So far the nominees are:
Arturo (the rolling turd)
Harvey the RV
Bertha
Cast your vote now!
8.28.2008
Name Game
It has come to my attention that the motorhome does not have a name. Since we are taking it on a retreat soon, we will have to come up with one. So far we have a few suggestions, but I'm certainly open for more!
So far the nominees are:
Arturo (the rolling turd)
Harvey the RV
Bertha
Cast your vote now!
So far the nominees are:
Arturo (the rolling turd)
Harvey the RV
Bertha
Cast your vote now!
8.18.2008
Attack of the Killer Toad
I was out walking Sadie last night around 10:30pm and we came across a frog. She immediately recognized it as a menace and began growling at the tiny little thing, assuming her tough, bull-terrier attack stance. I thought it amusing that a 44 lb dog could be terrorized by such a tiny creature, so I let her go at it. BIG mistake.
Apparently, toads are extremely poisonous to dogs and other animals. My first clue was when Sadie instantly began foaming at the mouth uncontrollably. I wasn't sure whether the frog had foamed her or if her body was responding to her strong desire to massacre the toad. It never crossed my mind that she could be in danger. I brought her inside and told Lori what was happening and Sadie kept shaking her head around trying to get the foam out. I thought for sure the thing was harmless because never have I heard of such a thing. A lot of people have dogs, and there are a lot of frogs out there, so I thought I should have heard of this by now. You know, "keep your dogs away from chocolate, coffee, FROGS!!!" But when Lori googled it, she came up with page after page about dogs that had been poisoned by frogs.
The Bufo or Cane toad produces toxins from the parotid glands located behind the head. The toxins contain high concentrations of hormones such as adrenalin and others such as bufotoxins. When attacked, the toads release the toxins and dogs become affected. The toxins affect two major organ systems: the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and the nervous system (brain). Great.
Common signs of intoxication include the following: foaming from the mouth, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, stumbling, falling, tremors, rigid legs, seizures, and death. Online postings range from anywhere to "my dog was foaming and shaking its head" to "seizures and death within 15 minutes." Most people said they had rushed their pet straight to the emergency vet, but I thought I'd just keep an eye on her and see if anything progressed since she was still acting like herself, aside from the foaming. There is really nothing you can do about it, except provide supportive care (aka mechanical ventilation) and wait for the dog to come out of it. I thought to myself, we are so not going there. No way. Not tonight.
So anyway, Lori helped me wash her mouth out with the hose, and we went off to bed. I have to admit, I layed there and listened to her breathe for about half an hour, and then I figured she would have started seizing by now if she were going to. I will say I was more than happy to find her alive in my bed this morning. It's been almost 24 hours now, so I like to think we're out of the woods at this point. I will also admit that the frog did win the fight, but at least my dog survived!
In other news, we've been evicted from the Lutheran School's football field down the street due to the start of football practice, just as we lost the softball field on Beltline when soccer and baseball season began last spring. I finally decided to check out the tennis court at the end of our street to see if it's suitable for puppy play. The one thing stopping us was a big sign on the gate that reads "TENNIS COURTS ARE FOR TENNIS PLAY ONLY." So..... I took a tennis ball and we played. So far so good, and it's not even muddy when it rains! We may have struck gold there, even if it is a little smaller than we're used to.
OH, the adventures of puppy-parenting.
Apparently, toads are extremely poisonous to dogs and other animals. My first clue was when Sadie instantly began foaming at the mouth uncontrollably. I wasn't sure whether the frog had foamed her or if her body was responding to her strong desire to massacre the toad. It never crossed my mind that she could be in danger. I brought her inside and told Lori what was happening and Sadie kept shaking her head around trying to get the foam out. I thought for sure the thing was harmless because never have I heard of such a thing. A lot of people have dogs, and there are a lot of frogs out there, so I thought I should have heard of this by now. You know, "keep your dogs away from chocolate, coffee, FROGS!!!" But when Lori googled it, she came up with page after page about dogs that had been poisoned by frogs.
The Bufo or Cane toad produces toxins from the parotid glands located behind the head. The toxins contain high concentrations of hormones such as adrenalin and others such as bufotoxins. When attacked, the toads release the toxins and dogs become affected. The toxins affect two major organ systems: the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and the nervous system (brain). Great.
Common signs of intoxication include the following: foaming from the mouth, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, stumbling, falling, tremors, rigid legs, seizures, and death. Online postings range from anywhere to "my dog was foaming and shaking its head" to "seizures and death within 15 minutes." Most people said they had rushed their pet straight to the emergency vet, but I thought I'd just keep an eye on her and see if anything progressed since she was still acting like herself, aside from the foaming. There is really nothing you can do about it, except provide supportive care (aka mechanical ventilation) and wait for the dog to come out of it. I thought to myself, we are so not going there. No way. Not tonight.
So anyway, Lori helped me wash her mouth out with the hose, and we went off to bed. I have to admit, I layed there and listened to her breathe for about half an hour, and then I figured she would have started seizing by now if she were going to. I will say I was more than happy to find her alive in my bed this morning. It's been almost 24 hours now, so I like to think we're out of the woods at this point. I will also admit that the frog did win the fight, but at least my dog survived!
In other news, we've been evicted from the Lutheran School's football field down the street due to the start of football practice, just as we lost the softball field on Beltline when soccer and baseball season began last spring. I finally decided to check out the tennis court at the end of our street to see if it's suitable for puppy play. The one thing stopping us was a big sign on the gate that reads "TENNIS COURTS ARE FOR TENNIS PLAY ONLY." So..... I took a tennis ball and we played. So far so good, and it's not even muddy when it rains! We may have struck gold there, even if it is a little smaller than we're used to.
OH, the adventures of puppy-parenting.
8.11.2008
Summertime
Wow, it is hard to believe how fast summer has flown by. It's been a fun one full of great memories, even though I've been working full time during the week.
In May, we took a super fun road trip to Mt. Rushmore in the motor home.
In June, I went to Yosemite with my hike team and hiked Half Dome. What an adventure to remember!
In July, my family went to Frontier Camp and enjoyed a sweet weekend on the lake.
I also got to spend every other weekend on the boat, which was amazing! It's been an incredible summer, one I've been able to enjoy without school and homework hanging over my head. LOVE IT!
I almost forgot, I also got to take part in a summer camp for kids with cochlear implants. It was so fun to be back in a "camp" environment and to spend time with these kiddos outside of the clinic. Even though it was very very hot that week, we had a great time.
In May, we took a super fun road trip to Mt. Rushmore in the motor home.
In June, I went to Yosemite with my hike team and hiked Half Dome. What an adventure to remember!
In July, my family went to Frontier Camp and enjoyed a sweet weekend on the lake.
I also got to spend every other weekend on the boat, which was amazing! It's been an incredible summer, one I've been able to enjoy without school and homework hanging over my head. LOVE IT!
I almost forgot, I also got to take part in a summer camp for kids with cochlear implants. It was so fun to be back in a "camp" environment and to spend time with these kiddos outside of the clinic. Even though it was very very hot that week, we had a great time.
8.05.2008
Finally!
Finally, I have checked everything else off of the required courses list and am registered for the final requirement of the Au.D. program: DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP IN AUDIOLOGY - instructor: CGC - grade: PASS OR FAIL. I honestly didn't think this day would ever come. (yay!)
8.03.2008
HOT! HOT! HOT!
WOW! I think we've had something like 12 consecutive days of 100+ temperatures (more like 105+). I don't know if I remember a summer so hot. The past week I spent almost entirely outdoors due to a Cochlear Implant Summer Camp. It was a great week and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the kids, but boy was it hot out there! Luckily, we had a few chances to escape to the A/C during the day for lunch and bathroom breaks. Today I noticed the car thermometer read 111 - not sure just how accurate that is but it's definitely the highest I've ever seen it. Sadie's been dying to go on a walk all day but I keep telling her we have to wait until 8:00. That is our designated outdoor time since maybe by then it will be below 100. We've taken several short jaunts to the backyard today to try and keep her entertained. I decided to give her a big treat and we shared a popsicle on the porch. (Translation: I ate the first half and she ate the second half.) I don't normally give her people food but I felt bad because I refused to take her on a walk. Anyway, here are some pics :)
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