What I Did On My Autumn Vacation

I've been off for a week and barely written anything for this blog, so I'd better get busy.  (I haven't had any root beer, either, for one of my other projects, but I'm about to fix that too.)  I originally scheduled this week off for a trip to France.  Miss Mox and I were going to take Baby K over there to see my mom, who goes whenever she has the chance.  I went a few years ago and loved it, and it would have been a great trip, but even driving an hour with the baby- doing anything with the baby- takes so much time and energy that we passed this time.  We then thought about going to Chicago, but again, that's a long trip with an infant.  So, I took the week as a bit more "bonding time," and to do things around the house.

It has been great hanging out with the love of my life, and our love child.  She's the cutest little baby you ever saw (and not just because she looks a lot like me.)  She has her moods, especially when she's tired, but she's generally happy.  We even took her to a Black Lives Matter march, and she did fine.  That was one of the highlights of my time off- that and voting early.  Free speech and participation, important parts of democracy. 

Let's see, we also went to the store, went to IKEA for some shelves and a high chair, and hung out with family.  But most of the time has been spent at home, relaxing with Baby K.  I'm glad I had this time, and I try to make the most of any time at home with her.  Miss Mox is doing most of the work- we are lucky that she can be a stay-at-home mom.  I try to help, and take some of the load off, because as I said doing anything with a baby is tiring.  Spending time with her is worth the exhaustion. 

Dog Gone

We lost a pup this month.  Gabe, Miss Mox's first dog, was getting up there in years and having trouble getting around.  We, and the vet, helped as much as we could, but finally it was time.  That's always a hard decision, but it usually becomes clear eventually.  You never want to lose them, but you have to ask what is best for them, not just for you.  He wasn't in pain that we could tell, but was barely holding on.  It was sad.  And now it's weird to not have him around.  There are still reminders of him, of course.  A bowl on the counter.  Only two dogs barking when we come home.  Baby K never really knew him, but she has three other pets to love and chase.

Over the years I have lost several pets, and it's never easy, but you don't want them to suffer unnecessarily.  When they can't eat, or hold their pee, or stand up... And of course if they are in pain and you can't do anything about it, like one of my cats.  You have to make a decision sometimes, and it's never easy.

Pets are like children to many of us.  Now, having a kid, it does feel a bit different, and I'd be even more distraught if something happened to her.  But before sweet Baby K came into our lives, we were both pet owners and animal lovers, and very attached to them.  They are a big part of your life, and you care about them almost like a child.  And they certainly leave a big hole when they leave.

We will get another dog eventually (or cat- kittens are so darn cute) but for now we are remembering Gabe and appreciating our other animals.  There are a lot of dogs and cats out there that need homes, so think about adopting.  They will repay you with endless love, and lots of laughter.