ending his teaching and coaching career of 30 years
and my mostly-parttime employment of a little more than 20.
To say we instantly loved retirement is an understatement!
One of our friends said it took us five whole minutes to adjust!
That being said, we both had enjoyed our careers;
he loved his "kids" at school and on the ball field as well as his teacher friends
and Farragut community parents and supporters.
One of our friends said it took us five whole minutes to adjust!
That being said, we both had enjoyed our careers;
he loved his "kids" at school and on the ball field as well as his teacher friends
and Farragut community parents and supporters.
My jobs and co-workers - at MTSU, Management Systems, Central Baptist Church of Ftn City, The Silk Purse, and Trivette and Osborne, DDS -
were like family to me. I treasured my days with them.
were like family to me. I treasured my days with them.
But it was time! John said it was time to leave it to someone younger, with more patience.
And we didn't look back. So, we moved on to the next chapter of our lives: being retirees!
And we didn't look back. So, we moved on to the next chapter of our lives: being retirees!
That was 2001. We had aging and needy parents who needed us.
We had adult children with whom we loved spending time,
we wanted to travel, pursue hobbies and interests, spend time with friends, volunteer ...
We had adult children with whom we loved spending time,
we wanted to travel, pursue hobbies and interests, spend time with friends, volunteer ...
Early on, John started talking about getting a puppy. Our son had a Basset Hound we loved,
but Merlin was a little more dog than we could handle!
He literally pulled me off my feet and dragged me around on more than one occasion.
We liked hounds, and our friends at the lake had a darling little Miniature Dachshund named Oscar. John thought we should look at that breed so he started making inquiries and watching the want ads. I wasn't convinced, as I thought we had enough to take care of with his dad and my mother.
So we put our doggy search on hold during 2002.
but Merlin was a little more dog than we could handle!
He literally pulled me off my feet and dragged me around on more than one occasion.
We liked hounds, and our friends at the lake had a darling little Miniature Dachshund named Oscar. John thought we should look at that breed so he started making inquiries and watching the want ads. I wasn't convinced, as I thought we had enough to take care of with his dad and my mother.
So we put our doggy search on hold during 2002.
2003 arrived, and I began to warm up to the puppy idea, much to John's delight.
One day in early July, John saw an ad from a couple in Oliver Springs
who had a litter of mini's who were ready for adoption.
It was raining out, and John suggested we take a ride to Oliver Springs,
"...to just take a look at the puppies!" So off we went.
One look later, we were totally in love. There in a basket lay a tiny blonde male pup, less than a pound, sleeping away...absolutely precious.
Sold! Only we hadn't brought money! So off to the nearest Home Federal, in Oak Ridge we went. The owners were having their second baby the next day and really needed the last puppy to be gone. So we accommodated! "He'll be named Willy!" John announced.
Perfect name for our new family member!
One day in early July, John saw an ad from a couple in Oliver Springs
who had a litter of mini's who were ready for adoption.
It was raining out, and John suggested we take a ride to Oliver Springs,
"...to just take a look at the puppies!" So off we went.
One look later, we were totally in love. There in a basket lay a tiny blonde male pup, less than a pound, sleeping away...absolutely precious.
Sold! Only we hadn't brought money! So off to the nearest Home Federal, in Oak Ridge we went. The owners were having their second baby the next day and really needed the last puppy to be gone. So we accommodated! "He'll be named Willy!" John announced.
Perfect name for our new family member!
Here we are, 13 years later. We've traveled many miles with our portable little doggy: he's been to Oklahoma numerous times, to Texas and Florida, to Savannah and Hilton Head and Charleston and St Augustine...all over TN, GA, NC...He thinks Waterside at Norris is HIS lake! He travels like a champ, mostly sleeping but eating when we do and walking and pottying when it's time.
When he was 4 1/2 years old, he suffered a ruptured disk
and had to have major surgery to get him walking again.
Dachshunds are prone to back injury, as their backs are long and need another set of legs midway.
He recovered and was given a new lease on life with mineral supplements and lots of TLC.
and had to have major surgery to get him walking again.
Dachshunds are prone to back injury, as their backs are long and need another set of legs midway.
He recovered and was given a new lease on life with mineral supplements and lots of TLC.
Now Willy is in his golden days and has some new health concerns, those of the cognitive nature.
He 's a little off his game, moving slower, sleeping more, doing a few quirky things. His thermostat is a little off so he is very cold-natured and overheats easily.
But with new meds, food, and supplements, he's perked up and doing well.
He loves his people: us, our children, Barrett...friends and strangers, everyone!
He's bark-y and nosy and somewhat stubborn 😊 But smart and sweet and loving.
He kisses me goodnight and snuggles between us, way under the covers.
He gets excited to go to the park, eat treats, and run wiener dog races (not official ones, just racing around fields or vacant ball fields or around the house!). He enjoys his life, and he brings us great joy. He's done a good job of filling our empty nest. He loves us unconditionally...and we him.
He 's a little off his game, moving slower, sleeping more, doing a few quirky things. His thermostat is a little off so he is very cold-natured and overheats easily.
But with new meds, food, and supplements, he's perked up and doing well.
He loves his people: us, our children, Barrett...friends and strangers, everyone!
He's bark-y and nosy and somewhat stubborn 😊 But smart and sweet and loving.
He kisses me goodnight and snuggles between us, way under the covers.
He gets excited to go to the park, eat treats, and run wiener dog races (not official ones, just racing around fields or vacant ball fields or around the house!). He enjoys his life, and he brings us great joy. He's done a good job of filling our empty nest. He loves us unconditionally...and we him.
So...here's to our little Willy! The best doggy in the world!
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