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May 1, 2009

Again, my apologies for the absence this week. I had stockpiled those video clips for last week before my mom’s medical emergency. That’s how I kept up, but then I got very behind … not just on the blog, but everything in life. Here are a handful of updates of the non-training variety.

#1 My mom is doing OK.

The docs put the heart regulation device in her chest on Monday. Her heart now beats 80 times per minute, rather than the 40-50 she does naturally. There is also a defib function. Should she go into V-tach, it will shock her back into rhythm (we hope) to save her life.

On Thursday, they moved her from the intermediate care unit at the hospital in Denver to the rehab wing of a nursing home much closer to her house (but much farther from mine). She’ll be there for a week or two before going home. The goal is to help her regain some strength and balance. Plus, she cannot lift her left arm much for quite a while for fear of pulling out the wires or whatever they stuck in her heart.

My sister says it looks like a hotel with a personal trainer, so she should be comfortable there as she heals.

#2 Tom found his keys.

You may recall that during the monster snow storm that Tom lost his keys. We assumed somewhere along the driveway in the snow. After much teeth grinding and worry, he finally found his keys … in the pocket of his snow pants. Husbands!

#3 We had some unexpected canine visitors.

One afternoon while I was at the hospital, Katie (Lilly’s best friend the borzoi) got loose and came visiting on her own. Luckily, Tom realized what was going on and convinced her to come into our gate for safety. All three dogs played for a bit until Katie’s mom came and got her. We haven’t had much time for play dates, so I guess she created one herself.

We also had Angus (a super sweet black lab) visit this week. He somehow got loose and came down to visit his friends across the road from us, but he convinced one of them (Petey) to break out too. We tried putting them back across the road, but they weren’t having any of it. So, we put Petey back with his pals Riley and Gypsy at home, and we brought Angus over here.

I had a million things going on, so I did NOT subject him to Lilly or Ginko. I crated them, and I let him hang out on our property until I could figure out what to do with him since his mom is traveling this week. It took me a while to figure out who was in charge of him in her absence. Angus lives with Belle and Clyde, who’ve also come visiting in the past. The big worry was that they too were loose somewhere. Angus is a really, really good boy, so it was a surprise to see him out. He does like to visit Riley, though.

Ultimately, I took him home, and found Belle, Clyde, and the pack elder Norman (also a lab) home safe and sound.

#4 The hummingbirds are back.

#5 I heard my first meadowlark on Thursday.
That always means spring to me.

#6 One tiny crocus bloomed.
But, by the time I had time to take a photo, it looked sad.

#7 I’m trying to find the time to get the greenhouse going for the season.
I’m redoing everything using the square-foot-gardening method. Tom is getting me the stuff I need to make my own soil. We’ll see if it makes a difference. I need to pick things that can handle the heat and humidity. And, I need to figure out how cold it’s still getting inside there at night.

#8 Lilly is very sad that I’m gone so much, busy when I’m home and tired the rest of the time.
BUT, we get in some fetch each day and some snuggling each night. Nothing says, “I forgive you,” like a warm pup curled up against your tummy. I think I need it more than she does.

Here’s hoping life gets back to normal soon. I miss being with my girl all day. And … I could really use a day off. These late nights and weekends working are taking a toll.

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. So glad your mom’s doing better and that things apparently are settling down a bit. Sending virtual hugs to you and Lilly.

  2. That’s funny. We must have a Birder Collie too. Except around here, it’s blue jays, magpies and crows that Lilly tries to herd. She also circled some ducks who landed on our pond once. She ran around the edge and got really mad they kept swimming away from her. Eventually, she realized she could just jump in the water … and they flew away.

  3. I’m glad to hear that your mom is recovering! I hope that she is able to return home soon! We have tons of meadowlarks – B loves chasing them all over our hayfield. Mr. Geek has started calling her a Birder Collie.

  4. I’m glad your mom is o.k. Plus, taking care of sick family members is incredibly draining.

    I also consider it spring when I see my first meadowlark which for us was maybe a month or so ago.

  5. First and foremost, glad to hear your mom is doing OK. I hope she continues to improve.

    Otherwise, sounds like you have a lot going on. Hope life quiets down for you soon.

    (BTW, I went to my first agility trial ever today to help set up.. competing or not, I can see how this might become addictive.)

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