It is hard to believe it has been a year since we lost Sadie. She certainly is not forgotten around here. The photo above is one we have framed on a shelf in the rec room. This was shortly before she really started getting sick. She was SO happy, she loved the snow. We would let her out in the front yard and she would run and roll and just go bananas! It reminds me of how she really was and helps me forget about the last few months of her life and how much she was struggling. Alistair still talks about her all the time. If anyone talks about their pets or he meets someone's dog, he tells them he has a pet named Sadie. We finally had to tell him she died as tellng him that she went to Heaven and wasn't coming back wasn't sufficient enough for him. He was constantly asking us when she was coming home. I finally got used to not having to walk around her bed at night when I had to get up, although I still find myself putting my feet down on the floor gingerly to make sure I won't step on Sadie! Sometimes when we get home I expect to see her come bounding down the stairs to greet us. Occasionally when we are watching TV after the kids are in bed, I think about her laying on the floor below me and putting her chin on the cushion for an ear scratch. I think the most we think about her is when we go to the ocean or anywhere with water. She LOVED to swim and fetch in the water. We miss her!
Having said that and having a year to gain some perspective, we don't miss having a dog right now. Certainly Alistair and Gillian keep us busy but not having to worry about a dog is nice. It is nice to be in the backyard without watching where you step. Also there is not as much of the yard in the house since there is nobody with a fur coat tracking it in! We will get a dog again someday, maybe when Gillian is out of diapers and a little more self-sufficient. For now we will just enjoy other dogs.
We love you Sadie!
Last weekend we headed out to Hood Canal to camp at Dosewallips State Park. We had so-so weather, it rained a little but not bad. It could have been a bit warmer, especially considering it was toward the end of May! We had a fun time! From the photo above you can see who went, the usual suspects with the addition of a surprise guest - Carrie! Alistair was very excited to have her join us and I think she had a fun time too!
Saturday we headed south to Triton Cove State Park to see if we could find some oysters. Uncle Bob had his shellfish license and apparently this season is supposed to be bountiful and delicious! It was both and would have been more if anyone else had their license! I suppose Alistair and Carrie could have collected, but they were too busy throwing rocks and playing in the sand to care about oysters; although Alistair ate about four of them later on when they were cooked - salt & pepper sauteed in some butter, mmmmm!
There was a fishing dock, Gillian thought it was a good spot to hang out and be able to see everyone - until she saw the running water from a drain down on the beach! Once she realized she wasn't going to get to play with it, she went back to running up and down the dock!
Carrie and Alistair threw a lot of rocks in the water!
Stop for a minute and smile!!
Here she comes!
Schucking oysters, and eating a few too.
Hey Alistair - don't walk in the water past the top of your boots!
Silly faces!
Sa-wing Batta!
This pitcher is getting shelled!
Happy Family!
Watching everyone pack-up to leave...):
But bubbles will cheer us up and keep us occupied for some time!
Watch your step, it might be a bit slick and muddy!
