Wednesday

Time is flying by these days and there is so much to do! Yesterday and today — wellness checks for the Moonshadows.

Moonshadow Arche

We are also doing the evaluation videos of the Moonshadows today.

Rosebud — staying safe from the Moonshadows

Evening Report

I think taking ten puppies to the vet is crazy and stressful — for me and the puppies — and so I have done the well-checks in groups of five. The puppies have done great and are a big hit with the staff…

Hunter

We had visitors today. Lee and Suzanne were here earlier, and Donna also came to meet the puppies…

They are all friendly, social — and WILD…

Safe

My dad and aunt shared how grateful everyone was when the polio vaccine was developed. People lined up to get vaccinated because they had lived with the risk of polio, and knew polio was the real safety issue — not the vaccine. That experience shaped my dad/aunt’s quick willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dad and Auntie Molly — and Sparkle — at the Berkeley Marina

Those of us who have not grown up with the serious risk of disability and death from preventable diseases lack that perspective. We have to trust that, yes — science works, and can keep us safe. Lucky Socks can only go so far.

I trusted.

I got my second vaccine yesterday. I prepared to feel crappy but so far, I am okay. My arm is REALLY painful when I move it but that seems to be it (so far). I started taking Tylenol 2 - 3 hours post-vaccination, and the pharmacist said it is okay to switch to ibuprofen after 24 hours so I will do that.

I am not a Big Fan of unnecessary vaccines in people or animals. The puppies will be lightly vaccinated for diseases that could kill them — just like I am now fully vaccinated for a disease that could kill me or someone I care about.

Moonshadow

Covid already did kill someone who mattered — MANY of those someones. On April 6 it will be one year since Covid took Clark away from the world.

Clark. Lisa K. photo.

If you know his wife, now would be a great time to step up your support.

There is potentially more shuffling of placements going on behind the scenes. Let me just say this about that: Grief finds me and I must respond — it is just how I am hardwired.

Bright Star Capella

A puppy is not the Magic Wand I wish I had but it is something I can offer. A small bright star when shadows cover the moon.

Moonshadows

That darkness makes it hard to find the million pieces of your shattered soul.

Mirak — soon to be Sage

A puppy can offer company when it is our turn to sit on that hard bench in the very Dark Place that is grief. They can go places that humans cannot.

Mirak and a sister

And so when a puppy gets a call for a special mission, that call must be answered. Any human with a heart will understand that.

Complicated and messy, this puppy thing — just like Life.

Evening Update

Berkeley channeling me these days…

Sunday Brunch: Someday!

The Thursday Puppy Nanny asked — after not even an hour with the puppies — “how do you get anything done?”

Bright Star Sirius

“How do you even EAT?!” she went on as she attempted to finish her lunch.

To date, I am down 17 pounds since the Bright Stars arrived — there is the answer.

Moonshadows

I do not write blog posts for sympathy. I write them to help people understand what it is like to raise a litter well. TWO litters in this case.

Yes, writing the blog takes time — but I know people like to keep up on their future puppies. It is my gift to those waiting, and to those watching and learning.

Moonshadow Portia

I also write these daily posts because I do not usually have the time or bandwidth to send individual emails and photos to all the folks getting/wanting a puppy. Sometimes a post contains answers to emailed questions — I figure if one person wants to know, so do others, and so a blog post can be efficient in that way.

Bright Star Capella

It is what I can do. I can’t eat well or sleep enough or get caught up or promptly respond to every request or question but I can offer this — these posts.

I wish it could be more. But remember — I am a human being, imperfect and with finite coping resources trying my best to do something really hard. The fact that it was my own choice (sort of) to do this hard thing doesn’t change the reality that this is hard, and I am trying my very best.

So please — ask your questions, and send your emails/texts.

Bright Star Zaniah

And also — please be understanding and gracious with this exhausted imperfect person trying so hard to do the right things — and dropping balls right, left, and on my own head.

But never do the balls drop on a puppy. #priorities

Now go eat — because you can — and have a grand day.

Evening Report

The puppies had wonderful visitors today — I am so grateful to those who help us socialize puppies. And then the Bright Stars had another outside play session under the watchful eye of Grandma Sparkle…