Holy Croakers, Batman!

We finally finished the bedroom painting! The color doesn't really show well in these pictures, but it's a medium green (kinda like a frog).

Dead at 170

After 170K miles, the Civic is dead.

The insurance company said that the car is a total loss. The Civic has been towed away and the registration and insurance canceled.

We have no plans to buy another car, so I will be driving the 4Runner from now on.

F350 vs Civic

I've heard it said that any accident you can walk away from is a good accident.

This is what the Civic looks like after being hit by a Ford F350 truck. As you can see, the trunk no longer exists.

I was stopped at a red light and hit from behind. Luckily the truck wasn't moving faster.

I had hoped to get 200K miles out of this car, but 170K may be the limit.

A very odd Hydrangea

We've had a Hydrangea of some sort at every house we've owned. At our house in Apex, North Carolina, we had some Oak Leaf Hydrangeas that bloomed white each year. The house in Oxford had a Hydrangea that somebody planted before we got there. It bloomed in a nice tarheel blue every year we were there.

When we moved to Wilton, we encountered our third Hydrangea. The first Summer we were here, it didn't bloom, perhaps because I pruned it too early or late. This year, I didn't touch it at all and we were welcomed by this very vibrant beauty. I've never seen one this color!

A Sweet Tooth

About a week ago, one of Valerie's hummingbird feeders disappeared off the deck.

"I can't believe somebody stole my Hummingbird Feeder!" was her first reaction.

"Why would somebody want to steal my Hummingbird feeder? Who would want to do that?" she continued on.

"Maybe it just fell down", I piped up. Now, we've been married nearly 17 years and you'd think by now I'd know not to get in the middle of a tempest. I'm odd that way. Or stupid.

"It didn't fall down! Do you see it anywhere?"

"Um, no?"

"Somebody stole it!"

"Why don't you look in the bushes?"

"It's not in the bushes! Do you see it in the bushes?"

"Um, no?"

Realizing at this point that a call will be dispatched to Wilton 911 any second, I think it best to mosey inside. I picture the conversation in my head:

"Wilton 911, what is your emergency?"
"My bird feeder has been stolen!"
"Your what has been what?"
"MY BIRD FEEDER HAS BEEN STOLEN!"
"Ma'am, that's not an emergency."
"I want the Crime Scene Investigator out here in 5 minutes! Bring your fingerprinting equipment and I want to see one of those black light things! Stat!"

This was not going to be good. In an effort to offer my support, I mention that maybe she look under the deck.

"Do you see it under the deck?"

"Um, no. But maybe that's why you should look there."

I threw a pizza in the oven, hoping beyond hope that the feeder is under the deck. As Valerie comes tromping back up she has a somewhat beat-up feeder in her hands.

"Did you put it down there?"

I pretend not to hear her.

"Why would somebody take my feeder off the hook and put it under the deck?"

"Some animal probably knocked it off" I added. Yes, you're right, I should have left it alone, but at this point it was getting fun.

She went back through her ritual of cleaning the feeder and refilling it with her secret recipe of super-concentrated nectar (ie. sugar water) before hanging it back out.

Three days later, we got home and there was the feeder, a good ten feet from where it hung the day before. The top was pried open and it was bone dry. We finally decided that the only two animals that might have enough intelligence and dexterity to actually move the feeder would be a Raccoon or a Bear.

My money's on the bear.

From Whence Evil Comes

It had finally cooled down the other night, so we opened the windows for the night. I was having a hard time sleeping when I heard an owl outside. He was just hoot, hoot, hootin' away and it didn't help me get to sleep at all.

At last, he went quiet for a few minutes.

All of a sudden, I heard a squealing like I've never heard before. Squealing and screeching like something was holding on to dear life. The sound got weaker and weaker like it was floating away. Later, I thought the owl may have set himself up with a nice mouse or squirrel dinner.

Valerie heard it too. The next day I came home to various owl sounds from OwlPages.com and she was trying to identify which species from the sounds it made. I think she finally settled on Great Horned Owl. Whoooo'd a thunk it?

The Stair Stare

I was looking back through the pictures we've taken over the last year and a half. Some made it to the blog and some didn't. This is one of the pictures that didn't because his eyes look a little evil, but it still evokes a fond memory.

Every night when I used to get home, I'd call up from the basement.

"Papa's Home!", I'd yell at the top of my lungs.

Within a few seconds, I'd get this look.

Therapy

I've debated long and hard about where Wilton Diaries should go now that our main writer has lost her inspiration. Sure, I can keep you abreast of what's going on in Wilton but this blog isn't really about Wilton, it's about us.

Our life.

And a great part of our life was Danny.

And a great part of our life now is coping without Danny.

From time to time you might see a post about Danny pop up when I'm thinking about him. If that turns you off, I am sorry. Maybe, just maybe, remembering him will help the healing. I also don't want this blog to become an electronic wailing wall. Occasionally it will be, but mostly it will be about us. I appreciate your companionship on this journey.

Keeping Busy

We've been keeping busy the last few week doing things around the house. Valerie and I have a deal that if we get our bedroom ready to paint by July 13th, I can take the 19th and 20th off for some fun. Getting the bedroom to that point will be a quite a chore because it entails putting up a ceiling fan, patching where the skylight was, and all the normal touch-up things that go along with painting. So far, I'm ahead of schedule and I've got a three day weekend coming up, so it looks like I might get to play.

The pictures are of some recent work we just finished in the hallway and the ceiling fan I just got up Sunday.

Endings

We picked up Danny's ashes today.

Danny will be buried in a peaceful spot along side our two other dogs. When we find the perfect bush or tree that reflects Danny's spirit, we will plant it in memory of this wonderful dog.

As Danny's story has ended, so will my updates to this blog. For me, Danny was the soul of Wilton Diaries and to write about a life that does not include him is just too hard.

Jeff will take over with occasional updates.

I thank everyone who took the time to read about our Wilton adventures and shared our laughter and tears.

The New Roof

This post was going to have pictures of the house with it's roof half done. But as you can see, Rick's Main Roofing was able to get the whole thing done in a day.


The crew showed up a little before 8:00AM and immediately got to work. Both Valerie and were leaving for the day, but we fully expected to come home to a house with half of the roof done and half not done.

At about 9:30AM, I got a call from the foreman. The plywood on the left side of the house had de-laminated after 40 years. In other words, the layers of plywood had started to separate from each other. So, of course we had to replace that.

We also had them cover up the skylight in our bedroom. It was the stupidest placement and was probably the cheapest skylight on the market. I was just waiting for it to start leaking.

When Valerie got home about 5:30PM, they were just finishing up. The whole thing! Other than the dumpster in the driveway, you'd never know they were here.

A Week

It's been one long week since our Danny boy passed to the other side.

First the remainder of his food was tossed. After a couple days his bowls got picked up. His bed still awaits his return right next to me. Maybe it will remain a permanent fixture.

I woke up in the middle of the night a couple days ago with the weight of his head on my hip. Am I crazy?

Thanks to everyone who has sent their well wishes. It's good to know you have people on your side when you are going through tough times.

I sure am glad we chronicled his life on Wilton Diaries. I look at his pictures and relive the little moments every day.

Quiet

The house was way too quiet last night.

As violent thunderstorms raged through western Fairfield county, I expected to be nudged by my boy, a little scared by the sounds. The nudge never came. Yet with all the thunder, an absence was felt.

The routines are hard to break. A pat on the bed when I get in to call him up. Expecting to see him lounging on the bed as I step out of the shower. His bed still lays next to my side of the bed. I can't put it away just yet.

We took all three boys along in spirit on our morning walk today. I truly believe dogs go to heaven and they were looking down on us as we turned the corner for home. While he was only with us for 20 months, I like to think we packed a full lifetime of love in that time.

He was a Golden to the end. Never cross, never angry. If he was in pain, we couldn't tell. Even on Monday night he played fetch to near exhaustion.

My heart is broken, again. I swore off dogs when Jake passed away, this part is just too hard. I will never forget you my friend.

Danny's Gone

Danny had surgery today. When the vet opened Danny up, he found that the cancer had spread to most of Danny's organs. At best, they said Danny would have a few days to live.

We decided to let Danny pass, while he was still under sedation and before he began to feel the pain of surgery.

Jeff and I both got to see him one last time and say goodbye.

I hope that Danny knows how much we loved him and how much we will miss him.

Danny was a very special dog that will never be forgotten.

Franklin

This is Franklin. Franklin was made by a family friend and arrived at our doorstep several years ago during a very dark time.

The first time I looked at this bear, I thought "Franklin" and thus he was named.

Franklin now sits in in the office, high up and out of harms way. (Did I ever mention that Danny loves to tear apart soft objects ?)

Franklin is a symbol of the bleakest and the best days in our life. He silently reminds me of how much a small gesture can mean. So now, when I hear a friend is ill or going through a tough time, I pick up the phone or send a card or email.

Who would have ever thought that a little bear could be so wise ?

Dishwasher

With only two of us in the house and not eating too many meals at home this week, it took a while to fill up the dishwasher.

I finally ran a load of dishes and I have to say that the Bosch is definitely quieter than our old Maytag dishwasher.

There is still some noise when the dishwasher runs, but not much.

Ultrasound

The radiologist read the ultrasound and said that Danny's tumor is either in the spleen or omentum. The recommendation is to have surgery to remove the mass and then a biopsy.

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. If there are no complications, Danny should be home on Thursday. That would be the best birthday gift.

I asked about the need for chemotherapy or radiation. The Dr. said that once we have the biopsy results, future treatment recommendations will be determined.The vet said that depending on the type of cancer, the prognosis could be 3 months to 2 years.

During the surgery, there will be a visual inspection of lymph nodes and other organs. The vet warned that the cancer could have spread, but we just don't see it yet. I find it odd that cancers are discussed as good cancer or bad cancer, when in fact all are terrible. I guess it is just really a way to measure survival rates.

We are trying to stay positive and take this one step at a time. At least for today, we have hope that we can slow this disease without causing Danny too much pain.

Pink Belly

Danny had the ultrasound today. The vet said he was a great patient, no need for anesthesia. Danny just laid down and let the technician do his job.

As you can see, Danny's beautiful coat was shaved off and he now has the new nickname of "pink belly".

The radiologist will read the ultrasound tomorrow and then we will decide how to proceed.

The tumor is on Danny's spleen. The technician did not see any tumors in the liver or lungs. If this is true, then the vet recommends surgery.

Surgery would hopefully give us some additional time with this special dog. How much time will depend on the type of cancer.

To everyone who has called or emailed or said a prayer, thank you!

I think that Danny may be the most loved dog in Wilton.

Danny's Sick

Cancer. One word, one moment and everything changes.

Danny has cancer.

Danny has been skipping meals and we decided that he should see the vet to be sure that there was nothing seriously wrong. The vet thought she felt something in his abdomen and said perhaps he ate a rock or a piece of rawhide.

The X-ray revealed my greatest fear, a large tumor in his abdomen. I asked if it could not be cancer and the answer was no. Such a large mass in such a young dog is definitely cancer.

Tomorrow Danny will have an ultrasound. If the tumor has spread to his lungs or liver, his prognosis (at best) is 3 months.

If the cancer has not spread, surgery could be a possibility. The surgery is complex and recovery time is 2 months. The vet did not want to go into details until we know what we are dealing with.

I am heartbroken, but managed to not break down in the vet's office. Driving home was a different matter.

I don't know if it is wrong to pray for an animal. However, I hope you will pray for Danny or pray that Jeff and I find the strength and wisdom to choose what is best for this wonderful dog.

Catching some rays

I let Danny out this afternoon and he immediately rolled over and over in the grass.

When Danny stopped, he just stretched out on his side with his eyes closed and did not move. I called to him, but he just continued to lay there.

I went over to Danny, thinking that perhaps he was having a seizure. I looked closely, but there was no shaking. Danny slowly opened one eye and gave me a smile.

It's then I realized he was just soaking up the sunshine. I sat with him for a few minutes and thought this really does feel good.

Maybe dogs know the secret to the good life after all!