Wonderful family
11/24/2007 04:48 p.m.

I brought in the mail this morning, and there was a check from my wonderful, silly, totally unobligated step-sister to help cover the cost of putting May down and the rest to help with Kate's teeth. This is one of the step sisters who so generously found a belly dancing class in my podunk little town and then paid for 3+ months of lessons.

While I was, in the final moves, able to have May put to sleep for less than $75 (at the suggestion of the private humane society here, I found another vet who charged WAY less than the other prices out there and then I was able to give a small donation to the shelter for burial), the rest will be a huge help in getting Kate's teeth done.

Julie, your kindness is stunning and very much appreciated.

On a similar note, I am taking Keefer, my other dog, to the humane society today for a visit, to see if he might be able to get along with some other dogs as well. He is very high energy, but is also surprisingly social. For instance, I thought he would want to gobble up my daughter's chinchilla. Instead, they seem to be great friends, calmly sniffing and "kissing" each other through Napoleon's cage. I also thought he'd be terrible with children. But Kate has a friend who has a little boy of about 2, and Keefer is VERY gentle with him.

So, I thought I might look into fostering some of the adoptable pets from "Home at Last." It's reported that being with a family makes these animals' temperment much more appealing to potential families looking to adopt. I like that idea very much; it makes me feel better. I can't wait to see how Keefer will do.

It's so nice to feel like we can do something proactive and positive with the grief over losing May. The kids are so excited to do it!

Here is Keefer:

I am currently Stunned
I am listening to my coffee brewing