Two of Our Buddies Moved!

In daycare it's common for dogs to come and go from time to time. Mom's and dad's move out of town or no longer require day care. It's more than a little bit sad to see them move on.
It doesn't take newcomers long to find a cozy corner in my heart. A warm special place in my memory where they will forever stay. Two special spots of my heart are occupied with big smiles, giggles and oh, so fond memories. 6 year old Cocker Spaniel, Poppy and 11 year old Corgi, Karma, hold 2 of those places. Nether one was here for a lengthy stay but it didn't take them long to melt into my heart and memory.

Last visit together March 2025

Poppy was a visitor since May 2024, and she sure melted her way into our hearts.
She moved away with her mom this year in early March. Her last few visits were to give her mom some time to pack things up. I love that I was able to have a few extra wonderful days of squishies and cuddles with her before she moved. She happily zoomed through the gate oblivious to it being the last of her visits with us. She is such a happy little girl. In all her visits over her 10 month stay, I never saw an unhappy face. She loved all the other dogs. she really didn't care if they were around if a sprinkler was going. She would spend hours on end having water fun if I let her. If the hose wasn't on she would drag it around in hopes that it would suddenly start.

When poppy has had enough play she suddenly does a stop and flop. Whether she's outdoors or in. She reminds me of one of those soft overstuffed floppy plush toys. You pick her up and she flops over into your arms full of love. She plays on the floor and will suddenly just flop! All four legs sprawled out and tail wiggling. She looks like one of those old fashioned dust mops just laying on the floor. 

She gives me belly laughs each time she does it. Such a funny silly girl.

 Poppy loved her time with us and in the beginning she would make a big fuss if mom came to pick her up before she was ready to leave. If she didn't run and try to hide from mom she'd flatten her body and make it difficult for mom to put her harness on. She soon learned she could come back to visit another time and began to love to see her mom arrive again. Who says dogs don't have a personality? Miss Poppy was definitely a personality plus kinda girl!
Aw drat! Did you have to move away!

Miss Poppy's perfect Cocker Spaniel stance.

A bin full of toys, Poppy will always seek out the squeaky one.

Poppy - We're waiting for the Bailey dog to arrive."
Ruby - "Ya, we picked out all his favourite toys."

Poppy went through a bit of a rough patch and was a bit out of sorts until mom had time to move her favourite love seat back into the new  house! She's feeling much better and immediately claimed it as her own. Way to go Miss Poppy! Settled!

It's about time you brought my sofa indoors mom.

I will certainly miss your happy little face and lapping tongue. Have a wonderful time in your new home Poppy. Come back to visit us soon!

The second buddy to head on to new adventures is our best ever herding buddy Karma!
11 year old Karma had been a regular weekly overnight visitor since Dec. 2023. He always came with a big smile and eagerness to play. He learned very quickly to watch my hands and if I happened to have even one in a pocket he was zooming towards me. He quickly became our Master Cookie monster who definitely kept me laughing.  

Karma and The Cookie Monsters.
Left to right Nugget, River, Cooper & Suzy Q

Karma loved all the playmates he met. Big or small it really didn't matter. If they could run, he could chase!  He has impeccable herding skills and showed the others on every visit.

 

Waiting for a buddy to arrive

When his friends arrived Karma always knew to head to the gazebo area for cookie time. It was a routine that he leaned quickly and if no one was visiting he would wait for me to follow our routine just the same. 

Karma - "Hope you brought the whole bag lady!"

That face! (((sigh))

Karma's long Corgi body earned him his nickname as the Love Loaf  Each night he stayed, I would send a picture to his mom saying goodnight. When he was all snuggled in, his mommy called him, her love loaf and it stuck with me. That's exactly what he is.  One lovely loaf of love! I'll sure miss our before sleepies snuggles Karma. 

The Love Loaf

Karma has always been an on the go kinda guy. He and mom love to hike and roam and explore together. Where they have moved has all those wonderful areas for them. Mom says they've been to a dog park as well. It  has a lake in it! Karma is beyond happy and can get as muddy as he wants.

Have wonderful new adventures buddy and take care of your mommy.
I'll try to send cookies often!

Karma on a hike in his new home town.

Look! I'm blogging again!

Why has there been no blog posts since Sept 2024?
I have to admit to going through a time of great sorrow. Even though my daily daycare visitors keep me smiling and laughing and on the move. When I sat down to write up a blog, my heart felt a heavy weight and I couldn’t make it through the things I wanted to say.
So why now? 

I’m not exactly sure except that I feel I’ve given myself the right amount of time to process some ‘stuff’ and heal my heart. 

Annually, there are many days that bring up memories of our past Royals who have crossed Rainbow Bridge. I usually post the days that mark each of the passing's. That usually provides me with the necessary grieving/healing time to make it to the next ‘marker’. September 2024’s post hit me very hard. I knew I had Lady May’s memorial passing day coming up fast in Oct.. When it did, we had also lost one of our Royal extended pack members, Sir Cash.
I felt flooded with emotion, and I absolutely could not find the strength to post. 

Soon to be reunited over Rainbow Bridge

Lady May had the softest fur ever!

Always in our hearts

Daddy hangs Lady May's Prayer Flags with her sibling Royal Pack's

Sir Cash came into our hearts and our daycare in an oddly similar circumstance to our Beloved Pack Leader, King. We felt a very strong bond with Cash. February 24th 2021
We are so grateful to his mom for giving us an opportunity to visit him in his home before he passed. He rests and plays now with the others who passed before him. We like to think he's met with his doppelganger and hopefully sharing the role of pack leader.  

Sir Cash comes for a last visit.
He stands under Lady May's newly hung Prayer Flags.

Just two days later we visited Bo and Sir Cash for one last visit before their passing.

Bo accepts a cookie from daddy even though he's in great pain.

We love you Sir Cash

Until we met again Sr Cash

Sir Cash and his big brother Bo crossed Rainbow Bridge together in late Oct. 2024
RIP Sir Cash and Bo. We miss you both!

Since then so many marker days have passed by and with each one, I believe I’m getting stronger and coping better with memories. The Rainbow Bridge Memory garden has given me some much needed support in that area. I find myself passing by, reading the name stones and recalling several happy memories each day. I still cry, of course, but not as often.

Royal K9 Korner's Rainbow Bridge Pack
Always remembered, Forever loved.

Today I know, I deep sigh more, and I think I smile more. So, I’ll try to blog more.
I know I won’t be able to fill in all the many gaps from missed days. I will try to bring it up to date. Thank you for being so patient with me as I worked through my emotions. 
Stay tuned for some happier memories.