Christmas Greetings

[Maggi Young]

Merry Christmas, Everyone!









 with all best wishes from Ian and Maggi

[Maren]

Our Christmas started yesterday, traditional Christmas goose and all the delirious trimmings. I start earlier every year and still I manage to knock myself out with all the work. But it's worth it, with the family round the table. Cheers.

[Magnar]

In Norwegian we say : God jul alle sammen 

 (Good Christmas everybody)

[angie]

Merry Christmas to all.
After a nine hour dash to Heathrow we made our flight on the 21st of December, so now enjoying some lovely sun in sunny America.
Hope the snow is melting back home.
Best wishes to all for 2011.

Angie

[Renate Brinkers]

Merry Christmas and the best wishes for a wonderful year 2011 to all forumists from the new Ski area in the north of Germany - no mountains but snow without an end.

[arillady]

To all the forum members I hope you all had a safe, peaceful and joyous Christmas and that 2011 will bring all things bright and beautiful.

[Rafa]

A Christmas tribute to my 13 years old Bloodhound, you will always be in our harts.

[Maren]

Hi Rafa,
your post made me look at your links. What wonderful nature photography and I love your drawing of Epipactis palustris.   

[Hoy]

I fully agree with Maren. You certainly are an artist, Rafa!

[Rafa]

Oh! thank you, you are very kind.
In this days plenty of personal problems I really grateful you, your nice comments to my work.
In addition yesterday morning, I had to put down Bony, my bloodhound, and I am deeply affected... she was a very very special dog.

[Maggi Young]

It is good to see Rafa and Delphine enjoying the summer sun with Bony..... Rafa, it is the hardest thing any owner can do to  have to take the decision to end the life of a faithful friend.... but it is the greatest service we can do to save our beloved companion animals from suffering.  Bony had a wonderful life with you, and a long one and she is gone now, with love, as she lived with love.
That is the best thing one could say of any friend, whether they have two legs or four.
 Take strength and comfort in the knowledge you were a good friend to your fine canine friend - and remember all the days in the sun.

[Gail]

So sorry to hear about your dog Rafa.  I had to make that decision about my Newfoundland more than two years ago and it still hurts to miss him, so I do understand how you feel but I am sure that you will remember the happy times you shared together.  She was a magnificent looking dog.

[Rafa]

Thank you very much for your words
 

[Lesley Cox]

Dear Rafa, I'm so so sorry you've had to have Bony put to sleep. It is a terrible decision to have to make and is only for the dog's benefit in the long run, no matter how it hurts the owner. Dogs invade our lives with their love and loyalty as much as our children do and I can only imagine their passing as like when a parent must ask doctors to cut off life support for a beloved child. We are all thiking of you and wish you well for the coming weeks.

[Paul T]

Rafa,

I think I'll be in your position sometime within the next 6 months, although my little white mop (see my avatar picture) is somewhat smaller than your massive bundle of energy!    Our little Elf is now 15 1/2 years old, so she's had a good life.  I didn't expect her to make it through last winter, so my 6 months may be somewhat out as well.  A couple of years ago we had to end our 14 1/2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but quality of life is definitely preferable to quantity of life.

All the best to you and Delphine.  I hope 2011 is more positive!