From Our Driveway

 

Lola, she was a showgirl! 

Foster Puppies

Best Friends

 I love that my kids love dogs just as much as I do! 

Penny

In one week, Penny's new family will be picking her up.  I'll share the details as soon as the adoption is made final.  It's really an awesome story.  

A Balent for Seven Years

We found Paolo in Sicily 7 years ago today! This dog has survived being hit by a car, poisoned by mushrooms and paralyzed by a back injury. He's the best dog I've ever had, my best friend and my hero! Tante Auguri, Paolo!  Someone's getting a T-bone for lunch!

Staying in Touch with Sicily

One of my closest friends from Sicily, Meagan, came for a weekend visit.  She's stationed in Virginia Beach now and also has a new addition to her family. 

Currier and Rya fell in love with Charlie and fought over who got to play with him, take care of him, hold his hand, etc. 

Meagan also brought her Sicilian dog, Jack, to see his BFF Paolo (*Notice how even Italian dogs kiss on both cheeks!?) but don't let this picture fool you.  It's been nearly five years since they've seen each other and Paolo's injury makes him a little grumpy so they didn't always get along during the visit. 

We took the kids to an interactive dinosaur exhibit in North Charleston and then Megs and I had our fun by ordering cocktails at lunch. 

And the cocktails continued into the night and there may or may not have been a disco ball and dancing!

Paolo's Recovery

Paolo is much happier to be at home with his pack.  The life is back in his eyes and if he could wag his tail I’m sure it would be going crazy!  Paolo remains paraplegic and caring for him is an exhausting and daunting task.  He has no control of his bladder or bowels so his bedding needs to be changed every two hours.  His positioning need to be rotated so he doesn’t get bed sores and his legs need to be exercised to prevent atrophy.  It’s like caring for a newborn and to be completely honest I wonder if we made the right decision by putting him through this surgery rather than putting him down.    

And then I see how happy he is snuggling on Bruco or one of the kids and I know that we made the right decision.  We didn't choose the easy path as our lives have been turned completely upside down but I have to believe that Paolo will recover and live a normal life.  He just has to—he’s a fighter and he has moxie.  Keep the prayers and healing energy coming.  

Benvenuto a Casa Paolo

We picked up Paolo today at 4pm. At discharge he was still unable to move or feel his hind legs and he requires bladder expression (I only milk those I love!) but he was in good spirits.  The surgeon warned that the recovery may take several weeks to months so we brought Paolo home to do his healing.     

Hearing him snoring in our bedroom is music to our ears!  My family is complete again.  Thank you for all the positive thoughts, prayers and well wishes.  Please keep them coming! 

Prayers for Paolo

Paolo's failed attempt to jump on our bed yesterday turned into limping last night and paralyzed hind legs this morning.  I rushed him to the emergency vet at 6AM this morning and jumped on an exhausting, emotional roller coaster ride.  We were forced to decide between a VERY expensive surgery that doesn't guarantee Paolo will ever walk again or put Paolo down.       

We took a leap of faith and a very, groggy Paolo woke from spinal surgery late this afternoon.  They fixed a herniated disk and hemorrhaging of the spinal cord.  He'll be staying in the hospital for a few more nights before he can be released to his long road to recovery at home.  Please send prayers and healing thoughts to this extraordinary dog that we're not ready to say good bye to anytime soon! 

Friday Favorites- Paolo Snoring

Paolo has a deviated septum from being hit by a truck.  He's had several unsuccessful surgeries to try to correct it.  This is what we live with as a result. 

Alte Freunde von Deutschland

Our friends from Germany stopped by for a quick visit over the weekend.  Vicky and Bob lived downstairs  from us in Bahn, Germany and at the time had a toddler and infant.  Now they have four boys ages ranging from 6 months to 10 years.  They're stationed in Columbia, SC now and while Bob is in Iraq, Vicky and the boys were in Charleston for the weekend and made the time to come see us.  It was so great to see a friend from our days in Deutschland and meet her army of boys!  It was a little bitter sweet because it was Bob and Vicky that gave us Remi and Remi is a sore subject for me.  She's been missing in Sicily for over five years now and my heart isn't even close to healing.  

My Sweet Remi Girl. 

Puppy Fostering

We're fostering two Staffordshire Bull Terrier/Boxer Mix seven-week-old female puppies for the Charleston Animal Society.  Currier named them Lizzy and Ava.  Today is day 3 and we're finally getting into a little routine with our new family members.  If anyone is interested in adopting one of these sweethearts, please contact me or the Charleston Animal Society.

Friday Favorites- Napping with Dogs

It's starting to get chilly here in Charleston.  It's in the mid 50's which means it's frigging freezing to me!  There's nothing more comforting than taking a nap with these two little bed warmers on a day like today.  "Napping With Dogs" is my Sioux name.  Happy Friday!

Roaming Free on the IOP

Yesterday we took Bruco and Paolo to the Isle of Palms to let them roam free on the beach.

While the dogs ran around like maniacs, we collected shells and took in the salty air. 

I love days like this. 

Tante Auguri Bruco

Bruco turned 7 years old today and we threw him a surprise dinner.  We've been planning this party all week and you have no idea how hard it was to keep this a secret.  It all paid off though because I really think Bruco was genuinely surprised... so surprised he crapped on the floor!  Buon compleanno my pain-in-the-ass-neurotic-Italian-Greyhound.  We love you and couldn't imagine our family without you, you son-of-a-bitch!

Tante Auguri Paolo

It was five years ago today that we found Paolo all skin and bones with his mouth taped shut in a boat yard near Portopalo, Sicily.  I cried and cried until Trent agreed that I could take the puppy home.  The vet warned me that Paolo probably wouldn't make it through the night.  Paolo had an advanced respiratory infection and his nose was so badly deformed that he could barely breathe, but with lots of love and special care (two operations, nebulizer treatments and countless medications) here he is five years later! We couldn't imagine our family without this little guy.  Happy birthday my sweet Sicilian Hound—You're the best dog ever! 

The List

This one is off my shit list.

This one is back on!

Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day we did a few things we love.

Stirred up a seagull frenzy on the Isle of Palms.

Let the dogs roam free on the beach and took in the salty air.

Bruco and Paolo Sitting In A Tree

Occasionally I'll catch my dogs snuggling in my bed and Bruco always jumps up quickly as if to say, "Dude, I'm not gay!"

Bruco's Birthday

Bruco turned 6 years old today. That's equivalent to 42 in human years but honestly I don't think he looks a day over 40. Happy birthday Bruco. We love you.