When You Gotta Go....

We own a few kitchen knives which are extremely sharp. These utensils were designed with one purpose: Get the job done and do it well. Whatever their task, they never disappoint!! One afternoon, I was serving Rose some thin cheddar cheese slices. My, how that mongrel loves this treat!! Why not use our rugged-edged "cheese knife"? So there I was, feeding Rose a tasty snack, when suddenly, with little warning, my left hand middle finger got in its way!! Next thing I saw? Blood gushing out!! Oh, no!! I snatched a clean washcloth from the unfolded towels, applied pressure, held that hand above my heart.... Then I looked at it. This industrious little "cheese knife" had chopped quite a gash!! I panicked. On first glance, it appeared that I had nearly cut the tip of my finger off!! Which, of course is not at all true!! It was simply my deepest self-inflicted incision on record and I didn't even need stitches!! Two nights later, I wrongly decided that I could sleep sans any Band-Aids. It had not bled much further, after all.... That same night, Rose needed to pooh and urinate. Unfortunately, she lacks the training of awaking me when nature calls. My canine will typically arise, sometimes shake, and walk off!! Her destination? Always our sliding glass door first, which leads to outside. Then the great room carpet!! I was jolted awake at an ungodly hour by the sound of Rose "digging" her pillow. Uh, oh. Does that mean....? I did not want to know. But up from my bed I stood. Immediately, I noticed something. Red. All over my pajama pants, T-shirt and sheets. It literally resembled that of a scene from some horror film!! Sure enough, fresh flowing blood gushed from the injury!! Oh well. I will treat that later. First, I needed to inspect my Mongrel-Hound's potential "accident"!! I stepped foot into our great room. There, lying upon the carpet, was a pile of brown pooh. And this small wet spot. Still bleeding, I snatched a plastic baggie to scoop up the smelling pile. From my bedroom, I heard "paw" steps. Rose stood in the doorway, staring at me, her face sorry. There were three drops of blood upon our kitchen floor. So I scowled at her!! Why? Because it was far too early and I was half awake? Frustration? For if only I had not slept through my baby needing me this would not have occurred? Was it a "guilt trip"? After all, Rose had the accident.... She needed to understand that I disapproved? Who knows. Still bleeding, I found our cleaner and disinfected the locations. Then, I tended to my wound. Cleansed it, applied pressure. Quickly wrapped a Band-Aid around the finger. I returned to my blood-stained sheets, did not change, and refused verbal or physical contact with Rose. After all, she had an accident.... The following morning, everything was forgiven. It was no longer an ungodly hour. I had slept a fair eight hours, despite our interruption!! Besides, "when you gotta go, you gotta go".... Right? Rose was not in the wrong entirely!! On a positive note, we washed my sheets, plus I now have this scar which reminds me constantly of God's healing touch!!

Batting Practice

(I dedicate this post to Bert, the generous, rich gentleman who made an incredible memory possible. I'm eternally grateful!!)

On June 28th, 2008, I was blessed with an amazing opportunity. A trip to Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros home stadium!! For my beloved Boston Red Sox were competing against that franchise during interleague play!! Our seats proved to be unbelievable--above Houston's dugout--and the view of their field was astounding!! Long before game time, we entered Minute Maid Park for Red Sox batting practice. This was the first live baseball activity that I had ever experienced. Wow.... Then I contained my excitement just enough to glance toward the guy standing behind their batting cage....Captain Jason Varitek!! I recognized his uniform's digits--33--and nearly experienced a panic attack!! Quite honestly, I was star-struck!! "That's--that's--that's Jason Varitek!!" I stammered. I spun around in my chair to face Bert, who was temporarily positioned behind me. "Number thirty-three, that's Jason Varitek!!" But apparently seeing is not believing!! I was flabbergasted that Varitek stood there, wooden bat in hands, so close to me!! Mentally, I even doubted his existence on that field!! Certainly he was an impersonator?

Slight Error

Oops!! I made an honest "rookie" mistake as a writer!! While researching the importance of vitamin C, I neglected to read every section in my "Nutrition & Health for Dogs" pet resource book!! (There are several parts!!) Here is what I learned yesterday evening: "Unlike humans who must get their vitamin C through diet or supplements, most animals produce their own vitamin C. Dogs produce vitamin C in the liver from the blood sugar glucose. Each day, adult dogs produce approximately 40 milligrams of vitamin C per 2.2 pounds of body weight. That is about 1,800 milligrams for a 100-pound dog, 900 milligrams for a 50-pound dog, and 450 milligrams for a 25-pound dog." Fascinating facts!! What I previously copied from "Nutrition & Health for Dogs" is accurate, as well. Canines do still need its recommended dosage of vitamin C!!

Vitamin C Intake

Vitamins. Everybody knows of their health benefits!! Swallow-whole multi-vitamin capsules regularly and your immune system should keep strong. Plus herbal Echinacea pills work wonders when it comes to evading an illness!! I swallow-whole something entitled "Wellness Formula" three times a day. This dietary supplement contains numerous vitamins, herbs, minerals, plus antioxidants. For the most part Wellness Formula maintains my health!! Rose "eats" her vitamins and minerals. In the form of peeled baby carrots, canned pumpkin, plus grated cheddar cheese. Her dog food contains vitamins, and the peanut butter/apple flavored twisted treats which I purchase my mongrel has fifteen vitamins plus minerals!! Each morning, I pour myself a mug of orange juice. Rose has, from our first dawn together, appeared curious about that citrus-scented beverage. She would attempt to dive her nostrils in my mug for a sniff.... Or lap it all up!! However, I always caught that cunning canine beforehand!! She would not even remotely consider stealing my orange juice!! Then one morning, I absent-mindedly abandoned a half-drank mug. On my bedroom floor. Free for tasting!! Uh, oh. And of course Rose did not hesitate to try my morning beverage!! Oh dear.... I suppose she received her vitamin C intake? Which is a positive concept.... Right? According to my "Nutrition & Health for Dogs" pet health resource book, canines need vitamin C much like we humans do!! This antioxidant "plays a key role in the production of interferon and infection-fighting white blood cells. Interferon, another part of the immune system's defense team, is produced in response to viruses, or tumors. The infection-fighting white blood cells, the backbone of the immune system, engulf foreign substances that enter the body. Many holistic veterinarians have had miraculous results giving critically ill dogs megadoses of vitamin C. The vitamin C helps restore the immune system, thus restoring the ability to fight the disease. Vitamin C also inhibits the secretion of histamines, making it a natural antihistamine and a necessary nutrient in the battle against allergens. Physical and emotional stress depletes your dog's body of vitamin C, so keeping up with the daily doses of vitamin C will go a long way in keeping her immune system strong. The daily dosage of vitamin C for an adult is: small dogs 500 mg to 1,000 mg, medium and large dogs (Such as Rose!!) 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg, and giant dogs 2,000 to 4,000 mg. For a weakened immune system, slowly increase the dose to 'bowel tolerance' (loose stools or diarrhea is a sign of too much vitamin C, in which case reduce the previous dosage)." Unfortunately, however there is more to orange juice than simply that antioxidant!! So I took the liberty of reading its ingredients!! Water, sugar, concentrated orange juice, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin C. Nothing hazardous--besides the sugar--to my "Mongrel-Hound's" well-being, at least!! Nonetheless, I was vigilant toward looking for symptoms of minor temporary sickness!! Such as diarrhea. But there were no ill effects!! Now, of course, I will never again leave my mug of unattended orange juice down on Rose's level. She may "ingest" her vitamin C elsewhere!!

Abracadabra!! Dog

As everybody knows, doting canine owners can, with time and patience, successfully teach their intelligent four-legged pets tricks!! Like "Roll Over". Two words and instantaneously Percy is flat on her back, awaiting a belly scratch!! Or "Shake". That single-syllable command encourages Ace to sit stock-still, and lend his master a forepaw!! Or "Play Dead". Those twain words prompt Gizmo into a "deceased" position!! Or "Sit Pretty". With this trick, an owner needs a treat of some sort!! She must verbalize the command. Promise Sarge his Milkbone. If executed correctly, he should sit straight up. Then balance upon his hips and tail, resembling a prairie dog. The reward? His treat, of course!! Rose has invented herself a rather unorthodox trick!! And it happened quite by accident, too!! I call her clever creation "Evade The Leash". One afternoon, we returned home from our walk. Inside, I grew distracted, as usual for someone who has Attention Deficit Disorder. Hence, my mongrel remained leashed a few minutes longer than expected. Not that she seemed to mind!! With a swift shaking of her head, Rose's lengthy red lead somehow mysteriously disconnected itself!! Now completely unhooked from my canine's blue and brown polka-dot collar, the leash dropped to our laminate flooring!! With one loud thud. Rose stared downward, her ears perked, and forehead furrowed as though thinking: "How'd that happen?" Right.... Like my sometimes-sly "Mongrel-Hound" did not do this act deliberately!! For shortly following, history repeated itself!! She shook, shook, shook, and off fell her lead!! No bewildered expression that time!! We do own another leash, however. It's shorter, more secure, thicker. This lead's "connecter hook" is also seemingly heavy duty in comparison to the first!! Today I seldom walk her while using that "magic trick" leash!! So.... Rose's cunning little plan has been extinguished!!

Finding Contentment

Whatever possesses people to adopt canines? Is it loneliness? An ever growing need for companionship? Is it love? A wishing for warm, friendly greetings at the end of each day? Is it homestead protection? Because that giant-sized breed will someday confidently guard his owners during a house robbery? Or is it an utter passion toward these beautiful four-legged creatures? For me, personally? I have never conceived any children, although becoming a mother has long been an aspiration of mine. Ever since I was little, plush baby dolls were my "offspring". I named them Nicole Jane, Amanda, or Rachel. My imagination ran wild!! I "mothered" twins, triplets, even quintuplets!! They ranged from infants, to five-year olds. Eventually, I grew up and put all those baby dolls away. But I was the girl who decided years ago to give each of my children Bible names!! I was the girl who verbally declared that Christmas carols would be sung as babies were snuggled near me!! For I always wanted kids!! I continuously daydreamed about children. Frequently spoke of children. Often thought about children. I've found difficulty finding contentment throughout the years. This feeling of sunken dreams.... Owning a dog allows myself abundant opportunities to exercise real maternal instincts!! It provides me with continuous reasons for employing nurture!! Owning a canine means I am needed in this existence. Some helpless beast depends on me for nourishment, fresh clean water, attention!! Now dogs are not kids. Training one isn't the same as childrearing!! But owning Rose will most likely eternally be the closest thing I'll ever get to motherhood!! Therefore, I vow.... I'll always attend her needs with smiles and a positive attitude.... Even at 3AM!! I will habitually greet Rose daily with our bright, cheerful "Good Morning Beautiful"!! phrase. I promise to laugh often, remember patience, and relax. I will sing her Christmas carols!! I hope to be the best Mama that Rose has ever had!! For alongside my mongrel I am finding contentment....

Six Amazing Months!!

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbols mean nothing to him. A water-logged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his." ~John Grogan

Thanks, Rose for accepting me, heedless of my learning disabilities. You have been such a wonderful friend!! And thanks for being the kind of canine John Grogan described!! I can hardly believe already that you became my beautiful mongrel six months ago today.... ~Love, Mama