This is footage with the original soundtrack, just me and Stephen talking while the dogs are roaming around the yard. Some times it is hard to believe how much has changed in the few years this was shot. Isabella is no longer with us, the stupid swimming pool is gone, Lola is a little older and grayer, etc.

The biggest change is of course to my little boy. Stephen was such a tiny thing and although he still sounds like himself, this was when he had his slight speech impediment. I remember my brother telling me that he would outgrow it in time. I was skeptical, but he was right. I guess that’s why he is the speech pathologist and I am an IT guy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this short video.

I still miss my puppy.  She was the sweetest dog I have ever seen.  I know that everybody says that, but I’m the only one who is right. 

She was the only one of her litter to not be adopted out.  It had something to do with the white markings on her face not being symmetrical (or some other dog geek reason).  The “breeder” wanted to give her to us because she knew that Patti loved boxers.  As a cat person, my only response to Patti was “Just remember that this is your Christmas gift.”  Almost immediately upon walking through the door, the dog gravitated towards me.

One of the selling points that Patti made to me was that Izzy didn’t have a problem with being in a dog cage.  She had apparently been in the dog cage at the animal hospital where Patti works and was a very quiet girl.  We have a dog cage set up in the living room, so she would be able to hear if not see us at bed time.  (I’m not going to say which one of us snores louder, but I have been run out of the room on a couple of occasions.)

The second that she walked into the cage and the door closed, Izzy let loose with a heartbreaking cry of loss and pain.  She barked against the injustice of being separated from her new family and her throat was instantly raspy at the anguish of being so close and yet so far.  I looked at Patti with an expression that said “Are you kidding me?  Seriously?  Is this ‘good in a dog cage’?”  Patti blushed and sheepishly said “I swear to you, she was NOT like this at the clinic.”

Needless to say, we let her out of the cage and she immediately shut up.  I miss Izzy.