Tribute to Tali and Introducing Philvia

This past week my sister's beloved dog Tali passed away. Tali was 12 (almost 13 I think) and had a long and much loved life.

Although she was a big dog, she didn't know it and was pretty much like a puppy right up until her last day. When I think of her I still picture the floppy eared little ball of fur Ann and John brought home 12 years ago because she never really lost her happy puppy expression.

The last time we saw Tali was a year ago August when we visited the USA and I was sure to get lots of pictures of her. Here's me with Tali and her sisters (my nieces) Katie and Elly.

Tali had a part-time beagle brother, Jukey, who lived with them about 9-10 months out of each year while my brother inlaw John's brother was working in Alaska. So Tali had a special love for beagles, much like me. Here's Tali with Jukey and Bailey.

Introducing Philvia
On a happier note, we added a new foster kitty to our family on Friday. I've named her Philvia in honor of the fact Phil and Sylvia were visiting us when we got her.
She's very timid and still wants to hide out in a quiet room by herself, but I'm hoping she warms up to us soon since she's oh so cute.

Phil and Sylvia left on Saturday night on the midnight flight back home. They returned from Bangkok Thursday evening and didn't have any tales of riots from all the political stuff going on in the city. Seems life is as usual in Bangkok with tourists and the con artists that try and get their money.

On Saturday, we woke up early and I took them to the South side of Hong Kong island to hike Dragon's Back, ending up at Big Wave Beach for a brunch at the beach side restaurant. (Mark opted for home instead of hike. Shocker, right?)

(In this picture on the hike, you can see the crescent shaped beach below. )

After the hike, Mark met us in Stanley for a little more shopping and food, then back home so Sylvia and I could get pedicures before their long flight home.