U2 is internet shorthand for " Umbrella Cockatoo". I saw the sweetest U2 today at the clinic. Calvin is 21 years old and has cataracts in both eyes. He cannot possibly see much more than that, but will readily go to anyone as long as he can put his beak on them to locate his "perch" on your arm ;>) Calvin would snuggle right up under my chin and lay his head down while I scritched his neck; I could feel my blood pressure drop twenty points. He never made a sound-quite unusual for a cockatoo!
The ramp is finally done at the clinic. The builder was waiting for a few days of warmer weather and this week, the weather finally cooperated! It is much easier for me to get in and out now; I know it will be for our clients, too.
It's time to go visit my mother. She is 81 and lives next door to us. My (younger!) brother, Dave, is retired and takes care of Mom. He has a gift for nurturing and I am so glad he moved back to Indiana after his wife died. Dave is a blessing for all of us-thanks for all your work, Bubba ;>)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Exercise for the Body and Soul
It's been another one of those busy "days off" today! I began the day in a good way, with Mass here at Sacred Heart, followed by a meeting with my prayer partner. Our goal is to meet weekly, but between our schedules, our meeting times seem to be averaging about twice a month. We pray and discuss God's action in our lives-my partner is very spiritual. She has been instrumental to my spiritual growth over the past seven years that we have been meeting. It was a very good meeting this morning, praise God!
After this, I went to my "Arthritis Aquatics" class at Riverview Rehab. I have been doing this for 7-8 years and know it is the primary reason I am still walking today. The therapy pool is heated to 90 degrees and that water feels so good! We spend about 10 minutes doing warm-up stretches, followed by 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and finish with another 10 minutes of stretching. Keeps these old joints limber and helps keep the muscles strong. Plus, it is a wonderful social hour-my husband, Ray, goes, too. And there are about a dozen ladies, my "pool buddies", who have been in these classes wiht me for many years now.
I finished the day with Confession. Lent is coming to a close and confession is a part of getting ready for Easter. We had a communal Reconciliation service at Sacred Heart tonight. I met my god-daughter, Sara (who works at CVC) and her husband, Kevin, there. It was a perfect end to a beautiful day ;>))
After this, I went to my "Arthritis Aquatics" class at Riverview Rehab. I have been doing this for 7-8 years and know it is the primary reason I am still walking today. The therapy pool is heated to 90 degrees and that water feels so good! We spend about 10 minutes doing warm-up stretches, followed by 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and finish with another 10 minutes of stretching. Keeps these old joints limber and helps keep the muscles strong. Plus, it is a wonderful social hour-my husband, Ray, goes, too. And there are about a dozen ladies, my "pool buddies", who have been in these classes wiht me for many years now.
I finished the day with Confession. Lent is coming to a close and confession is a part of getting ready for Easter. We had a communal Reconciliation service at Sacred Heart tonight. I met my god-daughter, Sara (who works at CVC) and her husband, Kevin, there. It was a perfect end to a beautiful day ;>))
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Happy Bird Day!
This has really been a fun day! This morning Merlin and I went to my parish preschool. Helena and her doxie, Libby, and Shirley and her bearded dragons, Jack and Chloe and her cornsnake, Sam, accompanied me. CVC, have zoo, will travel ;>)
The kids thoroughly enjoyed all the animals, but I must admit that Sam was the biggest hit. However, as I was leaving, I heard a chorus of voices saying "Good-bye-cockatoo" and when I went out the door, one little voice said "I love you, cockatoo". Kids and animals-it just doesn't get any better than that.
When I went to the clinic for afternoon appointments, I decided to take my albino cockatiel, Lucas, with me. Lucas just turned one year old last month and is the best little bird! I highly recommend cockatiels as "first" birds. They are just as intelligent, sweet and funny as the larger parrots. I have not taken Lucas out, as he seems to startle easily, but I have gradually been introducing him to different situations around the house. And today seemed a good day to try Lucas at the clinic. So he is here now, sitting on my shoulder, as comfortable as he is at home. Lucas went readily to everyone at the clinic, coming to me whenever I called him. I love my little guy!
The kids thoroughly enjoyed all the animals, but I must admit that Sam was the biggest hit. However, as I was leaving, I heard a chorus of voices saying "Good-bye-cockatoo" and when I went out the door, one little voice said "I love you, cockatoo". Kids and animals-it just doesn't get any better than that.
When I went to the clinic for afternoon appointments, I decided to take my albino cockatiel, Lucas, with me. Lucas just turned one year old last month and is the best little bird! I highly recommend cockatiels as "first" birds. They are just as intelligent, sweet and funny as the larger parrots. I have not taken Lucas out, as he seems to startle easily, but I have gradually been introducing him to different situations around the house. And today seemed a good day to try Lucas at the clinic. So he is here now, sitting on my shoulder, as comfortable as he is at home. Lucas went readily to everyone at the clinic, coming to me whenever I called him. I love my little guy!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
clinic
Here I sit at the end of a long day of treating dogs, cats and birds. I had to euthanize one of my favorite client's kitties today. The kitty was just a couple of years old and had sustained a tail fracture a few weeks ago. Tail fractures sound like a minor problem until you realize that dog and cat spinal cords extend down to the tip of their tails. So tail fractures can mean spinal cord injuries, which was what happened to this poor kitty.
Her tail was fractured at the base, so the nerves that controlled her ability to urinate and defecate were paralyzed. Sometimes nerve function will return, unless the injury is severe, as was the case today. We have been unsuccessfully treating the kitty's bladder infection, resulting from her inability to empty her bladder, with antibiotics. In the last few days, she began chewing her tail, because she cannot feel it and that bothers her. So her "mom" knew it was time.
Over many years of practice, I have found that we are frequently faced with that final decision. Our pets seldom die in their sleep, but become so ill or injured that we cannot keep them from suffering. We must love them enough to let them go when it is time. It is a privilege that I do not take lightly. God has given me the ability and responsibility to take care of his creatures "from cradle to grave". I am truly blessed to be able to help His creatures...and His people.
Her tail was fractured at the base, so the nerves that controlled her ability to urinate and defecate were paralyzed. Sometimes nerve function will return, unless the injury is severe, as was the case today. We have been unsuccessfully treating the kitty's bladder infection, resulting from her inability to empty her bladder, with antibiotics. In the last few days, she began chewing her tail, because she cannot feel it and that bothers her. So her "mom" knew it was time.
Over many years of practice, I have found that we are frequently faced with that final decision. Our pets seldom die in their sleep, but become so ill or injured that we cannot keep them from suffering. We must love them enough to let them go when it is time. It is a privilege that I do not take lightly. God has given me the ability and responsibility to take care of his creatures "from cradle to grave". I am truly blessed to be able to help His creatures...and His people.
Monday, March 10, 2008
A Day Off?
Mondays and Thursdays are typically my days "off". Weekends are always busy with church responsibilities and the other weekdays are busy at the clinic. But let me define the word "off".
"Off" means these are the days when everything else gets done; sometimes I am busier on my "off" days than my "on" days. Today was no exception. I began the day early with a doctor's appointment. I see my internist quarterly for the myriad of health problems that seem to multiply as the years go by. I feel like I am about 25 years old-in my mind ;>) However willing the spirit is, the flesh is certainly weak!
Dr. Tom Miller in Noblesville has been my doctor for 21 years. He also cares for my husband and mother. Dr. Miller is an old-fashioned doc who visits his patients in the hospital and calls with test results as soon as he gets them. He is not afraid to refer to a specialist when necessary, but doesn't ship you off at the drop of a hat. I trust him implicitly.
So Dr. Miller tells me I have a sinus infection (a recurring problem), no big deal. He then sends me over to the hospital where I spend the rest of the morning getting my annual blood tests and chest x-rays. I especially enjoy telling the phlebotomist that if I can get a blood sample from a one-pound kitten, she should have no problem hitting my big pipeline of a vein. After all, I don't have hairy arms and I don't bite and scratch :>) Then when I was in radiology, the technician asked me when my last period was, and without thinking, I said, "Oh, I am spayed, so I don't have any". Whoops!
I get out of the hospital finally and see the clinic has called 6 times. Dreading some terrible calamity, I speed-dialed the number. When Jill answered, she told me she had very bad news-the clinic Visa was lost. Whew-what a relief-I thought one of my patients had died! So I stopped by the clinic for a little damage control on my way to an appointment with my beautician for my weekly "wash and wax".
Just an average day in the life of an animal Doc......
"Off" means these are the days when everything else gets done; sometimes I am busier on my "off" days than my "on" days. Today was no exception. I began the day early with a doctor's appointment. I see my internist quarterly for the myriad of health problems that seem to multiply as the years go by. I feel like I am about 25 years old-in my mind ;>) However willing the spirit is, the flesh is certainly weak!
Dr. Tom Miller in Noblesville has been my doctor for 21 years. He also cares for my husband and mother. Dr. Miller is an old-fashioned doc who visits his patients in the hospital and calls with test results as soon as he gets them. He is not afraid to refer to a specialist when necessary, but doesn't ship you off at the drop of a hat. I trust him implicitly.
So Dr. Miller tells me I have a sinus infection (a recurring problem), no big deal. He then sends me over to the hospital where I spend the rest of the morning getting my annual blood tests and chest x-rays. I especially enjoy telling the phlebotomist that if I can get a blood sample from a one-pound kitten, she should have no problem hitting my big pipeline of a vein. After all, I don't have hairy arms and I don't bite and scratch :>) Then when I was in radiology, the technician asked me when my last period was, and without thinking, I said, "Oh, I am spayed, so I don't have any". Whoops!
I get out of the hospital finally and see the clinic has called 6 times. Dreading some terrible calamity, I speed-dialed the number. When Jill answered, she told me she had very bad news-the clinic Visa was lost. Whew-what a relief-I thought one of my patients had died! So I stopped by the clinic for a little damage control on my way to an appointment with my beautician for my weekly "wash and wax".
Just an average day in the life of an animal Doc......
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Beautiful Sunday
I just returned from a morning at church, supervising the religious education program here at Sacred Heart, the Catholic parish in Cicero. We have approximately 100 students, ranging in age from three to seventeen years old, enrolled in our program. Since I began teaching nine years ago, I know most of these kids by name. I love teaching our faith, whether to toddlers, teenagers, adults or seniors. We are called "catechists", because we teach not only by word, but by deed-how we live our faith usually tells people more than what we say!
It looks and sounds like spring today-still a bit chilly and some snow on the ground, but the sun is shining and the birds are singing. We know that warmer days are just around the corner. I am sitting here with home-made lasagna in the oven, napping dogs and cats, Shelby on my shoulder, grinding her beak in contentment and Merlin chewing up the woodwork-aaah, bliss.... Take some time today to relax and enjoy all the blessings God gives us-family, friends, pets, nature, everything ;>)
It looks and sounds like spring today-still a bit chilly and some snow on the ground, but the sun is shining and the birds are singing. We know that warmer days are just around the corner. I am sitting here with home-made lasagna in the oven, napping dogs and cats, Shelby on my shoulder, grinding her beak in contentment and Merlin chewing up the woodwork-aaah, bliss.... Take some time today to relax and enjoy all the blessings God gives us-family, friends, pets, nature, everything ;>)
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Welcome!
Hi and welcome to our new, updated website. Many thanks to Dave, Jill and Shirley for all their hard work to make this new look possible.
We have started spring cleaning at the clinic the past couple of weeks. It never fails to amaze me the sheer volume of stuff that we accumulate ;>) We are also excited to begin a face-lift in our exam and reception areas. Please excuse our mess!
Check out the "events" page for my schedule of upcoming engagements.
We have started spring cleaning at the clinic the past couple of weeks. It never fails to amaze me the sheer volume of stuff that we accumulate ;>) We are also excited to begin a face-lift in our exam and reception areas. Please excuse our mess!
Check out the "events" page for my schedule of upcoming engagements.
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