Good-Bye Maggie

So over the weekend tragedy hit the house. My 13 year old Border Collie-Aussie Sheppard mix, Maggie, passed away. While we knew she had arthritis and it was bothering her some this came as a large surprise. At about 0400 Saturday morning my wife heard a thud in the hall way and called me out of be. When I came to her she was laying with her front and back legs sprawled out and head leaning on the wall. She was not real responsive. I picked her up and moved her next to my bed to keep a close eye on her and bestow her all the love I could. Her breathing was beginning to become labored and she was not moving anything. What was frustrating was that I had to get ready for work about the same time. So I prayed that she would make it through my shower but would go before I had to leave for work. After my shower her breathing became almost aginal, so I made sure to get the girls up to say good-bye to their friend. We gave her all the love and attention that she deserved in her final moments with us, passing away shortly after the girls came in.

What makes all this even harder is that earlier this year we had to put down our 18 year old Springer Spaniel. So loosing 2 long time friends in the same year really sucks! The up side is that this spring we got a Golden Retriever...a wonderful little girl! She really brought out the puppy in Maggie, getting her to play chase around the yard, wanting to go for walks again and just getting her moving again.

Maggie was a wonderful companion through the 13 years. She was there with me in Duluth, Mn when I would go for runs. She was wonderful with my girls, allowing them to dress her up in play clothes. And she was always there when thing seemed at their worst, coming up to you and putting her head on your lap to show some love. I will miss her greatly, but am glad she is in a wonderful place.

Good-bye Maggie, I love you very much and will miss you greatly!!!

Fall Memories

My cycling has not been going as well as I would like. Mostly due to work schedules. The other night I was on for a 20 hour shift, 12 hours of patient time which is my regular shift then another 8 hours for a skills day for CVICU specific applications. To make things worse I have not been sleeping and managed to be up for around 47 hours, not too conducive to good training. So while the weather is nice here (mid 60's) I am going to try and get in some good road time...not trainer time.

While the indoor trainer is great and all it really does suck at making you want to ride. Nothing like suffering while going no where. But it's great come spring time when you do get outdoors...wow you really appreciate all the time put into the trainer.

My other wonderful hobby right now is raking leaves. We have two beautiful maples out back, but they are hell come fall. So this year I spend some money on a leaf blower/muchler! The best money I have ever spent. Yesterday I managed to get the whole backyard moved into two giant piles of leaves in less than an hour! The kids love the piles, they roll in them, and have a blast playing in the mess. I takes me back to when I was a kid playing at the park when the piles of leaves were giant. It was so much fun to dig and bury each other in them. Only to have that kind of ambition and energy again!

On another note, I managed to survive taking my two oldest girls to see High School Musical 3 yesterday. All in all it was not too bad. Of the three I like the music in the second one the best, but this was pretty good. The girls loved it! Once again it makes remember back to times when I was in high school and all the silly stuff that went on. Disney really has hit it big with this group of movies...but I am glad to see them done. So now I get to hear request for the sound track and the never ending blaring of it from speakers. At least its not too bad to listen to.