Goodbye to a family member

On Saturday 28 SEP 2013 the Eggers' family lost one of our own.  Ferris passed away in the morning after we discovered he was bleeding internally-likely due to a ruptured spleen.  He lost his energy and drive very suddenly, and from a basic physical we had a pretty bad feeling of what was going on.  Radiographs showed a mass in the area of the spleen.  Though we elected not to perform a necropsy, he likely had a hemangiosarcoma (a cancer normally found in the spleen and heart).  It has been a difficult weekend and we are still coming to terms with a seemingly very empty house.  Ferris filled our hearts with joy and love for over 11 years and had moved with us all over the world.  He was truly a canine of the world having lived in Iowa, Germany, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas and Pennsylvania.  He was one of the two dogs that Marie and Mackenson first met when arriving into our home.  Ferris' loss has been especially difficult for the kids.  Though he is now gone, our very fond memories of him continue.  He touched a lot of hearts outside of his immediate family also, and for all of you who knew him we grieve with you. 

Mmm...Cabbage!

For his second batch of saurkraut, Joe chopped red cabbages this morning.  Two heads of cabbage were enough to fill a two gallon pail.  Joe added whey leftover from strained homemade yogurt and some salt.  At the sound of a knife hitting a cutting board coming from the kitchen, Ferris and Anabaena ran in to inspect.  They sometimes find treats when we make that sound.  Thinking Ferris wouldn't like it, Joe gave a piece of cabbage to him.  Ferris ran to other room where he always takes his "treasures" to enjoy.  It turns out that our dogs both like cabbage.  Who knew?