Words for My First Love

While referencing my Great Dane book this morning, I came to the section titled The Life Span of Your Dane. The tears welled up when I read, "That your Dane, on average, may not live much past eight years old is a reality that you and your family must face..".

Benny is celebrating his 8th birthday this year. Everyone has seen the gray. I was just talking to some friends this week about it. Some how Benny has been transformed into an old dog and I didn't see it coming. I guess I haven't put it all together that he really is getting old. Like time may be coming to an end-old.

The past few days Benny has woken up crying and last night he was crying out in his sleep. Big dogs are known to have hip problems, joint pains, and arthritis. I'm hoping his discomfort is the onset of one of these big dog aliments and I can simply get him something to ease his pain.

Though he is such a pain in the ass I love him and so does Zozo. I'm just very sad today by the thought of him, in the not-so-far future, not being present to do the following: be in the way all the time, fart by my beside each night, or bark endlessly at the nothingness in the night. Oh-I forgot-leave dog hair all over everything I own and every person I created.

I have this line from Royal Tenembaums that sums up how I often feel about B. I don't think you're an asshole Royal, I just think your kinda a son-of-a-bitch.

Happy Birthday Henry

SMILE

Wish me luck! I'm going to bat once again. My most feared endeavor...professional portraits with my kids is on the schedule for tomorrow.

Reason #112 that Jess should live in Austin-to simultaneously take beautiful pictures of my children while providing a stress free blissful experience for me.

"Hank the Tank"

Well...first week back at work did not go as planned. Henry started running a high fever Saturday. I took him into the sick clinic Monday morning and 2 hours later we were sent home with instructions to closely monitor "Hank the Tank" (Uncle Ross's personal nickname for little Henry).
His white blood count was well below the normal range. He was at 2,000 and we've been informed that the typical variation is 6,000-17,000. With his count so low he is very susceptible to secondary infections. Apparently his little immune army would be no match for even the common cold right now.
We love the kids pediatrician and value her advice. All signs are pointing towards a viral infection that simply needs to run its course. His white blood count was up to 3,900 Tuesday so we're headed in the right direction. Fever has subsided but we're keeping him home this week.
Plus side is that he is getting lots of rest (12 hours of uninterrupted sleep Tuesday night). And we're catching up on our reading.
Today's selection: Good Night, Sleep Tight: The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go To Sleep, Stay Asleep, and Wake Up Happy

I've been wanting to post these great pics of the fall colors here in Austin.

For the second year we went to The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's evening of Illuminations. Three thousand luminaries light the paths of the center. Music, holiday treats, and beauty make this a wonderful holiday tradition.
We also enjoyed the company of Dana, Colin, and Baby Addison this weekend. Rhett cooked a delicious dish of chicken pancetta and the kids exchanged gifts. It was a wonderful evening.

December 21st-First Day of Winter

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.- Edith Sitwell