Dear Nectarine

Dear Nectarine,

First, every time I call you that, I then want a nectarine.  This will be the hardest post I've had to write so far, but I'll start with the happy things.  Ever since I've been on a prescription, I've felt much, much better.  We only had one day of yucky (well, and last night).  We get to spend this whole weekend with family.  Grandma and Grandpa Otter are coming into town.  We get to bake cookies with YOUR grandma tomorrow.  We will spend Thanksgiving and Grandma and Grandpa Clark's house.  Then Sunday we get to spend more time with your grandparents :)  It should be a great weekend!

This is my bump in the morning before I've eaten, you're much more impressive in the evenings 

And now for the yucky...

I have the pleasure of having the entire week off this week.  Yesterday I spent the day doing laundry, relaxing and not having much stress in my life.  A little over a year ago, we added 2 new members to our family.  Jazmin and Appa.  We got them when they were only 6 weeks old.  

In the first few weeks, Jazmin was clearly the leader of the two.  She kept Appa in line at all times. Whatever she did, was what was going to happen.  It didn't take them very long to learn how to dig.  They  would get out of the yard ALL the time.  Aunt Rachel was living with us at the time and spent many mornings/afternoons chasing them around in the pasture behind the house.  As they got bigger, so did their holes.  

Daddy finally put up a hot wire fence in the backyard.  They stayed in the yard ALL summer.  Jazmin did get hit pretty hard with it once and was gun shy for a couple weeks.  I felt so bad when she wouldn't come out of her doghouse.  Poor baby was electrocuted (I made up for it by electrocuting myself twice that same week).  She got over it and was her same old self.  

Right before school started, they started getting out of the yard again.  They had to be put back into their small dog run while we were gone.  And with school in session, was all the time.  We tried to get them some freedom, but they just kept getting out.  We had gone about a month with no incidents, but last week they got out.  Then again.  Then...Wednesday night, I got a phone call from the American Kennel Society saying the shelter had our dogs.  I went and picked them up, was very disappointed in them.  Jazmin was rechipped because her chip wasn't working.  

Last night Anthony came into the Lund's house while I was making dinner.  We had to leave to go find Appa.  Animal had already been called about Jazmin.  She was hit, and didn't make it.  We covered the holes, we tried to give them freedom, but they kept wanting out.  

Appa was picked up by a neighbor.  He spent his first night inside with us.  I don't know how to tell him she's not coming home.  He looks for her...but refused to go outside.  I don't blame him.  I'm sure was watched it happen.  The numbness from yesterday is gone.  Today I'm sad.  Sad to see only one puppy...sad to see a sad puppy.  Sad that our yard wasn't enough for her.  Sad that she was only a year old.  I have one very loyal and snuggly puppy today...we'll see how long that lasts. I don't know what to do with him. We had them outside so when you came into this world we wouldn't have to change their life style.  We just changed it big time.  Appa lost his sister and his best friend.  I lost my sweet baby girl, who was ornery, stubborn, bossy and a lover.  I will miss her so much.  I will always feel so horrible her life was cut short.  I miss my baby girl.  I miss her wagging tail.  I miss that I know she's allergic to bees and I will never have to worry about that again.  Good bye Jazmin...

Appa's first night/morning with us