Pursuit Of Idle Pleasures: the whole fam damily

Saturday was another fun family day. We got to Mom’s in time to help get a pork roast into the instant pot for pulled pork. Meanwhile, another pork roast was simmering in the crockpot. It was a perfect time to compare methods… (instant pot won for it’s tender pull-apart meat).

The whole fam damily was there: Olaf & Freya arrived from Montreal, Shawn came from NZ, Kirsten and the girls were already here from NZ, and of course Graham and the kids were here. Kari and Trevor were able to join us also. Ten adults in the dining room, 5 kids in the kitchen. Mom, as always, pulled off the feast with no fuss no muss - you probably remember how much I freaked out for Mom’s birthday…

I stayed the night - the ancient orange sofa is getting an imprint of my body in its soft cushions. The living room has been ‘my’ room for many years. The sofa is older than the vast majority of people in the house, but its hideous fabric is a comforting feeling of home.

There was talk yesterday with Carm that Monday or Tuesday might be the day for Bella’s final vet visit, but now we aren’t so sure. Her breathing has settled down now that we’ve up’d the prednisone. It’s too much to be on long term, but the alternative is not to be here at all so we figure the benefit outweighs the risk. It is so hard to know when the kind moment will be.

Meanwhile, I’ve been in touch with a breeder that has an 8 month old female ridgeback possibly available. We’ll pursue this option, hoping that Spike will adapt. It will be a few weeks until we can meet her.

I’m still going through photos and making up dog albums. It isn’t always easy, but somehow it is helpful. I find myself looking at the photos throughout the day and having either a good cry or a sad smile.

In 2013 we took a trip to Alberta with the dogs. Spike ‘wrote’ about it in his memoir (Spike's Memories). Kabira didn’t do a write up, but she enjoyed the trip as well.