's blog in yours, and they'll do the same.
Thanks!

Isis's adventure

I promised to tell you what Isis did the other week.
The Saturday before Christmas the humans put Isis and I in the car. We had to stop by the human dad's work, then we were going to the dog park! So we're at his work, wandering around, sniffing stuff. Suddenly, look at Isis's ear! It's all puffy, like she stuck a golf ball in it. The human mom immediately freaks and shows the human dad. They called our vet, who was closing, so we had to go to the ER vet. No dog park for us. Fantastic.
So we go to the ER with its slippery floor which I don't like ONE BIT. I like it even less when it's me getting checked out by the vet.
Turns out Isis has an aural hematoma, which is apparently an ear lump. The humans could either 1) have surgery to lance it, and it shouldn't come back. 2) have them stick a needle in and aspirate it, and it sometimes comes back or 3) do nothing and hope it goes away and doesn't come back. Option 1 sounded best to them, I guess. They didn't ask me, but I think they could've bought me a LOT of treats with what the surgery cost. Anyway, we left her there for a couple hours, and she came out looking really stupid. Her ear was totally shaved except a couple hairs at the top, her leg was shaved around in the middle, and she had a big collar on. Plus she just got pain medicine so she was dopier than usual.
Here is a picture of her in the car riding home.

Stupid humans and their stupid computers

I'm still around. The human mom's computer is in the shop (for the THIRD time in a month) so I haven't gotten to blog much. I am stealing the human dad's computer.
I'll update everyone on the holidays later. Isis ruined our dog park visit right before Christmas, the moron. I have pictures.
But look at what the stupid humans have been up to. This is the OTHER reason I haven't gotten near a computer. When it wasn't in the shop, she was here, on this site, listing books:

Now, you know I like nibbling on the occasional novel, so I never complain about a fresh supply, but really, we have a TON of books, and I need to blog.
Apparently, you can list books you want to get rid of (paperback, hardback, even audio books, and since Ray has been known to eat cassettes, we don't need them here) You can also get books from people, that they want to get rid of, for free!
If you use that link to sign up my human will get referral points.
So that's it for now.
I will post soon about the Isis saga, the moron.