Wonder Fool

Happiest of Holidays...

2009-12-25T05:22:36Z

To each and every one of you. :)

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/i88jU4eqbc5wlCDp

-.-'

2009-12-21T20:01:14Z

Meh. Headache. Hungry. Irritated.

But I'm going to see Avatar tonight, so all should be well in due time! :D

blink

2009-12-19T05:13:56Z

I received one of the best compliments today that I think I have ever been given...from one of the Vets I work with, no less...

"Yeah, Sarah could definitely help you with training your dog, she's one of the best trainer's I've ever seen work with dogs. Its amazing what she can teach a dog."

He proceeded to tell the client about Tweak, and all she's managed to learn so far after 2 weeks...

I kinda just stood there all flustered and grinning like an idiot.

>.

2009-12-17T03:40:10Z

Well my night has officially gone to hell. I just discovered one of my L.lineatus is missing. Damnit.

'Tis the Season...

2009-12-17T02:35:10Z

For lots of cute!

Tweak has been going to work with me daily so that I may monitor her for any seizure activity. So far, nada. Which is great! Whats better, is it has made it easier to get her used to things, such as pottying on a leash, being caged at the vet, and attending to various folks who drop in to coo at her on a daily basis. How could you *not* coo at this???

Pshaaaww. "I wantsit. Now."

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-15T14:14:26Z

Well, according to Ido, they *would* be if I'd stop putting things on her head...

Momma can be so cruel.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words...and I think this one expresses their sentiments right on the nose...Particularly Ido.

Ok. Enough cruel and unusual punishment. :D Happy Holidays!

:D

2009-12-09T19:45:34Z

When I see couples out in public and I catch that snippet of wordless communication between them--an outstretched hand awaiting fingertips, a chin on a shoulder, a brush to the side as one is passing the other--it always makes me smile.

Floored.

2009-12-09T06:18:20Z

I've had Tweak since Friday. Judging by her teeth/size, we guesstimate her to be around 8 weeks of age. Since Friday, in the past 4 days, she has learned:

-Sit
-Down
-Shake (With both paws when asked!)
-Wave (Only with the right so far...)
-Spin around (Still heavily guided right now, but she's got the idea and she follows my hand around *quick*!)

Needless to say I am blown away. I mean, yeah, border collies are the smart cookies of the dog world...a fact with which I am well rehearsed. But, I got Rune at 16 wks, and Ido was around 12 wks when I got her. They learned, they caught on pretty quick, but I never really pressed my luck with seeing how much they could *really* soak up. Add to this I've worked with a lot more dogs/puppies since I brought them home. Most of the time, with my fosters, I only take the time to install the basics of housetraining, leash walking, sit, and some general manners. But something made me really want to see what this little girl could do...and all I have to say is WOW. I'm floored. I can't help but shake my head and laugh at her eagerness to learn. Her focus is improving, her confidence is growing...all this in 4 days!

I'm really loving this. Can you tell?

Can you guess what I got for Christmas???

2009-12-06T03:27:08Z

Yep! You guessed it--a new telephoto camera lens, and some nifty filters!!! I'm still getting the hang of things...my hands nearly froze taking pics this afternoon, and its SO much heavier now to hold...but WOW I can tell a difference. Its so awesome to be able to get better action shots without having to be up in my dog's faces!

What, you were expecting something else?

Oh, that? Thats just a reflection of Rune's younger self...

Ok, so i fibbed. Its my new foster. She came to me via a family who purchased her from a breeder at 6wks. She was being kept mostly outdoors, outside a busy household full of 4 kids and not enough money. How do I know they didn't have enough money? ...Well, they happened to witness little pupperoo there having a seizure one day. About the third time it happened, at the end of week three of their ownership, they decided they didn't have the money to figure out what was wrong with her.

Bummer.

Because ZOMG she is REALLY FREAKING CUTE.

I'll be taking her in this week to begin the process of figuring out whatsamatta with her. So far, no seizures here...cross your fingers.

I think I'll call her 'Tweak.'

Ido is SO not amused. I think perhaps she is jealous that Rune has a mini-me...and she does not.

WTF?!

2009-12-04T03:50:04Z

I wonder how many times I have typed that subject when it applies to my mother.

She called tonight spreading some gooshy tale about how her neighbor's wife died, and she wants to get him a dog--No, lemme rephrase that, a PUPPY. She was clearly fishing for my opinion on the matter, so I suggested that if they were going to get him anything at all it should be an older dog, because:

A.) The dog would be already housebroken, require less exercise, and there are plenty of older dogs out there not being adopted while puppies are.

B.) Because the man is old, a young dog would be left homeless when he passed...or got put into a retirement facility. I just went through this ordeal when I placed a 4yo pug who's owner was being put in a home, and his kids refused to take the dog...

So then my mom snaps. She got all furious at me for dictating what this guy needs, when I don't even know him. I pointed out that all she told me about him was that he was elderly, so that is all I had to go off of. Whats more, they shouldn't be getting him a dog anyway, as surprising some one with a puppy is not quite the right way to go about things. Naturally, that set her off further...

She also wants to surprise Bill with a puppy this Christmas...which I think is an AWFUL idea...and I've said as much. Bill is like, 70-something, and he's had like three heart attacks in the past few years...He's pretty active for his age, but a puppy???? Really? ...Mom says its because he just sits around at home all day and it will give him something to do...But all I hear is how Mom is going to be calling me up in a month wanting me to rehome this puppy because its too hyper...

This is the same woman who has her 1yo pitbull/border collie mix on PROZAC because it is hyper and it jumps on people. Fuck training. That costs money. Lets use drugs to zap her spunk and then scratch our heads when she STILL jumps on people. This is a dog I taught to shake with both paws in under 5 minutes, with 2 new people and three dogs serving up a HUGE amount of distractions in the same room! The dog retained her focus JUST fine, and for nothing but kibble. My mom just doesn't want to spend the time/energy...so why NOT get her boyfriend a brand new bundle of puppy joy?????

So, after hearing from the woman with a zillion questions about how I'm such an insufferable know-it-all, accused of denying everyone in the world but myself the responsibility of pet ownership, and ripped a new one over how poor little Skye would be dead were it not for my mom NOT listening to my advice...She then has the gall to ask me why Skye is still jumping on everyone, sneaking in a little something about how I've probably just got another 'smart dog, stupid owner' remark shoved up my sleeve...I cooly replied that I was done offering her advice, because she was only going to get mad when I didn't tell her what she wanted to hear. She WANTS to hear that putting her puppy on prozac instead of taking the time to train it is the RIGHT THING. She WANTS to hear that her vets advice to "take her 65lb pitbull mix down and make it submit" is GOOD advice. She wants to hear its NOT her fault...but tough shit, it IS.

I'm sorry mom, but I've rescued enough dogs from shitty situations to recognize the warning signs. I don't sugar coat shit anymore when it comes to you because Skye was your 4th dog in under a fucking year, and quite frankly I'm amazed you still have her, and you haven't asked me to rehome her along with the rest of them.

My Gods how I'd love to step in and train that dog for a good long week to PROVE it can be done...but you know what? It would be effort wasted. My mom doesn't havethe time, she never did, and thats why this keeps happening.

Sigh

2009-12-02T03:06:28Z

I don't think I'll ever not miss my job down in Atlanta. I truly loved that place, the people, the clinic, the rescues...everything about it. Not a day has gone by that I have not thought of them, relayed some story, or thought fondly of the good times shared there. In a perfect world, the Village Vets would be located in Louisville.

I'm getting together a Xmas present for them all this year...

Giant Leaf Pile + Dags = FUN

2009-11-10T04:58:16Z

Hee.

Rune, still on squirrel patrol...

One of the prettiest pics of Ido, evar...

Teh Monk!

Bobbing for Bouncy Balls in a Bunch of Fall Leaves...

Its been the most beautiful fall I could ask for out here. Crisp weather. Colorful leaves everywhere. Bright, spangling, blue sky dominating the week...

Ah. Bliss.

Hee.

2009-11-05T04:36:52Z

This will be arriving on my doorstep tomorrow...

"Peekaboo."

...Along with 8 other snakes.

Hello Fall.

2009-10-31T01:58:41Z

...I thought I'd share some recent shots of the girls, seeing as fall graced us with some beautiful photo opportunities.

No photo post would be complete without a short-bus smile.

And a goofy Ido grin...

Take it away, girls...Smiles everyone!

Oh c'mon Rune, for %$#@'s sake, stop staring at squirrels and look at the camera!!!

Oh. Now we're just going to sulk, is that it? Oi.

They're a riot. I took them into work a couple days this week, and their manners dazzled everyone as always. We actually used them to test out some of the new equipment, to be sure it worked properly. They're the best at being messed with. If it weren't so glum and rainy, I would have given them a well-deserved romp at the park. As it is, getting to go to work with momma seems to settle at a second-best.

Work has been good. One week down, years to go I guess...Unless I get this other job offer. You see, when I moved back I peeked in on the gov't jobs hiring for Louisvile Metro, and one of those listed was the Kennel Supervisor at Metro Animal Services. $15 hr, Gov't benefits...well, I decided to try my luck and applied for the job. I heard from them two days ago, and they asked me in for an interview. The interview was this morning, and MAN was it GRUELING. I think I did well, though. Wow, if I get this job...guess we'll see.

Meet Kol.

2009-10-13T04:54:23Z

My latest addiction:

This is Kol. He is a Black African House Snake, and he came home with me from Tinley. :D

From the Halls of Tinley Park

2009-10-10T20:57:00Z

I'm in Chicago, attending the annual Tinley Park Reptile Show this weekend. I've been attending the past two years, and I have to say...it just keeps getting better. Its awesome bumping into all the familiar faces, meeting new ones, participating in animated discussions regarding a hobby and a passion we all have in common. New ideas for projects bubble up from tables laden with colorful specimens left and right. There are experts in just about every field, and I never walk away from a table without feeling I've learned a little something. I've been pretty dedicated about taking photos this year, some of which I hope to share later...

Thus far I have fallen in love with the following: a pair of albino house snakes, several eastern indigo neonates, a calico beauty snake, and a particularly endearing redfoot tortoise.

In other news, I got the job! :D I got the call just before leaving for Tinley yesterday. (Squeeee!) The clinic opens in a couple weeks...then I can start looking for a place to live...

The Midnight Streets Feel Dead When I'm So Used to Driving with You.

2009-09-22T04:39:03Z

I'm headed home in two weeks.

Yes, home...as in Louisville.

And yes...for good.

Whether or not its my final destination remains to be seen...as do a lot of things.

Everything is Never as it Seems...

2009-09-04T01:26:02Z

Rune has a growth.

Its small, on the fourth digit of her front right foot. Currently it is too inflamed to offer us any good answers, and since she is being put on a short course of steroids to take care of her current bout of itchiness, we will have to wait for those to take some effect. Meanwhile, I'm crossing my fingers that the growth disappears all together, leaving us with the answer that it was only a benign hystiocytoma, a common small growth to pop up on the paws and facial regions of young dogs...Rune had one once, when she was a year old. Though, it looked a bit different than this...

Ugh.

2009-09-02T10:56:42Z

I would like nothing more at this moment than to drag my weary body back to bed and sleep...forever.

=.='

Ah, but work is calling my name...

I try to make myself believe...

2009-08-31T01:15:32Z

I was introduced to this song tonight, by a group called Owl City. Here are the lyrics to their song 'Fireflies'...which I am officially in love with.

You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cuz they fill the open air
And leave teardrops everywhere
You think me rude, but I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems

Cuz I get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they try to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sockhop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread (thread, thread)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cuz I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far to tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cuz I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell (said farewell)
But I know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cuz I saved a few and I keep 'em in a jar

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cuz everything is never as it seems (when I fall asleep)

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Rain rain, go away...

2009-08-28T17:32:01Z

So, I get up this morning, get ready, do my morning thing and I'm ready to step out the door when...

...it starts POURING.

*sigh*

So, I head into work. Drenched. Sodden. Ugh.

The only scrub top they can find for me is like, the loudest, most ridiculous patterned thing I've seen in ages...its white, with pink and turquoise lizards and alligators all over it and stuff. On top of it all my hair has sprung into a dozen curls thanks to my impromptu shower this morning.

I spent my lunch break watching a boxer vomit up fireworks.

I now better than to ask if it could get any worse...

Some mornings...

2009-08-17T10:47:36Z

...All I'd really like to do is just crawl right back into bed, curl up in a ball, and sleep for eternity....

Writer's Block: I May Be Crazy

2009-08-09T17:39:27Z

What does this Rorschach blot look like to you?

View 560 Answers

It looks like the head of one of the "Fire-Gang" guys from Labyrinth, y'know....the ones who could take off their heads? :D "Chilly Down with the Fire gang!"

Beneath My Dreaming Tree...

2009-08-05T23:54:47Z

I had the most...exasperating and haunting dreams last night. I was attending a reptile convention/show...each table was filled with exotic and colorful residents that I found I knew all about. I kept getting stopped to answer so many questions...And every time I'd begin to answer the questions posed to me, Benji would appear right behind the person I was talking to...There he would be, grinning ear to ear like he could not wait to tell me something, and rocking back on his heels as he patiently waited for me to finish my discussion with the individual who was peppering me with questions. I tried to answer faster, but more questions came...straining to be polite, I'd finally send them on their way only to look up and find Benji gone. Perplexed, I wandered around some more, only to be stopped again by another individual full of questions...and there Benji would be, behind them, waiting...practically bursting with something he could not wait to tell me...At one point I even found myself talking about a spider, of all things! ...Oi. This cycle repeated itself, again and again, until I woke up in a cold sweat, unsettled and very, very confused.

Any dream interpreters wish to tackle that one? I'm spent.

Of Life and Death

2009-08-04T15:19:21Z

Yesterday marked one of the most difficult days I have ever had to endure during my career as a vet tech.

We had to talk a couple into euthanizing a very young kitten who was so riddled with worms and fleas that it's blood sugar was sapped. It kept seizuring, it couldn't even move...and the people who brought it in just wanted it to "die on it's own"...but after so long we could not take watching it suffer any longer, and we finally talked them into doing the right thing...

Then we had to put down a dear old sweet husky...14 years old! ...This dog had been through a great deal in it's long life...and it's owners were very, very attached to him. It marks the first time I have ever held a client sobbing in my arms.

A puppy came in a little before noon, having difficulty breathing. An x-ray showed us a lot of fluid on his chest, combined with a bloated stomach...we got him to the operating table after tapping his chest (900-some-odd mLs of fluid were drawn off his chest!) to perform an exploratory so they could see what was causing the bloat...and he just...died. He was pretty far gone even before they opened him up, evidently...he'd been having such a hard time breathing. Turns out he had a severe case of pnemonia, his lungs were just jacked up. The did a necropsy...and I will admit to being a bit shaky to see the same puppy who had been licking my hand an hour earlier all opened up on his table, his organs spread out and inspected everywhere...despite the fact that I learned much...

But out of all this death, some life emerged. We got to assist in the birth of three min-pin puppies yesterday, helping them take their first wee breaths of life, congratulating the sweet mother, cheering as the first squeaks from the hungry mouths permeated the air...

One of the doctors was sick, and so the doctor I was working with and I wound up covering much of their drop-offs and such. This kept me there without a lunch break, and until 7pm...needless to say, I got home exhausted and drained...both physically and emotionally.