I was at Ft. Belvoir yesterday getting one of my errands checked off my list and it turned out to be more fun than I had expected. With the sad mood I was in it was perfect timing!

From the crowded pharmacy lobby I looked out the door to the front court yard and saw a PAR-TAY!!

And since I had a ticket number that would be called in approximately one hour....naturally, I had to go out and join the fun! Duh. The sign said "join us" and you never have to ask me twice.

Turns out it was a family appreciation day for the Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed Medial Center. Very nice.

There were a few special 4-legged friends that caught my eye.

This super shy little girl was GIGGLES, a therapy dog. She goes around to the hospitals and visits wounded warriors and their families and thank GOD she wasn't up for adoption because I'm telling you....I'd be blogging about our newest family member....and going out to buy a king size bed. Just sayin'.

My heart is so raw from the loss of my Minnie Mouse that when I played with Giggles, I turned to a complete gooey mushy box of insanity. It wasn't pretty. There was snot involved.

Thankfully, Giggles has a beautiful, sane & stable owner who, I'm pretty sure, pretended that I was a mental ward patient from the 5th floor and just let me play with her dog and didn't call security on me. 

And the poor woman knows more about Minnie than any complete stranger should have to know.

Oh my God, I won't be able to go onto that base again..........I'm so sorry Giggles' Mommy. Don't hide from me if you see me in the commissary. Unless you have Giggles with you. Then I would hide. Yes. Good idea.

This is TANK! Tank was cool! Tank listened to me talk about Minnie, too. He said he was sorry and totally agreed that he and Minnie look SO much alike (okay, minus the extra 150 pounds, and with more floppy ears, but color wise....oh shut up I'm grieving...) and then he melted my heart with his eyes and made it all better. Tank ate part of my free hot dog and didn't call security. I like Tank. And I like free hot dogs.

Therapy dog? Really? I truly believe in them now. And it was perfect timing. If I got a weekly visit with Giggles and Tank my heart would be mended forever. How do I get in their appointment books?

Then I met this dude. I have to say "Dude" because he was too damn cool for the rest of us. And yes, I look like I've been crying for 4 days. Because...well....I've been crying for 4 days.

So this dog is the Army's calendar dog named K9 ROCKSTAR and he has his own web site! He wore cammies & sunglasses it was too hilarious. He was a hit with the Wounded Warriors and the vet clinic folks. By the time I got up there all of his calendars were gone. Bummer. My kitchen would've been so rad.

This pic is for Jack, my father in law....do you know what that is Jack? I'll bet you do!

This man was sitting off on the sidelines having his own party all by himself. All he needed was a dance floor. I told him that my father in law plays the concertina also and he didn't believe me! He kept telling me I meant acordion, and I kept saying no, I know what a concertina is!

(Side note: My sister was born in this hospital and that tree trunk in the above pic? That's exactly where I stood and looked up to the 3rd floor and waved as my Mom held my newborn baby sis up to the window for me to see her for the 1st time. They didn't let kids on the maternity wards back then. I was 9, aawwww....).

Anyway......He finally indulged me and said, "If your father in law does play the concertina, tell him this is a Hayden Duet." So Jack.....this is a Hayden Duet  :o) I thought of you yesterday!

Well....since I didn't steal Giggles or Tank and K9 was too cool for me, there was only one thing left to do.

Go home and dive face first into this. Oh. Yes. I. Did. True story.

Talk about a gooey mess! I lined the bottom of my dish with graham crackers, poured in a box of brownie mix, added extra chocolate chips, baked....then put marshmallows and more chocolate chips on top, roasted them and TA-DA!!! My version of smores brownies.

However, I wouldn't recommend it. Your mouth will will be glued shut. True story. I could barely chew!

I made an extra casserole full for Josh and his friends at Gold's Gym (ironic, huh?) and they disappeared, but Josh said no one could talk, haha! The marshmallows were so sticky, it was rediculous. Nearly a choking hazzard.

But it was my therapy. And it worked. No complaints here.

Thank you Giggles, Tank, K9 Rockstar & my 9x13 casserole dish of sticky goop. I'm feeling better by the day  :o)~


Tonight? Thai curry therapy.

Tomorrow night? Dinner with friends therapy.

Saturday? Date/movie night with hubby therapy.

Next week? "Mai-Thai, Calypso band, jet ski, sea breeze, City of Atlantis, Johnny & Josh" therapy.

Therapy is a good thing. I'm a believer!

Bon Voyage.

WOW

I just wanted to check in and say HI!

I haven't wanted to be a Debbie Downer on the blog; just keeping to myself for a few days and reading everyone's kind emails and notes, etc. You all are so fabulous!!!! I never in a million years expected this. The cards that have come in the mail, really, you pet owners out there know that Minnie was more than "just a dog." We've gotten so many funny stories and memories about Minnie, I had forgottten some of them. Thank you.

Everyone has been so loving with the exception of one person who actually used the death of my dog to make a dig at me in a disguised sympathy note.

Characteristically selfish & cold, but not surprising at all. I will leave it at that.

My father in law sent these cute pictures last night (Thank you, Jack xoxo). They were taken 2 years ago when we took our girls on a car trip to Peoria. We always have such a great time when we visit my in laws. Minnie was so healthy, I'd forgotten how she looked with more weight on her and when she was alert and full of energy. This summer really took it's toll on her....we think she may have even lost most of her hearing...either that or she was just ignoring us. She really had a mind of her own, ha!

And look at Gram! They both were feeling amazing, you can see it in the photo. Two of my favorites in one picture, I love it! How special xoxo.

One thing Minnie surely loved was "The Park" my inlaws have as a yard. We don't have a yard here in our townhouse and Minnie ran and roll in the grass; acting like she'd never seen grass before, leaving Johnny and me hanging our heads in shame. Wow Mom! What's all this green stuff!?!? And she was (gasp!!!) without a leash! Crazy! WILD! Free like the wind! I thought we'd never get her back in the house. City dogs....what are you gonna do?

We're hanging in there. Piper & Peanut lay on my lap and keep me company and we've been going on walks and playing....they do look for Minnie, though. They know. But life is so precious, I never take one day for granted. I'm thankful for every day and for the people in my life. Love you guys! Thank you so muchy! You have no idea how you've helped me through this. Next week we'll be back on track. Promise. No more sob stories. No more.

I have a party to plan, a boy to focus on (aaahhh he's leaving soon, oh my God!), a house to maintain, food to fix, volunteer work to do, puppies to bathe and walk and hug on, groceries to buy, ladies to lunch with, men to feed, hello?! Life must go on. Okay. So let's get on with it.

XOXO  Tons of love and appreciation from John, Brenda & Josh  XOXO

Thank You

Thank you everyone for your kind words and memories of our little Minnie Mouse. We've been overwhelmed with notes, texts, phone calls (though I've let them go to machine), emails, facebook messages, blog posts, etc.....you all are so kind. You know that we were so attached to our girl and were crazy about her.

That puppy really wormed her way around our hearts, squeezed tightly and never let go. She's left her shadows all over the house. I can't move her bed. Not yet. I'm not ready.

It's just so hard to talk to anyone without slinging snot all over the place. I'm still in the ugly cry phase, in a few days I'm sure I'll be more presentable. It's not a pretty sight. Thanks for your patience. But if you see me and my lip starts to quiver change the subject FAST or take cover, protect your clothes!! Trust me.

July 25, 1998, her second day at home with us ~ 1.2 pounds  Aaawww.....

Oh Minnie, I'm so glad our paths crossed that day in San Diego when I walked by the pet store window and saw you wrestling with that little Yorkie. I watched you play for the longest time, you made me laugh. I dragged Daddy to the window that evening "just to look at you" on our way to his birthday dinner and we never got any farther, seems Daddy was hooked too. We ended up eating at the food court while they groomed you and got your papers ready to come home with us. Happy Birthday Daddy! Haha! Boy was he surprised! He never did get his birthday dinner, but instead he got a warm, fuzzy little girl that gave him unconditional love for 12 1/2 years....best birthday gift EVER.

We are grieving harder than we both expected we would. It's been a tough weekend & Johnny stayed home from work today because, frankly, we're both a mess. Johnny didn't expect to take it this hard either. But I knew he would. My husband has the warmest, softest, kindest, most loving heart of anyone I've ever met and one thing I knew for sure; he loved Minnie and protected her fiercely.

I just needed to say that, because Johnny, you were a perfect Daddy to Minnie in every way. She loved and adored you and she was very lucky and blessed, we all were, when you slid your American Express Card across the pet shop counter that day and said, "Just do it...don't tell me how much, I don't want to know, just do it and let's get her home."  BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.

My sister nicknamed Minnie "Farrah" because of her hair, haha. Farrah would've been jealous of your hair, Minnie Mouse! Your wings were awesome and you didn't need any hairspray! Farrah had nothing on you.

And so it goes.....I have to learn how to live without her. I still have two beautiful Chihuahua girls who are precious in their own way and have funny little personalities that make me laugh. They'll keep me busy. There is just this big, black hole; a void that is almost palatable right now. When does that go away? When does the pain in the chest subside? When will I get through a day, half a day, an hour without crying? When do I order my size large straight jacket?

When will my heart stop breaking and my world start to take on its new form?

And if this is my dog passing away, please don't tell me what it will be like the day I kiss Josh goodbye in 5 weeks. On second thought. Maybe I should order that straight jacket, just in case.

If you didn't get to see these posts, please take a look ~

Minnie getting her bath - hilarious! - http://brendasrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/2010/03/oh-minnie-mouse-guess-what-time-it-is.html

Minnie at the cardiologist: http://brendasrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/2010/06/minnie-went-to-cardiologist-today-and.html

Thanks for listening. This is my space to dump it all and to be real. Real isn't always pretty. Through Rose Colored Glasses I know that I am very blessed and I would do it all over again to have the pleasure of being Minnie's Mommy. I have so many pictures (can you say thousands?), and memories (Minnie even got to live in Japan for 2 years and go to Cherry Blossom Festivals!). Every day was a gift and I'm extremely thankful no one snatched her up before we did on that auspicious day.

Wherever you are Minnie Mouse, know that you are loved, missed terribly and treasured in our memory always. xoxo

Minnie Mouse

Our sweet little Minnie Mouse passed away today at approximately 1pm in my arms with Johnny & Josh on either side of me. We took her to the vet at noon, she was in congestive heart failure and dying on arrival and didn't respond to aggressive meds to clear her lungs of the fluid trying to drown her.

~ An hour before she died ~

Our kind veterinarian helped to ease her way out of our world without any more suffering. We were blessed to have her in our lives for 12 1/2 funny, yappy, tender, joyous years.

She will leave a 5.4 pound hole in our hearts. Though its the hardest blog I've ever posted, I wanted to honor her. It's the last thing I can do as her Mommy.

Rock the Cell Phone Cam!

  An ode to "The Cell Phone Camera" What would I do without it? My blackberry is rarely more than 5 feet away from me at any given moment. If I could have it surgically attached to me I'd be OK with that. Then maybe I wouldn't drop it...which I do at least once (ok, twice) a day. I've broken 3 cell phone cases, too, but my phone is FINE: strong, secure, healthy and happy. We're on good terms, despite my clumsiness.  When I look back at the images I snap on my cell phone, nearly every day, I'm reminded of the simple things that bring me joy, teach or remind me of life's little lessons or that just make me go "AAaawwwww......" Such as ~~~
 

Spend lots of time with your Sweetheart. Let the restaurant do the cooking and just talk and catch up with each other ~ look him in the eye! People forget to do that sometimes. Look into his eyes when he's talking to you, you'll see, it's a little thing that makes a big difference. Trust me.

Don't waste food! Take home your yummy left overs!

Do you know what happens to OUR left overs? Someone with the initials "JOSH" steals them in the middle of the night and leaves an empty container in the refrigerator so when Johnny goes to get it the next day (and looking really, really forward to it!) it's empty!! Or there will be a piece of dried out broccoli or something left.

Yup. This game has gone on for years between the two of them so Johnny has gone to desperate and extreme measures in an attempt to keep Josh out of his yummy left overs by labeling his containers.....

Yeah, like this is going to keep a 20 year old boy who eats anything that's not nailed down out of our take out containers. Does it work? You decide...

PLAY! Miss Sophia is the master of this rule. She re-taught me how to really play (and we dance too). I can't wait to play with my camera this weekend. I'm going on a nature walk, yay, and Johnnie is going to make some pens in his workshop :o)~

Be proud of your assets ~ Sophia was showing Johnny her toy pliers. He's all, "You wanna see a wrench? Now that's a wrench!" and proudly whipped his out. Sophia was so surprised! At this point I knew I was second fiddle for the rest of the night :o(

FYI: In case you didn't know, Johnny has an extra marital relationship with his Leatherman. They are in love, happy and have had a long standing relationship, way longer than he and I have had. I hate to admit that I even bought him a "Super Leatherman" one year for Christmas. Forgive me, Father, for I knew not what I was doing. I was a stupid, stupid newlywed and was trying to impress my new husband. A decision I have lived to regret for 12, going on 13 years.

The Leatherman goes with him everywhere and when he's not wearing it it's usually because he's hidden it in my purse OR he's pouting because I said NO leatherman!!, we're going to a nice restaurant or to the theater. Sometimes it worries me, I think I heard him sing a love song by Lionel Richie to it one day. Should I call a shrink?

They are two of a kind, these tool loving, wrench crazed specimins. If Sophia gets an ipad she'll never look my way again.

Birds of a feather flock together. It's important to have friends.

Walk your demonic devil dogs. They deserve it. The exorcism will be this weekend, news at 11.

Eat dessert! Our new rule - if we decide to order dessert we are not going to feel guilty about it no matter what. Either don't eat it at all or throw caution to the wind, dive in and savor every single delectable bite and shut up about it!! No annoying girly whining about your hips, fat butt or diet you just bailed on. Whatever. Just eat and enjoy.

Always wear cute shoes. Heeeelllllloooooo? Need I say more? Thank you.

LAUGH. This is Johnny and our precious Gram cutting it up in Peoria this summer.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh. Usually it's because I'm such a klutz and I laugh at myself mostly, but also, I have a 20 year old son who cracks me up (especially in text messages!), a self professed goof ball "punny" husband whom I adore completely and I live with 3 Chihuahuas.

Tiny surprises ROCK! Appreciate them! Have you ever seen such joy about a surprise free ice cream cone from the waitress after dinner? I felt like begging for one! And what was I saying about eating dessert and savoring every lick and slurp? Again, Miss Sophia has got it going on.

Always stop and smell the roses! Or hydrangeas! Or whatever those things are! Yeah...

Imagine. My sweet niece found her Halloween costume ~ Sorry, that would be Miss Scarlet O'Hara to all of you "common folk." And don't you forget it.

Rest easy. There is nothing in the world that crashes harder than a dog. I mean, they know how to go down and really enjoy their sleep. Sink into it and disappear for awhile with no lists running through their head, no worries, anxiety or GUILT!

My Minnie certainly has no guilt. She doesn't come out from under the covers until noon most days! That means I can't make the bed! Talk about guilt.....NOT....(insert evil laugh here).

Be creative. My son sent me this cell phone pic today of his super, crazy, busy day at work. They made an office supply Scorpion. Yuppers. Crazy, busy day.

Get your crazy on. Don't forget to have silly fun. I can assure you right here, right now that I never forget that rule. And by the way, don't ever look DOWN into a camera. It does very disturbing things to one's chin. Or two chins. So not cool.

And SMILE!

AAaawwww.....my sweet girl smiles when I rub her belly. It's Friday and our court is having a Happy Hour. Everyone meets in the middle with a lawn chair, a bottle of wine, an appetizer to share and a big, bright SMILE! And I'm ready! I have my smile on and Johnny has his leatherman on, what else do we need?

Happy Friday everyone, hope you have wonderful weekend! Take lots of cell phone pics. Your life deserves it. You won't regret it, I promise  :o)

Love

We have had our Chihuahua Piper how long now? FOUR years? We adopted her when she was 7, she's blessed our lives for 4 wonderful years and I just noticed that my little girl has something lovingly hidden on her body. Am I completely oblivious?

On second thought, don't answer that.

When I was petting Miss Piper last week she was looking up at me those beautiful "Precious Moment's" teardrop shaped eyes that I adore ~ I mean, look at her! I carefully grabbed my blackberry and took this pic. And that's when I noticed it..........

 

She has a heart on her chest.
 

How did I never notice that before?

I mean, I pet her all the time, trust me, and I've never seen it!

Awww.....how cute, my little girl has a big heart.

And she loves me....

And then.....UPDATE: Okay so I knew I wasn't crazy. Today the heart is not there.....It's gone.....(Or maybe I AM crazy and I'm just too crazy to KNOW I'm crazy).....but the heart is not there. It was crystal clear last week, I have the photographic evidence. I even called Johnny over to look at it.

Now I'm confused and don't know what to make of this. I'm just glad I got to see it (while it lasted) and I wanted to share it with you!

I guess you can find LOVE in all kinds of unexpected places. You just have to be ready and open to it. And not crazy. Miss Piper and I are wishing you lots of love today, my friends!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO