Small Moments of Hope

The sun was shining when we took Cooper out just after 7:00, although so were the mosquitoes. After a rest back inside, there was some time spent out on the deck where B stayed close to him while he enjoyed the fresh air. Harley and both cats seemed to know exactly where they needed to be too. S headed off to church.

The day revolved around Cooper. We took him outside for regular bathroom breaks, changed his bedding more than once, and kept the washing machine busy. After his super tough anxious night, B wondered if letting him go over the Rainbow Bridge might be the kindest thing to do. It was heartbreaking to hear her say the words. 

I helped arrange the gut wrenching possibility for later in the afternoon.

B made a quick trip to town to bring Gulliver out for a visit before taking him back home again. S arrived home with Vietnamese food for lunch, but mine and B's turned out to be far spicier than expected so we passed. He also had a phone interview with the newspaper about running with the bulls.

After another bathroom break, B took Cooper for a wagon ride around the yard while I stripped his bed again and put on fresh bedding. Once he was settled back into a comfortable spot, she stayed close by choosing to continue his care to see if any positive changes happen making yet another trip into town to pick up some anxiety medication. This girl is putting on the miles and giving her credit card a workout, but every single trip is for Cooper, and nothing feels more important to her right now.

By mid-afternoon the skies had darkened, the temperature dropped, and we were hit with pea-sized hail before 3:00, followed by a little rain that totalled 0.16 inches. Why do we get this moisture only after the hay is cut?

B curled up beside Cooper's bed for a nap while S relaxed on the couch with the rodeo on TV. I caught up on today's blog while the robot vacuum gave the kitchen and entryway floors a good wash.

Just before 4:00, Kaylin, Renn, and Shaina arrived while we had Cooper outside for another bathroom break. Once he was settled back inside, Renn wasted no time pulling out her little pig family for everyone to play with. Kaylin and Shaina didn't stay long, though, as they were on their way to a concert after visiting with B and Cooper.

Not long after, B made her fourth trip to town for the day to pick up an Amazon parcel that included a body harness to help support Cooper when getting him outside. She also grabbed a few more supplies for both herself and Cooper, along with a thoughtful food care package from Amber's mom. On her way home, she stopped to pick up Aislyn, much to Renn's delight. B arrived back after 6:00 and immediately the 2 little girls disappeared into a world of imagination and play.

Cooper gave a couple woofs as Harley alerted us to B's return with Aislyn

Between caring for Cooper, researching everything she could think of, and setting up a little bed beside him, B managed to sneak in a short nap whenever she could exhausted with worry.

Bedtime for the girls officially began around 8:00. They changed into their pajamas and climbed into Renn's bed while Aislyn read her five bedtime stories. As usual, Renn had every excuse she could think of to delay going to sleep—a trip to the potty, checking on Aislyn, and several other important little jobs. I finally stepped in around 9:30, and by 9:45 she was sound asleep.

Kaylin and Shaina off to their concert and last night cowboy Matt wearing Grandy's belt and Papa's boots <3

S and I tried to get back to our soil documentary - Kiss the Ground, between bedtime interruptions—he alternated between the rodeo and the chuckwagon races whenever I was away—but once both little girls were finally asleep, we were able to finish it while B continued her vigil beside her boy.