Jade

We lost a best friend this past week. On Monday, we took Jade to the emergency vet clinic after noticing her health decline over the past 4 weeks.  She was lethargic, wouldn’t eat her food and continued to lose weight.  Then, Monday night, Dennis noticed that her abdomen was firm and distended.  We thought maybe it was an obstruction of some kind.  But, after an x-ray and ultrasound, we discovered that Jade had a large tumor in her abdomen that was compressing all of her abdominal organs.  Surgery wasn’t sounding like a very promising option, especially considering her age.  She was exactly one month shy of being a 9 year-old boxer (which is very old in a boxer’s life).  So, we sadly had to make the hardest decision of our lives, and let our best friend go. 

Jade was an amazing dog.  We got her at a pet store in Iowa City when she was about 8 weeks old.  We loved her and trained her (the best that we knew how) and treated her like our child. 

She loved being around people so much.  We would take her to the dog parks to play with other dogs and run off some energy.  But, all she wanted to do was get love from as many people as possible. 

When the girls were born, Jade welcomed them into her life and loved them unconditionally.  She was so incredibly good with them, even through the pain she had the last few weeks. 

We are so glad she’s no longer suffering.  But, we miss her SO much.

We love you, Jader!

Our young pup

 

Just the three of us

Cool dog!

Jade checking on Lauren

Jade getting to know Molly

Trip to Iowa

Last week we made a trip to Iowa for a Memorial Service in honor of Dennis’ cousin Aaron.  I also attended the funeral of a good friend and college roommate who was tragically killed in an accident while camping. 

But, even through the sadness and flood of memories throughout the weekend, we got to spend some amazing time with our wonderful family and friends. 

We spent Thursday night and Friday in Sioux City with my family.  Went to my Buffalo Alice (my fav pizza place in Sioux City) on Thursday night.  After mom and I went shopping, we swam at my aunt Lori’s pool on Friday.  Lauren was in the pool from 2:30 until 9:00 p.m.  Then Lori showed Lauren the juke box and dance floor in the basement.  So, since Lauren is such a dancing fanatic, we stayed and danced and played games.  Lauren was in HEAVEN!!

Saturday morning we left at the butt crack of dawn for Eastern Iowa.  I wanted to leave early enough to make it to Jen’s funeral.  My mom and dad followed us.  And, while Dennis took the girls to Cedar Rapids, my parents and I drove to Washington, Iowa for the service.  As sad as it was to go, it was so good to see so many great friends from college.  I was and still am so lucky to have them in my life.  Dennis and I got to see a lot of friends while we were back and spend some good quality time with a lot of people. It’s something that we never want to take for granted.  Our friends are our family! And, we love them all!

Sunday was Aaron’s memorial.  It was a beautiful service and luncheon.  And, it was just great to be able to enjoy so much family.  My parents got to meet so much of Dennis’ family too.  Which was very important to them, especially since they never got the opportunity to meet Dennis’ dad or Aaron.

Jacob and Jeffrey got to come from Anchorage for their dad’s memorial.  And, Jeffrey’s birthday was on Monday.  So, we took all of the kids to the PlayStation to celebrate.  They all had such a good time. 

Dennis’ birthday was Tuesday and we celebrated by taking planes, trains and automobiles to get back home. I know……we know how to party.  On the plane from Des Moines to Dallas, Molly puked all over me and herself.  This made for a very stinky (me…not Molly) and half-naked (Molly….not me) trip from Dallas to Phoenix. 

Despite the humidity and all of Molly’s exploding bodily fluids, we had a great time in Iowa.  We are going to miss everyone.

 

Dad and mom

Molly and Grandpa

Uncle Nick

Lauren, the little fish

That poor diving stick….didn’t stand a chance

Cousins

(disregard the giant hand growth on Molly)

Grandpa’s girl

Molly with Lori and Grandma

Only in Iowa are kids in a bar not a weird scene

Aaron’s beautiful headstone

Taps being played

Cigar toast to Aaron

Molly was slightly obsessed with grass in Iowa

Malone cousins

(yeah….they are all four playing Nintendo DS)

We made a trip to Amana colonies.  It was fun…..except for the heat and humidity, the mile long walk to the brewery carrying Molly (Karrie helped along the way and Will came and picked us up so we wouldn’t have to walk back), Molly’s giant blow-out at the restaurant that got all over my shirt and required me to bathe her in the sink, and the heat and the humidity.  Other than that, it was perfect!

Adult table

Family time at the PlayStation

Happy 9th birthday, Jeffrey!

 

Look who’s walking…

 Okay…so she’s been walking for awhile now.  It’s been about a month. We have been a little busy.  But, I wanted to show a cute video that Dennis took of Molly walking.  And, she is also very particular about her pairs of socks, too.