It has been a tough week. My good friend, and protector, and big member of this family, is with us no longer. It was hard to say goodbye already to him, as we only had him for 5 years to begin with. I still remember the day we went to go pick him up.
I was so excited! I was getting another training partner! We had to say goodbye to Buddy 6 months prior to this, and I was not sure I was ready for another dog! I was really attached to Buddy, and did not know if I could care for another dog like that again. They become part of the family, and they are like another one of my kids. But it was time to decide. and Zeus was a great choice.
Zeus was changing fast, and growing big, fast! But he was always ready to go for a run or a walk.
I now had 2 great training partners, always ready to go!
When Zeus had to have a ligament in his leg surgically fixed, he could no longer run. We were able to keep walking though, and he loved that more! We always got to spend time together. Many times he would go in the morning with Sarah, and the evening with me. But no matter what, he was always ready to go! Zeus was always a great protector, and I never had to worry about Sarah out for a walk as long as he was with her. Maybe he was even a little too protective…nobody was coming near us when we went. He would have nothing to do with it. At night, he would be by our bedroom door, or the front door to sleep, and would make his rounds during the night checking the house, making sure everything was safe. He was always on the alert.
Of course, we would always have those time where we would just sit, and relax. I would talk about the day, and he would just listen. He was always there for me/us.
Zeus and I would watch the Vikings together. Of course, when they played crappy, like last week, it was a good time to take a nap. We just hung out and relaxed. Like I said, it was like hanging out with one of my kids. When the kids were gone from the house, he was one of the kids! It got tough this last week. He had been limping for 2 weeks, and it gradually kept getting worse. Earlier this week he no longer wanted to walk. Even when we would take him outside to go to the bathroom, he would just lay down in the driveway, and not move. I had come home over the noon hour on Wednesday this past week because I did not feel good. I went to go lay down, and we managed to go into the bedroom with me, so I moved his bed by the window.
He was still going to protect me, even though he felt much worse than I did. We took him to the vet Thursday morning, and got the news we did not want to get. He had spondylolysis…severe, and it was compressing on his spinal cord. It was only going to progress. There was nothing we could do anymore. Even though the decision was hard to have to put him down, it was easy knowing we were doing the right thing. For as much as we cared for him, and loved him, and wanted to have him with us yet, we could not stand watching him hurt anymore. We said our goodbyes…and that was it. He was gone. He was not coming home with us. We were not going to see him again. Gone physically, but forever in our hearts. Zeus had a unique personality like no other dog we have had. We had 5 years. 5 good years! I would not trade any of it. He was a member of this family. I found out I could care for another dog again. Each one has been different, but all important regardless. So we made another decision again, with our other kids.
Meet Dakota! This is our new family member. An 8 week old female Golden Retriever! This was much faster than when we got Zeus. We are a dog family. They are important members of our family, and always have been. It did not take long for her to capture our heart already! I have another training partner…and child at home!
There is absolutely no way Dakota is going to replace Zeus. Zeus was Zeus, just like Buddy was Buddy. But she is definitely helping to mend a broken heart, and I am ready to start a new chapter in our family. As much as it hurts when we lose one of them, the time we spend with them is too good to not have them be a part of the family. I/We are ready for the Dakota chapter in our lives. Let the good times roll! Keep moving everybody!
We are starting to get some pictures back from Molly’s wedding. Wow! The father/daughter dance pictures are some of my favorites so far…at least for what I have seen! I get reminded of how it felt that day. How it felt to walk my daughter down the aisle. How it felt to dance that special dance with my daughter. How it felt to be lucky that I got to experience those moments, and spend time with my family. Nothing can beat that! That is what life is all about!
Spot on! Don’t miss this show. It is guaranteed to have the greatest reviews possible. You don’t have to worry about any sequels being made as it is automatic. And…the story does not have an ending for a long time!
Molly and Tanner are just beginning their life together. I still can’t believe Molly is old enough to be married. It seems like just yesterday I was rocking her in the chair feeding her a bottle! 25 years…just like that! At times life seems slow, but all of the other times, it is moving at lightening speed! The father/daughter dance still gets me choked up. These pictures are truly some of my favorites!
We were both trying to hold it together. This is what being a Dad means! One of my little girls was getting ready to begin her new life.
My three kids! This is what life is all about! This is what every parent wants. To see their kids grow up, be successful, and to continue to spend time with each other after they are all out of the house. But, I will always be Dad! That is what I want to be remembered for…being a successful Dad!
The days go by fast. Hang on! Enjoy your ticket to the greatest show on earth! Your own life! Strive to make it the best you can. Don’t take anything for granted. Be thankful, and tell others you appreciate them as well. You may be the main attraction to your show, but your supporting cast is far too numerous to list everybody in it! Appreciate the help you get. After all, there is no way you are going to do everything yourself! Keep moving everybody!
I have been waiting to post the news until we got our professional pictures back…so finally… here it is! It’s a boy! Carson Phillip Raml joined us about a month ago: August 21st (on his actual due date!!). We are doing well! I will be back to the clinic from maternity leave November 13th and we will be holding a spring 2020 STRIVE 2 Survive starting in March. I look forward to working with you all again soon!!
There is only so much rainy weather we can all take! Finally, the Sun came out! We are supposed to be having more Sun the next several days as well. Take advantage of it…get outside! Don’t waste it. There is nothing like having some sunshine, and warm weather, to improve your mood, and outlook on things!
We all feel better getting in some sunshine. Just getting outside and taking it in, instead of being stuck inside. I spent most of the afternoon yesterday out mowing, and then went for a 2 mile run! It was a great day! Hopefully the forecast holds true, and we get almost a week of it! Get outside. Go out on the trails. Walk along the lake, or bike, or run. Whatever! Even go out and sit and take it in! After all this rain and cold weather, nothing improves your mood more than that big bright ball in the sky! The views from the trail out by the lake this afternoon were too good to just pass up…I had to take some pictures as well!
If you did not get out yesterday, then get out today! Take advantage of it. You won’t regret it. I plan of spending a good portion of the day out enjoying it, and relaxing!
Get out! Relax! If you are like me, just make sure you have sunscreen on! These days are going to start getting numbered as we are half way through September already! There is no better medicine for your overall health and mood! See you outside! Keep moving everybody!
We never know what life has in store for us. We go along each day like there will be no problems that arise, and that everything is going good…until it isn’t. We get thrown for a twist or turn that we were not expecting, and our life changes. Megan came home this weekend…for good. Sarah flew out to Virginia and they drove back together. Things may not always seem as they are. But, it does not mean that change can’t be for the better. Life is unpredictable, and we have to learn to go with the flow.
Now, of course, I am thrilled. She is back home to take time to figure out life, and where it may lead her. In the meantime, I have another running partner. We went with the run club this AM, and Megan and I covered 4 miles total running for me, plus another mile walking. This is the furthest I have run since my episode in March. Making progress! We had some time to talk. That is what is great about a running partner. You get to talk and help each other solve problems! We just need to help her realize that things can improve…it just depends on the day.
Some times our view of things can be a little hazy, and unclear. We may not know where life is going to lead us. That is what makes it unpredictable. But, that is also what makes is adventurous too. One thing is for sure, it is much easier to get through those “hazy” times when you have friends and family to lean on.
Our running family will always be there to remind you of how tough you are, and what you are made of!
Even Zeus is there to lend support whenever you need it. Here he is helping Sarah stretch before we went running this AM!
Zeus is always there Megan for you to lean on, and love as well. He is definitely happy you are home!
And, over time, that same view that before was hazy, and unknown, will then become clear, and you will know where you are headed, and know that change and challenge is what makes life not only unpredictable, but exciting as well! The view in the future will be brighter, and better!
You will know, for all of us, who in our lives matter, and who always will! Be ready for those changes. Be aware that some days will not be so clear. Life is a roller coaster with many ups and downs…with more ups than downs! Keep living! Keep focusing! Keep moving…everybody!
