Nigel asleep on my lap

 

My Left Foot -- Actually right foot

 I have been dealing with a spur on the little toe of my fight foot for several months.  I had one removed on the left foot last year and I guess it was a matter of time before one appeared on the right.  Finally, it was taken care of last Wednesday.  The podiatrist uses an independent surgery center for his surgeries which seems to be the "norm" now.  Actually it worked quite well. 

   We arrived at 10 am.  They took me back to prep almost right away.  They came and got me and I was wheeled into the operating room at 10:55.  The room was brightly lit, which is probably a good idea.  I remember the nurse hooking up the IV for my anesthetic.  I remember there was music playing.  That's  about all I remember.  The next thing I remember is someone was moving my feet and I thought, " the surgeon shouldn't be moving my feet while he's operating.  Then I opened my eyes and I was back in the recovery area.   

   An hour later I was in the car on the way home.  My right foot is wrapped up.  I cannot get it wet for two weeks.  I have two backup appointments, the last one to get the stitches removed.  Then I will be able to shower again.  Yipee !

I sent this photo to Eric and he asked if my Halloween costume was a mummy

The Hunt for Fido ( AKA Nigel)

 The Hunt for Fido has ended.  At least the "Hunt" part has ended. Romeo ( now Nigel) arrived at the drop off point ( the Tualatin Fred Meyer) at 8:20 on Saturday evening.  We were waiting at the key making kiosk in the parking lot.  The van with the "pups" dropped Nigel and Broccoli and zoomed off to their last stop.  Nigel was in the crate that he had spent the day in.  We carried him to our car and lifted him out.  Randa, Hunter, Nigel and I walked around the parking lot to give the boys time to get rid of bodily fluids and we loaded up and headed home. 

   The four of us stayed up for an hours or so to give Nigel time to look around.  We showed him the house and sat with him for a while before going on a walk around the block which is part of our evening ritual. 

 The next day went well.  More exploring. More training.  More getting to know each other.  Nigel got a well needed bath.  His crate received a much needed cleaning.

Nigel's first bath

Asleep in one of Hunter's beds

Happiness is a safe warm place to nap.

 

Fall

 

Fall colors on the ground.  Fall colors all around.

A few of our Dahlias are still blooming

Some neighbors too.

The Moon

 Last night on our evening walk about 9pm., I could hear a commercial airplane coming from the south on it's way to the Portland Airport.  It's a normal sound and I normally check out the flight as it passes just east of us.  The night sky was most cloudy but the portion of the sky near the moon was almost clear.  

   As I gazed up at the partially full moon, the silhouette of the approaching plane emerged from the clouds and passed in front of it before disappearing into the gloom.  It was a split second happening, yet one I will remember for a long time.  

   Life is made up of those flashes that are there and gone.

the Hunt # 9

 The Hunt for Fido is over.  Well, almost.  Saturday evening I signed a "Foster to Adoption" contract with a rescue group called "Match Made in Heaven Animal Rescue".   It is a volunteer-run organization that rescues dogs and cats from Central California shelters and brings them up Oregon to find forever homes for them.  

    This little guy showed up on their site under the name Romeo.  He's a Yorkie / Terrier mix.  So the conversation began.  An application was filled out online.  A telephone interview was next.  We have had home visits before, when we adopted each Greyhound.  The home visit for" MMinH" was done on a Zoom call.   I had spent a previous afternoon fastening patches to cover potential escape spots in our fence, so our backyard passed inspection.. 
    That brought us to Saturday evening.  A printed, signed, and scanned document made the transaction official.  He will be coming up from California on Saturday.  We should get him Saturday evening.  

    Randa wanted to change his name.  After a day of looking at boy names online we decided on "Nigel".  We had considered adopting a Doberman named Nigel several years ago and the name stuck with us.  Besides Nigel has the same coloring of that big Nigel.  I did research on the name; Nigel in Irish and English history means "Champion"  In Latin, Black or Dark.

    So Nigel will be our Black Champion !!!  

Next post = Nigel photos.  😄 

The Hunt # 8

 As of last night October 17, 2021 we have been approved for the "Foster to Adoption " Program from Match Made in Heaven Animal Rescue.  Our future family member, Romeo, will be traveling up from California and arriving in our area Saturday evening.  We are both excited and apprehensive.  Having never met Romeo and not knowing much about him we are doing this on faith.  Faith that we can figure out what Romeo needs to feel safe and comfortable and can relax and enjoy his life in a new environment.

   The foster program is 30 days.  After that comes the decision to adopt or give back.  Giving back is not an adoption we want to do.  It would be hard for us but even harder for the dog.  He should be pretty settled in by then so the decision, hopefully , should be a done deal.  (fingers crossed).  

   Will include a photo soon.   YAH HOO !! 

Good Morning

Hunter and I were greeted with this view on our morning walk.  A pleasant way to start our day. 

 We had a video Zoom call with a representative of "Miracles Made in Heaven" another rescue group.  This one finds needy or abandon dogs and cats in central California and brings up north.  We have filled out an application for both fostering and adopting with this group.  I have found that these groups are very stringent about who they allow adopt their pets.  The applications are quite detailed, asking questions about discipling, feeding, sleeping, etc.  I wonder if I called a breeder if he would ask me such questions if I wanted to purchase one of his puppies.  

   So we are still waiting.  Romeo is the latest of the candidates.  He is currently is California waiting for a ride.

The Hunt for Fido #7

 I am here to announce that the hunt is not over yet.  We drove the hour and a half to Eugene to attend a adoption event at the local PetSmart.  By the 6 o'clock start time the waiting line in the store was 20 + people long.  All were waiting for a chance to find a new furry family member.  There were big dogs and little. Adult and puppies.  Lots of puppies.  I think that's what most folks came for.

   We went there to see a particular dog, Parker.  The photo on the website showed a little white cutie.  And a cutie, he was.  He was a very happy, active dog.  But he just did not feel like the right mix so we declined to adopt him.  Fortunately there was another couple that was interested in him, so he was going to go to a new home that night.   

   Today I did some more searching online.  I have been in some of these sites so often I know them by heart.  It does seem that the rescue organizations are hampered by Covid19 precautions so the wheels do not turn very swiftly.  It's a test of patience for sure.  But with the help of a friend, I found a new site, Match Made In Heaven Rescue.  On their website I found another dog to apply for.  Take a look at Romeo.

Romeo is a three year old Yorkie mix.  He gets major points in cuteness don't you think?  I'll keep you informed.  I am keeping calm.  We have been disappointed several times so far.

Time to Pray

I saw this girl on our last day at Bonneville

 

Tourist day in the Gorge.

 One of our last days off we spent the day driving around like tourists.  We drove Historic Hwy 30 from exit 35 all the way into Gresham.  There are many waterfalls.  About six are running right now.  In the spring the number is twelve or more.  Driving Hwy 30 is exciting not only because of the scenic beauty but also because the road was opened in 1916 when the cars were a bit smaller.  

   Like I said we stopped at several falls.  This one is Horsetail Falls

Wakeena Falls

Oneoda Tunnel

Oneoda Gorge

 Columbia Gorge and Vista Point 

It was fun being a tourist for a change.

The Hunt for Fido #6

 I hate to admit it but here we are and we still don't have a new dog.  We have come close twice.  Both times we were too late.  Both dogs sounded great.  Both of us were very disappointed.

   As of today there are 5 candidates we interested in :  Ben  and Parker in Eugene

                                                                                        Jicama and Klondike  in Portland

                                                                                        Desi       in   Boise

               Oh and I just inquired about another fella       Sir Lancelot  in Tualatin

I must admit that I am getting better at searching for dogs that are looking for new forever homes.  And there are way too many out there needing love.  If you are thinking of a new pet, please consider adopting a rescued one.   

                                                                          

The Hunt for Fido Day 5

 Drove to Silverton on Sunday.  Woods Creek Rescue was not what we imagined.  Not as organized, Not as nice. Not as clean.  We visited two dogs.  Rosco was the one we were aiming at, but he turned out to be a jumper and a nipper, two actions that we do not condone.  When we knew Rosco was not right the volunteer host brought out Zoe, a small fuzzy Shepard mix.  She was a cutie but a little too young and full of spunk for us.

  Today Randa and I spent the day as tourists stopping a four great waterfalls along Historic Highway 30.  During our day, I received several emails from rescue organizations that I had contacted the night before. Tonight I completed and emailed two applications .  Let's see what happens next. 

Oneonda tunnel

  There's a light at the end of my tunnel and it's Randa and Hunter

The Hunt for Fido pg 4

 Change in plans.  

   Bad News ::

     Friday afternoon we were going to SW Washington Rescue Center, to see Babo.   Friday morning I received an email saying Babo had been adopted.  Darn ! He was high on our list because he was a Dachshund .   

    Good News::  

     We received an email from  Woods Creek Rescue Center offering us a "Meet and Greet"  to meet another candidate.  So our Meet and Greet with Rosco is scheduled for Sunday at 1pm.

                                                                                         Rosco

We still have a meet and greet with Chantel of BarkK9 Rescue Monday at 1pm

We have not heard back from One Tail at a Time that have Jicama and Klondike.  They have our application, we are just waiting for the volunteer staff to move through the process.

So the hunt continues.