ITSCHARACTERBUILDING

Its been a very long while.....

2009-08-16T09:00:00.000+10:00

Its been some time since my last blog. A combination of losing Karma and facing major spinal surgery sort of left me speechless for awhile. I did not want to post misery.... so thought I'd hang in until the light at the end of the tunnel appeared.

I now have a snazzy new titanium spine, fused from T2 - T6 and am getting there slowly. I was naive in my expectations of what i was in for and was shocked at the pain and disability of spinal surgery! Nuff said on that matter I am ever so greatful to be up and walking and not in a wheelchair! My back is not the same shape and I now sport a pretty awesome scar to wear as a badge of honour in my journey through breaking my back.

Karma left a gaping void in our pet family and it was very hard to recover from our grief. Shani coped pretty well but she does have a very full life. She has a job working for an animal behaviourist as a therapy dog .... see http://www.dogsontrack.com.au/ and most weekends see Shani girl out rehabilitating aggressive hounds.

She loves her job and when Jane arrives to fetch her she goes spacko... zoomies and sprints to where her collar and lead are so she can get to work!

A new addition has recently been added to the Ark.... enter Zinzi a Chihuahua x Min foxy who is now Shani's "mini me" and new companion. Shani was a bit lost when we all went out and would whine quietly to herself so we decided a small "side-kick" to keep her company was a good idea. Zinzi is pretty full on and has bought many smile and much love into our home. EVERYONE adores her even Blue the Siamese is besotted. He plays non stop with the puppy all day. Shani lets her share her bed and her exuberance has bought smiles to all.

Well I reckon that's enough for my return blog.... will post again soon.

Chat soon

Nothing more can go wrong......

2009-04-26T21:30:00.003+10:00

Well folks in the saga that is my life........

Just whenI thought nothing more could go wrong, my back has not healed and I am scheduled for Spinal surgery in the next few weeks. Soo may not be back bloggin for awhile again.......

I am going to have from T2 -T6 fused with titanium rods in an effort to stabilise my very broken back. I am comfortable about the decision because I have been slowly deteriorating and the pain and disability increasing........

I'll be back......

Sayonara
Sian

I lost my best friend.........Karma

2009-04-10T08:21:00.003+10:00

It has taken me a while to pluck up the courage for this blog. I started blogging when I got involved in the world of Greyhound Adoption... it was meant to be a dog blog, along the way other parts of my life and thoughts crept in. This blog however is pure dog..........Karma.

Last week I made the saddest, toughest decision to make .... I elected to let Karma go with the dignity and love she deserved. After about 5 months of steady decline in her health and appearance, my beautiful Karma was a mere shell of herself. She no longer enjoyed her walks, she stopped interacting with the family, she was very grumpy to other animals....not Karma anymore.

I will always remember her as the most gentle dog I ever owned. So polite and loving and possibly the most loyal dog I ever owned. If I was near and someone else tried to walk her away from me she would just stand there....not without me...she was not going to move.

So I take solace in having had the love of the sweetest dog for the years she spent with us....and hope she enjoyed her time with us.....

R.I.P my beautiful girl
Sian

The Last Straw....

2009-02-17T19:06:00.003+10:00

Sometimes I wonder why my life is so...challenging! Seems that no sooner do I climb one mountain, when another looms up immediately? Oh well what can you do...but keep climbing...

So in November I happily completed my Veterinary Nursing Certification... and then spent December working long hours at work, it was our busy season and we had some staff shortages. I was very relieved to be finished studying...

My plan was to take some time off when things settled and get my messy home in order... unfortunately this was not to be...

On the 24Th January I went to ride a horse that had been purchased as "suitable for a competent child", well it turned out to be suitable as rodeo bronc! I was thrown very hard and broke my back!

I have unfortunately fractured 3 vertebrae. Slab fractures off T1 and T2 and then a more than 50% burst compression fracture to T4... The neurosurgeon says I am fortunate to be walking... So I am currently housebound after 2 weeks in hospital...and now unable to work ....

Soo thats my latest excuse for lack of "blogging"...

As soon as I am able to get about and take some pics...I 'll try get the blog running again...

Cheers for now
Sian

I'm done!

2008-11-19T19:38:00.003+10:00

Well 3 years, 2 bouts of cancer and lots of work......and I am finished my Vet Nurse Certification. Its a good feeling......not having to study and hand in anymore assignments. After 15 years of Vet Nursing without the certification....it will be good to have the "bit of paper" to go with it!

I am very happy to have finished, there were times I wanted to throw in the towel....but now its done. I have learned lots.......and won't be studying anytime in the near future.....this old dog is done with tricks for awhile!

All is well with the multitude of beasts I own. Karma certainely has aged over winter and is becoming a little cranky. She is no longer so tolerant and if other dogs jump on her she now growls a warning, I guess have old creaky bones can make one a bit irritable. She is approaching 9 years old, its to be expected. She still loves her walkies and will play bow for me......she is always my "special girl".

Shani has blossomed, she is a bundle of fun and maturing into a very sweet gentl girl. She recently became an assistant to an Animal Behaviourist friend of mine. She goes out to help with "dog aggressive" dogs. Her gentle disposition means that she soon wins over the other dog with her gentle demeanour. Never reacting to snaps and snarls, turns her head and just ignores it. They soon realise she means no harm and settle down to walk nearby without attempting harm. It takes a special dog........and she is one!

The cats are fine...getting along reasonably well, keeping me awake as usual......you know the drill.

My next plan is to do some fun stuff......take photos.....and update my blog more frequently! So see you soon.

Si

Its that time again.........

2008-08-19T08:39:00.003+10:00

Well my (hopefully) final semester has begun. Blogs will be scarce.....

The Clan is well, just surviving a very cold winter? After 3 years in Queensland I am thinking this has been the coldest for sure. Poor Karma has taken immense strain. She has aged suddenly and is looking and acting like an "old" dog. She has a bad hip/back and the arthritis is bothering her. We got to the point where she was refusing to walk.....would just stop and stare at us.

So she is now on some meds for her pain and has brightened up a bit. Shani is her normal hectic self and is still needing lots of exercise.

The cats are either in bed or on your lap. They are not enjoying the cold much either....wish I could spend as much time as they do in bed!

And me? ....... well I am not too bad actually.......my latest medication has helped my fibromyalgia pain and I can "MOVE" again........its been great!

Gotta Go

Si

I hate toast tagged me....

2008-08-03T18:22:00.002+10:00

1) The FAQs and some FUQs (unasked) about the name "Its Character Building".

I have had some some "Character Building Years" sort of started about 11 years ago.......nursed two fathers with cancer , Den's with Pancreatic Cancer and mine with Lung Cancer. Had "at gunpoint" robberies in Johannesburg, emmigrated country, had a husband who has had a rare life threatening tumour known as a Pheochromocytoma.........and then Oral Cancer 18 months later....given a 15% prognosis..... have been told by many "Its Character Building"...........

Its not........it sucks but hey what do you do.......cope.....got 2 kids to raise and wailing doesn't help (I tried)

2) How I met my manboy.

In a pub in Kimberley South Africa..... 21 years ago........am waiting for my medal for putting up with immense amount of sh..t!

3) I make bad stuff.

Not sure.........don't make stuff?

4) I keep stuff about yurts and tiny homes for retirement.

Nope not me...

5) I love the smell of cat and dog paws. They smell like Fritos.

Not sure they smell of Fritos........but after 20 years or more of working with animals I have smelt hooves, paws you name it.....Fritos have not come to mind......

6) I have never had a job for which I applied.

Uh.....had some pretty awesome jobs......been in the "right place at the right time"......put it down to networking...........

Doing nuthin........and loving it!

2008-07-09T09:51:00.003+10:00

Sometimes its more important to do nothing... than to run around like chicken without a head. This week I have some time off, because my next lot of studies have not started I have been able to do some stuff I never get to do anymore. I went to the "Big Smoke" for a dinner out and a sleepover with a friend who was up from Sydney, I watched movies, I read a book, I walked the dogs, I ate chocolate, I shopped, I caught up with friends, I lay in bed and just did what I wanted......

Thats what I call doing nothing....... its not often that I get to do that, I guess I got to learn to work smarter......not harder.

It is freezing here.....down to 7 degrees this morning, for Queensland thats cold. We are not used to these kinds of temperatures and are not organised for them. Even the birds are taking strain, J brings them in for a cuddle and they nestle in under her jacket...

The cats have found an alternate heat source to humans..... not sure if its good for the computers but the kitties are warm....

A had her hair cut again..... as soon as its long she wants it short...

Only problem is that I could get used to this lifestyle....

See ya
Si

Getting chilly here now..........

2008-06-16T16:31:00.003+10:00

Winter always takes me by surprise in Queensland. I think it is because it gets so hot in summer I can never imagine it being cold. But this last week has been a little cool ... kitties are diving under the blankets and cuddling very close. They are as demanding as ever, if not more. Bindii caused a neighbour to complain as he had gone into her garden and beaten her cat up a few times... other people have teenagers that get into trouble...I have Siamese.

The greyhounds are wearing their jackets again and are reluctant to get up too early. The days are still pleasant and a balmy 23 degrees. Things are ticking over in the household in its normal dysfunctional way. I am feeling much better health wise and my pain has been minimal luckily. New medication has been very successful and I am feeling more able to attack the chaos.

I often wonder if other homes are as strange as mine? Is it just my kids that are so messy or do other folk also battle endless mess? The girls are on holiday for two weeks and did some housework today while I was at work.....I was very impressed.

I need to get out and take some more photos for the blog..... and do some interesting things to blog about. I get complaints otherwise, my sister told me that I can't just "Start a Blog" and then not update it for a month.......

So this one is for her.....with jokes to keep you smiling......

Be back soon
Promise
Si

Longtime No Blog

2008-05-28T18:16:00.003+10:00

It has been awhile since my last blog, but I have a multitude of excuses. I have been working fairly long hours, finishing off all the requirements for my studies this semester, supporting a very sad daughter and trying to run a household.

I think I am failing in a few of these areas......... J is missing her boyfriend terribly. But not much I can do to rectify that situation. My household is a desperate attempt at organisation, which has failed miserably. This is evidenced by little piles of "stuff" everywhere. I mean to find a place for them........but they seem to multiply until I feel overwhelmed by them. That makes me leave them for another week...... You see the problem yet?

My behaviour when I am studying, working and "not coping" is not something I am proud of. I can have tantrums, shout and scream and stomp off to my room and slam the door. I am so wishing I had never embarked on this studying. However I am nearing the finish line and it would be incredibly stupid to throw in the towel so close to the end....

I always thought that things get easier as you age but that is apparently not how it works. I seem to rush more, have less time and cope worse? What happened to my vision of arriving to "middle-age" with dignity, poise and control? This Owl does not seem to be getting wiser?

Ok enough about me and my whining.

Winter is fast approaching and the 4 - legged creatures of the house are desperate to avoid the cold. I woke up this morning with Siamese 1 in my arms, Siamese 2 on my head, sharing my pillow and Siamese 3 on my legs. I am apparently a giant hot-water bottle designed for their comfort.

Karma and Shani are once again wearing their multitude of "doggy-coats" that they have. Karma recently had a birthday and is now 8yrs old. She does not look old but I can see she is slowing down a bit. If you take her for too long a walk she starts to slow down and then just stops and stares at you. That means "Ok, enough" I am going home. This next photo was kindly supplied by E an awesome photographer!

Shani on the other hand will go and go....... a bit like a "Duracell Bunny".......

Be back soon
Si

Ups and downs.....

2008-05-13T20:08:00.005+10:00

Life gives and takes. I am happy and sad. Happy because J and her Internet boyfriend E met and had a magical three weeks together............sad because now he has left and poor J is heartbroken. A difficult path to follow, but I am sure that where there is a will there is a way!

Happy because my Case Studies are submitted and the last straggly tasks are completed....... sad because today we had to say goodbye to a very special kitty. Mr Meow was a resident at Peninsula Vet for 15 years. He attended Puppy Preschool and taught the pups to RESPECT cats. He ruled the place. It was an honour to have your lap chosen at the weekly team meeting, he sat on your lap and purred his way through the meeting. Sadly after a long illness it came to the day... and we said goodbye. RIP Mr Meow.

No matter how long you do this job ... it never gets easier.......

The Greys are good... the cats are fine... the fish are swimming.....the cockatiels are chirping.....

While E was here he and J were eating some grapes, they had them in a bowl of water.....Ziggy thought that the bowl may actually be an indoor bird bath......

I guess things are ok

Ciao
Si

Old dogs......and new tricks...

2008-04-28T12:59:00.004+10:00

I think I am becoming an "Old Dog"..... firstly there is my very obvious grey patch... nothing a bit of dye can't fix. Then there is the fact that I am learning new tricks. I am in my final year of Vet Nursing and really feel like I am out of steam. I have been Vet Nursing for 20 years.... since the time when no one really had qualifications... so I am now studying and am nearly finished... roll on year end ...roll on..... Only books I am gonna open after that are FICTION.

I find that working, kids, home, dogs,cats, birds etc etc.... is hard to juggle. I sort of need more than 24 hrs in a day. So if my blog has been a bit "slow" thats why!

J met a boy "online" a year ago, after a year of getting to know each other E has come to meet us. He is from the Netherlands. So 2 weeks ago E arrived to meet J and see if the online romance was real........ Well it has been a pleasure to meet E and have him stay. After 2 weeks he is part of the family and we are going to be very sad to say goodbye next week. They are making plans about repeat visits.....

Its weird how small the internet makes the world... communicating with people on the other side of the world is as easy as if they lived next door. Due to the internet I have found friends I have not seen for 20 years..... Very odd... but strangely fun! I am having a ball catching up with old friends , seeing how they have changed, what they have become, their kids...

In fact just this week I am meeting an old school friend who is holidaying in Australia...we have not seen each other since High School....

The cats are good, the dogs are fine....the kids are great......D is "cancer" free so I guess we're good!

See ya
Si

It just takes time.....

2008-04-20T17:41:00.003+10:00

Having a multi-cat household is tricky. Cats (except for Lions) are generally solitary creatures who prefer to have the house to themselves. So the intricacies of getting multiple cats to live together in harmony is a very delicate balance.

Our latest addition Ty, has finally become part of the clan. In fact there is a bit of a "Siamese Sect" forming. Poor kitten is excluded from this "Ol boys" club. Ty now shares beds with Blue and Bindii but Kitten and he have agreed to disagree. They still hiss and have a little altercation whenever they pass each other in the corridor.

Ty is a survivor, in a few short months he has settled in and managed to get the household under control. He had never had anything to do with dogs...... now he has two Greyhounds under his paw. The 3 Siamese play together, sleep together and share food bowls.

He is a lovely cat, rather opinionated but very loving. He likes to sit on my tummy every evening and watch my soapie "Home and Away".

I am currently on 10 days leave to write 3 exams and do 2 case studies.....aaargh! So I better sign off and get to work............

Si

Out and About with Greyhounds.....

2008-04-05T18:17:00.002+10:00

Most days Karma and Shani go walkies. In fact if you mention the "W" word they leap to their feet and start bouncing around. They can also spell W..A..L..K...I..E...S, so don't try fool them by spelling it, they know. Once you have said the word its on, you have to go walkies or else.

Fortunately we live in a very beautiful place so going walkies is a treat for the "peeps" as well. Some afternoons if we are feeling lazy we go up to the school field which is fully fenced and we let them run, this does not take long. They gallop circles around us for about 5 minutes and then they are exhausted and home we go.

I always thought that my two had forgotten about "chasing" stuff, but it is there in the deep recesses. Recently we had a plague of mice, they even tried to move into the laundry to eat the cat food. I kid thee not I personally saw three scuttle past. In the garage is the bird food.... mice heaven. BUT my team aka Karma , Shani, Bindii, Blue,Ty and Kitten got to work. Shani and Kitten are best friends and they worked out a mouse eradication system that was better than anything I could have come up with.

THE PLAN

Kitten runs into small spaces and flushes the mouse out, Shani is waiting and pounces on the offending mouse... and then being a gentle greyhound she gives the "ready to be eaten mouse" back to kitten to eat. For about a week it was hunting , cats catching mice, Shani helping when the cats could not run fast enough. Mouse plague is gone....

All this mouse activity has sparked a distant memory in the doggy brains..... now when we walk along the water's edge they can smell rats under the boardwalk or in the rocks and they look like this......

At night I lock my cats up in the house so that the native wildlife is safe.... one night the cats caught 2 mice whilst locked in the house..... They must be a breed of "Stupid Mice" to locate themselves in a house with 4 cats............

I can't watch, I am not into hunting, but it is swift and final, the mice don't even have time to know what hit them. It sure beats rat bait ......and a slow end!

Ciao For Now
Si

BY GEORGE! I THINK SHE GOT IT!

2008-03-09T13:14:00.005+10:00

Well......it has taken some time and dedication BUT finally Shani has made the connection! Its quite a simple equation SIT = FOOD + LOTS LOVE. Its is quite obviously not that comfy and she prefers not to sit on slippery surfaces. Being a very muscle bound greyhound (from lots of zoomies around the garden) sitting is hard. She is happy to sit on the lawn or the carpet. We are very proud Greyhound Parents. J and I were acting like fools we were so excited. A piped up "Hey, I can sit too"...."For chocolate"... Cheeky wretch!

I am having severe motivational issues on getting my Case Studies together. I am so tired from work that I can't seem to get my A into Z to work on my studies. Oh well will have to come up with a plan fast or I am gonna be in the Poo Poo soon.

I am planning to finish this year... finish my studies... then take a deep breath and do NOTHING! Yes NOTHING. My brain is closing down and only essential stuff will take place... no extra things to mess with my "Me time", actually I have been planning a nervous breakdown for years but have never had a spare moment to have one... maybe next year?? I have developed a tic in my left eye and am wondering if this is a first sign of madness? Or maybe its one of the last.....

Most folk start the new year with a "Get Fit" resolution.... I am going to "Stay Sane"...

Will blog soon again
Si

Not so "Sunny Queensland" and other "Stuff "....

2008-02-16T20:10:00.005+10:00

Well it appears the drought is breaking..... unfortunately it coincided with my Clothes Dryer also breaking, funny how that works huh! We tried to save some money by having a go at fixing it ourselves... just broke it more and landed up taking it to the Appliance Man. He was able to diagnose the problem over the ph........and $70 dollars later we have an operational dryer to help dry the tonnes of wet soggy clothing produced by my family daily....

It has been rather hectic again, getting organised for final year, discovering the College lost my application and having to then re-register after the "cut off" date. Note to self....never be so organised that you register early because then you assume you are all good and only discover the $%^&( up later! Anyway no harm done apart from the fact that it all took some fancy footwork to sort out.

The Greyhounds are well, Karma is starting to show signs of ageing... she turns 8 in May and seems to be a bit stiff when she gets up and down. Hell I am only 42 and I seem a bit stiff too...... Shani is well, not the smartest Greyhound on earth but very very sweet and loving. She is struggling with the concept of "sitting"... has not made the brain connection between her bum hitting the ground and the command with a treat....... Ah well we can't all be smart.......

Girls seem to be settling into school again and the year starts to flash by again. does it get faster the older you get? Does it seem more chaotic as you age? Lexi is playing soccer at school and was hobbling around this morning after actually doing some exercise!

D is "its March and all is well", we are getting more towards taking it a month at a time... rather than a day. Always find it a bit scary to plan things because that is when "LIFE" throws another curve ball..........

Will post more soon
Sayonara
Si

Obedience...or lack thereof... and a whinge about stuff.

2008-02-08T08:08:00.000+10:00

Well Mon evening saw the start of "Dog Obedience" classes for the greys. There were lots of dogs and most were puppies who I knew from work. Shani and Karma were excited to see them as they have a special job, whenever we run a "Puppy Pre-School" my Greys are invited to come and accustom the pups to strange big dogs.

They are so gentle and sweet with pups, from the boisterous staffies to the teeny white fluffies. Karma and Shani join them in "play time" and are very calm and soothing to the pups. Shani especially loves meeting the new pups, Karma is mostly interested in the cheese treats that are available..... She will sit, drop ... anything as long as the cheese keeps coming.

Karma has definately done "Obedience" before and as is her way listned to every word... until it started raining! Karma does not "do" rain....she looked at me and made her saddest "baby Seal" eyes... and stopped performing. She was very inconvenienced by the wet and was only playing along because she is such a good girl.

Shani was very excited... so many other excited dogs around! She wasn't sure what to do... and it made it very difficult for her to concentrate. She has the attention span of about a nanosecond...
I have to stand miles away with Karma or else she just watches what Karma does. To her credit though she did make progress.

Greyhounds find it quite difficult to "sit" it is not a natural position for them. Karma will sit on command but cannot remain sitting for a long time and will stand up again. So when all the others are "Sit and Stay" we are training to do "Stand and Stay".

Other than that things are fine. I am just irrationally cranky and irritable. D likes it because the kids are very nice to him and avoid me like the plague.... not that I blame them. I almost want to get away from me as well! So I find myself shouting at everybody and grumbling under my breath. They are all laughing at me and being very cooperative with my grumpiness.

Things that are annoying me:

1) Having to ask for routine chores to be done everday at least 5 times.
2) Stupid annoying people out there who make me roll my eyes.
3) Cat fights in my house.
4) Interest rates.
5) Time or the lack therof.
6) Eating too much.
7) Lack of exercise due to motivational problems.
8) Motivational problems.
9) HOUSEWORK and SHOPPING!

So until the grumpiness passes.......I am going to eat too much, lie on the couch where possible and grumble under my breath... I am over 40... I am allowed bad behaviour... I earned it by getting this far!

Sayonara
Si

Been busy...its back to school time!

2008-01-31T08:35:00.000+10:00

Shani doing "Dead Dog"

Well life in L household has been a flurry of buying schoolbooks, uniforms and setting new rules... Yesireee this year we gonna get ORGANISED! After the long holidays and people in this family playing on the computer pretty much 24/7 ... I have been battling to get everyone to realise that you can't go to bed at 2am when you got school tomorrow....

Also January is a mad month moneywise, trying to recover from the Christmas overspend and re- kit the whole clan for the New Year, takes some intricate "Financial Gymnastics". The four-legged beasts are well, Karma and Shani are just lovely. They are starting an obedience course next week. Karma is fine she can sit,drop etc but would be devastated if I left the house without her, so I figured she can come along as well.

Shani needs to learn the basics, she has no clue and gets very confused very quickly. She is a bit of a scaredy cat and gets fearful about things sometimes. She will do a classic "Greyhound Freeze" which means she does not move and the only way forward is to physically pick her up and move her to wherever you need to go.

We went to visit "Greychicken" and "According to Flo" was there as well. Patch and Rocky have a new house and we went to visit. The 5 greyhounds hurtled around and around the garden, much fun was had. The humans got to have a glass of wine and eats lots of cheese and biccis.....

A started high school yesterday and despite her nervousness and panic, she took to it like a duck to water. Here is photo of her with her best friend/partner in crime K.

J is in Year 11 ... not long and she will be finished with High School. She has been going to gym lots and is impressing me with her new found fitness. We missed putting the bin out for collection the other day, she sprinted all the way down the road, caught the truck and sweet talked the Garbage Man (in her most charming manner) into doing another round of the neighbourhood to collect our bin! Only afterward did it dawn on us how fit she has become to be able to do that... I would have passed out at the end of the driveway.........

On the cat front, things are settling and our dear Mr Ty aka Cranky Cat has settled in to the routine. A is his chosen slave and he follows her like a dog EVERYWHERE and sleeps on her head at night.

I am enjoying the last weeks of freedom before my final year of study commences...

All is good
My battery is not too bad
Chat soon
Si

My Battery is flat........

2008-01-17T09:28:00.000+10:00

I have been a very slack blogger. I have a good excuse, my mystery illness has attacked me again. I feel flat, exhausted, sore, can sleep as much as my cats do, no energy, sweats..... Back to the Doc, he does more tests turns out I have had Glandular Fever! Ah ha, that explains everything.

So I have been booked off work for a few days to rest... I have issues with that concept but I am trying. I have read two books, watched a few movies and slept an average 14 hours a day.... Still not feeling wonderful but at least I know why I feel like a bus ran me over!

All is well in the camp at present, as we say here in The Madhouse.... at least its not cancer! I will recover, will just have to take things easier.

Ty our new resident Siamese, or "Mr Cranky" as I like to call him has settled in. The Siamese are all getting on and sharing nicely but "Sumo Cat" still has major issues with him and attacks at every opportunity.

The kids are still on Holiday but school starts again in a couple of weeks. A starts High School and J is in her second last year. Karma and Shani are well and J has been doing some running with Shani who seems to have boundless amounts of energy.

Met up with Ms Needlenose for brekkie and handed over some booties for OMO the white hound with paw troubles.... apparently he goose steps with them.... He will learn that Booties = Able to walk on Hard surfaces......

Will Blog more when I have more energy....

The photos are of the 3 Siamese enjoying a "Massage".... mad felines!

Yours wearily
Si

Notes to self.......

2008-01-06T10:33:00.000+10:00

Some days I realize that much of my troubles are brought on myself... its taken me about 35 years to figure out. I am also aware that I am a victim of my own creation. Why must I collect animals like a woman possessed? Take for instance my latest crusade... TY. He is a lovely kitty but... he has issues...

He is extremely CRANKY, a real grumpy old man. He likes the accommodation and the resident humans BUT is very unsatisfied with his fellow felines. My other Siamese have been very accommodating toward him but he still grumbles at them. My feral cat "Kitten" or as we have re-named her SUMO... does not like him. No sireee she thinks he should be attacked as frequently as is felinely possible. So she waits around corners or on top of furniture and ambushes Ty.

So all is not quiet at home... in fact the animal politics is bad... a bit of tension in the camp. Oh did I mention that the mere sight of the dogs is enough to send our Mr Grumpy into a trembling rage... yep TY hates dogs...

So everyone please hold thumbs that he settles.... or do your duty and help me find him a nice quiet home without other animals... He is very cuddly and loves people......???? Are you sure you don't need a spare Siamese???

Oh well I guess it was a bit inevitable... there are a huge number of beasts to get accustomed to around here....

The 2 legged family are well, no dramas there.... small mercies Huh!

Will chat soon
Si

SEASONS GREETINGS! ...and also a little confession....

2007-12-25T11:31:00.000+10:00

Best wishes to everyone for Christmas and may you have a prosperous New Year! We L Clan are having a far better Chrissy than last year (as we Aussies call it). No one is ill... as far as we can tell. We are off to have lunch with some old friends and that should be very pleasant.

Now for the confession.... about a month back a lady came into work with a beautiful Siamese cat.... she was trying to find him a home as she had saved him from euthanasia, her landlord does not allow cats. Now anyone who has owned a Siamese would know they are not the kind of cat you can keep quiet in your home. They strut around shouting on top of their lungs and befriend all they see. NOT good idea when you are meant to "not exist". So said lady got served an eviction notice.... as in "Its you or the cat".....

Her choices were back to re-homing him or euthanasia........... I offered to re-home him, I just could not see him euthanized......... It was just before Christmas, what was I to do. D was consulted and said OK, cat can stay awhile whilst we look for a home. I got him home and D took one look and said "I think I know of a good home"..... with a big grin on his face........

And so now we have Ty...an eight year old Seal Point Siamese kitty. He lives in A's room and sleeps on her tummy. He purrs madly when he sees any human.

The other cats are a little freaked out ............OK they are VERY cross with us.......... they will get over it ....... they always do..........

Oh and we got another birdie...........

I better stop now .... dont'cha think?

Chat soon
Si

Cats .....

2007-12-09T09:23:00.000+10:00

My cats are true felines, they have trained us well. The only reason we put up with their behaviour is because of the wonderful feeling of having a purring kitty wrapped in your arms. In winter the Siamese sleep curled up in my arms... built in hot water bottles. When summer comes they abandon us... too hot, instead they there find the room with air con and then do not move at all during daylight hours. I am a firm believer in a "CAT CURFEW", that is no cats out at night. The reason being that during the day felines sleep, at night they like to fight, hunt and gallivant. If you keep them in at night they are unable to do these activities, thus reducing your Veterinary bills as well as keeping the Australian Wildlife safer! This is a very noble undertaking because this means that my three are locked into the house when they are most active. This has a few drawbacks.

They sleep a bit (Average amount of hours cats sleep is 18 out of 24) and then then CAT OLYMPICS begin. They gallop around chasing each other, running up fly screens, leaping over furniture and ambushing one another at every opportunity. I lie in bed and every 20 Min's or so a cat flys over my head, or lands on my stomach... not conducive to a deep sleep. I thought that as they got older they would settle and be less active, nope not true. Blue is 5 and Bindii is 4, no sign of slowing down at all. There are many foul forms of torture developed by man... all that time wasted when my two Siamese would get the toughest man to break in a few hours.

Blue Cat's Method:

Jump repeatedly on Human until they stagger out of bed.
If no response then attack feet until they bleed.
Knead human with claws fully extended and purr as loud as a tractor.
If human does not respond or turns away, extend paw with claws fully extended and hook human skin, act innocently as if you are loving them.

Bindii's Method:

Shout loudly, do not take no for an answer.
Walk/Run up and down corridor screaming in loud Siamese tones.
Run over top of owners head and have fight with brother.
If door is shut scream and throw yourself against door repeatedly.

Kitten's Method:

Very quietly and subtly swirl around human making soft mewing noise.
At unexpected moment bit leg HARD.

I cannot tell a lie at 4:30am (when the bloody sun rises in Qld) we are tortured until we fill the food bowl and open the cat door to allow the felines outside time.
A friend stayed over to Animal sit and she complained that although the bed was possibly the most comfortable she has slept in......the bloody cats nearly killed her... she left for home sleep deprived and wondering how we survive it!

I have a few days off and am so enjoying some down time. No news to tell really... which in our case is GOOD!

Ciao for now
Si

Greyhounds and other stuff....

2007-12-02T02:12:00.001+10:00

Last weekend we attended the GAP Christmas party. Karma and Shani were very excited to go see all their friends. We gave one of our old foster dog's , Suzie a lift to the party. Suzie was a very shy, scared girl who was very anxious when we fostered her as she had come from an abused background.

Our home was WAY too busy, people coming and going, shouting ,noise....not for the faint hearted and poor Suzie did not really enjoy the environment. The story has a very happy ending as she has been adopted by a wonderful Lady "L" who lives alone with her cat. A much quieter environment and one that has given her back her confidence.Well our little shy girl has blossomed into a happy, energetic crazy grey and is so obviously happy, it is just wonderful to see.

I thought she may find the GAP party a bit too busy, but oh no.... she was the perfect party animal and even won the "Shiniest Coat" prize. That is one of the most rewarding things to see, a little dog who has learnt to trust humans again.

I was the "clip your dogs nails for a gold coin donation to GAP" person. There were lots of nails to clip let me tell you! Next year I need a cushion to kneel on... J was taking photos and socialising as usual. Lots of familiar faces. We took home some very tired greyhounds.

On the home front, all is well at the moment. J has finished school for the year and A is in her last two weeks. A starts High School next year.... where did the years go?

Will write more soon , I have a few days off coming up.

Chat soon
Si

The Silly Season...

2007-11-20T09:46:00.000+10:00

I Know this may sound like I am a cranky cantankerous, grumpy old lady.... but I have my reasons for this behaviour... and I am at "That age" where becoming a grumpy old woman is my right.

It is early November, or it was when I started to get irritable. All the shops are festooned for Christmas already and I am getting so much junk mail advertising Christmas specials that I fear for the rainforests! Forget global warming, at the rate we use paper, we will run out of oxygen long before we fry...

This time of year also seems to bring out the "bad behaviour" in people, I'm understand that its been a long year and everyone needs a break... BUT Why must they act like wild animals? I go to my local shopping centre and it is jam packed... the noise of the food court is like standing under a Jumbo Jet taking off... my favorite coffee shop has a queue 10 deep to get a Cappuccino! Wanna see me get nasty... deny me my coffee. I want to scream, I think "Holy Sh*^t", I better get my Christmas shopping done now, or I may cause someone bodily harm in December when its even busier....

Its a "Conspiracy Theory" of mine that "THEY" do this so we buy now, and then in December we buy more because all the stuff we already bought is now discounted.... Its pure genius I tell you. I am no saint though, I am the perfect target for advertising... I just have to try new things and I cannot walk past a bargain! I have saved thousands getting items at amazing prices... except I never really needed them to start with...

I AM GOING TO BE STRONG THIS YEAR... I am not joining the madness... No Siree, I am going to have a quiet year.

I also sort of struggle over this time of year, I have not had a a good Christmas for awhile. Last year we got "CANCER" for Christmas.... Someone asked D what he is doing for Christmas.... he said "Not getting cancer"....

So a quiet , mellow, no fuss day will suit us all down to the ground........

Ok off to brave the mall.....need a cappuccino BAD!!

The coffee kid
PS Excuse my macabre sense of humour.......

You can teach an old dog new tricks...it just takes longer...

2007-11-12T08:59:00.000+10:00

Well its been a busy few weeks for me. Changing job is not for the faint-hearted. You forget how comfortable your routine is...until you change it that is! Then you discover that you have to play catch up to get yourself in the groove!

I am going through the what,where,how,when part of being the "New Kid on the Block". Don't know where anything is kept, don't know nuttin......... It will come in time, it always does but its amazing how you forget that feeling of slight panic...

Am winding down from a successful...yes SUCCESSFUL year of Study! Passed everything friends...yyyeeeehaaa! Now if I could just have a celebratory drinkie poo.... But ALAS the bloody stomach/liver does not allow alcohol anymore........not too worry....I am now a caffeine addict of note. There is not a coffee franchise in Southeast Queensland left unturned........

It is absolute bliss working so close to home. I "pop" home for lunch...and no matter how late I finish.......it is always only 5 mins to home! Don't have to fill my car with gas too much anymore.... I should walk.....one day I may.......but my excuse for now is that its summer and its too hot!

I have also managed to read a book...first one in about 6 months...could not read or I would not study...now I can read all the way to FEBRUARY when my FINAL YEAR begins!!!!!!!!!!!!

G'Nite
Si

Blog Drought..............

2007-11-04T10:00:00.000+10:00

Long time no hear, sort of feel guilty I have not been a good little blogger. Much has happened these past days. I am officially finished working at Anvet and am now working at Peninsula Vet full time. It is such a novel feeling to be able to leave for work at 7:55 and be at work on time at 8am! Probably buys me an extra 6-8 hours of spare time a week.

It was very sad saying goodbye and I have warned the folk I'll be back to visit very frequently. I even hugged Churchill the abusive Clinic cat goodbye....

We went out for a farewell dinner at Southbank and I was given the very best gift a girl can get.........a voucher for an "Indulgence Massage/Facial" that is an hour and half.........I CANNOT WAIT....I luuurve being pampered.

I have had result back on my Radiology Certification, and have passed that ...now just to hear back on my last exam on Ultrasound/Endoscopy/ECG and Fluid Therapy........... If I pass that one then its on to the home stretch next year.......final year! Yay, I have a break now until Feb 08........which I am already enjoying thoroughly.

J and I went on a "Greytwalk" and have only just downloaded the photos , so you can see how the Grey Girls had a good afternoon with their Greytmates.........

I am writing this on a spare computer because my laptop has fallen ill, the keyboard is playing up and I can't type anything........I really hate it when computers break.........its like a rattle in your car that you can't locate.........

Sayonara

Go the Bokke! Good to see South Africa win!

2007-10-21T10:00:00.000+10:00

Woke up real early this morning and watched the boys take the cup.........its a good feeling! D is walking around with a silly grin on his face. Our second world cup win...now for 2011 in New Zealand, I think the All Blacks will be exiled if they don't win that one..............

I am a bit exhausted from my stupid schedule I have allowed myself to get into but hey I am working on simplifying things. Gonna take control of the "Rat Race", slow the bus down... I am gonna take a slow ride. I realise that I am the one to blame for how busy I am...apparently there is a word called NO... I just have to finish this last exam of the year and then I am going to read books like a madwoman and RELAX. I officially change jobs on November 1 and then I am down the road from home.

The family are good, D has passed his 6 month check and all seems clear on the cancer front. He still has eating issues and gets tired very easily but i guess that is to be expected after all he has been through the past few years. I do actually have a diagnosis on my "mystery illness" as well.
No one rang me with the results from the biopsies taken when I had my endoscopy. I took A to see the Doc and happened to mention that I am still battling, and that I know everything is OK but its really sore...........

The doc checked my file and said "Oh actually there is a very good reason you feel the way you do"...turns out I have Bile Reflux and my insides are and I quote "markedly inflamed with the look of caustic burning".......nice huh! I am fairly sure that a combination of stress, exhaustion and allowing myself to get overweight have been huge contributors.........

On a happier note today J and I went on a GREYTWALK

Karma and Shani had a ball, they loved seeing all their greyhound pals and the walk was held in walking distance of home so it was very convenient. Shani was very social and had an absolute ball. Thanks to M for all her hard work organising these walks every month. The turnout today was impressive and the greyhound attracted lots of admiring glances.

I also managed to fit in some study time, got an exam hanging over my head. Its tricky subject and my head is swirling with Fluid Therapy calculations and what all can go wrong...

I will write more soon...just gotta get through the next 2 weeks..........

Ciao for now
Si

The times, they are a changing.....

2007-10-14T05:00:00.000+10:00

Well I have had a pretty whirlwind 3 weeks. It was really good to have P here and we all enjoyed her company so much. Sadly she has moved on in her travels and is back in Sydney for a week before heading home to Cape Town.

I took a few days off while she was around to "play", I have now had to make up those days and put some serious hours this last week. Some rather big news is that I am changing jobs shortly. This has been a hard decision to make as I am not unhappy where I am and am going to really miss my work colleagues LOTS! However I have been offered a job literally "down the road" and with a Vet Surgery I have previously worked for and also loved.

The temptation of not having a 45min drive each way as well as being so close to home and kids was the big drawcard. So after 2 years I am sadly saying goodbye to Anvet and hello to Peninsula Vet Surgery.

The beasts are all well, Shani (Destructor Dog) feels we have not been attentive enough and has dragged litter all over the house and garden. She I suspect may have some "Seperation Anxiety" issues that need work. Karma is doing well but is also not without "Issues", it is storm season in Queensland and she is seriously VERY STORM PHOBIC! I had to ask for "Chemical" help from the Vet as she gets so beside herself its scary, her tablets she has been prescribed are called "Kalma" .....is that appropriate or what!

The cats are MAD...the siamese race around the house all night and charge up and down the flyscreens. Should the food supply in their bowl run low....no matter the time...they have methods to get a human to refill it. If we ignore them,they climb up onto shelves and deliberately knock items on to the floor until we can't stand it any longer and get up and feed them......

Little Tortoiseshell Kitty would never do that , she is a lady and does bother peple. The Siamese believe they are Gods and need everyone to serve them...even the dogs. They have now taken to sleeping on the dogs bed if they leave them for a second...needless to say they do not get out when the dog returns. I come in and find the dogs sleeping on the tiles................

After the sad loss of "Sweetie" the cockatiel we were asked to become the new carers of "Pixie". Pixie is a very needy cockatiel and screams for Jade to come and get her out the cage every morning. As you can see they have bonded ... She is sharing a cage with "Drake" our boybird who lost his mate and eggs in the sad incident. He is really enjoying Pixie and seems much less stressed now that he has a new companion.

So thats all for now folks........
I am going back to gym this week, the cartoon is my inspiration message for the week......

Having fun in Sunny QLD......

2007-09-30T05:40:00.000+10:00

I have not been blogging much as my niece is visiting from South Africa. We are having soooo much fun. In fact we spend most day laughing until it hurts. Its very special to have some "family" visit and for J & A to get to know their cousins.

Its so good to spend time talking and sharing our new life with her so she can report back to the SA family how we are. My niece "P" is enjoying "Sunny Queensland", she is a beach babe and is soaking up the weather with glee, have had to warn her a few times about the sun and its burning capacity here!

Today we went on a tour around the Glasshouse Mountains and up to Maleny...it is so beautiful up that way.

Best of all she helped me re-pack my garage...a mammoth task. In fact its so organised that it is possible to actually park a car in there! She has been converted to a "Greyhound Lover" and even shares her bed with the dogs.....

My animal count has returned to normal i.e "Too Many"

*** Newsflash****

Very sad news, our little girl birdie had laid 5 eggs and she and daddy bird were taking turns sitting on the eggs....then tragedy struck. I went out to feed them and notice Mommy bird looking very unwell, she had become egg bound. I did everything I could but sadly she died. Daddy bird is still sitting on the eggs.........I am not sure what happens now but will give him a chance and see if he can do this alone.

I will write more very soon...P
leaves on Monday and then I am back to normal whatever that is.

Ciao
Si

I need to go to AA .... Animals Anonymous!

2007-09-24T09:41:00.000+10:00

Seriously, I am really a bit mad. My friend Doriso calls my home "The Ark", she is not wrong let me tell you.

Ok I will explain what the head count was here this past weekend:
2 Greyhounds,
2 Toy Poodle Pups,
1 Shih Tzu pup,
3 Cockatiels,
3 Cats,
2 Goldfish,
2 Danios
2 Siamese Fighting Fish....

I have a perfectly rational explanation for this madness...

Dr R went away for some much needed R&R and I offered to have my "God Pups" as usual. The little Shih Tzu belongs to a client who had an urgent trip overseas and no commercial kennel will take a pup that age....... what could I do.......

D said nothing, I think he has given up and just does whatever he is told...... My niece is here from South Africa and she is just laughing. She has never seen so many animals in one spot!

J enjoys it as much as me and so helps me to feed and clean the animals of the Ark.

On a more exciting note, I have written and passed my Radiography Exam.....YYYYYYAAAAHHH! Now just add finishing touches to the assignment and I am done!!

Will post more soon
Si

Things are warming up here in Queensland......

2007-09-16T11:02:00.000+10:00

Its subtle and at first its fun, the sun is shining, the days are longer... BUT as the summer sets in I want to do what the bears do in winter...hibernate! I don't mind heat, remember I am an AFRICAN, however I can't cope with humidity.... I go to pieces. I seem to sweat 24/7 and running from the car into the house could land you with sunburn! We are fortunate to live on a "Peninsula" and so do get sea breezes. The picture below is an arial view of of Scarborough where we live...its pretty beautiful.

The Queensland climate is very similar to Durban in South Africa, D is a "Durban Boy" and so he feels like he is home. I come from Cape Town, it gets hot but its a dry heat ...not that "Watery, sticky, melting heat". In fact the average summer temperatures are probably lower than what I am accustomed to but not that humidity problem.

Don't get me wrong, I love this climate from April to November but then it happens....it gets soo hot I have to lie in a darkened air conditioned room. The first year we were here , we had no aircon, no fans ,no nothing! I nearly died...every night I would wet a towel and sleep with a portable fan blowing on the wet towel........ The laugh is that the shopping malls are fully air conditioned....I found myself finding excuses to shop....would probably have been cheaper to buy aircons.......

Now however we have our own home with beautiful airconditioners...Yes I do know about global warming and I reduce my carbon footprint in other ways....promise!

This week A is off on her Year 6 School Camp. This is her final year of primary school, next year she is in High School or Middle School as they call it here. The excitement is HUGE, she has nearly driven me nuts this last week.

J is well, and has "Fallen in love", her first relationship. The only trouble is that he is in a different timezone to us.......so it makes for many hours of chatting on "Skype" or messenger at weird times. Suddenly she is able to wake up at 5am..........hmmm. I guess thats the way of life nowdays, you meet folk with similar interests and develop a relationship based on your mutual interests. Technology has changed the way of things. We approve and she is open and honest with us.......what more could you want? Oh btw if you break my baby's heart....I know where you live!!! :-)

Also in love are the cockatiels , the nesting material was not up to scratch according to the hen and so she threw it all out. We have sort professional advice and apparently needed wood shavings. There is much "In and Out" the nesting box, but no eggs as yet.

I am writing a "Radiology" exam soon and really should be studying, not blogging.....but we have been through this before, haven't we?

The creatures of our "Ark" are well and will have to wait until the next blog for a chance to have their stories told....

Thats all for now folks
Si

Workplace harassment...the cat who abuses me.........

2007-09-09T09:50:00.000+10:00

I know that's weird title but it true. I undergo workplace harassment and severe bullying from a cat... Her name is Churchill, she is a large tortoiseshell moggy from "Who knows where". She is the official "Clinic Cat" and resides with full board and lodging in a cage she handpicked as hers. She is somewhere around the 10 year old mark we think, no one really knows. I call her the C.E.O, she sits on the front desk and surveys the comings and goings of clients and their unsuspecting pets.

She loves to tease other animals and truly believes we are all "Churchill Staff". Here is what she does to me on a daily basis. I arrive,check my patients and then begin the morning routine of a quick clean up and mop the floors. Churchill complains about the food she has been given and runs along behind me yowling in protest at what food I have given her. She hops up onto the kitchen counter and has a long drink out of "Fred's" home...Fred is the Red Siamese Fighting Fish who lives in what Churchill believes is her water bowl.

Next step is to scream to go outside, I duly open the door...she rushes out and then as soon as I close the door...she screams to come back in...about 100 times a day. As if that is not enough she then selects a freshly cleaned "Secret Spot" to leave me a present for the day. Sometimes it is a kitty poo hidden behind the x-ray machine and only discovered once the smell has become so bad we are all searching for it....sometimes it is a lovely puddle of "Puddy Tat" pee on the freshly swabbed floors...

That business taken care of, she then jumps up and sits like a sentry on the reception desk to keep an eye on proceedings. Sometimes she is nice and allows the clients to pat her, other times she will swat them indignantly if they even reach out. We probably should have a "Beware of the Cat" sign displayed..... If I open the "Greenies Cat Treats" bag, she goes to pieces and rubs herself all over me purring loudly...I open the packet and have 2-3 Greenies in my hand....quick as a flash she grabs my hand with her claws and gobbles up the Greenies , purring madly. Then its time for nap...crawl in behind the computer monitor, disconnect the Credit card machine, switch the computer off...no trouble to Churchie......we are staff after all.......her staff!

Had a nice weekend, went to a 21st on Saturday night....I am exactly twice her age....AAArrrgh? Sunday we went down to watch the Formula 1 powerboat racing, pretty awesome machines to watch I must say. Karma and Shani needed a run so we went up to the field, it was pretty wet and the two of them ran until they were soaking wet and black with mud. D took one look and said...NO WAY are they getting the car like that so we had to walk home....

Other than that not too much to tell....Oh actually this morning I noticed the Cockatiels using the nesting box and doing funny "Flappy" things with their wings....maybe we gonna get baby birdies soon.....

Ciao for now
Si

You can't catch me.....I'm Shani!

2007-09-02T06:22:00.000+10:00

Near our house there is a field.... a big empty fenced field... we take the girls there to let off steam. Takes about 5 Min's and the greys are all done, they have run at Mach2 for 5 minutes and after a cool down walk. We sniff a few things, do pee pees and then wander home. Shani and Karma love to run, they chase each other and run circles around us. A couple of sprints and they go to eat grass and do doggie stuff. The beauty is having a fenced field about the size of 3 Footy fields all to ourselves!

The BIG advantage of this is that Shani the Destructor is too tired to destruct.

J got all artistic on me and told me how to position things so she could be in the photo with her dog. Right in the clover....worked well.

Had a good weekend, studied some, played some and got a few things done. Next two weeks are going to be a bit mad around here as one of the nurses at work is going on leave so I am doing extra hours...have warned my family that things could turn bad at home during this period...the washer woman is gonna be scarce.........

It was fathers day here today (different to South Africa) , its been nearly 6 six years since my Dad passed away.....still miss him like crazy. Miss how he made me laugh and how he held us all together... R.I.P Dad.

Si

Blogger's Block...

2007-08-30T05:02:00.000+10:00

I have sat down a few times to put hand to keys (as opposed to pen to paper) and stared blankly at the screen, sighed and switched off the pc. But I am back with a few anecdotes to share. It has been pretty busy since our little trip to Noosa and I think I had about 6 tonnes of washing to catch up on.

Last weekend we organised a walk at Nudgee beach with a Gold Coin donation to go to Greyhound Adoption Program of QLD. My boss who has been away has a deep love of greyhounds and it was actually due to her that I became involved in Greyhounds. The walk was fun and our clients from Anvet Kedron really enjoyed the walk, a few folk asked if we could make it an annual event.

Some of the photos show what fun we had, best trick, musical "Sit" ....last dog left sitting on command wins! We had been kindly sponsored by our Wholesaler and reps and had loads of prizes and freebies to give out. A sausage sizzle added to day made sure there were no hungry tummies.

On the home front we had FANTASTIC news, D went for a P.E.T scan to check there is no spread of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma he had removed in December. The Doc rang yesterday and left a voicemail saying, "Buy some champers, it's all clear" ! The relief is great, he still gets checked every 6 weeks but its very encouraging sign that he is all clear now!

J, A and I joined a new gym this week and have been doing some serious workouts, its pretty good all going together. Everyone is going to bed a lot earlier now....

Chat soon
Si

Been awhile....better catch up!

2007-08-24T07:57:00.000+10:00

Well last weekend saw the "Clan" off to Noosa for the weekend. My best friend whom I have known since I was 4yrs old was visiting from the "Land of Long White Cloud". Actually I think she was hoping that "Sunny Queensland" would deliver her from the "Coolth" of New Zealand... I think she wants her money back after the weather we had this past week!

It was lovely to catch up with her and meet the new baby boy...when you only get to see people once year its a shock to see how they grow! It was also the first time I had gone away from my "Grey Babies", my friend "Doriso" was kind enough to move into our home or "Ark" as she calls it to care for my creatures great and small.

The Grey's seem to have been happy enough to be spoiled by Doriso but apparently the cats gave her a bit of a hard time by galloping up and down the passage all night and keeping her awake. Shani only protested slightly by doing some "Un-Gardening" of the pot plants. Karma as usual was her perfectly behaved self.

It was great to get away and Noosa is very very beautiful, I think we may need to spend more time exploring the Sunshine Coast. The beach was beautiful and even though the weather was not too good we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. There were no computers and so we actually talked!!! Bloody Miracle!

Gotta go have a shower... had a little "incident" at work today. Was attempting to feed a kitty with a fractured jaw via her "Stomach Tube", the tube blocked and the mushy cat food exploded into my face.....yup not a good look! Cat food in the eyes and hair, as usual my work colleagues rushed to help me...yeah right...they were all rolling about laughing at me....

Don't despair we sorted the tube and the kitty has had a big feed...

Chat soon
Si

Flu anyone? No thanks I already had it ...TWICE!!

2007-08-16T11:49:00.000+10:00

Yep, got all ready to finally do my bit for Greyhound Adoption , said I would bring my greys and help out on the Promotional stand at the "Ekka" (Queensland's Big Show). But Alas I have been struck down with a repeat bout of the "Killer Flu". Obviously my immune system is not functioning on "All Cylinders" and so any little thing that wafts by seems to attack me.

I was disappointed because I was looking forward to seeing what its all about, as I had never been to the Ekka before. Oh well...there is always next year! With most of Queensland in a bit of panic about the severity of the Flu, it is considered very "No No" to go to public places and cough all over people.

The dogs were miserable because they did not get "walkies" today...I am too sick and J would have taken them BUT she had her first day at a TRIAL JOB. She loved it, assisting in a Deli/Coffee Shop. Very excited about her potential job. We think it went OK, she has been asked back to fill in all the necessary forms and such....

Little Miss A gave up swimming much to my dismay but I just could not fight it another day. We have been looking for a replacement sport but she is not much interested in any... However today we joined her to Auskick for the next month to learn how to play Touch Footy (Aussie Rules). This should be interesting...

Other good news is the assignment is done, finito, ended.....YAY. Now the next one is due in a month and its a big sucker.... I am afraid...very afraid!

Seeya
Si

A bit of a Doggie Blog....

2007-08-12T08:44:00.000+10:00

Well I am back to normal and feeling OK again. I am happy to report that I am about 80% through my assignment. Many long hours have been spent but the end is in sight YAY! The dogs are feeling a bit neglected through all this "Sick & Studying Mom".

D says that the night I came home from the hospital so wiped out, Karma was not happy. She kept trying to climb onto his lap to tell him something was wrong with me. Shani or "Puppy" as we fondly call her is just the sweetest most mischievous little dog you have ever met. Even D has melted and I see him snuggling Shani and playing with her.

A is so funny, the other morning she says "Arrrgh this dog is like a TRAILER, it hooks onto the back of you and follows you everywhere"! The name has stuck and it is very appropriate...you cannot move without "Trailer Dawg" attaching herself to you and following you, not even a trip to the loo is sacred...

She does require a lot of stimulation, needs plenty exercise and her destructiveness abates.....ignore her and the entire house is packed out onto the lawn. Karma loves her and it is very sweet to see the two of them cuddled up together having a nap. "Evil Grey Cat" is kept at bay by her responding to Blue, Bindii and Kittens distress calls....she gallops over and chases the cat away. Only problem is now kitten thinks she is invincible because she has a greyhound as her wing man.....but the greyhound cannot follow through the fence and EGC had a good swipe at her.

Well better get back to work...must finish this assignment so I can go to the EKKA and help at the GAP stand this week!

See ya
Si

Don't worry I am a doctor...

2007-08-10T07:31:00.000+10:00

Hello there, I am sort of back in the land of the living again. The good news is that there is nothing wrong with my stomach according to the endoscopy...the bad news is :

a) I still have no diagnosis for the bloody mystery pain.
b) The anaesthetist would not believe me when I told him I am allergic to some drug they use...
c) I paid a *^%&**))#$ of money to be wiped out for 48hrs.

So here's what went down. I rock up for my 12:30 endoscopy, having fasted since the previous night. Feeling like hell, dehydration headache and the mystery pain is in full force. Some poor soul has complications, I finally get to theatre at 2pm. I say to the Anaesthetist, " The last two times I have had an anaesthetic I have been violently ill and struggled to wake up, I suspect I am allergic/sensitive to one of the drugs you use". "Humph he snorts, last time you had major surgeries, today I am "sedating you" and don't assume its one of the drugs, it's highly unlikely". "OK" , I reply meekly, go ahead. He says "Well today will tell won't it, you will be fine".

I wake up feeling like a freight train has run me over, am struggling to wake up and the nausea and headache are so bad I say to the nurse...."Quick I am going to vomit!". And vomit I did...repeatedly whilst all around me ate their sandwiches, drank their tea and went home. Eventually the nurse went to find the "Don't Worry" doctor to tell him I may soon lose my actual stomach. I am allergic to most anti nausea medication so out comes the $75 dollar a shot kick ass medicine. This makes me stop vomiting. D helps me to the car , it is now 6:30pm. I make it home fall into bed and sleep, wake up but can't get up, can't eat or drink and the headache is now at migraine proportions.

D has to ph work to let them know that I will not be at work the next day, because I can't really sit up ,let alone drive a vehicle...

So today I ring "Dr Don't Worry's" office and tell them I am stuffed. They tell him, he says I must be re-admitted, I say righto then I will drive my car there and crash is that OK? I am not dying all I want is a letter from you to say that I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DRUGS YOU USED so that I can tell the next anesthetist and hopefully avoid a 4Th time of being so wiped out post op! A friend came and took me to the GP for a check up, I am OK, still get woozy and have slept about 20hrs straight but am still tired?

Will post more when my eyes will stay open
Si

Still finding things a bit distracting...

2007-08-07T09:59:00.000+10:00

I think it must be a medical condition or something but I still have not sunk my teeth into this assignment? I get distracted by anything and everything that would normally not even register on my "Interest Radar".

Things I did today:

1) Took Kids to School
2) Attended J's final subject selection interview (Maths, Art, Ancient History, Biology, English & Chemistry)
3) Attended an Academic Awards Lunch where J won an award for excellent results in Semester
4) Did Shopping
5) Did 3 loads of laundry
6) Exercised The Grey Kids
7) Cooked dinner
8) Made a million calls to sort insurances etc etc
9) Watched TV
10) Avoided my assignment

What I didn't do Today:

1) My Assignment

Don't worry tomorrow I am grounded and I will do it...I promise!

;-)

Si

The Art of Procrastination......

2007-08-01T09:49:00.000+10:00

There is one Art I have mastered...the ART OF PROCRASTINATION. I find I am especially adept at it when I have a deadline for my studies looming like a big disaster. Its a constant source of wonder that despite all the years of "Learning the consequences of procrastination" , I still fall prey to it ??? I thought as you got older you got wiser? It appears however that you don't always learn from your mistakes.

I get very irritated with others when they procrastinate... but I can give you VERY good excuses why my assignment won't be ready by due date. I am writing this in the vain hope it jars my sub-conscious into a mad panic so that I START THE ASSIGNMENT before I run into some serious time issues.

Don't invite me anywhere, don't ask me anything........tell me to go study....

Si

Happy Birthday J - 15 years of fun!

2007-07-30T07:05:00.000+10:00

It's my "Baby's" Birthday, J turned 15 today. I cannot believe how the time has gone, it felt like yesterday I was pregnant with her. The thing is that when your kids start hitting numbers like 15........it means your own numbers are getting pretty much larger.........I am going to be 42 this year...Arrgh! J is now quite a bit taller than me and it feels a bit weird looking up at your kid.

We had a celebration on Sat evening for her and she got a "Kick Ass Camera" for her B.Day. unfortunately both she and I have had flu all weekend so weren't feeling the best.

I have been taking the dogs to the doggie park lately as the puppy, alias Destructor Dog, needs lots of exercise to keep her from shredding everything she sees. It is really cute to watch her run. She is very gentle and loves to play with all the other dogs, she does not always listen too well but always comes back to us after a run.

The photos are of J and A at a recent Greyhound Promo looking after the dogs... The joke is just cos I thought it was funny!

Si

Art - some got it...some don't

2007-07-26T04:35:00.000+10:00

My Father was a very talented man. He founded surfing in South Africa and built a career for himself doing what he loved most. An aspect of his talent that not everyone knew was his artistic ability. He did leather work, woodcarving, macrame, painting and in his retirement took to hand making knives.

I am not very artistic at all BUT J has fortunately inherited this talent. In fact she is fortunate in that D's dad was a Cabinet Maker by trade and made the most beautiful furniture. So she has "Art Gene's" from both sides. As a tiny girl she started to draw and has never stopped. As the years have passed she has improved and is really starting to produce some good stuff.

I hope for her that she can make a career doing what she loves most....I have manged to do that! I am one of the lucky ones who has manged to make my greatest love- animals - my career. You go girl ... cos you got the goods.

Why Kids are "Character Building"... and Husbands sent to "Test Us"

2007-07-22T05:19:00.000+10:00

I normally try to respect my family's privacy and not reveal too much on the blog BUT there are a few things I would like to "Get off my chest". I think I will expose them one by one...

J - She will escape my wrath to a large degree because of all the 2 legged family members , she is probably the one who helps me most. Will hang washing , mop floors, sort out animal needs, cook dinners and walk dogs...........But she is a very Arty Farty person. Her room looks like it has been hit by a SCUD missile and chaos is her middle name. She is rarely listening when spoken to, so often "misses out on instructions" leading to many "But I didn't know" conversations. Her artwork gets winning prizes and she is unaware it was even entered.......... She is however the warmest, loveliest person you can ever meet........and I am prepared to live in battle zone........she is worth it!

A - Hmm this little devil is going to cop the hardest rap from me. She is extroverted and people adore her but beware because before you know it you will become a slave to her like the rest of us. After she has made you sooo mad you can see steam coming from my ears.........she will say or do something so funny and endearing that you forgive her. She says she will help with chores but somehow manages to use her wiles to escape every task she is set. Anything goes from suddenly becoming ill to big tears welling up in her massive long lashed eyes......... Her chaos is not confined to her room, she manages to spread her untidiness through the house like flood waters rising. Before you know it we are all drowning in A's junk lying about. She indignantly denies it was her and blames it on everyone and everything except herself! She is so proficient at this that you almost start to believe that it must have been you who made the mess......... I do adore her despite the hard time she gives me.........she will go far... and have many adoring fans.

D - Hmm not really house broken yet after all these years. He should probably reside in an office as he does not always need to sleep anyway. He lives in the Virtual world and occasionally drops in and says "Hi". DIY is a big no-no and can even make him hide. Mowing the lawn is something that happens when I am threatning to leave. He is not the most social beast and is content with his own company most of the time. He gets very animated with the following :

World of Warcraft Battlegrounds
Rugby
Beer
Formula One
Equations that no one else understands

He is very nice when he is on earth though and apart from getting weird tumours and trying to die at regular intervals, I do Lurrve him. Oh and also because he lets me keep so many animals...
Then there is me..........I do the Shopping,cooking,housework,DIY, garden,all accounts and bank stuff, open all the mail...........yep that's me.... THE LITTLE RED HEN!!

We are Siamese if you please..........We are Siamese if you don't please

2007-07-18T07:22:00.000+10:00

OK enough about the dogs already. We have 3 cats. Two Blue Point Siamese and a Tortoiseshell Domestic Short hair. The Siamese are boys and their names are Blue (original Huh!) and Bindi (did not know it meant "girl" in aboriginal!) and the Torti does not have a name, we call her Kitten even though she clearly is no longer one..........

The Siamese are pretty "Snobby" about Kitten and so are a bit standoffish to her. This does not bother her, she was a feral kitten that I bought home from work for "A few days" to tame, and she is a survivor ... nothing bothers her. She eats as though its her last meal each time, of course when you are a house cat this means you start to get pudgy. I am too embarrassed to take her to work ( Veterinary Clinic) because she is so fat she has to squeeze through the cat door.

The cats were here first and they were very peeved about the arrival of DOGS in their home. Much unhappiness took place but now they have come to terms with the dogs and things are reasonably harmonious. Shani still cops a smack on the snout due to her exuberance but Karma is not hurt at all anymore.

The thing with cats is that they expect a certain level of servility from all other living creatures. Dogs don't always understand this. The Siamese are especially "High Maintenance" and demand that things happen when asked. IF I don't respond they will MEOW very loudly until I take notice. If they happen to get hungry at 3am and I have not left sufficient food out, they play games on my head and knock things off shelves until I get up and feed them.

I spend my days at work giving people advice on how to re-educate their animals behaviour....and then I get home and my 4-legged friends outwit me at every turn............

Maybe next week Iwill be FIRM and able to sort out who is the BOSS..........

Yeah right...........
Si

Why I am allowing a "Thief" in our midst

2007-07-15T09:46:00.000+10:00

It's official, I am crazy , not a shred of doubt left in my mind.......or anything else for that matter. The little Black & White Greyhound Shonny is staying. We have decided not to change her name too much (she hardly listens to the one she has, better to stick with it). So from now on she is SHANI .... sounds the same as Shonny BUT is a Swahili word that means "Marvelous".

Pretty appropriate considering she is possibly the cutest puppy on earth. Note the use of "Puppy", she is very badly behaved and is a dreadful thief. Should probably should be named "Kleptomaniac". She steals EVERYTHING and puts it out on the lawn. Wake up in the morning and go to put your shoes on ........whaaa??? guess what .........they are on the lawn. Everything goes to the wet lawn. Items on the list include:

Teaspoons
Remote Controls
Glasses
Brushes
Shoes
Clothing
DVD's
Books
Items from Recycle bin

The other night I woke up to the gentle sound of splintering plastic.....there was little bugger chewing up a book and a hard plastic covered diary. A's friend came for a sleepover and bought some Cupcake....she left them in A's room....I came in to find our little "Thief" with icing and little crumbs everywhere....she wags her tail when you discover her.

I wonder why I am doing this to myself? Well in amongst the destruction she is lovable to the extreme. Cuddles us gently and is so sweet. Also strangely Karma adores her?? Karma is not really a dog and so does not bother to play with dogs, she prefers human company. Despite Shani grabbing the limelight, Karma will share her bed, her bowl, her food and her humans....seems to me she has also fallen under the little "Witches" spell. It is to be expected as she is not even 2 years old yet, her birthday is on the 4th October.

Some afternoons we take the greys and go up to a local school sports field that is completely fenced. J holds the two dogs, I go about 300m down the field and then call them. J lets go.........and they're off.....two streaks of dog whizz past , do a big circle (can't stop when they are at full tilt) and then sprint back to J, and then back to me. They are then all tuckered out, on go the leads and off we go to "graze" on their favourite grass. Home to rest and no destruction occurs for about 2 hours. I must tell you they are fast...........even old Karma who I thought was over it.......she loves it and day after day she is getting quicker , who knows she may soon out sprint the "Whippersnapper".

So that's why I am going to allow this destructive pup to stay, she has stolen all our hearts. Karma's vote is yes so we have to go with it. She chases and plays with the cats. They just ignore her now or give her swat on the snout to remind her of her place. The Siamese are not afraid of her or bothered by her and this is a big plus. Kitten shares a bedroom with her at night and they are firm friends now. She will outgrow this chewing and stealing.........and then be the most stunning dog ...........after Karma that is.........

Timewarp

2007-07-11T07:26:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure if it's just me or if others have this problem. I feel like someone has hit the FAST FORWARD button and my life is just hectic? I always think I can slow things down but its impossible.

Rush rush rush............wake up, work,get kids, feed multitude of other living dependant creatures, do washing, hang it up, feed human dependants, try to remember various engagements, shout at kids to do homework, walk the greys, shop,shower ,sleep..........repeat daily for 7 days???

What the? I am not sure if I remember my Mom being so busy? Are other folk this busy? Every week I promise myself I am going to get it all under control........but alas so far no luck.

Maybe tomorrow will be better.......

Si

Why Greyhounds make "Greyt" pets......

2007-07-09T10:04:00.000+10:00

This past weekend was the one that was crazy, my house was like Grand Central. The Beast count was:

2 Greys (Karma and Shani)

2 Poodle Pups (Franklin and Sophie)

3 Cats (Bindii, Blue and Kitten)

2 Cockatiels (Ella and Spike)

Assorted fish..........

Also had friends up from Sydney as well as assorted "Spare" teenagers visiting. The Greys were amazing, the poodle pups are tiny and they abused the greyhounds no end. Franklin would climb up onto Karma and run across her back, bite her ear and jump all over her head. After about 10 minutes of abuse Karma would growl softly and then stand up and walk away quietly.

No problem to Franklin and Sophie as there was a second greyhound to abuse......poor Shani (Shonnie) took it like a champion. She actually played with these itsy bitsy balls of fluff! I was terrified and put her muzzle on but it wasn't really necessary. She ran around the garden with two bits of fluff persuing her and was so very gentle with them it was incredible. She allowed them to climb all over her and bite her ears.........way more tolerant than old Karma who just hid from them when the going got rough.

We are hoping Shani can stay and be our forever dog........

G'Night
Si

How life has a laugh at our expense........

2007-07-07T09:02:00.000+10:00

I am an animal person..... D is a cat person, J is an animal person and A is a cat person. D has become a "Grey Lover" but still not too keen on dawgs that jump up, lick and bark. Pretty much anything goes with me. When I met D many moons ago and decided he was the one.....I was living on a Race Horse Stud Farm (just to clarify for Needlenose Toast Hater).

We had a small problem D is very very allergic to horses. In our young passionate luurve he would be waiting for me to come home from work...... a kiss & a hug later he would be sneezing, eyes swollen and streaming, nose dripping and best of all large red welts would appear all over his body. Now as you can imagine that could be a passion killer. Several large doses of antihistimines later he could breathe but had fallen asleep. We lived on the farm for 2 years..........he became an antihistamine junkie. I would come home , say "Hi" give him a wide berth, go shower the Equine Allergens from my nubile young body and then we could greet.........

In fact life loves having a good laugh, why of all the men in the world did I, a horse mad person , fall in luurve with someone who is dreadfully allergic to horses? Just to make it funnier, we have very little in common. In fact the only things we have in common is that neither of us eat mustard and we are married. Something must work though we have been together 20 years. Actually we do like the same music........ that has helped.

He has been very supportive of my horse habit and has spent many days and hours bored out his mind watching me ride. Both J & A also ride. J has ridden for years but A sort of decided it was a bit too dangerous and gave up. I have broken most bones in my body, been dragged, bitten kicked and even crushed by horses and I still want to ride and be around them as much as I can.

Don't get much opportunity to ride at the moment but who knows, that may change........the saddles are oiled and waiting ...........

Will chat soon
Si

Sick again..........

2007-07-05T06:10:00.000+10:00

It is not fair...........my friends have come to visit from Sydney and I am sick again. Thankfully I am going to see the Gastroenterologist on the 9th and hopefully he will be able to figure out whats happening in my gut.

The tiredness is returning and the pain is pretty full on. Oh well thats life I guess. Its been great to see my Sydney friends. The kids have picked up their friendship where it left off. Today was spent cycling along the Peninsula Waterfront and tomorrow its Australia Zoo.

Dogs are great, Karma loves Shonny and things are really rather sweet around here. Karma seems to really enjoy Shonny's company and even shares her bed and bowl with her(high praise from the Queen). Shonny is just a babe and still has a few teething issues...........chewed the shoe rack and steals beer bottles. But a quick reprimand and she stops immediately. The kids and D like her and want her to stay forever............we will see if that is a possibility!

I love her to, but then again as you may have noticed........I like em all!

Would be hundreds of dogs if I had my way.........

Gotta go lie down now.........not feeling to good.

Si

Defeat

2007-07-04T09:15:00.001+10:00

OK I could not cope with the deaf doggie..........a very very sweet lovable boy with lots to offer. He needs someone around him a lot as he gets a bit anxious when he is left alone. He is also a bundle of energy and needs someone to play with. Karma is middle aged.........like me.......and his bouncing all over her made her very upset. She has been staring at me with barely concealed disdain. She growled at him and snapped at him as well..............something I have almost never seen her do (only once at a promo she got cranky with dogs crowding her).

The Siamese lodged a formal complaint and have been walking around resembling Persians they are so fluffed up! I promised the cats that they come first and that if they are unhappy with a dog we will listen to their woes.........otherwise they start peeing in the house and exhibiting other unwanted behaviours........that I find very persuasive. Poor doggie he just wanted to play, the kitties just could not cope with 30kg dog barking a millimetre from their whiskers........and being deaf he has no idea how loud he is...........

Also this weekend is going to be a bit of a laugh.........I swopped the Deaf Dog for "Shonny" who I previously had to stay for a few days..............remember the dog that like to steal bottles.....yep she is back for awhile. She is fine, young and bouncy, but does not bug Karma and freak the cats out tooo much. Then I offered to babysit Dr R's 9 week old poodle pups for the weekend.........so lets do a beast count -

2 Cockatiels
2 Greyhounds
3 Cats
2 Poodle Pups

Definitely need my head read..............

My sister keeps e-mailing me to tell me I am certifiable........listen Sister I remember you with your Mini Daschunds that were so badly behaved........... Why Frankie even stole all the Christmas Pressie out my suitcase one year and devoured them...........and then vomited the contents on the bed I was to sleep in ..........

Will keep you posted on the how the madness progresses.............

Si

Huh? Louder??

2007-07-03T05:57:00.000+10:00

Hmmm........Well now I have done it. My goal was to find a soft gentle old companion for Karma. I am currently fostering a "Special Needs" greyhound. A very young........not even 2 years old yet white dog ..........he is deaf...........profoundly deaf.

This carries with it a few challenges. I have some time off for the next week and we will attempt to see if this lovable goofy puppy can fit in to our lives. He is adorable but pretty full on. Do not leave him on his own, he howls and barks...........he may not hear it but I think people for miles around can!

Karma is rolling her eyes in despair...........Mom why have you bought a 30kg puppy to jump all over me when I am trying to sleep? Of course when she growls a warning at him.......he can't hear it so he carries on bouncing around like a big clown.

He seems very smart though and I have been reading up on hand signals for deaf dogs. Looks like he will learn fast...........we a have a week to see if the Siamese and Karma can cope. I hope they do.........he is pretty adorable...........

Si

A bit of History.........

2007-07-01T11:45:00.000+10:00

I have had a long association with animals. I grew up with English Bull Terriers and Italian Greyhounds as the family dogs. Our cats were Burmese and Siamese. From as soon as I remember I knew that animals were going to be my life. I have spent my life working with animals and still continue to do so.

We Lived in Cape Town in the city. My parents had a farm about two hours north of Cape Town where every weekend and school holiday was spent. So I was very lucky to have the best of both worlds, the city as well as the opportunity to spend time as a "Farm Girl", feeding the pigs, rounding up cattle and sheep and searching for where the chickens had laid their eggs. Somedays we would ride for 3-4 hours searching for sheep that needed to be bought back for counting and medication.

Many moons ago I left school and went and did a "Stud Management Course", I then worked with Thoroughbred racehorses for the next 6 years. During this time I met D and fell in luurve. We then moved to a very remote part of South Africa and lived on a huge Game Reserve. I worked on the reserve putting together a mounted Game Ranger Patrol System. This entailed buying 22 horses and training 10 Game Rangers how to ride and care for their mounts. I was also responsible for the translocated Game. ( These are animals bought from other reserves where they are too many and relocated to our Reserve which was not at full capacity)

Over the period I lived there we introduced 22 Elephant, a pack of Wild Dogs and 14 rare Roan Antelope to the Reserve. This was the most amazing time. Living on a remote farm on a Game Reserve where at night the Lions would walk past the house. Daily problems at home included marauding Baboons and a nest of Mozambique Spitting Cobras.

My then Siamese "Sambuca" used to catch baby Black Mambas and eat them........... After this wonderful few years we returned to Johannesburg where I then started my work as a small animal Veterinary Nurse. So as you see my association with animals has ranged from Elephants to mice. I have been fortunate enough to make my passion my job. I cannot imagine a day when I don't have to get up and feed, water and care for four-footed friends.

We emigrated to Australia in January 2002 . I worked in Sydney as a Veterinary Nurse for a couple of years and then we moved to sunny Queensland. I still work as Veterinary Nurse and am fortunate to work at a lovely practice with amazing people. My boss has a special love for Greyhounds and does a huge amount of work for Rescue Organisations promoting Greyhounds as Pets. So this is how I got to love the Greys............every time a Grey comes in they are so trusting and easy to work with. I fell in love and it was not long before I began fostering Greys and then Adopting them!

PS - These photos are of me in my youth........aaah. Don't ya love the 80's "Punk Hair"

Si :-)

Control - or lack of Control

2007-06-30T10:45:00.000+10:00

Anybody else noticed that as you get older instead of becoming more in control of your life.......you become less in control? Maybe its just me but I have noticed that no matter how hard I try to be organised......."life" sends in a little fairy to wave her wand and cause chaos.

I am thinking it is because when you are in your 20's you have just yourself to keep organised........no responsibilities and your main aim is to party big. Then as your 30's approach most folk settle down, get sick of pubs and start to contemplate having a family. Whilst this may sound like a more gentle period it is not. You go from having a late night partying but waking up at 1pm to..............spending your entire night pacing the floor with a screaming baby. You never really do know why they cry and the blur of parenthood is a huge shock.

The love and responsibility you feel for these tiny red-faced screaming "Mini-Me's" is phenomenal. But it is carefully ordained by our "Designer" so that we care for them no matter what and grow them big to propagate the human race. Along with this period of life comes RESPONSIBILITY, this means mortgages, material possession's and a frantic striving to make money for the FUTURE. We run ourselves ragged trying to get "Ahead".

We often forget what is important.......in this frantic "gathering of nuts". Then along come the 40's. The children are getting older and do not need constant care. You have time to reflect a bit more. Life throws a few or many curve balls at you and all your carefully laid plans get scattered. Things are not how you planned at all. Death visits those close to you and you realise what is important.........and it's not your mortgage.....believe me.

Whether you are rich or poor, beautiful or ugly the end of life is inevitable. How you conduct yourself on this journey is what matters. You can achieve great heights in life but if you behave badly you will have no friends and you will die alone and no one will remember you. If you give ,forgive and are kind to those around you............people will love you and they will stay by your side. When the tough times come you will have friends.............and it won't be so tough.

I have learned this lesson and everyday I say thank you for my "Friends" some are people that I did not know 7 months ago but now they form a huge part of my family. So thank you to all of you for being my friend!

Who knows what the 50's will bring...........but I am not scared of the future. The boat may rock, but I know I can swim..................

Si

Why School holidays should be banned - And Parent Holidays made compulsory

2007-06-28T07:44:00.001+10:00

School holidays are parental punishment. By the end of the second day of the holidays the siblings have had enough..........A is writing screensavers saying "Touch my computer and die J".......how lovely to see your sweet children behave like this. Parents have to work and if you have young kids you are meant to put them into childcare which often costs more than you earn!

A silly system methinks. Sending them away on any sort of "Holiday Camp" requires taking out a second mortgage on the house. Sooo now that J is nearly 15yrs old, she stays at home with A during the holidays and the two of them annoy each other constantly. The verbal snipes are sharp, witty and cutting. Knowing your sibling's weakness's enables you to wound to the quick.

I have taken some time of to referee the fights. I thing I may need "linesmen" to help me though. Eventually I resort to threats and loud screaming............"THAT'S IT NO MORE COMPUTER AND YOU ARE BANNED FROM WORLD OF WARCRAFT FOR 2 DAYS".

(Note to parents - beware of how long you threaten punishment for- 2 days of whining can wear you down to insanity)

Actually eventhough I "doth protest" about the amount of time my family spend online I must tell you it buys me precious time alone.........I can sneak off and read sometimes or go out for a walk and no one even notices. I do sometimes think I need to go "online" to catch up with my family. J reads my blog so she is up to speed on what I am up to.

I have taken a few days leave to try do some fun things with the girls........

G'Night from freezing unsunny Queensland.........BRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Si

There's a new Star in Heaven

2007-06-26T05:17:00.000+10:00

Life as I have said is not always easy. When you least expect things they can happen. My beautiful Dube (Bobby) boy has crossed the rainbow bridge today.

Just before the Greytwalk on the 16th Jun I noticed that Dube had a bit of a limp. He went to get out of his doggy bed and slipped on the tiles and whimpered. I watched him and rested him and he seemed to come good. Then on about Tuesday last week he slipped again and cried out, after this he was very sore. I was sick but took him up to a local vet who I know, he kindly examined him and said......it probably warrants an x-ray as its very sore. So we started him on painkillers. Friday I took him to work and he was no better. Increased the dose of painkillers and he did not really improve much. I bought him some non-skid boots to ensure he did not slip on the tiles but he was too sore to even put the foot down.

On sunday evening he was standing in the kitchen contemplating the "Lamb Roast" and he backed up, slipped slightly and just started yelping continuously for a few minutes. I managed to settle him and put blankies on him and keep him comfortable. Today we x-rayed , Dr R warned me before hand that he suspected something sinister. He said the amount of pain he was in was not normal. Unfortunately the diagnosis was clear cut, an Osteosarcoma. Bone Cancer........even with treatment the outcome is pretty inevitable. The pain associated with bone cancer is not fun and very hard to medicate effectively.

I made the sad decision to let him go now, before the pain got any worse. He spent such a short time with us but had crept into our hearts already. I can only take solace in knowing that the last weeks of his life were spent in luxury. Lots of food and treats and sleeping in a warm bedroom with J...............

So run in peace my gentle boy.......

Sorry to have to say goodbye so soon......

Si

Happy Birthday D - Well done for making it to 45

2007-06-24T02:35:00.000+10:00

It's D's birthday today........45 years old. Whew had a few close misses in making it this far. He has spent the last 3 years pulling all kinds of weird tumours. His birthday card said "The secret to a long life is.........................keep breathing".

The girls and I thought this most appropriate in his case. His first brush with death in 2005 was an extremely rare adrenal tumour (10x10cm) that sent massive amount of adrenaline surging through his body and causing all sorts of chaos...........heart failure, kidney trouble.......... That sort of wiped out from FEB 2005 -AUG2005. He recovered with no real lasting problems. The odd's of getting a "Phaeochromocytoma" are very rare. There are about 5 cases per annum in the USA.

Then the bugger gets diagnosed with an agressive squamous cell carcinoma in his cheek on the 15Dec 2006, after massive surgery and radiation that nearly killed him he is ok. About 20kg lighter and ok, this episode lasted from Dec2006 -May2007. The next 5 years will tell whether he is ok or not. He sees the Oncologist and the Head/Neck surgeon every 6 weeks for the next few years to get inspected for any possible return. Squamous Cell cancers in the mouth are normally associated with a history of smoking..........D has never ever smoked! Not fair huh!

The thing is.......... that life is so unpredictable and you just never know what the next day holds. The most difficult thing to cope with is not allowing yourself to get wary about the future. When lots of unpredictable calamities occur, your brain puts you into "Survival Mode". Planning ahead is impossible.........because your brain has prepared you for the worst scenario's. People tell me they have booked a trip to somewhere about 6 months in advance... and I think "Are you nuts, anything could happen in6 months time!"

We have cried and we have laughed, but we still trucking.............can't keep a good dog down!

So lets hope this year stays boring,uneventful and normal.............I love it!

Si

Mad Dog Lady

2007-06-21T09:38:00.000+10:00

I bet some of you are rolling your eyes and thinking..........uh oh Si has lost it, all she writes about are those bloody Greyhounds. Well I have a good reason for not relaying too many Kid and Husband stories. When I write about them they want to censor what I tell you, I have to run the photo's by them for approval...........all of which I find inconvenient and restrictive...........see I told you I am cranky.

Youngest child of mine "A" has such a wicked sense of humour she can drop you in your tracks. Last night we are watching "House M.D", one of our favourites. Its about this guy who has to have the right side of his brain removed..........."A" pipes up "On no! Now he is going to be Light-headed"...........
Another great one from her is she says to her swimming coach, "I can't swim today because I am sick".........."What's wrong" he asks? "I am coming down with a severe case of laziness and it's terribly contagious............I wouldn't want the other kids catching it". Saw her teacher for an interview and he says she is doing fine, a bit distracted but no problems. He says she is polite, well-mannered and listens to instructions......................Huh?? Are we talking about the same kid?

Look out world, a whirlwind is due to hit you............she is going to be very interesting to watch. A great networker and eyelashes so long they seem false..................

As J matures so we get closer and closer. When your kids are little you are Mom and you are in charge. When your kids hit their teens and the "Adult" emerges it's an interesting journey of having to step back and watch in awe as your "Baby" needs you less and less. I am so enjoying becoming "Friends" with J and having interesting discussions. She is a beautiful human and so creative. A lovely nature, gentle and kind. She is great starter...........she will get everyone around her to complete the actual job..........not too big on finishing! Loves solitary time, reading, art and animals. She towers over me now and I feel a bit short ............how did these big people ever fit inside my stomach!

Actually way I look at the moment it looks like they may still be in it................Ha Ha...........told you its to iron out the wrinkles...............

Si

Grumpy Old Woman

2007-06-20T10:21:00.000+10:00

I must be getting old because my grumpy levels rise very quickly with little or no provocation. Look it may be PMT but I think its just me getting cranky. Started the week badly, verrry sore throat...........uh oh..........maybe I am getting the cold that has slain all my friends?

Yup I am right, now have the full snots, blocked ears, headaches etc etc..........Whoopeee! Not only me but poor ol Dube's hindleg does not like the weather we have had, and he is very sore and sorry for himself. He will have to go to work with me and get the "Magic Vet's" to fix him...........or just prescribe some kick-ass painkillers.

It's freezing, I want my money back, I thought Queensland was the Sunshine State? I threw out all my thick coats because it does'nt get cold here..........maybe I am acclimatising now and just get cold when the temp falls below 20 deg.

Anyway, back to whinging, am finding everyone and everything irritating?

Thought I'd do something nice for the dogs. We bought a new bed and so the old queen size bed has been out in the garage. Hmmm maybe Karma and Dube would prefer to sleep on a Queen Size bed rather than their current "Dog Bed's". So spent a whole morning re-arranging the garage, made the bed up with blankies and cuddly stuff. Called the dogs to come and see their new boudoir...............

Greyt excitement, leap up onto bed, burrow under blankies.................mmmm........there seems to be a problem........... Apparently we were not wrong in hating that bed for the 6 years we slept on it! The bloody dogs won't sleep on it either! I must admit that we always complained that it was like sleeping on a concrete slab.............well the dogs have decided that they would actually rather sleep on a concrete floor! So tonite they are snuggled up in the lounge on cushions with about a million blankies...........the bed is going where it should have gone 6 years back............TO THE DUMP.

It's late I am cold, sick, sore and cranky...........better go to bed and feel sorry for myself.........

G'nite
Si

A Gathering of Grey's

2007-06-17T06:31:00.000+10:00

Yesterday was a "Greytwalk" , a monthly get together organised by a Greyhound Mum. It's really good to go for a walk with a whole bunch of folk and the dog's really enjoy it. J came with me and had a great time doing all the photography.

It was Dube's first outing and he was very well behaved. He did have a few grumbles at a bunch of dogs all crowding him, but he will get used to it. He and Karma were exhausted after their walk and passed out for the remainder of the day. D and A stayed home and played..........yep you guessed it...........World of Warcraft. Anyone else beginning to suspect a small addiction happening?

I really enjoyed my afternoon , as the pics will show Karma was trying desperately to remove her muzzle using my leg! Had big plans for the weekend to get stuff done................never mind now I have big plans to do "Stuff" next weekend.........

Oh and just to top it off............. South Africa won the rugby..........now that we are dual citizens of Australia and South Africa we are able to "Run with the hares and hunt with hounds"...........always belong to the winning team!

Cheers for now
Si

Complaints

2007-06-15T06:05:00.000+10:00

I got a complaint yesterday.........from the other side of the world. My sister rings me and says"Ok I'm sick of the dogs now, tell us how the family are.........and post pictures!" So for the South African contingent here's a bit about the Clan (the human side).

Girls are great, looking forward to school holidays at the end of next week.......then they can fight all day long instead of having restricted hours after school to fight. J is still going to Gym and is doing really well......A continues to swim under sufferance and we bribe her to get her there.....whatever it takes we will do.

D is very very well now, able to drink beer and looking so well. A cut her hair short. I am on a mid-semester break from studies which is great! Here is sone J-Art as well for you to see what she is up to. She spends all day online at a site called i-scribble and draws online with her cyber pals. J is also keen on photography as you see. D and A play World of Warcraft 24/7. I complained that he pays me no attention........he says its because he never sees me online...............

D said he did not want another dog.............I said pay me more attention or let me have another dog........I got the dog as you see!

So life is pretty normal for now........just the way I like it..........no dramas.........just ordinary stuff!

Its Bliss
Si

DUBE (aka Bobby) Teaching an old dog new tricks

2007-06-14T08:56:00.000+10:00

Well Monday saw , Shonny leave and Dube ( dog formerley known as Bobby) arrive. The idea was to have a companion for Karma the Queen. Dube is an interesting fellow. He is "Functionally" blind due to having an eye condition known as Pannus. He is in need of a bit of TLC and was a bit spaced out after a long week of travelling and changes in his life.

He is taking to being a house dog like a duck to water! The first night saw him eat like he was not going to get fed ever again , retreat to bed and not budge till the next day. Tuesday was a big day, went to work with me to have a check over from the Vet and see that all is ok with the old fella. He is ok, a bit stiff in the hindquarter, a bit blind, his skin a bit yucky and a spot of the "runs" probably all the changes in his diet and the travelling.

He has now had a bath, his Pannus is being treated, there is no cure but we can hope for a slight improvement at best and hopefully delay the further progress of blindness. He trots around the garden and can see shapes and shadows so does not bump into anything. His tail wags constantly and he is a smart dog. His nose is to the ground sniffing things..........when a sight hound loses his sight...........he becomes a bloodhound!

He is very very cat safe and the cats have inspected him and decided he is absolutely no threat so they are treating him kindly, no hissing , no spitting just meander past him. He discovered the bed and blankies and thought "Hmmm not bad"............but why settle there.........it appears there is a Leather Couch that can be used as well. This is where he will have to learn a "new trick".......no dogs on the couch..........dogs have their own beds.

He is probably not the handsomest fellow but he is definately "Mr Personality". He loves a walk, is a great "Grey Ambassador" and greets everyone with a wagging tail and gentle cuddle. He quickly caught on to "Jumping" into the car and happily shares everything with Karma.

He does need some guidence in learning a few manners about "Waiting" for his food and not diving into the garbage can but we have time............and we will teach the old dog new tricks.

His new name is an african name meaning "Zebra" in Zulu. It is pronounced "Doo-bee". A new life needs a new name...........

He does love snuggles and J indulged him in a bit of cuddling.............

See ya
Si

What they don't tell you about fostering "Grey's"

2007-06-14T08:42:00.000+10:00

We had a weekend guest, little "Shonny" came to stay for a few days. She is a sweet little girl but we discovered that she has a secret drinking problem! Put a beer bottle in the recycle bin and Hey Presto it reappears in the dog's bed with a dog trying desperately to get the last drop out.......granted it was a Guiness but hey......dogs should'nt drink!

"Shonny" has moved on in her foster journey and I am sure will find a great forever home in the not too distant future. Don't worry, we removed the bottle and had to "re-locate" the recycle bin until she moved on.........

Next episode...........THE NEW OLD DOG arrives.............

Si

Going Grey

2007-06-11T09:59:00.000+10:00

Well most folk fail at fostering Greyhounds, they fall in love with their foster dogs and keep them. I decided to stop fostering due to having too much on my plate and not being well. Well I failed a bit at that......we fostered "Shonny " for a few days a little Black & white female who was really sweet but had obviously not heard that Grey's are meant to be laid back.

She thinks she is a staffy and her tails wags constantly and she pulls on the lead , but is very affectionate and full on, wants to play and run all day. Karma had her "The youth of today" look on her face but actually was sad when we said goodbye to Shonny.

Tonite "Bobby" arrived, he is a dog from NSW that is the same age as Karma and a very mellow fellow. I am fostering him with a view to adopting him if he likes us and all the beasts of the house agree. He is a bit thin and exhausted and needs some TLC. The next few days will tell how he is doing. Karma was very excited and wanted to play but Bobby was too tired and a bit grumpy so he ignored her and went to bed. We won't push him, let him settle and come out of his shell at his own pace. He has a eye problem known as "Pannus" and I suspect he may have lost a fair amount of vision. I will take him to work tomorrow and let the Vet give him a once over to check he is ok and get him meds for his eyes.

Greyhounds form a big part of my life now, I love going for walks with my dog and having that amazing bond with them, that unconditional love they give you. Will post more when I have more to tell.

Si

Humour is all you really need

2007-06-06T01:29:00.000+10:00

Humour , I have discovered, is all you really need in life. Humour turns sad to happy, anger to laughter and you can't really dislike someone you having a laugh with.

During the past few years of my "Character Building" people have said to me "How do you cope?"

Well here is how:

What's the option to not coping? Flinging yourself about weeping and wailing does not help at all....you still have to get up, feed the kids, work, clean the house. Crying does not make cancer disappear or death any easier. Sure have a weep but just get up and put the one foot in front of the other.

Next week is a long way away, best not to worry about it today, it might not work the way you are expecting anyhow.

The people you love are important, the friends you have are priceless. When the going gets tough you discover who they really are.

Billy Connelly said" I don't waste my time on idiots, I am too old and I don't have much time left, I am gonna spend it with folk I like". Smile and move on.

Time really does heal all things.

Our family has a fairly macabre sense of humour and that keeps us smiling most of the time. We do also find "Toilet Humour" pretty amusing , so be warned.

Must be honest, I do find a spot of anger helps me too........(Hey I'm not perfect) actually I find that getting furious and having a tantrum is very refreshing.

I always think, "If I got hit by a truck tomorrow, I will have lived a full life, no regrets".

Count your blessings, there are always others who have it waaay worse than you.

Tell people who you care about that you do care about them, sometimes you can live to regret not saying what you felt.

Don't avoid death, illness and difficult situations - they will follow you forever. Grieve ,get angry, get sad and keep going forward.

Nobody said it was going to be easy.................

Remember to say "Thank you".

A glass of wine can also help............

Si :-)

PS Thank you to Gary Larson for the jokes!

Doggie Etiquette

2007-06-02T09:17:00.000+10:00

G'Morning

Todays topic is not a pretty one, put away your breakfast .....you have been warned. I was wondering why it is that people think we are stupid. Went to the doggie park the other day and it is a marvelous place to observe human behaviour. People fall into two distinct groups........those who follow rules and those who break them.

This brings us to "Poo Etiquette" which is a very interesting reflection on the dog owner. Some of us always clean up after our hound and ensure that the park is left in a "No Landmine" state, so as not to have to drive home with your shoes left in the back due to some unfortunate poo accident.

Then there are the "Phantom Poo's", these apparently do not belong to anyone's dog despite the fact that you actually clearly observe the dog parking a massive landmine. The owners do notice but look the other way and pretend to be absorbed in bird watching. Due to the fact that we are all a bit circumspect about confronting strangers we tend to get irritated but remain silent. I propose that there should be "Poo Police" . Would it not be hilarious to hear a siren go off and blue lights flashing when some long standing offender is caught ignoring his dog parking a landmine.

As punishment they could be given 90 hours community service ............picking up other folks dog crap! Hah that would be justice!

Another pet hate (excuse the pun) of mine is those folk with Giant Breed dogs with no manners at all. When you own a Rottweiler that weighs 55 kg and has an attitude of Mike Tyson it is probably not wise to take it to an off leash park. One minute you are walking quietly and the next you are backed up against a fence with a salivating dog threatening you? The owner always has an excuse "He is not like this at home" , yes dumbkopf he probably is not but until you can control him please stay at home!

Then you meet the good folk. Stop chat, make friends , admire each other's dogs and have a relaxing walk.

Maybe I am just getting cranky with age..........

Chat soon
Si

The Mystery illness is still a mystery?

2007-05-30T06:53:00.001+10:00

Hmm, medicine I have learned is not an exact science at all. All my tests have come back pretty ok, liver is a bit strange looking but seems to function fine? Only problem is that there is a definite infection brewing somewhere, my white blood cell count has doubled since the last test and it was already too high then.

Doc says he is stumped? We can carry on with a million tests or just try to treat the mystery infection with some antibiotics..........I chose the the antibiotics. Don't need to know what it was......just need to get better! So lets hope this will fix me!

D has just become stronger and stronger........he has taken to cooking and its looking like he may actually do a way better job than me!We walk almost everyday, along the beautiful waterfront and have a cappucino to keep us going.

D has a new project he is trying to catch the "Evil Grey Cat" hence known as EGC. EGC has been terrorizing our three kitties for months. He arrives at night, pees on everything and beats my kitties to a pulp. Blu Boy has had to go to hospital twice already to be repaired. Kitten has also been mauled by EGC. Bindii Boy does his best to fight back but sadly EGC has the weight advantage and we keep losing the battle.

So D has decided to trap EGC and give him a BIG fright and a BIG splash of water and hope that serves as a lesson. Personally I have my doubts but desperate times call for desperate measures..... Of course EGC may be wiser than we give him credit for, as every morning the trap is empty and the tantilizing morsel of food remains untouched. The biggest danger is to remember to "de-activate" the cage in the morning so that we don't trap our own unsuspecting felines!

I have just finished a MEGA assignment and written an exam for my Veterinary Nursing Certification. Yep after 20 years of nursing animals I am making it official. I have studied more in the last few weeks than I think I did in my entire school career. Its not eaasy studying when you are old, work, have kids and waaay too many animals. Also I can now study with pandemonium around me. Try concentrate when people are shouting "Mom, whats for dinner"?

The answer is nothing, zero, nought.....nada. Get your own!

Chat soon
Si

A bit about the kids

2007-05-19T11:13:00.000+10:00

Woke up this morning 7am........lay in bed for awhile...............woke up 11am! Not feeling too bad today, a few grumbles from the non-existent gallbladder but not too bad. Wandered into kitchen.....D,J and A all on computers in a row.

A "flaps " her arms and jumps up and down when playing World of Warcraft with her dad. Whoever said that sitting in front of a PC all day is not exercise, has clearly not seen my child flap her arms, jump on and off her chair, shriek and generally look like a startled bird. Don't panic........we force her to do swimming training 3 days a week so her muscles won't atrophy.

J on the other hand does not move much at all..........in fact, its as if you have unplugged her from this planet. It can take 3-7 calls and even a shake of the shoulder to get her to look up and say "Huh"? When present on earth she is very helpful and and sweet........its just that she is not often on earth as you who have met her would know! She is very very into her art and is really got amazing talent. A local professional artist is giving her lessons as well now and she is loving it. She so "Arty Farty" its scary. Wears only denim jeans and black t-shirts. Is very very smart and is fun to "debate" with. It is fantastic to see her take her dad on in an argument...........and win!!! We all know how easy he is to argue with don't we. ;-) She will fight the point and then rush off to grab the relevant New Scientist magazine and prove him wrong. If I have done nothing else in my "Character Building Journey" than produce another being who can out argue D..........I have had success!

D and J are two peas in a pod, its like having a clone.

A (I'm told) is like me but I can't see it........She is Loud, passionate, in your face but wonderful. Her energy is scary and some days I don't know how to keep up........The student has surpassed the master. I will sit in my 40 something crisis and wish for just a smidgin of her energy. She uses most of her energy to argue with her parents (Cannot see where that argumentative streak came from?) about EVERYTHING. Sometimes we retreat in exhaustion and try to plot a new plan to get her to do anything. BUT she is like a burning flame...........and the moths fly in and get zapped ad infinitum.

Sala Kahle
Si

Starting Point

2007-05-18T17:39:00.001+10:00

Thought it may be an idea to have a blog, seeing as everyone else I know has one. Mine will be a mixture of work and life..........greyhounds and other topics. Things were starting to look ok. D has recovered and is looking pretty darn good! A mere slip of man now, this entailed shopping for some new clothes as the old ones just fall off his .........ask no questions and I'll tell no lies.

Seeing as he is well I thought I should have a bash at being a patient for awhile. Not sure whats going on as yet but can only describe it as "Phantom Gallbladder" pain and discomfort??? What the ?? Apparently it is not uncommon to have some problems post gallbladder removal. Sooo here I go again....Abdominal scan etc etc. Will let you know whats going on when I know.

Due to unforseen circumstances i.e "Illness in the family" again........I am putting a hold on fostering greyhounds for awhile. Karma does not mind as she is not really a dog and so as long as there is human company she is happy. She has also been accepted into the "Siamese Club" and Bindii and Blue like her now. This is a great homour as even "Kitten" who is actually a feline, has not been invited in to this exclusive club as yet.

Work has been difficult due to my "Mystery illness" and I am feeling so very very exhausted all the time. Will write more soon.
Si