Chocolate: there’s good news and bad news

6 02 2023

First the bad news. Did you know that chocolate is bad for dogs? I had heard that, but I didn’t realize how bad! One recent morning we got up to find an empty wrapper from a chocolate bar on the coffee table. We had eaten 3 ozs. of it for dessert the night before. “7 ounces” was printed on the wrapper, so I calculated that 4 ozs. was gone. And, our dog JJ was still in bed looking lethargic. JJ had injested the 70% dark chocolate candy!

I immediately phoned our VCA Animal Hospital, that wasn’t opened yet, and was referred to Poison Control that charged $95 to answer the phone. After answering some questions, I was given a case number to present to the vet, 25 minutes away, when I got there. All of this was done in the car while Pete drove to save time during the 7:30 a.m. rush hour traffic.

Long story short, JJ could have died if he wasn’t attended to quickly. As it was, he had a seizure. The vet induced vomiting seven times, and all the chocolate came out. They gave the dog an I.V., and JJ was under observation at the vet for the whole day. Pete brought JJ home with Rx and special food, and thankfully our beloved dog is back to his jaunty self. Whew!


And now for the good news! Hallmark has adapted my niece Lizzie Shane’s novel “Sweeter Than Chocolate” for a movie that will air again this Thursday and Saturday. Her parents came from Alaska to Hawai’i to view it last Saturday with other family members on her Uncle Karl’s large screen TV. So much fun! Lizzie even sent some samples!

Until next time, be well.

~Rebekah





So, that time between Christmas and New Year’s …

29 12 2022

What are you reading? I mean, reading for fun. A few weeks ago my choir, the Windward Choral Society, benefited from a book fair when the bookseller donated part of the sales to the choir. You didn’t need to go to the store in person; you could buy online from anywhere. How convenient!

I chose “Once Upon a Puppy” by Lizzie Shane and a you-might-like recommended “Well Traveled,” also a contemporary romance, by Jen DeLuca.

Lizzie Shane is the pen name of my niece Sarah. I already enjoyed her “Twelve Dogs of Christmas” that I passed on to a friend in Pennsylvania at Thanksgiving when I was there.

Our family is so proud of Sarah, er Lizzie. According to her bio on the inside cover, she is “a three-time finalist for RWA’s RITA Award and author of “A Royal Christmas Wish” for Hallmark Publishing — I think I saw that movie!

What better time than now to read for fun?

New year’s blessings to you …

Love,

Rebekah





Puppy love

21 02 2020


Who doesn’t love a dog? Massimo, at left, is no longer a puppy. He no longer chews out the stuffing of his bed, but he still plays with toys. He likes to press his warm body up to you as close as possible to cuddle.

He’s visiting here while his peeps are at school. Workers are at his house, so his dad brought him here so he wouldn’t get out of the gate. He’s a runner, as we found out from past experience. What a chase that was!

JJ, who lives here in his forever home, was acquired from the humane society. He has nice eyeliner. We don’t know his age, only that he is an old man now. He has no use for toys, but is very barky, especially when neighbor cats enter the yard and when the brown truck and refuse truck drive up the street. I guess we should be thankful that we have an excellent watch dog.

JJ likes going for a walk, although now he goes a few yards only to stop in his tracks to pause and simply look around. If lost, I don’t know if he would find his own way home. But, he likes to show off for people. If walking in a pack, he likes to be the pack leader.

We love our dogs.
Rebekah





Faithful Pua

14 11 2012

Pua’s a sweet dog. She always greets us. She comes when called. She minds when we say, “Go to your place,” unlike Alice Brown, who is, shall we say, spoiled. Today’s entry is dedicated to Pua. Miss Marvelous always asks to see Pua over Skype, so I made these photos yesterday and sent the prints off to her in Italy so she can always see her canine friend. DH takes Pua for a walk at least once a day. At Kalaeokaoio park she loves to run and dig crabs out of the sand.

Pua at Kalaeokaoio

Waiting

Copyright 2012 Rebekah Luke




Win win, Ruth says, but I call it bartering!

24 02 2012

All of a sudden, things are starting to move around here, and everyone is tuning in to the new energy. Even Alice Brown and Ula feel the change.  But first, an announcement:

Rebekah Luke is the solo guest artist starting Sunday, Feb. 26, at the residence at 914 Kainui Drive in Kailua! I’m thrilled! My sister Ruth and her colleague Karyn have staged the home for sale with my oil paintings, and I must say, both the house and my paintings look great! Instead of seeing my work in my virtual gallery, people can now see what the paintings look like hanging in their frames and imagine what they will look like in their own home or office. There is really no substitute for seeing the original.

Ruth phoned and asked if they could borrow an easel to set up an area as an artist’s studio. Sure, I said. Then she asked if I had any paintings they could use to decorate the freshly painted walls. Indeed, I’m always looking for opportunities to show my art, and, really, no problem. Ruth, an equestrian, did help me out once by providing a horse I needed for a photo shoot.

DH and I loaded the paintings — nearly all my available inventory — into the car. I wanted a large enough choice from which Ruth and Karyn could select. I also packed up other props, like a palette, some paint tubes, some brushes, even some “leaners” (unfinished or unsaleable canvases).

When I reached the venue I could do whatever I wanted, in any of the rooms, to install an art show! The public would come to see the property, and at the same time they would view the art. The realtor associates needed interior decor, and I welcomed gallery space! “It’s a win win,” Ruth said, quite pleased with herself. I’m loving it too.

I arranged the paintings on the floor in front of the wall they would hang on, and the three of us concurred as to their placement. Naturally, I deferred to my hosts, and I’m so glad I did! All of the paintings are on display!

About the property: Conveniently located at the edge of Kailua, on an avenue lined with coconut palms. Renovated 3BR, 2B, single story, large back yard, new landscaping. The current owner is our mom Ivalee, and the home has been in the family since the 1960s (or earlier) when Grandpa and Grandma Haus lived in it. Ruth can give you the asking price.

About the paintings: My original Hawaiian landscapes and still life in oil. $125 to $800.

If you are on Oahu, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to meet us and see our work.

The Special Showings and Open House dates and times are:

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2-5 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 1, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Mar., 4, noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Mar. 8, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Mar. 11, 2 to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Mar. 18, 2 to 5 p.m.

Thanks, Ruth and Karyn!

In the next post I’ll give an update on my teaching adventures, travel adventures, new energy, etc., Meanwhile, here are today’s snaps of the studio animals.

Alice Brown, our adorable puppy, keeps me company in the studio.

Ula, the bossy cat. Look out! She's old now.

Copyright 2012 Rebekah Luke




Chinese new year’s yum-yum after seeing The Artist

22 01 2012

Shanghai dumplings and Shanghai noodles by Ming's

Went on a date last night, DH and I. Went to The Artist, the award-winning film I wanted to see ever since hearing the music and wondering about that cute dog on the Golden Globes. When I told my date there was a dog in the movie about the size of Alice Brown, he said okay we could go. Woof!

Is it in black and white? Yes. Is it a silent movie? Most of it. And that’s all I’m gonna say because I don’t want to spoil it for you. A fine, heartwarming flick!

Where to go for an after-movie snack? It’s Chinese New Year! Chinatown is in the opposite direction from home, but I felt like acknowledging my ancestral heritage nevertheless, so taking a cue from my friend Lori, I suggested we find Ming’s Chinese Restaurant in the little shopping center at Waiakamilo road and Dillingham boulevard in Honolulu and eat some Shanghai dumplings.

That’s not what they’re called by the restaurant, but you can look for a picture of them, similar to the one I made above, on the menu. We ate the dumplings by loading each onto a soup spoon, biting off the tip, slurping the soup that is inside, and only then ate the pork filling and its wrapper. Mmmm, good. Very tasty! And even better with red vinegar already on the table. No need to ask for it.

DH pronounced we could do this again. Good movie. Delicious snack. Renewing date night.

Copyright 2012 Rebekah Luke




Our dog Alice Brown, one day at a time

2 11 2011

Alice Brown's ultrasound test. She asks, "Hey, Mom, may I have some Reiki now?" — Peter Krape photo

No, she’s not pregnant, but she does have a thickened heart valve. Our beloved dog Alice Brown, 8, is aging like the rest of us. Hearing a heart murmur last week, “Doctor Sterling” recommended an ultrasound to give us more information. This morning we watched the images of Alice Brown’s heart and valves, and we saw and heard the abnormal back flow of blood. With our okay, the vet prescribed some heart medicine, saying, we have the luxury of finding this condition early so that it might be monitored and eased with meds. This condition is common in small dogs, he said.

Copyright 2011 Rebekah Luke







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