All Dogs Go To Heaven

I think everyone has that one dog. The one that totally steals your heart away, and leaves you devastated when they are gone. Blu, for us, was that dog.This post will be a tribute to our little buddy. The only dog that has ever softened the heart of Pud'nin. So here we go, an Ode to Blu!

One of a kind!

Blu and his sister arrived here one August day, dropped by someone who for whatever reason thought they were not worth their time.Their loss, was our gain. He was a little ball of energy, so fuzzy and just adorable.

Love him

He was always laying in tight spots!

 I have to say, Pud'nin was not to happy with the little furball that first day. He said he was the ugliest puppy he had ever seen. He actually threw a fit, screeching off down the road in the truck leaving black marks streaking all the way to the house. Little did he know, that ugly little puppy, was going to become his constant companion. Even turning him into a "dog person". Blu was special like that, it was impossible not to love him.
In spite of Pud'nins protests, Lee and I knew, Blu was staying. And our lives were forever changed for the better. Even Brandy could not resist him!

What a fuzzy little guy!

 Blu quickly became a part of the farm. He was everywhere. All you had to do was start a vehicle, tractor, the Jacobson. Anything at all..and he would appear out of nowhere waiting for a ride. Of course he made you crazy sometimes being so darn slow to actually get IN the vehicle! I spent many mornings yelling : " Come ON Blu!!! Over here! Get IN the truck!!" While he just sauntered over, slow as you please. Then up he went, then looked at you like "What?!"

 Love that smile!

Yes...Pud'nin softened quite a bit.. If Blu was out too late or too long, he was the first to go out looking for him. He loved that dog and Blu never missed an opportunity to join him in the shop or take a trip back in the field to dig through the many treasures stashed in the trove. They were best friends. I mean really, they even started looking alike!

My guys..

You got a little something right here!

Mmm Bones!

 Sleeping! He must have been dreaming about a big pile of bones. He has a toothy smile! If I remember correctly,  Lee had him on the couch. lol

So cute!

 Cayce even took him to the Spa, he was so cute! She said he was such a good boy! He loved being spoiled and pampered. Every time Joy and Katrina gave him a bath, or a haircut, he was so proud! He would prance and spin, coming to find me making  sure I saw how amazing he looked! He was so spoiled by everyone! He was so silly and full of life. He was loved..
Blu had enough personality for ten dogs, all rolled up in one little body. I still look for him on the porch swing where he liked to sit in the summer, just swinging with his head hanging down. I see a flash of white and I jerk to attention, for a second I think he is home. To see his little puff butt bouncing up the walk just one more time, tail up, grinning from ear to ear....

What?

This is my good side!

Must roll!

He always threw his cuckleburrs on the floor, after carefully picking them out. They were placed in a pile in front of his bed. Then, we would step on them, and remind him that he needed to put them in the TRASH!  What I would give to step on one of his burrs now..

See those little spots? Yea, Burrs!

 I know many people say " Just a dog" But those people have never met the right dog.."that" dog. The one that has your heart forever. Blu was our dog. But he was my friend. I cried with him when things were rough, teased him about his self cleaning fur, held him while his seizures made him helpless. I loved him. I needed him way more than he needed me I am sure.  I will never forgive myself for letting him out that day creating the opportunity for someone to take him away from us. I failed him so many times. But that time was the one time that mattered. Then, when whatever killed him, that ripped the life from his little body, I was not there to save him. To hold him until it was better. He was almost home. So close. He probably felt safe. The smells were familiar, he knew the territory. But it was not to be. I am so sorry Blu.
They say at the end of a humans life, their life flashes before them. I do not know if that happens with dogs but I hope if it does Blu, your vision was filled with our unconditional love, warm sun shining on your face, my fingers on your ears that last day you were here, spinning in circles after your bath because you were just so happy, and hamburgers on the way home from the vet...
Rest in peace sweet Blu, see you when I get there..

Grandbabies Galore!

With all the things that have been happening here on the Homestead that are not so happy, thought I would share something that makes us smile. What is it you ask? Grandbabies! The little rays of sunshine that makes us glad we made it through the tough times with our kiddos! They are like all the joy and love you have for our kids, only amplified! Loves me some Grandbabies!
 We now have seven, YES, seven Grandbabies. Two of them in the last few months! We are so blessed!

 GRANDBABIES

These are the ones that had arrived at Christmas! Luke, Isaac, Lane (Jamie and Cynthia), Kaeli and Payton (Josh and Melissa) and Daisy!( Jeff and Brenna) Just a couch full of awesomeness!! THEN, 2016 brought number seven! This is  Brayden! (Lee and Cayce), who finally made his appearance!

Look at that little face!

Here are more pictures of them all at different times. Aren't they just GRAND?! Can you tell we are just SOO proud of these cuties!?

Luke watching Lane Play Ball!

Luke laughed and laughed at Grandpa while we were there. Imagine that! LOL! 

 

Lane in his Little Dribblers. He is so good!!

 He concentrated so hard, you can't see, but his tongue was out! He was into that play!

Payton and Kaeli gaming, lol Imagine that!

 I think we were playing HayDay while they were hear visiting for Christmas! Or..maybe that game they play with the giant bubbles. Hmm

Daisy and Kaeli having a Cheetos Break!

These girls have such fun together.  Always taking care of their "babies" and drawing such cute pictures. But, a girls gotta eat!!

Payton with his green "teeth" LOL! This child has such a sense of humor. :) 

Payton with GUM! lol!

Sleepy Luke!

Luke in his adorable little big boy outfit. What I would do to sleep like a baby! 

Skater girl concentrating hard!

She skated and skated this day, back and forth. Where do they get that energy!? I want some!!

I promise, if Isaac smiles, you will have to smile right along with him. It is just that contagious!

He has the sweetest smile!

Tiny Luke! Waving already!

Luke was waving, lol I was trying to get a picture, but he was like no, I gotta be waving now!

Lane getting in some garden time!

 Lane and Isaac came over one day and they planted squash seeds. They were just too sweet making sure that they had plenty of water to grow!

Swaddled Braden catching some ZZZ's

The newest assition to the grandbaby count. Brayden looks so peaceful when he sleeps. Makes you want to join him in a little nap!

Daisy having some book time!

Daisy girl when she was just a little thing! Hard to believe she will soon be 4 years old!

Bean sheller having way too much fun!!

Kaeli has always been a big help with the garden. Shelling  horticulture beans is a favorite job for her. She loves finding the solid pink beans and keeps them separate.

So serious! :)

Wonder what Lane has on his mind? No telling, but it probably has something to do with being outside. 

Ice Cream!!

 That is how I wanna eat my cake and ice cream!

Isaac ready to go play!

Just like Lane, this little boy is at his happiest when he can be outside playing hard and helping Daddy!

Daisy with a sucker, lol She is always smiling and her imagination is just the best. She will keep you smiling with her stories and names for all the animals!

Happy Girl!

Looking at Mama. :)

 That is such an adorable picture of Brayden. He was looking at his Mama. He is already growing so much! A week old today and already captured our hearts!

Vroom Vroom!!

 Motorcycle mania! Payton will ride that motorcycle a million miles, lol I am sure this summer when they visit he will jump on and speed across the yard like he was never even off a second!

Daddy managed to get this wide eyed pictue of Brayden while he was still in the hospital. Now that is talent..or was it luck?!

Brayden looking just adorable!

I know this was mainly a bunch of pictures, but things here on the farm have been a bit hard lately, and these babies keep us smiling even during the roughest times. Nobody can stay sad when they look at these little faces! :)
More updates soon, so check back often!