News From the Ranch, Episode 1074
Posted on October 4, 2012 by prairiemoonquilts in Prairie Moon RanchIt’s time to update you with some snippets of what’s been going on around here.
It’s fall, and the weather is getting cooler. My friend, Cindy, brought her daughter back to ride Bonnie one more time this year. My Cowboy thinks they should visit yet again, but Cindy says they won’t be back again until 2013 sometime. 
We had a photo shoot recently, and got lots of quality help, in the form of a certain kitten named Batman.
A photo shoot means that I’ve got some new patterns coming out real soon. I’ll show you those as soon as they’re ready.
I’ve posted some new Free Patterns and Tutorials recently. And there are some new blocks in the Hazel’s Summer Wildflowers Quilt-Along, along with at least one new bonus project, with another coming real soon.
I’ve also created a Cowboy Wisdom page, where you can now find all of My Cowboy’s past sage quotes and advice all in one handy place. I’ll still be updating his front page quote weekly, but now I’m saving all the past ones so you can refer back to them. I know I need to now and then!
Last weekend, we went with my daughter to her company’s fall event, where we took a hayride, ate kettle corn, and got gumballs out of a 3-story-tall gumball machine, among other fun things.
And hating to end on a sad note, but definitely worthy of mention . . .
We lost a treasured member of the ranch family a couple weeks ago. Dandee passed away at the ripe old age of 15 years, 4 months, and 10 days. That’s old for any doggie, let alone a lab. I miss her big loud woofs coming from the barn every day. The barn cats miss her because they no longer get to share her supper and they don’t have her to sleep on top of to stay warm. And my heart is broken.
And as if that wasn’t enough . . . today I lost the best helper I’ve ever had. Big Dan’s kidney problems got the better of him, and even though my poor boy put up a valiant fight, he lost his battle with kidney failure late this afternoon. And my heart is completely shattered. 
Oh, Shelly, I am so sorry for your double loss. They lived with your love and will be held in your heart forever. Prayers for your shattered heart. (((((((hugs))))))
Shelly, my heart breaks for you as I read about the passing of your beloved Dandee and Big Dan. We just recently lost our Great Dane, Zues of twelve years and that is a long time for a Dane to live, so we treasured every year we had with him. Thinking of you, Betsy
Have a safe trip to Des Moines.
Well gosh darn it! I’m so sorry Shelly. My heart aches for you. I know how hard it is to lose furry family members. We lost two on the same day a few years ago. Really tough and just stinks! I hope you’ll find some comfort in knowing that you loved them dearly and in the memories. Still stinks though.
So Sorry about Big Dan. You and he both fought so hard.
Shelly, I am so, so sorry about Big Dan. I have been thinking about you and worrying about you. I haven’t heard from you, and I was afraid of that. I’ll be over with another bottle of wine tonight. Big hugs. Batman is awfully cute. Congrats on some finishes. God, I wish we were neighbors.
Oh, Shelly! I am so sorry about your furry friends! Does not make for a good week at all! I wish we were neighbors also!
On a brighter note, you still amaze me at all you get done! Wow! Have fun at Des Moines also!
Oh, I am so sorry Shelly. You really did all you could do for Big Dan. It really hasn’t been a good few weeks for you. That really sucks. Hope you were able to have some fun in Des Moines and it wasn’t too cold.
So so sorry to hear of your losses. Big Dan was such a sweet presence in your blog posts and Dandee was a great dog. I know how you feel. Hope all the quilty activities will help.
I am so sorry Shelly for your loss. Losing a pet is so hard, especially when you have had them for so long. I hope you will keep the happy memories.
And is if that wasn’t enough, your best friend forgot to read the blog on this sad day. Bye, Big Dan. You were certainly a great help. You didn’t like anyone but Shelly and her Guy. But you did love them. You were a fine fellow of a cat.