Keep Smiling!

Willow had her (almost) weekly trip to the NC State Vet School today, for blood and urine tests. While we were sitting in the lobby waiting to make sure her blood sample was good (her blood 'clumps' if they dont test it right away, so we dont leave until we've made sure they have a usable sample), we talked to several other pet owners. Well, ok, she hid under the bench seat, I talked to pet owners. People tend to share stories and bond in the waiting room. Almost everyone is willing to talk about their babies, and why they're there... what they've been through, what they're willing to GO through ... those kind of experiences. Everyone likes to have their pets ooh'ed and ahh'ed over. Harry, the retiree volunteer is there for that very reason .. to help put people and animals at ease. Love him, very neat man.

Anyway, today my attention was caught by an older blind man who was escorted out of the back and in to the lobby by a 4th year vet student. He was leading himself around the lobby with a cane, called for his ride, and then sat down across from Willow (under the bench) and me. I'm way too outgoing sometimes, and could not RESIST looking directly at him and saying "Good morning!".

He wished me a good morning, and I asked him if he was in with a dog or a cat ... actually, he'd just taught a seminar to about 50 students/techs about working with blind (2-legged) patients. He said he did (does) have a dog and a cat tho, his dog was his retired Seeing-Eye Dog who had been his companion for 11 years. She was now 13, and he was finding it hard going places without her, but it was time to let her relax and be spoiled. He was on a list for a new partner. He and Kelly, his labrador, used to visit schools and taught seminars and travelled all over, talking about disabilities and accepting them, helping people cope.

I encouraged Willow to come out of hiding, so she could say hello. He'd never "seen" a white shepherd before - she didnt think much of the petting, but she stood still for a soft pat on the head. She went back to her 'safe place', after she'd socialized.

It was an absolutely wonderful conversation, though. One of those people that I'd like not to forget. I was almost sad when his ride arrived and escorted him out. Of course, there were more people around to chat with ...

I've been bitten by a cleaning bug. SOMEONE HELP ME!!! I need therapy. I found a large amount of kitchen counter space, I found my bedroom floor, I found the top of my dog's crate, I moved all of the living room furniture and steam cleaned the carpet, I've been cleaning out my closet and HANGING UP MY CLOTHES ... I've been vaccuming almost daily ...

And my parents arent even coming to visit!!! (Not til January.)

Had to rescue two turtles from the backyard today. The total turtle count is up to 5, in the past month or so.

I let the dogs out around 6am, Bailey and Willow did their usual thing, Riley took his trot around the perimeter of the backyard. He does Perimeter Patrol every time he goes out, and before he comes in. At the very back of the yard, he stopped and jumped back, then sent out the alert. Fierce barking. Bailey and Willow came running to see what treature Riley had found. Riley snaps at something (I cant see what, from my position on the deck) and jumps back, and pounces and jumps back ... barking loudly. By his mean stance, I'm thinking "Oh crap. Snake. "

I call the dogs, Bailey and Willow come to me half-willingly. Riley wont back off. I came inside and threw on normal clothes (I had been in a nightshirt, and barefoot) and marched out, armed with a shovel. Bailey and Willow actually stay back in the middle of the yard, not wanting to approach Riley and his Nemesis.

He's ferociously barking at a turtle. Willow approaches it and takes it in her mouth and shakes it ... I'm pretty sure it's dead by now. I make her drop it, and try to pick it up, with Riley barking at it, and Willow trying to play with it. I end up going out the back gate and putting it as far away from my property as possible. When I come back, I take a quick scan around and see another turtle watching me, near the fence. Riley hasnt seen this one yet, but it was just 5 feet away from where he'd found the other one. ARGH! This one was obviously still alive... so I carefully picked him up and put him outside the fence as well.

TIRED OF TURTLES!!!!!!!!!

I'm such a sucker for an African Violet. It physically HURTS when I see them dying in a department store ... so ... I rescued four, on sale from WalMart today. They were 1.50 each. Bone dry. Doubt they'd been watered since they unloaded 'em, and even then, I bet they watered them from the top, not from the bottom.

I confessed to the boyfriend, my obsessive purchase. He asked me where I was going to put them. I said "Uh ... in the house?" Right now, they're scattered about the kitchen counters. I dont know where their permanent homes will be.

I've always had a thing for African Violets. Ever since I was a kid. I'd bring them home from yard sales, around the neighborhood. My Mom would kill them, I'd bring them back to life.

Always had some on my desk(s), wherever I worked. Coworkers would bring me their dying violets, for me to rehab.

We'll see what we can do with these WalMart Refugees ...

The boyfriend brought me flowers the other night ... just cuz!! And then he cut my grass, and did the weed-whacking and all that glorious stuff ... *melt*

Here's a pic of my 'just because' bouquet.. and Riley, my collie, stunned because I had to put them in my 'sun tea' jar since I didnt have a vase large enough!