Dad's Home

Kurt was gone 18 of 25 days on 3 separate trips. 

He got to spend one of his nights home holding a sick girl. 

And came home in the midst of Dade's troubles. 

But overall, things went surprisingly well while he was gone. 

Treehouse

Last walk with Dade

Scared to climb the tree

Come up, Mom!

The Voice: Home Edition

Super Dade

Our sweet Dade passed away peacefully today. 

Yesterday, he started to lose control of his hind legs and we took him to the vet. I left the office hopeful that with rest and medication he had a good chance of recovering. 

Unfortunately, the paralysis progressed so quickly that shortly after we reached home he was completely unable to walk, dragging his legs when he refused to stay put. Not long after, he could no longer wag his tail or control his bowels. Although he lost all feeling in his legs and tail, he was evidently in pain and uncomfortable and miserable. 

When I came into the living room early this morning he was snuggled and surrounded by his loving and adoring fans who had slipped from their own beds during the night to be close to him. 

We talked all day about options, possibilities, percentages, probabilities, maybes, what-ifs, wheelchairs - over and over and over again - and came to realize that whatever we did, even with best possible outcomes, he'd no longer be able to do many of the things he was previously able to do. 

For some reason, I thought I'd handle losing a pet better this time since I'm all grown up now (having lost other pets as a kid).  Maybe I understand the "whys" better, but in reality, he was my baby, as much as my kids, and I'm heartbroken. We all are.

Happy to help

Girl Fun

Me: (Surprised to find Sophie in my bed- after I made it too!): Sophie! What are you doing?

Sophie: Playing

Me (Jumping on the bed to snuggle with her): Playing what? 

Sophie: Playing Tigers

Me (Hugging her): Tigers, huh? 

Sophie (Big grin on face): Yes, tigers..... Can you leave? 

Me (Laughing): What?!

Sophie: Can you leave so I can play tigers?

Me: Sure (I go get my camera and come back)

Sophie: Mom! I said you need to leave!!

Field Tripping: Discovery Gateway

Austin & Nyah were at a Junior Weather Specialist weather lab class thing, which was supposed to air on the nightly news, but I don't watch the news and then couldn't find the clip online. So maybe they didn't have time for it? Or we missed Austin & Nyah's 10 minutes of fame?

"I don't want to go home."

"No! I'm not going home!"

And yes, I did have to yank her off the swan, and haul her kicking and screaming all the way to the car.

Awesome.