Monday, May 5, 2008

Dogs, A Garden And A Funny Story...

Okay, bad news. I waited almost two hours for the couple to show up with the dog. They didn't. Both gate attendants said they did come in, but never showed up in my parking lot. So I drove around checking every lot and nope, I couldn't find them. I'm disappointed and cautiously optimistic. I'll await their phone call. Canceling the little fellow's vet appointment was very sad because I know he's in such pain. If they're having difficulty surrendering him, just let me get proper vet care for him and they can keep him. I just need a phone call. I haven't told Mom yet. I'm hoping for a good outcome and don't want to worry her. Why didn't I go pick him up the moment they called on Friday or Saturday morning. Why did I wait until Monday?
I'm posting gardening photos to help put my brain in a better place. That fern cracks me up. I planted it last year. It's a Male Fern. I have Lady Ferns, so thought I'd plant their companion. It was very wimpy and every time T-Bone would go past it, he's pee on it. Every single time. And every time I'd say "T-Bone, don't pee on my damn fern," and then he'd take the shortcut to the yard. You can see his path and every time I'd say "T-Bone, get out of my damn garden!" I was obviously talking to the pea gravel because he didn't listen to a word. Then something magical happened...Spring! The fern started to fill out and grow, and grow and grow. It's beautiful this year (still only a third of the size of the Lady Fern) and T-Bone has stopped peeing on it (see, no brown!), but he still takes the shortcut through the garden. Arrrrrrrrrr.
Heaven on Earth roses and a GORGEOUS camelia. It's been in bloom for probably two months. I think it just put out the last one. :*( See you next year honey!
Some of my favorite pink roses (in my office ~ next to my computer).
My beautiful Forget-Me-Nots, a gorgeous Azalea (I think Alaska) in a container and good sized thistle weed right there in the upper left hand corner! I let it get pretty big before Mom came by one day and yanked it out. I found it the next day unceremoniously flung on the bricks. Poor thing. The little mushroom was a gift for taking care of our neighbor's dog one weekend. Boy did she make me appreciate T-Bone (T-Bone's very neat!). She's a Lab and when she drinks water it goes with her from one end of the house to the other. No joke. I was forever drying up her slop on the hardwood floors. Too funny.
~
Okay, now for a funny story. My Mom called the other day (not my MIL, my Mom) and she'd been helping my sister move the final items in her condo to their new home. They had a big, beautiful home, but it didn't make sense to remain there because they're becoming empty nesters. They live in a ski resort area, so now rent it out. They bought a condo. They hated condo living, so they just bought another big house! What?! Somewhere in there is common sense, I just haven't been able to find it! The movers took all the big stuff, but Mom was helping my sister with moving a lot of the office "stuff," (they have a very successful business) and both were tired. They were on their umpteenth trip to the house and Mom said my sister stopped the SUV in the middle of the road and didn't speak. Mom asked her what was wrong and she replied "I don't know where I am." Mom was aware she was exhausted, so just tried to get her to think (because Mom didn't know how to get to the house either!). She said we sat there for what felt like a long time until Tam finally recognized a landmark and her brain came back on." That's exhaustion.
~
And that story reminds me of my visit to my sister's house to care for her hubby, kids, animals and house while she was in Cape Cod with her 6th grade class for a week. I had just been in L.A. helping take care of newborn twins for a week, flew directly to NY to help my sister, developed a sinus infection and was exhausted. And my niece and nephew decided to treat me like a substitute teacher (Why? Who knows.). We were invited to Tam's house for lunch one day and so with the two of them in toe off I went to have a beautiful lunch with my sister at her beautiful house. I was tired. The 50 miles felt like a million and I felt like Fred Flintstone...actually peddling my own car with my feet. I had a wonder time. We ate, laughed, visited the nursery, our grandmother's grave and planted panseys, just had one of the best days of all time. When it was over I got in the car and started it to leave and Tam said "Honey, you have everything?" I replied "Yup. I'll see you soon, okay?" She replied "You sure you have everything?" I said "Yup, love ya, thanks, I had a great time." She said "Sue, you might want to take the kids." Ahhhhhhhhhhh, right...forgot about them!
~
Now that's just exhaustion.
~
My question of course is, have you ever been that tired?
XO Suze :)

31 comments:

bindhiya said...

Sweetie,
I am sure they have a reason for not to be their on time...I don't think they want their puppy to suffer...
I hope and pray they will call you back and get that little one to a Vet..
somewhere I heard a saying similar like this 'exhaustion make you blind'

T bone is so funny..
congrats on being garden of the month...am waiting to see that event...
Have a beautiful evening..
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi

Anonymous said...

Suze,

I agree that maybe they're having surrendering issues. With any luck, they'll be able to let the little fellow get the treatment that he needs. Maybe they're just not ready to say goodbye just yet....?
Whatever happens, I'm sure it'll be for the best.

Peter x

kylie said...

hi suze,
lets hope this is just a hiccup in the story of a successful adoption. how interesting that i probably prayed for every other aspect of the situation but the hand-over! i missed the bit that is always problematic....keep your chin up my dear
as for how tired i've been...VERY but i cant think of any stories....i just cry my eyes out when i'm tired. it's quite offputting for the people around me (and me too, often) but once it starts it's pretty much uncontrollable, partly because i'm tired!!
take care
k

Suzanne said...

Thanks Jim, but this is a family establishment and that isn't appropriate here.

Suzanne said...

Bindi,

Can you believe it. Rob says just to give them time. I will. I'm hoping for a phone call. It's been such a stressful day.

You're "Exhaution makes you blind," comment killed me. Yup, it's true!!! I assume we've all felt it at one time or another.

And yes, T-Bone is a character. He has this little personality all his own and you really can't change it. No matter how many times you say "NO!" I put an urn in front of the path he's made in the garden. He just runs around the urn to get to his path. Hey! Ya gotta pick your battles. Apparently that one's not worthy. At least he stopped peeing on the fern.

:)

Love you honey, have a beautiful Tuesday.

XO Suze

Suzanne said...

Peter,

Thanks. I agree. It's just hard, you know? I want him to be safe and pain~free and this isn't the way to get that result. I'm hopeful. It's already Tuesday morning (I can't sleep) and they didn't call. I'm hoping they'll find the courage.

Rob and I also thought about something else. When I met them initially I was alone at the park. No gate attendant, no other visitors. Very, very vulnerable. I have a good sixth sense and didn't feel uneasy in any way, but after today it crossed my mind. If they did arrive, they were met with lots of people, trucks, vendors, etc. because there was a HUGE event at the park on Sunday, so today was clean up day. I was certainly not alone. I was surrounded by people. If they had an alterior motive, today was not the day to act on it. It crossed my mind and apparently crossed Rob's too. We discussed it and I made it clear that from now on, when I plan to meet someone in the park I'll alert the person at the entrance gate and also arrange to meet the person(s) near the entrance gate. They all know me and know how much time it takes to feed the ferals. I also, always say goodbye on the way out. I want them to know that if I don't stop by something is terribly wrong and they should call for help. One attendant has always been so attentive and takes wonderful care of me from the time I arrive till the time I leave. If I don't get out on time, he calls a Park Ranger. He's a gem, but he recently retired. I always felt safe with him around. Now I'm not so sure. I guess what concerns me is if they were the ones who showed up today, there is a $5 entrance fee. Why would you pay the fee then just drive out? I'm fortunate in that everyone lets me in free, but everyone else has to pay. Something doesn't feel right. I'm hoping it wasn't them and that they'll call. It all feel sort of wacky.

Love you Peter and thanks for the support. You've been terrific. I'll keep you informed.

Lots of love,
Suze XO

krystyna said...

Hi Suzanne!
Maintaing such beauty takes a lot of work. But your garden is miraculous place. Little Paradise on our Earth.
Beautiful, Magical Paradise!
I always enjoyed much my time being here.
Thanks for sharing. I think that you are professinal photographer too. Fantastic photos!

Have a successful, happy day!

Love and hugss!

krystyna said...

Do you have violets in your garden?
/I'm not sure if its correct name, but I think about first-spring flowers with nice fragrance/

Anonymous said...

Suze,

Please, please, please be careful - some people, as you know, can appear to be wanting the best for an animal, but they might want something else. You must promise never to be alone there again - promise?? People can take advantage of altruistic people and it's a terrible shame, but I suppose this is how some of society is.
I hope that this isn't the case, and that they have a good reason for not turning up. It's also possible that lots of people being there scared them away in a different way - they might be in trouble with the police, or be running from someone and don't want to be around crowds of people - we may never know. Just be careful.

Peter xx

Kookaburra said...

Try not to be too disappointed about the dog not showing up. I'm sure there's an explanation and you are handling the situation sensibly.
Loved the story about T-bone. I'm chuckling as i write. I can also relate to the story about the Labrador. lol
I was a bit down today but reading this post has cheered me up! (^-^)
I'm glad that I stopped by.

God bless you, Suze
M.

Terri Steffes said...

Thank you so much for the comment you left on Dakota's post on my blog. Losing a pet is so hard! She had been with us for 15 years!

Ludmila M. said...

Dear,
I´m sorry, but i must be honest with you:Law was not the better choice for me, i won´t spend all my life regretting what i did, i must move on, make some different plans to me..My mother still don´t know anything about that, she thinks that i´ll do some national contests, to work for the government, but believe me, this is not what i actually want..I want to work on something i really like, enjoy,which is to write..I have the perfect idea that i wont get into this journalism and become a famous writer, it´s a difficult career and i already know that, but it´s actually what i like to do..Here ate Brazil, we don´t get into the college like U.S., we must do, at the end of the school, a global test, with all the subjects which we´ve learnt at school..I can maybe try to start getting my law course and try to use some subjects, but believe me, too much time and papers to sign in..Study for the global test, which we call in portuguese "vestibular", it´s "easier" (not so easy coz it´s been years since i´ve finished school)..The other way i told ya,too much officialism,bureaucracy, like we say in portuguese too..
I won´t stay still, too many decisions to make,it´s life is, isn´t it?I bet it´s better when you regret something what you actually did than regretting not to do that..Agree?
XOXO, Lud.

Anonymous said...

Girl, I've got two small kids, I work, I try to keep up with life while being over 40. I'm tired all the damn time. I'm always saying the wrong thing because I'm thinking one thing and saying another. My daughter is a master at catching me while I'm doing this. It's gotten to the point where she constantly asks me, "Did you mean something else Mommy?" Now, that's tired.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I forgot to mention that I hope everything works out for the little chihuahua puppy...I'm sure it must be very hard for you knowing he's in pain. At least he's not out in the streets somewhere starving and scared. You saved him from that!!!

xoxoxo
RC

bindhiya said...

Dear Suze,
Like peter told be safe...am concerned..
sometime you cannot trust people..am not going too far to scare you...but please be safe...

If you have a minute please stop by to Akelamalu's place...she post your award.. (i pass to Akelamalu and she is passing it to everyone...just beautiful...)
have a beautiful day..
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Love your garden pics! My camelia was here when we bought the house 3 years ago. It has bloomed once...one blossom. That is it. A lady at the nursery this year told me I need to add lime to our soil..So I did. It better bloom next year! Lol

Penny

Leah said...

Hmmm...I have to agree with the above comments (beginning with your own) that you should be wary and take care of yourself and be street smart. I hate to be suspicious of people, but better to be a bit self-protective initially. I must admit, though, that a scenario other than just a hand-over of a dog never occurred to me until you mentioned it as a possibility. Do keep us in the loop, we all want to know the outcome!

xo

Lavinia said...

All the pics are gorgeous..I love the birdbath one the best..you know I'm partial to birdbaths...
Suzanne! We need your prayers...pop over if you have a chance, to my blog, and read what its all about...

Again, you are a true miracle worker to rescue Buddy..

bindhiya said...

Sweetie,
Hope you had a good day..
I was at the library from 9.30 to 2 pm with Serene...then stop by to few stores and back at 4pm...
Love you..
((hugs))
bindi

bindhiya said...

Dear Suze,
Here is what you looking for...to show only your main blog in your profile...
Go to Dashboard...click edit profile under your photo.. it will open up edit user profile.. click select blogs to display.. select only your main blog to display..save settings and check back your profile...
I'm off to library with my little one ...
talk to you later..
♥ & ((hugs))
bindi

Ps.. How is Fenway? I love that little one...am waiting to get one little friend for Serene... one day.. one day...
it is always good to have dreams no?

Akelamalu said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking the time to comment.

Your garden looks absolutely fabulous and I can see you love plants. T bone sounds so funny. :)

Unknown said...

Hey you I will make this really short I have just got off shift! No that's not me in the photo that is Adrien, BF! Talk to you soon!
Love ya!
Hugs,
Robyn

Shutterspy said...

I'm sure I commented on this post before :-S

Skeeter said...

Hi Suzanne!

I hope that the puppy receives the care that he needs.

Both of my neighbors to the north and south of me have received "Yard of the MOnth" honors from our homeowners association. I'm certain I've never made it into the top 3/4s or so of the best yards in the nieghborhood. Do be a dear andcontinue to post your secrets to building such a beautiful garden ... and yard. thanks a bunch!

Love ya.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

The flowers you are growing are as pretty as your paintings!

Cece said...

Hey lady,
You really need to be carefull. I don't think you should meet anyone in the park alone. When Bindi and I met for the first time, we met at Dollar General store. It was public and there were people around. Although, neither Bindi nor myself would ever hurt a flea, but still it is very dangerous to arrange meetings with people you don't know. I am suprised Rob let you go at all. Anyway, I'm glad you are ok, I hope the dog is ok, or becomes ok. And I am back on line, so you don't have to miss me anymore. Your garden is just wonderful. I can smell it's fragrance through my computer screen.
love to you,
Cece

MARIA said...

Beautiful Suzanne!
Thank you!

Leah said...

Hi Mama (of course!!!! I just read your comment at Cecile's...)!!! Happy Mother's Day! You know you mother more children than I can even keep count of! And yes, you're going to need that giant extra-wide shoe to fit them all!

Love,

Leah

Salem Stitcher said...

Hi Suzanne!

I've been lurking in every now and then but have been busy, busy. Thanks for commenting on my blog. It was great to hear from you!

Happy Mother's Day!

bindhiya said...

Happy Mother's Day Sweetie!!
I had a real busy day... I will write you soon...
love and ((hugs))
bindi

Gig said...

Suze,
Happy Mother's Day to you!!
I hope you had a great day, sorry I am so late getting here. It was a very long, busy weekend...got back home late and have an early morning.
Hugs and love to you and Rob and all your beautiful "children"...including neices,nephews...

XO, Gig