Today I am writing this as a tribute to my dog and best friend "Skye." Skye was born on July 4 and she has been quite the firecracker for the past 11 years. She was originally purchased by my son for his daughter on her first birthday, however when they moved into a new apartment, they were unable to keep her. Skye than moved into my home when she was a little more than one year old. She has been with me ever since.

Skye is mostly Blue Heeler (also known as an Australian Cattle Dog) and some Eskimo dog which is why she has the longer hair. She has been a great friend and companion to me for almost 10 years now. I can actually read her emotions by the look in her eyes and her ears. If she did something bad, her eyes would be sad and her ears flat like an airplane. When she is happy, her ears stand up and her eyes sparkle.

Unfortunately a year ago, I took her to my previous vet to have a fatty tumor removed as it was getting large enough to start affecting her hind leg. They did blood test and saw something a little funny but . . operated anyway. She almost died and had to be rushed to Quakertown Veterinary Clinic. She was tended to by Dr. Mandy Rodawald Her platelets were so low that she ws bleeding to death and needed a transfusion. They did not know if she would make it but she did. She became their miracle dog.We put her on steroids and finally got her platelet count under control and weaned her off the predisone. I highly recommend them. If your puppy has problems or just needs a check up, Qaukertown Veterinary Clinic is the place to go.

About 6 months ago, she stopped eating and was throwing up. The doctor immediately remembered that her kidney values were a bit off when she had been in for the transfusion. We tested her values and sure enough they were off. We put her back in the hospital for 5 days with IV fluids and then brought her home. Her levels went down but never back to normal. Since then we have been giving her fluids daily under her skin and when getting her checked, she has stayed with levels about the same.

About two weeks ago, Skye started throwing up again. We put her back in the hospital for another days, but this time her values did not come down, they actually went up. We brought her home. Within the last week, she has had good and bad days. She will no longer eat dog food but was still eating people food and drinking. She even went to the park on Sunday with me, my son, and the kids. Since then she has not wanted to go out, and now as of today I can not get her to eat or drink anything.

I will see how she is doing when I get home, but although I feel broken hearted, I can not continue to have her sick and suffering. I think I may have to take her back to see Dr Mandy one more time and say goodbye. I have never had a dog of my own in my life this long and had no idea how devestating this can be. Although this is really hard, I am so glad that she has been part of my life. So I just want to say THANK YOU SKYE FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. i LOVE YOU

The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has recently announced the opening of Quakertown artist Calvin Ruth art exhibit. The exhibit is titled "Local Landscapes" This exhibit will run now through August 31. The paintings will also be available to buy.

Calvin Ruthhas taught at numerous schools, and for over 27 years, he taught at the Quakertown School District. He is interested in history. conservation, genealogy & gardening. Not only does he have fabulous credentials including a Master of fine art degree from the Stella Elkins Tyler School of Fine Arts of Temple University, but he is truly a nice person. I am very proud to know him.

For more information call 215-679-3103 or visit their website at http://www.schwenkfelder.com . Better yet, go out and see the exhibit. The hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm; Thursdays from 9am to 8pm; Saturdays 10am to 3pm; and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.

As always, if you are considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks or Montgomery County Real Estate market, call or email me or Marcie Purcell

Below are the market statistics for the real estate market within the Quakertown School District. This includes Quakertown Borough, Trumbauersville Borough, Mildford Township, Richland Township and Haycock Township. These are for residential properties (no multi units) in between $100,000 and $1,000,000. Overall for the month, ther were 34 units that were sold and settled. The average sale price was $268,402. It took approximately 62 days to sell a home. These statistics are provided through Trend Multiple Listing Service and are deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Pricing Details of Sold Units for the Date Range Selected

During May 2007, there were 43 homes sold. The average sale price was $265,067 and it took 65 days to sell. Market is still appoximately the same. We are not in a bad market like other parts of the country. It is a good time to buy.

If you are considering either buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please call or email us. W specialize in "YOU"

Quakertown Alive will be holding the annual Arts Alive 2008 this Saturday May 17 from 10AM to 5PM. This event will be held "Rain or Shine". This event is expected to draw quite a large crowd and will offer On stage entertainment, strolling performers including clowns, jugglers and more,, a Children's courtyard with a magician, dancers, and a puppeteer, carriage rides, and more.

Come out this Saturday and enjoy the festivities. While you are there, stop in one of the new eateries below::

Salome is now open at 219 W. Broad Street (former location of Pancho Villa) for lunch and dinner. Stop by for eat-in or take-out nachos, soups, burgers, cheese steaks, ribs, Quesadillas, wraps, hot pressed sandwiches and other Mexican specialties. They have a small children's menu too.

The new family-oriented Broadway Café, also in the 200 block of W. Broad Street, is open for after school, evenings, and Saturday. Stop by this retro-style restaurant and soda fountain for affordably-priced burgers, salads, pizza, chili, some of the best fries around, plus ice cream, pie and more. Students from Miss Cindy's School of Dance provide your service and spontaneous performances are possible!

The new Front Street Café & Bistro on 44 Front Street, at the corner of Juniper, provides an inviting stop with gas lamps out front and two fireplaces inside. It is open early (6:30 am) and offers breakfast, lunch, upscale BYOB dinners and even a central conversation area to just have some coffee and relax. Call 267-347-4076 for evening reservations. Ask about their 11-3 Sunday brunch.

The event will be held in the center of town, unless it rains. In case of rain, the event will be moved to Strayer Middle School, which is located at 1200 Ronald Reagen Blvd, Quakertown.

If you are considering buying a home in the Quakertown or neighboring Bucks County areas, please call or email Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We specialize in "YOU"