It’s been a couple of weeks since full-time “staff member” Ryan crossed the Rainbow Bridge and with the passage of time, I’m now able to thank everyone who sent thoughtful cards, notes, messages and flowers.
Ryan was truly a special dog and I am so fortunate to have had 13.5 years with him.
Life has changed for remaining full-time “staff member” Buzz as well as for me.
Little things like I find that I’m not waiting at the top of the stairs for Ryan to make his way up after multiple trips to the dog yard, which many times included a patrol of the basement for potential mouse invaders. Buzz has always come back inside and zoomed up the stairs ahead of me.
This week, I even kept it together at Polly’s when I walked by the fish counter and saw white fish, which was Ryan’s favorite. That first week, I totally lost it and had to find a corner to hide in until I stopped balling.
Walkabouts to survey the property with just one dog are different. And I’ll admit – it’s much easier to walk one dog on leash rather than two – especially when each dog wants to investigate something that’s in a different direction than the other.
I finally decided to wash and put away all the extra blankets and beds that were scattered about the house. Buzz got his favorite pillow toy back. It’s a toy he’s had since he was a puppy but Ryan really enjoyed destroying Buzz’s toys, so I put a lot of them away.
With just one dog, the living room is much less cluttered, and I was inspired to not only paint the room but also move things around.
But I think the biggest news since Ryan’s passing is the resumption of mouse hunting in the basement.
For those of you who might have missed last week’s mouse capades, here’s a recap.
Last week, Buzz started doing periodic rounds of the basement, emulating Ryan’s twice daily behavior. He stopped at a PVC jump post sniffed it, looked at me, sniffed it again and although it registered in my brain, I ignored it, so we could go outside together into the dog yard.
Later the same day, we went downstairs and he did it again. So, to prove to him there was no mouse, I picked up the jump and shook it. Off fell one of the legs on the jump post and right behind it — a nest with four tiny mice in it.
The basement mousing torch has officially been passed to the younger generation. And as the temperatures begin to drop and more mice find their way into my basement, I’m thankful that Ryan was such a terrific teacher. And that Buzz paid attention during the twice daily mousing classes that Ryan taught. Go, Buzz, go.
I’d also like to thank everyone who has generously contributed to the ongoing operations of Chelsea Update recently. As I’ve said on many previous occasions, without the support of this community, Chelsea Update would cease to exist.
And, also as I’ve said many times before — I really hate to beg for additional donations but it’s important to the continuation of the seven day a week publication for Chelsea Update. So if you would like to make a donation of any amount to Chelsea Update, there are two ways to do so. You can make a non tax deductible donation through Paypal and that button is found on the top of the home page or send a check made out to Chelsea Update and mail it to 18829 Bush Road, Chelsea MI 48118. Any amount helps.
Thank you to the following people who have made donations to my efforts.
- Jan Bernath
- Vermont Cemetery
- Mary Green
- Gretchen Sale
- John and Ann Mann
- Chelsea State Bank
- John Budinger
- Janice Webster
- Kurt Kowalski
- Elizabeth Crescio
- Christa Williams
- Marilyn and William Chandler
- Joseph Redding
- Edward and Joan Driscoll
- Marcia White
