Friday, May 22, 2009

P A R T Y




Ava's first birthday party was supposed to be a garden party themed bbq with special guest crazy aunt Ali but the rainy day made it a garden bowling party. thank god for Shenaniganz. There were about 35 people there and actually all the kids prolly had way more fun bowling and go carting. Ava was a little bit unsure of every thing at first but warmed up to it all with the help of home made cookies. She was not interested in the cupcakes (maybe it was the vegies on top... she just did not know they were icing) or cake really.... but carried the cookie around with her and got a kick out of the balloon tied to her tutu. I did not take many pictures cause i was busy but other people did so i will post more then.

ava birthday morning

wow dad.....
ahhh.... her own tunnel or two
this is what she woke up to...
already comfy in her new chair from grannie

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Rufus is home





So Saturday at 12:30 Rufus joined our family. Two incredible people from Lone Star Lab who have been working closely with Rufus but not fostering brought him to our house. Rufus' story goes a bit like this. He was found on the side of the highway in a really bad thunder and lightning storm by a what Keegan calls a hippy dog lover. We know nothing about the person. But he was taken to a nearby shelter where a vet tech thought he was a great dog despite being heart worm positive. The Vet tech call Lone Star Lab to see if they would be able to help him out because heart worm treatment is intense and expensive. They said they would try but struggled finding a family to foster him during all his treatments. They were about to take him back to a shelter where he most likely would have been euthanized. However, a first time foster family decided to take on Rufus with the help and guidance of Lone Star Lab and their vets. And we are so glad they did. Rufus has been unable to get his heart rate up especially during the intense part of deworming. He is on the mend and through the tough part. He has one more less invasive treatment in two weeks and can be a little bit more active now although nothing like what he would like. But soon... soon soon he can run with me daily and chase tennis balls and we are going to try to make the rest of his life incredible.
Yesterday he arrived tale wagging. He came in the house and checked out the whole place. Ava watched eagerly -- she could not take her eyes off of him. As the afternoon went on Ava started climbing on Rufus and poked his eye and he sat there wagging his tail. She then sat on his head which made him get up and walk away but then she produced his new tennis ball and he came right back to her. Last night Ava was exhausted and went to bed early... and when Keegan and I got in bed Rufus decided to join us. He climbed right up and curled up in the corner at the bottom. He just wanted to be with us I think. We made him get off ( i know we are soooo mean) but he slept right next to the bed all night. This morning when Ava woke up I don't think she thought he would be here. I went to feed her like always in the early morning and she caught a glimpse of Rufus and wanted down instantly. Its funny we all kind of feel like he belongs we are just waiting for him to be 100% and be able to do everything with us. Even Keegan is falling in love.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Ava is turning one so soon


And for her birthday we have decided to get her a dog. Meet Rufus or that is what Lone star Lab Rescue called him and Keegan and I are still arguing over keeping his name. I think it is a great name. Keegan thinks its lame. Trying to decide if I care. Joking. Anyway. We have been looking at dogs for the past few months but this one seems really good. I can not deal with a puppy right now and a grown little more mellow dog might work better for us. You can read more about him at http://www.lonestarlabrescue.org/labs.aspx if you care. We are waiting for the vet to clear him from Heart Worm treatment on Friday and if the does then we could meet him for the " home study" on Saturday and possibly keep him for the weekend and see if he is indeed a good match. So hopefully if everything goes as we hope... Avas birthday might come a little early with crazy aunt ali's visit to follow on her actual birthday.

Friday, May 1, 2009

we are back

so ava and i have been sort of mia ... sorry. The two of us went to NC to see my family. First we were with my mom where we had a great time... we went to the museum of life and science, lots of good runs, Duke Gardens, saw lots of family and got to see Kathleen and Ryan in person which was so special. Ryan and Ava really had a great time together and Ava was mesmerized by all his toys. Then we did the house swap and went to my dads. Ava was enamored with Pirate and Louie the dogs and loved seeing Anna's soccer game and playing airplane with Will. She also got some quality time with Pop and birdie. We also went to see my aunt, uncle, cousin and grandmother for dinner in their new house in Chapel Hill. I have some great photos from the trip but the camera is dead so I will hopefully post them soon.