Our sweet Susie...

Susie

February 1, 2000-May 28, 2010

We said goodbye to our sweet girl today. To know her was to love her. She will live on in our hearts.

We love you, Susie.

Good times...

The CVICU crowd (led by my pal, Fancy Nancy) had a little pre-wedding/farewell get-together tonight at Jo's Grille. Nancy, an accomplished quilter (she's in national shows!) even fashioned a veil from some tulle and ribbon. Here I am below, looking mildly mortified...

The folks dressed in navy blue came after a long day at work. Below is Melissa (in scrubs), and my manager, Lauren.

The best preceptor EVER, Carmen, and Steve.

Lauren with John, who appears curiously studious in his reading glasses...

Melissa's husband, James, took this one of most of us. Fancy Nancy is on her phone, in the back.

Denise was a little late coming from work.

As was Almas, sitting beside Melissa...

We enjoyed some Blue Moon, in Atlanta Falcons glasses.

It goes better with ice cream cake than you'd think!

Tina showed up in time for cake and a Blue Moon... she had spent the day avoiding getting bitten at work.

It was fun to spend time with this great group of gals and guys outside of work!

When's my Dad coming home?

Bryan is in Minneapolis at a Colorectal Surgery conference. Susie doesn't understand why he would willingly leave her for several days.

She was waiting until he got home to eat, but decided she couldn't resist some smelly canned dog food!

Under the weather...

Poor little Susie...

last night Bryan and I were watching Flash Forward when Susie came out to say hello. We noticed her left eye was red and irritated, and she wouldn't open it.

We were going to take her to the vet today, but after some warm soaks and allergy eye drops, she seems to be feeling better. Well enough to take a nice long walk today! As you can imagine, with that pitiful looking face, she's gotten plenty of cuddles and attention!

Our trip to the Atlanta Zoo...

We've been wanting to visit the Atlanta Zoo since we moved here last June. This past weekend provided the perfect opportunity. Sunday's high was 71, and there was plenty of sunshine!

After a quick stop for Einstein's bagels and coffee, we hit the zoo!

First up were the flamingos...

We spent some time in the giant parakeet cage... there were signs EVERYWHERE warning of poop accidents. Fortunately, we escaped without one. Several were playing in the waterfall...

Breakfast is served.

The only pictures of the two of us were feeding the birds treats!

This lioness was waiting while her mate ate. In Lion culture, the females do the hunting, and the males always eat first.

It's hard to see, but the male is on the top rock, and the female on one of the lower ones.

Resting rhino

Zebras and giraffes...

Showy little bird called "Kori Bustard". This is the male. He was quite pleased within himself, and was parading around.

There were four gorilla habitats. Each had it's own silverback male, and one or more females. Below is one of the silverbacks.

A silverback and a female in the distance.

Another silverback with his ladies.

I forget what kind of bird this is, but it was pretty...

Look close below... there's a white-faced duck and its mate.

Monkey on a rock...

Female gorilla...

The following two pictures show why they're called silverbacks.

Male Drill Monkey

Orangutan family! Dad is on the bottom, Mom and baby on top.

Mom was deep in thought...

Kimodo Dragon

Red Panda in a milk crate

Tortoise

There was a whole building dedicated to the "Naked Mole Rats." They were as disgusting as they sound...

Bryan couldn't believe they had a Black Mamba... it's the most deadly venomous snake in the world!

The Atlanta Zoo has a partnership with China. They have a very successful breeding program, and just sent a cub, Mei Lan, back to live in China.

The pandas were actually quite filthy looking up-close!

The baby red kangaroo joey. She's a year old.

We listened to "Kangaroo Chat" while the keeper fed them treats of bisquits and sweet potato. She said they got peanut butter sandwiches in the morning after getting weighed!

Charlie eating... he's the only un-neutered male in the exhibit. Kangaroos are very territorial.

Uluroo... the joey's mother.

Remember the Kori Bustard?? This is his less showy, yet beautiful wife.

We saw this American Crocodile just outside of the petting zoo. It was kind of disturbing!

The petting zoo pigs were just precious...

Albino peacock

Some grape-like things

Milky-eared owl

Yucky vultures. They had a "fake" zebra carcass in their pen with rotting meat.

These hornbills also eat rotten things. They were shaking around a dead bird right before I took this picture.

African Elephants. They're stinky.

We made a point to visit the giant tortoises. We were slightly disappointed. They literally didn't move.

Blue cranes

Pretty flowers

Australian bird called a Cassowary

Vern and Shirley, the warthogs, had babies. They smell almost as bad as they look. That's Vern.

That's Shirley with the babies.

Vern and Shirley's kids...

For some reason, when 'rooting' around in the dirt, they would get down on their front "knees".

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!