When The Unexpected Calls

You do what you gotta do

I am writing with a brief update. The Naturalized Human will return with its usual mix of food-health and wellness next week.

After an astonishing run of publishing 145 weeks in a row without fail (longer than 99.34% of writers on Substack my message claims . . . .I’ve missed last week, and am just giving you this quick note today. . ..

Because the unexpected roared into our lives on Feb 4, with the sudden medical crisis of my oldest sister. She’s been in critical condition ever since, but is at last stable (still in ICU) for now and requires more surgery.

Yesterday, I did what is unthinkable for me. I drove 12 hours (round trip) to meet my other sister in the town of Golden, BC while she drove 10 hours (also round trip) to do the same. And I picked up 3 of my oldest sister’s 4 dogs.

I now have an unimaginable pack of 7 dogs to deal with - oh my.

My 4 dogs: German Shepherd, Sheltie, Wire-fox terrier, and my new Dachshund

Newly added: Doberman, and two Silkie terriers.

For anyone who knows dogs - that’s a powerhouse combination of terrier personalities to work with!

But this is what we do when a loved one needs us.

So today I am catching my breath. Trying to work out which dogs are safe together. And recovering from a drive that was about 10 hours too long for my liking.

There is no way to know right now how long this dog pack will have to stay and work together, but today we are all just getting to know our new room mates.

Next week, I will be back with the joys of the coming gardening season. My experimental starting trays in my greenhouse all had some seeds germinating just as a cold snap struck. We were as cold as -10 C last week. It will be interesting to know if those little plants held it together or not.

In the meantime, hug those you love this week, and tell them how much you care.

S