Saturday, June 28, 2008

In Memory of Robbie ?-June 2008


Robbie in Profile

It is with deep sadness to announce the passing of my precious baby boy Robbie.

It all happened so fast that I am still trying to digest it. This last month Robbie really slowed down. Of course we attributed that to age. Since he was a rescue we didn’t know for sure how old he was. When we got him, the vet guessed around 5-6, which would have made him about 9 ½- 10 ½ today, his last day.

On Tuesday afternoon, we went for our usual walk and then I gave him an early dinner. I left and met up with my husband, Bill to go for dinner. Robbie seemed fine then. When we arrived home, he didn’t fly down the stairs to greet us, very unusual. I had to help him down stairs and went to take him for his bedtime walk. We got outside, he went pee pee and then he turned around and wanted to go right back in the house, very unusual. Then he collapsed at the bottom of the stairs.

We took him to the vet right away. He was in shock. The vet stabilized him with IV fluids and shots. Then they proceeded to find out the problem. He was highly anemic and along with another test, the vet said he has some type of cancer, either a tumor or Leukemia. We could have done further tests to find out which for sure, but what ever it was, the vet said the prognosis was poor. If it was operable and he survived, it may have given him 6-12 months. We didn’t think it was fair to him to put him through that, especially given his age.

Meanwhile, Robbie was doing better, at least temporarily. The vet sent him home Thursday night with an armload of medications. The vet said that sometimes, with the medications, they will rebound for awhile and that he wasn’t suffering. Before we picked him up, I made him and Bill strawberry shortcake, their favorite. We enjoyed some together that evening. I stayed at home Friday to be with him and care for him.

Since there was no warning, we were so glad to have him back home, no matter how short a time. However, he really kept me busy Friday. He couldn't keep any food down and he couldn't control his bladder. I was constantly cleaning the carpet and reassuring him that it wasn't his fault. He kept giving me that guilty look. (Funny, Thursday night he kept down his strawberry shortcake).

I spoke with the vet again last night and he said there was not much more to be done. Since Robbie still had a bit of energy from the fluids, we decided to bring him to his favorite off-leash park today. He couldn't run around and play like usual, but he still had a good time. Then we took him to the vet and said goodbye.

We realize how blessed we were to have him as long as we did, but still feel robbed of time with him. I know that’s greedy. I also know that no matter how many years we would have had with him it wouldn’t have been enough.

We love you Robbie! Daddy and I will especially miss your greetings when we get home, your assistance in keeping the kitchen floor clean, your smile, and cuddles!


Love,
Mom and Dad

Our Last Day with Robbie, at His Favorite Hangout



Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:54 PM 44 comments  

Labels:

Monday, June 23, 2008

Weekly Geeks #9 Challenges


Okay, technically I am not a weekly Geek, just I an occasional Geek. I have been finding many of the tasks too time consuming. I just don’t want to give up that much free time that I could use to read books.

This weeks challenge was a good one for me! This week’s theme is Challenges.

1. If you participate in any challenges, get organised! Update your lists, post about any you haven’t mentioned, add links of reviews to your lists if you do that, go to the challenge blog if there is one and post there, etc.

2. If you don’t participate in any challenges, then join one! There’s a good selection of possibilities over on my right hand sidebar (scroll down) where I list those I participate in. There’s also A Novel Challenge, a blog that keeps track of all sorts of reading challenges.

3. Towards the end of the week, write a wrap-up post about getting your challenges organised OR if you’re joining your first challenge, post about that any time during the week. Once you have your post up, come back and sign Mr Linky with the link to the specific post, not just to your blog.

This last week I have been working on this. What I plan to do here, is to list all of the challenges I am in and what my progress is.

The challenges:

Completed Challenges:
The Canadian Book Challenge (read13/13 books).

Timed Challenges in Progress and/or starting soon:
TBR Challenge Jan. 1- Dec.31,2008 (read 8/12 books)

On the Porch Swing Jan. 1- Dec.31,2008 (read 2/5 books)

Mini Challenge 2008 Jan. 1- Dec.31,2008 (completed 8/12 tasks)

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge Apr. 1 - Oct. 1, 2008 (read 5/6 books)

342,745 Ways To Herd Cats May 1st - November 30th (read 1/3 books)

I've Heard it Through the Grapevine Challenge May 1st - November 30th (read 1/3 books)

Elizabeth Gaskell Mini-Challenge May-Nov. 2008 (viewed 1/2 mini series)

ARC Reading Challenge June 21, 2008-Sept. 21/2008 read 0/4 books)

A Well-Rounded Challenge July 1, 2008- December 31, 2008 (read 0/6 books)

The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge July 1, 2008- July 1, 2009 (0/13)

Book Awards II Reading Challenge Aug. 1-June 1, 2009 (0/10)

Perpetial Callenges:

Book Around the States ( read 13/50 states)

Book Around the World (read 22 books from 6 continents out of 13)

Raved About Reading (read 0/?)

So, what does this tell me? Besides having a book addiction, I also have a challenge addiction!

Posted by Teddy Rose at 3:58 PM 12 comments  

Labels:

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge

Once again, John from Book Mine Set is hosting this awesome challenge!

Here's how John explains the challenge (please click on the picture about to go to the challenge site to get all of the details):

Starting July 1st, 2008 and running to July 1st, 2009, I challenge you to read (and write about) 13 Canadian books (by Canadians and/or about Canadians).

The first Canadian Book Challenge was a huge success, and hopefully the 2nd will prove to be even more fun. If you haven't already, sign up now. Sign up any time within the year as long as you think you can finish.

Unsure what books to read? I've compiled a huge, but by no means complete, list here. These of course are simply suggestions, perhaps you've got an entirely different 13 in mind.

For the first Canadian Book Challenge I chose to read 13 new to me authors. This time I am going with 13. The Free Spirit- Just pick 13 Canadian books and have fun!

1. The Horseman's Graves by Jacqueline Baker

2. Look for Me by Edeet Ravel

3. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

4. Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje

5. Amos's Sweater by Janet Lunn and Illustrated by Kim LaFave

6. Finklehopper Frog Cheers by Irene Livingson and illustrated by Brian Lies

7. The Party by Barbara Reid

8.Pigs by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Matchenko

9.Mary of Mile 18 by Ann Blades

10.Bamboo by Paul Yee Illustrated by Shaoli

11.Mud Puddle by Robert Munsch, Art by Sami Suomalainen

12.A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch & Michael Kusugak, Art by Vladyana Krykora

13.It's Raining, It's Pouring by Andrea Spalding, Illustrated by Leslie Elizabeth Watts

14.Show and Tell by Robert Munsch, Illustrated by Michael Martchenko

15.Mister Got to Go and Arnie by Lois Simmie, Illustrations by Cynthia Nugent

16.Gordon Loggins and the Three Bears by Linda Bailey, Illustrated by Tracy Walker

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:04 PM 1 comments  

Labels:

Saturday, June 21, 2008

The Canadian Book Challenge Completed




I wanted to give a big THANKS to John over at Book Mine Set for hosting this awesome challenge!

I joined this challenge quite late and honestly didn't think I would be able to finish it, however with a little extra determination I did!

These are the books that I read for the challenge and links to their reviews:

1. Charles the Bold by Yves Beauchemin

2. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Montgomery

3. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

4. The Time in Between by David Bergen

5. The End of the Alphabet by C.S. Richardson

6. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland

7. Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King

8. Barncle Love by Anthony De Sa

9. A Perfect Night to Go to China by David Gillmor

10. Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels

11. Bang Crunch by Neil Smith

12. Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay

13. Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon by Lyn Hancock

Congratulations to all of you who participated and finished this challenge! Stay tuned for the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Starting on July 1, 2008

Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:09 PM 7 comments  

Labels: ,

Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon By Lyn Hancock




A Zesty Story about a Spicy Animal






Almost 30 years ago Lyn Hancock was asked to be mother to a newborn raccoon. He was three weeks years old and she to bottle-feed and nurture this cute little being.

At the time, she was attending Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC Canada.
She has a tiny "no pets" apartment, but somehow she manages. As Tabasco grows, he goes with Lyn across the country on tour. He makes friends very easily, just about everyone falls in love with him.

When they return home, he is ready to explore his world. Lyn has a hard time letting go, but understands that he is wild and should be free. However, this is easier said then done. This is Lyn's story of the year she spent as Tabasco’s "mother".

This book is for 9-12 year olds, but I think any animal lover will enjoy it. I sure did! It was fun to see Tabasco grow up and see what he would get himself into (he got into a lot). Lyn made me fall in love with Tabasco.
4/5

If you have also reviewed this book on your blog, please leave a link to it in the comments and I will be glad to add your link to the end of this review.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:53 PM 6 comments  

Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Bang Crunch By Neil Smith








The Art of Short Story




This is Neil Smith’s debut book of 9 short stories. It’s somewhat uneven, like most books of short fiction. Some of the stories were gems and a couple duds.

I especially enjoyed "The B9ers", the story of a support group for people who had benign tumors. Yes, you read write, the non-lethal variety of tumor. This story was both humorous and touching.

Another story I enjoyed was the title story, "Bang Crunch". It’s the touching story about a girl born with Fred Hoyle syndrome. First she ages rapidly and then goes backward, back to an embryo again.

There were only 2 stories that I didn’t care for at all. "Green Fluorescent Protein" and "Extremities". They were just too "out there" for me.

Neil Smith is a strong writer. He writes with sensitivity and wicked humour. Though I didn’t like all the stories in this collection, I highly recommend it. The stories I enjoyed were well worth the time!

3.5/5

Note: If you have also reviewed this book, please feel free to post you link in the comments. I will then add it to the end of my review.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:10 PM 8 comments  

Labels: , , ,

Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels



Just a Little Too Poetic for This Reader’s Taste


The book opens with Jakob Beer as a seven-year-old child hiding in the bog in order to escape the Nazis. His family did not escape and were killed. Jakob was found by Athos Roussos, who smuggled him out of Poland and brought young Jakob to live with him in Greece. After the war, they immigrated to Canada. Jakob later becomes a poet and translator. The story is told by Ben, who discovered Jakob’s diaries, a man whose parents are Holocaust survivors.

This is primarily a story about memory, love, and loss. Anne Michaels is an accomplished poet, which is really demonstrated in this, her first novel. Every sentence is carefully crafted poetry. Her descriptions have great depth and make the reader see the great beauty and great horror.

This book is not a fast read. I found myself having to stop and ponder a lot. This was both negative and positive for me. I am not a huge fan of poetry, so in that sense this book was too lyrical for me. However, by being forced to stop and ponder I found some wonderful pearls.

I saw the movie version, which is what prompted me to read this book. The movie was a gem and I loved it. Sometimes it takes an overly lyrical novel to make a great film. It is very rare that I like the film version better than a book, but this is one of those cases.

I’m glad I read the book. I got to explore the characters more deeply. Now I want to see the movie again.

3.5/5

Note: If you have also reviewed this book, please feel free to post you link in the comments. I will then add it to the end of my review.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 9:22 PM 0 comments  

Labels: , , ,

Sunday, June 8, 2008

A Perfect Night to Go to China By David Gilmour



Heartbreaking but Unbelievable



The book opens with Roman tucking his 6-year-old son in for the night. He then decides to leave the house, with his son in it, to go to a bar down the street for a quick drink. He’s gone about 15 minutes. When he returns, his son is missing.

Throughout the book we follow Roman on a remorseful journey. A journey of regret, sorrow, relationship problems, searching, and all those things that normally go with loss.

I really wanted to like this book and I did, I just didn’t love it. David Gilmour really has a way with words, and this really shines through. His mature prose was sometimes poetic, sparkled with some dark humour.

The major problem I had with this book was that every time Roman would dream, they would be in sequence. It’s like he planned it that way and he could do this at will. We don’t dream that way. I sometimes wish we did, because I have had dreams that I wish would continue the next time that I fell asleep. LOL!

I think with Gilmour’s talent, he could have done much more with this book. That said, this is the first David Gilmour book I have read, but I will definitely try another.

3/5

Note: If you have also reviewed this book, please feel free to post you link in the comments. I will then add it to the end of my review.

Posted by Teddy Rose at 11:25 AM 5 comments  

Labels: , , ,

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The ARC Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted by me. That's right, Teddy is finally hosting her own challenge.

The challenge will run from June 21, 2008-September 21, 2008. It will be to help those of us with ARC's to get in gear and read and review them.

Here are the rules:

1. Make a list of all of the ARC's that you currently have and/or are on their way to you.

2. If you have:
1-3 ARC's then pick at least one to read and review for this challenge.
4-6 ARC's then pick at least two to read and review for this challenge.
7-9 ARC's then pick at least three to read and review for this challenge.
10 or more Arc's then pick at least 4 to read and review for this challenge.

3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

4. List the books that you plan to read for this challenge (you can change it at any time, as long as the books you change are also ARCs). You can read the books on your list in any order.

5. Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Amazon. Leave a comment on this post with a link to each of your reviews.

6. Be sure to leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog post about this challenge.

7. Since this is my first challenge as host, please let me know if I have left anything out. LOL!

8. Enjoy!

This is my list of all of the ARC's I currently have (there may be more on their way, but they are unconfirmed, so I will update if there are):

1. Blood Harvest by Brant Randall
2. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
3. The Golden Age by Tahmima Anam
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
5. The Longest Journey by Diana Patterson and Rita Turner
6. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
7. The Horseman's Graves by Jacqueline Baker
8. Testimony by Anita Shreve
9. Jakie Ormes: The First African American Woman Cartoonist by Nancy Goldstein
10. Rainbows End by Peter Webb
11. Ringside 1925: Views From the Scopes Trail by Jen Bryant
12. The Glimmer Palace by Beatrice Colin
13. Stealing Athena by Karen Essex
14. Dear John by Norma L. Betz
15. Sweet Mandarin by Helen Tse

The 4 books that I plan to read for the challenge are:

1. The Horseman's Graves by Jacqueline Baker
2. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
3. Dear John by Norma L. Betz
4. Ringside 1925: Views From the Scopes Trail by Jen Bryant

These are the participants for this challenge, so far:
CCDPiper
MizB
Katknit (1)
Amy
Stephanie
Teddy (1, 2 , 3)
Wendy (1, 2, 3, 4) Completed
Lori (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) Completed
3M
thebluestockings
Jen
Kathleen (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Completed
Chris (1, 2, 3, 4)
Halfginger
Tracy
Jill (1, 2)
Literary Feline (1, 2 )
Janie
Susan
Kristen
Megan (1, 2, 3)
Alessandra (1, 2)
Josette (1, 2)
Callista
Bonnie

Photo credit: Teddy Rose
From Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, BC Canada

Posted by Teddy Rose at 7:58 PM 97 comments  

Labels:

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland


Rich Details and Decadence of 17th-Century Court


This is the story of real life Louise de la Vallière, mistress to France's King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. At a young age, Louise, lovingly nicknamed Petite by her father, uses bone magic to tame a wild stallion.

Though of minor nobility, her family doesn’t have enough money for her dowry to marry, let along to get into a convent. Thus she starts a new chapter in her life, that of maid in waiting to a princess of a bit higher nobility than herself. After the princess moves away, Louise moves to the court of the Sun King and is maid of honour to a high nobility princess. Soon after she becomes mistress to the king.

Set against the breathtaking background of France, this enchanting piece of historical fiction displays the extravagant opulence of the time of King Louis XIV’s reign.

Sandra Gulland has made me crave more of King Louis XIV. She must have suspected that this would be the case with some readers, as she suggests a book to learn more ‘Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King’ by Antonia Fraser. I have added this to my TBR (to be read).

This is the first book I have read by Sandra Gulland but it won’t be the last! I look forward, with great anticipation to reading her Josephine B. trilogy.

4/5

For more information on Sandra Gulland and her work including this book and her Josphine B Trilogy, see her Official Website.

Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for sending me this advance reader’s copy!

Note: If you have also reviewed this book, please feel free to post you link in the comments. I will then add it to the end of my review.

Also reviewed at:

Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:27 PM 15 comments  

Labels: , , , ,

Newer Posts Older Posts Home

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)