Rondo's Legacy

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Animal Humane of New Mexico site and visit with exectutive director, Peggy Weigle.  (Yes, they're looking for money.)  They're planning an expansion project to offer animals an optimal environment during their stay-- expanded clinic, dog and cat rooms, a meeting area, and all sorts of good things.  I was delighted to get a tour of the facility, as well as an overview of the plans.

One thing that amazed me was the number of unadopted pit bulls or crosses I saw in the pens.  I can understand people worrying about adopting these strangers, even though AHNM personnel have evaluated them, but I worry even more about the dogs and their lives.  There was a lovely boy who has been there 10 months.  Most likely he hasn't been adopted because he's a barker.  I saw the "pen" (indoor-outdoor facility) where they keep a number of overweight cats.  They call it the "Jenny Craig room."  We also visited the clinic, where, among other things, low-cost pet care is offered.

I was impressed.  So much care is put into this facility.  So I put some of my care into it with a donation.  I got to name the SAFER test room (I believe this is for animal evaluations).  Who to honor?  My father?  Caprice and Canon?  The room will be named for Rondo, who brought me here, brought me to my present relationship with my dogs, agility and obedience training with Canon, new friends. 

And so, dear Rondo, you have contributed to helping other dogs.  All those pennies you have sent me (and many more) are being put to work.  You have had a direct influence on my life, from the grief, the rememberance, and the good things that have followed.  You were and are a special part of my life.   I will always love you. 

When I don't like Facebook...

I have quite a few Facebook friends that are dog and animal lovers.  Great!  I have some Facebook friends who are involved in animal rescue.  Also great.  Some of these people post pictures of dogs in need-- starving dogs, injured dogs, sad dogs.  Great, but not so great.  Those images linger and tear at my heart.  I can't help them, but I have to see them all.  Not for me. 

And so, for today.  The picture is blank.  Not that I don't want to help.  Not that I don't care.  But that I find the number of animals in need and in pain so very hard to bear.  I'm a wimp for not being able to look, but I'm not uncaring-- just frustrated.

A Title! Canon-June2012-AKC

We got our Novice Standard title this weekend from the last run in this video.  I'm so proud of my boy!  This marks the end of novice competition for us, and the beginning of open in both standard and jumpers.  I'll miss novice.  It's the elementary school of agility competition, when there's room for mistakes and support.  It's made easier so we can achieve some success.  It's about learning more than the competition.

Bye-bye Novice.  We'll miss you.

Fathers' Day 2012

I remember the first Fathers' Day after my father died.  I couldn't handle all the ads for gifts for fathers.  Seeing a sign in a department store made me cry.

It still is somewhat hard.  If my father was still alive, he would have been 90 this year.  Who knows what shape he would have been in?  Would he have played golf today? 

I went had a file of pictures of my father (Thank you, Richard, for sorting)  and found this one of him running in the Duke City Marathon which I shared on Facebook this morning.  Dad was very proud of his running, so of course, this made me smile.  Some of the comments on FB made me smile, too.  My brother-in-law, Bob, said, "He ran for over 40 years. Never fast but he could keep going and going and going. Wonderful father-in-law."  A smile and a few tears.  A poodle friend wrote, "Wow, a marathoner before it was a fashing statement! Cool!"  Smile.

There have been many smile and tears over remembering my father over these years.  He was such a good man.  He enjoyed golf, and his swimming pool, and laying in the sun.  He loved his family and was an exceedingly good son to his parents.

Images of him?  The Speedos.  Floating the pool and talking with Moe.  The early morning runs  and a few accidents in the dark before dawn- a fall, a dog bite.  His love for his grandchildren.  Laying on the couch watching golf on Sunday afternoons.  His enjoyment of his cousins, Doris and Jack, Joyce and Dick, Lainie and Ronnie.  Playing bridge in the den, yelling at partners, serving Oreos for a snack.  Saturdays going down to his office with him.  The hard work he put in to recover after his bypass surgery.  His generosity.  The care he took of his children.  When I was unhappy about transferring the the University of Colorado when I couldn't get the classes I needed (after paying tuition), he told me never mind and offered me the opportunity to come home, if I wanted.   Mild cursing.  The teasing--He called me "Miss America," my sister was "Butterball" for awhile.  Sharing the love of dogs.  I remember him crying with me when I had to put my Triska to sleep.  Smiles.  Jokes.  The Chinese restaurant and ice cream.  The hole in my heart that has never left.

Our parents have to leave us at some time, but our lives will always be tied with them.  I love you, Dad.