Ash Wednesday

We have a church service tonite and choir practice afterwards.  Wow – it’s already Lent!

Yesterday was a much better shopping day.  Someone asked for information about the sale on April 1.  This is all the info I know.


Just finished this book – a nice little story.  No suspense or action but very sweet.


I’m sure you remember Elmer, the golden doodle that was here a couple weeks ago.  He had just had some cancerous tumors removed before he came and I am very sad to tell you that Elmer Short died this morning.  His parents put him down before he could suffocate from a tumor in his neck/throat area.  I have been boarding Elmer for about the last 10 years off and on.  I really loved this dog!


Don’t anyone try to tell me that dogs don’t go to Heaven.  We will see Elmer again.

42 thoughts on “Ash Wednesday

  1. Pam

    I’m so sad to hear this. It was nice to see the dogs playing together. At least his last days had some fun. Sending prayers to his family and you. I had to put my dear Sonny Boy down 3 years ago 3 days before my birthday. That was so hard and I still miss him. I have lots of pictures of him and videos. Pets are so wonderful and make our lives so much better!!!

  2. Sharon Ernst

    Poor sweet Elmer. We will all miss seeing him on your blog! He’s probably flying thru your yard with his angel wings!

  3. Judy Emmons

    Sorry to hear about Elmer. It brought tears to my eyes as so read your note.
    I have always felt animals were family members and their passing left a
    hole in our lives. It is one of the hardest things to do but, you have to think of the pet and
    their quality of life. We would never want them to suffer. RIP Elmer!

  4. Kris Gavin

    Oh Mary…. you really have had your share of furry goodbyes this past year…. I know animals go to heaven… earth is a picture of heaven in a fallen state… so our animal friends will be there but they won’t be naughty… lol… thanks for sharing your life with us… you certainly make mine richer.

  5. Linette Anne Stewart

    I’m so sorry about Elmer. It’s such a painful loss my thoughts are with his family. I agree fully with what you said about dogs going to heaven!!!!!

  6. Donna O

    Mary so sorry to hear about Elmer…. sad. He looks like he was a sweetie. I dread the day I have to say goodbye to my fur children. 🐱🐱. Pets bring so much joy to us.

  7. Susie

    Awww… Elmer. I had to put my beloved Angie down for this same reason some years ago.
    I loved this book! The prequel is just as good ” The Midwife of Hope river”

  8. Diane

    Oh, so sorry and sad about Elmer. He looked like such a nice guy. It was kind and brave of his family to put him down. Our fur babies can’t tell us how much it hurts!! Maybe he and Faye are running right now:)

  9. Cindie

    So sorry about Elmer. Such a cutie. He and our sweet Emma are together and are running free –
    in Heaven 🐾 🐾 🐾

  10. Martha Engstler

    We find it strange that we are loosing our fur babies to tumors. We lost 3 in the last couple years to massive tumors. Could GMO’s in their food contribute? It causes tumors in rats I read. So sorry about Elmer.

  11. Debbie grisanti

    So sorry about Elmer passing, he was a beautiful puppy. No matter how old they are, they’re stick “puppies”.

  12. Donna from Oz

    Also saddened by Elmer’s passing. But his parents did the best for him. He will be in their and your hearts forever. He was a real cutie!

  13. Donna Petersen

    Yes, you will see Elmer at the Rainbow Bridge for all his family, and you are one of his family

  14. Katie Hayse

    So sorry to hear about Elmer. Always sad when a good dog dies. My daughter-in-law, who is a vet, always sends a rainbow bridge cards to clients who have lost a pet. Of course, pets go to heaven!

  15. Lee Hardwick

    So sorry, looks like a great dog! It never gets any easier. I’ve had many dogs who have crossed the bridge. Best wishes

  16. Carolyn

    I walked down the path more than once. The kindest words a vet could say as my heart was breaking when we made that decision was….”remember we can be kinder to our pets than we can to our humans.” At Rainbow Bridge I will be be the one with lots of loving kisses being slopped across my face. We never stop loving them them! Hugs to you.

  17. Jan Smith

    How sad about Elmer. I definitely remember him. Your animal stories are as interesting as your quilting ones. Just wanted to let you know how much I admire your love for them. Your comment about animals in heaven reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode. Maybe you remember it? About an old man and his dog looking for an entrance to heaven that will allow his dog? If you don’t, I can tell you the rest, but don’t want to spoil it.

  18. Kate

    If there are horses in heaven, there surely has to be dogs. I can’t imagine God leaving out any of His creation in the afterlife. I have several dogs and cats waiting for me and we are going to have a wonderful reunion.

  19. Bobbie Woodruff

    RIP, sweet Elmer. To lose your fur baby is so hard. They are our kids that never grow up. They give us there hearts πŸ’• when we bring them home. But to help him and not let him suffer is a good thing. God bless him mom and dad.

  20. Sue

    I do hope we get to see them again someday. I too will have lots of furry friends to greet me and my husband. And, we will be so glad to see them. Elmer looks like he was a darling dog. So sorry for your loss. It seems like dogs get cancer more often now. Wonder why that is? Or, maybe we just didn’t know what they had in the old days. I have a suspicion I can’t get out of my head, and that is those dog treats that come in huge bags and I think are made in China. I do not think they are good for dogs. Our dog would politely take one and then gently lay it down on his mat and look up at me like he was saying….Thanks, but no thanks. He lived to be 15.
    Thanks for the book review. Sounds good.

  21. Pamela

    Have you ever watched the PBS series, Call the Midwife. It is airing in the U.K. Now and will be starting its new season here on April 4.

  22. Ann Barlament

    How wonderful you got to spend 10 years with Elmer. So difficult to say…ulvederzane.

  23. Paula S.

    I believe our pets will meet us in heaven. Several years ago, our pastor preached on that subject, that we will see our beloved pets when we die and he got so much flack over that! However, I agree with him

  24. patti

    {hugs} in sympathy of elmer. but so much better than having to watch your pet choke to death. still the hardest thing we will ever do. yet, the kindest also. it’s been a tough last year for losing pets. my thoughts are with you. patti in florida

  25. Cathy

    So very sorry to hear of Elmer’s passing. I do believe we will see our beloved fur kids again in heaven. I always think of a quote by Mark Twain. “If there are no dogs in heaven then I want to go where they are.” Me too!

  26. Moe Baly

    I’m so sorry to hear about Elmer. Yes, all dogs go to heaven and will meet us at the Rainbow Bridge.

  27. Felicia Hamlin

    Sending you a hug. You were the caretaker, but your time together meant a lot to you and him. My sympathy Mary.

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