Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Is Spring Finally Here?

The lilacs are blooming!  The lilacs are blooming!  These fragrant blossoms are a sure sign that it will not snow again this year.  Well, probably not snow again this year.  Nothing is for sure in Minnesota!

We just wrapped up a two week fundraiser book sale for the PKD Foundation.  PKD stands for Polycystic Kidney Disease.  It is the most common kidney disease but also affects other organs, like the eyes.  Of course, we always wish we could have done more, but we did our best.  We were very excited to receive our first two orders ever from Australia.  Rudy's down under!  We are preparing for a children's program in June.  It will be the first one Mommy has given since Rudy went to heaven.  She is nervous, worried she might cry, but I know Rudy will give her strength.  When she gets home, I will give her many kisses from Rudy and me.

Memorial Day was uneventful.  Daddy wanted to take his annual motorcycle ride to Fort Snelling, but it rained.  We have had a lot of rain.  I hope the sun will make an appearance one of these days.  Muddy conditions hamper my Frisbee playing.

Mommy and Daddy are celebrating their anniversary on Saturday.  They told me the number of years, but it was a big number I never heard of before.  They must be really old!

Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab

Saturday, May 18, 2013

PKD, Prance, Present and Milestone

"Slow down, don't pull.  Slow down, don't pull."  I hear Rudy's words of wisdom constantly as I practice walking with Mommy and Daddy.  He is my teacher, having a show dog style prance.  I'll get there.  Unlike his walking, Rudy ran with heavy feet.  Often, it was hard to tell us apart!  Affectionately, Mommy and Daddy called Rudy, "Thunder hoofies" and me, "Dainty feet."  It's funny when a 10 pound poodle sounds like a 70 pound yellow lab.  (Although, I do feel like a little dog, sometimes.)

For "Mommy's Day," the boys gave Mommy a beautiful necklace.  Daddy helped us.  It has the birthstone of each of our birthdays.  Mommy loved it.


We are helping a wonderful organization called the PKD Foundation with a fundraiser May 13 - 27.  Twenty percent of all gross book sales will be donated to their worthy cause.  PKD stands for Polycystic Kidney Disease and it affects 12 and a half million people world wide.  It is the top kidney disease and can even affect different organs in the body along with the kidneys.

Rudy's Little World hit a milestone this week.  We had our first sale from Australia!  That is very far away.  Maybe someday I will visit Australia and hop with the kangaroos.

Our weather is still swinging back and forth, I don't know what to say about that anymore.  So I won't.

Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Lucky

Within three days we reached our first 60, our first 70 and our first 80 degree day of the season!  On May 1, it snowed.  U N B E L I E V A B L E !

I have had a chance to see my neighbor friends more often.  Gertie and I keep track of the neighborhood.  My friend, Hobey Baker, got bit under his eye by another dog.  He wore a cone on his head for a few days, but now he's feeling much better.

Mommy and Daddy went to the 50th anniversary of the transplant program at the University of Minnesota.  They are one of the pioneers of transplants.  In fact - they performed the first kidney transplants on diabetics.  We are very lucky to live so close to wonderful, forward thinking medical facilities.

There was a ceremony for all the living donors.  Mommy has had two living donors.  My Aunt Tammy, who gave Mommy 14 extra years of life and Daddy, who has given just under 4 years.  190 living donors were recognized.  Wow!  It was amazing.  Can you imagine the number of people that wouldn't be here if it weren't for living donors?  Mommy was very lucky to have two generous and caring people in her life.  I know my life would be a lot different if it weren't for them.

Thank you Auntie Tammy and Daddy!  You gave me life, too!


I am starting to practice my walking skills with Mommy and Daddy.  I tend to pull on the lead.  Right now, we are content with the back yard.  I don't have to protect my people very much there, so I can concentrate on walking slow.  Rudy's walking with us in spirit.

Love,
Boomer! the Grateful Mellow Yellow Lab