Long time, no blog!

So much has happened; so much IS happening. My heart is here. My typing fingers are ... someplace else!

We are presently putting the main section of the high school yearbook to bed. A total of 144 pages are due between now and early March. That means student activities, editing, proofreading, corrections - you name it - occupy my thoughts during the day and my dreams at night. Carpal tunnel syndrome and a similar, ulnar issue rear their ugly heads every year this time. It's the result of 8+ hours hunched over a computer each day. And what was I thinking, deciding to create a supplement that we will produce after the main book is submitted? Crazy, I tell you!

To keep things even more interesting, tennis practice is in full swing. Most of the kids are beginners - at best, so we spend time conditioning, learning rules and how to keep score, you name it. Our competitive season begins in just a few weeks, so the push is on to mold these students into tennis players.

All this means that, at home, the "pups" are anxious to play and don't have a lot of outlets for all their energy. The weather has been cold and rainy, it's even snowed a couple of times!

So, while my idea file is growing, my time is shrinking and I haven't posted a blog in quite a while. Just stay with me and I promise we will be back very soon. And, in the meantime, I'll let you in on a little secret: there's a second blog in the wings. It will focus specifically on places, trainers, behaviorists, consultants, stores and activities in and around Oklahoma that you may receive help for your animals. It will definitely be a work-in-progress. I will likely post just a couple of times a week and also do a round-up listing about four times a year, focusing on one activity or area of interest. If there is something in particular you would like to see, please head on over to www.pawsitiveplaces.blogspot.com and leave me a message. Early spring (and we are almost there, even if I am rushing the season a bit!) is always an exciting time for me. It fills me with ideas and what can only be described as a breath of new life. 2013 started a little rough, but I am standing firm that it is going to be a fabulous, exciting and blessed year. Care to join me?

Whether the weather ...

I don't know about where you live, but the weather in Oklahoma has been especially finicky in recent days. Cold and coldish for the past few weeks, some sleet, some snow-type substance (nothing major). Then, last week, it became nearly spring-like. By Monday, it was in the mid-70s and the dogs were tearing around the back yard full of glee. I couldn't blame them; it was warmer in the yard than in the house!

Yesterday morning brought a typical Oklahoma day, where the weather makes several major changes in the course of 24 hours. The day dawned dark and cloudy, storm clouds rolled in and we managed to get a fair amount of rain. Well, it's all relative, and we have had so much drought than anything more than a light mist is greatly appreciated. Tornado watches until midday, wind, driving rain - you get the picture. I walked outside from work late yesterday afternoon and it was cooler, but not bad for a January day.

THIS morning it was in the low 30s (F) when I left home. What?! Oh, and with a brisk wind. Last night and this morning, the dogs "did their business" quickly. They don't really like the cold and they definitely don't like it when it's cold and windy in the yard - which happens a lot in our yard, as there is no protection. It's been windy all day, but the sun in shining so I will try not to complain too much. However, I can guarantee those wimpy four-legged furries I live with will make short work in the yard this evening. They much prefer a lap or a cozy spot on the couch to chasing one another in the yard.

All the weather changes seem to confuse them, though. They will pop up to go outside, make a beeline for the back door and then put on the brakes if the weather they encounter isn't to their liking or what they expect. Marley seems to have mastered the art of going out in the rain and never getting particularly wet - even his feet! Blue is done and back at the door before it's barely closed. Carson - naturally - is the most oblivious and usually is up to her elbows in red clay mud. And that's even when the weather is dry!

I think we are all fair-weather lovers at our house. We love having the doors and windows open to a soft breeze and temperatures in the mid-60s to about 80F. Anything either side of that just doesn't work for us. This, of course, begs the question of why we live in Oklahoma, known for temperature extremes (sometimes within the same 24 hour period) and not particularly known for a great amount of temperate weather.

What do you - and your animals - think is perfect weather, perfect temperature? Do you have it where you live? If not, where can you find it (yes, this time of year I'm always convinced I'm going to move before the next sunrise!)?

Are your pets prepared for severe weather? Are you?

It's hard to believe but today - on January 29 - we have our first tornado warning of 2013. Just the other night, my daughter and I were discussing our "hidey holes" and the challenges of fitting three dogs in them with us. You can bet that if and when I am able to have a different house, I will make darned sure there is either a storm room or a space large enough for everyone, including crates!

In our current home, the most logical spots are the closet in my son's room (provided we can throw all of his junk out of the way) or the bottom of the linen closet in the main hallway. Our bathrooms/bathtubs are both on outside walls, so those wouldn't work in a storm. Our house sits on top of a small rise, with major west-southwest exposure - not good given most of our storms move southwest to northeast. Neither "safe" spot (and that's a relative term) we have now can accommodate the dogs and their crates, so we have to put the dogs in the crates - with leashes on, just in case - and have them shelter in place. It isn't perfect, but it the best we can do at this time.

Some significant weather events are easier to plan for, animal-wise. Tornadoes and severe storms, not so much. They come quickly and then are gone, making it somewhat difficult to rearrange closets and such. But it is important to consider and just as important to make whatever advance plans are possible to ensure everyone's safety.

When I was leaving home this morning, the thunder had started and the western sky was dark with clouds, although we are only supposed to catch the very tail end of the severe thunderstorm headed our way. The tornado watch lasts until noon. I am looking out my library windows as I write this post. What I see is gray and windy but, then again, my windows face northeast! I told the dogs storms are expected. I left lights and music on and blinds drawn so any lightning wouldn't be quite so bright. Blue is the only one who frets and worries during storms. I hope he will hunker down and ride out any flashes and rumbles without too much trouble. But I know I will worry about them - more than usual - today. And I will continue to send them love and prayers for safekeeping.

If you live in a part of the country where severe weather makes shelter important, is yours big enough for your animals (and their crates)? If not, what do you do when faced with bad weather? And what else do you think is important to have at hand? For me, it's flashlight, phone, shoes. And pillows to cover our heads. You?

-----
(As I finished writing, the rain started down  in sheets. I can hear it on the roof of the school. The wind is picking up. We could be in for a bit of a siege - and if this is the "tail end" of the storm system, well, geez!)

My favorite traits

Do your animals have traits or do things that make you laugh, smile, make your heart melt or simply feel good? Each of my dogs has their own special "thing." Most of the time they are endearing although, rarely, these same traits can be irritating or even dangerous.

For big boy Blue, it's all about food. He literally dances when he decides it's time to eat or when his food is being prepared - or just about any activity having to do with food, to be honest! It can be pretty funny to see this big guy prancing around on his hind legs, hopping from one leg to the other, in some intricate doggie dance.

With Marley, it is all tennis balls all the time. There must be a dozen of them, all over the house and yard. He HAS to have one in his mouth when he goes out, but not just any of the 12 or so will do. Some are favored more than others. And, just so you know, he never actually brings one back inside. I pick them up every other day and we start the process all over again. When he's inside, he strategically places a ball just behind human feet - in the kitchen, the bathroom - wherever.   All the better to break one's neck when it is stepped on!

And then there is Carson. Just today when I came in from work, she was waiting at the kitchen door for me. As is her habit, she raised up and starting batting at me with her front legs and paws. She's a master at it: she uses her legs like little arms. She is forever grabbing, wrapping, swatting. And always with such joyous glee and pure happiness. I never get tired of seeing her in action.

So many canine mannerisms are subtle. They require observation skills and close attention to detail. Other times? Well, my dogs couldn't be much more obvious with these mannerisms. Thank goodness I am (slowly) learning to pay attention.

What signature traits do your animals have? And what do they mean?

A tragedy averted

The following story comes from a friend of mine in Minnesota. Her name is Sage Lewis and she has given permission for her experiences to be shared with others in the hopes of preventing other potential tragedies such as this. She and her dog, Java, are very lucky. And, as Sage writes, Java obviously knew what to do to help as best she could in recent weeks. Dogs are miraculous creatures, aren't they?

All who know Sage and Java are thankful the mystery is solved and that they are both on the road to recovery. A second excerpt follows Sage's story. It offers some clarification, corrections and additional information on recommendations Sage makes for staying safe.

I hope you will read, remember and give this link to others. The lives you save could be your own and that of your precious animals.

Thanks.

--
Monday, January 21, 2013, 7:21 p.m.


Hi, Everyone-
It appears the mystery's been solved....

Please add this to your list of "one big reason an animal (or human) might not be feeling well."

The beginning of October, my dog, Java began being finicky with food - first time in her life. This coincided with the death of her dog friend, and the beginning of heating season. Java turned 12 on 11/2.

In November, she began skipping meals and having seizure-like episodes. In December, her symptoms worsened and, on January 1, she stopped eating on her own completely.

As the fall/winter unfolded, Java's health issues became more severe: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy, confusion, lack of coordination, seizures and lack of appetite.

Vets, healers and animal communicators revealed a variety of information - all of which supported her healing in many ways, but was inconclusive as far as a diagnosis. She wasn't getting better. 

A week ago, I dug deeper into my own well of confidence and intuition. I refused to give up hope because it appeared to me that she "just didn't feel well." [It] seemed like she had a virus.

On Friday morning, I had a routine tune-up scheduled for my furnace with a company I had never worked with - a coupon I had purchased in the fall from Living Social. January was the soonest appointment.

After checking the furnace for three minutes, the guy came upstairs with a shocked look and informed me he had to condemn my furnace immediately and turn off the gas, that I had lethal amounts of carbon monoxide coming from the furnace. He told me Java and I were lucky to be alive. 

My new furnace has less than 23ppm in the flue. The old furnace was over 500ppm which can kill in three hours.

We were the first call of the day, so my furnace was turned off two hours after it kicked in. There were angels watching over us. I'm humbled and incredibly grateful.

For six weeks, Java has gotten me up between 2 and 3 a.m. to go outside and go potty. In hindsight, it wasn't a bladder issue, it was a need for fresh air. I don't doubt she saved both of us.

The symptoms for CO poisoning are not always noticed by humans unless they're severe. Animals are obviously hit a lot harder.

A saving grace may have been the tri-weekly vet visits that got her out of the house for a few hours, and the multitude of errands we ran. (I was told to keep her quiet so her spleen could rest, but I decided to let her be herself and bounce around the car when I ran into stores rather than stay home.) I figured if she was going to burst her spleen, she'd at least be happy doing it! Now I'm glad I took her with me so much.

At this point, we are hopeful Java will recover fully. I've been force feeding her a liver tonic diet for over a week (before the furnace issue), so that's helped her regain a lot of her fire. It will take time. Even though she's 12, she is a strong dog with a strong spirit, and has had wonderful love and care. Me, I feel a little "off" but I'm taking good care of myself. Reaching out is a part of that.

So, please have the gas chambers checked in your furnace. Not all companies do this on a routine check. I had two cracked gas chambers on Friday - who knows for how long. I have had my furnace checked yearly by a company who I'm finding out doesn't always do a complete check in their tune up. 

Please also consider installing at least two CO detectors that are close to the ground.* I had one installed with a good battery and it didn't discharge. It was above a door near the bedroom. I now have three in my house, as well as a brand new furnace, and fresh air.

So, I'm sending love and gratitude to all of you, and a big thank you to everyone who reached out to us with their "out of the box ideas".

--

 *"If you are a user of natural gas, we recommend you mount your unit high on the wall (no closer than 15cm (6") from the ceiling) using the extendable cord feature to ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a natural gas leak.

If you are a user of propane, we recommend you mount your unit near the floor (using the direct plug in feature) to ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a propane leak.

Propane is much heavier than air and will collect at lower levels

Both propane and natural gas are colourless and odourless.  For safety reasons, an odourant (mercaptan) is added so that any leak can be detected by smell."

NEVER enter your home if you hear the gas alarm going off inside.

Note: quoted from the Garrison handbook.

Please explain this to me!

Another migraine headache today - ouch. I am on the sofa in the living room. Carson is in her crate, in my/our/her bedroom, chewing on a bone, with the door close.

So,  how is it that when I turn over or even move slightly (and very carefully, so my head doesn't fall off), she stops everything she is doing and barks?

I continue to be amazed. How does she DO THAT?

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend photos ...

Marley buried his head to sleep.

Even a piece of toast must be delicately eaten!

Carson rarely sits still!