Hello, 2012!

I can’t say I’m sorry to wave goodbye to 2011.  I will gladly boot it out the door.  While it was not the most difficult year of my life, it was certainly one of my saddest. In the last four months alone, I have lost my foster dog Pepper; my friend Char; my sister and closest human friend in the world, Carole; and my beloved old dog Charley.

Pepper

Charley

It was also the year in which we said those sad final goodbyes to my neighbour Buck, my dogsitter Patti, and friends’ dogs Sam and Mara and Gingersnap, and Deb’s cat Jasper, not to forget many other old critters belonging to internet friends and face-to-face friends.

Sam

Mara

Ginger Snap

Jasper
(Photo by Deb Strong)

They were good souls, these dogs, cats, and humans. My life was enriched by having known them.

It wasn’t all sad, last year. There were happy times too, like the month that Sam stayed with me before he passed away, and short term visits from Georgie and my granddog Becky and others. There were dogs who came with their humans, like Becky with my daughter;  Kinley and Logan with Ellen; Taleah and Riley with Deb and Sharon ;  and there were humans who came without dogs, like my longtime friends two-legged Charlie, and Ann and Ken.

Georgie

Becky

Kinley and Logan

Riley

Taleah
(Oh my goodness, she looks so much like Eddie!)

There was foster dog Jessie, and little Dover the Piglet, both of whom found their forever homes. And now there is foster dog Petey, and my newest canine family member, Eddie. And, of course, Sadie and Allie are still here to make me laugh.

Jessie

Dover

Petey

Eddie

Sadie

Allie
(Allie:  "Ah notice she saved the best fer last!!  Heheheheheh")

And there was oh so much more - great times with friends, volunteering at the SPCA and Chemainus theatre, my writers' group and my book club, co-writing the "Crofton Connection" column for the Chemainus Courier with Liz Forbes, and exploring my beautiful island.

I hope that 2012 will hold many more of the good times – more fosters, friends and fun – and less of the sad ones.   I have had a story accepted for publication in a Canadian anthology of animal stories (more about that when I have the contract in my grubby little paw), and I've developed my photography skills and have started making photocards for various rescues and private sales. I've signed up for some walks and hikes with Elder College for the coming year, and can't wait to see and photograph some places I haven't been before. And, of course, Eddie, Sadie and I will have many adventures.  The year ahead is full of possibilities.

So, Hello, 2012. What surprises do you have in store for me?

Happy New Year, everyone.