Windsor Gardens Life

Windsor Life Page 22 Welcome to Pet’s Corner, a place for us to share stories and insights about the lives we share with our pet companions, here at Windsor Gardens. George Kit Dakota came to me by way of the pandemic. In March 2020 I shut down my business travel and worked from home for the first time in years. By July the isolation was too much to bear. My son sensing my frustration brought a rescue kitten back from a family trip to a funeral. All of George could fit into just one of my hands. And from that moment on he has burrowed a way into my heart. To be honest, I did not expect George to survive that first night. He sneezed constantly, lifting his whole body up and shaking his head. A box was made up with a soft towel so he could stay warm. That night so many questions filled my head. Was he hungry? What would he eat? What to drink? What if he didn’t survive? It was rough for both of us. Then I woke the next morning and all those concerns were lifted. As I listened, George used the box to relieve himself. That single act told me that George would have a new life in my home. And it told me I had a towel to wash. Of course, George gobbled up the eggs and bacon from my dish. And he drank water like there was no tomorrow. He had survived and was ready to thrive. Moral of the Story: Responsibility was the first lesson George taught to me. Responsibility for this new life in my home. The first of many lessons to come. George has taught me each lesson with love and tenderness. I can’t wait to learn more. My hope is that we will all share more about our pet companions here at the Pet’s Corner and inspire, support and learn from each other. We can share what makes us frustrated and what makes us proud. I have a cat. Others have dogs. Some have birds and other companions. Each shares love in a special way. Each brings its own demands. Send me your stories. I will share more about George and me. Our companions have so much to give us. You can email your pet companion stories to me at Mike.Lopez@wgamail.com or to Windsor Life at windsorlife@wgamail.com. Mike Lopez & George Kit Dakota Pet's Corner From Mike Lopez Arlo Sonnenberg Reaches 103 Years From Jeanne Lee Arlo Sonnenberg was born on March 26, 1918, on the Colorado plains about 20 miles from Sterling. He was raised on a farm that grew wheat and corn and raised cattle. He attended grade and high school in the Logan County school district and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with majors in industrial arts and music. He has worked as a printer and a cabinet maker. Arlo was married for 68 years to Nellie Elizabeth and they had three sons. He has several grandchildren and one great-great grandson. At one point,Arlo said, his and Nellie's house in Sterling was a “ramshackle thing.” But then the Westron Corporation began offering homes for $10,000. Their new home was delivered on a truck and put up in one week on a pre-poured concert slab. He said it was a good house and after about 15 years they picked it up and moved it to Fort Collins when their middle son began college. In about 2003, Arlo and Nellie moved to Denver to assist her mother. When their oldest son was born, there was a lady in the hospital from Yugoslavia who told Arlo and Nellie that she was going back to visit her parents and asked if they would like to take the trip. Arlo said that was the beginning of them becoming tour directors. It worked out quite well because as directors their travel was paid for. They made trips to Europe, Japan, China, France and the “whole kit and caboodle” he said. Arlo has been at Windsor Gardens for about 15 years. He has a quiet little saw that he can use in his bathroom to do his woodwork here at WG because “it’s not so easy to walk to the woodworking shop anymore.” He says he keeps checking with the neighbors to make sure he and his saw are not disturbing them. Recently he made two hearts intertwined to show friendship and love. Another of his favorite pastimes is reading. Happy Birthday, Arlo. You and your saw keep up the good work! Arlo Sonnenberg Karnopp, Radosevich and Preston, LLC Attorneys at Law Wills ~ Trusts ~ Living Wills ~ Probate Estates Guardianships & Conservatorships Consultations in the Privacy of Your Home Martha J. Karnopp, Kristi M. Radosevich Theodore C. Preston 303-646-2763 Injured in an automobile / truck / pedestrian accident? Call Windsor Gardens resident and trial lawyer GEORGE A. KOKUS, ESQ., associated with the Ferris Law Firm, for a free consultation via telephone or teleconference. Phone: 303-639-6103 Email: gkokus@aol.com WG Centenarians: Do you know a Windsor Gardens resident with a 100th+ birthday coming up? Let us know! We would love to feature our community’s centenarians in future Windsor Life publications! Please email cervin@wgamail.com or call 303-514-0264.