Modern Dog Magazine Photo Contest

Please vote for our care Bear -here-. He deserves some recognition for being our savior/Shiloh Bear!

My trooper, Bear

An entire day in a cat cage at the vet.

General anesthesia.

4 teeth gone.

Other teeth cleaned.

Down to the root.

Shaved leg patches for IVs.

A catheter.
A swollen face.

A bruised ego.

A broken heart.

Copious pain.

Indefatigable moaning.

He truly is a Simon.

Overcoming adversity is our motto.

Happy Chrismukkah (English)/Frohe Weinukkah (Deutsch)

This year Andreas, Bear, angel baby Shiloh and I created a new tradition. We celebrated a combination of Christmas, the German way, and Hanukkah, the NY Jew way (appropriately deemed Chrismukkah, or in German, Weinukkah; from "Weinachten"). Neither of us were/are feeling particularly merry this holiday season, but decided that we should "celebrate" the fact that we have each other for support through these incredibly rough times. So, we unwrapped presents on the eve of the 24th (as per German tradition), in front of our first Weinukkah tree as a family. It was and continues to be very festive. Our two menorahs sat ablaze on the coffee table (even though Hanukkah ended on the 18th!), across from my adorable dreidel lights (thanks ma!). Our chockers puff paint stockings (courtesy of moi- Rachie) dangle from the wall, along with the lebkuchen heart Andreas gave to me on our very first Christmas together in 2001 (yes, I didn't eat it, I kept it- I'm sentimental!). That was my first encounter with a German Christmas dinner- a big fat DUCK from Oma’s sister’s farm!!! Lecker (yummy)! Our little noble fir is decked out with shiny balls, beads, candy canes, heaps of angels, and of course, photos of our loved ones- Shiloh baby, my daddy, and Bear, our lil' stinker! Santa Bears even paid us a visit!!! We are hoping and praying that 2010 is a year of only happiness, health, wealth, success and multiple siblings for Shiloh. 2010 has to be a better year... it just has to.

Ode to Bear

(Photo courtesy of Emily Hoke)

This is an ode to my puppy, Bear, who has been with us since shortly after Shiloh passed away (we got him in mid Nov 2008). I never once have mentioned him publicly, because I didn’t want people to think that I was trying to replace my daughter with a dog (by the way, Shiloh will never be replaced, not by any animal or another child). But I have decided it’s time to dedicate a post to Bear, who’s really been my and Andreas’s savior over the past year.

Bear, you claim to be a dog

But are you really?

There’s so much ‘person’ in your personality

At times you act so queerly

   

You’re a cheeky little bugger

Always doing something naughty

Chewing socks, chucking rocks

Looking at me haughtily
   
But all these things I can forgive
For you have been my savior

I yell at you and cry on you

Even when you’re on your best behavior 
   
I know you don’t understand any of this

But mommy and daddy are very sad

We’ve lost our only daughter

As well as Lou, your grandpa and my dad

   

But you have been my constant outlet

I don’t know what I’d do without you

For loneliness, sadness, hurt and love

And my mothering instincts too

    

So thank you for being you, Bear

Always the perfect fur baby

I owe you for my life thus far

About this there is no maybe