It's a boy!

I'd like to introduce the newest member of our family to you...

Lincoln

He's SO cute!!  My Mom got him as a gift for us.  We got him from a wonderful dog breeder in Alpena.  They did a wonderful job raising him.  He's a Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) with Blue Sable Merle coloring.

He was born on March 19, 2008 and we officially became his parents on July 1, 2008.  I think it's good luck that we got him on the first day of the month.  I was born on March 1st and Bobby, I started our relationship on December 1st and my first official day as Acting ED of NYAC was April 1st.  So far...first days of the month have worked out well for me.  =-)

We named him Lincoln, after one of my favorite Presidents of the USA - Abraham Lincoln.  The Lincoln Memorial also happens to be one of my favorite DC memorials.  The fact that Abraham Lincoln was the last President from Illinois something I'm hoping will soon change - was a nice bonus.  =-)  Although technically he was born in Kentucky and Ronald Reagan was the last President born in Illinois...although technically Obama was born in Hawaii...so...you know...

Here are photos of Lincoln's parents, from the dog breeder's web site:

 

Here is Lincoln's puppy photo as provided by the dog breeder's web site:

The breeders still have two very cool Sheltie male puppies from Lincoln's breed available.  If you're interested in getting a Sheltie - I highly recommend that you get in touch with them.

I'll be sure to keep you posted about Lincoln as he grows up.  =-)

If you'd like to friend Lincoln on Dogbook (part of Facebook) - click here...he'd love to be your friend.  =-) 

You can see more photos of Lincoln here.

  

RIP Little Cat - 1990-2008

Little Cat, my cat for the last 18 years, passed away early this morning.

It was all rather fitting for her personality... She woke Bobby and I up - and once she was certain we were awake and paying attention - got comfortable right near us and then...began to pass away. I don't know why, but I suddenly and rather quickly (remember - I'm not a person who thinks clearly when I first wake up) had an idea of what was happening.

Her health had actually been improving lately. Well...she had never really been sick...but she had lost some hair about a year ago. Recently she was starting to grow it back - so I suppose that's what I really mean by her health had been improving lately. Because of her age I was always on the look out for some of the "early signs" I've heard about. Bobby and I both agree that she hadn't been showing any of these signs. So while we knew this was going to happen one day - the exact timing caught me off guard.

It was a little drawn out - but seemed very painless. She did put up a fight and even hissed a few times. I know this sounds odd - but they didn't sound like hisses indicating she was in pain...more like she was really pissed off about the whole situation...her own way of saying "Fuck you death!"

Tribble knew almost right away that something was up - and jumped up on the bed with us. I was glad that we were able to all be there with her and that given the circumstances...she seemed to go on her own terms.

I've had Little Cat for eighteen years - she been with me through it all. I think in my life I've spent more time with Little Cat than any other living thing on the planet. She was always such a smart and unique cat - she had a lot of attitude and did things on her own terms. From pawing my face to walk me up when she wanted my attention for something to her lifelong pursuit of the freshest water around - in some ways she was very "cat" but in a lot of ways she was unlike other cats I've known. I still think she always thought she was more of a dog than a cat.

I loved, cherished and respected Little Cat a great deal. I know people always refer to their pets as their children, but I think I never felt exactly like Little Cat was my child (maybe because I was so young when I got her)...she was more of a close and trusted friend who kept an eye on everything going on. I hope she enjoyed her life and our time together - I like to think she did. I will miss her a great deal and will certainly never forget her.

This is an online photo gallery of various photos of Little Cat.

Here are a few photos from that gallery...

Lost my voice

I've managed to lose my voice...it's very inconvenient...

Anyone who knows me knows that...well...not talking isn't always easy
for me. I guess having pain when I talk is karma...

Yeah...

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Sent from my iPhone.