The ride has come to a complete stop

Nearly a week has gone by and while the ride had some twists and turns, and some pretty scary moments, now that I kept my hands and feet inside the car at all times, I have indeed returned safely to the station.

Both dogs are doing well. Please is having to deal with not being able to have any NSAIDS for a bit yet, but she's a trooper and is handling it well.

We thank you for all of your support in this.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming!!!

Roller Coaster

I have no photos, nothing to fit this. I have a story. The story doesn't have a conclusion as yet, but I am hoping for the best outcome.

Earlier this week I came home to a guilty border collie. So guilty that he didn't even greet me at the door because he was hiding outside. I didn't pick up on that right away. What I did pick up on was the lid on the floor of the kitchen. It looked like the lid from the Rimadyl bottle. But that couldn't be. The rimadyl was safe in a cupboard in the laundry room.

Except it wasn't. It was on the floor of the dining room. The 180 count bottle that I had opened on the 4th of June was lying on its side, empty.

It was only a short leap through my knowledge of NSAID overdoses that we have seen so many of to get to panic.

Those that I have seen have been 15 tablets. 30 tablets. 60 tablets. Not nearly 180 tablets. Heck, evenly split between the two dogs that were home, that's nearly 90 each.

I knew I was looking at dead dogs. I panicked. I freaked. I screamed. I cried. Then I loaded dogs up and went to the vet. A calming, dear friend met me there to help.

With the doctor at the other end of the phone, a plan was made and put into action. Hazer had graciously vomited copious amounts on the ride down the hill. Please was made to vomit and vomited copious amounts as well. Then for treatment - and waiting.

So, 4 days later they are both at my feet. 48 hours solid of fluids IV, plus tons of gastroprotectants, and we are hopeful for a positive end, but must still wait out time just a little longer.

I still can't get the taste of panic out of my mouth.

The Fair

My Red Wing Hawk got an Honorable Mention at the Silver Dollar Fair.

The Icy Windshield got an Honorable Mention at the Silver Dollar Fair.
And my Foggy Canyon got a First Place at the Silver Dollar Fair!

Small town fair, but it felt really big to me... thanks to those of you who have supported and encouraged me!

Can a Plant Have Courage?

I don't know much about plants. I care for those plants and trees that were at one time someone else's, and so far I seem to be mostly successful. I saw this particular plant at the edge of a colossal canyon. It was all alone. That is a solitary blade of grass right next to it. It is tiny compared to the massive surroundings, that include tremendous cliffs, gigantic trees, and impressive brush. It is probably a weed. It doesn't know that - the idea that a weed is less desirable than a true 'plant' is not a part of it's make up. It is surviving. It has taken what it was given... a place to live, an environment to survive in, proper nutrients to grow on.... and it is living and growing. And I think it's kind of cute.

Is that courage? Taking what you have around you and finding a way to make it work so that you can flower and become what you were meant to be? Standing amongst others surrounding you that are bigger and in many eyes 'better' and being willing to hold your ground?

I don't know. All I know is that when I saw this little plant, the word that screamed through my head was courage. It seemed to fit.

The Top 3 Things You Wouldn't Expect To Hear In A Veterinary Office

I manage a veterinary hospital. Day in and day out, I hear all kinds of things that are similar in nature to one another. What vaccines does my pet need? How much will this cost? My dog is a genius. My dog is really dumb. When should my cat get spayed? My dog hates my mother in law, what can I do?

I, and my staff, do a fantastic job in responding to these questions or statements. But every once in a while, what a client says will throw us, and sometimes, render us speechless.

Here are the top three things I have heard that in a million years I never would have expected to hear at a veterinary hospital.

3. Upon exiting the office after scheduling an appointment: "What day is Mother's Day?"

2. If you have read my blog before, you know about this one: Asked by a very concerned father: "Be honest with me.... does she match?" Referring to his very young daughter who was insistent that her clothes didn't match that morning.

And the number one statement, never in a zillion years imagined to be heard in a veterinary hospital:

"I was in such a hurry and I didn't want to be late for my appointment. So I just hopped out of the hot tub, threw this on and didn't even bother to put on any underwear."

And she wasn't Paris Hilton. Although she was sure trying.

When The Day Is Done

When the day is done can you say that you had fun?
Can you say that you made a difference?
Will you have accomplished all you set out to do?
Have you told someone that you loved them?

When the day is done can you say you saw something beautiful?
Did you tell someone that they were beautiful?
Did you laugh?
Did you cry?

When the day is done
And I mean really done
And there is absolutely nothing more
Will you have any regrets?

As Luck Would Have It

On a small beach below a fantastic restaurant, I spotted this Sea Lion. I was actually quite sad when I first spotted it and its companion, because I thought they were dead. I sat far away from them, trying to catch some pictures of the waves in the cove. Periodically I would look over their direction and sigh, feeling saddened by their loss, even though I had no personal connection to them.

I decided to go to the other side of them to get a different angle of the surf, and as I came close.... VERY close, I realized they were breathing. I know that Sea Lions can inflict great injury, so I had a moment of visualized panic... I visualized Sea Lions moving faster than I could ever imagine they could move on land and me having a nasty bite or two or three that wouldn't feel good.

So I tip toed. And then I spoke. I just said I was sorry to have interfered with their napping space, but since I was here, could I please take a picture or two. One of them just kept on napping. The other acknowledge my presence. So, while holding my breath, I took several pictures. It (I hate saying it, but I have no idea how to tell male from female in the sea lion world, and I felt that 10 feet away was already too close) allowed me to sit on a rock and take as many pictures as my little heart desired. It stared at me, it scratched itself, it threw sand on itself, and then it sneezed. Which actually answered my question about getting sand in your nose when laying on the beach without a towel.



As I finally took my leave, I read a "Warning" sign posted near by, that I honestly hadn't seen.

WARNING - DO NOT GET CLOSER THAN 100 FEET OF MARINE MAMMELS..."

Woops.