To the Rainbow Bridge

Christine was 16 and having a lot of problems: bad back and hips,panting all the time and pain meds didn't seem to help. She never complained but did not want to do much. When she got the fifth urinary tract infection within a year, I knew I couldn't ask her to keep going on for me. She was always the best of companions. She was smart and the easiest dog I ever trained. She always walked at heel even in the dog park! She will be missed not only by me but by a lot of friends in our building who enjoyed her calm and friendly manner.

Our New Home

We moved to an active seniors community in the winter of 2009. Mom is busier than ever. But we have lots of new friends, humans and dogs. There are lots of dogs here. But everyone says I am the best because I don't bark, I walk at heel and and I let anyone who wants to pet me and I don't jump on them. Some people even bring treats to the lobby and wait for me to come in from a walk. Our new home has walking trails, fountains and ponds.

New Person

I have a new little person to love me. She is nine years old. Mom's roomate is adopting her because she is a relative and her mother died last year. That is part of the reason Mom has to move out. She is really good at belly rubs!

Shaved!

Mom did something new yesterday. She had a groomer come right to our house with a van. I was kind of scared when the groomer picked me up. I thought she was going to take me away from Mom. But it felt good to get washed up. And I got shaved. She gave me a pretty blue bandana and I knew I looked pretty. Everyone says I look skinny now.

Play Date

Mom was gone all day today. But, I really didn't miss her too much. A nice lady from next door came over and fed me. And then she took me over to her yard to play with her two dogs. I really enjoy being with other dogs, especially if they aren't too big.

Mean Mommy

It's bad enough that Mom hasn't been feeding me enough for months and has found ways to keep me out of the cat food. Yesterday, she gave me a BATH! And then she took me out on the deck and brushed me and brushed me and brushed me. It must have been for hours. Now I smell like FRUIT! Well, she has been letting me up on the sofa next to her now. Maybe it isn't all bad

Long Walk

Mom and I have been walking a mile to a mile and a half every day. Yesterday we went even farther and walked uphill to the nearby shopping center. I loved it There were lots of people standing around and some of them wanted to meet me. I love meeting new people. Mom asked why so many people were standing around. It seems there was a bomb threat at the grocery across the street. One guy teased Mom and asked if I was the bomb sniffing dog. Later Mom said all I sniff out is food. But, I am really, really good at that.

I'm Older Than I Look

Mom just figured out I am three years older than she thought. She was going through some old pictures and realized I came to live with her in 1998 but I was three years old when she got me.
I don't feel that old especially since Mom has been taking me for a lot of walks and I have been losing weight. I'm down to 34 lbs from 44.5 lbs. Mom never meant for me to get that heavy. But I really had the neighbors fooled with my, I'm starving face. They would throw hot dogs at me when I was outside.
Anyway, I am feeling much better. I can walk farther and I don't cough all the time. The vet said I could lose 3 or 4 more pounds this year.

A Visit tiothe Vet

Mom took me to the vet today. The vet picked me up and carried me to another room where she trimmed my nails. I thought that was quite enough for one day. But, then she stuck a needle in my right leg. My leg is sore. I'm holding it up so Mom will know how much that hurt.

They think I have hypo something. It might be the reason I have gained so much weight. I hope they can fix it. It's getting hard to walk; and I just don't have much energy.

And Mom is giving me less food! Now that is cruel!

Elka's Gone

7/17/05 I finally figured out why Mom was so sad. After, Elka was gone for several days, I realized she wasn't coming back. It made me really sad too. I didn't feel like doing anything.

After a couple of weeks, Mom started giving me a lot of attention. She's been playing with me and taking me for walks. This week she decided I needed grooming. She clipped my nails, trimmed my feet and gave me a bath. Then she used a hair dryer on me! I didn't like it. But, I put up with it for her. And I did look nice. Mom thought so too. She took me outside and took a bunch of pictures of me. She added a couple to my website.