Quote of the day

My dad sent me this card almost 10 years ago. I feel blessed that my parents have always understood my infinite love for my four-legged children.

"There are some simple truths...and the dogs know what they are."

- Joseph Duemer

Farewell Casey

It's been a hard few weeks for the Glazeners. My brother's dog, Casey, died this morning in Todd's car on the way to the vet. He would've been 9-years-old in December. He was diagnosed with kidney disease and high blood pressure a couple of years ago and he just decided it was time to let go.

The photo posted here was taken at Holden Beach last summer. Casey and Zoe have both accompanied us all on our family beach week since 2005. With beach week coming up in just a few weeks, it's hard to think of Casey not being there with us!

Casey had a personality and a half. He howled when he got lonely - even if only separated from his family by a door. He barked frantically any time someone adjusted the blinds on the windows because he learned as a puppy that this signaled visitors at his house. He obediently stopped and sat by the road whenever a car approached. Maria instilled that behavior in Casey after their first Sheltie, Bernie, was hit and killed by a car. If I happened to drop his leash while walking him, he'd stop and turn around and look at it, then me, and then sit and wait for me to pick it up before continuing on his walk. He would eat just about anything he could get his little paws or jaws on, but he had a very patient "begging face." He drank water slower than any dog I've ever seen, which usually meant Bailey would polish it off and leave Casey sitting by his bowl barking for a refill. Most of all, he was fiercely loyal to his humans, and I know they will miss him dearly, as will the rest of us who knew him well.

RIP Caseydog - you are loved!

The 3rd time is the charm

Or at least it was for me.

Jen and I went to see Eclipse yesterday, and while I really enjoyed it, she definitely did not. Her first comment when the credits started rolling was, "I'm not going to see the last two movies unless you pay for it."

I find myself in the minority. Eclipse currently has a 4.5 out of 10 rating on IMDB with nearly 14,000 votes. Nevertheless, just as Eclipse is my favorite Twilight Saga book, the movie is by far my favorite of the three released.

I guess I should admit that the first time I viewed New Moon (also with Jen) I thought it was absolutely awful, but when a friend asked me to watch it with her (she hadn't seen it) I hated it much less than the first time.

Jen admitted that MAYBE her lack of love for the Twilight Saga is due to the fact that she hasn't read any of the books, but who really knows. I found it interesting that we both laughed at the same parts that weren't meant to be funny (but were ridiculous or just bad acting instead), but Eclipse was the first Twilight film that left me feeling satisfied.

I reread Eclipse a few months ago, and I'm glad I did because it helped me to appreciate what a great job David Slade did in keeping the film true to Stephenie Meyer's book. Only a couple of scenes were added to the film in order to introduce and develop a key character (Riley) since Eclipse (the book) is told completely from Bella's perspective. Therefore she wasn't present to witness Riley's transformation, the forming of the newborn army or Riley and Victoria's interactions (scenes added to the film).

The make-up - especially Robert Pattinson's - was so much better than it was in the first two films. Everything was far more subtle and realistic (aside from the ridiculous sparkling, which I still find utterly moronic).

Many reviewers have bashed both Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart's acting. I found Taylor's Jacob in Eclipse far more believable than in New Moon; and I thought Kristen Stewart finally let herself go a little bit in Eclipse and was therefore able to bring a live Bella to the screen.

Jen still criticized her for the limited range of her facial expressions, etc., but for the first time I believed Kristen's acting.

In Eclipse Bella really is conflicted for almost the entire book. She is upset with herself, worried for those she loves and completely unsure how she should feel about her future. Despite her resolve in the decisions she's made, she is constantly reminded that her loved ones will be forever affected - and not in a good way - by her choices. Hence the pained expressions, furrowed brows and mostly unhappy face she sports for the larger part of the movie. I wouldn't have expected to see Bella any other way in the film-adaptation of Eclipse.

I admit that I own Twilight on dvd (solely for the commentary version). I would never buy New Moon, but I'm pretty sure I'll add Eclipse to my dvd collection eventually. I really did like it, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Happy Fourth of July!

Abby with her "patriotic flower" in Carrboro this morning. She's shading her eyes from the sun, but Maria and I said she's saluting!

Peter Jackson's non-documentary

District 9

I had no idea what this film was about and had never cared to investigate it for potential viewing until a friend of mine told me she thought it was pretty good.

What starts out as some sort of horrible joke of a film about an alien race forced to exist in a man-made slum in South Africa quickly becomes an intense, emotionally-charged depiction of many conflicted countries/races/religions today.

I found the plot to be a little like Independence Day meets 28 Days Later meets Resident Evil: Apocalypse with a touch of Transformers. Nevertheless, by the end I was affected.

I put my hand over my mouth in a gesture of awe more than once.

I truly feel the movie benefited from a cast of unknowns. Sharlto Copley played the protagonist so well. I don't think anyone else could've done it justice.

So as not to ruin/spoil the story, I'll leave it to any interested readers to investigate/rent themselves.

I began viewing this movie with a great deal of negativity and ended it with a huge helping of humble pie. Haters hate if you will, but I really liked this movie.

Patriot bears make the news

Not really. But my mom forwarded the Downtown Arts District of Winston-Salem's e-letter to me last night, which featured a picture of my little patriot bears.

So cheesy, but so cute: "Hand-crafted items are food for the soul! and we're glad you're still finding that special something with us! (See how happy we look - we can bearly stand it!)"


My mom is a member of Fiber Company. Her work can be viewed on the Carolina Designer Craftsmen web site.

Quote of the day

"There is nothing more genuine than breaking away from the chorus to learn the sound of your own voice."

-Po Branson

Thank you Bailey fans!

Thank you SO much to everyone who followed along my week-long tribute to the sweetest Norwegian Elkhound ever to live. Your comments and shared thoughts mean more than I could ever tell you. I know Bailey feels the same.

I looked up a few books recommended for those who've recently experienced pet loss and found two that I really like. I would love to receive either of these from a friend :wink: but I know I'll keep them in mind should any of my doggie friends lose a buddy in the future.

For Every Dog an Angel by Christine Davis. Despite the cheesy cover art, I found the excerpts I read online to be very touching and sweet without inserting too much religion into the message.

Paw Prints in the Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet by Warren Hanson. This book got great reviews and I love the idea of the inclusion of blank pages for personal photos and notes.

I successfully dried the rose the vet's office had delivered to me the day after Bailey died, and it has been added to his memorial shelf in my bedroom. I also added his collar, name tag, paw print and a tiny framed photo. I feel it's complete now and absolutely perfect.

Again, thank you so much for your support! I promise that barring any unforeseen tragedy :knocks on wood: my next post will not be a tear jerker!
xo from Angel-Bailey, Zoe and me

Bailey week, day 7

This is the last post of Bailey week, but I'm sure he'll crop up in future posts since he'll always be a part of my life.

This photo was taken in January of 2000 when I lived in an apartment in Raleigh. We got 22 inches of snow and Bailey was in heaven. He was treated to off-leash romping and went hog wild.

I hope it's snowing for him in doggie heaven!

Bailey week, day 6

I labeled this photo "Pepto Puppy." Bailey always had a sensitive stomach. Doggy diarrhea was a common occurrence. In turn, I was often beside myself as to what to do for him. On the most desperate occasions, I poured Pepto Bismol down his throat. I took the photo below after realizing that more than 12 hours after a dosage Bailey still sported a hint of Pepto on his nose.

Photo was taken in 2009.

Bailey week, day 5

Always an avid UNC fan, I photographed Bailey wearing one of my UNC caps. I love my friend Jen's description of this photo and others like it. She says he looks like an old grandpa thinking, "Time to go to the game kids. C'mon. Grandpa gets tired early."

Photo was taken in 2005.

Bailey week, day 4

This photo was taken in December 2005. Bailey still looks so healthy! He'd just turned 8-years-old. Abby was four-years-old.



I made the shadowbox below shortly after adopting Zoe - probably early 2006. The bottom right photo - the one you can't see very well - was taken in early 2002 in Michigan. Bailey loved the snow!

The shadowbox resides on a shelf in my bedroom, under which now resides Bailey's memorial: his ashes, a framed copy of the Rainbow Bridge and my beloved "angel dog" from my mom. Bailey is my angel dog!

Quote of the day

My friend Kerry gave me the sweetest card today, and this quote was on it. I thought it was perfect for Bailey week.

"All that we love deeply becomes a part of us"

-Helen Keller

Bailey week, day 3

This photo was taken in December of 2003. We'd been back in NC for about 4 months.

Sierra, the other dog in the photo, belongs to one of Kerry's friends who now lives in California. Both doggies are waiting patiently at attention for the delivery of a treat.

Bailey week, day 2

One of my friends requested a Bailey puppy post, so here you go Caro!

I don't have regular electronic files of these pics, so I scanned and cropped them from my scrapbook pages. Bailey is about 8-9 weeks old and approximately 7 pounds.

I love his puppy belly!