Life's Happenings

Well, I have certainly fallen behind in my postings. Lots has happened since the end of June!

The biggest event for me is that Jenny moved back to Austin. It is wonderful having her minutes rather than hours away! She's teaching in an area school district and seems to be happy to be among family and old friends. We're more than delighted to have her near!

Zeke was extremely relieved to be back with me. We've had to work on some health issues regarding his skin and coat. With the help of my special vet/friend, we seem to be making good progress. Zeke is on a special diet (minimal ingredients, high protein, no grain) to help avoid allergy issues. He is behaving in especially positive ways, and we are enjoying our time together more than ever. Zeke is even content going to work with me and just resting on my office floor as I work. As long as he can see or hear me, all is well. I'm relieved and blessed to have him back in my home. After the first of the year, we will hit the agility courses again, and I can't wait!

This fall, he and I attended the Celtic Festival here in Austin. My Jen was so thoughtful to join us as was good friend Rox. It was a treat to watch Zeke's parents, grandparents, siblings participate in herding exercises. Joy Sebastian is an amazing herding specialist, and her dogs are beautiful to behold. Joy enjoyed seeing Zeke, and he had a chance to observe masters at work!

In August, Caleb and I completed the Divine Canine Therapy Dog training, and we are now a certified team.  The training, our classmates and instructor made this one of the most important activities I've ever completed.  As of now, we've put in about 14 hours volunteering at facilities, schools and events; and we've also participated in some walks. It has been a joy to meet numbers of people and their dogs. Our favorite activity has been Caleb's job as a Barking Book Buddy. Once per week, we go to a neighborhood school, and Caleb listens as two students read to him--each of them have their own half hour. Those students show some pretty special smiles when we walk them to and from their classrooms to the library! Clearly, Caleb outweighs both of them, but he is such a gentle giant that they are completely comfortable in his presence. It appears that they enjoy the attention they receive from their classmates because they have a giant Barking Book Buddy! And seeing the residents' eyes light up when we enter a facility is something that makes me smile all day.

My family and friends have been understanding and supportive through this process. Just look at this photo! Can you believe they all gave up a Saturday morning's sleep to be there for us? It was a very special day, and it meant the world to me to see my family and friends there cheering us on. My dear friend, Amarante, had already left when this photo was taken. I have to say that he has been indescribably supportive through this experience. He gave me a beautiful piece of pottery to mark the occasion. Such a caring friend.

Now that I'm writing, I realize how much I've missed this blog. Time just gets away from us, I suppose. I did have surgery on my right hand, and that cramped my style for a few weeks. Now that I'm on a minimal splint, I'm able to easily type again, and that's a relief. Caleb spent most of today at the vet's office. He and Iris were playing their usual game of morning chase, and he twisted, pulled or somehow injured his left hind leg. Thankfully, x-rays show no skeletal damage. He is on limited activities and medications for 7 days. As I write, Caleb is sitting and moaning at the back door because squirrels and cats are running around out back without his supervision! I'm certain that he would want you to know that it's especially difficult to be Caleb right now!

Tomorrow is what our girls always called Christmas Eve Eve. My dear friend, Pamela, is coming over during the day. She enjoys coming over to visit and spending time with the pups. I think she has an especially soft spot for Iris, and that's nice. Jen will be around here tomorrow, and Amanda, James and Jonah will be arriving tomorrow night. Our entire family will be together for Christmas Eve Day. This year, we will go to Kate and Joe's for our celebration. Spencer is doing so well, growing and advancing, but it is less complicated if we just let him stay in his own environment with all he needs. Logan adapts and just loves being with everyone! There is always next year to be back over at my house. I'm just happy we'll all be together.

One last thought before I close for the night. My precious sister-in-law, Lana, has been battling the return of ovarian cancer. I'll be honest--it has been a frightening journey. Today she received some good news. The numbers from the lab tests showed that the cancer cells were down rather than up. That's enough to make us all thankful. Lana has been a sister, good friend, and confidant over the years. I love her very much, and I hope you'll join me in praying and hoping for her health.

Merry Christmas. I hope your holiday is everything you want it to be and more!

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. 

                                                                                                                                - St. Francis of Assisi

Life has been busy...

Things are looking up for the Lutringer clan. Jonah Mark Hughes was born on Wednesday, June 16. He's a healthy boy! Everyone is well and they went home from the hospital on Friday, June 18. Amanda went into labor late Tuesday night. I was able to drive to Houston and made it for his birth. In fact, I was standing right beside my Amanda Grace and we saw him together. James was so proud...completely in awe, but so proud!

Amanda has handled this enormous change in her life with ease. It is a joy to see her so happy being a mom to little Jonah!

This photo says it all, don't you think?









Can you believe that I now have 3 grandsons? Just think how much fun it will be around here on holidays and at family gatherings! Blessings all around us, and we are ever thankful.

Spencer Thomas has been home for over a month now. He has had a checkup and all is well. Kate is one amazing mama the way she has looked after him and maintained balance with her family. I believe she told me that Spencer now weighs 9 1/2 pounds...go Spencer! And Logan is busy as always. He has grown tall and is looking less like a toddler by the day. He is taking swimming lessons this summer, and I'm going to observe Friday. Maybe I can get some good photos!

Another good turn of events has occurred. Jenny will be teaching in the Lake Travis Independent School District this coming year. Of course, that means that she'll be moving from Forth Worth back down to this area. Kate, Jen, Amanda and I are thrilled that it will be easier to have all of us together. And I'm excited for Jen to have a new opportunity in a different area, plus she will be in a beautiful part of Texas. Being the outdoors person she is, this will be a great spot for her.

Caleb and I completed Canine Good Citizen class a week ago, and we took part in the official CGC test yesterday. The instructors out at Lee Mannix Center are all helpful, kind and supportive. I'm sure Paul could tell I was more nervous than Caleb. He was right there reminding me what was needed, and Caleb was a superstar and passed with flying colors! Now we'll go on the therapy-specific training so that he can move into being an official therapy dog. Progress! And I know for a fact that Lee must be proud. He saw something special in Caleb and encouraged me along the way with his training. On top of that, Caleb will want to find Jyl to do his pyr dance with her. Long story, but Jyl knows what I mean. :)

Zeke has returned home to us. He spent 3 months with a loving family in Mobile, Alabama and was loved by 3 generations of that family. Bless his heart, Zeke just could not adapt to life away from home (me), and was declining physically and seemed depressed. His sweet foster mom and I drove to meet each other. Needless to say, Zeke was glad to see me. He greeted me and jumped over my shoulder to get in the front passenger seat of my 4Runner! That told us that we'd made the right decision. I appreciate all of the love the R family gave him during a time I was too busy to be there for him. Something good came from this because now I have some very special friends in Mobile, Alabama!

Zeke will begin a series of tutor days with the trainers at LMCCB and then we'll move on to classes and eventually back into agility. I loved working agility with him, and, now that things have settled down, I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

I'll be off work this week. Tuesday is my birthday, and it looks like I'll be able to spend some time with Jen, Kate, Spencer and Logan. No big plans other than to rest and catch up with home projects. Time to kick back and take it easy. With these new changes in our family, I'm guessing I'll find it easy to sleep well. Mark must be proud, don't you think?

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.   ~Mahatma Ghandi

Time to catch up...

It doesn't seem possible that it has been over a month since I last wrote. Funny how time seems to fly when one is busy. First of all, I must share some wonderful news. Spencer Thomas Brown left the hospital and went home with his family on Tuesday, May 4, 2010! He is well over 6 pounds and visibly growing each day. Here is the link to a short video Kate placed on Facebook. What a handsome boy, yes?  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=387823166450

On April 13, Logan turned 3! He is a big boy, and he had a great birthday party. We enjoy our time together when he stays over here. In particular, he likes the livestock tanks I have in the back yard. He likes to feed the goldfish and play in the water with his boats. Oh, and he has his own set of garden tools, and he loves to dig holes for me...such a good helper!

Here's a shot of me with my first-born daughter, Kate. How did I get so short?  I wonder if she has any idea how much I respect and admire her? The journey with Spencer has been such a challenge yet she kept going a step at a time, day by day.

And here is a picture of Kate, Joe and Logan at the birthday party. A happy family.





On April 27, I drove to Houston to attend a baby shower for our youngest daughter, Amanda Grace. She is healthy, happy and very pregnant! Jonah Mark is due in mid-June.  I'll  definitely be driving back to Houston for his arrival! It is such a joy to be around Amanda--she is happy and, best of all, she laughs all the time! She has a lovely in-law family who adore her and offer support. As a mom, that's a nice reassurance when your daughter is a couple of hours away. Here is a snapshot of Jenny, me, Amanda and James.

And here is a shot of the sisters, tired from the day's events but obviously enjoying each other. Kate couldn't be with us because Spencer was still in the hospital, and she needed to be with him. Just think of the good times we have waiting now that we're going to have 3 little boys running around!

Iris began her Tricks and Triumphs class last week. She has been an outstanding student--eager to learn, happy and energetic. Of course, once she gets in the car after class, she falls right to sleep. This class was created by 2 of the awesome trainers at the Lee Mannix Center for Canine Behavior--Jyl and Inka. It was developed for dogs that are extremely shy, have social issues, physical handicaps or have been mistreated earlier in their lives.

Most of you know my little Iris came to me in December 2008 from a puppy mill where she had apparently never been out of a cage. Her nails were grown in circles, she had very little hair, she could not stand on her own and she was terrified! That little girl was 10 months old and had never known happiness. Well, over time, that has all changed. Iris is a happy girl and rejoices in life. She still lacks confidence in new situations, thus the class. After only 2 classes, she now runs through tunnels, jumps through a hoop, walks a maze, walks a raised dog walk, walks over a horizontal ladder and sits at others' commands rather than just mine. This may seem silly to some, but if you had seen this little baby a year and a half ago and then saw her now, you wouldn't know she is the same dog. This is why I am active in rescue. To bring happiness to a little creature is beyond rewarding...it's life changing.

Caleb was a rescue as well, and he has blossomed. He was sick when I adopted him at 8 weeks of age and 26 pounds. He is now 9 months old and 96 pounds. No doubt in my mind, Caleb is the happiest dog in the world. Everyone is his friend...everyone! On May 16 we will begin his Canine Good Citizen class which will then lead to Therapy Dog certification. After that, we will visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools and anywhere we're needed. I've wanted to do that ever since I lost Mark.  It seems  that if we can bring smiles to faces and help people forget they are in pain, then we can make a tiny bit  of a difference. 

Watching Iris and Caleb together is quite entertaining. Iris loves to instigate a game of chase because, after all, she can take short cuts and go places Caleb cannot. They are best  buddies, and the neighbors love it when we go for walks because they are quite a sight with such enormous size differences. Here is a recent photo of them together on the deck.

 On a sad note, the world lost a very special person on May 2, 2010--Lee Mannix, the Dogfather, mentor to many, a genius at understanding dogs and an incredibly kind, loving man. I first met him early in 2009. He taught me how to read my dogs' behaviors. And, before I realized it, we were friends.

I remember one day in particular after we had finished the first session of an agility class with Zeke, he asked me to sit and talk awhile.  Lee had piercing blue eyes and there was no way to avoid his gaze. He said that he would "sure as hell like to know who or what broke my heart." My eyes immediately filled with tears, and I realized that he could truly read me. I told him about the love I shared with Mark, how we began so young and on to losing him at the age of 54. He told me about a book that he wanted me to read, and then went on to talk to me about working with dogs. Lee assured me, actually promised me, that I would find profound healing if I would really throw myself into working with dogs.

That fall, he gave me a scholarship to attend his annual 3-day dog camp always held around Halloween at a Wimberley resort ranch. That weekend was the beginning of an enormous change in me. Caleb was only 3 months old, yet he was awarded the overall award for Best Parlor Tricks because we had learned so much at camp!  Lee was adamant that Caleb is an old soul who has come back to teach us something--if he said it once, he said it a dozen times.  He really believed that, and, now, so do I. Another profound experience--one day, when I was out at the center with Iris, Lee sat beside me on the couch there in the office. Iris, who had been afraid of all men, left my lap and crawled into Lee's. He began singing to her and stroking her fur. Iris clearly felt safe with Lee--almost unbelievable. I'll always remember that day.

I know I've written about much of this before, but it matters so much to me that I pay tribute to this larger-than-life man, Lee Mannix. I will always be grateful that I was given the opportunity to know and learn from him. Rather than remaining sad at Lee's death, I will be thankful for his friendship and lessons. He will live on in my mind and heart, and I will continue to support his center and the gifted trainers that intend to carry on his legacy. Godspeed, Lee.

My garden is bursting with flowers--poppies, roses, rudbeckia, coneflowers, yarrow, larkspur, day lilies, and, my favorite, irises. Butterflies are aplenty out there, and it is a comforting exercise at the beginning and end of the day to just go out and browse, touch and smell the flowers. Those few minutes can offer a great deal of perspective.

God is good in so many ways.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.  ~Kahlil Gibran

Happy Easter!

God is good. Many of us already knew that, but it's always nice for reassurance. Spencer is thriving...growing and gaining strength by the day. He is now in a fancy, crib with a musical mobile, an attached toy that shows moving animals, projects light and plays music, and an assortment of other things. It is apparent that he is receiving optimal care and is likely the favorite for quite a few of the nurses! When you couple all of that the devotion of his loving parents...well, no wonder he is doing so well! Yesterday, his weight was 4 lb 14 oz.  More than double his birth weight. Go, Spencer!

Last night, Kate and I went to the hospital together. After she had held him for awhile, she stood up and handed him over to me! What an experience! I felt blessed to be entrusted to hold that tiny person. He was opening his eyes off and on, stretching, making noises...Spencer is precious and eager to live.

And it felt like such a privilege to spend an extended bit of quiet time in the NICU with Kate and Spencer. Oh, sure, I've been up there often as I can, yet this was different. Maybe the Saturday night quietness, Spencer's improvement, Kate's calmness all contributed. The fact that she was willing to open her heart and share him with me in that way meant more than I can ever say.

I have been so proud of her as I watch her walk this journey with her baby. The calm yet determined focus she has maintained is impressive. I was able to get this sweet shot of her talking to her son.

Here is one more shot that will show just how healthy Spencer has become. As I said, God is good! Many thanks to all of you offering prayers, support, prayer chains, etc. You've been a positive presence and have helped tremendously. Hopefully, Spencer will continue to grow and thrive until his projected release in mid May. I'll definitely continue the updates because there is a lot more work for this little guy! My love to each of you.

Now, on to other things...
Zeke is gradually becoming settled in his new home. He and his new person, Titus, have bonded. Zeke has been taught to shake with left and right paws, find hidden treats among a group of inverted cups, loose leash walk, sleep in bed with Titus, and the list goes on! Zeke lives with a loving, gentle, soft-spoken family with three generations to love him. They said that he regularly goes in the car with Titus, they jog each day, he accompanies Titus to social gatherings and has even unearthed a possum living under a set of steps. I know he is going through adjustments because I have been as well, I missed him so much at first that I continually doubted my decision. Now, I am certain that all will be well. As my special friend, Jyl, told me--Zeke  has someone solely devoted to him. And we all know that is really what a Border Collie needs and, more importantly, deserves!  Connie, his new mom, has been quite gracious about staying in touch about Zeke's progress. Another thing that Jyl told me is that once Zeke realizes that he is no longer waiting for me, it will kick in that he is in his permanent new home and life is good. From the progress Titus has made in the first 3 weeks with Zeke, I'm more than impressed with his dedication and devotion to that pup. I'll always miss my Zeke, but I feel better knowing that he has Titus.

Last weekend, I took Caleb, my 8-month old Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd pup, to a rescue fund raiser.  It was a lot of fun with lots of nice people and dogs. In fact, Laurie, who adopted my very first foster dog about 5 years ago, was there with her two dogs, and we had a chance to visit and let the dogs socialize. Since the event was the weekend  before Easter and lots of families were expected, there was an Easter bunny there to interact with the children, take photos with dogs, and to add to the happy atmosphere. He/she approached us to greet Caleb.  When I told him to sit, he did...after he took two steps back and sat behind me! A couple of times, he stretched his neck around the side of my legs, but it was clear that he wanted no part of that bunny! A group of people were observing and chuckling at the fact that a 90-pound pup was afraid of an Easter bunny. The interaction with lots of people, children and other dogs was good for him. He and I begin Canine Good Citizen class in mid May. I'm looking forward to the work and watching him develop special skills. He is the sweetest dog and always seems to have a muppet smile on his face.

Iris. Well, the little princess is really gaining trust. This photo was taken after a long walk. It appears that she has claimed my red leather chair as her throne! When she, Caleb and I were on that walk in the neighborhood this evening, we stopped to chat with some other rescue neighbors. Iris actually let the gentleman bend over and pet her, and she showed no cowering or fear. I praised her lavishly! What a huge step for her...especially to let an unknown man touch her. She is accustomed to the wonderful staff in our office at UT. Mando is especially tender to her, and frequently talks to her and bends down to her level to show affection, and the lovely and gentle Maia does the same. Their work has contributed to Iris' growth, and I appreciate it!

On April 28, Iris and I will begin Tricks and Triumphs class out at the Mannix Center. This course  was developed for handicapped, abused, and/or wallflower dogs. As hard as it is to imagine, Iris was the recipient of abuse and neglect the first ten months of her life--then she was brought to me--that was December of '08, and I can't even describe the progress she has made. And I have learned so much from her. I've always been a large dog person, but Iris and I were definitely meant to be together, and she has as much love and spunk as the largest of creatures. My friends call her my velcro dog because she always wants to be near me. Anyway, this class will provide the ideal environment for her to build more trust and confidence. My hope is that Iris will be interested and willing to participate in small dog agility later on. Zeke and I had fun with agility, and I love the exercise and general environment. Time will tell, I suppose, but I have faith in Iris.

A busy week awaits me. My garden is thriving and loaded with blooms--I'll include some photos with my next posting. Thanks for reading...have a good week.

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.  ~Edith Wharton

A brief note...

Taking a quick break to add a new photo. Spencer is over 4 pounds now and progressing very well. Minimal oxygen support and Kate gets to hold him more and more as time goes by. My Kate is really special, isn't she? Spencer is a fortunate little boy to have such a strong mom. God works in mysterious ways, yes?

Thanks to everyone for their ongoing prayers, good thoughts and support. You've made such a difference to our family! More info soon.

Lovely

There is no sight as beautiful as a mom and her baby!

Look at Spencer

Happy Monday.  I have lots  of things to write about, but those will wait until later. Look at this photo of Spencer! What a boy! The last weight I heard was 3 lbs. 7 oz.--getting up there! And this is the first time I've seen him in actual clothing. Kate has been amazing through this experience, and Spencer's steady improvements are evidence of what a good mom he has!