See You Blue

June 4, 2003 - August 23, 2015
Photo Credit: Keski-Suomalainen Paper

The past two weeks I haven't been blogging and there's a pretty good reason for it.
I'm studying, have three kids and V-Man has been in respite care this past week and out of nowhere - my precious Blue has been sliding downhill and we have no idea why.
I guess being 12 had to do with a big part of it.

Today was the final call and while I was accepting of it awhile ago - SH was in a bit more denial than I.  Of course he doesn't want to admit it.
He had peed on the balcony once, had diarrhea, refused to eat sometimes and his sides were bloated...then today we went hiking and while it was nice and cool in the forest - his legs gave out on him and he couldn't get back up.  I was luckily with two girlfriends and their dogs and he took a few minutes before we continued our walk.
So because he didn't eat yesterday - I mixed in some ground beef and rice with his food today as a big treat and he gobbled it up and as soon as it went down, it came back up.

We called the 24-hours vet and brought him in and the look on the vet's face when I described his symptoms lately said it was time to go.

Thankfully, we expected this and had brought Blue over to see V-Man at his respite care before this appointment.

Christmas 2007

This is my first time having to put an animal to sleep and I'm a frigging mess.  My eyes are almost swollen shut from crying so much.  Pretty sure a forest of trees worth of toilet paper/tissues has been used up and I'm still going strong!
My nose is just dripping water - it's not even snot anymore...

Photo by A.S.

But I'm happy to say that he had a wonderful 8 years with us (he was 4 already when he came to our home to be with us) - he's been my rock during all 3 pregnancies and post delivery healing (especially with the first delivery) and has been constantly there for each of us in his own way.

First day V-Man came home.

Recently with M-Girl by his side.

He absolutely loved babies. (A-Man)

Hiking and cuddling (and of course food) were his favourite things.

Photo by M.T.

I had read recently on PostSecret, a vet (or nurse) had submitted in a post card that said when it's time to let your pet go - don't leave their side until they're already gone.
"When you leave the room - they're looking for you."
I made a promise to stick by my pet's side until the very end - because after everything they've provided - love, a shoulder to cry on, warmth and companionship - it's the least I could do.

It was hard when I walked back in the door because A-Man immediately ran over and asked, "Where's Moo?  Moo in car?"
We don't have a car but I told him that Blue was going for a car ride and might not be coming back - depending on what the doctor said.

We decided to have him cremated since we have nowhere to bury him here.  The plan is to sprinkle Blue's ashes here in Finland and also in Canada if and when we return/visit there.

Anyway, I have nothing but awesome memories and am so incredibly happy to have had Blue as my first dog.

He was a fantastic family dog and an excellent teacher when we got our second, Loki (who is lying on the floor looking like a hot mess like me) and overall can't be replaced.

While this was all rather fast - I'd rather he goes happily and peacefully and while not in too much pain (or too hungry!).

                                                          

Have fun chasing squirrels and rabbits Bubba.

XOXO Be a good boy.

Mommy

I'm A Book Depository Affiliate!

Hello!

Guess what I did awhile ago? And I'm just getting around to sharing it now...I mean over a month - maybe 2 months ago...?

I signed up with Book Depository to be an affiliate!
Yes that's my affiliate link above!

Why?

1. I wanted to see if it was possible to bring any income via my blog without blowing it up with advertisements.
2. I actually shop A LOT via Book Depository because English books here are really expensive! 

So this was an excellent oppourtunity for me to share my joy of Book Depository and encourage me to blog more!

How?

• I'll be writing book reviews (aiming for once a week/bi-weekly!) in this blog and sharing the link to the blog via my affiliate link.  I'll be sure to mark if it's an affiliate link or not.  Most likely it will be if it's to Book Depository!

FAQs:

• Do I have to do anything extra?
• Nope.  You just click on that link above (or any of my other affiliate links I may post) and shop as per normal!  None of your personal/banking information comes to me.  Zip - nada.  
• There's a button on the side that'll link you to Book Depository via my affiliate link as well - in case you lose this blog post. :)
• Do you really shop with Book Depository?
• Yep!  It's an excellent way to get gifts to family and friends in Canada without having to spend SO MUCH extra on shipping!  So for our family and friends that do read or might like something else Book Depository has (i.e. stationary) - I just pop in their address, pay for it and off it goes! :)
  It's one of the first sites we learned about when moving here and found it invaluable because there is only one book store downtown, a few department stores have some books (usually not in English) and I might get lucky through second-hand stores - which I didn't know of any at the time we moved here.  Going on about 6 years now! :D
• And they often have sales....I'm a sucker for sales.
• What will you do with the commission you earn?
• Honestly?  Buy more books.  I'm really big on books with the kids and while we do go to the library once a week together with the kids - sometimes it makes sense to buy the books you keep renewing and borrowing repeatedly! :)
  My other option is to buy more craft supplies so I can review the shop or product themselves.
• I like to think of it as a tip cup.  If you like what you read on my blog and wanted to drop something in my tip cup - please shop on Book Depository using my affiliate link.  This way you're getting something you need or wanted and I get a wee percentage commission as a tip for writing here! :)
• Who do I ask about Book Depository stuff?  (i.e delivery times, items available etc.)
• Check it out right here. (Non-affiliate)

I'm currently studying Finnish intensively and our current project is to read a basic Finnish novel - basic meaning it's down to the story.  There's not a lot of description (i.e "The trees blew as the storm raged...") and it's just the bare bones and basic language used.

So I decided to choose "Her Enemy" by Leena Lehtolainen a police/murder mystery style novel (affiliated link) in Finnish and decided to get the English copy as well! :D
Leena's English version is very descriptive and I'm really enjoying reading about the main character Maria Kallio.  This seems to be part of a series - and I'm not finished yet - but it is probably best you read them in order if at all possible.

This is book 2 in the series - there was only one copy of the first book in the library in Finnish and a classmate borrowed that one - so I opted for Her Enemy instead.

When I'm finished (hopefully soon as I am plowing through it!) - I'll post a review!

Take care and thanks for reading! :)
BIMU