Stiffed

Looking at my finger, the wound appears to be healing very well.  The soft tissue that was protruding has since, let's just say died and went away for those who are squeamish.  However, it is still very tender.  I do not yet have full range of motion.  It will not bend completely, but I can straighten it out.  It also feels very stiff, as if the scar tissue that is forming is a little too tight.  If I press on the back of the bite, I can feel pain all the way to the bone.  (literally)  I'm still in awe of the amount of force that such a small animal can exude.  I'll be sitting here at night trying to think of how much pressure you actually have to have to penetrate the skin and then how much pressure would be needed to penetrate all the way through to the other side of a finger.  It's just crazy what those little jaws are capable of and I don't think he was even REALLY trying.  It wasn't as if his life was at stake.  He was just trying to make a point to what he thought was another rat.  This is my space and you're not allowed.  I'm still very nervous with him and have to do my best not to jerk my hand back when he goes to sniff me.  I'm sure there will be a physical reminder for a while.

We adopted out quite a few puppies today and one adult dog.  I'm not sure about the cats even though I spent some time back there.  (we were short handed and I felt guilty that one girl had to deal with all the cats and people)  I actually don't know if we had any cat adoptions.  Kasey had one person really interested in him but it would've been a no on the application.  Kasey is a small dog so older people think he would be great for them and he seems low energy at first but he does need to run and play.  We would prefer he goes to a home with another dog and he will only go to a home with a fenced yard.  I finalized Princess' adoption today.  That dog looks gorgeous.  I wish I'd had my camera so I could've shown everyone.  Her coat is so much shinier than it was when I had her.  (they managed to give her a bath)  She's also put on about ten pounds.  She's not fat but she's on the chunky side now.  She looks healthy though and it's obviousthat she has been getting some training.  There was no way when I had her that she would sit on command in a public place and she does so with ease now.  She was also looking very lovingly at her new owners.  It was the look of a teenager in her first real relationship.  She would just look up at them like I love you guys.  I told them again how happy I was that they decided to work it out with her and they said they haven't had any problems since that day and that they are glad they made the effort as well.  I think they'll have many good years with her and I have no doubt that she has a great home now, especially after seeing her.  I really wish I'd taken my camera because the difference was just undeniable. 

Next week or the week after I should start with cats and kittens.  We'll be getting two separate litters around that time and I'll be taking one of them.  Shelter kittens come with a lot of issues.  If the mother cat was given shots while pregnant (it's very rare that a female cat will go into the shelter and NOT be given a shot) it causes problems with the unborn kittens.  We've had a few litters that just didn't make it for just that reason.  One of the girls that volunteers bottle feeds kittens.  Where she works, they allow her to bring the cats so she can feed them every two hours.  She must be dedicated as hell because that is a LOT of work.  You're entire life is put on hold while you have those cats.  She can never be away from them for more than two hours because they need to be fed.  I couldn't do it.  I'm not much of a couch potato and always need to be out doing something.  Besides that, it's very difficult to keep them alive, even when you really know what you're doing.  It has to be hard to lose kittens over and over that were literally dependent on you for their survival.  You would always wonder if there was something you could've done.  At least I know I would. 

I am an animal rescuer

I found this a few minutes ago browsing animal sites.  I cannot tell you how much I identify with it or how many of those close to me will as well. 

 

I am an Animal Rescuer
My job is to assist God's creatures
I was born with the need to fulfill their needs
I take in new family members without plan, thought or selection
I have bought dog food with my last dime
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have fallen in love a thousand times
and I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body

I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends
I dont often use the word "pet"
I notice those lost at the road side
And my heart aches
I will hand raise a field mouse
And make friends with a vulture
I know of no creature unworthy of my time

I want to live forever if there arent animals in Heaven
But I believe there are
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind
We may be master of the animals,
But the animals have mastered themselves
Something people still haven't learned
War and Abuse makes me hurt for the world
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind
We are a quiet but determined army
And making a difference every day

There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan
nothing more rewarding than saving a life
No higher recognition than watching them thrive
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who only days ago, was too weak to eat

I am an Animal Rescuer
My work is never done,
My home is never quiet
My wallet is always empty
But my heart is always full
In the game of life, we have already won

-Annette King Tucker

A beauty of a day

Life with Kasey is definitey different than what I'm used to.  Even Doodle was a little on the hyper side.  Kasey is laid back.  He will play with us or the other dogs but isn't all play all the time.  Mostly he's content to sleep next to us while we do whatever it is that humans do.  I've been extra rough while petting him and playing.  I'm trying to get him over being nippy when his back is messed with a little too much.  This is also the first foster I've had to watch around Jasmine.  In just 24 hours she has gotten a lot better around him and doesn't run up to him like she did yesterday and seems to realize she needs to be a little nicer to him than the others.  I bought him a small tennis ball today.  I noticed when I had him at my mom's that he loves to play ball but every toy I had here was made for big dogs.  He'll chase the ball as many times as you're willing to throw it.  He did great overnight and didn't have an accident.  At night my dogs tend to go longer than others without a potty break.  It was a problem with Zoey, as she just didn't seem to be able to make it that long but Kasey seems fine with it.  He doesn't like it when I leave and will jump on the back of the couch like a cat to look out the largepicture window to watch me go.  When we get back he dances on his back feet.  He's a cute little dog and I'm still surprised at how long we've had him.  (about four months)  Usually the little ones go fast.  We need to get some dogs adopted out quickly as the local shelter is full and the waiting list has started for euthanizing.  We took in two more than we planned on this weekend and I'm sure they'll be doing more of the same by next week.  The woman at the shelter is in a panic over how many dogs they have.  They don't want to euthanize anymore than a no-kill shelter would want to but they don't have a choice in the matter.  They have no choice but to take in the strays and throw aways.  Eventually, room has to be made. 

Today was an absolutely perfect day as far as weather goes.  I would love it if summer felt like today did.  It wasn't too hot out but wasn't chilly either.  Jasmine was in her shorts and never needed a sweater.  It was just a really nice day.  Tomorrow we're going to try and make it to the zoo.  Well, we may have to go whether I feel like it or not because Jasmine KNOWS that I was planning on going tomorrow.  (I spelled Z-o-o to my mom and Jasmine exclaimed We're going to the zoo tomorrow!)  They're talking possible showers in the morning so we should be ok. 

Forgot why I hated taking Augmentin after my cat bite last November until I found myself over the toliet losing all food in my stomach.

Idle thoughts

I think I might go shopping tomorrow.  Don't know that I'll actually buy anything but I still consider it shopping.  I'm bored and when I get bored, I want to spend money.  Bad habit I suppose.  I should start taking things to the basement from the spare bedroom so I can get ready for the spring rush of kittens.  Cleaning and storing things just doesn't sound like a fun way to cure boredom.  Who knows, maybe by morning I won't want to go anywhere any ways.

It's kind of nice having a little dog around the house.  He's sleeping on the bed and doesn't take up the whole thing.  I think my favorite foster will always be Doodle.  It might be because she was my first but I think it was just her in general.  She's a nice dog with a great personality.  I don't know that I would've kept her if I didn't have all my other dogs just because I wouldn't be sure if I was keeping her for the right reasons since she was my first foster.  I think I'll get to see Princess at least one last time this weekend.  She needs one last set of shots and I told them a few weeks ago that if they brought her with them that I'd give it to her.  I'm not sure if they'll remember though because most of the time, I can't remember that far back.  I think she got a really good home, despite the initial setbacks they had.  It showed a lot that they were willing to work with her AND call me back to tell me they'd changed their mind.  It's not easy to admit you've made a mistake, even if by admitting it, you've made everyone happier.  I'm not sure what's going on with Zoey.  I didn't have anything to do with her going on a home visit.  She was with my director at the time and she made the decision that it was a good placement.  I can't imagine how those people are handling her as she's way on the crazy side of an aussie.  The dog never stops moving and these people have never owned a herding breed before.  I can't believe they haven't called begging us to take her back.  What's funny is I have this little almost perfect fluff ball at the end of my bed that no one seems to want.  He was adopted once and the guy decided within a week that he didn't want to deal with walking the dog anymore so he just dropped him off at the humane society.  We had a hell of a time getting him out of there.  We haven't had much interest in him since then either.  I don't mind having him around.  He's small and easy to handle.  I just wish Jasmine would realize that not all dogs like to be rough housed with and Kasey is definitely one of those that doesn't.  He bit her twice today (nothing that broke the skin or even came close) and bit me once.  We both deserved it.  I was testing him to see how much I could push him before he would or could bite and Jasmine was just being... Jasmine.

Another newby

I went to the doctor this morning.  He says I should've come in for stitches but too late now.  The tissue coming out of the wound is simply soft tissue.  It may take a while to heal.  Go figure.

Afterwards, I went to pick up my newest foster, a pomeranian mix named Kasey.  He's sweet but slightly nippy with children and sensitive on his back.  I'm going to work on him and see how it goes.  He's a nice calm dog though, which is a big change from the last three.  I'm not sure if I mentioned it or not but Zoey went on a home visit on Saturday.  I was free of fosters for about two weeks so I figured it was time to start pulling my foster weight. 

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Vacation pics

Vacation pics, more later.

Look mommy, penguins!

I love penguins!

Silly face.

My little punk rocker.

Mommy and me on the manatee.

Grandma, me and mommy.  We're sitting on the same bench that mommy and daddy sat on while she was pregnant with me.

Mommy got her face painted.  She was trying to show me it was neat and didn't hurt.  I didn't believe her though.

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Sorry Russ, this may make you queasy

Me: Goodnight babies.  Ok, one more scratch for both of you.

A nice long pet for Merlin before I put him back.  Then I get ready to move to Tikki's cage.  I stick my finger through the bar first as I usually do.  Alarm bells are screaming at the dark recesses of my brain.  Should wash your hands first they scream. 

Me: Hey Tick-tick.  Oh no, oh god!  Stop!  Oh no, please let go!  OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  AHHHHHHHHH!  Ah-Ah-Ah-AHHHHH!!!!

I eventually get my finger back.  The crunching sounds as he bit down were almost worse than the pain itself.  Almost.  Blood flowed from my hand like warm milky water.  I felt it run down my leg, splashing my foot.  Made it to the sink but can't get the water on.  I'm trying to keep pressure on my index finger, trying to slow the bleeding while my brain screams the need to clean the bite.  I know how bad an infection could be there.  Eventually, I manage to get the water on and a paper towel around my finger.  Through the pain, I find my bedroom and as calmly as possible beg my husband to wake.  He flies out of bed.  The panic must have been evident in my voice. 

Me: Oh god, I think I need to go to the ER.  Oh god, I don't want to go.  Oh god, oh god oh god. 

Husband: Jamie, what's wrong?  Where are you hurt?  What happened?  Calm down and tell me what happened. 

I don't answer and instead stumble back to the kitchen.  Must not wake Jasmine.  Don't want to scare her.  Ohhhhh god it hurts.  What am I going to do?  Where's my mom?  I need her.  Eventually, through sobs, I explain what happened.  I'm in the midst of a panic attack now.  Hyperventilating.  I continue to sob on and off for a full hour.  I did my best to prevent further swelling but it was just too painful.  I couldn't touch it without screaming in pain.  I think my muscle is torn.  Some kind of tissue is protruding from the bite.  I eventually decide no ER.  I hope not to regret it.  I took a large dose of high potency antibiotics and a tramadol.  I would've preferred an Oxycodone but I don't have that strong of drugs.  It still throbs, hours later. 

The white part is what I believe to be muscle.  You can't tell from the picture but it is actually sticking out a ways.  After doing some internet searching, I found that when a rat attacks, the bottom teeth separate in a V form, allowing the top teeth to penetrate between the bottom.  This causes a deep and nasty bite.  The crunching I was hearing, was the teeth meeting and grinding together in my finger.  The reason for the attack was that I smelled strongly of the other male rat.  Merlin's brother died yesterday (Toby) and I have reason to believe it's the cage so I moved him to the other room in a smaller cage.  Tikki isn't used to him and would like to eat him, hence my wound.

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Yum

You know you've had a shitty day when the highlight of it all is when your 2 year old daughter projectile vomits all over your sleeping husbands back.

Router life expectancy... less than one year

My router went belly up this week which is why my posts have been few and far between.  The new one was installed this morning.  We bought a red lobster today for the fish tank.  We decided on the name Fred.  He's pretty neat but we got way overcharged for him.  We were charged for a blue lobster which is about 8 dollars more expensive than the red.  Considering the red lobster price was just over $2, it was indeed a high price inflation.  I've always wanted a lobster.  I wanted to save them from the grocery store when I was a kid.  I even asked to when I became an adult with my own home.  My husband said not unless we'll be eating him.  Fred is quite a bit smaller than most grocery store lobsters.  He is the largest animal in my fish tank at the moment though at about 3 inches long.  He's also surprisingly healthy considering we got him at walmart.  The man that was working back there actually seemed to care about the fish and their health.  Very unusual for Walmart.  Fred's name came about easily.  I had been thinking that we should name him Fred and I asked Jasmine what should we name him.  My husband responded Fred so I thought it was fitting.

Husband is playing Xbox live.  It's a bit weird as he is actually talking to someone from who knows where on the little headset deal.  It's like having a stranger in my living room.  Maybe I should straighten up while he's here.  Yeah it's freaking me out.  Weird.  I just wouldn't be comfortable talking to some stranger while playing video games with them.  I have a feeling he's going to become addicted to the thing rather quickly.  His best friend spent all last weekend here while I was out of town so that they could game. 

I just let the ferrets out into the entire house.  This is the first time they have had the run of the entire thing.  I had to lock up the dogs and make sure there was nothing on the floor that they could ingest easily.  The cats are unsure what to make of them.  They are taking all Jasmine's toys out of her toy box and she's trying to put them all back in.  Maybe I'll blog again later but right now I have to help the ferrets escape the monster child.

Nothing too Exciting

Watching The History of the World Part 1 for the thousandth time.  I can't believe my husband still hasn't seen any Mel Brooks movies. 

The vacation went well.  Jasmine was very well behaved and never even asked to go home.  Shocking.  My husband was a little pouty/sad that she didn't ask for him.  She was having fun and when she wasn't, she was sleeping.  Nothing overly exciting happened.  It rained a little the first day but was warm.  The second day it was freezing but dry.  I preferred wet and warm personally.  I'll have a few pictures up from the zoo in the next few days.  I'm too lazy to do it right now and I'm having internet problems.  My dsl thing keeps blinking out. 

Zoey isn't home yet.  I was supposed to go get her today.  I called but got no answer.  Fine by me, as it's just one less dog to deal with every night.  Tomorrow I have to call Princess's new family and make a day to get together with them.  I was just having a really lazy day today and didn't feel like being responsible.  I went to the mall instead.  Bought myself a few shirts that were on sale and a few for my husband.  It's the first time in I don't know how long that I bought something at the mall that wasn't for my daughter.  I also bought some oils from The Body Shop.  I love that store.  It smells wonderful and I want to eat it.  While I was there, I heard the women talking about how usually when there are little kids in there that they ask their parents if they can eat the lotions and such because they smell so good.  I also bought a face mask.  I should've smelled it before I bought it.  I couldn't wait for the ten minutes to be up when I could wash the stuff off.  I'll still use it but I'll just try not to breathe a whole lot. 

If you get a chance, stop by and see Lisa at Life on a Bison farm.  She recently had to make the tough decision to euthanize one of her cats and could use some support.  She's had a really rough year with her animals.

One before the road

Rodeo had his staples removed today.  He hates going to the vet now and shakes terribly.  (something he never did till his trip to the ER vet)  I asked if he would ever regain normal function of that leg and was told it could take up to 48 weeks to heal.  (or 4 to 8, my husband has me doubting that I heard correctly... maybe my mom heard better)  Either way, he will not be competing in agility this summer.  It would be too hard on his muscle I think.  I will teach him the basics but speed will not be what I'm going for.  He is indeed happy to have the e-collar off, as are we.  He will need at least a few more days of leash walking but other than that can be his normal goofy self.  If he continues to behave at night, he will have himself a permanent spot on the bedroom floor.  (he usually sleeps in the backroom with his brothers and sister)  We tried having his brother stay in here with us a while back but he kept trying to play with the other dogs after only a few hours of us sleeping.  It's good to have the two boys separated for a little while.  At the rescue, we actually seperate siblings on purpose (different foster homes) once they get to a certain age.  They can become too dependant on eachother and be more attached to other dogs than people.  It can actually lead to the dogs being aggressive with their handlers in certain cases.  We almost never allow siblings to be adopted out together for those reasons and the fact that it is really hard to raise two puppies at the same time.  (I can vouche for that!) 

I wonder if I am becoming a slight workaholic?  I am going on vacation in, oh let's see, five hours and I'm planning on bringing my laptop so that I can work when we're at the hotel.  Weekends are very busy for me on the website and I don't want to come home to a couple hundred rescue emails.

Finding a rescue to take Rocky is proving difficult.  Many of the rescues will not take him since he has bitten another dog, others are full and some just plain ignored my request.  Most of them suggested finding ways to just deal with the problem and train him.  If I had two dogs, that would be an option but I don't.  I have seven dogs and foster dogs coming and going, as well as a two year old child.  I just plain don't have that much time to devote to only one dog.  One of our directors has offered to send out emails on my behalf but I hope it doesn't get to that.  I may have to reword my request.  I don't explain the events of the attack and the fact that we don't know what it was over or if in fact, Rocky was the culprit.  (I can't see one of the other dogs being able to cause that much damage on their own and Rocky was the only dog with injuries)

More Princess News

Well, what a difference a good night's sleep makes.  The people who took Princess home, changed their mind and decided to keep her after all.  They called their vet and found a behaviorist to work with them and her at breaking her chair eating habits.  I don't think either one has ever owned a rescue dog and didn't know what to expect.  I know the wife really didn't want to get rid of her and they must have decided that they would work at it.  In the end I think they will be greatly rewarded.  It's weird to think that I'm proud of strangers but I am.  I'm glad they decided to stick it out and settle for something less than perfection.  I'm happy for her.  She gets to go to the park, and with them to training sessions with their other dog.  She also has the beloved doggy door that she has become obsessed with.  I will be finalizing the adoption after I return from vacation on Monday.  I plan on driving out to their house (even though it's about an hour drive) so that I can see her one last time and meet their other dog. 

I'll be taking Rodeo to the vet tomorrow.  I woke up late today and decided that I should just go pick up Princess (only later to find that they'd changed their minds).  Plus, I have to take Zoey to my director's house for the weekend so I'll be out anyways.  I may just take Zoey with me to the vet (she's excellent on a leash), that way if my director calls, I can just go meet her immediately afterwards.  I'll probably just figure it out on the fly. 

I still have to pack for this weekend.  I have a list of all the clothes I want to take but I haven't gotten around to putting them out.  I was busy cleaning.  We have one of the guys from the telephone company coming out tomorrow to look at our dsl box.  Everytime the phone rings, our dsl pauses and we can't do anything for at least 30 seconds.  It also pauses for no reason at times.  I think it's mostly my husband's computer as I have very little problems with the dsl on my laptop.  We'll see when the guy gets out here though.  He's going to be in the rat/ferret room most of the time so I made sure to clean their cages.  I also put a rug in that room as the carpet is very light in color and it's starting to get stains from things being spilled and dirty shoes.  I figure at least this way I can try and preserve the carpet a bit.  Not sure how my husband will feel about it yet but he's not the one on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor over every tiny stain.

I think I may have talked my husband into allowing me to foster litters of kittens.  I absolutely love kittens.  They are so much fun and little balls of crazy energy.  They will be confined most of the time to a spare bedroom that is also housing three birds and a rabbit.  It will be good for the kittens to be around them in case anyone decides to adopt them that has small animals.  They will be less likely to annoy them after growing up with them.  I will also make sure to expose them to a couple of the dogs during the day.  (probably the aussie's as they are the least cat crazy)  They will be very well rounded kitties!  It won't be for a while as I still have to get that room totally cat ready and have to live up to my end of the deal with the rest of the house before he will cave completely.  I still have to ask how he feels about having the mommy kitty if the kittens aren't yet weaned.  (thankfully, with adult cats, they go to Petsmart several times a month to the adoption center for a week at a time) 

I have decided to start a scrap book of my fosters.  I've never done a scrap book so it should be interesting at first to see how it looks and works.  I have no idea over the years how many fosters I will have and I want to make sure I have a record of all of them.  If I end up doing kitties, I will have a second book for them.  In a matter of a few months I've already had three fosters and adopted out two.  Zoey just recently went on the website so she hasn't even had a chance to get adoption attention. 

Princess

Princess is being returned to me tomorrow.  I had told the people she went home with that she needed to be crated when they weren't home and they didn't listen.  Thus, she ate one of their lazy boys today.  They say she was perfect in all other ways except for that.  They taught her to heal while she was with them.  They kept her inside the entire time they had her.  I kept her in the backroom or outdoors because she was too much for me.  I feel bad for her.  It was a really good chance for her.  I'll be glad to see her however as I never got to properly say goodbye.  They are all my dogs until they go to their forever homes and I try to treat them as such. 

I was Tagged

Rules

1. The rules of the game

2. Each player answers questions about themselves.

3. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people, and posts their names, goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they've been tagged.

 

Questions

1. WHAT WHERE YOU DOING TEN YEARS AGO

Let's see, ten years ago, I would've been fifteen so it was actually one of the worst years of my life.  It was actually this month ten years ago that I almost killed myself and have the scars to prove it.  Funny, it's the first time I've realized that.  This coming summer ten years ago was also the summer that I met my husband.  We dated for a month and didn't speak again for a year afterwards.

2. WHAT ARE 5 THINGS ON MY TO-DO  LIST TODAY

Well, my day is done so I'll just try and think of five things I need to do.

Make a list of things for my little vacation to Ohio this weekend. 

Begin packing things on said list.

Take Rodeo back to the vet to have his staples removed.

Start on my fundraising project for the rescue.

When I get home:

I am currently home.  But when I come home, I typically let the dogs out and feed them.

3. SNACKS I ENJOY

I don't eat a lot of snacks to be honest.  I like chocolate occasionally as well as my homemade cookies. 

4. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE?

Wow, that's a question that I could go on and on about for hours.  It's something I daydream about occasionally.  First, I would buy a huge plot of land in the school zone of my choosing.  At least 300 acres.  I would build a gorgeous house on it.  It would have the look of an old farm house on the outside but be state of the art on the inside and completely green friendly.  The back of the house leading to the backyard would be specifically for the dogs.  There would be large kennels with Kuranda beds.  The floors would be heated and cooled.  There would be a drain in the middle of the room as well as at the back of each kennel for easy cleaning.  I would use this room for days when it's nasty out and the dogs paws were muddy.  The backyard would be at least two acres fenced for the dogs.  I would build a barn where I would house unwanted mini horses and mini donkeys as well as various other unwanted farm animals.  (pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, cows, goats... etc)  I would also employ people to care for these areas and I would hire trainers to help the abused animals learn to love again.  On this same plot of land would be a house built for my mom.  Next to that house, would be a smaller house for my grandma.  (smaller so she doesn't have to worry about cleaning it)  Both would be green friendly and state of the art.  They would be allowed to do whatever they wanted with their homes and the land.  Somewhere I would build my brother a house as well.  Although I think I would have to put it out of seeing distance from my own house, otherwise I'd be watching everything he was doing.  He is my little brother after all.  That is just a small part of what I would do with the money.  Obviously a great deal of it would go towards our rescue organization as well as my own rescue efforts.  I think I'd put forth a lot of money to try and help save animals that are on the endangered species list, especially those that are nearing extinction.  Money towards cancer research, Alzheimer, and several others.

5. BAD HABITS

My expensive coffee from Gloria Jeans

Biting my lip

6. 5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED

South Bend, IN

New Carlisle, IN

Evansville, IN

7. 5 JOBS I'VE HAD

McDonald's

Hobby Store

Veterinary Assistant

Fulltime Mommy

5 people I want to know about:

I know that I am supposed to tag five other people here but I am going to take this a different direction. 

My uncle Jeff - I feel so close to him, yet I don't even know what music he listens to.

My grandpa who is no longer with us - so many questions I never got to ask

My grandma - I don't want unanswered questions or regrets with her later

My uncle Perry - He's the most quiet one out of our family.  I know little about him other than who he is as a person. 

My daughter - I can't wait to learn everything there is to know about her as she grows up.  Hopefully not too fast.

 

Proving you wrong

I cannot tell you how many times a week I get told I'm a wuss when it comes to pain or something to that effect.  When I first get injured by something, I whine, bitch, scream and cry.  Something about those intial first few minutes of pain that just leaves me looking like a toddler who stubbed her toe for the first time.  I will scream profanites at you if you come near me, usually followed by don't touch me, don't f-ing touch me.  I can't stand to be touched when I'm in pain and for some strange reason, everything in my brain is screaming at that moment, that you are about to inflict immense pain on the area that I just injured.  It's best to keep your distance during these times.  Stand by, wait patiently to see if anything is really truly messed up.  Well, tonight I can attest that you have all been wrong about my wuss status.  About 45 minutes ago, I was finishing up with my rats (feeding, watering, playing), as I was leaving the room, the cats were waiting outside hoping to bolt in when I wasn't looking and have kitty cat tv all night.  I went to quickly shut the door and stick my foot out to prevent them from getting in.  Unfortunately (I realize, I use that word a lot... I need to stop that), I did not judge the distance between the door and the cats properly.  My middle toe struck the door and it was violently being closed.  I was right outside my bedroom door, where my daughter was sleeping so my profanities were muted but they were there.  I limped to the bathroom, where I saw my toe... sideways.  Oh yes, I had dislocated the crap out of it at the first joint.  Thinking back now, it looked pretty funny and had I not been in agonizing pain, I would've grabbed my camera and taken a picture.  Did I wake my husband up and have him rush me to the ER?  No.  Did I wake him up and beg him to go to my dad's and get some narcotics and valium?  No.  Did I wake anyone up?  No.  I felt very queasy at the thought of doing this, so I stopped thinking and just did it.  I slammed my toe back into place like I was just cracking a knuckle.  I felt better once it was in place but that split second when it's going BACK into place was worse than any of the pain I'd felt before that.  I cussed some more... for a while... a long while.  Then, I returned to feeding, watering and loving on the rest of my caged furry friends, slowly.  Once done I examined my toe a little closer.  It's a little slanted.  Maybe slightly cockeyed.  But, it works and hell, that foot was f-ed up anyways.  ;)

Brooks who?

A few years ago, you could've asked me who Mel Brooks was and I would've said, wasn't he that guy in What women want?  It wasn't until my husband's best friend came up for a visit, that I learned what I'd been missing.  I think Mel Brooks was far ahead of his time in comedy with his major films.  The first I saw was The History of the World Part 1.  It was late and I was playing a computer game while my husband's friend, Paul, flipped through the channels.  Shawn had long went to bed and we were lagging behind, knowing that he would be leaving soon.  I think all three of us would've stayed awake the entire time he was here if it had been possible.  We don't get to see eachother often as he lives in Kentucky.  At any rate, he eventually settled on what at the time I thought was some stupid old movie.  Eventually, I had to start paying attention.  After that movie, I was hooked on Mel Brooks, particularly any film he produced.  I don't get into "guy" comedies.  Most of the time I roll my eyes and wonder how my husband can laugh at something that only a 12 year old boy should think is funny.  Somehow, Mel Brooks appeals to me.  I feel like his movies are immaturely funny but he put some serious thought into what was going on in the world at that time and how to turn it around to make it into something funny, instead of a tragedy.  I guess I'm into black comedy, as well as tongue in cheek.  Who knew.  Any way, if you've never seen a Mel Brooks film, give him a chance and you may be as pleasantly suprised as I was that a classic can sometimes be worth more than an up and coming blockbuster.

The good and some bad

Princess went for a home visit today!!!!!  Can you believe that?  I was late getting to the event today and the second I walked in, a man walks up and asks if the dog I had was Princess and if my name was Jamie.  He and his wife were filling out an application for her as I was walking in.  Good timing on my part!  They have a ten and a half month old german shepherd and they were looking for a play mate for him that was his size and could handle him.  They also have a doggy door so she can go in and out as she pleases.  That was a definite plus for her as she always wants to go back and forth.  I hope it works out.  They took her to be groomed after I told them NOT to bathe her themselves.  They said they have the same problem with their shepherd and have to take him to the groomers as well.  After the initial shock wore off, I was a little sad to see her go.  She's actually become a much better dog than when we got her, calmer.  My husband would've rather that Zoey found a home but she's not even on the webpage yet.  I think she may need a home without cats.  I'm going to try spraying her with water tomorrow but I doubt that will deter her from chasing them.  If someone could bottle that energy, they'd have a really good agility dog.  Other than Princess, we had quite a few dogs get adopted today.  Over five at least and two cats.  Not bad for a Saturday afternoon.  I was in shock all day that I have one less dog.  I only have enough crates for eight dogs, so two dogs have been sharing a crate, tonight everyone got their own.  And Cash got a new collar.  We have Lupine and they have a lifetime guarantee so when one gets chewed, you get a new one, free.  It's been a great investment for us.  I cannot tell you how many the dogs have eaten.  All and all, not a bad day.

Yesterday, the maintenance guys were at my mother in laws apartment and left the door open.  Her cat of 13 years managed to get out into the hall and someone must have eventually tossed her outside.  The cat is four paw declawed and never been outside before.  My husband wouldn't let me go look for her tonight.  It's a really bad neighborhood.  Really bad.  I still would've went looking for her if he would've come with me.  I'm so worried that something awful is going to happen to her.  It makes me sick to my stomach everytime I think about it.  I'm going to try and get out there again tomorrow and look for her.  (tonight my husband went and called for her but she h.a.t.e.s. him so she never would've came to him anways)  My mil called for her but if Cali would've meowed, she never would've heard her.  She is legally death and can hear very little.  I took care of Cali for about six months while Shawn's mom was in between houses so I'm a little more attached to her than her other cat Jada.  (we got Jada as a surprise to Shawn's mom and she hates all people besides Shawn's mom)  I hope she magically turns up.

Rodeo odeo oh

Rodeo is doing fantastic.  At least when it comes to his attitude.  He's definitely getting a little cabin fever.  I'm under strict advise not to allow him to play or anything until it's been at least 14 days since the surgery, today was only 7.  One of his staples came out of his inner thigh today.  I knew that vet placed them wrong.  It was the one spot that I've been complaining about since he had the surgery.  The inner thigh has been very slow to heal.  You can't even tell yet if the skin is starting to heal back together, whereas on the top it's obvious.  He still has significant bruising on the inner thigh as well as one of his testicles.  Yes, one of those got caught up in the incident as well, just bruising.  Rocky seems to not even realize it happened.  It's hard for me to not just think it was a one time incident.  If you had met Rocky, he's such a happy, good dog and it's hard to believe that he'd be capable of that damage.  There's still a slight possibility that it was Cash, my doberman but I sincerely doubt it.  When Cash attacks one of the other dogs, it's usually only slobber and noise, at worst a puncture mark.  He has never even attempted the kind of damage that was done to Rodeo.  I talked to my director tonight.  She has Zoey till tomorrow.  Zoey is getting spayed and there's no way I could drop her off by 8am, so my director is doing it for me.  She has been extremely supportive of my decisions with Rocky.  She has even offered to contact rescues on my behalf and off a trade of sorts.  Some rescues are so full that they cannot take another dog but if a bully breed rescue some how ends up with a non bully breed, we can offer a trade and they can take Rocky and we can take their non bully breed.  (we don't make it a point to take in bully breeds for just the fact that they are bull headed and strong)  I want a rescue to take him that is experienced with pit bull dog aggression and WON'T euthanize him.  He just needs to be in a home with no other animals.  He's not going to search out dogs to attack so he'd be fine in a home alone.  It's still so hard for me to believe.  I was outside playing with him today and wondering how such a sweet dog could turn so easily.  My husband wants his best friend to take him but in order for that to happen we would have to taketheir Italian Greyhound.  I cannot stand that dog.  He's constantly in your face AND he marks.  If there's one thing I cannot deal with, is a dog purposefully peeing in my house.  The whole situation has been frustrating.  It was nice to know that I have support from the rescue.  I was worried I would get judged on having Rocky in the first place, let alone him attacking one of our dogs, so it was nice to hear that I wasn't alone in my plight.

I go to pick Zoey up tomorrow afternoon.  I have no idea how I will keep that dog calm.  When a dog has been spayed, it's a fairly major surgery and they need to be calm for at least 5-7 days.  This dog is pure energy.  I will have to crate her constantly the first few days.  I know it sounds mean but otherwise she will literally be running through my house looking for cats. 

I'm just like, whatever

Usually I can feel when I may be starting to get a little depressed a few days to weeks in advance.  Suddenly, today, I just felt like... not me.  Since I've been on Paxil, I've felt almost normal or whatever normal is.  Once and a while I'll feel like crap for a few weeks but it goes away.  I was just shocked to come home this evening and be like screw it all.  Maybe it's just all the stress recently.  We have less than $100 in checking and savings combined so that's not helping.  I just feel like once we get through the next week or so, it'll feel better.  At the very least, I'll be on vacation from the 11th till the 13th in Columbus, Ohio at the Equine Affair.  That can either be really relaxing or really awful.  It will just depend on how Jasmine behaves.  The first time we took her, it was pretty awful.  To be honest, I'm not getting my hopes up on her behavior.  I'll just have to deal with whatever happens.  I'm taking her stroller and her monkey (he is  backpack with a long tail... kind of like a leash... and that way she can't run away from me) so at least I'll be able to keep her some what under control.

To top everything off, my laptop has stopped charging.  It's been messed up for a while and we just keep putting off buying a new power cord.  (dogs chewed through it a few times and we patched it back together) I had lot of petfinder updates that needed to be done so I was pissed when it wouldn't start.  Eventually I got it to charge for a little while.  As of right now, I have no charge and am using the battery only. 

I went to feed the rats a while ago and Toby actually bit me.  I was shocked by it so I yanked my hand out of his cage, causing my wrist to become scratched up and bruised, along with my now teeth marked finger.  I hate getting bit by things.  It hurts like hell and then you have to clean it really well, which hurts more. 

Rodeo is feeling better today.  He was trying to prance around all day long.  I didn't end up taking him to the vet.  When I got up today, his leg looked a lot better and I did some research online and there are some gauzes that are dissolvable.  He has a huge hematoma on his ankle that is finally starting to go down a bit.  I absolutely cannot stand that damned E-collar.  No one has been getting much sleep.  He runs into the walls and then drags the thing down the wall as he walks.  Tonight I took it off and lined it with electrical tape, hoping that may make the sound a little less annoying.