Winter 2005
Dear Friends and Family;
In the past you may have received our letter called
Jeff's Home News
by US
mail. Renamed,
From the desk of: Jeffrey & Renee Haswell
is also now
available as a quarterly “e-letter”. You can update e-letter requests at the
page bottom. We hope you enjoy it.
This issue of our letter is both happy and sad. You've all heard us tell
stories about our “kids” Roscoe and Winnie. Winnie was the sweetest little
Boston Terrier / Schipperke mix you would ever want to meet. She was gentle and
loving, never inappropriate and always ready to please. She was diagnosed with
cancer March 2004. After surgery in April to remove four inches of tumor
blocked intestine, she had her best six months in a long time and was again
frisky and had an appetite. In November, she again became picky about eating
and started sleeping under the loveseat – a sure sign she wasn't feeling well.
Suspecting the worst, we took her to see our family vet. Our fears were
confirmed when a new golf ball sized tumor was found on her liver. We had to
make some big decisions.
During the same time, Roscoe, our 17 year old Jack Russell Terrier / Chihuahua
mix was experiencing more problems. He took several medications each day for
Cushing's disease, Thyroid Deficiency, and Arthritis. He had completely lost
his hearing several years ago, was blind in one eye and could only see shadows
out of the other. His arthritis was getting increasingly worse. We loved our
Roscoe and he had been our dear friend for such a long time but his world was
getting smaller and smaller with his disabilities. Loosing his sister Winnie
would be the final blow.
The Friday before Thanksgiving we decided the only humane thing to do was to
say goodbye to our beloved “kids”. Friends and family were a tremendous
comfort during this unbelievably sad time.
Our home seemed empty without the clicking of little toe nails on the hardwood
floors. So we began searching for two rescue dogs that needed a new home. We
found Harley and Scout on the internet. Jeff felt he wanted to try a Rat
Terrier mix. Harley is a 1 year 3 month old Rat Terrier. The rescue
organization, People for Pets, wanted to adopt out Harley and his brother
“Scout”
to the same family as they were raised together. Scout is a 2 year old
Chihuahua / Pug (?) mix. Since we planned to adopt two dogs, we took them home
with us on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Admittedly, some adjustments are
needed – they learn what is expected of them - we to having young and
very
active dogs. We were spoiled by Roscoe and Winnie who only occasionally
checked the property fence and were content sitting on the porch to watch the
world go by. But not Scout and Harley! They can jump a 4 foot fence without
breaking a sweat (as we soon found out) and their fondest wish is to run free.
It's almost as if they are drunk on freedom when they get out. It's not so
much that they're running away – they're just having fun.
After several escapes, many neighbors in both Concord and Tehachapi know Scout,
the ringleader, personally. It seems he almost has a life of his own without
us. At this point the fenced yard at both homes now keeps them secure. In
years to
come we will have many amusing stories about “The Boys”.
Best Wishes to Everyone,
Jeffrey & Renee Haswell (925) 686-4393 xtn 235
