~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[sandym718]

I am so sad for all of you. You will be in my prayers. And if it's Rufus' time, then I hope it is peaceful.

 

[Lidian]

D, I am truly sorry for everything you are going through. I can not begin to relate in how it feels to lose a beloved pet ... but I know they are family ... children, brothers, sisters ... I understand that feeling all too well.

I pray that Rufus will pass peacefully in his sleep. And I am praying hard for your family ... that you'll find ways to comfort each other and move forward.

I am here if you need a friend. Snuggle Rufus for all of us.

 

[WDWCP96]

D~I am so sorry about the news of poor Ruf's condition. I hope that he goes peacefully in his own home surrounded by the people who love him most. I am thinking of you and your family in this tough time.

 

[VBAndrea]

Wise words from your friend and sound advice from the vet. I pray Rufus stays comfortable and passes at your home where it will bring you more comfort.

 

[DMGeurts]

I am so sorry that I have been such a downer this last week. But, yet again, we so appreciate your prayers and support.

I've kind of been a naughty doggy momma since we got the news of Ruf's tumor yesterday... We are supposed to be careful, and only feed him certain things. The poor dog hadn't showed any interest in any food at all in almost 3 days (since the pancakes), Josh had made bbq ribs on the grill last night, and Ruf decided he was hungry. So, I sat there for almost 20 mintes, picking all the meat off the bone and feeding him, he was like a baby bird. He enjoyed it so much, and for the first time in his life - actually tasted anything - LOL. My thought on this, is if he is going to die, no matter what we do - he should at least enjoy his last few days. And I am sorry - if he even seems slightly interested in food of any sort, he'll be getting some.

It was so bittersweet to see Ruf act like his normal self for a few minutes yesterday, while he was "sharking" the table for food. We always called him our shark at dinner time, because that's exactly what he was.

Victoria also got a good cuddle in with him yesterday after school.

He seems a bit more chipper since coming home from the vet yesterday, but other things are going on too... His back end has started to shake more, his tail is "broken" and you can tell that he is moving around more to get comfortable.

Thank you everyone for your continued prayers for Rufus and our family. We really appreciate it.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

I managed to finish this the other day, but I wanted to save the pictures for later in the week, so I had something fun to post.

Applique close-up:

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

I also wanted to add (trying to up my post count)...

Despite everything going on - the girls and I are really trying to think happy thoughts and be excited for our trip.

I have quite a few wise friends - and another one told me yesterday - that the girls and I worked so hard to save up and pay for this trip, even though there is so much sadness around it, we really need to enjoy this time.

I know this is what a lot of you have been telling me over the last week, and I really am trying to see through to the happiness and good times. Sometimes it's so hard to do that... but I really do have very wise and caring friends - I am very fortunate.

One of my friends here on The Dis is doing a TR right now, and she posted her Poly pictures... For the first time since finding out about Ruf - I was looking at the pictures and looking forward to being there.

One week from now, we will be checking in for our flight at the airport. And I am kind of excited about it...

I plan to finish my pirate outfit this morning. I would also like to get started on Alli's Dug wallet.

We are bracing ourselves for the first blizzard of the year... Josh has his new snowblower all gassed up.

D~

 

[cogero]

D love the pirate outfit. Great job.

 

[Lidian]

D, spoil that baby rotten!!!

I also love the outfits, but my apologies, as they are not the first thing on my mind when I visit your thread.

 

[sjs314]

D - My heart goes out to you and your family, I have been reading about Rufus over the past few days, prayed along with everyone else yesterday for positive word back from the vet and crying now as I read about your evening with Rufus. I would do the same as you make his last days wonderful and memorable for all, let him feel the love, let him have the treats not normally allowed, I too hope he passes quietly. As someone who has been where you are and know the pain you are feeling.

 

[mphalens]

Oh Dorine

I was praying hard on Sunday for Rufus and when you called yesterday, I was so hopeful. I continued to pray for you all . . . I am so sorry your sweet Rufus has a tumor. It's never fair, to lose a loved one, but I have to believe it serves a purpose that we just can't know about right now.

I am so so sorry my dear friend. I wish I had the right words and wasn't instead, sitting here bawling.

I'm glad to hear there was a spark when you were looking at Poly pictures . . . and the pirate shirts are, of course, fabulous.

I know it might seem a little odd to people, but maybe there's some way you could bring just a tiny bit of Rufus with you on your trip . . . I bet his spirit would love to run around the most magical place on earth

I'm off to work, but I'll be around all afternoon if you need anything.

Hugs fried

 

[blessedmom4]

D~ You are not a Downer, nor do you need to apologize for asking for prayer. This is YOUR PTR and you can ask for or say what ever you need.

I love the photos you have been posting of Ruf, and the wonderful stories of love/indulgence you are showering on him. You have received some wonderful advice and words of wisdom. I hope that brings you comfort and peace as you make the last days with Ruf so memorable...you have already given him an amazing life and it is obvious he has been well loved and he has loved you all back.

God's timing IS perfect, if inexplicable. This trip is the balm you need to help you and I agree that your memories of Ruf will be with you on this trip and he will ALWAYS be in your heart. I love the new shirts posted, as well as the fact that you can realize that while this is inevitable, you have the gift of enjoying Ruf's last days together, as a family.

 

[tinkbell13]

I managed to finish this the other day, but I wanted to save the pictures for later in the week, so I had something fun to post.

Applique close-up:

D~

Love it and the Goofy pirate too!

I also wanted to add (trying to up my post count)...

Despite everything going on - the girls and I are really trying to think happy thoughts and be excited for our trip.

I have quite a few wise friends - and another one told me yesterday - that the girls and I worked so hard to save up and pay for this trip, even though there is so much sadness around it, we really need to enjoy this time.

I know this is what a lot of you have been telling me over the last week, and I really am trying to see through to the happiness and good times. Sometimes it's so hard to do that... but I really do have very wise and caring friends - I am very fortunate.

One of my friends here on The Dis is doing a TR right now, and she posted her Poly pictures... For the first time since finding out about Ruf - I was looking at the pictures and looking forward to being there.

One week from now, we will be checking in for our flight at the airport. And I am kind of excited about it...

I plan to finish my pirate outfit this morning. I would also like to get started on Alli's Dug wallet.

We are bracing ourselves for the first blizzard of the year... Josh has his new snowblower all gassed up.

D~

I am sure that you and the girls will have a good time, especially once you arrive at WDW. The magic will take over and do its job.

Yay for one more week until you leave! We have ten days till we leave. I am patiently waiting to be able to do online check in for the resort in a couple more days.

Can't wait to see your pirate outfit and the Dug wallet. I need to finish DH's Canada Mickey shirt and two pirate Minnie shirts for my nieces. And I am hoping I'll have time to do a bag for me but I'm still looking for the right lining fabric.

I am hoping that we don't get hit with a snowstorm Thursday of next week. Last trip we had planned heading out Saturday morning and changed it to right after school on Friday as a snowstorm was just about to hit. Thank goodness for 4WD and having lots of experience driving in snow. We had no issues but saw lots of people on the road who did, or rather, deep in the ditch on the side of the road.

 

[solana131]

So whats the plan for these pirate outfits? What park are you wearing them to? So fun. I hope you get lots of pics with all three of you wearing them

You are going to have a blast. It might be a bittersweet trip, but that won't make it any less magical. Afterall, how many times do you get to go with just your girls?! So jealous!

 

[NiniMorris]

Hmmm...BBQ...

I have to tell you...our doggie loved ice cream. For her last several meals she got a bowl of ice cream. She was so weak, that was all she could eat. The vet said we probably prolonged her life by a few days since she had stopped eating.

Our thing was as long as she wasn't in pain we would let nature take its course. So glad we did.


Nini

 

[mommy2mrb]

you are never a downer D~, you need to vent, we are here!!! you need to cry, we are here...WE ARE HERE I know first hand the power of the support our "friends in the box" give

happy Rufus enjoyed his BBQ, spoil away! love the photo of Victoria and Rufus, I can feel the love!

know how hard it is for you to feel happy about your trip, you will find moments to feel Rufus with you, embrace them, cherish them and try to have a magical time.....that's what Megan and I did on our DLR trip after Jim died, the sadness might creep in, just let it happen, then the happiness will follow again!


love the pirates outfit, the girls are going to be a hit!

stay safe in the snow!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Despite everything going on - the girls and I are really trying to think happy thoughts and be excited for our trip.

I have quite a few wise friends - and another one told me yesterday - that the girls and I worked so hard to save up and pay for this trip, even though there is so much sadness around it, we really need to enjoy this time.
D~

I understand how difficult this trip feels for you right now but I'm sure the trip will be filled with many magical moments and will be exactly what you and the girls need.

In December 2009 my youngest Emma had pneumonia. My son Joe was diagnosed as well but not quite so bad-he bounced back very quickly after antibiotics. I too was sick and after working on Friday 12/11/09 I had decided if I wasn't better by Monday I would call a doctor. That Friday night my brother Joe (my son's was named after him) was struck and killed by a car walking to work. My Dad had passed 12/12/67 when I was 6 so Joe was like a Dad to me. He gave me away at my wedding and was the Godfather to my 3 children. I didn't go to the doctor that Monday and honestly don't know how I got through the next few weeks or Christmas.

After Christmas I still felt sort of numb. I had a trip planned with Emma in January for her 7th birthday and really wasn't up for it at all. About 10 days before the trip I went to the doctor. I had whooping cough. After being on the antibiotcs a day or so I realized just how sick I had been. I was feeling a better but still not up for the trip. I had already taken Joe and my oldest for their 7th birthdays so not going really wasn't an option. I figured even if I wasn't up for leaving the hotel Emma would still have a good time-she still wasn't quite 100% after her pneumonia. As it turned out once we got there the magic did kick in. I felt so much better there and we really do both have some very magic memories from that trip-the Dug photo I sent you is from that trip. I actually don't know how/when I would have "recovered" enough to be functional if it hadn't been for that trip.

This May trip is Emma's first one on one trip with me since then. We are both so looking forward to making more memories together.

I'm sure you and girls will have a very magical trip.

Continued prayers for your family.

 

[DMGeurts]

I still just can't get over the support you guys are giving me now, it really has lifted my spirits.

As I was upstairs sewing this morning, I was reflecting on Rufus, and how many lives he has touched, and I was quite amazed.

We frequently tease Ruf and tell him that he is "a human trapped in a dog's body", and he would just smile (yes, he smiles) and wag his tail. Over these last few days, I've come to realize that it's more true than we knew.

You would not believe the phone calls, emails, texts and facebook messages we have received about Rufus... We have neighbors stopping over, and stopping us on the side of the road to ask how our Ruf is doing. The neighborhood kids stop by to give him a pet... and he is in his glory - he has always known that he is a spectacular human, and no ammount of attention is too much.

Maybe it's because we never excluded him from our lives, we forced him to take part in a lot of things that others wouldn't consider. The girls always took him to the park to play when they were there with their friends. Any time we would stay over night anywhere - Ruf always came with. He has walked with us in countless parades, and attended countless town festivals. Our neighbors would call and invite him over for play dates in their back yards, and he was always invited to every picnic, bonfire and gathering. When we went to the lake, Ruf was always first in the truck - and he wasn't far behind the girls at getting into the lake either. Any time we went in the boat, Ruf was right there - he loved to fish with us, and he loved it when he sat in the front of the boat and the wind would make his ears flap... His smile was never bigger than when he was at the lake. Rufus also enjoyed lazy days at home, and sitting at the bonfire with Josh...

It makes me want to cry as I sit here and reflect on so many lives he has touched and how many children who were once afraid of dogs, are no longer because of Ruf. We have so many friends that are now dog owners because of Rufus, as well... There is something magical about him that we weren't expecting, and so thankful we got to experience. And because of that, it is so hard to let go.

D love the pirate outfit. Great job.

Thank you Chiara!

D, spoil that baby rotten!!!

I also love the outfits, but my apologies, as they are not the first thing on my mind when I visit your thread.

Yes, I will spoil my guy... However, I am totally positive that he is sick of me. LOL

D - My heart goes out to you and your family, I have been reading about Rufus over the past few days, prayed along with everyone else yesterday for positive word back from the vet and crying now as I read about your evening with Rufus. I would do the same as you make his last days wonderful and memorable for all, let him feel the love, let him have the treats not normally allowed, I too hope he passes quietly. As someone who has been where you are and know the pain you are feeling.

Thank you Sheila. I am so glad to see you here and posting, I've been thinking a lot about you these last few days, and I hope you are doing well.

Oh Dorine

I was praying hard on Sunday for Rufus and when you called yesterday, I was so hopeful. I continued to pray for you all . . . I am so sorry your sweet Rufus has a tumor. It's never fair, to lose a loved one, but I have to believe it serves a purpose that we just can't know about right now.

I am so so sorry my dear friend. I wish I had the right words and wasn't instead, sitting here bawling.

I'm glad to hear there was a spark when you were looking at Poly pictures . . . and the pirate shirts are, of course, fabulous.

I know it might seem a little odd to people, but maybe there's some way you could bring just a tiny bit of Rufus with you on your trip . . . I bet his spirit would love to run around the most magical place on earth

I'm off to work, but I'll be around all afternoon if you need anything.

Hugs fried

Thank you Marianne - I just realized I forgot to txt you yesterday to let you know the outcome - that was really horrible of me, and I am so sorry. I know you were anxiously waiting to hear news. I hope you'll forgive me for neglecting you.

I do plan to clip a bit of Ruf's fur to save in an envelope... He is a little bit vain - so I've been trying to hold off as long as I can - he would not enjoy missing a patch of fur. I am not sure if we will take it with us, or not, but I do plan on doing something with it, at some point. The girls and I were talking about doing a shadow box with his collar, some pictures and his favorite toys - so maybe I can find something to display a bit of his fur too?

Thank you so much for being such a great friend.

D~ You are not a Downer, nor do you need to apologize for asking for prayer. This is YOUR PTR and you can ask for or say what ever you need.

I love the photos you have been posting of Ruf, and the wonderful stories of love/indulgence you are showering on him. You have received some wonderful advice and words of wisdom. I hope that brings you comfort and peace as you make the last days with Ruf so memorable...you have already given him an amazing life and it is obvious he has been well loved and he has loved you all back.

God's timing IS perfect, if inexplicable. This trip is the balm you need to help you and I agree that your memories of Ruf will be with you on this trip and he will ALWAYS be in your heart. I love the new shirts posted, as well as the fact that you can realize that while this is inevitable, you have the gift of enjoying Ruf's last days together, as a family.

Thank you Judy... YOu have such a way with words - they always make me cry, but I consider that a gift, because you truly understand - and that means more to me than you know.

Love it and the Goofy pirate too!





I am sure that you and the girls will have a good time, especially once you arrive at WDW. The magic will take over and do its job.

Yay for one more week until you leave! We have ten days till we leave. I am patiently waiting to be able to do online check in for the resort in a couple more days.

Can't wait to see your pirate outfit and the Dug wallet. I need to finish DH's Canada Mickey shirt and two pirate Minnie shirts for my nieces. And I am hoping I'll have time to do a bag for me but I'm still looking for the right lining fabric.

I am hoping that we don't get hit with a snowstorm Thursday of next week. Last trip we had planned heading out Saturday morning and changed it to right after school on Friday as a snowstorm was just about to hit. Thank goodness for 4WD and having lots of experience driving in snow. We had no issues but saw lots of people on the road who did, or rather, deep in the ditch on the side of the road.

I hope you are able to finish the items you'd like to get done for your trip. I've really been trying to sneak up to my sewing room ever now and then... I do a lot of my best thinking while I am sewing, so it's a nice relief to sit up there and do that sometimes.

So whats the plan for these pirate outfits? What park are you wearing them to? So fun. I hope you get lots of pics with all three of you wearing them

You are going to have a blast. It might be a bittersweet trip, but that won't make it any less magical. Afterall, how many times do you get to go with just your girls?! So jealous!

The plan for the pirate outfits... Not sure. LOL I think we are wearing them into MK - probably for our 2nd MK day (which happens to be the day before we leave).

I am excited to go with the girls... I agree, I think we are going to need this trip - it's been one heck-of-a-week, and only promises to get worse... thankfully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel - I am just trying not to think about that right now.

Hmmm...BBQ...

I have to tell you...our doggie loved ice cream. For her last several meals she got a bowl of ice cream. She was so weak, that was all she could eat. The vet said we probably prolonged her life by a few days since she had stopped eating.

Our thing was as long as she wasn't in pain we would let nature take its course. So glad we did.


Nini

Ruf loves icecream too... I thought about getting him some today, then Josh distracted me at the store, and it slipped my mind until you mentioned it... Rats! When I go to town tonight for the girls' choir concert, we will stop to pick some up for Ruf - he'll love that.

I hope that nature takes it course, but I also hope that nature is good to Ruf - I don't want him to suffer at all.

you are never a downer D~, you need to vent, we are here!!! you need to cry, we are here...WE ARE HERE I know first hand the power of the support our "friends in the box" give

happy Rufus enjoyed his BBQ, spoil away! love the photo of Victoria and Rufus, I can feel the love!

know how hard it is for you to feel happy about your trip, you will find moments to feel Rufus with you, embrace them, cherish them and try to have a magical time.....that's what Megan and I did on our DLR trip after Jim died, the sadness might creep in, just let it happen, then the happiness will follow again!


love the pirates outfit, the girls are going to be a hit!

stay safe in the snow!

Thank you Lisa... I know you understand (I know you all do)... I can't imagine the sadness you must have felt on your trip and I admire you and Megan so much for being able to pull through it.

Josh and I just returned from a very quick trip to town. I received the check I've been waiting on at my meeting last night, so I was able to purchase the last of my Disney GCs.

I still need to withdraw some cash & I also need to pay for our baggage fees. Both of which I have the $$ for, I just need to put it in the right places (in other words, transfer it out of Paypal) <--- Ack, I better to that, it takes a few days.

I am going to go cuddle Ruf for a little while, and then head up to my sewing room and add the last bit of embellishment to my Pirate capris - then that outfit is done.

Again... Thank you so very much for listening to me get through this.

D~

 

[miprender]

Sending more prayers for Rufus.

The Mickey Pirate shirt is just adorable

 

[mommy2mrb]

thank you for sharing stories about Rufus! he truly is a much loved pup!!!