Another week begins...

Thanksgiving is over; one thing I hate about going elsewhere is that there are no leftovers!

We always fix that by getting either a small turkey or just a turkey breast and roasting it. And, I certainly don't need leftover pie around!

After working the overnight shift Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving night, I finally crashed for some serious sleep around 8 p.m. Friday evening. Slept about ten hours. I really didn't mind working overnight; however, if I ever am scheduled to do it again, I'll have a better idea of what my own needs are going to be regarding sleep. I did manage to get one knitting project completed. One down, several more to go!

I've been feeling pretty badly for Yama ever since we had to put Dolly to sleep. Although Yama is adjusting fairly well to being an "only dog", she's been far quieter than usual; not exactly moping around, but almost as though she's overthinking this whole thing. She's figured out that we really don't mind if she jumps on the couch to cuddle with us, and she's even begun to jump on the bed to sleep with whatever body remains in the bed, depending on the work schedule of the day.

But, where I really notice it is the times I have to put her in her crate when we have to go someplace. She wants to go with us so badly; when she had Dolly in the crate next to her, it wasn't so bad...at least I don't think so. But now, there's that empty crate right next to her and I can't help but wonder if that emptiness affects her.

"They" say that dogs live in the moment and we shouldn't humanize them. I agree for the most part. I try to always "think dog" and not put my own emotional spin on what I think she might be feeling. But, dogs have tremendous memories, too, and that's what bothers me, I think. I wish that (I'm *humanizing* here) Yama would have been with us at the vets when we put Dolly down. Then she could have smelled her and known that Dolly was gone. Now it feels as though Yama is wondering just why Dolly doesn't come home?

Of course, I'm guilty of not picking up Dolly's food dish. There are some things it takes me awhile to reconcile my own self to, and that's one of them. I was the same way about Dolly's bed; I finally picked it up and moved it to another place in the house. The cats have already claimed it, since they seem to think we've done something to the weather that makes their little tootsies cold. Dolly's bed is pretty soft and they can really tuck their feet under them.

I've decided that I'm just not ready to get another dog for awhile - at least, not a permanent one. So, I contacted one of the two Sheltie rescue sites I am familiar with and have offered to foster a Sheltie in need.

They've already written back to me, telling me of one that was to come into rescue today and needs a place. I haven't replied yet - I guess I was flabbergasted that I had a response in less than a day. Of course, they know me and have been to my house, but still, I was very surprised.

Before I do this, though, I'm going to have the vet do a quick check up on Yama and make sure she's got all her shots updated. It would also be a good head's up for the vet to know that I'm going to foster some critters. Eventually, I'm sure we'll get a foster dog in that we won't be able to resist; but for now we'll have a chance to help out other pups in need, yet not have to always have a houseful of dogs. We could actually schedule fostering around vacations and such. So, this will be an interesting trial.

Another week looms ahead. I've *got* to start getting my act together for Christmas shopping. In quite a few cases I know what I want to get; just need to go get the things bought. One thing I did last year is wrap gifts when I bought them; saved the stress of doing everything on Christmas Eve!

Our weather is getting cold and dry enough that I can think about making peanut brittle early; I had one of those light bulb moments the other day - I usually freak out about trying to get everyone's goodies to them the week of Christmas. This year I'm hoping to get things made and delivered anytime from now till New Year's. No reason that I have to hit a specified time frame. Besides, most folks have so much of it around right at the holiday that spreading it out isn't a half bad idea! But, it's certainly taken me enough years to figure that out!

Anyway, I've got plans to post more this week; we'll see what the reality turns out to be.

Take care, everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful week!