A Week in Photos

I was a late adopter of the cell phone. I was afraid I'd get a lot of unwanted calls. Within a week of getting one, I learned how handy it was--I got stuck in a terrible traffic jam and was able to call Jeff and explain where I was.

Similarly, I didn't get why phones had cameras. Now I see it's an agent of social change. On a lighter note, I enjoy spontaneously capturing some images that appeal to me. Here are some from the last week or so.

Oyster Shell Park: these blackbird don't stay still for very long and I wasn't able to get close to them. Here are a few blurred images. Funny, Oyster Shell is the only place I've seen these birds.

On Thursday we saw several ground hogs. Here's a shot from afar.

Here's a view from the nearby Sono boardwalk.

We took a long walk last Saturday and saw these roses on Water Street. I loved the colors.

At Taylor Farm we saw this dog who reminded me of Spike.

A little later we met this beagle Luna. 

Here are some buttercups. We used to hold these under our chins. A yellow glow meant you liked butter. I was surprised that buttercups was a real name.

Yesterday after a walk at Taylor Farm, we headed to Sono 1420 for a drink and met Jagermeister.

We're going for a long walk today: I wonder what will catch my eye. 

Happy Anniversary Lola!

Tonight was the third anniversary of our time with Lola. I can't call her a confident dog, but she has grown much more confident over the past few years. Hey she started here.

I defrosted some skirt steak and found a good marinade recipe (for Jeff and me, not for Lola--she got unmarinated steak and salmon.) Lola and I visited Winslow Park for about 45 minutes before it started to rain hard. 

Tonight Jeff told me that it's also National Beagle Day. How appropriate. I'll gladly celebrate it. 

A Chance Meeting

or another post about Lola.

Lola and I were on our second loop around Oyster Shell Park on the lower trail by the river. I heard a dog bark. On the top of the hill, a beagle was calling to Lola. He pulled on his leash to start down the hill. Lola tried to climb up the hill. We met in the middle of the trail instead. His name was Tony; he was one year and five months old.

Lola and Tony were happy to meet each other, but their joy was short-lived. I don't know what Tony did, but it went too far for Lola. She snapped at him, and that was that. I love that Lola will hold her own against other dogs.

Happy Halloween

We haven't had trick-or-treaters in years, went to a Halloween party two weeks ago, attended a  haunting last weekend. In some ways it feels as if Halloween is already over.

But at least there are still scary TV shows and movies to watch, including a Dark Shadows marathon. I watched a few episodes yesterday around the Cubs-Indians game and recorded a few more.

A Halloween surprise for me: I saw Snoopy walking down Prospect Avenue. I assume the woman was visiting someone in the hospital. (When my mother was there two years ago, I visited her dressed as Carmen Miranda.) The woman was carrying a pocketbook and had her Snoopy head perched on the top of her head.

Quite the sight.

Welcome Lola!

Today we brought Lola to her new home. She had been living at Danbury Animal Welfare Society. Lola spent most of the day under our drop-leaf table or a chair.

We knew she was shy. When we met her last week, she immediately ran under a chair in the cubicle at the shelter. I asked if it would help if we brought another dog out to join us. Instead we went outside where Lola seemed like a different dog. She still wasn't really interacting with us, but she was much more relaxed.

We met another beagle mix that day--Daphne, an eight month puppy. Daphne was friendlier and livelier. She jumped up on us, let us rub her tummy. As we submitted our application, we weren't sure whether to select Lola or Daphne. We had to pick one; I thought that Lola needed us more. We did have the option to switch to Daphne. We thought we'd be happy with either.

After some discussions, we decided to stick with Lola. It's been a confusing day for her, a bit frightening too. Earlier tonight she met one of the other dogs in the building and seemed to relax a bit. We just have to be patient and love her.

Ten Good Things

I'm giving myself a challenge--to list 10 good things about this week.

1.  I've been getting decent nights' sleep (still need more, but if I do wake up in the middle of the night, I can go back to sleep.)

2.  I've had a good exercise routine--worked out daily since last Monday--three gym visits and three work-outs here.

3.   On Monday, I made some vegetable broth, chili and a very good pumpkin-apple-carrot soup.

4.  Jeff and I met a cute beagle on Wednesday--and she'll soon be eligible for adoption.

5.  I won the lottery (only $8, but I am a winner.)

6.  I finished a request explaining why I should get a raise (at least the first draft that I gave to my manager for feedback.)

7.  I started a docent project that I've been putting off for about two months.

8.  Jeff started a major cleaning project in the second bedroom and inspired me.

9.  We had a delicious dinner via Blue Apron: Korean Tteok and Spicy Pork "Ragu."

10. I resumed blogging.

Beaglemania: Good News for Odin and Brahma

The beagle brothers have found a home. I'm happy for them, but there are so many loving dogs who need homes.

Spike could have easily ended up in a shelter...through no fault of his own...like shelter dogs. Open your hearts.

As for Odin and Brahma--congratulations and have happy lives.

Beaglemania: Brahma and Odin Need a Home

Here are two more pictures of these sweet beagle brothers:

They are housebroken, neutered, up-to-date on all their shots, well-trained, and get along with other dogs. What's not to love? Contact seymourctk9@aol.com if you can give these brothers a together-forever home.

Beaglemania: Beagle Brothers

Here are Odin and Brahma, two four-and-a-half year old beagles, who are looking for a new together-forever home. They are both neutered and up-to-date on all their shots. Contact seymourctk9@aol.com if you would like to share your home with these beagle boys.

Congratulations Nala!

This is a little late, but good news.

Nala has been adopted by a wonderful couple that just lost their own female beagle. They were so happy to add Nala to their home that they made a generous donation to the Seymour Animal Shelter.

Shelter dogs are awesome. Give them your love.  

Beaglemania--Here's Nala

Nala is one of the many canine casualties of the housing collapse. Her family was devastated when they lost their home but couldn't take her along to their new rental.

She is a gentle, calm, spayed four year old. All she needs is your love. Contact seymourctk9@aol.com to find out more about her.

Take a look at this Easter Beagle:

Beaglemania--Congratulations Chuy!

Just got the news today that Chuy's been adopted. I hope he has a happy life.

Beaglemania--Introducing Chuy

Isn't he adorable?

Chuy is a one year beagle available for adoption.

Contact seymourctk9@aol.com if you would like to share your home with him.

If the first picture doesn't convince you, here are more:

Jeff and I were lucky to find Spike when he was just over a year old. Now I can't imagine our lives without him. He has given us so much love and so much fun. We have met a great group of dog park people through him.

If our condo allowed for more than one pet, we would probably adopt Chuy  (if Spike approved, of course.) Actually we probably would have adopted a second beagle before now.

I hope Chuy finds people who love him as much as we love Spike.