Dining with Dogs
Dining with Dogs is tonight!
Kelly and I were driving through an evening blizzard last December to get to one of our favorite patients and her heart broken Mom.
This gentle, beautiful Great Dane had bravely lived well as long as she could with a terminal cancer, and it was time to let her go. None of us, save the dog herself, were handling it well.
As a (huge) favor, two animal control officers from Nebraska Humane Society had arranged with Kelly to meet us at the home after their shift was over (in the same blizzard) to transport our patient's body to the Rainbow Bridge for after care.
When the first officer came to the door, I recognized him as the kind animal control officer we had (unfortunately) seen often lately. I said hi and greeted the officer behind him I had not previously met.
The first officer helped Kelly and me carry the stretcher to their van. The new officer walked with us and guided us around icy patches and made sure no one fell.
The next day, Kelly and I were pretty despondent. We missed our friend. We were concerned for her Mom. After telling a few stories about our sweet patient, we sat in silence for a while.
Kelly spoke up. "You know that wasn't an animal control officer, don't you?" she said.
"Who was it?" I asked.
"That was the new CEO of Nebraska Humane Society. She is doing ride alongs with the animal control officers." She said it just as casually and matter a factly as Nancy Hintz had ridden out in a blizzard with an animal control officer to take care of a grieving community member and her canine companion and make sure we did not fall on our butts on the slick ice.
"Wow. No, I didn't know that," I said. We sat in silence for a while more, then continued on with our day.
To Nancy Hintz, Nebraska Humane Society's new CEO,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness is startling, humble and deep.
Dog Mom, Kelly and I are blessed to have had you and the ACO there with us on that heartbreaking and sacred night. Omaha too is so very blessed to have you.
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Post from one year ago today...
April 21, 2016
I saw a cat yesterday.
I mean, not like I have been seeing cats, where I ask if I can pet someone else's patient or a boarder, and all my friends, in an effort to keep me alive, yell "no" or some loud/urgent/profane variation thereof, and I sulk away and take a picture instead.
I had a cat patient. My team did the same life saving heroics they always do, and I insisted on seeing her.
A day later, I am writing this to you coughing and hacking and vowing to be more careful.
Which is a way better place than I was in yesterday. My doctor friend kindly sent me home after I saw the cat. I paused to catch my breath three times on the way home. Russ had rescue medications waiting for me and we decided against urgent care since I could breathe pretty well.
I took some more oral medications which knocked me out (sorry I was crabby family) and I fell asleep still not breathing great.
Tomorrow I should be a little better, and the day after that I should be okay again.
It's my pride. It's my optimism. It's my longing to have our own Max the Cat back, and it's missing my patients. It's my stubborn refusal to listen to the gentle admonition of my allergist who said I need to be done seeing cats. It's wanting to do a good job at work, where the best I can do now seems like doing half my job.
I think this is it you guys. Each time I see a cat is scarier, and I need to step back.
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Post from one year ago today...
April 20, 2017
SOME MOMENTS FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD
Get back to writing Finch!
Amanda made these candy succulent plants. How cute are they?? They were super good too...like worm and dirt cups for grown ups : )
We celebrated Easter and Mom and Dad's house. Here are some pictures from the day...
Abby in her Easter dress!
Amanda in her Easter dress!
Mom got Abby and Amanda dollar Origami books :)
Mom's beautiful Easter decorations!
Sara and Arthur
Robert and the basket of jelly beans
Olive and Robert
Abby taking pictures of Olive and Robert
Phill and Felix
Abby and Dave and Arthur
Oscar
Robert and Arthur - Spoiler! Arthur decided against eating the sand :D
Robert
Arthur also did not eat the helicopters.
Olive, Robert and Dad
Robert and Olive
Busted! Dad blowing bubbles with NO kids in sight :)
Way to go Arthur!
The baby polar bear steps into the sun.
Travis and Arthur were so cute together!
Dad and Karen
Amanda and Abby and Arthur
Sara and Mom and Felix. I will never ever get tired of seeing Mom so healthy!
Arthur
Bill and Becky and Russ, Abby and Oscar
Travis and Felix
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter!
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Post from one year ago today...
April 17, 2016
Daffodils in front of our house <3
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Post from one year ago today...
April 16, 2016
ON MEETING THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND GEOFF MOORE AND THE DISTANCE
Toski finds ALL the Easter eggs...
In my original post on the subject, I asked for comments, anonymous or out loud. I got comments. Here are some.
"Reusing syringes is gross."
"They cost pennies - throw them away!"
"I don't care if you wash and sterilize, it is not okay to draw blood and then inject a medication with the same syringe."
"I have worked in practices that did this as well, and I broke the rules openly too. I don't care what the argument is on sterilizing and saving money, it's a one time use product, and that's how it should be used."
"I used to stand by the trash with the bin of syringes and sneeze them into the trash."
"That's terrible! I have never thought to reuse a syringe/needle."
"At no time can I think of an instance where I would be okay reusing them now."
"If they say dispose, they aren't meant to be cleaned and probably could not be effectively sterilized, so I wouldn't want that used on my fur kids."
"As a client, I am glad you use new syringes on my dogs."
"Wouldn't want used one-time needles used on my girls."
"Sad fact of life, greed usually wins out over care and safety. You are concerned about safety."
"As a pet owner, I am disgusted this is even a thing. It never would have crossed my mind that a syringe would be reused because in my mind, it's common sense that you toss after its intended use."
"Wait, how is throwing syringes away bullying? You're not being mean to that person, nor belittling them, nor harming them. You're practicing quality veterinary care."
"The absolute last thing anybody could ever say about you is that you are a bully. What the hell?"
"Calling you a bully could be considered creating a hostile work environment."
"I am still trying to figure out in what world that would be considered bullying."
"Absolutely not a bully."
"You're not a bully. You support ethics on every front."
"I just don't get the connection. How can this be bullying?"
"You are the least likely person to ever be a bully."
My favorite comments...
"Do you all at Nebraska Medicine reuse syringes for humans?" "Gross, no."
and...
"What. The. Actual. Fuck."
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Post from one year ago today...
April 14, 2015
A list of groups with links to their position statements on reusing single use syringes...
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Friend to Friend - a website for IV drug users
Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy
The reason I did not write for so many days when I had been posting daily is that I am letting a work issue drive me crazy.
It is not my boss's fault, though our run in is what threw me off course.
He has said that we cannot speak of it together and things will not change.
Which I take to mean I can speak and write of it.
I figure whoever is more stubborn will have the last word on if things will change.
In the case of a stubbornness stalemate, the tie breaker, of course, would be the owner of the company.
Also, my boss is one of my favorite people in the world, and I would stop this silliness if it really came to choosing the fight over the person.
Onward...
I now have ALL the Sharpies.
SO happy.
This is the picture I colored for Laura Drews. Because sometimes I am 5. But mostly because I love Laura, and she loves horses.
This is also the photo I sent to Dr. Chris Byers when he said he does not like using exam tables. Me neither! Except for coloring :D
Look at the project Kelly Turley started! Do you want to see it when ALL the dogs' pictures and ALL the cats' pictures are up?? Me too!
Top: Phoenix (Stephanie Marshall), Bottom, left to right: Rosie (Kristen Heckman), Pyro (Kelly Turley), Joy the Puppy (me!) :)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord... Psalm 118:26
I was on yet another Twitter rant.
"There are a million ways to communicate with a dog that do not involve hitting!" I tweeted.
"A million?" Jana asked.
"Well, at least one hundred," I tweeted, because I could see where this was heading.
My friend Jana who has the wonderful website Dawg Business challenged me to come up with one hundred ways to communicate with a dog.
So here goes...Keep in mind these are from a plain ol' non-behaviorist/non-trainer off the top of my head - I am sure there are exponentially more (like 10 to the fifth power maybe... :) ), better phrased and more appropriate communication methods!
Dog lovers, add any I forgot!
1
Speaking
2
Petting
3
Giving out treats
4
Ignoring unwanted behavior
5
Gently leading on a leash
6
Teaching sitting as a way to refocus
7
Clicking
8
Head butting
9
Slow blinking (this is a cat-specific sign of affection, but dogs sometimes love it too :) )
10
Holding
11
Comforting
12
Baby talk
13
Being near
14
Routine
15
Play time
16
Walks
17
Runs
18
Meals
19
Special meals
20
Calm
21
Avoiding Eye Contact
22
Ignoring
23
Getting level with him or her (Amanda)
24
Belly rubs
25
Training time
26
Dog socialization time
27
Socialization/Puppy class
28
Training class
29
Agility class
30
Flyball time
31
Body language
32
Walking through a crowd together
33
Hiking alone together
34
Word recognition training
35
Hand signals
36
Letting them show you their tricks
37
Predictable behavior
38
Scents
39
Pheromones
40
Squeaks
41
Happy voice
42
Low, calm voice
43
Backing off at a growl
44
Head low
45
Arms down
46
Horse hoof trimming style nail trims
47
Immediate rewards
48
Over the top rewards
49
Praise for wanted behavior
50
Exposure to new environments
51
Exposure to new people
52
Exposure to new noise levels
53
Down time
54
Soft Voices (Abby)
55
Snuggles (Abby)
56
Scratches (Abby)
57
Time outside
58
Full attention
59
Alone time
60
Facial expressions
61
Singing (Amanda)
62
Exercise (Amanda)
63
Hugs (for dogs who like hugs)
64
Thundershirts
65
Photo shoots
66
Taking them down a slide with you (Amanda)
67
Reaching out
68
Waiting for them to approach you
69
Smelling like something good - other dogs, kitties, food...
70
Brushing
71
Gentle leading
72
Mature conversation (Amanda)
73
Patience
74
Regrouping and trying again
75
Regrouping and letting someone else try instead
76
Frequent breaks as needed
77
Very small saucers of coffee (Noodle)
78
Apple juice (Joy)
79
Equal treats for each dog (Luna)
80
Equal pets for each dog (Luna)
81
Time to explore
82
Space to explore
83
Using your pet's name
84
Permission to roll in gross things
85
Comfy places to rest and sleep
86
Table scraps - a reasonable amount! Safe scraps! Not necessarily from the table!
87
Compliments
88
Letting them have their own space (Amanda)
89
Gifts
90
Outfits (Amanda)
91
No outfits if they do not like outfits
92
Letting them sniff you before you interact (Abby)
93
A place to hide
94
Let them have hyper time (Abby)
95
Kisses if they like kisses
96
Gentle introductions to new family members (Amanda)
97
Allowing them to choose their actions
98
Providing optimal health
99
Providing grooming that makes them healthy and feel beautiful :)
100
Spoiling them (Abby)
AND?
101...
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Post from one year ago today...
April 8, 2016
My friend Linnette and her family adopted a second Mastiff! I FINALLY got to meet him after DAYS of waiting!
Would you like to meet Hoss? And BONUS, would you like to meet my friend Jenny's Frenchie puppy Frankie??
Meet Hoss! He is eight weeks old!
Meet Frankie! She is 10 months old!
Hoss and Frankie had a play date yesterday, and I snuck in a new puppy exam on Hoss :)
Hoss is already taller than Frankie! Jenny supervises the introduction - they did great!
Brooke and Hoss. He will not be able to be held much longer!
Oh Frankie!
Good night Hoss!
Good night Frankie!
Goodbye Work Week :)
Abby got this for me as a gift when we were in Nebraska City, and it is my favorite thing right now!
How cute is this??
Do you want to see what happens when you untie it and unroll it??
It gets way bigger!
Do you want to see what is inside?
ALL the colors of Sharpies that I own. In order. I am so happy.
THANK YOU ABBY JANE!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! :)
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Post from one year ago today...
April 4, 2016