One Year Later

Today marks one year since we lost our beloved pet - I went back into my archives to read the post that I wrote last year, and even though it brought tears to my eyes, it made me laugh at the same time. It was so sad to lose him, but I'm so glad I recorded our memories. So, in honor of our little pup - I'm reposting.

THINGS I LOVED ABOUT MURPHY

I loved that you never quite got the hang of how to wag your tail. Instead, it just sort of swayed from side to side in a wavy S form.

I loved that despite your lack of wagging skills, we always knew when you were happy.

I loved that you couldn't lick very well either - you would aim for my cheek, but always end up somewhere around my nose and forehead.

I loved that despite the fact you were badly abused before I adopted you, you trusted anyone that I introduced you to - you just assumed they were good people if I exposed you to them.

I loved the spot between your two ears. It was the softest thing that I've ever felt and if I could make it into a pillow, I would.

I loved the way you used to let your dad hug all over you, even though you may have been somewhat apprehensive at first.

I loved that you had two spots in the house that were yours and yours alone. The tile in front of the fireplace, and the corner of our bedroom near the closet. I still look at those two spots and my heart aches.

I loved that no matter what time it was, if I headed to bed, you followed and laid near me in your spot.

I loved the way you used to get caught up in the curtains, fireplace instruments, and/or TV cabinet if we called your name while you were lying down. You were so anxious to get up and come to us, you often got tangled up.

I loved how you answered to any of the crazy names we gave you - such as Fuzzy, Fuzzbucket, Fatty, Fuzzacious M.


I loved the look that came over your face when your heard your dad's voice.

I loved that he was your dad and always will be, even though I adopted you over a year before I even started dating him.

I loved the way your ran - a bit bow-legged, and with your chubby thighs likely rubbing together.

I loved the reactions that you would evoke from passers-by. My favorite? "What the fuck is that - a bear cub?" Yes, we're walking a bear cub on a plaid leash, for the win.


I loved the way that you would come running into the room whenever you dad and I decided to "show our affection" to each other. And then you would stand there watching. And we would end up cracking up. But we never missed the romance - laughter was enough.

I loved the way you would take a running start into your dog bed and then leap into the air and land with a huge "poof."

I loved the way you listened to me even though you had no idea what I was talking about sometimes.

I loved the way you would come up and try to cuddle with your dad if you heard us raising our voices with each other.

I loved the way you would sniff a piece of food for about 15 minutes if we offered it to you. Like you were some sort of "Top Chef" apprentice.

I loved the way you walked around with a piece of turkey on your head forever after you dad threw it to you with bad aim. And when we laughed at you? You looked like you were laughing right along.

I loved how you trusted me with your life. Even when I made you sit in an 1/8th of snow in Dallas so that I could get your reaction in a photograph.

I loved the way you dreamed. The little barks you would emit, and the way your paws would move? I often wondered if you were following your herding destiny in your dreams - even though you were more than happy to give that up to be wit us.
I loved the way you tried to get our friends' cat to like you. And he did - down deep - he was just afraid to show it.
I loved the way you went ballistic the first time I took you to a dog park in Austin.

I loved that you were probably gay in that you only showed interest in other male dogs. We were proud of you any which way you ran.
I loved your nose and the way it would twitch a mile a minute when you were outside!

I loved the way you loved your "sister" Riley - she misses you terribly.
I loved the way you changed our lives. Even in your passing. You dad and I miss you, but finally feel ready to discuss the possibility of loving another type of little one in our lives. And I've even considered your dad's proposition that our child use the middle name Murphy.


We loved you Fuzzy. I hope you still know that. Murphy - RIP - 06/26/2009.

Shame

I did something this weekend that I'm mortified to admit.  It killed brain cells. It abused my intellect. It drove my husband crazy and caused me to neglect my home, my responsibilities and my pet.

I watched 24 episodes of TV of the genre of "Real Housewives."  I'm barely able to type this post because I only have two remaining brain cells.  I'm actually dumber than I was on Friday.

But boy, oh boy - was it good TV. 

• I watched almost the entire season of RHONYC, including the three reunion episodes (about fourteen episodes),

• Two episodes of "Bethenny Gets Married" that have aired thus far, and

• Seven episodes of RHONJ from this season.

Are you totally ashamed for me? My poor husband - I think he lost a lot of respect for me by my ability to sit on the couch and watch this stuff back-to-back-to-back.  Granted, I wasn't just watching TV, I was parked in the TV room with my laptop attending to some ignored paperwork, but still.

And as happens when you do too much of anything, it invaded my dreams last night.  Let me spell that out for you - I dreamt about the Real Housewives.

Perhaps I should focus less on Bravo and more on A&E and shows of the "Intervention" type genre so as to learn a lesson from my TV viewing?

So as to not have lost an entire weekend, I feel that I must share my observations on the various trials and tribulations that I witnessed - I'm curious to see if you agree:

• I love Bethenny.  And I cried like a baby when she was going through all of the awfulness that comes with losing a parent.  My heart just broke for her.
• I think Bethenny's new assistant Max has the best job in the world. And I love that Jason felt it necessary to "pee a circle" around Bethenny and their home when he first met Max.
• Max's comment as to whether her "generation" likes to grind made me spit out my drink.
• While I like Alex's new found testicles, I thought her act of delivering a message for Bethenny to Jill was infantile, and her looks are becoming weirdly shaped.  She's almost more "blocky" than last season if that makes sense? As far as the neck splotches from being nervous or upset? Girl, I sympathize.
• I really want Jill and Bethenny to make up - that whole fight made me so sad.
• I still can't get "Money Can't Buy You Class" out of my head - especially the "my friends" part.  But I liked that Luann was a bit more vulnerable this season.
• Ramona walking down the runway of the Brooklyn fashion show was one of the FUNNIEST things I have ever seen.  In my life. 
• Sonja? Eh. She seems pretty cool - I'm sure I'll get to like her more next season.
• Kelly?  Honestly - I can't even get into it.  She's a post all by herself.  Satchels of gold? Rainbows? Wearing fur while supporting PETA and denouncing the abuse of animals? That girls needs therapy and honestly it made me sad for her and her children.
• Teresa is dumb as a rock.  But I still love her. Insulting someone by saying their vagina is a long as a tunnel?  Not the point girl - I think you missed the boat on that one.
• Danielle makes me feel like I need a shower after I watch her.
• I love Dina.  Love her.  And I'm sad that she left the show.

Believe me, I know what kind of TV this is meant to be - it's not meant to change my life or make me a better person (clearly) - but is anyone else kind of annoyed that every scene involved a group of self-centered women fighting about who said what and who did what and trying to prove points? UGH. If I had to live my live that way, I would be pretty annoyed.  But then again, I'd probably just "remove the toxic people" from my life and move on (seriously, is that the most over-used phrased?).

Okay, I'm off to regenerate my brain-cells by watching "Nova," or "Life" (on mute of course because I can't stand Oprah's narration).

Oh wait, never mind - I see my DVR has taped another episode of RHONJ....

I Scream, You Scream - The Case of the Screaming Ice Cream

The other night I made an ill-advised trip to the grocery store to pick up a few things that I had "forgotten" on my main stocking-up-for-the-week's-menu trip. (When I say "forgotten," I mean more like "abandoned."  I usually plan out our menus and make one major trip every other week, but I often get burnt out towards the end of the trip and just say f-it to a few items.  I know, I should probably change my plan, right?).

Anyway, while I was at HEB, an Armageddon-like storm passed over Austin.  I mean, I could hear the hail hitting the roof of the store.  Over the muzak!  I freaked out for my little truck sitting alone in the parking lot and ran to the check-out.  But, on the way I passed the frozen food section and I grabbed some chocolate ice cream for my love (he loves his chocolate ice cream, yo).

Fast forward to last night and this conversation took place:

Him:     Did you write me a message in the ice cream?

Me:     Um, what?

Him:     Did you write something in the ice cream when you bought it?

Me:     ??????

Him:  Look

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It might be hard to see in the picture since I took it with my Blackberry, but someone - I'm assuming it was human although that's debatable at this point - stuck their dirty finger into the ice cream and wrote "NO."
 
What the hell is wrong with people? Did that fulfill some type of weird need? I'm sorry, but if your fetish involves the frozen food section of the grocery store YOU NEED HELP.  Serious and long term help.
 
Needless to say, we both agreed that his frozen after-dinner treat was not going to happen that night.  But I told him to put it back in the freezer because I am heading back to the grocery store to suggest some heightened security for the freezers.

Things That Disturb Me - Part ∞

What? I've been remiss in posting you say? I must admit that I lost my blogging juju lately - but I can feel it coming back.  I have many thoughtful and profound posts in my head, they just haven't made it into reality yet.  But I miss my friends and your comments, and since you always make me feel better when I'm down, I have to share some things that are making me sad lately:

1.     The passing of one my favorite women - Southern or otherwise:



2.     That someone could EVER consider wearing these abominations on their feet:

3.     The fact that we are abusing our planet so horrifically - yes, the BP spill is horrendous, but they aren't the only problem and I feel somewhat helpless in the grand scheme of things:

I can't even bring myself to post pictures of the actual damage - I found myself in tears as I looked at the birds struggling for life and the dead dolphins.  I haven't considered myself very active in my consciousness of the damage to our environment, but I've honestly had enough and feel that something has to change.

4.     The fact that in three weeks my little Murphy will have been gone for a year - I just can't even wrap my head around that fact.  Jack has brought us SO much happiness and I love him so much, but I still miss my Fuzzy:

5.    Fathers' Day - just makes me miss my dead Daddy all the more - if that were even possible:

There's a lot making me happy lately as well, but honestly, I just need to purge the melancholy so I can get on with life and stop bitching! I've just had an overall feeling of 'ick' lately and I feel as if I'm seeing bad omens around me. For example, I've had to pass three different dead animals on my way to work the past few days - a deer, a coyote and a bird. (Oh my gosh if the 20-year-old version of me that lived in Manhattan and went out every night could just hear that statement...).

So I'm going to focus on "purging the melancholy" - you with me? Get it out there!