Comments on: 2009: It wasn’t so bad for me. How was it for you?

By: Edie

Edie — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:19:13 +0000

Blogging never fails to amaze me — in this case because I learn things about my friends that I didn’t know from interacting with them in person! Congratulations on the re-emergence of your singing voice, Rebecca; I never knew it had fled. As for the birds, I suspect you told me about them but — here’s an admission best relegated to the comments section — I wouldn’t know a lesser goldfinch from a greater grackle (and I chose that name only because it’s alliterative). I recognize pigeons and mourning doves, their more elegant cousins, and that’s about it.

By: Rebecca Boren

Rebecca Boren — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:06:21 +0000

Hmmmmm, an awful lot of 2009 good and bad, seems already claimed (see collapse of freelance writer’s market, my friend Edie’s new and wonderful book, adoption alumnus Frankie’s rise to well-deserved stardom). But I’ll try. 1) My beloved nephew, Brad, is confined to a nursing home with severe multiple sclerosis, unable even to feed himself. In November, he had cutting edge deep brain stimulation surgery, which involved planting electrodes in his brain to interfere with some of the unwanted brain impulses. It seems to be working (! little champagne cork avatar), which raises the chances he may be able to move to an assisted living complex. That’s worth several cheers! 2) My singing voice, pronounced kaput in 1997, continues to re-emerge. I was able to move on up to 1st soprano in 2009 — and have fun doing it. 3) The garden I planted in what was my swimming pool continues to flourish — and most of the best plants are volunteers, including a big stand of California poppies this spring and of Tithonia (Mexican sunflower) this summer. These have attracted lots of lovely birds, such as the lesser goldfinches that now flock to the seedpods. 4) I started with a new batch of doctors and physical therapists for my naughty, naughty back in November and December. I am counting on them turning out to be a good thing! 5) All of my dogs — Charles, William, Miriam, Angel and Bandit — continue to be healthy, happy, and vastly entertaining. Returning to Edie’s themes, 11-year-old Charles has learned to “park” beside me when he wants his butt scratched. It’s not a disease but it is darn cute!

By: Edie

Edie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:58:31 +0000

Excellent! And by strictly delineating the meal segments of the day, you’ve eliminated the danger in #4 (although the spirit might move me towards spirits…)

Archie is indeed an inspiration. Even to Frankie, for a brief time… I’m still convinced that he taught Frankie how to lift his leg and pee (as opposed to squatting like a girl). I think that if he had more time to tutor, he might have taught Frankie that boy dogs disperse their urine in more than one place. Still, Frankie’s balletic leg lift, held for 10 or more seconds, is a sight to behold!

By: Clare

Clare — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:33:53 +0000

Like Eric, I did not, by any stretch of the imagination, have a banner year. But, thanks to you I got to have the love of my life immortalized in print (16-year-old Archie MacLeash). And, inspired by your profound “WWFD” post, I’ve decided to follow Archie’s plan for a long, healthy and svelte life:

1. Arise, stretch, drink water, sniff at breakfast
2. Work out
3. Come home, eat breakfast
4. Do whatever the spirit moves me to do at the moment
5. Consume healthy snacks every couple of hours
6. Sniff at dinner
7. Engage in hobby (though I probably won’t pee on the front hedge)
8. Eat dinner
9. Enjoy a small but delectable dessert

By: Edie

Edie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:16:58 +0000

Shawn, I can’t imagine any negativity from you. You seem like one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever encountered — frighteningly so ! If I lived in Omaha, you would be my vet. I’d bet you could win over my shy Frankie (or at the least, I’m sure you’d never tell me he was “weird” or “a bad patient”).

By: Edie

Edie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:38:23 +0000

Congratulations on all your agility accomplishments! Abby sounds like a wonderful addition to the family. And you’re right — all that tail wagging makes it tough to stay negative for too long…

By: 9 Good Things About 2009. What’s Your List? | Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle | Dog and Puppy Tips from Seattle |

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:36:13 +0000

[...] morning, as I read the posts on Twitter, I came across Edie Jarolim’s post “2009: It wasn’t so bad for me. How was it for you?” I thought it was a lovely idea for a post, so here’s my answer to Edie’s question. [...]

By: Shawn Finch

Shawn Finch — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:51:24 +0000

That was indeed clever to ask for what DIDN’T suck. Way to keep us positive! When everything you value at your very core is challanged, you either completely change or (this year, for me) reassess it all and say and do and live those things even louder. And that has been good, it really has. Take this as the deep, heartfelt sentiment it is meant to be… It is so good to meet you. You too, Eric. I have loved getting to know you and our other pet friends on twitter.

By: Shnoune

Shnoune — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:37:48 +0000

2009 saw the addition of Rosie Paws Abby’s Gale to our home. The littlest dog made her appearance here around Easter, just like her house-mate, Charley had 4 years prior. Abby is a spunky, clever, albeit shy little dog, who charms everyone that she meets. Abby is going places, and I’m sure, will keep us laughing all the way there.
2009 also saw both male dogs, older and more disciplined, receive three agility titles between the two of them. We’ve worked incredibly hard, overcome the distraction of wet grass or white fluff in the ring, learned a running contact because the canine half of ‘we’ needed it done that way, and found the joy of going fast through jump tunnel combinations.
There were parts of 2009 that were horrible, other parts that just plain sucked, but every morning there were tails wagging and eyes sparkling, ready to help me tackle a new day.

By: Edie

Edie — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:25:57 +0000

Jasper is indeed lovely and it’s great that you’re on the Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust. I have a soft spot for greyhounds; one of my good friends here in Tucson, Karyn, is a greyhound rescuer and is working hard to get the tracks shut down. There are several pictures of her greys, the late great Painter and the diva Lily, on this blog.

I love the pictures on your blog — especially the greyhound Christmas card.

Good luck getting accepted on the course!