Spring...of Dogs, Love...and Transformations...

Cindy and Ruby watching the spring rain overflow, Gingin, WA 

I have had a break from blogging for three months for no reasons, other than "blogger's block", and travel opportunities which unfortunately cooincided with my making some rather substantial renovations to my home.  With the arrival of spring and my decision not to "downsize" just yet, a long overdue "cosmetic transformation" was made on my home of 22 years.

The "transformation" begins, August 2013

And during the transformation, some changes occurred in my family as well.  I find that each year the arrival of spring tends to bring on not only nature's transformations but life's as well, some welcome, others not.

The most important transformation has been for my daughter and her husband. Spring ushered in their news that they are expecting their first child together, and my first grandchild, in autumn next year; already I have a room in newly renovated Number 31 to accommodate "the  little Master" and his big brother...what a joy to be commencing the next chapter of our family's life. This wonderful news cooincided with my final, relieving, emotional closure after a distressing transformation of my life two spring's ago...as they say, where one door closes, another opens.

The most confronting change was the death of little Cindy, a family pet of 14 years.

Cindy never liked seeing me pack my suitcase...

She had entered our lives in March 1999 on a temporary basis...I was to train her before giving her to my then mother-in-law.  Problem was that our aging golden retriever, Rosie, viewed Cindy as her puppy and they became inseparable. 

Rosie and Cindy, new friends, March 1999

Rosie "bathed" her with welcoming and comforting licks, growled at her when she misbehaved and taught her manners...Cindy would not move towards her meal bowl until after Rosie had eaten, on my command, and she had stepped aside.  Somehow, her beautiful "dog manners" rubbed off on Cindy; and when it became obvious that our lovely Rosie was reaching the end of her life, I introduced another puppy, Ruby, into the home.   My daughter initially was horrified at yet another dog joining the household, but it took perhaps only 24 hours for her to fall under Ruby's spell! 

 Ruby's first day, October 2005.

Rosie, however, was less accommodating...she viewed the new puppy cautiously, regarding Cindy's reaction to her before reluctantly welcoming Ruby to "her" pack...and commencing the etiquette lessons all over again. When Rosie died, Cindy and Ruby became inseparable, with Cindy very much the "top dog" despite her petite size.  Ruby deferred to her in everything, from the place on their bedding, to their placement in the car and the order in which they ate.

Ruby and Cindy 2012...Cindy always wanted to stay close...  

In the last few weeks since Cindy was "put to sleep" Ruby has noticeably grieved.  She stopped eating for a few days, had an air of listlessness and a noticeable graying in her face.  She looked for Cindy in all of her favourite sun spots;  even a visit to my beachhouse did not deter her from looking for her mate.

"I miss my mate" ...

But time heals all.  Ruby is now "top dog", and with only one pet, I do tend to spoil her, taking her to the shops more frequently, practising my French with her...and we "girls" have bonded even closer in our loss of the other girl of the household.  When my daughter told me of her pregnancy, I picked Ruby up and danced around the room...a new spring has ushed for us all a new lease of life.  

R.I.P Cindy...February 1999 - September 2013

And summer is still to come!

The pool is ready...let the summer parties begin!