My Pet-Loving Child & Pet People Adventures!
You all know I never had the urge to have kids, and my maternal instincts have been directed to four-legged children only, but there is a special place in my heart for one child, my niece, Jes, who is no longer a child. She graduated from high school last night. I can't believe how fast time goes by, especially when you live far away and don't get to watch them grow up on a daily basis. Jes is Daisy's only child and they are very close, so be kind to Daisy in the future, as she will be having a hard time letting little birdie fly from the nest to college. She will be studying nursing at Cedar Crest, an all-girls college in Allentown,Pa., only about 55 miles from where they live.
Jes never played with a doll in her life. She was all into bugs and reptiles as a child. She had snakes, hermit crabs, ants, lizards and a host of other pets along with her dogs and cats. I guess people thought her odd for having such interests, but we knew from day one she'd be going into something scientific when she grew up. To this day she has a "gross box" where she's collected things like fingernails, calluses, cat whiskers and other parts of loved ones so that one day after we died she could "clone us." Daisy, you must tell us some of the other things she has in that box--I forget!
Sorry for the snake picture Pam. The Boss hates snakes and was raised to be irrationally afraid of them. He said he would not go for a visit to Daisy's as long as that snake was in the house--a harmless little garter snake! I'll let Daisy tell you about a birthday present I arranged for Jes one year--a nice pair of lizards Daisy had to buy live crickets for their dinner. The snake also had to have live food--like tiny little gold fish. Sniff.
Jes, at the age of 3, learned that the turkey on the Thanksgiving table was the same turkey she saw pecking around on TV nature shows. At that moment she became a vegetarian and refused to eat any meat, which makes for a difficult diet, as she also has Celiac's, an allergy to all wheat and gluten products.
The pictures above are Jes when she was little with her snake, who was named "Killer" and with the family's two current dogs, Murphy (white) and Bennie. Bennie was adopted here from Second Chance & Happy Tails. He had been a stray that was attacked by a Chow before being rescued by Inge Irby. Murphy was originally Daisy's father-in-law's dog, and when he died, they got custody. Murphy also was adopted from a shelter, in Pa. He was abused by an owner who basically almost cut his face off when drunk or something. He had to have major surgery to reconstruct his jaw. He is the happiest, most easy-going little bugger! Though Mom says he "ruined" Bennie, as Bennie never barked or chased squirrels until Murphy taught him how!
OTHER NEWS: The mama bird on my deck is spending a lot of time in the nest, but no babies born yet. I have moved all the deck furniture and odds and ends under and around the area--table, chairs, plants, to hopefully protect them from the dogs. Since the dogs stay inside after I go to work until The Boss gets home, I'm hoping things will work out.
Catfish will be going to the vet this morning, as he missed his last appointment. And YES, he will be going in the pink-flowered carrier. I'll let you all know how that goes later, and will try to get a picture of his traumatization and embarrassment.
BIG DAY tomorrow! Anyone up and hungry for a great breakfast must go the Women's Veteran's Pancake Breakfast at the VFW on Haynes Street behind the hospital, any time between 8 and 11 a.m. Our very own Stacey will be there to serve you.
The Humane Society fundraiser and the start of our Pet People adventure begins tomorrow at 12:30 and goes on until 6 p.m. Since it will be a long day/night for those of us going out to dinner, the play and a nightcap after, some of us, me included, won't be at the Ice House for the fundraiser until a bit later--maybe around 3 p.m. or so. Others, I'm sure, will go earlier, but we'll all see each other at some point along the way. A reminder: dinner at the Blackhorse around 6 p.m. (though some of us will go around 5:30 to snag a big table)play at 8 and then back to the Pub at the Blackhorse after the play around 10 p.m. Be there or be square! Bring a camera so we can later post pictures of the adventure. And for those who can't make it, don't worry--we will plan more get-togethers.
PICTURES COMING UP: Brett and Jeremy celebrating with Pearl on her birthday, and Skeeter's cats jealous over The Saint and a dog. Also, a tiny turtle Skeeter found.
See you all tomorrow!
posted by Sandy at 6/01/2007 07:02:00 AM
Pet People
24 Comments:
The old age brain fart (can I say fart here?) has struck again... I can't make it to the dinner on Saturday night. I play in an online dungeons and dragons type game. There are only 6 of us in this game and when someone misses it throws off the game for everyone else. I made a committment to these people that I would be there barring any serious life-threatening accident or illness. I just can't let them down. I know it may sound trivial to most people, but over the course of several months now, we have all become friends, albiet friends who never see each other in person. I play online with people from all over the world and it's a fun escape for me to be the Amazon-type female who wields a sword and exterminates evil. As a side note, I usually play a character who is a friend to animals and have a limited ability to speak to them. My alter ego is tall, svelte, with long flowing dark hair, can run for hours without breathing heavily, everything that *I* am not! LOL.
Anyway, long story short... I will be at the fundraiser for a little while but dinner is out. For the foreseeable future, my Saturday evenings are spoken for from 5 to 8pm.
When I was younger, I had dogs, cat, rats, hermit crabs, and a spider I named Herbert after HG Wells. He lived in a bottle and I caught flies that clung to the ceiling of the mobile home we had on my parent's ranch. I caught him in the spring one year and in the fall I let him go. He ate better than most spiders did I'm sure. My dad was also an animal lover and rode horses like a cowboy. He worked with the local animal shelter for a few years investigating abuse reports around our county in Merced, California. I am sure my love and respect for all things living came from him. As a biology teacher I was always taking interesting bugs and plants to class to share with students. It always shocked me when some little boy would offer to kill the living bugs I brought in. I still capture spiders that find there way into our house and escort them outside. The only bugs I kill ruthlessly are mosquitos and poisonous spiders that could harm the four-legged kids. Otherwise, I live and let live. Everything has a place in nature, I understand and respect that.
Alice,
I am a spider rescue-er too. I walk around our pool several times a day and scoop out all of the unlucky ones who have fallen in.
Daisy, I will be thinking of you. I had to let my oldest leave the nest recently and it has been hard. I combat my missing her by annoying her constantly and poking my nose in all her business. Your Daughter is beautiful-I'm sure you must be very proud that she is going into nursing. At least she is relatively close by in case she needs you(or you need her!)
I am traumatized and sweating bullets. You think the cats get traumatized by going to the vet?
First, who wants the pink-flowered, brand-new pet carrier? I will be bringing it to the gathering tomorrow and if you donate to the Humane Society for it, you will be the proud new owner. I paid about $30 for it, but you can donate whatever you want.
So, poor Catfish. I got him in it this morning and we got in the car. Now, Catfish is as quiet as a mouse. He never meows. I've heard a few minor little mews over the years, but compared to Tarzan, who complains loudly and often, Catfish is mute. However, he was not happy in the car and meowed pitifully the entire way. I felt so bad for him. The clinic was busy, so we had a bit of a wait. He got his shots and everything just fine and I put him back in the flower bag.
And then the ride home. He figured out that if you push your little face really hard in the corner where the zipper is closed!!! that the zipper would push up, even from the INSIDE. Good friggin' thing I had the carrier in the front with me, because I saw his head popping out and was able to push it back in. Of course, once he knew this was a possible escape route, he kept at it, so I had to hold the zipper down with one hand the entire way! I was so afraid of him escaping, most of it irrational, that I was worried about getting him out of the car and back into the cat fence! If he would have got out in the car, he would have hid under the seat or someother unknown hole inside.
He had a rough life of always hiding before he was rescued, so I feel his pain and fear, but I had plenty of my own.
When I let him back in the yard, Tarzan came over meowing, and Catfish, in a low, LOW crouch, slinked away under the porch. He did come out and go in the apartment, so I went over to make ammends and give him a treat for his troubles. The minute he say me he darted back out the pet door. I guess it will take a while for him to forgive me.
Cats are easier than dogs in SO many ways, but NOT when it comes to trips to the vet.
So, who with a cat or small dogs wants a beautiful carrier with a great story! LOL.
Well, Dragon and I told you so. Hmmmmphhh!!!!
I don't think you'll be waiting until tomorrow to have an adult beverage, huh??
Dragon, what shall you bid for the carrier? Prince not-so-annoying might like it. What do you say? That way it will match your red thong. LOL.
Sandy, Must I repeat myself? It is worth it to pay for the vet to come to you!
Sandy, you better read Dragon's post under the "Catfish missed his vet appt" topic. You will see that his taking the carrier will not be an option. He only has male cats in his kingdom.
Oh, Sandy, thanks for the plug for the pancake breakfast. We need it, since the Leaf didn't put it in the Community page or the calendar today like they were supposed to. Or if they did, I sure didn't find it!
But, one correction, it is not the Women Veterans this time, it is the Clarksville Detachment of the Marine Corps League. I will be there waiting tables in my most fabulous new USMC apron sewn by my wonderful Sweetie!!!!!!!!!!! He's such a keeper! So, anyone that wants all you can eat pancakes, sausage, SOS, coffee, juice, and milk for $5, come on down to the VFW! Can't beat that price with an ugly stick.
And, 100% of the proceeds stay here locally for our service projects. We are the charter organization for Cub Scout Pack 565 (who will be bussing tables and helping out); we give an annual scholarship to APSU for a deserving local student; we assist Building & Codes by doing yard work for deployed soldiers; we present American flags to new Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Just to name a few.
I'd love to see some of you there. But, I will definately see you at the Ice House later on. I will need some down time after working my bootie off, so I probably won't show up there under later in the afternoon. I hate to miss Ben Wilson, but I can't be there at 2:00.
FIrst of all Sandy, I just about sh-t my pants when I pulled up the photos today!!!! Whoa please warn me next time you are posting a snake photo. I know I am so abnormally afraid of snakes it is rediculous but I just can't help it. I just need to prepare myself when I know there is going to be a picture or TV show with a snake. Jes is a younger clone of Daisy! And as Shannon said she is beautiful, we see why you are so proud of her. Having only child myself and one niece ( my sister only has one child too )I do understand and also understand the empty nest thing. Although mine went to Austin Peay so got used to her slowly leaving the nest as she lived at home. She wanted to save money so she could marry her sweetie after graduation and support him though dental school at UT Memphis whish is what she did. She finished a five year program in 3 years, going year round and taking 18 and 21 credits at a time. The things you do for love. It paid off cause now he's the one making the money.
I am a bit surprised that you Jes didn't decide to become a Vet instead of wanting to take care of humans. My heart goes out to her going through the tough nursing program. As much as I loved the subjects you study and work your tush off. That's all worth it too. If Jes treats people like she has always treated animals she will make one fantastic nurse! Oh and those doggies are so adorable! The snake not so much.
Stacey on the breakfast I have to inform you that since it is a Marine thing and that is our rival I won't be there. Just KIDDING! I can't come but not because of that. I think what you are doing is wonderful and if I could be there to support you I certainly would be there for you 100%! Maybe next time. Keep up the good work and I hope you make a bunch for your charities.God bless you for what you're doing!
Speaking of tomorrow's Humane charity I was wondering when people from here would be there. We will probably not get there before 3:00 or a little after either but that gives us plenty of time.
Oh yea, has anyone ever had the home made potatoe chips with the ranch dip at the Black Horse? They are absolutely the best! Yumm! I am a big blue cheese dressing fan and that is all I ever want on salads but the ranch dip with those chips is super, you gotta try them. I mean all diets are off tomorrow night.
Peacrehart, haven't you noticed how many times we've talked about farts on here? You're safe,ha.
I thin it's neat taht you have another online group of friends to have fun with.At least we'll get to meet you in person for awhile tomorrow.
Hey you and Shannon just be very careful when it comes to the Brown Recluse spiders. Have you seen what thier bites do to people? Oh my gosh, they literally make deep holes that leave a big scar for life if they don't kill you. I have seen some nasty results from thier bites. I know I know Miss Nurse on her soap box again, sorry it just comes natural to me to warn people about medical things. You guys probably already know what I'm talking about. I guess because I've had to teach so many people about things over the years and you'd be surprised what people don't know. And I'm talking about smart people but if you aren't in the medical field thre is a lot that isn't common.
Sandy, poor poor Tarzan. I hope he is feeling back to normal by now poor baby. I can elate becasue my girls all three cry all the way to the vet and home again. They act pityful too and I have to beg forgiveness when we get home. They usually don't even want any treats right away except sometimes Brittany will take them. She can be a pig.
Why Daisylouu, your little Jes is cute as a button! That is Southern talk but you get it. The apple does not fall far from the tree because I can see Daisylouu in her! The doggies and snake are cute also. Come on Pam, Snakes have a place on this earth too. I just had to poke at you. My dad was once really scared of snakes but over the years he is lighting up so maybe there is hope for you too... LOL...
On the turtle, I was mowing and trimming the yard today and found either the same little turtle again or another one! Just made my day! The thing is so darn cute that I want to keep it but just left it alone instead. I tried to identify it in my reptile book but it is so small that it hardly has any markings on its shell now... I hope the large meat eating birds do not find it because they will have a snack for sure...
The wrens have two nests on the front porch in my plants! Arggg. They are not messy so I will let them nest if they insist.
The Saint is under the weather. He seems to have an ugly spring cold so ya’ll have an extra drink for me tomorrow. Having to deal with him lying around and being a bum is driving me crazy! Funny when I am sick, the world does not stop for me… arggggg…
Speaking of ya’ll… I was listening to the radio today and I just have to tell you what I heard the Deejay say… Quote…”I want to see ya’ll all at the club tonight” I about died with laughter. Deep South of Georgia! I thought you would get a kick out of that one….
Stacey, is this the VFW behind the hospital??? Some times when I am home we go to their Friday night Schnitzel and fish dinners...Yum!
Alice, we fart talk on here a lot. Just talking about them the past few days on other topics… Sounds like fun to have a fantasy game! I like your thoughts on the game. Be the things you cannot be in the real world. What fun…..
Sandy, I did not want to burst your bubble (others did that for me) but I too did not think that a big strong handsome male like catfish belongs in a flowery kennel…. I think, you know better now…. Next time go with the Camouflage look, Now that is macho hun Shannon and Pam???
Oh, pam, the snake was a wonderful pet! Much better than the frog, hermit crabs, lizards, hamster, etc. I love snakes and once you learn about them and have contact with them, you realize they really received some bad press in the Bible with the whole temptation thing.
pearcehart, I have a major bug phobia (ask Sandy how I react to a simple fly) And God gave me a bug-loving daughter, to the point she used to "raise" mosquitos in a bucket in the yard. She used to come in the house with little bumps on her fingertips because she was "playing" with her pets. When she was a second grade student, they kept a journal every day. It's so cute to read it now, every day there was an entry about a bug she saw somewhere. She spent hours digging for worms in the yard to play with.
In Philadelphia they have a place called the "Insectarium" and it's 3 floors of wall-to-wall bugs. It was a huge step for me to take her there, but she LOVED it and got to pet a hissing cockroach and see all kinds of tropical HUGE bugs. For her 4th birthday she insisted on a birthday cake with bugs on it.
She could never be a vet pam, she is way too emotional when it comes to animals.....she reminds me of Sandy a lot that there are times she tends to have more compassion for animals than people!
Ops, just re-read the post and the VFW is behind the hospital... Maybe my parents will go...
So why does she want to be a nurse? Hmmmmm. I can understand, because you have to mentally separate yourself from your patients in a way so you don't feel so much personal pain, I too would find that easier with people than animals. I always feel people have so much back up--family, friends, the government, churches, nonprofits etc. and they can be TOLD what is going on, whereas an animal is totally at our mercy and why I belive they deserve more consideration of a certain sort.
You already told the funny story of the HUGE bug you saw here, but that was only because YOU left the front door open for an hour at NIGHT in the SUMMER! And then you have the nerve to wake me UP over it and take PICTURES of the "Tennesese insects." Try leaving your door open at night and see what come in your house!
The warmer the climate the bigger the bugs.
Speaking of bugs.... I had a Eureka moment today... Miky-Thumper is a Love Bug... he loves to sit in my lap and get petted... I call him the Love Bug... then I remembered the VW Bug called the Love Bug... his name was Herbie... Herbie the Love Bug... so I just renamed Miky-Thumper to HERBIE! This is it... the last and final name. Herbie! YAY!
yanno... I wish we could change our names so easy. I was named after Alice in Wonderland. I have never felt like an Alice, although I have felt like I am in Wonderland sometimes. I feel like a Kate or Emma... I guess I could have been named Pinocchio...
Oh people, I don't even know where to start tonight, so so much to comment on. Maybe I an just take it in order as I read it.
Skeeter, girl, we are so gonna miss you tomorrow too! I know you would ahve loved it all but especailly the "Full Monty". The cammo thing was good but Skeeter-- the I want to see ya'all thing tonight sounds like me, so felt a connection with that dee jay. And gir, just keep that lil ole turtle, you know you want to and it has to be a sign to you since it or another like it has come to you. You know it'll break your tender heart if something happens to it if you don't. We have talked about how our pets pick us well sound like the little one is picking you. Think about it.And give the Saint a big ole hug from me and tell him Fly Boy and I hope he gets well really soon!
Daisylouu, I just cannot help my fear of snakes. I don't even kow why it is so bad but it is in the abnormal area so I understand your fear of bugs. I give you thumbs up for being brave enough to go with your daughter to that Insectarium, that is so far beyond anything I could ever do with snakes. Now I am not afraid of anythign else in the world which is wierd. I mean lizards, mice, rats,spiders or any kind of bug or any animals do not bother me, it is just snakes. There is something about the long slitheryness about them that makes me crazy scared. It is even making me creep out just explaining it to you now so have ts stop. Told you it is abnormal.
Sandy, as for Jes going to nursing school instead of becoming a vet because of the emotional issues I totally understand. Fly Boy has asked me so many times over the years how I can take care of grown people the way I do yet get so torn up over when a animal is hurt or abused. I tell him the same thing,animals are totally helpless just like children. I have always had a harder time taking care of children than adults because of that helplessness. But all in all I feel compasionnate for humans and animals both. I wish I could help all of them! And there are times when you do have to seperate yourself from the situation just so you can give the best care possible but you really never stop being compasionate or caring. It is hard taking care of old people and children especially, they are so much alike. Sometimes your heart just breaks.To use military language, I am so glad I am not doing active duty nursing now because it can be painful.
Alice, Herbie is great! I bet you will also be calling him Love Bug for a pet name. I have so many pet names for my girls so it;s ok to call Herbie as many as you want. Anf the names you would have liked to have called, one Kate, that is my new granddaughters name so can't beat that one. But Alice is a great name!
Skeeter, if you talk to your folks tomorrow and they come to breakfast, tell them to introduce themselves to me. I'll be the only young female wearing the red Marine Corps League cover (hat for you non Marine types).
Stacey, I sent them an email but dont know if they can make it to the VFW or not. Grand daughter has events for them to attend early in the morning...
Alice, I can understand you renaming Thumper (Herbie) time and time again. When our girls showed up we had issues with what to name them. I was quick to jump to names but the Saint said to not rush with naming them. He said that the perfect names would come in time... A few weeks later, their names came to us just as the Saint said... I guess he is right some times… LOL… I liked the name Thumper and the reasoning behind it but the name Herbie suits him as well. So Herbie it is. Welcome Herbie…
Pam, I understand your fear. I worked with a girl who also feared snakes. She knew I had one as a pet and I teased her I would bring it to work. One day I walked to her desk holding a rubber snake and she broke into tears and was shaking. I felt horrible! It reminded me of the time my dear husband left a half-dead spider in my desk when I opened it. NOT FUNNY!
As for pet name changes. I simply adore the name Herbie, but it has to stick. My Tennessee dog was named "Bennie" by Inge and when I got him I intended to re-name him. He was "Izzy" for a while and "Oscar" and a few others, but I always just ended up going back to "Bennie" because it was how we talked about him before we had him transported to Pennsylvania.
Daisylouu, I'm glad you realized how bad it is to play a practicle joke with something someone is really afraid of. I think I could ahve a heart attack over a snake, really. Some people have done that from a fear. A few years ago I'd had some tests ( for cancer )and was stressed cause it was going to be at least a week before getting results. We went to the Olive Garden to try to have a relaxing dinner. One dumb little waitress in there came up to our waiter and said look! When we looked as well, she was holding a snake and it was wriggling all over the place. I started screaming and just about went into shock. Jon yelled at her to get the thing out of there and I was so close to passing out I couldn't even breathe. Turned out it was just a very realistic rubber snake but it didn't matter I was already in quite a state. The manager came and kept apologizing, saying how his wife was also deathly afraid of snake so knew how I felt. It made the rest of my night horrible with nightmares and I didn't go back to the Olive Garden for about two years. I kept remembering what happened and to this day I still think of it every time I go there. I have another story of going into shock over seeing a snake but will save that for another day. I told you my fear is abnormal but as I've said before-- if it takes desenitizing by having contact with snakes, I will keep my fear,ha. I know that the way I feel about snakes is the way a lot of people feel about other animals and insects so I try to be sensitive to their fears too. I mean, I am not afraid of anything else in the world,not mice, rats, any bug or spiders. Isn't that just weird?
Well pam, desensitization really works because I did it with the bugs. My fear was abnormal, VERY abnormal, I could handle lady bugs, even grasshoppers, but couldn't stand bugs with many legs, spiders, or flying insects. I started with rubber bugs, plasic colorful ones first, graduating to more realistic looking ones.....I kept them on my desk in full view on a daily basis. I'm not perfect, but I'm much better than I was.
Dont let fear control you.
You should control your fear.
I can say that because I dont fear snakes and bugs...
Well Daisylouu, I'm afraid desensitizing won't work for me because I've had several bad experiences with fake snakes as well. You must have missed my story of the time I had to hide a rubber snake under my chair arm cover then couldn't even touch it without covering it with a towel to get it out again. It wasn't pretty. And I almost had to go to the hospital over another rubber snake at another time. I get all nuts if I see a twig or string sort of in a coil position and am not sure if it's a snake or not. Lizards will freak me out if I just see the tip of thier tails but am fine when I see the rest of them. I am just freaky meself when it comes to snakes.
Skeeter, know what you mean about how easy it is to tell someone not to be afraid of something you aren't afraid of too cuase I'm that way when it comes to everything else. I think we all have to remember how we feel about the thing we're most afraid of when dealing with someone elses fears, right girls? I'm also afraid of heights and am super super claustophobic! I'm a mess! But I am am one heck of a brave military wife and can handle any situation I'm thrown into there, had lots of experience there. I'm sure Shannon and I can ake on the world when it comes to that, right Shannon?
As far as not letting fear of snakes control me I do control that, I stay away from snakes,ha.
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