Meet Buck...


The newest member of Casa Johnson. We got him from a foster home this morning. He's a Queensland Heeler/Australian Shepard mix. Isn't he cute?

Look at that curly tail. Not quite sure where that came from.

Check out that stance!


Oops, already chewing. Need to stop that.

Our household will be short one person here in the next few days. We have decided that DAM needs to go to Assisted Living. Hospice is working the details out with Christine's Place which is only 1/2 mile from us. This will allow us to get our lives back to normal, what ever that is. And, now we can have a puppy that DAM can't spoil rotten and we don't have to worry about her tripping over him. It's all for the best and we both feel very good about it as does Hospice. So, here's to a new life and a new puppy! Welcome to your forever home Buck!

Borrowed quote from this girl. Seems to be quite fitting for me at this time.

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."

-Joseph Campbell

It's so easy to ask "why me?" And then you spend time with family and Hospice Workers who really get it. DAM is down to 79 whopping pounds, which translates to 10% of her body weight lost in two weeks. I think she is at peace knowing we will never call 911 again for her. We have Hopsice
and apparently they are here to take care of all of her needs. So, if for example, she falls again, we call Hospice. Sounds so simple. Hope it really works that way! Here's to a better 2009 for everyone!

Look who turned 6 when I wasn't looking!


Happy Birthday Dylan. Now STOP growing up would you?

These two...


Went to the Marine Corp. Ball in Las Vegas last week. It looks like they had a great time!

Thoughts and prayers for Adam as he deploys to Iraq tomorrow.

You know you've got a friend...


When they show up on your porch with all of these movies. Now why would this girl bring me so many movies? Because I'm stuck, yes stuck, at home until at least Monday. Yuck! A visit to my Dr. on Wednesday almost sent me to the hospital with pneumonia. We settled for a breathing treatment, a shot, 2 Z-packs (antibiotics), an inhaler, and a bottle of exactly what Maverick was taking, Prednisone. Strict orders to do nothing and to come back on Friday if I'm not alot better. So, not only are Jennifer and Ellen holding down the fort for extended periods of time (please note, Jennifer is allowed to close early so call if you're planning an evening trip to the store), Jennifer also makes house calls with tons of movies and oranges! Thanks Jen!


The Peddler, who is also sick, is really taking good care of me too. Trips to the grocery store, the video store, cooking, cleaning, and helping with DAM. We still have the Hospice people coming to the house, but she seems to be holding her own. I thought losing Maverick would be a set back but she says she was expecting it just like we all were.

So, you know how I keep the Beanie Baby of a mouse on top of the computer to remind me to laugh, I found this one today in a drawer. I always kept this one because it reminded me of Maverick! He's up there with the mouse now...so I can see him everyday.

February 1995 ~ February 03, 2009

Our old man helped us make the difficult decision this morning that it was time. He had a wonderful life and was a very well traveled dog. He's been across the U.S. at least twice, once with a stranger, which we never thought would happen. I'll never forget the look on his face when he arrived on Main St. and saw me. It was the best feeling ever.

You'll never be forgotten Maverick!