Meet Ringo!

There is a lot of great news to share with everyone, so I won't talk much about my favorite subject, the weather.  It was cold and then hot.  It rained and then it was humid. Sometimes it was cloudy, other times sunny.  The last few days have been beautiful, perfect to play in our back yard with my new little brother, Ringo!

My family adopted Ringo last week.  He is about 6 months old.  They thought he was a Yorkie/Chihuahua mix. but he is kind of big for that to be true.  We think he looks more like a miniature Pinscher mix.  Ringo is very smart and quickly learned the routine around our house.

I was difficult picking a name for him.  He didn't respond to anything.  We tried almost a dozen names before we landed on Ringo.  Daddy said he looked British.  He also smiles all the time.  I included a picture of him so you can see what I mean.

Mommy said I am being an excellent big brother.  I am very patient and tolerate a lot.  Ringo likes to chew on me and jump on my back.  He chases me around the house and yard.  Once in a while, I chase him.  It is fun.

Our book sales have been steady.  We received a nice email from a woman saying she really liked our books and appreciated our efforts to make difficult subjects less scary.

Last Saturday, we participated in a fund raiser for a charity called "Pets Loyal 2 Vets."  They match furry friends with veterans.  We had a good time and met some new friends.  People liked looking at our books and talking with Mommy.  Daddy took many pictures.

We also donated a set of Rudy books to the silent auction and several people bid on them!

We are donating another set of our books to a charity called "Home for Life."  They will have it in an auction in a few months.  They help animals who have special needs and need a forever home.  We really like helping charities.  It makes us feel good.

I feel good about my little bro, Ringo.  I think he will be a nice addition to the family.

Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab and Little Bro, Ringo!

"Hakuna matata," Mommy!

I think my mommy is great.  I love her so much.  Recently, she has been dealt a couple more blows.  Unfortunately, this is not the first time.  I asked her, "Mommy, why does this happen to you?"  She kissed me on my head and said, "That's just my life, Boomer."  Well, I think it stinks.

Since I joined this family in the fall of 2009, I have witnessed a lot.  In July, 2009, Mommy had her second kidney transplant.  My wonderful Daddy was her donor!  Six days after surgery, older brother, Kirby went to heaven.  In December, 2010, Daddy was in a bad accident.  It almost killed him and it totaled the truck.  Three months later, they were involved in another car accident.  The guy in front of them was committing insurance fraud.  In April, 2011, our sweet little Rudy was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

In October, 2012, Mommy received a cancer diagnosis.  Two surgeries in December and January followed to remove it.  Our dear Rudy went to heaven on January 30, 2013.  He was her little cheerleader.  He witnessed even more than me.  He seemed to know exactly when she needed kisses or a happy dance.  We really miss him, especially Mommy.

The last couple of months Mommy has sprained her foot badly.  To top it off, she found out her pancreas transplant is no longer working.  Rudy joined the family in July 2004 during the long recovery after the pancreas transplant.  Wow!  That is too much!

Through all of this, Mommy still gets up every morning with a smile on her face.  She doesn't want to waste any time because it is precious.  She takes great care of Daddy and me.  Does her best to keep up the house, write blogs and a new book for Rudy's Little World.  That's our tribute to Rudy.  I have heard her sing a song that goes like this, "Happiness runs in a circular motion.  Falters like a little boat upon the sea.  All of our souls are deeper than you can see.  You can be happy if you let yourself be."  She learned it as a young girl.  Singing is a way to cope.  If you are singing, you can turn off your inner thoughts.  Walking and dancing also do the same thing for her while relieving some anxiety.  Win, win!

Last week I heard Mommy and Daddy talking about her first kidney transplant in 1995.  One month out she had a rejection episode and a bad virus called CMV.  That's not good.  She was sick for three months, but recovered.  During this time, Mommy adopted the theme, "Hakuna matata," a phrase from the Lion King.  It means, "no worries."  The tune lends itself to a nice little dance!  This theme has been helpful over the years.  We need it now as she deals with the latest issue.  So, "Hakuna matata, Mommy!"  I'm your cheerleader!

Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab