pets – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

Time For A Change

It’s been one of those weeks here at my house. Actually, to be honest, it’s been that way for a few weeks. RL has taken me away from doing more than just blasé book reviews for a while now.

That’s going to change. I’m tired of going back through old book series. For example, Milly Taiden’s Paranormal Dating Agency. These last few books are ones that I just can’t seem to force myself to even finish. After looking at the reviews, it looks like I’m not the only one having problems with it.

Julia Mills’s Dragon Guard is another series that I seem to have a “love-hate” relationship with. The last few books feature the MacAllen clan which is okay. It looks like she is spinning them off into a new series, Dragon Intelligence Agency. I will admit, I don’t do books with cartoon covers so there are several of her holiday Dragon Guard books that I won’t be reading.

Anna Lowe and Heather Long are another two authors that seem to be slowing down and failing to keep my interest. For both of them, their most recent series seems to be dragging on with no end in sight.

So where does that leave me???

For awhile at least, you can expect fewer actual book reviews. Delta James has several new series started that have captured my interest. The packs and families that she began in “Wayward Mates” and “Tangled Vines” have had children. The story of this next generation is being told in “Fated Legacy.” I was amused to see that a number of the clubs mentioned in these series also show up in other series by her.

I want to post a few more “Lifestyle” posts. Cooking, decorating, just general “what’s going on in my world” posts. It’s fall now and for most of country, our focus is changing. The weather is changing and there are major holidays coming up. I’d like to capitalize on those.

So stick around, and we’ll all enjoy a new phase of the journey together.

Seen Along the Trail!

At least once a day, I find myself getting out on the Bike trail that runs close to my home. I’m always amazed at the variety of wildlife that I see. Here’s a collection of those photos, both old and new.

Update – He’s Gone.

This is probably the hardest post I’ve written. My darling little scrappy charmer passed last night at about 10pm. I’m trying to be strong for my husband’s sake, but it is so very hard. He was Craig’s “Emotional Support Dog” and filled a important role for Craig.

Here in a little bit, I’ll start gathering up all the many things we had in the house for Odie. Somethings, like his stroller, I’ll find a friend who needs it. Other things will be thrown away because they carry his scent.

We’ve found a pet crematorium that will take care of that for us. They do things in a very dignified manner. Thankfully they are close by the SPCA so we can leave Odie’s food, treats and other things with them for donation to the SPCA on Monday.

On the way home, we stopped by Ted and Carol’s house where they consoled us and listened quietly as we remembered our baby. That was something we desperately needed. Now that we are back home, we’ll struggle on, and force ourselves to get out for walks and bicycle rides. The last thing Odie would want for be for us to go back to sitting all day long.

Thank you for listening to my ramble. I needed this more than you could know.

We’re Losing Him

He came to us roughly 14 years ago. A scruffy little charmer who quickly wormed his way into our hearts.

He found us at a time in our lives when we were marking the passage of time by the TV show we were watching. An enthusiastic kiss alerted us to the need for a walk.

It didn’t take us very long before we were taking him everywhere with us. By utilizing a bicycle basket, even a quick ride to the store was a opportunity to keep him with us.

Over the last few months we started to notice him slowing down. A walk that once took 15 minutes now took 20. He started to not want the snacks he once enjoyed. We bought a doggie stroller for him.

Just about a week ago, he stopped eating. He would still drink so we tried everything we could think of to get him to eat. It’s not working. This is Odie today

We’ve finally realized that there’s nothing we can do. The life expectancy for his breed is only 12 – 15 years. He’s reached the end of his story and we can’t change that. But honestly, I’m not ready to lose him. So tonight just like we did last night, we’ll sleep in the living room so we can keep an eye on him.