RIP, Corbin

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As I'm sure most of you have heard by now, sweet Corbin has passed on.  A sudden illness came over him, and his family helped him pass over the rainbow bridge on Saturday.

I had a kitty who had a myriad of health problems from the moment I got him, and I paid through the nose to keep him healthy and comfortable over the years.  I think that's what drew me to Corbin, who also had a variety of health issues.  I prayed for him over the years just as I have for all of my own pets.  I was sad when he got sick, and I got excited when he would overcome some hurdle and I'd think everything would be OK again.  I never met him, but I still have a great deal of love and affection for him.  My heart broke for Corbin, and for his family, when I read the post first on Facebook and then on blogger that the time had come for him to cross the rainbow bridge.    I will miss him.

Both pictures of Corbin used with permission of owner.

Corbin was special in other ways too.  His blog extolled the virtues of pit bulls, and did their part to ensure that people were educated about the breed.  He was also a foster brother to many other doggies, and helped to show Diamond and many others that there is love and goodness in the world.  Best of all, he was one handsome dude!!!  Who could resist that sweet face?

Pets come and go, but it never gets any easier when it's their time.  I've learned this from experience.  Corbin was well loved and will be greatly missed.  Run free, sweet boy!

FFHT - Fractured Fryday Hairy Tails

It's been awhile since I participated in this, so I figure it's high time to do another one!  This is a true story, and happened long  before Shiver and Chico came along.  I was still living with my parents and they had gone out of town for a few days.  This is the story from their beagle's point of view.  

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Hello, I'm Angel the Beagle.  I really am an Angel now.  I died about 6 weeks before Sprinkles' dad died - four long years ago.  I was his dog, and my name fit me to a T because I had such an angelic personality.  Everyone loved me!  

My mom and dad had gone out of town for a few days, so Sprinkles took care of me.  I slept with Sprinkles in her bed, along with her Fox Terrier.  The first night, everything was fine.  The three of us crawled into the bed and slept the night away.  

The following night, I decided the three of us in a twin bed was much too crowded.  I couldn't sleep, and tried to figure out what to do.  Then it hit me -- I needed to get Sprinkles out of the bed so I could have it all on my own!  But how would I do that?  I thought about it for a few minutes, and came up with an idea.  

I knew that I needed a good excuse for waking Sprinkles up in the middle of the night.  Otherwise she'd be really angry at me, and I couldn't have that!  So I got up and scratched on the bedroom door, pretending I wanted out.  Sprinkles crawled out of bed and turned the light on.  When she asked me if I needed to go out and was just about to open the door, I jumped back in bed!  She laughed for half a second, then turned out the light and crawled back into bed.  She knew I just wanted the bed to myself.

It was still too crowded, so I waited about a half hour and did it again.  Sprinkles fell for it all over again, only this time she didn't think it was so funny.  This went on throughout the night, and we were all really tired in the morning since none of us got any sleep.  I tried it once or twice the next night, but Sprinkles had caught on by then, and she didn't get out of bed.  

Finally my dad came back from his trip and I got to sleep in a king size bed again.  

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meanderings

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This was an interesting past week.  I had two interviews on Tuesday, one with the Chief of Staff for the mayor and the other at the local courthouse.  The Chief of Staff interview was more of an informational interview since I wasn't actually applying for a specific position.  Even so, I got some good advice.  The courthouse interview went well, and I remembered to use certain skills that I learned from the leadership conference a couple of weeks ago.  However, I knew I blew it when a specific question was asked and I couldn't remember the answer and made one up.  It was not a good answer and I immediately kicked myself, but I still couldn't remember the answer so I left it at that.  Disappointingly, I didn't get the job.  It's a learning experience though, so it's all good.  

I was invited to attend a luncheon on Wednesday, so I went thinking maybe I could network a bit.  Plus it was free food and hey, who doesn't like that?  I didn't get to network quite as much as I might have hoped, but I had a good time and that's all that really matters.  The luncheon was more of an awards presentation for various non-profit agencies from all around the state.  The agencies each made a short video about what they do, so it was interesting to see what is available here that I wasn't aware of before.  

Thursday, I went to a job place that helps people get jobs.  I don't really like the program, so I'm not sure if I'll continue on with them or not.  I keep telling myself I should try it for a few weeks first, but I think I've talked myself out of it.  I do think it's a good program - it's just not for me.  

I went to the post office yesterday and got a wonderful package from Kristen which contained several Lush soaps.  I could smell them through the cardboard box, and couldn't wait to open it up to smell everything individually.  I also got an amazing card from one of the state representatives I worked with at the leadership conference.  Lynne sent me an exciting package of goodies recently too, but I've been too lazy to do anything with any of it yet.   

This week I'll be volunteering on Saturday.  I also plan to go to visit a friend I made from the leadership conference sometime during the week.  I invited myself over (because I'm classy like that!) so I could meet her beautiful dogs.  What are your plans for the week ahead?

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

I just read about Sasha's untimely passing and am so sad!  Run free, sweet girl!

My life is rather blah these days - mostly spent filling out job applications and willing the phone to ring for interviews.  I'll be attending a job workshop later this week so that will fill up some time, at least.  When I'm not busy doing that, I'm busy swatting the 87 flies in my house.  I can't figure out where they all came from, but I wish they'd figure out how to get out the same way they came in.  So you get a meme today...

Took this from here.

1.  How many dictionaries do you own?  

Exactly one.  Actually two - one is a Spanish to English dictionary.  I don't speak Spanish, so I don't ever use that one.

2.  Are you a touchy person, or do you prefer not to be touched by others?

I'm not an overly touchy person, but I don't mind being touched in general.  I do enjoy a good hug.  How about you?

3.  Describe a dream you had that was prophetic in nature.

I've blogged about this particular dream before, but I'm too lazy to find and link to it.

My father had just been told IRL that he had cancer and that it was terminal.  I believe he was in the hospital when I had the dream since he was in and on so often after that.

I dreamed that one day I walked out of class and he was sitting on a bench with my grandfather in the quad area.  I was surprised to see them.  (In real life, there's no bench in the quad, and my grandfather had died years before.  It all seemed normal in the dream though.)  As I approached them to say hello, my father began to lift up off the bench towards the sky before I reached them.  I watched him float up like a ballon, then looked at my grandfather, who was looking straight at me and pointing to my dad.

At the time, I somehow thought it meant that my dad would be OK - like he was saying he was watching over us and everything would be fine.  Now I think that it was grandfather telling me that my dad would be leaving for Heaven soon.

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one. 

It reminds me of a kid dressing up for Halloween.

That's So Random!

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• Last week I attended an amazing weeklong leadership conference.  I learned a lot and made a ton of networks that I unlikely would have made otherwise.
• After being gone for a week, I came home to two much thinner chi's who really missed me.
• Because of the leadership program, I "met" a relative on facebook that I never knew existed.
• I have no life, yet I'm still trying to catch up on everything I missed while I was away.
• I met with someone yesterday in the line of work I want to get into and he gave me some useful advice.
• I had a job interview earlier this week.  It seemed to go well, so I'm hopeful that I got the job.
• A month after graduation and I'm still waiting on my diploma!  :(
• Still one more day to sign up for Christmas in July!  So far I've gotten seven participants.

Wordless Wednesday

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Wordless Wednesday

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Welcome Dance

Woo hoo!  We are having a wonderful time at Sarge's Welcome Dance.  We're dancing the day and night away and you can't stop us!!!   The four of us have switched partners a few times, and we must say that Molly and Noodles sure are light on their feet! 

We've really enjoyed getting to know our dates a bit better, as well as all the new citizens of Blogville.  We can't think of when we've had a better time.  Much thanks to Yente Ruby for introducing us to the lovely Molly and Noodles.  An even bigger thanks to Sarge for putting this shindig together for everyone.

Quick Note

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I'm attending a week-long Leadership Program this week.  I didn't realize it until I got here yesterday afternoon, but the program is very intense with 12-14 hour days each day.  Unfortunately, that means I won't be around much, if at all, this week.  I return on Saturday, so I'll be around shortly after.  

In the mean time, I've pre-posted a few posts.