Happy Birthday to my awesome husband, Russ…
*whispering* He is forty!
and to our equally awesome cat, Max the Cat…
*YELLING* HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN MAX!
*smooch!*
Archive for the ‘What I am Doing This Week’ Category
Happy Birthday!
Thursday, May 10th, 2012Square Foot Gardening!
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012I cannot even tell you excited I am about this article published today by Mel Bartholomew on his website!
If you have been to our yard, or seen my pictures, or gotten excited with me about the first chives of the season (chives!) or let me help you plant a kitty garden or had my husband Russ build you a Square Foot Garden box…well, you know how much I love gardening and especially love Square Foot Gardening.
Thank you Thank you Thank you to Kevin Espiritu of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation who said “nice picture” and I said “thanks” and he said “Do you have more?” and I said “Do I?” and next thing I know he and Mel apparently stayed up till 2 am and made THIS…
by Mel Bartholomew
Thank you guys! I love it, and I have been waiting for a chance to tell you…I love Square Foot Gardening!
Yay.
I Lost a Poodle! (Not a Real Poodle)
Thursday, March 29th, 2012One of my resolutions this year is to return to a healthy weight. I get discouraged when I see before and after pictures that go with weight loss success stories…
“I used to look like THIS! and in the time it took you to move your eyes to the other side of the magazine page, I lost a gazillion pounds, found a cuter t-shirt, and now I look like THIS!”
So, I wasn’t going to write about it at all. Losing weight is a pretty emotional, personal thing. But when has that stopped me from sharing anything? Ha! But since I am sharing, I will not play the “instant change” trick on you. This is hard stuff.
It took me till mid-February to lose a couple ounces. I was discouraged.
About the same time, I met a super cute gecko who weighed a couple ounces. Gary was a complete being! I had lost an entire gecko! A few weeks later and I had lost SEVERAL geckos! Woo!
Nevermind before and after (and NO there will be no pictures! Haha!) We all live in the NOW. Even if you are not losing weight, you are striving to be healthy NOW. You are trying and succeeding and trying another new thing NOW. Life is not a snapshot one day and a second snapshot several months later. It is much richer and deeper and moment by moment than that.
So I will tell you after several months of really watching what I eat, becoming more active, being encouraged by Real Life friends and family also on the same journey and the online encouragement of Dr. Ernie Ward, I lost a Poodle. A small Poodle to be sure, but an entire Poodle.
In fact, Ernie Nelson is the smallest Poodle I know, but he would be sad if you said his weight was not incredibly important. His weight is one of the most endearing things about him! It is super important!
Then I lost the amount of weight that my friend Ike the Poodle weighs! Still a small Poodle, but Ike too is Very Important. This was another milestone! Woo!
Several weeks later, and I am proud to say I have lost the same amount of weight as the Biggest Poodle I Personally Know Well weighs! Woo! Can you believe it?? The Biggest Poodle I Personally Know Well is our own Miniature Poodle, Noodle the Poodle. Still, another whole Poodle!
I am using the Weight Watcher online system, which has been so helpful. However, with Weight Watchers, you reach milestones and earn stars on your chart in 5 and 10% and 5 and 10 pound increments. That seems a little arbitrary, don’t you think?
Next, I am going for medium sized Poodle mix and by the end of the year…
STANDARD POODLE! WOO!!!
Then I will maintain my healthy habits and quit tying everything in my life to pets…
(Just kidding about the second part!)
Oh, Hai! :)
Thursday, March 8th, 2012I have not been posting at Riley and James for quite some time. And I have missed it. The only things I love more than Riley and James are Riley…and James!
So here is a post to get started again. I will try to post once or twice a week. I do have cute pet pictures and good stories. Life has just been busy (good busy!)
Here are my excuses exciting life events:
- I am working much more than I had been and at a job I love. Just for the straight-forward time management aspect, I have had less time to write rough drafts, which is the majority of the time it takes me to write stuff. Also, having a job I love, I have found I do not need the stress-relief of writing as much as I did. I do need YOU though. And I do love writing, and all things pet and veterinary. So I will try to start up again!
- I have new projects going on! OK, Life with Dogs is not new, but much of my writing energy is going into my weekly articles on that site. It has been super fun, and made me focus on actual medical education, something I
drift from here on occasionrarely talk about here! - I have been drawing and coloring. Which sounds silly. But it is helping. And it is fun.
- I just joined the Editorial Advisory Board of Veterinary Economics too! Woo! That has been fun. So much of the time I DO have for rough draft writing has been spent elsewhere.
- To be honest, for the first four months of the job transition, when I was not at work or somewhere I had to be, I was sleeping. I struggle with depression. I had to process. I internalize things to process them. Then I wake up and life is awesome again. I mean, it has been the whole time. But now, I am, you know, awake more :)
So I think things are back to a healthy balance. I will return to at least weekly posts. I will let you know if things are rough instead of withdrawing into myself. If I don’t show up for a bit, assume I am busy reading YOUR blogs, or out walking the dogs or playing in the garden!
Coming Soon on Riley and James if I Get My Act Together:
- Book reviews – The Happiness Project, The Thank You Economy and Confessions of a Surgeon (Five stars! They are all excellent!!)
- A product review of Pet Naturals Dog and Cat treats (Five stars!) and some other stuff (Five stars!)
- The story of Joy the Puppy’s most recent preschool visit
- As many pictures as I can take of the visit of our Goldendoodle puppy cousin, Bailey, who is on her way to our house right now! (We love you Joe and Nikki ♥♥♥)
- More short stories
- Good stuff from Nebraska Equine Association’s Horse Fair this coming weekend. I will be speaking on pet and horse therapy. And mostly just absorbing awesomeness from the Real Horse People there! I will let you know what I learn. And show you pictures of all of the beautiful horses!
Dixie Pix
Friday, December 16th, 2011These are pictures of a gorgeous and very sweet dog who comes into Gentle Doctor. I just love her. Her name is Dixie. Her Mom asked what this article would be about, so she could add any needed information, and I said “Um…that!”
Michelle, I will add any bio information about the beautiful and sweet Dixie that you would like! Thank you for sharing your wonderful Dixie Dog with us…and now everyone :)
Isn’t she cute?? You can’t tell really well from my pictures here, but Dixie has gorgeous blue eyes too. If you have a pet you would like featured on Riley and James, please let me know and I will post their picture and story. As you know, I am a sucker for a cute face :)
Thanks Michelle! And thanks Dixie…for being cute!
Merry Purple Christmas Tree!
Saturday, December 10th, 2011
Holiday Safety and Purple Trees
Monday, December 5th, 2011Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
We have our second purple flocked Christmas tree up in our (much too small for such an obnoxiously large tree) living room. Our first was in 2009. Last year I told Russ “I never want to not have a purple tree again.” So we went back to Cirian’s Garden Center in midtown Omaha this week – which is equally awesome for gardening stuff as it is for brightly flocked Christmas trees, and a really nice group of people – and got our tree.
The guy told us to get a Scotch Pine because it would look “more natural.” I said, “We are kind of going for the opposite of natural.” Ha! But we did, and it is gorgeous. Here is my first pic, more to come…
Max has NEVER cared about a tree, Christmas or otherwise! He LOVES this year’s Christmas tree!
This week’s Life with Dog’s article is on Holiday Safety. It has a picture of our three dogs by the 2009 purple tree and lots of other dog pictures that were fun to gather…
Thank you Amanda Jean for encouraging me to write that one! You are right, holiday safety is NOT boring. It is super important.
Here is a link to all of the other articles I have written so far on Life with Dogs…
Coming Soon…
More Purple Tree Pictures (I know, I know! If it is not a healthy obsession, it is at the least a harmless one. :))
Preschool Sunday School Craft 2011 – Peanut Baby Jesus
Oh, and more pet stuff :)
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Sometimes It Lasts in Love
Monday, November 21st, 2011…and sometimes you have a pet.
I first heard the term “compassion fatigue” at a lecture by veterinary oncologist Greg Ogilvie a few months ago. I was having trouble differentiating the term from “burn out” until I read up on both and realized I am most likely struggling with both.
“Compassion Fatigue symptoms are normal displays of chronic stress resulting from the care giving work we choose to do.” from Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project ©
This is directly related to giving compassion away and allowing yourself to become exhausted. It is a narrow term that describes the possible effects of caring without adequately replenishing personal reserves. Compassion fatigue is a condition that affects caregivers such as nurses, doctors, clergy, veterinary team members…
burn out – “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration” – from Merriam-Webster dictionary
This is a more general term describing the exhaustion caused by normal day-to-day work-related stresses. Burn out can affect anyone.
I will always look stuff up and try to figure it out before I see a professional. I know you google “dog” “snotty nose” “weird bark” before you come see me too. We can’t help it. And there is so much to be learned. I really think that is okay. I promise to call in the experts to help me solve stuff way outside my expertise if I get in over my head if you promise to do the same.
This week I had several euthanasia appointments, a few euthanasia consultations and more clients with pets who have recently passed away who I am trying to help transition from “I have an older pet who needs very involved care” to “I miss my friend.” That has been my year too. And the year of a very good friend. And now, as of this morning, that has “officially” become the year of another very good friend. Pet loss and sadness. It isn’t like we didn’t know how the stories would end. It isn’t like I didn’t know this would be a very significant portion of my career.
In my ever-faltering attempt to be a positive influence, I said to my team at work after a particularly sad day this past week, “And THAT is how God answers prayer.”
But do you know what? Sometimes it is.
And do you know what else? Things are probably going to get better. They almost always do.
by
Adele
“Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead.”
I know this beautiful song is not about pet loss, but I still love it. And listening to music is healing. When Adele writes that one, I will post a link to it too. ♥
Blogathon 2011 is Here!
Friday, November 11th, 2011Third Annual Pawcurious Blogathon
Twenty-Four Hour Long Fundraiser for Animals in Need
2:00 pm Saturday, November 12 – 1:00 pm Sunday, November 13 Central Time
on Many Fine Blogs Near You
Elizabeth from Nebraska Humane Society: “What should our goal be for Blogathon 2011?”
me: “Five million dollars and every pet in the world, present and future, in a loving home forever.”
Debbie of Fearful Dogs: “You need to start dreaming bigger.”
And so it begins. Mind you these goals were set today. Dr. V of Pawcurious is the mastermind behind Blogathon and works long and hard behind the scenes every year to make this a success. At least, I assume she does more prep work than I do. Even so, today we were working on a Zombie Giraffe that we both just assumed would fit into Blogathon somewhere…
And, see? It does! If you ask Dr. V or me to draw you ANYTHING, we will, for a donation to any participating Blogathon cause. Oh, who am I kidding? Dr. V said “zombie giraffe” and the next minute I was at the art store shopping for drawing paper and grey Sharpies. I will draw you anything you want just for fun. What would you like??
Dr. V is blogging to raise money for a great San Diego wildlife sanctuary, Lions, Tigers and Bears. Also, apparently in San Diego this weekend, there might be zombies. I am blogging with a WONDERFUL group to raise money for Nebraska Humane Society. More info to follow! Every hour for twenty-four hours starting tomorrow at 2:00 pm in fact.
Blogathon 2011 Participants
Dr. V of Pawcurious
supporting
Riley and James
Amanda Finch
Abby Finch
Elizabeth Hilpipre of The Wandering Duck
Debbie Jacobs of Fearful Dogs
Heather Lee of Radio Station Q-98
all supporting
Su Smith and her Students at Cornerstone Christian School supporting Pawsitively Texas
Jana Rade of Dawg Blogger supporting Eagle’s Den Rescue
BZTAT supporting Okey’s Promise
Kol’s Notes supporting Lucky Dog Rescue
My Brown Newfies supporting Columbus Zoo
Nancy Krohn of A Shepherd’s Voice supporting Bluff Country Canine Rescue and Adoption Center
Roberta Boyle supporting Bridey Boyle Liver Shunt Surgery on Facebook and ChipIn
Michelle Maskaly and Toby Pup of My Tail Hurts from Wagging So Much supporting North Country SPCA
More Awesomes
An Anonymous Donor is matching every donation to Nebraska Humane Society made during Blogathon! Thank you Secret Pet Saver!
Amanda Brown, DVM (my imaginary best friend) and Patrick Mahaney, DVM
Keeping Dr. V Company at Lions, Tigers and Bears
Phil Barnes and Hilary Israeli, VMD
Being Awesome, as Usual
Jodi Finch
Guest Post on Riley and James
Katie Knapp Schubert of Omaha Public Radio KIOS-FM
Guest Post on Riley and James
Russ Finch
Guest Post on Riley and James
and
Providing Chocolate, Caffeine and Company (the three things we need most) for the next twenty-four hours for his three favorite people (Thank you Finch!)
A Big Thank You and Hugs to…
and
for helping spread the word about Blogathon 2011!
Let me know if you know of additions to the list, and jump in wherever you would like! Donate…blog…adopt…spread the word on facebook, twitter and Real Life. Add this super cute participant button to your blog if you would like. THIS is going to be fun people!
Click the picture below to donate to Nebraska Humane Society!
Pawcurious Blogathon 2011 is This Week!
Monday, November 7th, 2011The third annual Pawcurious Blogathon starts this coming Saturday at 1:00 pm Central Time!
- Recently Rescued Pups at Nebraska Humane Society
What is Blogathon?
Blogathon is a very fun online fundraiser for animals. It was started in 2009 when Dr. V decided, sort of on the spur of the moment, to spend twenty-four hours in a row blogging hourly to raise money for her local humane society.
In 2010, eight other bloggers joined Dr. V to raise money for different pet causes. Four of us raised money for a seizure support dog for a four year old named Bradyn. (He is getting his dog in March 2012 – woo!)
This year, the project has gotten so crazy that I do not even know how many animal lovers are participating yet! How cool is that??
Elizabeth Hilpipre and I, along with at least six other Omaha bloggers, are raising money for the Nebraska Humane Society. Also, an anonymous donor is matching every single donation to the Nebraska Humane Society during the Blogathon! (Thank you Secret Pet Saver!!!)
Here is a running list of participants…Let me know of any I should add!
supporting
Amanda Finch
supporting
Abby Finch
supporting
Riley and James
supporting
The Wandering Duck Climbs a Mountain
supporting
supporting
My Tail Hurts from Wagging So Much
Bridey Boyle Liver Shunt Surgery on Facebook and ChipIn
When is Blogathon?
1:00 pm Saturday, November 12. 2011 – noon Sunday, November 13. 2011 Central Time.
Can I participate?
Yes, of course!
How?
- If you have a blog, and an animal related cause you would like to support, join us on Saturday and Sunday to blog hourly to raise money for your chosen cause. Feel free to blog more or less often, or participate in the “sane” hours of the Blogathon.
- If you have a blog and would like to support a cause already being sponsored, check the list of participants and jump in with the project you would like to support! Last year, I was still figuring all of this out, and loved Dr. V’s idea of helping a little boy get his therapy dog, so this is the option I chose.
- Let us know you are participating!
Do I Have Time to Prepare if this is the First I Have Heard of Blogathon?
Last year I bought some Diet Coke and chocolate right before Blogathon started and made stuff up as I went. So, yes.
What Should I Blog About?
The cause you are supporting…pets…your thoughts on things you think…videos…photos…links to the cause you are supporting or other Blogathon participants’ websites and the causes they are supporting or other stuff…
My blogging style is a bit random, so I made sure to link to the donation site at the end of every post last year to help focus myself. I will be doing that again this year!
Do You Have Links From Last Year I Can Check Out?
Yes, and if you follow those links, they will bring you to more information!
Blogathon 2010 on Riley and James
Oh no, I do not have a blog! Do I need to sit on the curb and watch everyone go by? *sniff*
No, of course not!
- Offer to write a guest blog post in advance for any participating blogger you think may need a 3 am coffee break.
- Comment on the participating blogs. You would not believe how encouraging support and participation are when bloggers are thinking “What was I thinking?” and “What did I get myself into?” and “I am so tired!” and “Is this making a difference?”
- See if bloggers need pictures that you have taken. We are ALWAYS looking for great pictures, and they make posts more fun to read. Also, your pets are super cute.
- I am specifically looking for pictures of clocks “on the hour” to post each hour, so if you take a neat clock picture that I can use, let me know!
You are crazy! I am not staying up all night!
That is not a question! But you do have a good point. You can still help!
- Promote the Blogathon through facebook and twitter and other social media sites.
- Tell your friends and family.
- Support the cause or causes that you love. Make donations during the Blogathon or even later in honor of “The Pawcurious Blogathon.”
- Learn about the groups highlighted during Blogathon that sound interesting.
- Get to know the participating bloggers. Odds are, they are just as dog crazy as you are and would be very fun to know!
- Do the awesome things you are already doing to help organizations helping animals…give, volunteer, support.
I think you are awesome, and I can not wait to spend this coming weekend with you! THIS is going to be fun, people!