Lainie Bug & Georgie Boy

We just received this wonderful photo from Laurie and Greg of Georgie and Lainie showing off their new sweat shirts.
I cannot believe how much Lainie has grown and how much she and Georgie look alike. It is easy to see who their parents are!
Word came from Antioch that Leo is doing well and has grown a lot. Patricia promised us some photos so we will try and be patient.
All is well with Bella and Bacio - they are back to their usual antics.

Lauren is 23 today!

Thought it would be appropriate to mention that today Lauren turns 23. What this also means is that exactly 23 years (and 20 minutes) ago, I became a Mom! It was an amazing moment, as is looking at who Lauren is today. Some of what happened in between was great and some not so easy, but the sum of it all is that I have an awesome 23-year old daughter whom I would not want to miss for the world!


To celebrate her birthday, Lauren went to Disneyland with her friend, Jonelle. It is a free ride (excuse the pun) on your birthday. Not too shabby, considering they now charge $72 admission per person!

Here is Lauren, hamming it up by the big L.

Sweater for Harper Grace

I finished the little sweater I was making to match Harper's little booties. I am pretty happy with the outcome, I just wish I had better photos. After a Micheals run this morning, I put the finishing touches on while already at the office: a little orange flower patch and some beads (which you cannot see on this photo as I had to rely on my iPhone for picture taking. )
These will have to do for now.

Updates!

On Sunday, Tom and Carol brought Jethro over for a visit. He remembered us, his old home, and Bella and Bacio too, of course. He even checked out Bella to see if he could still nurse! That was pretty funny.

Even though he was curious to explore his old surroundings, he never strayed too far from Tom and Carol - it is very obvious he has bonded well with his new Mom and Dad who are absolutely nuts about him.

Jethro is still small, but his personality certainly isn't. I guess living with Bubba (the English Bull dog pup) forces him to stand up for himself. Based on the stories we heard, that does not seem to be a problem. Apparently he likes to taunt and excite Bubba and then runs and hides under the coffee table. That is a safe place because Bubba, ... well, let's just say he does not fit underneath. And little Jethro has that figured out, of course!

He is almost off all his meds and is healing up well. It is just unbelievable what that little guy has been through, and yet he seems so unaffected by it all. Sweet little guy!
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We also heard from Steve and Elaine, who gave a wonderful home to Newman, who is now called Buddy. This is what he looked like when they first took him home.

They tell us he is a sweet and exceptional pup who has brightened their lives.
Well, to be honest: that made my day. The reason we decided to let Bella and Bacio have puppies was to share their amazingness with others.

Another well-loved pup! (whose nose has grown too!!)

No more babies for Bella!

Yesterday Bella had surgery. Let's just say the procedure she had prevents her from ever having puppies again. It was the wise and responsible thing to do for Bella's health and well-being. It is also sad in a way because we know we will never have any more of Bella's amazing puppies. She was the very best Mama and we loved raising the 3 litters of puppies along with her.

Bella spent the night at the vet clinic and was allowed to come home today. While she was gone Bacio and Puppy paced the house and the yard looking for her. They were both visibly out of their element. Who knew?
Bella is doing well overall but is admittedly a little upset and mopey. She is just not too thrilled with the Big White Funnel on her head. Can you blame her, really? I had to hand-feed her because when she attempts to eat or drink, the cone is in the way. I wonder how she will sleep tonight.
Thanks Bella - we love you and are always grateful for Rafa, Johnny Mac, Blake, Kimmie, Venus and Lindsay, for John, Paul, George and Ringo, and for Newman, George, Jerry, Kramer, Leo and Elaine!

A nice response from Laurie and Greg: We want to thank Bella for our little man and our Diva girl. Both such beautiful little babies! Have you heard on Jethro I hope? George and Lainie are so cute together ...they are inseparable! For such a little peanut she is such a little firecracker!They are both so beautiful inside and out!