The snow’s all gone; the grass is greening and there are buds on the trees. Was there really a windstorm with blinding snow a couple of weeks ago? It’s not even June yet and I’m feeling like it’s spring and spring means it’s time for some feeble version of cleaning.
I decide to tackle paperwork first. I gather up the fistfuls of vet bills we’ve accumulated since October. The newest addition from yesterday’s fourth round of chemo for Catie is still on the kitchen table; the rest have been unceremoniously stuffed between the microwave and the kitchen cupboard. I don’t need to look at the totals; I have a running tally in my head. I take them upstairs to the office, gingerly pry open the bursting file drawer in my desk. I know there’s a folder in here somewhere labelled “Vet.”
Ah. Here it is. I missed it at first because it’s alarmingly thick but I quickly figure out it’s not all Catie or Riley related material. Here’s a phone bill from 2005 that I assume I paid; an old tax receipt; a midterm exam of mine; and my daughter’s high school diploma. Here’s Catie’s Certificate of Achievement from Puppy Training; and Riley’s marks from Beginner’s Obedience Graduation. He scored 94.5 out of a 100. He botched the “figure eight” but made up for the lost marks with bonus tricks: kiss, rollover and speak.
This is a mess, I think. I’m about to surrender because I’m already getting bored when I come across two other serious-looking certificates. I think I perhaps have found my children’s long lost birth certificates but no, the two pieces of paper are from the Canadian Kennel Club.
I have a vague recollection of submitting a name to Catie’s breeder for registration but this can’t be right. Lady Caitlin Galadriel. Oh, but yes, I remember now. We had to come up with three names, not one, but what were we thinking? My husband and I must have just finished an all-nighter of watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy because I’m pretty sure that’s where Galadriel came from and wasn’t it Cate Blanchett who played that part?
We don’t take responsibility for the name on the Riley’s registration. At all. In fact, we didn’t get back to his breeder until it was past the date for submission. My husband I are lousy with paperwork. Because we were so delinquent, the breeder took it upon herself to complete and submit the documents with the following name: Marbrook Max A Million.
Not even close to Riley, really, but it’s just a piece of paper after all.
You write so beautifully, and effortlessly it appears. We love reading your posts.
It’s funny how pieces of paper can seem so important at the time, but when it comes down to it, all that really matters in this life are the memories we carry in our hearts.
Hope you and the pack are enjoying the beauty of spring.
Just stuff that paperwork back in the drawer and go play with Catie and Riley! Or better yet give the paperwork to Catie and Riley and they will take care of it for you 🙂 !
XOXO and Hi-Paws,
Dillon and Rhys
Hey Catie’s mom!
You should see my house! Feeble attempts to house cleaning have been for made for months and it shows! I think my mom has given up with monkeybutt! She says she’ll clean when he grows up and stops tearing up stuff! I understand it is kinda pointless.
We love to pile up paperwork over here, too! Maybe mom will just take the leaf blower to it all! Boom, Bam – problem solved!
CCComet
P.S. Riley if you aren’t gonna use your name, I want it!
No, wait – mine should be….. “Comet Costs A Million” Hahahahahahaha!
Ditto with Jerry – your posts always make me smile. And we can’t forget those comments from the Comet gallery :). I agree with Dillon and Rhys, stuff that paperwork back in the drawer. Kobe loves paperwork so he could always visit and help you clean out your drawers. He’ll have it shredded in no time.
Hope Catie’s 4th chemo treatment goes ok. Wishing her good days ahead…..
Kami
We’ll ditto what Kami and Jerry said – we love your posts too! 🙂 And we also have piles of papers… sometimes I wonder if I just recycle the lot if I’d ever miss it. Probably not… better to play with our dogs!
Best wishes for lots of happiness this spring!
Holly and Holly’s mom
Oh I love your blogs!! You write so beautifully and soooo true! Paperwork…pfffftttt! Fooie…
I came over to your blog to see how Catie is doing…I think I read a comment in the forums she didn’t do too well after a recent chemo? How is she?
Tracy, Maggie’s Mom
Milo (GreedyGobbler) just had to come and meet Catie. She is gorgeous, brave – and very musical I see.
I grew up with a black lab, called Tammy. We all adored her. My mum thougth of her as the seventh child! So I have a very soft spot for labs.
Hope Catie is having a good day and that her chemo goes well.
Joanna, Milo’s mum.