Boogie

We adopted Sox aka Boogie from the Humane Society when he was just 8 weeks old.  That was in March of 2003, just one month after Garrett and I were married.  I remember when we first got him.  He was the softest dog I had ever touched in my entire life.  That never changed.  Garrett was in the Navy and we were living in Connecticut at the time.  We thought it would be good to name him after our home state of Texas so we first called him Rio.  We quickly realized that name did not fit him at all.  He was tan with all white paws so we thought Sox was a much better fit.  How we came to call him Boogie I do not recall. I just know that was his name for the last 13 years.

We had to put our sweet Boogie down yesterday.  He had been suffering from kidney failure for a while and in those final stages we could not bear to have him suffer.  I had been praying for confirmation for a week.  I needed God to give me a sign that it was time.  When I spoke with the vet she literally said, "It's time".  And as hard as it was to spend that final night and morning with him I never once regretted our decision.  That morning the boys and I said our goodbyes and prayed over him.  When I left our neighborhood to drive them to school we drove through a really thick fog.  My heart felt heavy and thick just like that fog.  I was praying for comfort and peace.  Within a few seconds the fog completely lifted and I saw the sun shining through.  It was one of the most peaceful moments I have ever experienced.  

My husband, my ROCK, took him and stayed with him during his final moments.  I could not bear the thought of remembering my sweet Boogie like that. I wanted to remember him as I knew him best - following me around from room to room, snuggled up next to me on the couch or in bed.  

Boogie was always there to provide comfort.  He just knew when I was sick, sad or in pain.  He was my guard dog and my best friend, especially during those first couple of years when Garrett was gone on deployments in the beginning of our marriage.  He loved us unconditionally.  Even in the final days when I think he knew his time was nearing he was giving us kisses to comfort us while we were crying over him.  He was truly the most selfless creature I have ever known.  

"The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog."  - M.K. Clinton

I wanted to share some pictures of our sweet Boogie over the last 13 years.  

The day Garrett brought him home

They really did have a special bond

 

He LOVED the water!  This was on a beach in Rhode Island.

And a lake in Connecticut

 Snow in Connecticut...I'm surprised he was able to stay above it! 

Boogie and Tex checking out the view from our new house in Virginia Beach.  He just loved chasing the ducks around the pond out back.  He would jump our 6' fence regularly to chase those ducks!

He was so good with the boys.  Garrison loved to feed him from his high chair.

Always nearby for protection

When Ethan came along Boogie was so excited to have another little one in the house!

Sweet hugs!

Just a boy and his dog

They loved Christmas morning!

Snow!!!! In Texas!!! I think he felt like a puppy again!

I think Stoic described him well.

This was the day before he went to be with Jesus.  I miss him so much but I am incredibly grateful he is not suffering.

Brothers.  Tex just doesn't know what to do with himself.  I think he is confused and slowly realizing Boogie is not coming home.

I was able to get a picture of the boys with Boogie on his last day with us.  We all miss him terribly but know he is in a better place.

Thank you for teaching me how to love completely and selflessly, Boogie.  Until we meet again my precious boy. ~Mama

Health Journey, Week 5

I don't have a great update today, unfortunately.  I stayed the same weight as last Monday.  The weird thing is I weighed in Saturday morning out of curiosity and was down 2 lbs from last week.  I guess I gained those 2 lbs back in the last two days though.  Ha!  

We did go to Dripping Springs for a baseball tournament so there was definitely more eating out than normal.  I did the best I could but did splurge a little Saturday night when we had Mexican food.  My body has always been a bit odd though and I can gain or lose 3 lbs in a day just from water weight or bloating.  Probably TMI but I don't have periods anymore (take my birth control continuously to help control endometriosis).  But I think my body still goes through PMS and I have been a little more emotional and quite a bit more hungry the last several days.  So I'm going to blame it on that too.  As women we have the ability to do that, right?! 

I did not take my BLOCK every day last week.  I think I only did it 3 days.  It is hard for me to remember since it is not a daily habit.  But I am committed to taking it every evening this week to see if that helps.  I also need to up my water intake.  I've been doing pretty good but definitely not sticking to the 100 oz plus per day like I was doing before.

Here is a great recipe I tried last week and we loved it!

Garlic and Paprika Chicken

Ingredients

6 chicken drumsticks

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp smoked paprika

Pinch red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp fresh parsley

1 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2.  Clean and dry the drumsticks and season with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

3.  In a small skillet heat the olive oil.  Add the garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and herbs.  Cook for about 1 minute over medium heat.  (Careful not to burn the garlic.)

4.  Place the drumsticks in a 9X13 baking dish and pour the olive oil mixture over the drumsticks.  Make sure they are coated thoroughly.  

5.  Bake for about 45 minutes or until chicken legs are cooked through.  

Before Baking

Tada!

~Jewels*