Category: Karl

Posted on

In His Hands: Karl

A lump removed from Karl’s groin about 6 weeks ago was definitive for adenocarcinoma. Having been up and down with diagnoses since last August 1, I chose to continue postive, hopeful and enjoying each moment with Karl.

Over the last two weeks, Karl has been up and down and last week, a steady decline. Sunday, I took Karl to the ER vet intending to let him go. Dr. Scott Smiley, who took care of us in August, was on duty. Dr. Smiley has a mobile operation for home and ranch veterinary service. We spoke. I made the decision to take Karl home and have Dr. Smiley come to the house this (Monday) morning.

It was a long night but this morning, there was a dusting of snow and it was snowing lightly when we went outside. I sat with Karl in the woods, with the snow softly falling. I thought of all of the wonderful walks we had. I concentrated on enjoying our last hours together by remembering our wonderful 10 years together.

About 30 minutes before Dr. Smiley was due, Karl woke. His eyes were clear. His personality shone through them. He kissed me. I smiled into his eyes and told him I loved him. He lay his head down.

Dr. Smiley arrived and administered a sedative first. When Karl was sedated, the final shot was given with me holding Karl. Karl’s passing was quiet and peaceful.

It is a heartbreaking loss. I’ve loved Karl with all my heart for 10 years and will love and miss him for all of my days. I have no regrets over the decision to let him go this morning and know that he is out of pain. I am grateful beyond words for how peaceful it was and what a beautiful morning we had as well as the joy of the last 10 years.

I learned a lot over the last months and hope I can share that over time.

For today, I celebrate Karl’s life and the great privilege I had of sharing his life and of knowing his great and loving spirit.

In His Hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12: 7-10

Posted on

Thursday morning sunshine

Through the woods…

Around Karl as he buries a treat…

…digs it back up and then eats it.

On a fresh batch of treats ready for the oven.

He may not be “in” the sunshine, but Bob is part of my sunshine :)!

Outlining the trees and lighting the mountain tops: Thursday morning sunshine.

Posted on

Wrapping up the week

Thursday afternoon, before the sun dipped behind the clouds, the sky and lake from Wayfarer’s park looked very different.


Temperature was right at 50F.

…and the above photos are from my newest electronic gadget thingy…

YOWZA! It is the HTC Thunderbolt, Verizon’s first 4g smartphone. I jumped the BlackBerry ship about 10 days ago and have been having more fun and giggles than a 55 1/2 year old person “should” (***) from a new toy :)!

Here it is connected to my laptop syncing contacts and calendar. When I get some music, it will sync that as well. It guesses words I’m trying to type, has animation for weather including windshield wipers and raindrops, falling snow and rolling clouds…. I’m sure the thunderstorm animation is spectacular as if you’ve seen the tv add, the start up is a thunderbolt complete with sound.

I have barely scratched the surface of what the thing can do, but my favorites so far are the flashlight – it uses the camera flash and has 3 beam intensities, and the Kindle app. I have a Kindle, but the 4.3 inch screen on this phone is actually not that much smaller, has great resolution and is very readable. And….the phone and the Kindle stay synced, automagically, so I can go back and forth and each finds my place.

I’m late to the touch gadget thing – friends have iTouch, iPad, iPhone and I’ve seen them and played a bit, but this is the first of my very own and I am amazed at the technology – FUN!!!

It was a good week in every way. The forecast for today is 100% rain which it is doing. I have a humongous pot of split pea soup complete with a ham bone, simmering on the stove. A fire is laid just waiting a match. A thermal air pot is full of my favorite hot tea. Karl and I are off to Whitefish – I have a hair appointment after which we will visit with Karl’s Auntie Kris and Uncle Hal and then home again, home again to light the fire, have a bowl of soup and a mug of tea and listen to the sound of spring rain on the roof.

Bob says he will wait in the nice, dry, warm house for us and to say “Hi” to Uncle and Auntie for him…

***The word “should” is mostly banished from my vocabulary…used here for effect :)!

Posted on

Weekend Miscellany

Friday morning perfection.

Between the sunshine, blue sky and perfect for us temps…who could NOT roll in the snow for the fun of it ? :)! ?

Feelin’ good.

I finished my work day mid-afternoon. Karl and I headed west to Kila and Calm Animal Care for Karl to have a spa treatment: a chiropractic follow up and a first time acupuncture. Yea, I was a little envious but actually it is a treat for me as well. We arrived early enough to have a long leisurely walk on the “Rails to Trails” path that looks to the view in the photo above. Dr. Calm’s office where we both wait and get treated has 2 1/2 large picture windows that look out on this valley view. Small trees just outside the windows were full of small birds chirping gaily in the almost spring sunshine.

The clinic is in an old house and exudes the same calm as Dr. Calm herself and all of the staff and even the other patients. Karl and I relaxed while waiting. Karl nearly falls asleep on his feet during the massage/chiropractic and he did fall asleep during the acupuncture part. I shared the foam mattress that serves as the dog bed and managed nearly falling asleep myself! Once home we were both feeling rejuvenated and had a wonderful evening walk around the loop as the sun started down.

Friday was to be the day to go to Great Falls and meet Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman) but I had made the decision two weeks ago that I wouldn’t try to do the trip. As it turned out, the weather would have held me back as well.

…both the northern and southern pass options – snow, ice and or both.

But Friday here, was sunny, clear and beautiful – a beautiful evening and a good night’s rest all around after a good work week.

Saturday’s weather was a wintry mix which didn’t stop us from a morning grocery run and dampish walk in town and a lazy afternoon in front of the woodstove.

This morning. Misty, foggy, damp…another fire to keep things cozy until the sun started burning off the fog…

…and we headed out for another round of our home loop.

…while Bob relaxed at home: Weekend Miscellany.