(When will I ever learn?!?! MySpace insists on eating my blogs. Every time I write a long and epically hilarious blog, I hit a button wrong on my laptop and erase the whole thing. My apologies about this blog not being as funny as the one that MySpace ate.)
I don’t really know what to say about the Mid-West trip. It was four days in three vans.
Tuesday morning when we left, I danced around anxiously wondering what van I was going to get stuck in. I weighed my options and tried to determine where Gerald was going. I find that traveling with Gerald is very important. I ended up in one van (The Green Hornet) that was being piloted by Julie and Brooke which threatened screeches only audible to dogs. The other vans, The Red Rocket was piloted by The Nydams, well at least Chuck and The Blue Bonnet, piloted by the other four Cornell students. Trouble struck before the first rest stop-a TA truck stop. It seems that The Red Rocket hit a deer, or rather a deer hit it. Ran smack dab into it. And power points had already been pulled out. By one of the next stops, the Blue Bonnet had become lost because of being distracted by a BlackBerry internet search on Jamie Lee Curtis and hermaphroditism. (Is she or isn’t she?) Eventually, we all met up and traveled to a farm in Indiana that was having a Salmonella problem. I’m not sure what we accomplished but we got Mexican for dinner. On the long, late way to the hotel, we tried to cross railroad tracks that were being worked on which resulted in a cluster trying to turn around. Going to bed was a great thing.
Wednesday, we went to Fair Oaks Dairy in Indiana. We ran around in the morning in the Adventure Center like grade schoolers before getting down to business in the afternoon and touring the real farm and going to another one. We also went to a calf raiser where we couldn’t take pictures which always leads me to believe that something really shady is going on. We travelled into Michigan and BBQed at Kay’s parents’ house. Kay is a Cornell student from Michigan. Some people went out and were pressured into drinking by a certain professor. I went to bed and was ready for it after having the ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ song yelled in my ear by a certain French Canadian that drinks too much. And by too much I really mean-drinks all the time and may be drunk all the time as well. How does she function? Her liver must be very good.
Thursday, we met up with a vet and travelled around to several of his farms (including a Mennonite farm with a good looking Mennonite farmer that may or may not have melanoma in his eye) before returning to his house for a BBQ. There we hung out by the pool and some people swam. The pool was 90 degrees! We had a good time but were rapidly ready to go back to the hotel and when the pool got too dark, too chilly and too many mosquitoes, we all trooped inside and stared at the Nydams till they got the hint that it was time to go. Unfortunately, on the way, The Green Hornet following The Red Rocket was lead astray and we were lost. We found ourselves in the parking lot of Shirley’s Backroom. It most likely was an adult store featuring as it said on the sign ‘marital aids’ but had the possibility of also being a strip club. In addition to smelling like shattered dreams and too few ‘I love you’s, it literally smelled like shit. What made it more interesting, is the fact that one of the Nydams asked the shady man sitting out front for directions. And then there is the fact that when we got back on the road, we went the wrong way for a short distance-before someone like a state trooper or 18 wheeler came that way. At the hotel, I went to bed. Pretty much every time we reached a hotel, I went to bed.
Friday morning, we woke up and made our way into Ohio where unfortunately, the Green Hornet had to cash in our lost card because we got quite lost. Lost enough that we worried about running out of gas and there was urination in a corn field. I really needed to go but knowing that I am, as I put it ‘not tidy’, I had to wait. (‘Not tidy’ meaning when I have to pee outside, it normally ends back up on myself. Sometimes inside too, but I haven’t figured that one out yet. L ) A unhelpful phone call from Dr. Nydam (Daryl) ended up with repeating the wrong directions over and over again only getting progressively louder didn’t help our situation. However, a call from another Cornell student set us straight and we were off to yet another dairy farm. After the exhausting farm visit, the three vans parted ways heading for Ithaca.
The Green Hornet came back at about 10:30 at night. We had some problems in Indian Country getting gas. Luckily, we didn’t have to play the mechanical difficulties card nor the dead animal card. (The Blue Bonnet played both after tire problems (low) and a dead bird.)
I had a good time in the van with the exception of the yelling of the ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ song. We had Elton John sing alongs which were super fun. This inspired us to become an Elton John cover band. We plan to drive around in a large green passenger van picking up people. It would be like Cash Cab with song. We would ‘sing at you , not to you!’. Brooke came up with a great name for us-Bennie and the Vets.
At the farm in Indiana, the farmer came from The Netherlands, and in his accent he said-‘All I know is pulling titties.’
When we were at the pool at the vet’s house, Suzanne said to Kay, ‘Can I smell your Busch?’ (As in the beer.) Say it aloud and you’ll understand why we all really, really thought it was funny.
We played road trip I Spy-some of the categories included-pressure to drink excessively by a certain person, beards and bonnets (for which I put out a strong warning as we went into Mennonite country), ‘Helen Keller’ song, MJ song, and references to Oprah (there were two).
There are certain songs that will always remind me of this trip. Pretty much any Elton John will bring me back to Bennie and the Vets. Then there is the Helen Keller song (‘Shush girl, shut your lips, do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips!’) and the Lady Gaga songs most importantly Love Game (‘I want to take a ride on your disco stick.’)
I had a great time on the trip. I think everyone did.
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Saturday, July 25, 2009
MySpace-July 25, 2009-Oh Canada!
(Many of you may be wondering, when that NYC blog will ever come about since we are a week out. Trust me it eventually will. Maybe even following this blog but since Canada is more recent and then the Midwest trip and I have notes about New York City jotted down, its lower on my list. Thank you for your patitence.)
Today was a rather sad day because it was the day that the SDI house broke up. Many people were already gone being deposited in various places in the MidWest. By various places, I mean Ohio. Various places in Ohio. Two various places. And some more had skipped out on the SDI trip entirely. At any rate, I was sad in leaving the place I had called home for two months. I was sad to leave my new found friends in particular Gerald, who by leaving before I did, actually left me. At any rate, I had never made it to Canada or Niagra Falls prior to the end of SDI so since my preceptorship doesn't start until Monday, I had a free weekend for more travel. Loading my car with all the possessions brought to New York and many additions, I traveled northward with crappy Yahoo maps that took me the scenic (i.e. long) way to the turnpike. Actually, I ended up figuring out some of my own directions. Traveling northward, I had 'Daniel' by Elton John stuck in my head and was quite meloncolly and lonesome give the companionship of the many days before. (mas strechy-this phrase was uttered in the movie-The Incredible Hulk. Its on HBO. Mas strechy! Lisa would be proud.)
So I did make it to Niagra Falls and found a place to park and walked around to the US side of the falls and took some pictures-they'll be posted eventually when I get them uploaded on my computer. I bought some souviners which is something that I love doing. One of the things that I chose to buy will be looked at by my grandkids I'm sure with the puzzlement of 'Why does Grandma have this?'. I don't want to give it away because in reality its for Joe and our house, but its good and unique
Having seen the US side, I ventured over the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. Once in Canada, they checked my passport and I said 'I hear that you don't stamp American passports.' The lady said that she could stamp mine and I thanked her since I hadn't every been out of the country. She was very nice asking all the required questions of how long I planned on staying, did I have any weapons or mace, etc...I got the passport stamped and went on my way. I wandered along the Niagra River's banks taking pictures of the falls. They are much better on the Canadian side. It was drizzling some but then started to pour. And pour. I got soaked so it wasn't worth trying to get a Canada poncho nor did I have one of the souviner Maid of the Mist or Cave trip ponchos (lucky people that did.) My camera (read, Joe's camera) got too much water in it so most of the pictures ended up being just white blurs which later became black pictures. Hopefully the camera will fix itself though a new, good digital camera is something that I'd really like to have. I wondered through the duty free store and realized that I didn't need any big bottles of booze. Nor did I need any sunny seed drops because they were pretty expensive (even at bigh one get one free). I got some more souviners and went back to the US. It cost fifty cents to get back into the US. I think the Canadian border guy tried to hit on me. He was sort of cute. Once at the US, I went inside to the pedestrian inspection station. I asked an official looking guy if I has to go through this as a US citizen. He nicely said that I did, it was no big deal. I didn't mind. I went up to the next officer and gave him my passport. He asked me where I came from. I answered-Canada. 'Well, obviously' he said. 'What part?' 'Just at the border' And I said later in my head because that's when witty things are most likely to happen (later)-'I don't know, you asked me. I obviously walked here so it couldn't of been too far.' (And now since I wrote that, I'm probably under homeland security watch.) He asked how long I was there and what I was bringing back. In actuality, this guy was very rude. Esp. since I was soaking wet.
I drove through Niagra Falls, NY and looked for a cheap motel. Eventually, I settled on Motel 6 for $112. Not exactly cheap. My other alternatives were shadier (this one is brand new) but cheaper. This one was new and not shady. Though it didn't have a microwave meaning that I couldn't eat the leftovers I brought from the house. So now I'm watching the Hulk movie, blogging and being tired. I should just go to bed.
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Today was a rather sad day because it was the day that the SDI house broke up. Many people were already gone being deposited in various places in the MidWest. By various places, I mean Ohio. Various places in Ohio. Two various places. And some more had skipped out on the SDI trip entirely. At any rate, I was sad in leaving the place I had called home for two months. I was sad to leave my new found friends in particular Gerald, who by leaving before I did, actually left me. At any rate, I had never made it to Canada or Niagra Falls prior to the end of SDI so since my preceptorship doesn't start until Monday, I had a free weekend for more travel. Loading my car with all the possessions brought to New York and many additions, I traveled northward with crappy Yahoo maps that took me the scenic (i.e. long) way to the turnpike. Actually, I ended up figuring out some of my own directions. Traveling northward, I had 'Daniel' by Elton John stuck in my head and was quite meloncolly and lonesome give the companionship of the many days before. (mas strechy-this phrase was uttered in the movie-The Incredible Hulk. Its on HBO. Mas strechy! Lisa would be proud.)
So I did make it to Niagra Falls and found a place to park and walked around to the US side of the falls and took some pictures-they'll be posted eventually when I get them uploaded on my computer. I bought some souviners which is something that I love doing. One of the things that I chose to buy will be looked at by my grandkids I'm sure with the puzzlement of 'Why does Grandma have this?'. I don't want to give it away because in reality its for Joe and our house, but its good and unique
Having seen the US side, I ventured over the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. Once in Canada, they checked my passport and I said 'I hear that you don't stamp American passports.' The lady said that she could stamp mine and I thanked her since I hadn't every been out of the country. She was very nice asking all the required questions of how long I planned on staying, did I have any weapons or mace, etc...I got the passport stamped and went on my way. I wandered along the Niagra River's banks taking pictures of the falls. They are much better on the Canadian side. It was drizzling some but then started to pour. And pour. I got soaked so it wasn't worth trying to get a Canada poncho nor did I have one of the souviner Maid of the Mist or Cave trip ponchos (lucky people that did.) My camera (read, Joe's camera) got too much water in it so most of the pictures ended up being just white blurs which later became black pictures. Hopefully the camera will fix itself though a new, good digital camera is something that I'd really like to have. I wondered through the duty free store and realized that I didn't need any big bottles of booze. Nor did I need any sunny seed drops because they were pretty expensive (even at bigh one get one free). I got some more souviners and went back to the US. It cost fifty cents to get back into the US. I think the Canadian border guy tried to hit on me. He was sort of cute. Once at the US, I went inside to the pedestrian inspection station. I asked an official looking guy if I has to go through this as a US citizen. He nicely said that I did, it was no big deal. I didn't mind. I went up to the next officer and gave him my passport. He asked me where I came from. I answered-Canada. 'Well, obviously' he said. 'What part?' 'Just at the border' And I said later in my head because that's when witty things are most likely to happen (later)-'I don't know, you asked me. I obviously walked here so it couldn't of been too far.' (And now since I wrote that, I'm probably under homeland security watch.) He asked how long I was there and what I was bringing back. In actuality, this guy was very rude. Esp. since I was soaking wet.
I drove through Niagra Falls, NY and looked for a cheap motel. Eventually, I settled on Motel 6 for $112. Not exactly cheap. My other alternatives were shadier (this one is brand new) but cheaper. This one was new and not shady. Though it didn't have a microwave meaning that I couldn't eat the leftovers I brought from the house. So now I'm watching the Hulk movie, blogging and being tired. I should just go to bed.
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Thursday, July 16, 2009
MySpace-July 16, 2009-County Fair
So I never caught back up with last Friday's county fair trip. Several of us went and I was pretty excited. Fair admission included carnival rides so that's exciting. We looked at the animals and I spent some very enjoyable time in the horse barn petting one very cute Belgian and some black Percherons. I ate a corn dog and watched a little bit of a demolition derby. Anne and I went on the Scrambler. Then we and Anne's friend went on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Both rides were very good. The Scrambler went on a very long time and the car we had on the Tilt-A-Whirl was exceptionally spinny. I had such a good time. After that, I ate a funnel cake and went home full and satisfied. Somewhere in there I bought a little llama. Its cool.
Tomorrow, Estella and I are going to NYC. We're skipping out on the last part of the day to catch a plane. Its going to be very fun. There's a lot to see in a small period of time.
Last night, we went to The Boat Yard which is this fancier resturant. I had gaspacho soup which was very good even for being cold. I think it would of been good too had it been warmed up. I should look into making it. And then I had some crab stuffed shrimp. It was fantastic. I wish Joe was here so that we could take advantage of all the yummy resturants here in town.
Joe and I are argueing again. Well, we argued, we went on a break (from our relationship) and we are talking tonight which will probably lead to more fighting. I'm not being optimistic. I hate fighting with Joe but it happens. I also hate being attacked. At least he already apoligized for the fight...
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Tomorrow, Estella and I are going to NYC. We're skipping out on the last part of the day to catch a plane. Its going to be very fun. There's a lot to see in a small period of time.
Last night, we went to The Boat Yard which is this fancier resturant. I had gaspacho soup which was very good even for being cold. I think it would of been good too had it been warmed up. I should look into making it. And then I had some crab stuffed shrimp. It was fantastic. I wish Joe was here so that we could take advantage of all the yummy resturants here in town.
Joe and I are argueing again. Well, we argued, we went on a break (from our relationship) and we are talking tonight which will probably lead to more fighting. I'm not being optimistic. I hate fighting with Joe but it happens. I also hate being attacked. At least he already apoligized for the fight...
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Saturday, July 11, 2009
MySpace-July 11, 2009-Secretl Part 6 or Is It 7?
Well I have a lot of things in general to complain about. I was feeling pretty frustrated yesterday but now feel better about stuff in general. And without yelling at anyone or blogging.
So I was complaining the other day that I generally felt ignored and more so unnoticed in class. Everyone was like, everyone notices you because you're asleep. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean that they can't see you. Sure make fun of the narcoleptic girl. But that's not what I mean. Whenever someone comes, they make a point to be excited about Cornell. They find some association to it. They went to school here. They reference several studies about the school. In general, they forget that most people in the program are not from Cornell and that no one but themselves (including the students from Cornell) gives a rat's ass about Cornell. No one ever mentions Missouri. In fact, the other day, we had one speaker that probably had references in her slides about studies done at Missouri by Missouri professors more than any other school, yet she didn't mention that any of them were from Missouri. She knew I was there; we went around the room saying where we were from. She referenced all of the studies done at Cornell. So it came as a surprise to me yesterday, when Missouri got a shout out. I was busy being angry at the speaker because as he talked about this antimicrobial being discovered here and this one there, he was neglecting Missouri's own discovery of aureomycin. I pass the field it was found in twice daily! Then suddenly, he was like 'wait, is anyone from Missouri?' I shouted out 'yeah!' I know it sounded surprised because I was only half listening and I was busy being angry as previously stated. Someone made the comment that I had been sleeping. (I wasn't. For once.) He then went on to talk about aureomycin and its discovery in the dirt at Sanborn Field. I felt a little more recognized. Only a little though...
I think there's some BBQing going on. I'll be back.
Okay, so here's the rest of my complaining...
Friday, I had two pieces of bread in my backpack to feed to the geese. I was in the middle of feeding them when all the French Canadians came up and were like 'Leslie Stop! Don't do that! You're a Vet!' What was I doing wrong? First, it was two pieces of bread not a loaf. And the heels which no one eats here so I wasn't being wasteful. I only feed the geese once, maybe twice a week and everyone knows I do it. And its not like I was putting a pipe down their throats and shoving corn down it. (That's how they make foie de gras.) So I don't see what's the big deal.
[EDIT-7/30/11]
I hate when politics start bringing up when the Canadians all jump in. I'm not so naive to not understand that the actions of the US affect the entire world. But the Canadians are not US citiziens. They didn't vote. They just share a continent with us. He's not your president. He wasn't your president. Ugh.
We went to a county fair the other night and all negative girl could do was complain. Complain about the people, complain about this, complain about that, complain about how bad all the food was for you because it was all fried. What do they have at your county fair? Tofu burgers and veggetables? A fair is supposed to be fun. I can't have fun when you're critizing me for eating my funnel cake. And corn dog.
So Estella and I are putting on this SDI banquet but somehow I feel like I got the shaft and am doing all the work. She went off to Niagra Falls today while I am staying behind to make cakes. Its frustrating to me. And now someone wants to have a BBQ instead of the normal catered meal (which I thought would just be easier to have). I say if they want to organize it let them but damn it if anyone steals my thunder on my cakes, I'll be pissed. AND Estella decided that she's not coming on the journey across the midwest. That makes me both sad and angry.
So the Niagra Falls thing. Everyone knows that I wanted to go and they go off and make plans to go this weekend and Estella doesn't ask me until Friday. That's crap. I don't want to be in the car with [EDIT-7-30-11] anyway thank you very much. UGH.
Okay, I think I'm done now.
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
So I was complaining the other day that I generally felt ignored and more so unnoticed in class. Everyone was like, everyone notices you because you're asleep. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean that they can't see you. Sure make fun of the narcoleptic girl. But that's not what I mean. Whenever someone comes, they make a point to be excited about Cornell. They find some association to it. They went to school here. They reference several studies about the school. In general, they forget that most people in the program are not from Cornell and that no one but themselves (including the students from Cornell) gives a rat's ass about Cornell. No one ever mentions Missouri. In fact, the other day, we had one speaker that probably had references in her slides about studies done at Missouri by Missouri professors more than any other school, yet she didn't mention that any of them were from Missouri. She knew I was there; we went around the room saying where we were from. She referenced all of the studies done at Cornell. So it came as a surprise to me yesterday, when Missouri got a shout out. I was busy being angry at the speaker because as he talked about this antimicrobial being discovered here and this one there, he was neglecting Missouri's own discovery of aureomycin. I pass the field it was found in twice daily! Then suddenly, he was like 'wait, is anyone from Missouri?' I shouted out 'yeah!' I know it sounded surprised because I was only half listening and I was busy being angry as previously stated. Someone made the comment that I had been sleeping. (I wasn't. For once.) He then went on to talk about aureomycin and its discovery in the dirt at Sanborn Field. I felt a little more recognized. Only a little though...
I think there's some BBQing going on. I'll be back.
Okay, so here's the rest of my complaining...
Friday, I had two pieces of bread in my backpack to feed to the geese. I was in the middle of feeding them when all the French Canadians came up and were like 'Leslie Stop! Don't do that! You're a Vet!' What was I doing wrong? First, it was two pieces of bread not a loaf. And the heels which no one eats here so I wasn't being wasteful. I only feed the geese once, maybe twice a week and everyone knows I do it. And its not like I was putting a pipe down their throats and shoving corn down it. (That's how they make foie de gras.) So I don't see what's the big deal.
[EDIT-7/30/11]
I hate when politics start bringing up when the Canadians all jump in. I'm not so naive to not understand that the actions of the US affect the entire world. But the Canadians are not US citiziens. They didn't vote. They just share a continent with us. He's not your president. He wasn't your president. Ugh.
We went to a county fair the other night and all negative girl could do was complain. Complain about the people, complain about this, complain about that, complain about how bad all the food was for you because it was all fried. What do they have at your county fair? Tofu burgers and veggetables? A fair is supposed to be fun. I can't have fun when you're critizing me for eating my funnel cake. And corn dog.
So Estella and I are putting on this SDI banquet but somehow I feel like I got the shaft and am doing all the work. She went off to Niagra Falls today while I am staying behind to make cakes. Its frustrating to me. And now someone wants to have a BBQ instead of the normal catered meal (which I thought would just be easier to have). I say if they want to organize it let them but damn it if anyone steals my thunder on my cakes, I'll be pissed. AND Estella decided that she's not coming on the journey across the midwest. That makes me both sad and angry.
So the Niagra Falls thing. Everyone knows that I wanted to go and they go off and make plans to go this weekend and Estella doesn't ask me until Friday. That's crap. I don't want to be in the car with [EDIT-7-30-11] anyway thank you very much. UGH.
Okay, I think I'm done now.
[EDIT-Orginally published to Blogger on 7/30/11]
Friday, July 10, 2009
MySpace-July 10, 2009-Pain Management
This was bothering me in the car on the way to the fair (a blog about which will be forthcoming).
When I was on surgery (and it will be the same when I go onto soft tissue upon my return) everything got a fairly long course of pain medications after surgery. They got some carprofen (an anti-inflammatory) and tramadol (a watered down version of morphine). When asked what my pain management plan, I blindly would answer carprofen and tramadol at x dose for y days. It was standard. We COULD deviate from it but would have to explain it in rounds and it was just easier not to.
I started wondering however, if sometimes, no pain management is the best pain management.
I'm not saying that I want an animal to suffer. If they are in obvious pain, then give them something because its like part of our oath and all that. But how do we really know if they are in any pain, if they have been recieving pain medications?
Additionally, sometimes, I feel like if you want an animal to remain calm after surgery, then the best thing to do is make sure it feels too crappy to run about. Lots of people say that racehorses are doped up on pain killers like banamine (an NSAID) and are ran through the pain because they don't feel it. And then are injuried worse. Okay, that's a poor example.
What about dogs with orthopedic surgeries? I think that keeping them in mild pain would be a good way to keep them calm. Or the even better example are the elective spays. Not that spays should be elective. All dogs and cats should be spayed. Anyway, there is always that story of someone that didn't keep the puppy kenneled up and the puppy played to hard and its stiches popped out. And out behind its stiches came its guts and then the dog proceeded to eat its own intestines. If I have to choose between a dog in mild pain that remains calm and quiet versus a dog that has eaten its own intestines, I know which one I'm choosing. When Riley was spayed, she didn't get an ecollar or any pain meds. Her guts didn't come spilling out on the floor.
And you can argue, wouldn't you want some pain medication if you had surgery? If you had your lady bits ripped out? I would if a student did it which is why possibly in the hospital unless I'm really good or something, my spays will get meds. But the other difference is that if I am told to lie on the couch and take it easy, I will, even if I feel good. A dog will not. Hence, a little pain goes a long way.
Of course, like people, some animals have different tolerances to pain and we should judge this accordingly. It shouldn't be some cookbook recipe according to surgery and size adding in days. It should be tailored for that particular animal. If that means a little trial and error, then thats what it takes. Some dogs (Jersey) are just drama queens anyway.
I've yet to have the balls to suggest this but on soft tissue, in particular after any elective surgery (including a spay), I'm going to ask about it. Not necessarily suggest it as my plan, just ask. Afterall, I'm being graded.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
When I was on surgery (and it will be the same when I go onto soft tissue upon my return) everything got a fairly long course of pain medications after surgery. They got some carprofen (an anti-inflammatory) and tramadol (a watered down version of morphine). When asked what my pain management plan, I blindly would answer carprofen and tramadol at x dose for y days. It was standard. We COULD deviate from it but would have to explain it in rounds and it was just easier not to.
I started wondering however, if sometimes, no pain management is the best pain management.
I'm not saying that I want an animal to suffer. If they are in obvious pain, then give them something because its like part of our oath and all that. But how do we really know if they are in any pain, if they have been recieving pain medications?
Additionally, sometimes, I feel like if you want an animal to remain calm after surgery, then the best thing to do is make sure it feels too crappy to run about. Lots of people say that racehorses are doped up on pain killers like banamine (an NSAID) and are ran through the pain because they don't feel it. And then are injuried worse. Okay, that's a poor example.
What about dogs with orthopedic surgeries? I think that keeping them in mild pain would be a good way to keep them calm. Or the even better example are the elective spays. Not that spays should be elective. All dogs and cats should be spayed. Anyway, there is always that story of someone that didn't keep the puppy kenneled up and the puppy played to hard and its stiches popped out. And out behind its stiches came its guts and then the dog proceeded to eat its own intestines. If I have to choose between a dog in mild pain that remains calm and quiet versus a dog that has eaten its own intestines, I know which one I'm choosing. When Riley was spayed, she didn't get an ecollar or any pain meds. Her guts didn't come spilling out on the floor.
And you can argue, wouldn't you want some pain medication if you had surgery? If you had your lady bits ripped out? I would if a student did it which is why possibly in the hospital unless I'm really good or something, my spays will get meds. But the other difference is that if I am told to lie on the couch and take it easy, I will, even if I feel good. A dog will not. Hence, a little pain goes a long way.
Of course, like people, some animals have different tolerances to pain and we should judge this accordingly. It shouldn't be some cookbook recipe according to surgery and size adding in days. It should be tailored for that particular animal. If that means a little trial and error, then thats what it takes. Some dogs (Jersey) are just drama queens anyway.
I've yet to have the balls to suggest this but on soft tissue, in particular after any elective surgery (including a spay), I'm going to ask about it. Not necessarily suggest it as my plan, just ask. Afterall, I'm being graded.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
Thursday, July 9, 2009
MySpace-July 9, 2009-Narcolepsy Sandwich
One day I was sitting in SDI class being bored as usual (and probably being told that my education is essentially obsolete before I was finished being educated), and as usual I started to fall asleep.
As part of narcolepsy is having very vivid real life dreams as you start to fall asleep, I was dreaming about eating a pulled pork sandwich.
Why? I don't know. Maybe we just had them. Maybe I wanted one. Maybe I knew they were on the menu for latter in the week. I don't really know.
Anyway, I dreamt about eating one and woke myself up because I was lifting an imaginary pulled pork sandwich towards my mouth.
I can only imagine how it looked to those around me.
How well do you think donuts overnight?
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
As part of narcolepsy is having very vivid real life dreams as you start to fall asleep, I was dreaming about eating a pulled pork sandwich.
Why? I don't know. Maybe we just had them. Maybe I wanted one. Maybe I knew they were on the menu for latter in the week. I don't really know.
Anyway, I dreamt about eating one and woke myself up because I was lifting an imaginary pulled pork sandwich towards my mouth.
I can only imagine how it looked to those around me.
How well do you think donuts overnight?
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MySpace-July 8, 2009-Animal Crossing
I wanted to tell everyone about the crazy animals here in New York. I may have mentioned all of these animals indiviually in varous blogs, but felt the need to consolidate them all.
1) There is a very fat doe that comes up every night to eat fallen mulberries off of the driveway. She's not particularly scared of much. We all call and coo to her an in effort to get her close enough to pet (though I'm pretty sure she won't let us do that.) We can walk by her and get within five to ten feet. She doesn't think twice of eating while we BBQ on the porch. She's cool. I've named her Tessa. And we witnessed her chasing off another doe the other night. The other doe was spayed-we assume-because it was wearing a collar and ear tags.
2) Going on one of our field trips, I saw a white deer. Supposedly, there is this old army base/training center that is all fenced off. And within that fence, is a large population of white deer. Mine was eating some shrubery.
3) Walking home from school one day, a small rodent crossed the road in front of us. It looked like a black ferret. After some research, it was concluded that it was a mink.
4) Well, you know all about the crazy geese and my love for them. The goslings are so big!
5) The crows like to sit in a dead tree and scream too early in the morning.
6) I've seen two snakes.
7) Chipmunks are cute!
8) A squirral got into the house and was trying very hard to get out. Someone noticed him and let him out the porch door. That concluded our leaving the front door proped open.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
1) There is a very fat doe that comes up every night to eat fallen mulberries off of the driveway. She's not particularly scared of much. We all call and coo to her an in effort to get her close enough to pet (though I'm pretty sure she won't let us do that.) We can walk by her and get within five to ten feet. She doesn't think twice of eating while we BBQ on the porch. She's cool. I've named her Tessa. And we witnessed her chasing off another doe the other night. The other doe was spayed-we assume-because it was wearing a collar and ear tags.
2) Going on one of our field trips, I saw a white deer. Supposedly, there is this old army base/training center that is all fenced off. And within that fence, is a large population of white deer. Mine was eating some shrubery.
3) Walking home from school one day, a small rodent crossed the road in front of us. It looked like a black ferret. After some research, it was concluded that it was a mink.
4) Well, you know all about the crazy geese and my love for them. The goslings are so big!
5) The crows like to sit in a dead tree and scream too early in the morning.
6) I've seen two snakes.
7) Chipmunks are cute!
8) A squirral got into the house and was trying very hard to get out. Someone noticed him and let him out the porch door. That concluded our leaving the front door proped open.
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
Monday, July 6, 2009
MySpace-July 6, 2009-Weekend Round-Up
Hmm...
Not a lot can live up to the One Glove, One Ball bowling extravaganza but the rest of the weekend tried very hard.
Saturday, I slept in. Go figure. I didn't do anything. I watched some of The Tudors and worked on sewing on my project. That night we BBQed some steaks from a Jersey steer that Mike's wife brought from Ohio. Joe incessently sent me texts and at seven my time (six his) he asked me how far of a drive it was. Seventeen hours, give or take. At this time, he decided that he wouldn't make it home in time for work the next day. You think? I told him that he should of thought of visiting on Thursday. I don't know where the money would have came from because we both are terribly broke and I am rapidly realizing the severity of this. Pray for a student loan check.
Sunday, I woke up a little earlier, realized at the grocery store that carrot cakes are yummy but super expensive ($20 for a 9"). I ate two dunkin donuts. That afternoon we went to the 'beach'. It was a state park where you had to pay to park-which I think is crap. Then we walked to where there was a waterfall from the river into an area that they had created a pool with. The water was 60 degrees which seems warm until you remember that 60 degrees is closer to freezing than to body temperature. We laid out in the crowded grass before venturing into the water for brief dips to say we did. I got a mild tan but not really anything burned-some areas were redder than others though. The grocery store brought pulled pork BBQ for the hand full of us that were around. And we got ice cream after that. I watched some more of The Tudors and did more sewing before going to bed too late.
Today, I woke up late and went to get a hair cut but decided that $15 was too much for a trim. (And that was at cost cutters!) I bought some Christmas presents and then went and bought a part for my sewing machine. I ate a early lunch/late break fast at The State Diner. It was okay. Not great but just okay. I had an English muffin with lots of butter and jam, some corned beef hash that needed to be cooked a little more (I like it really crispy) and what they called home fries but I declared to be hashbrowns. In fact, I called them the day before to ask if they had hashbrowns and they told me no only fries and home fries. When I think home fries, I think of little cubed french fries. These were like par boiled potatoes chopped up and then fried on the griddle. Hashbrowns? They were okay, needed lots of salt. We saw Public Enemies which was okay. Then I waited anxiously for dinner regrettfully eating half of my carrot cake piece-regretfully because we got dessert with dinner.
Tonight, I got excited as usual and posted on the facebook page about The Plug because Jay was auctioning off some Plug stuff and the proceeds were going to the Humane Society of the United States, which isn't your local humane society but instead an organization that is out to stop animals in entertainment (most forms), animal research and many practices of modern animal agriculture. Anyway, I posted about how they were evil. (I'm still convinced they are.) And for some reason (the reason that Joe probably hates-that I think I'm always right?, maybe) thought that it would go unquestioned. Well, it was questioned by Jay of The Plug and I feel really, really bad. So of course, because I can't have the last word about something I think I'm right about, I had to post again but this one I explained that I disagree with the areas mentioned above (well, not animal entertainment, I just like being entertained by animals and don't have an arguement other than that to back it up) and about horse slaughter. I still feel terrible and know that I won't be able to let it go. Damn you HSUS and your excellent propganda!
Riley is going to the vet school on Thursday for her shots and she's getting blood drawn for genetic testing for degenerative myelopathy. I have no reason to suspect her having this disease, which is similar to ALS in humans, since its onset is in older dogs. But I feel that since it is a disease for which all other possiblities (intervertebral disk disease, fracture, infection and cancer) have to be ruled out, knowing Riley's genetic status will be a comfort. And that she could possibly contribute to more research that would benefit both humans and dogs. I think I'm getting it done for free.
I miss Joe.
I wish we'd win the lottery so I don't have to worry about money since we don't have any. (I actually wasn't worried about it till I looked at the accounts and realized that somehow, I still have to get home. And go to NYC. And pay rent. And other assorted bills. I'm carrying a balence on my credit card for the first time ever and I am terrified!)
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/10/11]
Friday, July 3, 2009
MySpace-July 3, 2009-One Glove, One Ball
On Thursday, we had yet another BBQ. It was fine. But the big news of that day was that I finally caught my goose. I've been plotting a goose capture for several weeks beginning when I found out that geese really love bread. Probably even before that too. Anyway, recently, I've noticed that my eleven little goslings plus one from another group aren't really all that small anymore. For the most part, they have a full set of feathers and are only slightly smaller than ma and pa.
My plan involved three people-myself as the capturer, a photographer, and someone to distract the other geese in particular the parents. My plan was as follows: We would feed the geese bread to get them to come up to us. The distractor would continue to feed bread as I scooped up a gosling and the photographer would snap a picture. Well, Thursday, the plan pretty much unfolded as planned. There are pictures posted. I still wore my backpack in preparation for running. Gerald did a good job distracting the geese though he did get worried because they were getting too close to his pecker and hissing. I was sort of freaking out because these geese were a lot bigger than I had planned but then suddenly I swooped in and was holding one. It didn't try to flap away (maybe because I had its wings pinned to its body) nor kick nor peck. Eventually, it resigned to its fate of looking like it had limberneck (botulism in waterfowl). Check out the pictures. I was super excited and giggled and told everyone about it for the rest of the day.
Wednesday, we went to the slaughter house which was super cool. I do love the slaughterhouse. The area inwhich the cows are killed was very quiet and the cows never knew for the most part what had hit them. My favorite part (the part that I still go on and on about) was in the lobby there was a magazine called The Meating Place! I do love puns.
About One Glove, One Ball-Thursday we were discussing weekend plans of going bowling. Somewhere along the line, we thought it would be funny to do it as a theme night. Truckers and pirates were discussed but evenutally it turned to Michael Jackson (doesn't it all?). Various costumes were discussed, I spent the day doing the Thriller moves and we talked about making glitter gloves (hince the one glove one ball reference). So tonight, we went bowling. There were no costumes, there were no glitter gloves. We did however all choose Micheal Jackson themed names-I was Billy Jean and played several MJ songs. And then danced accordingly. This bowling place-the Bowl-O-Drome-was sort of ghetto. It was much like all other bowling alleys with the exception of 1) not having a food bar and 2) being ran by Indians. I had a really good time dancing and laughing. My mad bowling skills were made fun of (the zombie shuffle). And I did the Thriller dance with my ball and moonwalked. It was good times. Afterwards we went and got some slices of pizza. It was good but I wished I had some more as I write this.
This is a funny cartoon about where I'm going in PA. I suggest scrolling down to the second comment. I am totally finding that sign when I am in Gap. I also plan on going into Landcaster and seeing if I can't find a shirt that says ' I [heart] Intercourse' as was planned on the last trip. I can't remember if I couldn't find one or chickened out on buying it. Either way...
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/5/11]
My plan involved three people-myself as the capturer, a photographer, and someone to distract the other geese in particular the parents. My plan was as follows: We would feed the geese bread to get them to come up to us. The distractor would continue to feed bread as I scooped up a gosling and the photographer would snap a picture. Well, Thursday, the plan pretty much unfolded as planned. There are pictures posted. I still wore my backpack in preparation for running. Gerald did a good job distracting the geese though he did get worried because they were getting too close to his pecker and hissing. I was sort of freaking out because these geese were a lot bigger than I had planned but then suddenly I swooped in and was holding one. It didn't try to flap away (maybe because I had its wings pinned to its body) nor kick nor peck. Eventually, it resigned to its fate of looking like it had limberneck (botulism in waterfowl). Check out the pictures. I was super excited and giggled and told everyone about it for the rest of the day.
Wednesday, we went to the slaughter house which was super cool. I do love the slaughterhouse. The area inwhich the cows are killed was very quiet and the cows never knew for the most part what had hit them. My favorite part (the part that I still go on and on about) was in the lobby there was a magazine called The Meating Place! I do love puns.
About One Glove, One Ball-Thursday we were discussing weekend plans of going bowling. Somewhere along the line, we thought it would be funny to do it as a theme night. Truckers and pirates were discussed but evenutally it turned to Michael Jackson (doesn't it all?). Various costumes were discussed, I spent the day doing the Thriller moves and we talked about making glitter gloves (hince the one glove one ball reference). So tonight, we went bowling. There were no costumes, there were no glitter gloves. We did however all choose Micheal Jackson themed names-I was Billy Jean and played several MJ songs. And then danced accordingly. This bowling place-the Bowl-O-Drome-was sort of ghetto. It was much like all other bowling alleys with the exception of 1) not having a food bar and 2) being ran by Indians. I had a really good time dancing and laughing. My mad bowling skills were made fun of (the zombie shuffle). And I did the Thriller dance with my ball and moonwalked. It was good times. Afterwards we went and got some slices of pizza. It was good but I wished I had some more as I write this.
This is a funny cartoon about where I'm going in PA. I suggest scrolling down to the second comment. I am totally finding that sign when I am in Gap. I also plan on going into Landcaster and seeing if I can't find a shirt that says ' I [heart] Intercourse' as was planned on the last trip. I can't remember if I couldn't find one or chickened out on buying it. Either way...
[EDIT-Originally posted to Blogger on 7/5/11]
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