Happy Birthday Evelyn! ]]> http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/07/12/it%e2%80%99s-good-to-be-one/feed/ 2 http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/05/11/welcome-home/ http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/05/11/welcome-home/#comments Sun, 11 May 2008 09:05:00 +0000 mgroves /post/2008/05/11/Welcome-Home.aspx

I was digging thought a bunch of pictures I have, and I found this one of the day Hayden came home from the hospital after being born 8 weeks early. We had been taking home things that Hayden was wearing in the hospital to the dogs so they were familiar with him when he go home. It did seem to work, Niki, was very happy to have Hayden home.

]]> http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/05/11/welcome-home/feed/ 0 http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/02/20/rest-in-peace-bailey/ http://markgroves.us/blog/2008/02/20/rest-in-peace-bailey/#comments Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:02:00 +0000 mgroves /post/2008/02/20/Rest-in-Peace-Bailey.aspx Val and I had to make the hard decision yesterday to put down one of our dogs Bailey. Bailey was a 7 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, although he fully thought he was a Siberian Husky. About two months ago, Bailey was diagnosed with Diabetes and had to be put on twice daily shots. Then Monday morning is stopped wanting to eat, did not eat for two days actually. And that is the one thing is the world that got that dog up in the morning, so we knew something was very wrong. Val took him over to the vets, and it turned out that he had Pancreatitis and was in a lot of pain. Since the vet really could only stabilize him and since his over all health was declining we decided to put him down. It is always hard to make a decision like this, but I think it was the right choice.

Of course the first thing I thought of was how was I going to tell Hayden. He is almost four and had not really had to deal with the loss of a pet. I decided I was going to fully tell him the truth and could not sugar coat it or tell him some fantasy about Bailey going to heaven or some farm. When I told him that Bailey was sick and was in a lot of pain and had died. He asked a few questions, such as “Could I see him?”, but quickly said, “Bailey is dead, are we getting another dog?” Of course my answer that we still had Milo and Niki was not helpful, since he seems to think it is important that we have three dogs. I am sure he will have more questions has time goes on, but I am glad I told him the truth.

So we will miss you Bailey, you were not the smartest dog, but you were a good sweet dog.

The last week has be great spending time with Hayden also since he has been off from school for winter brake. I was afraid it was going to be a lot more work taking care of both of them while he was home, but he was so helpful, and really was good that it was not an issue at all. He is such a good kid, but boy he does not stop talking, that is unless Dora is on.

I told Val before I started my leave that I was not sure if I could not work for 6 weeks, but somehow Evelyn filled everyday. I also had a great time while my mom was out visiting for two weeks, I don't get to spend much time with her anymore and being able to spend two weeks without being distracted by work was great.

So back to work tomorrow, I think I am ready

Evelyn at play:

There she goes…