So Long Old Friend

This picture is one of the few that I have of me and my dog, Harley. This past Friday (1/22/2010), Harley was let out to do his business with my two other dogs, Pearl and Shaddow. He hasn't been seen since. I've had him for 7 years and he has never been gone from the house more than a few minutes. I do live in a rural area by a highway. Fearing the worst, I have walked the highway for a half mile in each direction. I have searched on and around my property. I've placed "Lost Dog" ads and notified the local humane society. I don't think someone could have stopped and picked him up because he is suspicious of strangers - but I don't know. I fear his testosterone my have gotten him in trouble. Before I explain - a little history. I got Harley in February 2003 when he was 6 weeks old (born 1/15/2003). He is a chihuahua-whippet mix. He is a "horn-dog". He fathered 54 puppies (that I know about). Most were by my chihuahua-fiest mix, Pearl, before I got her fixed. But I do know that on one occasion he impregnated a full-blooded lab. There was no denying those puppies - other than being a lot bigger than "dear old dad" - one was the spitting image of Harley - down to the color and almost exactly the same markings. But I digress, what I fear has happened - is that one of a few stray dogs that wandered through may have been in heat - and Harley wandered after - possibly getting in trouble with other male dogs that take a dim view of a little dog trying to horn in on their territory. The worst thing is not knowing for sure what happened. To use the cliched term - theres no "closure". I just pray he's not lost and/or hurt somewhere. Wondering where I am and why I don't help him.

I've had to start and stop several times writing this - because I can't help shedding a few tears. To me, Harley was more than a dog. He was a good friend. His companionship after my first wife passed away, helped get me through some really rough times. He just seemed to sense when I was in a bad way and cuddled up to me even more than usual. He was just a "dumb ole mutt", but he was my "dumb ole mutt" and I loved him. There will never be another Harley! So long Old Friend.

Wet Winter Thus Far

It has been a pretty **blahh** winter around here for the last few weeks. Just over a week ago we had record low temps - resulting in a broken pipe that I had to take a day off work to repair. Now we've swung the other way with close to record highs (saw a reading of 75 on Saturday and 70 yesterday) - but with a lot of soggy weather - ugggh! But truth be told, I'll take the wet more so than the cold. The bad thing with the temperature swings is that a lot of people are getting sick.

Went by my former mother-in-law's house yesterday to take her a framed copy of the 3 generations picture I posted on this blog earlier this month. We sat and talked for 20-25 minutes and had a really nice visit. Sigh! I will admit being emotionally conflicted when I left there. So many things in her home remind me of my late (first) wife(MSW). I love DKW, but still miss MSW. She died so unexpectedly that I can't help feel that there things unresolved and unsaid that should have been. Can't put my finger on any specifics - but just have a feeling. Ya Know!

On a brighter note - the high today is predicted to be 65 and it was 59 when I left for work this morning (w/ only a 10% chance of rain) - so I rode my motorcycle. With the price of gas creeping back up again, I expect to do so when ever the weather permits - regardless of the temperature.

Everyone have a great day!

Three Generations

Isn't my grandson a handsome lad? Now I admit to being prejudiced - I think all my grandchildren are beautiful. But what grandparent doesn't? Anyway, with my son's blessing he said I could put this pic on my blog of 3 generations of Wolf men. Little J-Man (as I call him) turned 1 on the 6th of this month, just a couple of days after this picture was taken. I have 7 grandchildren, but he is the first with my family name.

My 8th grandchild is on the way as my youngest daughter is due at the end of May. This will be her first daughter (after 2 boys) and she is very excited. I am too - and if she's as cute as her big brothers she will be a real heartbreaker.

DKW called me after I started this post, all concerned, because the water pressure at our house was very low and she was in the middle of dying her hair. Since we have been been having some record lows - broken/frozen pipes are a real concern. Well, after doing some calling around I found out that we weren't the only ones with low pressure. Seems our rural water company is working on the pumping station and everyone's water pressure is low right now. I called DKW back to tell her this and she said something to the effect of "Well, the worse that could happen has happened by now." and I replied "Yeah but at least its not broken pipes that I'd have to repair in the cold." She lauaghed and said " I was talking about my hair - I wasn't even thinking of the pipes." or something like that. I just laughed and said "That's okay RED!" (Since she was going for a strawberry blonde.) Can't wait to get home and see how this turns out!

Everyone have a great day!

Time to Reflect, Time to Plan

Today (1/11/2010) is my oldest's birthday. She is 32. Dang! How'd my kids start getting so old when I'm still so young! (Heh! Heh!) Actually, come April I'll be 55.

Looking back, 2009 was a time of great change in my life and as I look forward into 2010 - I think it will be better. I'm no longer alone. The biggest change of last year was in February when I asked DKB to marry me and she said yes - and as of 10/31/09 she is now DKW. I have been truly blessed as I have married 2 great women. Two very different women, but each deserving of all the love that I could and can give them. (For those who might not know - my first wife passed away in December 2005).

January, 2009, the first grandchild with my family surname was born (but was grandchild #7). He celebrated his first birthday with a party at DKW & I's home this past Saturday. Hard to believe the J-Man (as I call him) is a year old. What a heartbreaker he is going to be. Aso this month my youngest found out that she is going to have a baby girl (probably in May). She is very happy since she and her husband have 2 boys already.

Last week, Me, the J-Man and his dad (my son) went and had a photo made. Three generations of W-men. The pics are supposed to be in tomorrow. If its okay with my son, I may post a copy here later this week.

This past May DKW and I attended Moondance(http://www.faeriefaith.net/Moondance.html)in Georgia. It was the first time for both of us, though DKW had wanted to go for years. We are looking forward to going back this summer.

You ever been sitting around (watching TV or talking) and have these weird, random thoughts shoot through your brain? Well, yesterday I was watching TV (Arizona-Green Bay playoff game) while wearing a new beanie-type hat that DKW had crocheted for me.
I had the thought that it kind of looked like a blue yamaka - and in the same thought - thought that it could be a hat for a new religion that celebrated communion with Skittles (because of the color) and diet coke. (Heh!)

Anyway - I hope to start getting back to regular postings since we are finally through the holiday season. Everyone have a Great Day!

A New Year

Well, Its been a busy week for me. After being off for 2 weeks, I got back to work on Monday and this is the first opportunity I've had to make any sort of entry. This past Wednesday, was my grandson's (Jonas) first birthday and tomorrow his parents, DKW & I will be having a party for him at my place. I have to keep this entry kind of short, because it's still a busy time for me, but I will make a longer entry and catch up on the last few weeks then. Everyone have a great day!