Abbygail Photos

I know I may be a bit too sentimental about my dog, but it's definitely taking some time to get used not having her around. Last night with the huge rain storm we had, I felt like it didn't enjoy it as much because she wasn't around to cuddle with. Plus, the wind kept on opening and closing her old doggy door, a noise that I just became so accustomed to.

Well, I was going through old photos this week and found tons of my baby girl. I used to take pictures of her when I only had one or two more in a roll of film. Remember those days of film?!

Abbygail “Boober” Gizmo Hale

Abbygail “Boober” Gizmo Hale
May 20, 1993 – July 19, 2008

Last night I got a rude awakening. My baby girl has passed away. Just like my uncle, I knew this time was coming. My mom and I even said just a few weeks ago, how much their symptoms are alike and that they’d probably go at the same time…and they did.

She hasn’t eaten in 5 days and she’s been violently ill. But that didn’t stop me from taking care of her until her last breath. I am grateful that she was able to be at home and not at the vet’s office when she went and I’m very grateful that she came and went into my life…in my arms.

I know she was a brat at times, but she was my little brat. We comforted each other through thunderstorms and she lent me her ears when I need someone to vent to. It’s going to take a lot of getting used to not carrying her up and down the stairs, tucking her into bed, feeding her my table scraps and having her chase after people, especially the kids around the pond. The kids and her both loved that game. Her favorite color was green, so I did get her some green flowers. I know what you’re thinking, that dogs are colored blind, but for some reason, she always knew green things, maybe that’s why she liked the grass so much. When she got older she became more loving. She let me hold her and hug her without her wanting to run off. That’s what I’ll miss most is cradling her and having her head nuzzle in my neck.

Most people think that I’m a fool grieving over a pet like I do, but she wasn’t just a pet, she was my companion for half my life. She was there through thick and thin. That unconditional love doesn’t make her an animal, but a true member of the family

I’ll miss you very much baby girl. Have fun playing with Grandma, Buttons and the rest of our angels!



Quirky Quote: Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

My Baby Girl is 15 Years Old!

Abbey turned 15 today. Hard to believe that I’ve had her in my family for almost half my life! When we brought her home she didn’t even weight one pound, and now she’s a whopping eight. We celebrated today by treating her to a cheese quesadilla and her own cake. For her present she got huge bags of Pup-eroni treats, her favorite.

My eyes well up knowing that this will be her last birthday with us. Her health has taking a toll for the worse in just the past six months. Her sparkling eyes have clouded over and she practically blind. Her arthritis gives her issues on bad stormy days and her hearing is to the point where we have to shout at her. But, her sense of smell still works great though and has a very healthy appetite. Just the other night she went outside, went through the garbage and found a steak bone to gnaw on. It took me about an hour to find where she was at. Still the tricky pooch and my baby girl no matter what age she is.

Quirky Quote: "Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." - Bonnie Wilcox

Random Recommendation: Write a friend that you’ve thought about. One you haven’t heard from in a long time.

I know, I know...I shouldn't give her chocolate or sugar, but give her and me a break. She's 15! She deserves to live on the edge in her old age.

Howling and Cartoons

Today after a hellish day of work, I came home to my precious pooch Abbey greeting me. This isn’t anything unusual but before I got inside, I could hear her hollowing. Not barking up a storm like she usually does, but actually hollowing like a Basset hound and even more strange, sounding like one as well. I have never heard her make a sound like that before. I got to admit I was highly amused by it. This old dog had learned a new trick!


I also got the opportunity for a professional cartoonist to do a specialty drawing for me. I was one of ten that won a contest to do a TF Animated style of the Transformer of my choice. Yeah, I know I’m making myself sound like a bigger geek than usual with that reference, but I think it turned out great. My two favorite characters are already in the Animated series, so I chose the first TF action figure I got...
It’s Beachcomber from the G1 series!

Odd Fact: You can cure canker sores by using your earwax.
Random Recommendation: Relax by feeding the ducks and geese at your local park.

Weekend Wanderings

Most people get excited when Friday comes along, not me. It’s the beginning of a time crunch, trying to get every aspect I can in. Besides working 26 hours in a 48 hour time frame, the weekend was filled up with many ups and downs.

First of all, for entertainment and my inner geek, Transformers Animated started off their 2nd season. Yes, I’m a huge Transformers fan and this series is the best since G1. I highly suggest it to every one of all ages. Most people that enjoyed the G1 series in the 80’s will recognize a lot of similarities that the show is giving.

Then I had the opportunity to have yet another bridal shower at my home, unfortunately that meant having to miss out on another friend’s baby shower. I hope you got spoiled Colleen. I love having parties for friends and celebrating their joyous milestones in their life, but then afterward I have a feeling of depression as I wonder if my opportunity has past to start a family of my own.

After the party, my pooch had a little mishap of her own. She’s an older dog (she’ll be 15 next month) and she’s having a hard time with seeing. Well, with all the pruning and mowing in the back yard she got lost in all the trimmings. Getting stuck and pinched, her hair was filled with stickers, branches and leaves so imbedded in her; we had to give her a horrible, horrible hair cut. Poor girl :-( She can’t get into the groomers until later this week so she’ll have this freaky look for a few more days.

Then I got to celebrate a birthday for my oldest friend April. We have now known each other for over 21 years. Man time flies! Well, somehow her present ended up in the garbage (still wrapped in plastic though). I did not notice that I could find her present until meeting up with her within the next hour. Having to rummage around in the trash, with the lawn trimmings, the necklace was finally found. We got to meet up with another great gal, Mary and partied it up at MacCool’s. Hope your birthday was a good one April!

As for today, after a long day of work, I decided to take a time out for myself and relax. I got to get out for awhile…took a drive and my camera. I am honestly very lucky to live in such a beautiful place. There are so many diverse places here. The small drive was great therapy, getting ready for another crazy filled week. I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend as well!

"Two Temples" by Nicole D. Hale
Jordan River Temple (LDS Temple) and Sri Ganesha (Hindu Temple)