Sunday, March 20, 2016

Changes, Heidi, and the Yard

Heidi, who appeared in many of my header photos, passed away March 1, 2016, at the age of twelve and a half.  She had some lumps for quite awhile, and in the last few months, had trouble going up steps.  She stumbled, and scared us sometimes.  In the last few weeks, it had gotten worse.  Then she started leaking urine.  The medication she went on helped, but then she started having trouble breathing.  I went with them to the vet this time, because I was afraid she wouldn't be coming back with us.  The vet said he was going to be brutally honest, and that it was time.  He said her lungs were filling with fluid.  We sat with her as she passed away. 

I went back to look at photos of her, and decided to do a post showing her over the years, along with the changes we've seen in the yard over time.  I had to start with 2008, because something went haywire with my iPhoto library, and Larry was not able to retrieve the ones I had taken up until then.  I am still sad about that.

Larry said I have too many photos, but I decided to keep them.  This has turned into a photo history of the yard as much or more than a tribute to Heidi. As soon as she saw me with my camera, she was ready to go outside with me and watch the world.

5/19/08:


5/28/08:


6/3/08:


9/21/08:


11/15/08:


6/12/09:


6/23/09:


7/7/09:


8/11/09:


8/11/09:


10/28/09:


4/17/10:


6/21/10:


4/14/10:


5/4/11:


6/18/11:  (I think.)


8/9/11:


2/4/12:


4/26/12:


8/26/12:


8/26/12:


6/6/13:


6/28/13:


7/18/13:


5/22/14:


7/17/14:


5/19/15:


6/15/15:


6/15/15:

 
10/20/15:


10/30/15:


I watch our granddaughter 4 days a week.  She has been a dog person from an early age, and loved Heidi, even though it took awhile for Heidi to get used to her.  She is still asking for Heidi.  I feel so bad for her.  I couldn't find photos of the grandsons with her, except for the one from 2011.  They come over on Saturdays.  The 8 year old loved playing with her when he got a chance, but she was usually in the basement when they were over, because the 4 year old was afraid of her. 

Larry and I have had 2 other dogs besides Heidi, and I didn't mind them, but I did bond more with Heidi, even though I got upset when she scratched on a closet door, and my Hoosier  cupboard door, trying to get to my chocolate.  She also dug some of my plants up in the back yard.  The friend we got our other yellow lab, Katie from asked us to take Heidi, shortly after Katie passed away, because the former student he gave her to couldn't keep her after all.  She and their other dog or dogs got into too much trouble.  As it turns out, she was mistreated there, and came to us with issues, some of which she outgrew, some she didn't.  I myself am not a dog person.  As a girl, I was afraid of dogs.  I used to choose the ways to walk to school that would avoid me being barked at by dogs.  I do not want to get another dog. I think I am in the minority, but they tie you down, and cost lots of money for their care.

27 comments:

  1. Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. Heidi was a beautiful and much-loved dog. She was lucky to have you!

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    1. Hi Beth, I just read your last blog post. You do have lots of coneflowers! I was pleased to see the caterpillars eating your butterfly milkweed. I was sad to see you may not be blogging anymore. I have not been posting nearly as much as I used to, and have not kept up well with reading other blogs for quite awhile. Do you think you'll post some the new gardening season? I am posting here, because it looks like you have comments turned off.

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    2. Thank you for your comment, by the way.

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  2. I am so sorry to hear about Heidi. She seemed like a kind dog. I am a cat person, but, we're going pet free right now. As you said, pets are expensive and they restrict travel. I was watching for the big tree coming down as I looked through your post. What a change that made to the garden.

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  3. {{{{Hugs}}} Love your yard. Love the pictures of your yard but the best pictures are the ones Heidi is in.

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    1. Thanks, Charlene, I am not able to get to another site by clicking your name. Do you have a blog?

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  4. So sorry!
    I smiled looking at the pictures from 8/26/12 with Heidi and a butterfly and from 10/20/15 with your granddaughter giving water to Heidi. I'm sure she was happy living and gardening with you.

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  5. I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a beloved pet is very tough. You created a beautiful tribute to her, though, and I'm sure you'll have many wonderful memories of her in the years to come.

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  6. Sorry for your loss. Beautiful pictures

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  7. Sue, so very sorry to hear about Heidi.I loved your tribute to her with all your
    beautiful photos of your garden and the forever friend who was always there... Heidi <3
    She was so lucky to have gotten you and your family and grand kids to enjoy all these years!
    Her spirit will always be with you all in your beautiful garden.

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    1. I was looking for my post here from yesterday and forgot that at one time I had named it Little Bit of Hawaii in the San Gabriel Valley because of all my Tropical plants and Palm Trees!!
      It is me Roberta :)

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  8. Sue-I'm so sorry for the loss of your garden buddy. What a precious gift those animals give with their presence. She obviously had a very good life. She will always be in your heart.

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  9. Dear Sue ~ I'm so sorry for your loss of Heidi. Those are great photo memories of her.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  10. Heidi was one lucky dog! And you, lucky gardener. It is so difficult to lose a beloved pet. RIP dear Heidi.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear about Heidi, Sue. She always seemed like a part of your garden, because she was often in your photos. Such a lovely tribute to her; the photos with Ruby are my favorite--precious! I understand your reluctance to get another dog. I wouldn't give my three up for anything, but it does make it difficult if we want to travel. Heidi was lucky to found such a loving home with you and your family.

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  12. So sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed your photos of Heidi and your garden.

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  13. Hi Sue. That was such a sweet ode to Heidi. Our Labs love our gardens. Here, mine sometimes dig up things too. Mostly, they're now pretty good about things. Mostly. I am more of a cat person, but I also enjoy our dogs that keep the deer at bay.~~Dee

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  14. Sorry to hear about Heidi. She was a constant in your garden photos for sure.

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  15. Oh, I'm so sorry, Sue. I've always wanted a dog, and I hope to have one before a I get too old. I will miss seeing Heidi in your posts. She was a very attractive dog, and added personality to your garden. This is a beautiful ode to Heidi. Hugs--

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  16. I am so sorry for you loss of Sweet Heidi. I always enjoyed your photos knowing she would be in them. I do not visit blogs much these days as time restricts me but just had to pop in and read this one. As an animal lover, I do understand your loss. It has been 14 years since the loss of our beloved Skeeter and even though 2 little black furballs joined us soon afterwards, the pain of his loss is still with us. I also understand your not wanting the responsibilities of another pet. We have been lucky to have next door neighbors to keep an eye on our girls when we travel. They plan to retire and move away this fall which will leave us without a pet sitter. We too do not want another pet when these leave us for the Rainbow Bridge but that is what we said when we lost Skeeter all those years ago. You have fond memories of your fur baby and will cherish them for many years to come. You are great for taking her with your fear of dogs. That takes one special person and that you are....

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  17. Sue, yes, pets just don't seem to live long enough. It's one of the reasons that I'm done with pets. My pets reside outside in the wild. Squirrels, wild turkeys, Robins, and such are my entertainment now. True, I don't get to pet them or snuggle up with them but then I was never an animal snuggler. I've had every pet known to man. Well, every pet other than reptiles. It was a great idea to do a loving picture tribute to her. Her memory will live on every time to go out in the yard to garden.

    Have the best day that you can.

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  18. Your garden must seem so empty without your companion. Goodbye dear Heidi! I'm sorry Sue.

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  19. Hi Sue, I am so sorry about the loss of Heidi. I'm sure she will be remembered fondly as she was present when you continued to develop your beautiful corner garden.

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  20. Hi Sue, I'm so sorry you lost Heidi. We do bond with them and tehy become like family. I love the pictures you posted of her over time!

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  21. Hi Sue, I'm so sorry you lost Heidi. We do bond with them and tehy become like family. I love the pictures you posted of her over time!

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  22. So sorry for you and your family. As I dog person I hope in time you might change your mind, but I applaud you for being realistic about the commitment a dog takes. I wish more people would thing twice before saying yes.

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