Jan 16, Oopps, sorry Oregon

In light of all the loss the last week, we have held off celebrating Arri's health.  But now, we need some good news.  Arri is doing fantastic.  Two weeks ago, I didn't expect to still have him around.  This week has been pretty incredible.

To say Arri has been a bit of a distraction might be an understatement.    I received an e-mail for a free 8x8 photo book.  I had 5 days to assemble and get it ordered before the offer expired.  I spent 6 hours working on it yesterday.  Should it have taken so long?  No.  I decided to make a new 'Arri' book.  Once pup #2 came along, Arri's puppy book was seldom updated.  All his pictures are found in the last 11 puppy books.  So I have spent 3 days roughly - between working - combing old albums that were pre-digital camera and searching all the digital files for Arri photos.  What I learned is that most of his photos are either by himself or  with a large group.  Not to many one on one photos with each pup.  I was trying to create a page with each of the pups he has raised.  The thing is, that after pup #3, he didn't want to have much to do with the new dog.  In addition, he is not keen on having his picture taken.  He has impeccable timing for turning his head so I get profile pictures.  To add to the time consuming task, I am not great at labeling my photos.  I have to figure out which dog it was based on the year.  Then there was the back to back black dogs.  Can I tell them apart? - not on your life.  I have to check the date to know who is who.  I so appreciate digital cameras that date stamp the file.  My first digital point and shoot did not have the date built in.  Never again, it is a requirement for purchase.

Happy 1st Birthday Oregon!

So why am I saying sorry to Oregon?  Yesterday was his first birthday.  I remembered many times during the day but was waiting for Tim to get home to have the 'party'.  Tim got home and I was immersed in the photo book and completely forgot.  I had frosty paws and everything.  So today I am going to run downtown for a special treat from the dog bakery.  We will party tonight.

Arri & Oregon

So the good news??   Puppy Arri has returned!!!! Yes, I can not believe it.  The playful pup has been around in the evening to play tug of war.  He is even picking up a nylabone.  He wants to go to the park and he barks when people come to the house.  Yesterday, a customer stopped by to drop off a package.  I must admit, I forgot I had left Arri outside in the yard.  He was just hanging out.   He greeted my customer at the front walk.  The man gave Arri two healthy rib pats and said  "Boy is he a young one" in a slight southern drawl.  I then told him Arri would be 14 in two weeks.  He couldn't believe it.  Yep, puppy Arri is back for awhile.

Yep - Arri's appetite is back, he want's the cookie!
Arri, Summer, Oregon & Glamis

We are still eating weird food on a weird schedule but he is eating well.  Meatloaf and Eukenuba are the staples but he will take some yogurt and loved Sweet Potato baby food.  He gave that 2 paws up.  The Sweet Carrots baby food only rated one paw and the Vegetable Beef got two paws. The key seems to be beefy.  He will not touch chicken or rice.  So much for the sick dog standby food.

Tonight we celebrate life!