November 26, 2009

Driving home from the Dog Park on this Thanksgiving Day, I was reminded of all that I am thankful for after this crazy year.

I am thankful for:

-All of my friends that dropped everything they had going on in their busy lives to help us look, tirelessly, for Sam while he was missing. For putting up flyers, riding bikes/hiking around the area, driving around after work w/prime rib scraps in their front seats, and for just being there to talk when I was losing my mind.

-All of those that reached out to me via fb/craigslist/email just to let me know that they were thinking of us and/or keeping their eyes peeled.

-All of the people that called me (even if they didn't know us) to let me know that they had seen the flyers and were looking.

-My coworkers, who put together a donation website to help us with our vet bills, and for all of those people, near and far, that donated what they could to help us during our time of need.

-My amazing husband-to-be, that always kept the hope going that we would find him, even when I was ready to give up. Who always came up with a game plan, when I was feeling lost and dead tired. Who slept in the kitchen with me for weeks, just so we could keep Sam comfortable. Who never had a doubt that after all the surgeries and hospital trips that we would one day have our dog back and living a happy life with us.

-My parents, who took my hysterical phone calls at all hours of the night, and who drove up, every morning to nurse Sampson during the day, so that we could go to work. Who brought food for us, even when we couldn't eat. Who didn't act shocked when they saw his condition, even though I know it was horrible to see. And for helping us financially when we couldn't see the end of the vet bills.

-Andy's parents, who were just as worried about us as we were about Sam. Who drove up to take care of us, even with their busy schedules. Who helped take care of Sam, while we tried to get our lives back to normal. Who really helped front the big bills, that made me sick to my stomach, without batting an eye.

-The Doctors, Nurses, Techs, at the VCA Animal Hospital. These people are the most amazing people I have ever met. They let us stay in the hospital with Sampson, cramped in the ICU long past visiting hours. They took my calls at all hours of the night. They always gave us their honest opinion when we asked for it. They snuggled with him when we were not there. These people saved his life- and we hope to go back there, someday soon, to visit.

And to all our family, friends, and strangers, that were involved in this ordeal- I cannot thank you enough for helping us get through this difficult experience. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
xoxo

November 19, 2009

We have a huge Chinese Maple in our backyard that has become home to many birds, and lately, a few squirrels. Squirrels will bring walnuts over from neighboring yards and they will climb into the tree and chew away. Today, I let Sampson out after I got home from work, he sniffed around the yard and found a severly injured squirrel against the fence. He stood over the dying squirrel and started whimpering. I lured him back into the house with a "treat" and he continued crying for a little while. It was heartbreaking. Andy came home and removed the now dead squirrel.

On a separate note, his skin is very irritated, and he scratched his elbow so badly that he was bleeding. He's all wrapped up, and Andy says that he's "emo" with his black elbow-band.
Note: his bloody elbow had nothing to do with him getting up-close and personal with the dying squirrel. Apparently, I didn't clarify this during my brief texts to Andy, and he ended up freaking out, thinking Sampson had been bitten. (me: "Squirrel with broken neck writhing in yard. Sam checked it out ." next, "Sampson's crying about squirrel." 5 minutes later, "Sampson's elbow is bleeding pretty bad.") Whoops.

November 17, 2009

Still trying to adjust to Andy's busy work schedule. Luckily, he was able to get the weekend off (due to a mess-up by the manager). On Saturday night, Brody & Lily came over for a slumber party. They had too much fun - we woke up on Sunday morning to our living room completely covered in cotton stuffing that was ripped out of a doggy-toy. On Sunday, we celebrated my brother's b-day at his house. Tonight, I'm hanging solo with Sam while Andy works. It makes me nervous being home alone in the evenings, and Sam isn't helping. I had to calm him down in the kitchen after he saw a cat running around in our backyard (scared the crap outta me). He barks at every car that drives through the court and a few times has barked at the house settling.
We have been anxiously awaiting news of Andy's dad being released from the hospital- he had quite a week. He is finally home and resting. www.txtrib.blogspot.com

November 12, 2009

We have been taking Sampson on nightly walks during his recovery. Lately, he's been a bit more.. feisty.. in the evenings, even after his walk. He'll push himself across the floor, bark at us, and throw his tennis ball across the room. He's a bit more restless now, since he's spending more time inside the house. A few nights ago, Andy took him on a longer walk, about a mile loop around our neighborhood, and Sampson didn't appear tired or winded at all. So, we're keeping this up. Today, I walked the mile loop with him and we ended up jogging for the last block. Now he's crashed out on the couch.

November 7, 2009

Quiet around the Fluken-Moss house. Andy has been working long days both training for his new gig at Ten22 and helping out at the granite shop. His first official day is tomorrow (Sunday) as the restaurant is hosting a "family and friends soft-opening." The official opening will be sometime next week. He's excited and ready to get going. This means that I will be spending tons of solo time with Sam.

November 1, 2009

On Friday night, we had a slumber party with Brody & Lilly so Abe & Kjer could go out and enjoy some pre-Halloween festivities. Per usual, we had plenty of snuggle time all around. Saturday morning, Abe & Kjer swung by to pick up all the pups, so that we could go down to Napa and celebrate Halloween with my family. My parents do it up big, and plenty of their neighbors do as well. It's quite the sight - as Nellie learned last year, and Andy was able to see this year. Approximately 1100 kids came by and luckily we were prepared with almost 1300 pieces of candy. Last year, we barely had 1000 pieces, and we ran out at 8:30. We went as Wayne & Garth, and it was "Excellent."