The Ginger Update

I spent last week in Chicago- my mom is getting ready to move next month after spending almost 40 years in the house where we all grew up. It's hard to believe it's just her (and Ginger and Daisy!) there. In 1974, when we moved in, there were three kids (to become four the next year) plus assorted gerbils and Chaos, the family German Shepherd, over the next 30 years (wow, that makes me sound old!). But starting in the early '80s Brian and Karen set out on their own at various times, then I left for college in 1990, Denise died in 1993, I moved to New Mexico in 1994, and Chaos died on new year's day in 1995. Dad would follow, dying on new year's day 2006. When Mom said "going upstairs in a special occasion" I really knew it was time for her to move. She only will be moving less than a mile away, to the house Joe and I own, and we'll be selling the family home (anyone need a house?). This trip marked the start of the sorting, trashing, donating, recycling, packing, and moving that will commence in September. The house is smaller and split level which will make it easier for her (and the dogs) since it will be fewer stairs at one time. The yard is fenced except for needing some gates on either side of the house, something Mom doesn't have at the current house. Lots of pluses for her. I can't say that Ginger has changed much in the almost four years she has lived with Mom. Hattie will be five next week on the 16th which means the remodel of our house and Hurricane Katrina happened five years ago. The addition of Ginger followed not long after in November of 2005. What I will say about Ginger is that she loves her mom! She and Mom really are a pair. Daisy provides something else though. She has to be leashed when she goes out because she will not come back, probably because she was crated most of her life and wants to make up for time by exploring when she can. Ginger will come right back when called (at least for me– Mom will say that's not so true for her). Still, the three of them are getting ready for their new adventure in a few weeks. The living room furniture, what Daisy rubbed up against and where Ginger slept at night– was donated on Sunday and the dogs looked confused. Little do they know the excitement ahead for all three of them.