Yes, I put her on the table

Christina and Ben came over today and we spent a great portion of the day playing Settlers, baking, eating and of course carving pumpkins. It was a fabulous and relaxing day filled with good company and lots of laughs. Molly, of course, was fantastic herself and enjoyed a frozen marrow bone for almost 2 hours while we were our second game of settlers just after lunch. Before we started the pumpkin carnage, I decided I wanted some pictures of Molly with the pumpkins. They were already on the table, so why not?

Molly was clearly not comfortable being up on the table,
especially since she couldn't find anything to EAT while she was up there

Do I look like a pumpkin?

How do I get down Mom? It's too high to jump

If that's not a sad and pathetic face then I don't know what is.

I was hoping to pose her with the finished Jack-O-Lanterns, but as of 10pm this evening, I have not done so. I've realized that I need to work on her stay command in order for her to well, stay better for pictures! Tinker clearly spoiled me with her fabulous picture posing skills....Molly's will improve with practice I'm sure.

I had the wonderful opportunity to go back and see Nancy on Friday. She is one amazing person and a fabulous acupuncturist. While it was difficult to share about Tink's passing, she of all people understood what she meant to me and how she impacted my life. Nancy always seems to help me feel like a rockstar. It was a great treatment and visit and I left her office feeling more relaxed and "put together" than I have in over a month. I am still grieving but there is this quiet peace that has been given to me. I've been able to sit quietly and listen more to what is actually being said to me. Sigh, I love how intricately we've been created.

Thankfully, we were able to sleep in a bit this morning. When I woke up the first time Molly was in bed. The next time I woke up it was because she was pawing up and softly whining on my side of the bed, just like Tink used to do every morning for so many years. (I do confess, I don't wake up nearly as immediately to Molly moving as I did with my Tink.) Of course I told her to come up and she actually snuggled against me while I rubbed her belly for 15 min or so...She had her back against me as I rubbed her belly and patted her, just as I did with her sister for almost 4 years. It was a comforting and happy way to start my morning and helped to reiterate that there is hope of finding sincere happiness and love in the other dogs that are and will continue to be brought into my life.

Just as Tink found amazing friends all over the country, Molly is finding friends too. We have been so incredibly blessed with fantastic friends, both those we spend time with in person as well as those who we share our hearts and love of Bostons with. God continues to show us his faithfulness in so many ways and I am so grateful that one way He does this is through our friends. So thank you.

Acupuncture

Tink and I both went for an acupuncture treatment this morning. Nancy focused on clearing her head as well as points on her lower back to move some chi and help her legs. Tink also had 2 on her knees specifically to help with any knee stiffness. The one point in her head really caused a reaction, Tink went to lay down almost violently/very quickly and as soon as it was taken out she stopped.... She took what she needed from the point so I hope it helps. Immediately after the treatment she appeared much more alert and ready for the day! It was her mommy that needed a nap!

After our visit with Nancy, Tink and I took a trip to petsmart to pick up some treats! We found some Twistix which we both like for her, so of course we had to pick them up!

After a nice walk back here at the apartments Tink and I retired for a long nap...

I have the best dog ever!

Tinker gets her Chi on...

With Tink's ups and downs in mood and pain level recently, Nick and I have been researching different methods to help decrease her pain and generally level her out. So, after how pleased I've been with acupuncture, we decided to try it with Tink

Tink went for her first acupuncture treatment bright and early this morning. What an amazing experience! She has a general clearing done and then Nancy focused on a few lower back and brain points. Tink and I have the same acupuncturist; Nancy is certified to work on animals in PA and MD. I love Nancy so much and I knew that she would be so great with Tink. Actually I've been excited for Nancy to meet Tink!

Nancy loved her. (who doesn't?!?!) One of the first things she asked was "is she always this mellow?" to which I replied "yup, except when I get home!" Apparently Tink has a lot of ying! Tinker was so relaxed and calm the whole time; she explored a little when we got there. No shaking, no nervousness. I feel she really enjoyed it. She sat so patiently and every once in a while when a "sweet" point was hit she turn her head around to Nancy as if to say "ya, that's it!" It was actually an energy booster for me to be there as well! It was funny to see her look like a little dinosaur with 5 little needles sticking out of her back! (Nancy used the tiniest needles and barely put them in!) When Tink was done, she stood up and Nancy took the needles out.

The treatment generally makes dogs mellow, but Tink is so incredibly mellow to begin with I was wondering how that would work. It actually gave her more energy this morning and we went for another walk went we returned home. She is having a great day with more stretching and higher activity level. She's not grunting or acting stiff when we pick her up either. She's acting more alive and more like "Tinker" if that makes sense!

Nick and I will be watching and monitoring her for the next few days and then weeks. We will probably bring her back for another treatment in 2-4 weeks. Hopefully this is something that Tink will only need on occasion after the first few treatments. Nancy doesn't want to over treat her and she was careful not to move too much Chi in the first session. Yay for a happy dog!!!