in not blogging more often. It's been a somewhat busy week. Can't remember most of it though..ha ha. Yesterday was fun. Lynne came up and we went up to Pomfret to the Vanilla Bean for lunch..we both had their "famous chili"....we each got a bowl and wondered if that's what a bowl looks like, how small is the cup? The bowl looked more cup-sized to us. It was delish though and we splurged afterwards on dessert--I got the lemon drop cheese cake, very lemony, the way I love it.
Then we went down to the Dempsey Ctr. so I could drop off my money to Maureen for the retirement dinner later this month. I had some cash and Lynne loaned me the rest so I could get that chore ticked off my "to do" list.
We had time, so on the way home we hit the Ocean State Job Lot down the road from the house. What buys we got! Lynne had printed out the sale coupons and we took advantage of them, picking up a bunch of little items and then we hit the Chico and Bobby Chung (or some Asian name) clothing racks and really cleaned house! I got a bunch of fancy tops (Chico) for $8 apiece and a pair of capris for $10. I got three of the Bobby Chung (I know it's not Chung....but it's something like it) for $10 apiece. These are silk blend items...and they feel so nice. I have been needing fancy tops so I was very happy with my purchases. I have loads of "preppy" or "classic" style shirts, with the button down collars etc....I needed some different look tops. And the price was SO RIGHT! I wouldn't pay the prices Chicos would have wanted for them...but here they are in my closet now, real cheap!
I have been enjoying the entertainment the Sox have been providing for me this week. First the second sweep of the Yanks this year was so sweet....and then last night's extra innings win over the Phillies was lots of fun--it made it worth the fact that I stayed up beyond my bedtime to watch it.
Rocky has also been entertaining me this week. He is so funny, but does have a few maddening habits (as all Jack Russell's seem to have)....the biggest being that he scratches at the back door to go out...you let him out and he runs around in the yard for all of two minutes and then he's back at the door, scratching to get back in. The cycle gets repeated two minutes later. He has the attention span of a goldfish...which is about two seconds.
Sandy and I have been working with him on obedience and he already knows "sit" and "down". He's learning "wait" and "leave it." The latter is real important as he is curious about everything and will go after anything that falls on the floor, without regard to safety. So "leave it" and "drop" are going to be critical commands for him to learn. The other dogs know what to do and do it when we say those commands. He's also getting better at recall....coming when we call him.
I took Lily to the vet's on Wednesday I think it was...her diarrhea was so bad and she started vomiting again. They said she probably had stress-induced illness...and gave her medication and a mild food (Science Diet ID) to help her get back in balance. Voila! It worked....no more problems...it's so good to see her feeling better. I'll bet that having Sandy and the Russells gone last weekend got her upset and then having to ride in my new car for the first time didn't help. She doesn't like to go in my car....I don't know why...maybe it's too "open" and overwhelming for her. The windows in Sandy's car are tinted in the back, which makes it more "cave-like" and maybe feels safer for her.
Also the last time she rode in my car was when I took her with me when I went to the dentist. I was in the chair seeing the hygienist when they came in and asked if I had a black lab. She had jumped out the sun roof which I had left partially open. I had left her seatbelted into the back seat with her harness on tight. There was the harness, still tight, still attached to the seat belt. There was my dog, sitting with the receptionists out at the front desk. She had been found running wild in the parking lot--she went right up to someone who brought her into the building.
So, in hindsight, I can see how she might have gotten stressed by being in my car. But, for crying out loud I was right in front of her driving the car!
Sandy is away in VT this weekend with Truman and Bubbles at an agility trial. The last one of the summer until September. Lily and Rocky and Murph are home with me again. They don't seem to mind.
Tonight Jess and maybe Janet are coming over. Think we'll take Janet to the "NY Style" Pizza place on Rte 14. Jess has been wanting us to go there for a few years now. We had fun the last time we went. Then we are going to watch movies. She has never seen "Young Frankenstein" and "Saturday Night Fever"...so I was going to watch one or both with her. Don't you know, I go looking for them and can't find either one? So we might end up watching "Private Parts," Howard Sterns autobiography or "Strangers In Good Company" which is an "old chick flick" that I love. Or maybe "Babette's Feast" or "The Godfather"...she's never seen that either!
I am going to go back down in the cellar and see if I can find "YF" and "SNF"..those would be great "party" movies to watch tonight.
Tomorrow morning Carol and Joyce and Bill are coming for breakfast. I think I'll make an egg casserole like the one Jane Barrera made for us one year at a holiday brunch party she had at her place. I got a recipe but I'm going to add some extra stuff to it (mushrooms, sausage, etc). I think I will do that or maybe I'll just make omelets to order...I'll decide later.
Now I have channel 941 Light Classical on the tv....it's very soothing...and I have a little doggie with his head across my feet...time to take a little nap I'd say.
Nappy nap!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Back to work
Went back to work today....first "real" work since last November. It felt great! There were only three students and it only lasted 2.5 hours, perfect for getting "reacquainted" with the concept of a job. My next scheduled gig isn't until July 1, but maybe they'll come up with something else in the meantime.
Yesterday was a big day. Jess came at 9am and we left for Greenfield MA and the agility trial. Rocky had his first non-diarrhea BM just before we left, so I was surprised when we smelled a "bad smell" as we were driving into Enfield. We pulled over and to my shock I learned that Lily had thrown up in the back seat.....and when we got her out she promptly had wicked diarrhea. She NEVER poops in the house or car...so I felt so bad for her. I guess it was her turn to be sick, now that Rocky is over the shits. She had a few more bouts at the trial and she also threw up a few more times, including in Sandy's car on the way home.
The Connollys showed up right around noon time. Tim, Kate and Terry. I had not seen Terry in almost 10 years, although we have kept up with each other on the internet and on the phone. It was so good to see them and to get caught up. It was as if we had not been apart. Tim took some great pictures with his iPhone...and in the process made me make up my mind to buy me one of those...soon.
We shopped around at the vendors who were there for the trial, then they watched as Sandy and I had our picture taken, first the two of us with Lily and then the two of us with all four dogs. We had Barry Rosen, a professional photographer take the shots. He is fabulous. He makes a sound that makes all the dogs look right at him, without scaring them. In all of the other photos that we have of the dogs sitting with us, Lily is staring at the ground, Bubbles is trying to get away and Truman is snarling, showing his titanium crowns. These came out great.
Tim took some shots of the "girls" and he also got a shot of the family photo session. I'm going to post it on this blog.
Anyway, it was fun seeing our old neighbors, the Connollys and we made plans to hopefully get together again next month. They are having a big picnic at their place and I'm going to go up for it, even if Sandy can't make it.
Then, they had to leave and about an hour later, Martine showed up. I hadn't seen Martine in almost 40 years! I was thinking it was 20 years, but then Jessica gently broke the news to me that "sometime in the mid 70s" was about 40 years ago! OUCH!
Again, Martine and I just took up where we left off, all those years ago. She lives near Greenfield and works in the hospital in town. She came over after work, so she was in some snazzy looking work clothes. Martine, Jess and I said good bye to Sandy, got in Martine's car and went out for supper at the local 99 Restaurant--cup o' chowder and Ceasar salad. We had a good time chatting and joking. Then she took us back to my car....and Jess and I hit the road home.
I was very tired and didn't think I'd be able to drive all the way home, but I got energized and made it with no problem. Unfortunately, when I shut the lights out to go to bed, I couldn't sleep. I ended up getting out of bed at 12:30 and went downstairs. Had a little glass of milk and sat in Sandy's recliner---where I fell asleep. I woke up and it was 3:30....I put the foot of the recliner down and it made that bad "CLUNK" sound that it makes and that got the dogs howling, woke Sandy up and she and all the dogs came trailing down the stairs to see what the hell was going on. I am totally chagrined and apologetic, climbing back upstairs and into bed. Of course, once everyone was settled down--I lay there, couldn't sleep again!
So, some thoughts going through my head while I'm lying there:
As Dori and I discussed on Saturday...."do guys really think that having long grey bushy, straggly beards are good looking?" "Do guys ever look in the mirror?" "Why do some guys with skinny legs insist on wearing leotards?" No kidding, there was a guy who went kayaking Saturday, who had leotard-like pants on....he was an old guy too. Made me think of "Precious" as an old man.
Can't wait to see Kathy Griffin at the end of the month.
Sure hope my Relay for Life teammates are soliciting their family and friends for donations.
I'm going to have Maria come to Mohegan Sun on Father's day weekend, instead of me driving up to get her. I think that's the smart thing to do. I'll go to Putnam and get my Dad, we'll meet Marieps at Mohegan and we can go to dinner there. Maybe try that Michael Jordan Mexican place...or whatever.
I'm happy to be back to work.
I'm SO getting that new iPhone. Lynne and Tim have convinced me.
Nighty night
Yesterday was a big day. Jess came at 9am and we left for Greenfield MA and the agility trial. Rocky had his first non-diarrhea BM just before we left, so I was surprised when we smelled a "bad smell" as we were driving into Enfield. We pulled over and to my shock I learned that Lily had thrown up in the back seat.....and when we got her out she promptly had wicked diarrhea. She NEVER poops in the house or car...so I felt so bad for her. I guess it was her turn to be sick, now that Rocky is over the shits. She had a few more bouts at the trial and she also threw up a few more times, including in Sandy's car on the way home.
The Connollys showed up right around noon time. Tim, Kate and Terry. I had not seen Terry in almost 10 years, although we have kept up with each other on the internet and on the phone. It was so good to see them and to get caught up. It was as if we had not been apart. Tim took some great pictures with his iPhone...and in the process made me make up my mind to buy me one of those...soon.
We shopped around at the vendors who were there for the trial, then they watched as Sandy and I had our picture taken, first the two of us with Lily and then the two of us with all four dogs. We had Barry Rosen, a professional photographer take the shots. He is fabulous. He makes a sound that makes all the dogs look right at him, without scaring them. In all of the other photos that we have of the dogs sitting with us, Lily is staring at the ground, Bubbles is trying to get away and Truman is snarling, showing his titanium crowns. These came out great.
Tim took some shots of the "girls" and he also got a shot of the family photo session. I'm going to post it on this blog.
Anyway, it was fun seeing our old neighbors, the Connollys and we made plans to hopefully get together again next month. They are having a big picnic at their place and I'm going to go up for it, even if Sandy can't make it.
Then, they had to leave and about an hour later, Martine showed up. I hadn't seen Martine in almost 40 years! I was thinking it was 20 years, but then Jessica gently broke the news to me that "sometime in the mid 70s" was about 40 years ago! OUCH!
Again, Martine and I just took up where we left off, all those years ago. She lives near Greenfield and works in the hospital in town. She came over after work, so she was in some snazzy looking work clothes. Martine, Jess and I said good bye to Sandy, got in Martine's car and went out for supper at the local 99 Restaurant--cup o' chowder and Ceasar salad. We had a good time chatting and joking. Then she took us back to my car....and Jess and I hit the road home.
I was very tired and didn't think I'd be able to drive all the way home, but I got energized and made it with no problem. Unfortunately, when I shut the lights out to go to bed, I couldn't sleep. I ended up getting out of bed at 12:30 and went downstairs. Had a little glass of milk and sat in Sandy's recliner---where I fell asleep. I woke up and it was 3:30....I put the foot of the recliner down and it made that bad "CLUNK" sound that it makes and that got the dogs howling, woke Sandy up and she and all the dogs came trailing down the stairs to see what the hell was going on. I am totally chagrined and apologetic, climbing back upstairs and into bed. Of course, once everyone was settled down--I lay there, couldn't sleep again!
So, some thoughts going through my head while I'm lying there:
As Dori and I discussed on Saturday...."do guys really think that having long grey bushy, straggly beards are good looking?" "Do guys ever look in the mirror?" "Why do some guys with skinny legs insist on wearing leotards?" No kidding, there was a guy who went kayaking Saturday, who had leotard-like pants on....he was an old guy too. Made me think of "Precious" as an old man.
Can't wait to see Kathy Griffin at the end of the month.
Sure hope my Relay for Life teammates are soliciting their family and friends for donations.
I'm going to have Maria come to Mohegan Sun on Father's day weekend, instead of me driving up to get her. I think that's the smart thing to do. I'll go to Putnam and get my Dad, we'll meet Marieps at Mohegan and we can go to dinner there. Maybe try that Michael Jordan Mexican place...or whatever.
I'm happy to be back to work.
I'm SO getting that new iPhone. Lynne and Tim have convinced me.
Nighty night
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Saturday Kayak Adventure
Dori arrived bright and early and we wrestled my kayak (actually Sandy's kayak) onto the top of the truck and secured it. I put the dog's in their kennels and we drove off....to the sounds of Rocky's pitiful howling.
There were about 18 or so other paddlers. There was a brief talk about the cove, the estuary, the importance of protecting marshlands, etc. Then we shoved off into the water and we were on our way.
Dori and I didn't try to keep up with the crowd. It was supposed to be a "slow float", but everyone seemed hell-bent on proving their paddling prowess...so we let them go. They went down to one end of cove and we rejoined them when they had to come back...then they went down to the other end and we trailed along behind, and joined them again when they came back. In the meantime, we got to see all the birds that they flushed out of their hiding places.
We saw osprey, great blue heron, kingfishers, swallows and a chimney swift nest under a bridge. We checked out the houses along the way, imagining what it would be like to live there. Some of them were really pretty remote. We decided that the stink of the marsh when the tide goes out may make living there a little less desirable. I think one would get used to it though.
I did get tired about an hour out and since I have a UTI, I have to pee alot, so I had to pee almost as soon as we left shore! It made it hard to totally enjoy the experience, but the sun came out, it was nice and warm, the nature scenes were wonderful and Dori's company was, as always, delightful. It was a very nice trip.
Came home and had lunch. Then I took Rocky out in the back yard and let him loose. I did it because he was so miserable, scratching to go out, going out and seeing that he was stuck in the little yard, scratching to come back in and then repeating the process all over again in a few minutes. I also did it because I'm a negligent mother.
I did block the back gate with stuff so he can't get out there...he keeps going to it and looking. He could fit himself through the space around the gate...it's bigger than we told them it had to be when they installed the fence. We're going to have to put a permanent barrier there, to keep him in the yard.
He ran free, for the first time since his accident, and loves the back yard. I sat and watched him and would call him to me every once in awhile. He rolled and rolled on his back. He tried to eat little cherries that have fallen off one of the trees. He pooped, he peed. He rolled again. He pooped again, he peed again. He was happy.
He's sleeping on my feet now. My feet have been tingly and numb the past few days, I really can't feel them now!
Tomorrow Jess comes up early and we drive to Greenfield for the CPE National Trial, where Sandy is. Terry and maybe Tim or Kate or all three, are coming up at noon time. Later Martine, my old Putnam pal, will be coming over after she gets out of work--she works at a hospital in Greenfield. So, I will be seeing a few people who I haven't seen in YEARS!!!
Sandy called. Lindsay was making more snackies and then chicken thighs for supper. Sandy was going to be dining with them. Nice.
I made a can of Campbell's special soup: Maryland style crab soup. Well, let me tell you...what a waste of money. I couldn't find a trace of crab, not even a taste of crab! Don't fall for the "healthy and special" lable. It's not worth it.
So, I guess I'll have a donut for supper! :) To bed early, I'll sleep good tonight!
If I write an entry tomorrow, you'll know I'm a IRON WOMAN! I'm going to take my "Five Hour Energy" drink, just in case. So I can make the drive home. Then I'm going to crash, until it's time for WORK on Monday afternoon! YAY!!
Nighty night....
There were about 18 or so other paddlers. There was a brief talk about the cove, the estuary, the importance of protecting marshlands, etc. Then we shoved off into the water and we were on our way.
Dori and I didn't try to keep up with the crowd. It was supposed to be a "slow float", but everyone seemed hell-bent on proving their paddling prowess...so we let them go. They went down to one end of cove and we rejoined them when they had to come back...then they went down to the other end and we trailed along behind, and joined them again when they came back. In the meantime, we got to see all the birds that they flushed out of their hiding places.
We saw osprey, great blue heron, kingfishers, swallows and a chimney swift nest under a bridge. We checked out the houses along the way, imagining what it would be like to live there. Some of them were really pretty remote. We decided that the stink of the marsh when the tide goes out may make living there a little less desirable. I think one would get used to it though.
I did get tired about an hour out and since I have a UTI, I have to pee alot, so I had to pee almost as soon as we left shore! It made it hard to totally enjoy the experience, but the sun came out, it was nice and warm, the nature scenes were wonderful and Dori's company was, as always, delightful. It was a very nice trip.
Came home and had lunch. Then I took Rocky out in the back yard and let him loose. I did it because he was so miserable, scratching to go out, going out and seeing that he was stuck in the little yard, scratching to come back in and then repeating the process all over again in a few minutes. I also did it because I'm a negligent mother.
I did block the back gate with stuff so he can't get out there...he keeps going to it and looking. He could fit himself through the space around the gate...it's bigger than we told them it had to be when they installed the fence. We're going to have to put a permanent barrier there, to keep him in the yard.
He ran free, for the first time since his accident, and loves the back yard. I sat and watched him and would call him to me every once in awhile. He rolled and rolled on his back. He tried to eat little cherries that have fallen off one of the trees. He pooped, he peed. He rolled again. He pooped again, he peed again. He was happy.
He's sleeping on my feet now. My feet have been tingly and numb the past few days, I really can't feel them now!
Tomorrow Jess comes up early and we drive to Greenfield for the CPE National Trial, where Sandy is. Terry and maybe Tim or Kate or all three, are coming up at noon time. Later Martine, my old Putnam pal, will be coming over after she gets out of work--she works at a hospital in Greenfield. So, I will be seeing a few people who I haven't seen in YEARS!!!
Sandy called. Lindsay was making more snackies and then chicken thighs for supper. Sandy was going to be dining with them. Nice.
I made a can of Campbell's special soup: Maryland style crab soup. Well, let me tell you...what a waste of money. I couldn't find a trace of crab, not even a taste of crab! Don't fall for the "healthy and special" lable. It's not worth it.
So, I guess I'll have a donut for supper! :) To bed early, I'll sleep good tonight!
If I write an entry tomorrow, you'll know I'm a IRON WOMAN! I'm going to take my "Five Hour Energy" drink, just in case. So I can make the drive home. Then I'm going to crash, until it's time for WORK on Monday afternoon! YAY!!
Nighty night....
Friday, June 5, 2009
Visit with MAFO
Lynne provided the picnic lunch and picnic supplies, as we had lunch with Mary Ann at
Bridebrook, where she residing for rehab.
Lynne did a great job, we had the checkered
Lynne did a great job, we had the checkered
napkins, the paper plates with straw plate
holders, pasta salad, tuna salad, great bread, another kind of salad (lots of very tasty stuff in it); iced tea, and grapes and brownies for dessert!
It was YUMMY!
As a matter of fact, Lynne provided two of my meals for the day. Lynne brought me spare ribs that David had barbecued and I had three of them for supper tonight, with Annie's pasta and sauteed spinach. That was YUM too!
Mary Ann is hoping to be out of this place soon. I have my assignment--to get Jean's toilet chair; one of the suction grab bars Jean got for us when I got out of the hospital and I have to research where to rent a temporary ramp. She'll need one to get in and out of Robin's place at Black Point--which is where she will go to finish her rehab. I also advised her to get a "Life Alert" service...you know "Help-I've-Fallen-And-Can't-Get-Up" thing. I know Bob Miller and Wini have this service. It really works.
It was a nice visit, a wonderful lunch...a great way to spend this grey, rainy day.
On the way home I went grocery shopping for the first time since November. I also did something else today that I haven't done since November....I scooped the litter pan! Not without Sandy's blessing, however. She told me I could scoop as long as I wore a mask. I always wash my hands immediately after scooping...but she is concerned about airborn germs that you can get from litter pans. So I wore my mask. It sounds stupid, but it felt great to scoop the poop.
Sandy and the two Russells are in Greenfield MA. Truman ran in three events today and screwed up each one. Some of our friends did much better: Lindsay and my man Deco qualified three of three and Vicky and Jacques also went three for three. I guess Truman and Sandy are in cruise mode since they got their big national title. Sandy is enjoying herself, she's camped behind Jim and Lindsay and they are treating her to their hospitality. When I talked with her tonight, Lindsay way making hors d'oeuvres and Jim was grilling hamburgers. andy was heading over there for dinner. Some camping!
I hauled the kayak down off the garage wall and have all my stuff loaded up, ready for tomorrow. Dori is coming early, we'll load my kayak into the back of Brad's truck and off we'll go to Poquetanuck Cove for the nature "float." I'm trusting it will be a lot warmer and nicer than it is today!
One good thing about the rain, Sandy's garden looks fantastic! It's like it exploded overnight. I'm sure that the warm weather we're going to get Sat and Sun, after this rain, will make the garden really pop!
I have to pick up a couple of Roma tomatoes or plum tomato plants so I can plant that upside down planter thing. I want roma or plum as they are the best for salsa and sauce and I want to make lots of both this year! I love the salsa....with fresh cilantro (I have that too), onion and garlic....too good!
You know I was just looking at Rocky and I see his stitches from the surgery he had last week to remove the pins in his femur. He has NOT bothered those stitches at all! He is a good little dog. A barky little dog, but a good one!
Okay, time to concentrate on the Sox game....and then to bed. Early day tomorrow.
Oh, check out my tresses in the picture! The hair it is returning, my friends, the hair is returning.
Nighty night!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thursday
Went to New Haven yesterday to meet my "second cousin," Phyllis and her husband. They live right in the middle of "Yale Territory" beautiful buildings, tree lined streets and lots of cool shops and cafes in the area. Phyllis and I immediately set off for one of those cafes--an Irish pub that is in the basement of one of the buildings. Nice atmosphere...nice corned beef Rueben.
Afterwards we strolled past the houses that are used by the Yale President and various schools. We walked up "Science Hill" where the school of Forestry is located....a new, green building. You could see the solar hot water system collectors on the sides of the building...very nice.
When we got back to the house, I chatted with Elia and Phyllis laid out a spread of coffee and desserts! Reminded me of my grandparent's. Phyllis showed me pictures of her family...such a good looking family! Made me kick myself that I have lost the manila folder with my Swedish Family pictures. I hope I find it soon, it's driving me nuts!
Sandy is packing t0 head to Westfield for the CPE National Trials. She's taking Truman, who will be running and Bubbles, who will be going along for the adventure--they'll be camping. Lily and Rocky will be staying home with me and we'll be going up to Westfield on Sunday. I'm very excited to go...Jessica is coming with me and Terry Connolly will be coming to see us there. I haven't seen Terry in years!
Tomorrow, Lynne and I are going to go have lunch with Mary Anne. We are hoping for nice weather, we can take Mary Anne out if it's nice. If it isn't, we'll get stuff "to go" and lunch with her at Bridebrook.
Saturday, Dori will come down at 8am and we're off to go kayaking at Poquetanuck Cove with a group...it's a "nature tour" so I'll bring my binocs. I always bring my binocs, but this time they will be really important! I hope we see some good stuff.
Busy lately, but I get tired so fast, it's kind of scary. There is no rhyme or reason for it at times. Or so it seems. I'll feel exhausted about an hour after I get up in the morning, it will pass (without me napping) and I'll go on to stay up until midnight! So strange.
Oh! Monday I go back to work! YAY!!! I'll be working in the afternoon.
Can't wait....but first I have a fun weekend ahead.
Afterwards we strolled past the houses that are used by the Yale President and various schools. We walked up "Science Hill" where the school of Forestry is located....a new, green building. You could see the solar hot water system collectors on the sides of the building...very nice.
When we got back to the house, I chatted with Elia and Phyllis laid out a spread of coffee and desserts! Reminded me of my grandparent's. Phyllis showed me pictures of her family...such a good looking family! Made me kick myself that I have lost the manila folder with my Swedish Family pictures. I hope I find it soon, it's driving me nuts!
Sandy is packing t0 head to Westfield for the CPE National Trials. She's taking Truman, who will be running and Bubbles, who will be going along for the adventure--they'll be camping. Lily and Rocky will be staying home with me and we'll be going up to Westfield on Sunday. I'm very excited to go...Jessica is coming with me and Terry Connolly will be coming to see us there. I haven't seen Terry in years!
Tomorrow, Lynne and I are going to go have lunch with Mary Anne. We are hoping for nice weather, we can take Mary Anne out if it's nice. If it isn't, we'll get stuff "to go" and lunch with her at Bridebrook.
Saturday, Dori will come down at 8am and we're off to go kayaking at Poquetanuck Cove with a group...it's a "nature tour" so I'll bring my binocs. I always bring my binocs, but this time they will be really important! I hope we see some good stuff.
Busy lately, but I get tired so fast, it's kind of scary. There is no rhyme or reason for it at times. Or so it seems. I'll feel exhausted about an hour after I get up in the morning, it will pass (without me napping) and I'll go on to stay up until midnight! So strange.
Oh! Monday I go back to work! YAY!!! I'll be working in the afternoon.
Can't wait....but first I have a fun weekend ahead.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Biting Dogs
Because my dog, Bubbles, bites (because she is afraid of just about everything), I find dog bite articles interesting. Here's one I found online...along with what to do if a dog bites. I assume they are talking about BIG dogs when they tell you to become "like a rock." Audrey's Mom, my ex-sister-in-law, got bitten badly by a german shepherd one time...it wasn't pretty.
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Dog bites are scary, no two ways about it. Big sharp teeth, bared gums, that rumbling dog growl–it’s ironic how man’s best friend can occasionally become so quickly sinister. But there are reasons that dogs bite, a study published in the journal Injury Prevention shows that territorial behavior, anxiety and other medical issues lead dogs to bite (the study focused on dogs that had bitten children).
In the study researchers examined 111 cases of dog bites by 103 dogs (41 different breeds) and found several patterns that related to the dogs’ territorial behaviors, and suggested that these were the main causes of aggression in dogs:
• Young children (under 6 years) were more likely to be bitten when a dog felt the kids were threatening to take the dogs’ food or toys.• Older children were bitten when the dog felt the kids were encroaching on its territory.• Children familiar to the dog were more likely to be bitten while the dog was guarding its food.• Unfamiliar children were more likely to be bitten while the dog was protecting its territory.
Seventy-five percent of the biting dogs studied exhibited anxiety, either by being left by their owners or being exposed to loud noise, such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. Young children in particular tend to be noisy and make unpredictable movements, which could frighten an already anxious dog and cause them to bite the child, the researchers said.
Half of the dogs also had medical conditions, such as eye problems, liver and kidney disease, and diseases that affected their bones and skin. Study leader Illana Reisner of the University of Pennsylvania and her colleagues suggest that pain from these conditions could have pushed the dogs over the edge, causing them to bite.
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By becoming familiar with the warnings that a dog is upset, you have a better chance of avoiding a dog bite. Look for these warning signs:
• Ears laid back against his head or his legs are very stiff.
• If the hair on his back is standing up.
• If a dog is growling or barking with his teeth showing, it means he is ready to bite.
If you think a dog is about to bite you:
• Remain motionless and look and look at the ground.
• Count to five to yourself
• Move away very slowly, sideways or backwards.
• If the dog jumps on you, act like a rock by curling up into a ball and covering your face and head with your arms.
• Don’t stare at the dog.
• Don’t run, jump or wave your arms around
.• Don’t scream.
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Dog bites are scary, no two ways about it. Big sharp teeth, bared gums, that rumbling dog growl–it’s ironic how man’s best friend can occasionally become so quickly sinister. But there are reasons that dogs bite, a study published in the journal Injury Prevention shows that territorial behavior, anxiety and other medical issues lead dogs to bite (the study focused on dogs that had bitten children).
In the study researchers examined 111 cases of dog bites by 103 dogs (41 different breeds) and found several patterns that related to the dogs’ territorial behaviors, and suggested that these were the main causes of aggression in dogs:
• Young children (under 6 years) were more likely to be bitten when a dog felt the kids were threatening to take the dogs’ food or toys.• Older children were bitten when the dog felt the kids were encroaching on its territory.• Children familiar to the dog were more likely to be bitten while the dog was guarding its food.• Unfamiliar children were more likely to be bitten while the dog was protecting its territory.
Seventy-five percent of the biting dogs studied exhibited anxiety, either by being left by their owners or being exposed to loud noise, such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. Young children in particular tend to be noisy and make unpredictable movements, which could frighten an already anxious dog and cause them to bite the child, the researchers said.
Half of the dogs also had medical conditions, such as eye problems, liver and kidney disease, and diseases that affected their bones and skin. Study leader Illana Reisner of the University of Pennsylvania and her colleagues suggest that pain from these conditions could have pushed the dogs over the edge, causing them to bite.
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By becoming familiar with the warnings that a dog is upset, you have a better chance of avoiding a dog bite. Look for these warning signs:
• Ears laid back against his head or his legs are very stiff.
• If the hair on his back is standing up.
• If a dog is growling or barking with his teeth showing, it means he is ready to bite.
If you think a dog is about to bite you:
• Remain motionless and look and look at the ground.
• Count to five to yourself
• Move away very slowly, sideways or backwards.
• If the dog jumps on you, act like a rock by curling up into a ball and covering your face and head with your arms.
• Don’t stare at the dog.
• Don’t run, jump or wave your arms around
.• Don’t scream.
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