Days with the Dorans

We had a rare moment with all of us home and it was WONDERFUL but it didn't last too long. Soon Joe was back off to school/work and the rest of us were off to a DCFC game. The games really are a lot of fun and not too expensive. Of course we first stopped to get some good Polish food! We had Kielbasa Kapusta dogs and Pierogi which was SOOOO good! It is really such a fun vibe. We sat on the opposite side we usually sit because it was packed. We actually really liked it and had a great view of the game and the area where everyone eats/drinks/hangs. Zach got a new shirt and owes me for life. I'm glad I have that down in writing now. Unfortunately it was an awful game. The other team scored in the first few minutes and then nothing much happened on either side. We decided to leave a bit early and beat the crowd. We actually saw Dave Baldwin there which was really cool too. I put together THIS quick video of more of my pictures.

A while back, Eric told me he was making his dogs' their own food and said it wasn't that hard. Now I DON'T cook- but for THESE guys, I do! I have been making their food now and I feel so much better knowing what they're eating. Marty is starting to get lumpy and tumors and while the vet said they don't think it's cancer and he hasn't slowed down, I want him to be the healthiest version of himself (and of course Fender too but Marty is our senior now). It's mostly chicken and rice but as you can see I throw in a lot of good veggies too. Always green beans, peas, and carrots. Sometimes sweet potatoes and bell peppers. I basically put in whatever we have and they LOVE it! I make a pretty big batch and we've been getting all the ingredients from Aldi which keeps cost down a bit. Most of our fridge is now full of food for the dogs. They're very grateful though- and they also are a great clean-up crew! Don't worry- I wash it with soap after. You c...

Fender is a bit of an interesting dog... Not only do I take him to "therapy" weekly and give him meds he has moments of crazy which I have documented here. You never know what you're going to get when you rescue. I'm still glad he's ours.  

  I was so excited to have a half day on the 18th. I actually found a doctor for ME that I like and am working on taking better care of myself. While I was excited for the half day, Fender was MORE excited. When I got home, Marty greeted me and I wondered where Fender was. I ran upstairs and opened Joey's door to this! Fender bolted out of the door and ran downstairs.  I sat kind of in awe. Fender has some serious anxiety- partly maybe because he was a covid dog, partly because he had a hard start to life. He's on meds and we go weekly to the vet to work on this. I couldn't be mad at him because I knew what happened. He got in Joey's room, the door closed behind him and he panicked! By the time I came downstairs, Fender was fast asleep. Clearly he had a good workout emotionally and physically. Poor guy. Poor mom who has to figure out if we can afford new carpet (we can't...).

  I LOVE boat rides- especially mid-week rides when the lake isn't crowded and we can just toodle around the lake, but for some reason we didn't get out on the lake much and I'm really not sure why. So when we were invited for a boat ride late in the season, we gladly accepted! I think it's safe to say we were ALL happy we went. pups included!

It's no secret that my dad is NOT a fan of our dogs, but...

  Just because I love these two!

Since Fender's heartbreaking big vet appointment, we've been trying to get him more comfortable at the vet. Sadly, it seems it's going to be a long go. I was able to get him in the building but that wasn't easy. I had to lift him out of the car and pretty much pull him in which wasn't what we wanted. He's on meds and even with an additional med to help with this visit he wouldn't take any food (those are hotdogs we'd try to feed him) and just wanted to leave. When I lifted him out of the car his tail was tight to him- tucked even more than in these pictures. The next week we tried again and he not only wouldn't get out of the car he wouldn't even take food IN the car. My heart hurts for his anxiety. It's so frustrating, but I'm not giving up.  

  They are the BEST gift. It wasn't only Mother's Day but Marty's birthday too!! Jodie Gordon is the best! What a great gift!

  I kind of remember how it took a while for Mary to learn to walk on a leash. I also definitely remember that Pele' was a great teacher for Cobi so we set Marty to work and were off for Fender's first leashed walk. It went better than I thought it would...   Of course about a house down he decided he wanted to lay down and just rest so we brought Marty in to teach him how to come home! So funny!

  Never to waste time, we decided to hop in the car and check out the new pups at the rescue. Just in case, we took Marty with us too! I remembered with Pele' that it's important for the dogs to get along so he had to agree to this new brother or sister. When we got to the Michigan Animal Rescue League and told them we were interested in a pup from the "L" litter, they asked us which one. Well... this was a rescue and I knew if I would see both I wouldn't be able to decide so we just told them to bring us only one and if it worked, it worked... They brought us "Lucky" and he was adorable! He was a bit skiddish but Marty and kids really liked him.I had already filled out an online form and since they wanted pups from this litter to go to families who already had a dog (their mom died, and they were all fostered for quite a while), they told us that if we wanted him, he was ours! So on April 3, our family grew by one and our hearts grew even more. We decid...

So in Joey's band class he had to take a picture with instruments or something so we got the whole family involved! I'm not sure where dad was because he could have added a guitar or two! I think Sean was excited to zoom with some of his friends. It became a bit of a show and tell of all things. It's been so strange not being back and I wonder when we will go back! It doesn't look like we will be going back anytime soon... Since we missed spring break and it's looking like we'll be home for quite a while, I was checking out the dog rescues! We knew after losing Cobi and Pele' that we never wanted to be a house without a dog. We were thinking about getting a dog this summer but since we're home we're thinking maybe we'll just do it now. We found some pups at a nearby rescue that need homes! Lucy and Lucky are still available so we'll see.. Speaking of dogs, I think that Marty is getting annoyed with all this running. Today after about a mile, ...

So after a week off from running (which felt like FOREVER) I started running again- easy and on the treadmill and then it was time to take Marty out again. I actually signed us up for a 5K and he ROCKED it!! He looked so handsome in his medal so of course I had to take some pictures of him! Great job, Marty!! Great to be running with you again!