National Dog Day-Adopt Jane Today

Jane has been adopted.
Adorable Jane is about 1 1/2 years old and available for adoption from the shelter here in Port Townsend. You can visit the Humane Society of Jefferson County Tuesday-Sunday or call them at (360) 385-3292.

Love on the Olympic Peninsula-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Focus Group

There was a article in The Leader yesterday about Crystal Delights, a business located here in Port Townsend. Owners Andrew Schwartz and Shellie Yarnell are Jefferson County Chamber members and active in the Wedding and Event group which began meeting several months ago. I also belong to this network of Chamber members that are working together to encourage visitors to hold their wedding or other events here on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Keep on the look out for one of their beautiful marbles they have hidden somewhere around Jefferson County.

My Heart is Broken

About a month ago I wrote a post about my dog Max. I was reflecting on his age and hoping we would have another summer together but not taking out time together for granted. So I was heart broken when my other dog Ruby, died two weeks ago. It was sudden and not expected, she was 11 but seemed to be in good health. This was especially shocking since I have been preparing to say goodbye to my older dog Max for some time now. Max is around 14 but losing younger Ruby in a matter of hours has broken my heart. I feel like I have a hole in my heart. Our 10 years of usual routines that happen in our typical day together are gone so moving around in the morning is really hard. Being a Mom to eight dogs over my life time has been an honor and has enriched my life but saying goodbye is heart wrenching. Anyone who has loved and lost a dog will know this pain. We are a lucky group to have had them.

The day after Ruby died was incredibly hard but I got so much support from so many wonderful Facebook friends and other friend that sent flowers, cards or called. A friend came by and helped me bury Ruby in the back yard in the afternoon. I sent her off with flowers, a love letter, photos of her and I, her buddy Max and her favorite Kong. 

All grief whether the death of a beloved pet or a loved family member I think is especially hard when things change in minutes or in this case hours. My partner Don died suddenly from a heart attack so I know how quickly life can change. One minute he was here and 4 minutes later he was gone. So on Tuesday, much like that Sunday morning 14 years ago, all seemed right with my world. In this case I ran off to a job and when I returned just after lunch Ruby met me at the door struggling to breath. I got her immediately to Pet Townsend Vet. Despite the best efforts of Dr. Abby and her staff and being placed on oxygen nothing worked to stabilize Ruby enough to breath on her own so I made the heart wrenching decision to let her go. Dr. Abby felt Ruby had some underlying tumor or cancer of her lungs that caused her condition. 

Being in love is a risky business and losing a loved one or even a beloved pet is a chance one takes when falling in love. I will continue to bet on love. Thank you everyone for your kind words and support, it means the world to me and my buddy Max.