Day 473 ~ Saying Good-Bye to a {Four-Legged} Family Member

Lola came into our lives April of 2002.  

Our dog Kelly had been in {near} seclusion for two months, which meant no play dates, after being hit by a car.  Kelly had to have hip surgery, and lost an eye.

Seeing that Kelly was not her playful self in quite sometime, Dean and I decided to get her a sister.  A permanent play date/mate if you will.  We rescued Lola from the animal shelter, as we did Kelly.

As we approached a kennel, we immediately saw her.  She was the sweetest looking dog.  As she approached us, another dog in the same kennel came along and bullied her into a corner.  Immediately we wanted to save her.

Fast-forward to today... Lola has not been doing well for almost two months.  After her appetite seemed to diminish and she would not even eat roast beef, we took her to the vet.

After x-rays, blood work, exams and the opinion of two vets {and $500 later}... there's nothing we can do.  Nothing was found in the x-rays or blood-work... however, a mass was felt around her kidneys.  Cancer?  We'll never know.  She has lost too much muscle mass, weight and the fact that she won't eat- surgery is out of the question.

As a family we gather... we reminisce... we look at pictures... we laugh... we tell stories... we cry.

We wait for the moment... for the look... where she will tell us how much she loves us... where she tells us good bye.

We are sad.  

However... 

We know that we have given her a wonderful life and when she does leave us...

We know that she will be going to a wonderful place... doggie heaven.

Where she will find rivers filled with milk... with biscuits everywhere... balls galore... and toys here and there.  

Best thing of all she will be reunited with all our other family fur-babies... Ranger, Hannah, Max, Alex, One, Blondie and Mikey...

~ An Homage to Lola ~

Lola and Kelly

Lola welcoming Pepper to the family

Kelly, Lola and Pepper

Lola, Kelly and Pepper

The girls taking over the sofa.

Dean & my engagement photo shoot;

including our girls in a few of the pictures 

Venice Beach, California

Lola- striking a pose

Mar Vista, California 

Our girls LOVE the park!

Venice Beach, California

Pepper, Kelly, Lola and a ball.

Lola got "the" ball.

Lola welcomes and tolerates Calley.

Calley growing up with Lola.

Lola welcomes Shelby to the family.

Lola tolerates Shelby (can you see it in her face?), along with Pepper and Kelly-

all taking over our bed!

Lola

 We are so blessed you chose us. 

We are so honored to have been your family.

We are so much better for loving you. 

~Dean, Carla and Calley Karam

Thank you for being such a wonderful sister. ~Kelly

Sorry we fought, but so happy we made up.  I love you. ~Pepper

Thank you for teaching me the ropes and for letting me snuggle with you. ~Shelby

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

I am second..

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.

Day 387 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 10 of 22

This is Day 10 of my challenge... {and} my tenth video...

... Vitor Belfort, UFC {Ultimate Fighter Championship} fighter and hero.... from Brazil.

Vitor Belfort: I am Second

Vitor seemed to have been going through the motions, a one sided relationship.  Calling to God when in need... promising the world in return of answered prayers... then never following through with all the promises to follow Christ.


Until the day tragedy happened... his sister had been kidnapped, he found out that she had been assaulted by many... one after another and  ... was never to be seen again.  Vitor turned to God once again, but this time for good.  


I just have nothing as devastating, but the lost of my sons.  That's the only horrendous pain I have ever gone through.


I ... really ... words can not and do not make the pain go away... what can one possibly say to really ease that type of pain?


My heart and prayers go out to Vitor and his family.


Because, He is First... I am Second.

We are Second when we put Jesus First. Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others. Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.  ~Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright laws apply.   

Day 370 ~ Life Happens

I was all set with my topic for tonight... however... life happened today.  Funny how it does that!  You can have all the plans in the world and BAM!!!  You get a curve ball.

Today I found out that an old friend passed away one year ago today.  Wow!  Hit me like a ton of bricks.

It wasn't that we were really close, but back in the day (1993) Dave and I worked together; I met his {then} wife through him and she and I remain friends to this day.  Kimberly is definitely on my Dream Team and is one of my best-ies.  

We, Kimberly and I have had one of those relationships where it doesn't matter how much time may go by between phone calls or visits... we manage to pick up where we left off each and every time as if NO time has gone by.

Today I was reminded that life happens.  We are born, we live our "dash", and we die.  

I was also reminded not to take my loved ones for granted.  

I need to make time to call or write a short note, or email to let the people who matter to me know ... well, and let them know they matter to me!  wink, wink.  A.D.D moment.  LOL!!  

So... for this moment I hold my {wine} glass up in Honor of my friend Dave.  

Dave, I hope you finally found your peace.  God Bless you!

I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge will award.  ~ 2 Timothy 4:7-8

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Taking Back My Life ~ Making It My Own.  U.S Copyright laws apply.  © 2012