Scott Fillmer

Yes, this is me from back in 1994 with our Basset Hound, Blazer.  We just got back from a week of travel from Virginia to North Carolina and all places in between.  When we got back we found out that Blazer (who is 16 years old) had about reached his limit with life and after sharing that life with us for the past 16 years he will be very missed in our family.  He traveled to every state in the continental U.S. and we have countless memories together.  Our house feels empty but right now but God’s plan moves on ahead.  More photos are over on Deb’s blog here.

We went up to Virginia to visit the campus of Liberty University where I am currently working on my MDiv (Master of Divinity) at Liberty Theological Seminary.  I have the option to take a language track in Greek and Hebrew, which will take about a year or more to finish, but must be completed on campus.  So we went up to Lynchburg to see what our living options might be when it comes time to take those classes.

Up to this point every class I have taken has been through their distance learning program and although that is the easiest path to take, it might not be the best path to take.  The language track will open up some opportunities for post-graduate work, but more importantly I hope it will benefit whatever ministry I am a part of when I finish my masters.

As a follower of Christ I don’t ever want to get to the point in my walk where I am unwilling to get out of my comfort zone and take bold steps.  I have found the older we get, the easier it is to live in a state of routine and forget that we are to live boldly for Christ, and sometimes that means giving up the easy path for a more challenging one.  I think sometimes we can stay chained to our safe routines for so long that we don’t even know how to escape if we wanted to, and faith is supposed to be anything but routine.

A lot has changed in my family since 1994 when Deborah took this photo at our house in Homewood, Alabama, Blazer is not with us, neither is my hair, but some how I added a few pounds and our routine will change once again.

Other Posts Related to this Topic

• National Polka Festival in Ennis Texas 2008
• Ever have one of those weeks?
• Blazer, Our Beloved Old Basset Hound in Action
• Photo day with Deb, Aubie, and Blazer and Some Flowers
• Apple iPad Goes Mainstream with Mom’s Birthday

We no longer have any human children in the house. However, we do have two dogs that have been with us for almost 14 years. Our Cocker Spaniel, Aubie and our Basset Hound, Blazer. The dogs are very much family to us and are getting up in years now. This, of course, means the beginning of illnesses, injuries and all the issues that come with aging pets. In some ways I think they know how much we care about their well being and sometimes it seems that they like to exploit this for everything it is worth, especially the basset, usually resulting in an extra biscuit, extra special dinner time, etc.

Here is Blazer after his recent surgery to remove a lump of skin cancer from his shoulder. Doesn’t he look like a pathetic thing?

Blazer the Basset

Other Posts Related to this Topic

• Back When I Actually Did Have Hair
• Photo day with Deb, Aubie, and Blazer and Some Flowers
• Ever have one of those weeks?
• Who Could Resist the Face of a Bassett Hound
• It is Minus 30 Degress Outside, Can You Say Cold Weather

This is how Blazer, our bassett hound tends to spend his days, laying upside down on his bed.

Other Posts Related to this Topic

• It is Minus 30 Degress Outside, Can You Say Cold Weather
• The Dog Days of Summer, Version 2010
• Back When I Actually Did Have Hair
• Blazer is Home the Sailboat Was Beautiful
• Blazer, Our Beloved Old Basset Hound in Action

Ok, this is what I would consider an indication that it is cold outside.

If that doesn’t convince you, look at the (cold) hard facts.

The dogs think it is cold too and they both insist on sharing the same chair. I think this is the warmest spot in the bus for them. It is quite funny to see them argue over who gets to sit here and for how long. They usually end up sharing.

When not on the chair, they have been found sleeping in various other places.

Other Posts Related to this Topic

• Photo day with Deb, Aubie, and Blazer and Some Flowers
• Who Could Resist the Face of a Bassett Hound
• Weather Blues Promotes Cabin Feaver, Even in a Bus
• The Dog Days of Summer, Version 2010
• Back When I Actually Did Have Hair

Yesterday my husband took pictures of me and our dogs to send to our family members. This is a photo of me with our Cocker Spaniel “Aubie”.

Here is another one with our Bassett Hound “Blazer”. Do you see the pretty flowers?

Blazer saw the pretty flowers too and decided that they would probably taste pretty good.

Other Posts Related to this Topic

• It is Minus 30 Degress Outside, Can You Say Cold Weather
• Back When I Actually Did Have Hair
• Where Were You on September 11, 2001 :: 7 Years Later
• Blazer, Our Beloved Old Basset Hound in Action
• Birthday Surprises with a Washer and Dryer // 39 Years