Happy New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve morning everyone! Here we are, on this last day of 2023. We are finishing the year with some gloomy weather, which has been with us for the past week. It's been wet, mucky, the grass is squishy, the perfect recipe to keep those little paws clean.  Cooper loves to scratch and kick up mud.....he's had more than a few cleanups last week!

We had a nice Christmas. We started the day with some fun in the basement with Cooper and Spicy. Toys and snuffling mats were awaiting them. It was nice to see both of them having a good time. We created yet more beautiful memories. Christmas dinner was a success. Everybody enjoyed themselves and our turkey was delicious. We toasted the newly engaged couple, our nephew Sean and Julie. The wedding will most likely take place in June 2025.  I wish we had taken photos of everyone, we didn't think about it although Julie took a photo of the four of us in front of the Christmas tree and one of me having a quiet moment with Spicy. 

Our pooches are holding their own. On Boxing Day, we started Spicy on a low dose of dexamethasone, prescribed by the neurologist. It is meant to be used as a palliative treatment and the side effects are minimal given the low dosage....a little more peeing, a bit of panting and an increase in her appetite which is a good thing as it started decreasing on Christmas Eve. Now, our little girl devours her food and wants more. This medication doesn't take away the wobbliness and body tilt but is making Spicy more alert and mobile, which is comforting. 

Mr. Cooper is doing good and his appetite seems a bit better. I suppose seeing his best girl eat with gusto is helping. At the moment, both are eating kibbles which I soak in zero sodium beef broth overnight. Add to that a little topper of cooked ground meat/veggies and we have a recipe for success, for now anyway until they both tell me they want something else.... and Miss Spicy quite likes some scrambled eggs as a topper 😊

Our New Year's celebrations will be quiet, just the four of us. We're keeping the meals simple this year, no big turkey tomorrow.  Russell will watch the many bowl games. I'll find myself something to watch. I've got a good book going but I can't seem to focus long enough to read. Cooper and Spicy will chill and probably enjoy a couple of rounds of snuffling. 

That's my last blog for 2023. As we are about to enter a brand new year, may good health, happiness and love accompany you each and every day. Embrace the present. Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year!

A precious family Christmas moment
captured by Julie.

Enjoying some quiet cuddles with the
Spicy girl.

The Christmas morning snuffle zone ready 
for the snufflers.

Spicy and Cooper hard at it...got to find all
the hidden treats.

Cooper found his lamb chop!

Taking a small break from the treat quest.

Spicy in a very reflective moment...
wonder what she is thinking.

Cooper looking regal on his chair.