10.25.2025 Running with Gunnarr

It should come as no surprise that it has been quite difficult for all of us since Fionnegan died. We all miss him very much and the house is definitely much more quiet. How I miss that little pup.

Both Shorty and Gunnarr have exhibited sadness that has been manifested by malaise and general moping. The good news is that they are both eating. Gunnarr has searched the house from top to bottom multiple looking for Fionn, starting with the first morning after his death when he searched the bed and bedroom for him. If Fionnegan dying didn't break my heart, watching Gunnarr coping does it. The first week or so he was beside himself, he would sit in Fionn's bed in my study momentarily, get out and lie down next to it and put his head on the edge, then a few minutes later he would move to his usual place under my chair, then run off to the ottoman. He would overturn all of the dog beds in their condo in the atrium and howl with all of his might. He was never still for a long period of time. And they both howled at the gate I presume calling to Fionnegan to come home. Only now is Gunnarr's behavior returning to his normal self. Shorty is much less demonstrative and just stays very close to me.

Even though Gunnarr will be 12 years old on 11/04/2025, he still has a lot of puppy energy. Fionn did too until he became ill this summer. So I decided to run with Gunnarr outside this afternoon. The weather was nice and I had a big break in work responsibilities. So I opened the door and said, let's run. And he did. I chased him along the fence, over and around the boulders and while he ran under the bushes in front of the house and I chased him alongside the plants. I ran him until he was tired and panting a bit. He smiled and wagged his tail and the look on his face was pure bliss. We both needed that. Shorty could not join us as he injured his right front leg and is still limping a little. I am letting him rest until he has fully recovered. Just one more thing.....

Gunnarr with that big beautiful smile.

Gunnarr is an absolute sweetheart.

No doubt he is missing his brother Fionnegan. They had never been apart for almost 12 years and they shared all of the traits of brothers, from cuddling with each other to rough housing with each other and Shorty and there was a lot of competitiveness. Oh, yes, we did need time outs from time to time because of the competition for my attention. 

A road trip to Cape Ann.

They were a very happy pack, each and every one of them precious and lovable. It is understandable why Shorty and Gunnarr are so sad.

They had their own communication system. A long unbroken stare than poof! They would jump on each other and wrestle.

A long car ride to Pennsylvania and enjoying the air conditioner blowing on them as they squeezed in between the seats. One of my absolute favorite pictures of them. Good times. Good memories.

Just hanging out on the bench.

Brothers to the end.

    

This is a picture from Fionnegan's last day with us. They shared a drink of water together. They often drank together at the same time from the water bowl.

We miss you Fionnegan oh so very much. Not a day goes by when I do not have a tear in my eye as I remember you. But I promise there will be more runs with Gunnarr. And when Shorty's leg heals, we will run with Shorty too. And think of you while we run. "Who wants to run" is our call when we went through the gate. We will run. And think of you.

Why look at the camera when you can look into Momma's eyes?

I'll always remember that happy beautiful smile and twinkling eyes, my dearest Fionnegan.

Until next time...................

09.19.2025 My Precious Fionnegan 11.04.2013 - 09.18.2025 RIP my friend

 It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I report that my dear Fionnegan died last night in my arms. He was ill with Lyme disease and just could not recover.

Here are a couple of pictures of him. I will write more as I can. He is now a puppy dog angel. I asked him and Gunnarr every morning as I brush their teeth if they dream of puppy dog angels.

He was one very happy pup. I loved him dearly.

Fionn. Shorty and me in the reflection. Shorty is very sad today.

Gunnarr sharing a water bowl yesterday. It is hard to believe he was gone within 6 hours of this picture.

Gunnarr is lost without him. He was searching for him all morning. 

Their last group photograph, taken 09.18.2025. Yes, Fionn always liked to recline, but now he had to because his joints were weak. 

The puppy picture that stole my heart. I always told him he had a big yawn for a little fellow.

Will put together more of a story and pictures of the good times as I can. I already miss his barking and his empty bed by my desk just breaks my heart. And yes, I miss his generous kisses. If there is a heaven for dogs, Fionnegan is already there.

 

Until next time...................

08.29.2025 Summertime, Summertime.......

 Where has it gone?  It is now Labor Day weekend and it seems like we should just be starting summer, not ending it! 

The last pink lily with raindrops. This is one of my favorites.

These past two months have been very eventful. My spirited Fionnegan was treated for Lyme disease again - it has affected his joints and it was hard for him to walk. This time he didn't want to eat, a very worrisome situation for dogs. It was really heartbreaking to see him struggle. I cannot tell you how many times I sat on the floor trying just about every food I have in the house to get him to eat. One day he would eat watermelon or tuna, favorite foods for him.  If he ate something, I would go to the grocery store and buy more. Then the next day he would turn his little nose up in the air and wouldn't touch it. 

 Finally, the antibiotics started to work and he was back to barking for meals and chasing Gunnarr around the yard and house. Then, he was not eating again. The antibiotics caused him nausea and gi distress and he stopped eating. Again I am on the floor with him trying everything. Finally he would eat meat - chicken and pork, but no kibble or vegetables or fruit. I bought beef flavored multivitamins and he would just spit them out. Since he had been on medication for 10 days I stopped it, better for him to eat and take his pain medications. A friend suggested a McDonald's cheeseburger. I scraped off the onions and pickle and cut it up in small pieces, including the bun. He ate the entire hamburger.  Amazing. Gunnarr and Shorty shared another cheeseburger. Fionn would not touch the french fries or apple slices so the three of us shared them from the Happy Meals.

It took a few weeks to "doctor" him back to health. For the last couple of days he has eaten lunch and dinner, he even will bark when I say "who wants dinner?" And he ate all of his kibble, cheese, MV, and apple yesterday and today. He is still persnickety with some treats and food but that may change with time.

Just when I thought we could take a deep breath and relax, Gunnarr developed another bladder infection. Piddles and puddles inside and outside. He would stand for 2 minutes just dripping and straining. He would take a few steps and try again. So he was started on antibiotics and given a doggy belly belt. At least I could stop doing laundry 2 to 3 times a day. He tolerated the antibiotics for a few days but was slow to get better. By the way, he does not like being observed trying to pee and would hide from me in the lily flower beds or behind the porch. Shy little one! Then he got sick on the antibiotics and stopped eating.  By poor little Gunnarr. I gave him a little break and he was restarted on lower dose, now he ates everything, including his medicine.

Shorty is a star. He has not had a problem, thank you heaven. When Fionn was sick and curled up on his bean bag, Shorty would lie on the floor next to him. Shorty would also sit next to Gunnarr when he was not feeling well. And when Fionnegan would not eat his food, Shorty was always there ready to clean his bowl!

So, there has not been much time for sailing. I do work and then relax on the boat for short periods of time. But I was too worried to leave the pups alone for too long.

Fionnegan sleeping behind a pillow! You can't see me I guess he is thinking!

Gunnarr is wearing his belly belt. He was remarkably willing to wear. He is now better with no more UTI symptoms, so no more need for his belt.

Fionnegan and Gunnarr - brothers and best buds along with Shorty.

  

Shorty seems to understand Fionnegan and Gunnarr were not well. He looks a bit sad here.

But now they are happy and tails are wagging again! In particular, I call Gunnarr "HT" or "HTW" for Happy Tail and Happy Tail Wagger! He wags his tail with all of his energy!

  

The lilies did reasonably well, even after being trampled by the workmen this W
inter and Spring.

 

    

A pretty pink zinnia in a flower box. The hummingbirds would sip the nectar from these flowers. I tried growing annuals in a few flowerpots. This one did very well and I really enjoy the color. Would like to do this again next year. 

  

It was really too hot for me to do a lot of gardening, but as the weather has cooled I am back pulling weeds and plotting for next year.

This one must be a cross between a purple and pink lily. It was new to my garden without being planted!

The hummingbirds really like the beebalm.

From my boys and me - May you have a Safe and Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Until next time ...............