Summer School

Yes, they aren't thrilled about it.  But summer school is in session here at our house.  It takes less than an hour a day, but is so important.  We are still playing a bit of catch-up for Angel from when we made the switch to homeschool last year.

There were quite a few language arts/english concepts that she hadn't learned (or had learned but not retained), so we went through the first and second grade FLL and WWE work this year.  We'll be finishing up with most of it by the end of July, but will be continuing with writing studies clear through to the start of the upcoming school year.  She will also be finishing up the rest of her second grade math work at the end of this month (same issue - just playing a bit of catch-up).  At that point, she'll be caught up and 100% ready for her third grade curriculums!  She's also doing weekly violin lessons through the summer :)

And for Lovebug, we are jumping into All About Reading's Pre-Reading Program.  He seems to like it much more than The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, which we worked through last year.  It's much more interesting with multiple sensory learning opportunities, and seems to grab his attention better.  I think Ordinary Parent's Guide was a little too bland for him, I'm hoping he'll retain more by trying this new curriculum.  I'm not on a set schedule with him for the summer though, but we'll get through as many lessons as we can before starting Kindergarten in the Fall.

Goodbye, sweet friend

I truly wasn't prepared for how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my sweet, loyal girl on Tuesday.  The actual process itself is so difficult, and then the grieving afterward just plain stinks.  There are so many things that remind me she's not here, and thinking about that just makes me so terribly sad.  She was so good to me, and now there is a void in my heart that I wasn't prepared to deal with.  She went peacefully on Tuesday morning, and both DH and I were there for her last breath.  The vet was so sensitive and compassionate, it was the best way I could have asked for it all to happen.

Now we pick up the pieces and move on.  I know some probably think, "she was just a dog," but she is very special to me and I am better for having her in my life for 13 sweet years.  I love her and miss her terribly.  Seeing Raven grieve her loss also is heartbreaking.  She has cried by the door and even had trouble eating.  She's been following me around and is clearly hurting, poor pup.  We brought Taylor's collar in to sit by the back door to help her "get" it.  That was difficult for me, but it's even harder to explain to a dog that her best friend isn't coming back.  Ugh.  On day at a time.

Bath time

I admit I'm not the best dog bath giver.  The dogs might get baths once a year.  Maybe.  And considering I couldn't even recall when her last bath was, I just felt like it was something I needed to do.  DH and the kids bathed Raven while I took care of Taylor.  I gave her a good massage and made sure to get all of her favorite spots.

Gosh this is hard.  I can't imagine what it's like to say goodbye suddenly to your pet.  But having this drawn out over a week knowing that it's going to happen is kind of torture.  I feel terrible every time I see her pep up a bit (like after her bath today, which always makes her run around the house like a maniac ... I should have thought about that ahead of time).  I'm thankful I have the extra time to work through this with my camera though, these memories will be priceless!

Lounging

Sometimes I forget how long and lanky she is because she really is just a big baby :)  Gonna miss this sweet face staring back at me.

My old girl

She's been with me for thirteen wonderful years.  I brought her home when I was only 20, still in college.  She has lived with me in six different homes, and has left her mark on each one.  She is the sweetest, most loyal friend, albeit a bit crazy and needy.  Seriously, she is crazy (and needy) ... just ask any of my family members.  Between the ear infections, the ear hematomas/lancings, ear surgery, bloody tails, pee stains, separation anxiety, doggy prozac meds, slobbery dog crates, chewed doors, chewed shoes, chewed underwear (yes, and I could continue the "chewed" list for quite awhile), along with all of the stinkiness that is Taylor ... well it's been an interesting thirteen years.

She has the sweetest, gentlest, most loving soul.  She has always been there for me, and driven me crazy at the same time.  She's made me laugh, and been the comic relief I sometimes needed.  I loved her from the first moment I met her.  She has brought so much joy to my life, and been the best doggie friend a girl could ask for.  Very sadly though, it's time for me to say goodbye to her.  This week we found out she has an aggressive cancer that can't be fixed.  Although surgery is a possibility, it will only prolong her life by months.  With her older age and general lethargy, it didn't seem fair to put her through surgery for a few months extra ... only to have the cancer just come back again.

So this coming week, I will say goodbye to my sweet girl.  She's given me thirteen great years.  It makes me sad, but I know in my heart that it's the compassionate thing to do.  And she's made it clear that she's ready, which gives me peace.  I've been loving on her as much as possible, as well as taking a ton of pictures over the last few days.  It's been good to have the chance to say goodbye. I know many people don't get that opportunity, so for that I am very thankful.