5 posts tagged “dogs”
The sad little audiophile that I am, I am finding myself in tears listening to, of all things, some Disney songs. I was listening to my personalized jazz station over at Pandora (the link is to your right) when I heard the most amazing version of 'When You Wish Upon a Star". I had to find it. So I did. Then I listened to the rest of the album. The song that got me? Baby Mine. I'm not even a big fan of Dumbo but the song is heartbreakingly sweet.
Let me give you a quick breakdown of my day and then I want you to go look at my audio files here and listen to the four songs I've just posted. They are: When You Wish Upon a Star, A Wish is a Dream Your Heart Makes, Once Upon a Dream & Baby Mine. I know I can't be the only one who cries during Baby Mine. The song makes me want to learn a basic waltz so I can dance to it with my father. Okay! Enough being emotional!
We are now on city water. Yay! I missed having good water pressure. We ran errands in Santa Fe. I picked up a few things from Whole Foods, including some rice milk. Speaking of which, I think I'll grab some. Ah, much better. I tried having a mocha today, with a dose of lactaid. It only helped a little. My stomach still felt like it was swimming. Anyway, what else? Not much. Just getting lots of stuff done and sorting through lots of paperwork. Thrilling.
When I got home the winds were just screaming through. The back gate was open and Lilly was out beside the drive way. I was so proud of her for staying home; it was great! The other two were blocked in by big black bags full of tumbleweeds that had fallen in front of the gate as neither of the others - Allie & Igor - are jumpers. So, taking advantage of this, I worked with Lilly a little bit on off-leash training. The dog is exceptionally smart and she's retaining a lot of what I've taught her thus far.
And of course I talked to Free for a while. Poor darling, I wish I knew what to do other than worrying about him. He just seems so.. well... stretched thin. I do hope he takes some time for himself, he needs it. That gives me an idea. But anyway. We had a great talk while he drove to his primary's house so I can only hope it helped a little.
I'm a very tired little thing so I think I will haul myself to bed. My sunburn is still tender so this should be a trick. Oh well. Goodnight kids.
Anathema
I'm finding myself feeling restless tonight and it's driving me mad. I'm sure it's not helping that I've just printed out all my flight information from the American Airlines site. Just shy of two hundred twenty for round trip tickets. That means that because of packaging it all together, I an only paying about thirty-thirty per night (and that's with taxes and fees) at the hotel for a seven night stay. Thank you Priceline. I am thoroughly impressed. Maybe that's what's making me restless. Oh well.
Spoke to Free this morning at obscene hours. Poor love, he's finally winding down from everything and I do hope he gets the rest he truly needs. He was too sleepy to keep it up long so I made sure he got off to bed and we agreed that we'd talk tonight.
I've decided that I will no longer celebrate the Easter Bunny, rather the Easter Monkey. What decided this? A cute monkey plushie that I saw at Starbucks in a pile of other bits. I think it's much more amusing. Besides, he's got thumbs to actually help him hand out the eggs. Doesn't that make more sense? Of course it does. You'll help, won't you? Of course you will!
What else? I spent the evening booking a flight for my grandmother to fly out from Fresno to Cedar Rapids at the end of May to go see her sister and her hundred year old aunt. It was pure insanity. She's damn near deaf and is horrid at making decisions. Thankfully, it's booked and all set. I know it sounds strange but I made sure to get her on American because that places her layover at DFW. Give me all the weird looks you want but it makes me feel better that if some thing goes wrong -knock on wood- there is some one I trust closer to their than I can be. But she's all set. Now I get to look up hotels and cab fares tomorrow. Thrilling.
I went up to Los Alamos and picked up my final check. I didn't say a word and for good reason. I don't want to say what I'm thinking as I wish to remain on a better level than them. Simple but honest. From there I went to the bank and cashed the check. I was a woman on a mission. Then mail and Starbucks (yes, it was a chai... >.<).
Next stop? The shelter. I went and saw the malamute mix I had seen on Sunday and had been thinking about since. I had to get her. She needed to come home with me. She even came out to her outside area and put her paws up on the fence when she saw me coming. I took her for a walk and she was great! She's only eleven months old so she's still got a puppy mind-set. She's very smiley, happy and very curious which are all wonderful things. She's taken a great liking for me which is even better. I went in, filled in the paper work and they got things started while I went back to the house to get Allie and Igor. They wanted to make sure everyone would get along. And they did! They all sniffed, wagged and the new pup even play-bowed for Allie. This is going to be fantastic. So... I paid for her and her rabies shot. She will be getting fixed and so I will be picking her up Friday afternoon. I admit that I am very excited about this. I know it seems sudden but when I saw her, I knew I was doing the right thing. I may drop by and see her tomorrow so I can get a photo to share with everyone. I'm working on a name but I think I'm close to something.
What else? Just more cleaning. And that was my day. Isn't it just thrilling? Heh. Anyway, I'm going to go curl up until I hear from Free. Goodnight kids!
Anathema
Well, today was useless but that's okay. Papa took the truck this morning so that means I was left here at the house. I was able to get my bedding washed (the comforter is in the dryer at this moment), got started on cleaning the back building, painted three hive boxes and... well.. yeah, that was it. The back building was so foul that I had to wear a mask just to be safe. Ick!
So... tomorrow. I am hoping to get up to Los Alamos. I need to pick up my last check and see if I can get into the theater so that I may get my MP3 player because I was a dolt and left it there Saturday night. I will be calling the shelter about that dog I saw. She goes up for adoption tomorrow and I admit that I've been thinking about her. I may call them when they open and ask them to hold her for me. I want to see what the other two think of her before I make a decision. Something about this little dog seemed to latch onto me. Okay so she's a Malamute/Shepard mix but I have a habit of calling all dogs little dogs. It's habit.
I also need to work on some graphics for a layout. I was working on some last night and my mind just kept wandering. I ended up creating something of a modern triple-goddess. Truly, when I was done I was reminded of the Moirae (the Norns as well, really). So I titled it thus.
Well, I'm going to go check on laundry and find something to do to amuse myself while I await Free for our usual Tuesday night date. G'night kids!
Anathema
It's going to be a long day. But things can only get better. At least that's what I am hoping. It really doesn't have much farther down to go from here anyway. Here I sit, typing and being talked at by Squall. Silly little mush.
Tuesday. Went to work as per usual but feeling sullen. The specter of losing Bear was hanging over my head rather heavily. Sitting in the truck, waiting for work, Papa stopped by with the EMR truck. He had news. The matriarch of a family we've been friends with for a long time has been diagnosed as having a brain tumor behind her right eye and it's pushing against her brain. Now, I've got a mixed basket of feelings on this. I want her to get better, don't think I don't. It's just hard to get warm and fuzzy about a woman who gives me harsh looks whenever she sees me. Papa adores her and calls her mom so he's taking it very hard. She and her husband are convinced that it is a curse placed upon her by witches (known as brujas around here) that just happen to be the sisters of her husband. These are very, very, very religious folks and I can respect that. I won't tell them where I am in the theological tree because I don't want to cause any hardships... but. It's hard to listen to people talk about witches being horrible, evil people. I hate the stereotype with a passion and would spend the rest of my life trying to correct it if I could. Oh well. I went to a local church called the Santuario de Chimayo. It's a beautiful place and has a remarkable history. I got some holy water and holy dirt for her and gave them to her a couple days ago.
He left and wasn't sure if he could get Bear into the vets office. I called and asked him, again, to make sure he took her in. Making Bear suffer was making me sick to my stomach. In time, we spoke and he assured me he would take her in. After lunch I cracked. I was in tears about Bear and quietly requested that I be able to leave when my father came to pick up the truck. I was allowed. Four o'clock came along and I had not heard anything nor seen him, so I called. He was all ready off the hill and on his way in. I expressed my disappointment and he agreed that he would wait for us at the clinic. I got my mother and we left as soon as Yvette was back from her break.
It was a heartbreaking experience. Walking in, I saw Papa holding a motionless Bear. As I walked up, he finally cracked and burst into tears. He apologized through the tears, stating that he thought he was strong enough. I hugged him and cried with him. A few moments later, the vet came out and lead us into a room. We all stood with Bear as she lay on her side upon the table.
I'm sorry, I find that even writing about it is making me cry write now. Maybe it's good that these things aren't timed. This is going to take me a while.
I held her head and stroked her. She remained wrapped in towels, hiding the fact that she had pretty much destroyed the outer side of the growth and her front was covered in blood and other... things. We all spoke to her, thanking her. It was quick. Painless. She moved a little bit when she was pricked by the main needle. She was gone very quickly. They left me alone with her. I cried with her and thanked her for being such an amazing dog. I prayed aloud, asking my patronesses to watch over her, guide her to the others. In time, Papa came back in. We cried and eventually walked away, leaving her there. They'll call him when the ashes are ready. I couldn't bury her here, this isn't home.
From there, we went home so that I could change. We then went to the Santuario, only yo find they were not open. Saying goodbye to the horse in the paddock beside the path, we left.
Wednesday. My day off. I had spent all night talking to Free so slept in. Thank you Free, it helped more than you know. I spent the day at home, resting, coughing. I went back up for the Starry Night rehearsal. We had a pretty good time though because we had a new light person to train on the cues, we couldn't goof off as much as we would have liked.
Thursday. Went to work. After about an hour and a half, I was called into the office by an overly cheerful Harold. When I got in, there was Finley and the owner. To make a long story short, they fired me. I have been accused of slander via hear-say and, of all things, this very journal. I know, now, how they found the journal. Fact is, they're probably going to read this. I don't care. I've never said anything that wasn't either fact or items spoken as my opinion. They also sited the fact that I read books and write when I am without a customer. There are no rules against this, especially as I had the reputation amongst customers as being their best cashier. Leaving the office, I was laughing and commented that perhaps it was only coincidence that I'd been reading Animal Farm and 1984. I don't think they got it. Not that I'd think they would.
I returned an hour later to request all the paperwork involving my dismissal and was told by Harold that there was no paperwork nor would my signature be required. I nodded and stated that I would be back for the paperwork. I left. I spent the day wandering and getting a few items from a shop downtown. Was given the number of a gentleman at the labor board.
Friday. Woke up and went down to Santa Fe to pick up some honey to tide the hives over. From there, had breakfast at IHOP. It was okay but nothing to write home about. Stopped by Jackalope and saw the prarie dogs. Needed to stop anyway because my stomach was raging at me like some wild thing. Called the man at the labor board and left a message. Went back to the Santuario. Got holy dirt and holy water. Got home, showered and went to the theater.
Saturday. Had a nice quiet day. Spent time with Papa. Did things around the house. Had breakfast with Papa and ended up selling lots and lots of honey. Good grief that man could be a car salesman. Went to the theater and did our closing night. Went to the after-party and had a great time! Stayed a little past midnight, leaving with an upset Papa. He was fine later though.
Sunday. Relaxed. Cleaned. Bottled Honey. Left U.F.F.D.U.H. because of scheduling conflicts and stress. Was going to go to Albq with Papa to see a group of old friends from the Navy but he went by himself. So I did housework and finally got things done that have been left undone for far too long. Went to the shelter to get a feel for how I'm going to be able to handle a new dog. I must admit, I saw a malamute mix there that I really like. She was sweet. I may call back today and see if she's up for adoption yet. Purchased my tickets for my Texas trip. Yay! I'll be gone from the 17th until the 24th. Yay!
And today? I'm going to finish this, shower, get dressed and get out the door. The man from the labor board called. It sounds like he can help so I'm heading down to Santa Fe to meet with him. So... yeah... that's it. What a week!
Anathema
[Radio Edit]: I almost forgot! I was going to share this:
I watch Westminster every year. It's habit now and even if I'll never get back into showing, part of me almost misses it. But I think what I miss most are the memories and the thoughts of what I really could have done for Alex. His show name was CH Whistlestops Red Alex V Jagie and he was a wonderful little dog. He was a standard smooth red dachshund. He was a perfect example of what a dachshund should be in both appearance and personality. I always wondered what would have happened had I not let Gregory and Nadia steal him. And that's what they did. They took him and only after I threatened to get legal aide did they return him. I did get him back in the end but he was never the same. I don't know why it still upsets me. After all it was years ago and I was still a kid. I would love to corner those two. I would love to light into them. I would love to take them to court for all the money they made from breeding a dog they did not own. I hated them for what they did to him. He came back almost mean. Anyway, I've made a decision. I found a breeder who still has his line. I left a message in her guestbook and perhaps she'll contact me. I would like to eventually have a puppy of his line. Not to show but to simply have in my life. Of course I would love to show and be able to walk right up to Nadia and Gregory and tell them off when I show them what a real champion can do. But I really don't need that in my life and I don't need to feed my own sense of snarkiness.
What else? Well... here's a moment... I was walking into the office and turned to look at the closet doors/mirrors because I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I paused and thought "My god... is that really me?" Looking, I don't even recognize myself. If it's good or bad I don't know but it's nice that for once I smiled at myself and it wasn't some smirk. I looked in the mirror and for the first time in longer than I can imagine... I feel good about myself. Hot damn. When did this happen?
Anyway, I'm going to keep listening to my music, make fun of my cats and probably play a few games. Goodnight kids!
Anathema