John Todd's blog

A Nice Long Weekend

Charlie has been resting peacefully all weekend, not a thought of labor in his head. Hopefully he’s been dreaming of all the fun times we have over the years, dreaming of chasing his brother through the snow, dreaming of steak bones.

Sunday Afternoon Walk Lazy Day

 

Good Days?

A few times today I could hardly hear the clock ticking, Charlie was as good as ever. My parents came over today and luckily they were able to see him at his best. Good days scare me, least I forget what’s really happening to our dear sweet Charlie.

The Family

2 days to 2 months

2 days to 2 months, but the vet only gave me 2 weeks’ worth of medicine. Charlie has a large tumor growing either around his intestine or in it as well as what seems to be a “mass” in his stomach. This is a very similar thing that took one of our other dogs Sam. I watched as Sam went from a strong powerful dog, full of life, to a weakling that had trouble getting up because of his sickness. I let him live to long. This is what I hate so much about what is happening with Charlie, in the end it’s up to me when he dies, I owe it to him to make a good decision. Thankfully his vet give me a straight answer, when he start throwing up it's time to bring him back. I asked why he only gave me 2 weeks of medicine and was told if he needed more come back and he’ll gladly give it to me.

Charlie ate most of the food I put out from him this morning but he is moving kind of slow. Long gone are the days of the little athlete than ran up and down the red rock of Southern Utah, defying gravity with every step. He seems to be breathing heavier and not moving as much as even a week ago. The tell tale sign is that he spends the entire night in his bed, something he has never done.
The beginning of day 2, Looking good but how do you really feel? I wish you could talk to me because I don't know what your eyes are saying.

 Charlie 09/03/2010

I love you Charlie.

While I’m sure some find it difficult to understand, I love our dogs more than I love most people. I have always loved dogs, since I was a small boy I dreamed of the day when I could have one. Finally after moving to a farm in New York my parents got me my first dog for my 12th birthday, Brandy. He, as with all the dogs I have had the pleasure of sharing time with was a great friend and teacher. We spent many hours roaming and exploring the farm. He was my best friend and always ready for an adventure, always happy to see me, and no matter what kind of little dick I was being that day, he always loved me. But there is a problem having a dog as such a great friend, you just simply out live them and sadly the day always comes when it is time to say good bye. Yesterday we found out it will soon be time to say good bye to one of our current best friends, Charlie. He was sick on Sunday but I thought with the help of a little pepto-bismol we had moved past it. Tuesday he took a turn for the worst and a visit to the vet yesterday confirmed my fears. He and his brother Sam have been me and my wife’s best friends for the past 10 and 11 years, they have shared a lot with us. We have always included them in as many aspects of our lives as possible and hope we are the best care takers we can be. It has been a rough week around the house with little sleep and a lot of crying. Today Charlie is feeling and looking much better but I can still hear the clock ticking, I’m just hoping not to hear the alarm go off, 2 days to 2 months.

I love you Charlie.

Charlie

Key West 2010

 

Sherry and I are just back from a long weekend in the Keys!

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Fun with Photoshop

You many not be able to fix a poor photograph but you can have some fun with well exposed ones!

The Toaster

 

Better Late Than Never

Guess it's been a while since my last visit......

Sherry and I went down to Airstream Ranch near Dover Florida last weekend and here is one of the snaps

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Birthday Shuttle Launch

Discovery Launch

 

There is nothing like a beautiful early morning shuttle launch on your birthday! Finally I got the picture I wanted, only 3 launches left and not much time to spare!

Big Lizards!

“You leave a bucket of water out around here long enough and you’ll find a gator in it”

It must be true.

The New Neighbor

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Meet Eddie

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After 11 years is was time to make a change, the truck was a ticking time bomb of repairs and taking up to much room in the garage. Because of its poor gas mileage it was only moved to get it out of the way or the occasional trip to Lowes, it was a waste to have it. We have had a truck for over 20 years and I can remember saying “I’ll always have a truck, no way to live without it!” I guess there better be a way because we traded it in for a 2010 Prius…….