Cross That Bridge When You Come To It

They say every path in life has a bridge and the journey is crossing it. Personally, I prefer to take the long route and avoid bridges altogether. Crossing bridges really takes a “toll” on me, as I have a huge fear of overpasses… like heart-racing-sweaty-palms-death-grip-on-the-steering-wheel-kind-of-fear…. and forget about looking over the railing while crossing. I despise driving over large bridges and dislike walking over them even more. However, despite the panic that I feel about driving and walking over these structures, I do think they are all beautiful and they do truly intrigue me – especially the covered ones!

Cry Me a River, Build Me A Bridge… And GET OVER IT!

Although covered bridges were once popular in the Garden State, NJ currently only has two remaining. Having lived in New Jersey my whole life, I was surprised to have learned that our home state had two of these magnificent structures that I had never seen…so last week, Limoncello accompanied me on a road trip to see (and drive over/through) both of them!

New Jersey’s Covered Bridges

March 28, 2023: Scarborough Bridge

Located in Cherry Hill, NJ, this bridge was built in 1959. It has two lanes as well as 2 sidewalks for pedestrians.

We drove through the bridge (once in each direction). There was ample safe parking nearby, so I pulled over and Limoncello walked with me to the bridge to take some photos. It was awesome to see up close!

March 30, 2023: Green Sergeant’s Covered Bridge

Built in 1872 and located in Stockton, NJ, this structure is New Jersey’s oldest (and longest) covered bridge and can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. This bridge is only one lane, so an adjacent bridge was built to accommodate traffic on both directions. I did turn around so that we could drive in the opposite direction over the adjacent bridge but there wasn’t any safe areas to pull over to take pictures with Cello.

Both Bridges were beautiful to see in person… and best of all, I got to spend some one-on-one time on the road with Limoncello!

St. Patrick’s Day 2023

𝙄𝙛 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙜𝙤

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙬.

Irish lass full of sass ~𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐
When Irish eyes are smiling… they’re usually up to something~𝑯𝒐𝒐𝒄𝒉
Lucky Motha Fluffa ~𝑳𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓
Who needs luck… I have charm ~𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒚
(Still recovering from TPLO #2 … so we just decorated her Fish Fortress 🐟🏰 as to keep her as calm as possible)
Kiss me, I’m Arfish ~𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓
Zero lucks given ~𝑱𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓
Be your own pot of gold ~𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒊
Irish Kisses, Shamrock Wishes ~𝑳𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄

Valentine’s Day 2023

Happy Doggone Valentine’s Day from The Crazy Eights! Which pup would you CHEWS to be your Valentine? Each pup left captions on their photo to try and FETCH you up as their Valentine!

You looking for an Alpha dog? If so, I’d CHEWS you for my Valentine.
~Limoncello
I’d never keep you on a short leash.
~Hooch
I’ve only got eyes for you!
And squirrels… And sticks… And dog butts… And dog poop…
~Lager
I’ll be your Tramp if you’ll be my Lady.
~Jägermeister
Your doghouse or mine?
~Whiskey (recovering from TPLO surgery #1)
I’ll sniff your butt if you sniff mine.
~Porter
Did you achieve “Best in Show”? Because you sure are a winner to me.
~Martini
Are you tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.
~Lillet Blanc

St. Patrick’s Day 2022

“𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚.

𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙢.” ~ 𝘐𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨

Zero lucks given. ~ Lιɱσɳƈҽʅʅσ
Not your average lucky charm. ~ ɥɔooH
H🍀🍀LIGAN ~ ᒪᗩGEᖇ
Irish lass full of sass ~ ᗯᕼIᔕKEY
Don’t worry, beer happy. ~ ᑭOᖇTEᖇ
Who needs luck… I have charm. ~ 𝕵ä𝖌𝖊𝖗𝖒𝖊𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗
Irish kisses & shamrock wishes. ~ Mαɾƚιɳι
Be your own pot of gold. ~ 𝐿𝒾𝓁𝓁𝓎

Halloween 2021

Wishing you all the 𝙋𝙀𝙎𝙏 Halloween ever!


💛 If I told y’all once, I’ve told you 1,000 times… Stop buggin’ me!!…This time I’ll be sprayin’ it not sayin’ it! #buzzoff

Limoncello

🕷 My mom says I spend too much time on the web. 💚

Hooch

🐝 Just bee yourself and do your own sting.❤️

Lager

🐭 I’m not sure what I did wrong, but now I’m on mouse arrest.💜

Whiskey

🕷 All the ladies can’t help but get tangled up in my web of love.💙

Porter

🕷Creepin’ it real.🧡

Jägermeister

🐛 I am aspiring to be a real social butterfly one day.🦋💠

Martini

Remembering 9/11: 20 Years

Today we remember and honor all those who died as well as those who risked their own lives to help save others on September 11, 2001.

Silhouette is of our Jägermeister
🇺🇸

When the World Trade Center collapsed, nearly 10,000 emergency rescue workers joined in the efforts to help. More than 300 of those heroes were dogs.

🇺🇸

Click on the link below to read about some of the Hero Dogs of 9/11:

https://www.dogingtonpost.com/remembering-the-hero-dogs…/#patriotday#nationaldayofserviceandremembrance

1 Month

Today is one month since Margarita crossed over the rainbow bridge. The last month has brought so much pain, but also much comfort in seeing just how many other people love Sweet Reet. The thoughtful gestures and gifts presented to Brian and I not only have warmed our hearts, but also opened our eyes even more so to how blessed we are to have such a large support group – both near and far. I have been a wreck (to put it lightly) and Brian has been my rock despite his own sadness. I just could not find the words to write this morning, but then I saw the following posted on a friend’s page, which is pretty much spot-on for how I feel – and accurately describes Rita :

“We could live a thousand lifetimes and I’d like to think that I’d always find you, in every single one. And I hope one day I’ll have the words for that moment that we met. That kismet feeling like my subconscious had been looking for you my whole life without me knowing it. I recognized you instantly and I’ll never know how or why, but I’m so darned grateful you were mine. You changed my whole world. More than one could ever imagine. You were bigger than life. You still are I guess. My once in a lifetime. You just loved it all so much. You loved every single moment of this life. Every person, animal, all of it. You appreciated life in a way I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. You were a miracle, and i know that sounds so ridiculous, but there’s no question, it’s just what you were in the most subtle and humble of ways. You had a life. You got to live. That was the miracle. And I’ll never stop being grateful for that, for our [5] years together, but I hate that you’re gone now. I hate it so much. I don’t want to do any of this without my [girl]. I just don’t want to. But I’m glad you’re healthy again somewhere. I’m glad you’re finally free. But I wish you could have stayed. More than anything I wish you could have stayed.” ~Author Unknown


The photo posted is my all time favorite picture of Margarita. I’m not sure why… I have many better pictures of her….It wasn’t taken at any special event, her piggy nose is out of focus…yet for some reason – it has always been my work email profile pic, my Apple Watch background photo, my phone wallpaper, the photo I choose of her for everything … Maybe it was just the way she was looking at me – or maybe it was because it was taken soon after I met her … soon after my life changed forever.💖

Señorita Margarita 4/4/2010 ~ 6/12/2021

Today Heaven became even more beautiful…as the most special angel has arrived.

This morning, much sooner than expected, Margarita lost her battle with liver cancer. Just a few minutes after she woke up, she had a seizure while getting a drink at the water bowl in the camper. In addition, her abdomen looked to be distended and her gums were pale. A phone conversation with our veterinarian, Dr. Campbell confirmed what we had suspected- the mass on her liver most likely had ruptured. 

Luckily there was an emergency veterinary hospital 10 minutes from the competition. By the time we reached the ER, Margarita was having trouble breathing. An ultrasound confirmed that she had internal bleeding. Dr. Campbell spoke to the ER doctor and agreed it was time to help Rita cross the rainbow bridge. Brian and I held her in our arms until the very end.

I am grateful that Brian and I were there with Rita when she had the seizure, we were able to go into the emergency animal hospital, and that we were able to be with her until she passed, kissing her and hugging her- telling her how much she was loved and thanking her for all she has done for us and all the love she has shown to us. We are fortunate and thankful to have a veterinarian who is always there for us and our pack no matter how far away we are. 

The Emergency hospital offered to ship Rita’s remains to us in NJ. As much as I appreciated that, I will be driving or flying back to OH when Rita is ready to return to us  – to bring her back to our family. 

Brian and I were beyond blessed that Margarita chose us as her forever family. Margarita changed my life and taught me so much. The connection her and I shared was like no other and although I will cherish that bond forever, I will be lost without her. 

Señorita Margarita is reunited with the love of her life – her fiancé and fellow Pointer, Mr. Spock. I know in my heart Spock was waiting with flowers for her (as he always did) at the other side of the rainbow bridge. 

Words cannot begin to describe the devastation and pain of Margarita’s passing. Five years was nowhere near enough time with her. It has been comforting to be surrounded by our dock dogs family.

Memorial Day 2021

This Memorial Day, Lager received THE best gift !

A 1st grade class at Osage Elementary School in the Voorhees Township Public Schools learned about Lager during a class discussion. The wonderful students in Mrs. Stillwagon’s class created a book of Thank-You’s to Lager for his service to our country. This was one of the sweetest, most thoughtful gifts Lager has ever received. I read each and every Thank-You out loud to Lager, and this awesome gift will now be displayed for a bit in our kitchen for all house guests to see. It will then be placed in his memory box, where we save only the most special items for Lager.

Mrs. Stillwagon and students…your class made Lager’s day – (and his PAWrents too!) We very much appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness!

Mother’s Day 2021

The snuggle is real! Being a mother doesn’t mean being related to someone by blood. It means loving someone unconditionally and with all of your heart…

My last Mother’s Day with Margarita

To all the dog moms out there who traded beauty sleep for dark circles, salon cuts for ponytails, long showers for quick clean-ups, late night parties for late night potty walks, sleeping-in for early morning face-licking-wake-ups, pedicures for PAWdicures, and designer bags for poop bags …

Happy Mother’s Day! 🐾


This year I did a Dog Mom 5k with Jägermeister !

For Mother’s Day this year Jägermeister completed the I Run 4 Movement Dog Mom 5K with his Mama. We did dry-land training and also some swimming in the lake prior to our walk…and it seemed to be just enough of a warm-up to tone down his “crazy” and spark his memory of how to have leash manners out in public. We stuck to local trails in our town for this 5K.

A portion of our race fee was donated to Best Friends Animal Society , our nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Best Friends creates a better world through kindness to animals with a mission of achieving No-Kill in America by 2025.

REETired

It is with mixed emotions that I announce Margarita’s early retirement from Therapy Dog work. It has been decided that it is not in Margarita’s best health interest for her to receive vaccinations. Recently, her rabies titer test revealed she no longer has immunity and would require a rabies booster. Her Therapy Dog registration can not be renewed without a rabies vaccination.

Although I am saddened that she cannot carry on with official Therapy Dog visits, I’m thrilled that she can to continue to be actively involved in our online math lessons with my students for the remainder of this school year. 

In the last 4 years, Sweet Reet has formed a bond with so many individuals. In hospital and retirement home settings, she provided much comfort to the elderly. Within the school setting, she has improved students’ success socially, emotionally and cognitively. I am absolutely honored to have been a small part in the huge role she has played in making a remarkable difference in the lives of countless people of all ages. 

Some highlights from Margarita’s four years of Therapy Dog work:

  • initiated the therapy dog program in the Shamong Township School District as the district’s first Therapy Dog
  • featured in the Burlington County Times newspaper Not once …but twice!
  • participated on campus at Rowan College’s Mental Health Week event, while she helped enlighten students and staff on the positive benefits therapy dogs provide for students with depression and anxiety
  • attended YMCA Camp Ockanickon with sixth graders 
  • appeared on Action news 
  • had her very own district-approved Google Classroom
  • featured in “School Leader” – the official publication of the NJ School Boards Association 
  • participated in a 2021 Burlington County, NJ Board of Education Director’s Meeting explaining the benefits of a Therapy Dog Program in a school setting and how she was able to engage students during remote learning (Click HERE to see her slideshow)

Of all the adventures our dogs have taken me on, this — 𝘣𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘳 — has been the most rewarding of all. I am beyond grateful to have witnessed the significant and lasting impressions Rita has made in the lives of those she visited – both in person and virtually.

In her retirement, we will attempt to accomplish the last two items of her lymphoma Adventure List. Beyond that, you’ll find her lounging on the dock, GLAMping, and visiting outdoor wineries and breweries. 

#REETired 

Shamong Township Therapy Dog Photos from Pre-Covid In-person Teaching:

Coloring pages made from photos of Rita with students:

Remote Teaching with Rita:

Virtual School Spirit Days

Shamong Township School District Staff Yearbook Photo:

Rita’s Virtual Classroom:

St. Patrick’s Day 2021

Our pack sends you all puppy kisses and four-leaf clover wishes!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2021!

Limoncello is ready to shamROCK & roll!
Who needs luck… I have charm ~Hooch
I like big ties and I cannot lie (Lager)

Margarita’s last St. Patrick’s Day

A good friend is like a four leaf clover… hard to find and lucky to have. ~ Margarita
Warning: May be prone to shenanigans, hooliganism, and malarkey. (Whiskey)
When I count my blessings I count you twice. (Porter)
Erin go Bark (Jägermeister)

Valentine’s Day 2021

All you need is love and a dog… or SEVEN!

💛I’ve got plenty of free wet kisses to give! ~Limoncello
💚Sorry ladies, my heart belongs to Mommy. ~Hooch
❤️Of all the K-9’s I think you’re a K-10! ~Lager
💖I love you more than woofs can say. (Rita’s last Valentine’s Day)
💜I’m mutts about you! ~Whiskey
💙I think you are suffering from lack of vitamin mE. ~Porter
🧡I chews you as my Valentine. ~Jägermeister

Jägermeister’s Christmas Countdown


The cookie countdown is ON!
Don’t stop believin’!
Sorry Santa, I tried my best!
Baby, it’s COVID outside!
Oh DEER… I just found out Santa knows when I’ve been bad or good! #wasntme
Deck yourself before you wreck yourself
Have a TREEmendous Holiday Season
I’m the total package
Sweet but twisted
Have yoursELF a merry little Christmas
Dear Santa, please define “nice”
Seeing is believing