Sunday, December 03, 2006

Getting into the season some more

I'm up before dawn. I didn't plan it this way, but I'm kinda excited about getting the Christmas tree today and kinda depressed about the dog. I got to thinking about those things when spouse came to bed at 4 and didn't really get back to sleep. I'm pretty sure this will be the last Christmas with our dog, as it seems her genetic timer has been switched to "time to die". She's over 12 years old now, and her legs are giving out and she's getting lumps all over her body. These things don't seem to bother her much, maybe because she doesn't have enough "sense" to catastrophize them in her conciousness. That must be my job.

It's turned cold here and snow is on the menu today. These are ideal conditions for getting a Christmas tree. Then it's jazzy tunes while decorating, perhaps enhanced with a festive eggnog or two. But before all that, I'll be finishing up the Christmas cards giddily awaiting spouse to wake up.

I'll also be pondering the wisdom of purchasing candy cane ice cream. You see, when I spotted it in the market yesterday, I stood before the freezer door for a good 30 seconds debating it. "It's only available for a short time!" "Your stomach isn't going to like it." "But look it's candy canes and chunks of chocolate!" "You know you wake up with a stomach ache if you eat ice cream." "But it's on sale!"

My tummy hurts this morning, but god it was good.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If you don't know me by now..." (there's a song in there somewhere :) ), pets (and in particular dogs, get to me. So sorry to hear about Sarah's (her name, right?) declining health. We were lucky to have our first two for 14 1/2 and 15 1/2 years. It does seem that they do not notice or mind the decline. Perhaps they are more accepting of the realities of life that we as humans are. In any event, I have sensed your love for your dog and I translate that into how her status might be affecting you. My heart does out.

We did our tree yesterday. We have an artificial because of allergies. We cranked up the Mannheim Steamroller CD's. I finished editing and printing the family C'mas letter, too.

Did you leave Spouse any of the ice cream? I never had Candy Cane with chunks of chocolate tho. Locally ours just is the candy canes in vanilla.

Have fun with the tree!

Anonymous said...

That is "My heart goes out." Auuughhh.

Anonymous said...

Christmas in Montreal. Sounds like heaven. Sorry to hear about Sarah. You guys are the sweetest couple I know. I hope you get a real tree. We used to get a real one when I was a child and the look and smell are unequaled by the fake kind. Old man Winter is here to stay for awhile. Time to cuddle. Time to share. Time to love.

Anonymous said...

i had to have my dog, gypsy, put to sleep at 17... it broke my heart... when i got that dog, i was 25... she saw me through my 30's... i still have her one and only puppy... he's 10... i still miss her...

Snooze said...

Curse you! I love candy cane ice cream but like you, ice cream doesn't agree with me. Now it's all I can think of.

Nicki said...

I think I'm going to cry, thinking about your dog. And I don't even think candy cane ice cream thoughts will help.

dirk.mancuso said...

I'm sorry to hear about Sarah -- I know from your posts how much she means to you.

Christmas tree? Eggnog? Cards? Sighhhhhhh. You and Serge may very well be the sweetest couple I "know." Hope the day is fun for both of you.

Oh, ice cream... It doesn't agree with me either, but that has never stopped me from indulging when they have one of those "limited edition" flavors. (Damn you, ice cream marketing geniuses!!!)

GayProf said...

Try to focus on the time that you do have with Sarah. Be grateful that she isn't in any pain, as well.

I hear there are pills that you can take for your ice cream issues.

Anonymous said...

Please, Please, Please!? Make a video of decorating the tree? Pwease??? With Candy Cane Ice Cream on it!!!

Anonymous said...

The hardest part of loving a dog is letting go.

I've pondered the candy cane ice cream because I have never had it. Now I'm going to get some, thanks to your testimony. "Even those who are lactose intolerant LOVE our candy cane ice cream!"

Doug said...

I'm very sorry about Sarah. The last of the three cats I had when I was growing up died a few years ago. I know how hard it is.

Maybe you could eat ice cream if Serge rubbed your belly gently while you ate.

r said...

Oh sweetie... Sara still has the good fight left in her. Besides, she's got love love love because of you and Serge. She's going to stick around a while, I just know it.

Decorating? What's that? I'm just trying to clean my house before 2007.

S said...

Candy cane ice cream is VILE.

If you wanted to savour the flavour, you should've sucked on an actual piece.

Enemy of the Republic said...

Will you take a picture of your tree? I bet it is lovely.

Spider said...

That is why dogs have us - they provide us with the unconditional love and we handle the worry - in my book, that is a more than fair trade-off... Somehow I think Sarah is going to be just fine - regardless...

Thom said...

Glad you succumbed to the ice cream. Here it's called Peppermint Stick, and there's no chocolate in it, just peppermint ice cream with chunks of candy canes. My favorite!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like Sara is facing her golden years with considerable aplomb. I read your Blog earlier and then had a nap. While I was sleeping I had a dream that I took the train to Montreal and found myself standing in front of the Christmas window at Ogilvy.

The Wisdom of Wislon said...

poor doglet :>)

Superdrewby said...

Give the puppy a hug for me :)

CoffeeDog said...

The dog thing - yes, once they start going they go quickly. I am sorry to hear that she's on the decline.

Patricia said...

give sara a smooch from me.

that's all. today it's all about her. well... and me, i suppose. it's about sara and me.

good grief i'm co-dependent with a blogger's dog now. i need help.