Longest Month

Well, I can't say that I haven't seen my share of sunrises just lately. Here's one of them! Rudy's health is hanging in the balance, and being Nursie 24/7 doesn't allow for a lot of sleep. That said, I will gladly wake up five times every night for the next decade, if we can get Rudy through this nasty infection that is plaguing him so unkindly. After an especially challenging few days, Rudy is home from the vets and I can give a high-five and a handshake to a successful morning with him. Here is my boy, nesting among the leaves.

Our vet has been wonderful and every doctor in the clinic knows of Rudy and his troubles. Even during the worst days, he charms everybody he meets.

We are sinking literally thousands of dollars into medical expenses. Our intended trip to California this Christmas has been cancelled, and thank goodness for having a family who is willing to drop everything and visit us instead! I am considering training Felix to be a butler. He just might be handsome and attentive enough for all the holiday hosting that is coming our way. (I'll have to keep his food-service tasks at a minimum, lest he eat somebody's dinner before it reaches the table). Hmm.

Forrest gets major applause for bringing home the good bacon, especially with most of my time being dedicated to Rudy-Care this month. But perhaps perhaps perhaps.....you haven't bought your Christmas cards yet? Hand-printed snowflakes! Ugly Christmas Sweaters! Pop into the LouPaper store to see our  festive card sets and singles.... click here...or here....or here!

Oh, and I just realized I have committed the frowned-upon sin of mentioning Christmas before Thanksgiving. Forgive me, I am English! But I'm looking forward to a Turkey Day gathering with some friends and family tomorrow (we are hosting to earn Rudy extra cuddles from our guests!).

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Smoky Mountains and the Big Brave Rudy.

One of my favorite things about where we live is the close-ish proximity to Gatlinburg. Scrape up some pennies, get some friends together and break out the camera. It is beeeyootiful.

Lucky for me my parents and Auntie have been visiting from my native land of Eng. There may be no better place to celebrate a reunion. That said- the start of their visit was spent on the white sands of the Florida panhandle and I'm fairly sure I already declared that it doesn't get any better than that. In many ways, it has been a very charmed month.

The view from our cabin, of another cabin (with more cabins behind it).

 It's very cabin-y around these parts.

This photo of my sister basically sums up family holidays for me. Tea and games, games and tea. 

My main concern this past month has been our eldest Fluffy: BigRudy. After discovering he had a fungal infection in the bone of his leg, we endured an extremely nerve-wracking few days when it was grudgingly decided he had to have his leg amputated. The world has been spinning at a blur-inducing pace lately. 

Despite my tendency for profuse worrying, I am happy to report Rudy is putting forth great efforts towards recovery. His surgery seems to have gone well, and the surgeons all fell under the spell of Rudy's sweet and gentle personality. Nobody is resistant to the charm of that boy. 

He is showing some teenage-like distaste about the cone-collar that is a necessary addition to his daily attire, but admittedly I enjoy his spirit in the matter. We are hoping against hope that the infection didn't spread beyond his leg and that the amputation has taken care of the issue. Bravest boy that he is- three legged-ness will certainly not defeat him. Plus he has received all manner of fancy new toys, bedding and accessories. Our bank account is crying some pretty big tears! My heart remains clenched, but we are hoping for positive reports from our vets in the coming weeks. 

    

All this talk of Rudy and it's almost as if we forgot about Felix! As if he would allow such a thing.

Luckily, my wonderful parents took it upon themselves to keep Felix very busy while I was Nurse to BigRoo. Never has one dog received had more ball-throwing, play-dates, walks and attention than has been bestowed upon Felix this week. I suppose it was inevitable that (eventually) he would find a comfy chair and take a nap.