Cancer Anniversary

Two years ago today I was diagnosed with Medullary Thyroid Cancer.  So far I've been lucky that   regularly scheduled blood draws and neck ultrasounds are the only impact on my life.  I feel absolutely fine.  Let's just hope this continues for many, many more years!

I don't remember anyone ever telling me to check my neck area for lumps.   Two and a half years ago, while talking to someone about their thyroid issues, I just happened to touch my neck and discover a funny little bump right in the center.  That led to an early diagnosis and a much better prognosis.  So check your neck!

More importantly April 23 is the day of the wonderful St. Jordi's festival in Barcelona.....I blogged about it way back in 2009.   http://bondia2000.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-st-jordis-day.html.

Today the streets of Barcelona are lined with stands selling books

And flowers.

And Las Ramblas, the famous pedestrian street of Barcelona looks like this!

Oh how I wish I were there to celebrate once more - the day of the book and the rose!

A Repeat Visitor

Foster Guide Dog #20 is actually a repeat visitor.  He was originally Guide Dog #8 - Armando!

http://bondia2000.blogspot.com/2013/09/8-armando.html

Now he is a retired guide dog just waiting to be adopted by some lucky family.  He's 78 pounds of love and pure joy!  Obedient, super smart and lots of fun!

Here's an illustration of his obedience and 'smarts'.  When we had him in the summer of 2012 we decided to have him go in his crate while we ate our dinner.  Guide Dogs are not supposed to be beggars and we wanted to discourage any interest in our food.  Tonight when we sat down to eat, before we said a word, he went right in the crate and stayed there until we were finished eating and invited him to come out!  I can hardly believe he remembered that after a year and a half!

Going for walks is one of his great joys!  Here are my two favorite old guys!

And in case you were wondering, he did remember us and greeted us like his long lost family!!

You can just call me GRANDMA!

Happy day!   George's Dad said those exact words every time we called to let Grandma and Grandpa Lewis know that we were having another baby!  So I'll repeat them here as I share the news that Johnny and Monica are expecting a baby!  The due date is October 30th, which just happens to be Grandpa Lewis's birthday!  Now that would be a happy day....of course whatever day he or she is born is going to be a happy day!

  

#19 Has Stolen Our Hearts!

It is difficult for me to believe that we have had 19 foster dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind in our home . I have loved every one of them but #19 is special!  Vashon, #19, is just waiting to be matched with a blind person.  Her house manners are impeccable!  She is easy to walk, full of love and always willing to play.  George says that she is a perfect dog!  I think one reason he likes her so much is that she is the first of our dogs to prefer him to me!  She likes me but she LOVES him!

And she loves her bones in all their varieties!  Last week she even snitched a bone from Guide Dogs.  I walked out to the car to take her home and she had a bone in her mouth.  It has become a favorite.  I hope her kleptomaniac tendencies won't cause her to be career changed!  Is she now on the path to a life of crime????

 I recently learned that an empty water or pop bottle is her absolute favorite!  She thinks they are the best! Squishy, squeaky and the right size to fit in her mouth and carry around!

Vashon also discovered that George's I-pad pillow is perfect for catching a little nap!

But the best place of all for a nap is on top of the clothes I lay out to wear the next day!  Jeans? No problem.  The white shirt? Well I am glad I have a lint roller and believe that 'no outfit is complete without dog hair."

We will miss her when she leaves us!