tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42971260668873428342024-02-20T08:38:03.860-08:00Channeling JAOne woman's quest to be equal enough to lick the boots of Jane Austen as she could never be half the writer she was!Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-57364904572383131212015-09-21T18:42:00.001-07:002015-09-21T18:42:15.827-07:00Stuff I did when you weren't looking part 3: The mushy stuffYeah, that's right. Here's the post you want to skip if you don't want to throw up in your mouth a little bit.<br />
<br />
I'll save you the sanguine details, partly because vomit is gross, but mostly because I feel that words just don't cover how happy life has been. Adventures have been had, and planned, and imagined, and dreamed about. But not on my own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn16GOrAvqc2fhgHUFpja3Xa4Qb-hafVHR3BltmJpCEWd3_kczk135hxN2JSjzrsg0ATqN_WEFKf0EMoQZRtAhdi0DUZpUnRPA2pka28aSoAn9SBUfl7UxIvetf8sbmlhk18CQDyvKIU/s1600/11722617_10207199541295729_1543776421191636088_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQn16GOrAvqc2fhgHUFpja3Xa4Qb-hafVHR3BltmJpCEWd3_kczk135hxN2JSjzrsg0ATqN_WEFKf0EMoQZRtAhdi0DUZpUnRPA2pka28aSoAn9SBUfl7UxIvetf8sbmlhk18CQDyvKIU/s320/11722617_10207199541295729_1543776421191636088_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The summer semester was over and adventure time was about to begin!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus89rYrRiKTFKc8zy8utqkmTgnIUdVeVufrBsjYATx8QMha4imtRwXM-doIPdk9lTwWl10dmg64wcRit7fk6PeH-e9xsFMQ1ieZwtkafNMmuK-iFmaoIjBADA3fw44mYUv-Q8HgJlYO8/s1600/11221947_10207278242343206_2530215962913837980_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgus89rYrRiKTFKc8zy8utqkmTgnIUdVeVufrBsjYATx8QMha4imtRwXM-doIPdk9lTwWl10dmg64wcRit7fk6PeH-e9xsFMQ1ieZwtkafNMmuK-iFmaoIjBADA3fw44mYUv-Q8HgJlYO8/s320/11221947_10207278242343206_2530215962913837980_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Rick and I went on a weekend adventure to Vancouver, BC! Neither of us had been there, so it was exciting researching the area and trying to decide which points of interest we absolutely had to see in the short time we were there. We stayed in a lady's basement apartment courtesy <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a>, which is a site that connects you to people renting out rooms, basements, or entire apartments to travelers. It was fantastic, not to mention much less expensive than staying in a hotel, and we had an entire apartment including kitchen to ourselves in a cute neighborhood. After we arrived in Vancouver on a Friday afternoon, we walked down one of the many suburban streets lined with shops and restaurants and ate at an absolutely delicious place called <a href="http://www.locusonmain.com/" target="_blank">Locus</a> just in time for happy hour, so appetizers were half off. The drinks and food were amazing! We shared several appetizers and it was by far one of the best meals we had there. Next, we took the Skyline (which actually went underground) into Vancouver proper. We came out of the station to a crowd of people and skyscrapers as far as the eye could see. I'm not gonna lie, I think I had a minor panic attack and had to sit down for 20 minutes until I could cope enough to move on. My life in a box had not prepared me for the culture shock. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlzF-dfyo8AIgQW6DPPHY7GO522Tf6FBQW0s5PVb040S4s5vGIwX652ATuQxSDf4gULVAZAHrNMBmtkEHBVGz7r-WwUtXgQXkXIxVL3sV6GkLGtIfK-CnMdphL-arkGQCypVpq2rffjo/s1600/11217664_10207278243983247_3273749411394331702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlzF-dfyo8AIgQW6DPPHY7GO522Tf6FBQW0s5PVb040S4s5vGIwX652ATuQxSDf4gULVAZAHrNMBmtkEHBVGz7r-WwUtXgQXkXIxVL3sV6GkLGtIfK-CnMdphL-arkGQCypVpq2rffjo/s320/11217664_10207278243983247_3273749411394331702_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oJxOWQQkDJSkyEEq42GMwVhkKseW3yx1R_0rRSjDIXAXWKAwqT_9vT73Ltg52fzaSFEeu6qjanRcHBzOK9BCQ7-HCw_ahAbAnP9ceuwq5-Ryqgkt56sRO_DjnvgH4Lg9PATRvqjj1AY/s1600/11796355_10207278243623238_8670011469062127409_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oJxOWQQkDJSkyEEq42GMwVhkKseW3yx1R_0rRSjDIXAXWKAwqT_9vT73Ltg52fzaSFEeu6qjanRcHBzOK9BCQ7-HCw_ahAbAnP9ceuwq5-Ryqgkt56sRO_DjnvgH4Lg9PATRvqjj1AY/s200/11796355_10207278243623238_8670011469062127409_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>We spent the rest of the day wandering around exploring the city while my brain adjusted. It was also a very hot day, and to be honest I had consumed a little alcohol at lunch, so that didn't help my mental state. We decided to take a break and have dinner at the <a href="http://www.topofvancouver.com/" target="_blank">Top of Vancouver</a> revolving restaurant, which is kind of like the Space Needle. We had a fantastic panoramic view 553 feet above the city from the restaurant. I had a light meal of escargot. They taste earthy and chewy. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvZUx-pUUikvy5pUe-VqdQ5OVbpnUN7MLP4O1jKGvTbl8UpM_MQVxooShtHL3EozuVUQ2jTGAiHrSCeFPBsoG3Nki6_Q34NS8GW1kQiYFMDa4Ugu4iPWJYr87k6yQ5dOTkEJw75O9F_w/s1600/11707525_10207278241263179_7088866695231561963_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvZUx-pUUikvy5pUe-VqdQ5OVbpnUN7MLP4O1jKGvTbl8UpM_MQVxooShtHL3EozuVUQ2jTGAiHrSCeFPBsoG3Nki6_Q34NS8GW1kQiYFMDa4Ugu4iPWJYr87k6yQ5dOTkEJw75O9F_w/s320/11707525_10207278241263179_7088866695231561963_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Once the temperature cooled, it was a little easier to enjoy the city without sweating bullets and wishing I had shorts. Plus, we had hydrated at dinner. It was a beautiful city at night. The people were friendly and there was music on every corner. There were pianos randomly in parks and on Canada Place on the waterfront. The moon was full and bright! It was a wonderful first day in Vancouver and we were excited for the next day's adventure!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9LtYv93Pq87SCzNI6eO4vIwA1OWvBLr8pT6TU2qE0mPRF9o0pIVTCxtTOV3nawlRaJeMP0ei9hL46L2_AOSoefszMAwflVBFm1QI83kQrrG4Xbgk40hfKX4CWznU1872l6BOSFe9As/s1600/11831768_10207278244343256_3416195156538767076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L9LtYv93Pq87SCzNI6eO4vIwA1OWvBLr8pT6TU2qE0mPRF9o0pIVTCxtTOV3nawlRaJeMP0ei9hL46L2_AOSoefszMAwflVBFm1QI83kQrrG4Xbgk40hfKX4CWznU1872l6BOSFe9As/s320/11831768_10207278244343256_3416195156538767076_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first must-stop on our adventure was the <a href="http://www.capbridge.com/" target="_blank">Capilano Suspension Bridge Park </a> located in North Vancouver. The park is one of the most popular places to visit in Vancouver, and it doesn't disappoint. The main attraction is the suspension bridge, but first we did the Cliffwalk (pictured at left). </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnSkfjuGrOKtaN-KN-F0dl8HLeUtOCV7eCXLoJNGOm6rswOnxLAWaxZv6zr7_LLpXENt3oJriPIJfJBC7Npkj6c9-2MeikuPrEPLwS4Lx-FlEP86sOLo79X7qDMYUDT9c5h2lExXb0go/s1600/received_m_mid_1439477432608_634283e26d9cb36723_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnSkfjuGrOKtaN-KN-F0dl8HLeUtOCV7eCXLoJNGOm6rswOnxLAWaxZv6zr7_LLpXENt3oJriPIJfJBC7Npkj6c9-2MeikuPrEPLwS4Lx-FlEP86sOLo79X7qDMYUDT9c5h2lExXb0go/s200/received_m_mid_1439477432608_634283e26d9cb36723_0.jpeg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s7nJ5h6DVuTmX_b0401NbiZvEXuGHemhdH6AvbmP9X7xS6PC_kJPlxyi-SobAWPJwiqgPvx6Ok6Xd9H42RgI9fB0PxmrthBCCa0x1HVa9KrxHVXrsEMqOBSGrk9XO0Pep9BDor-ac68/s1600/11781837_10207278246543311_7158272947703134587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5s7nJ5h6DVuTmX_b0401NbiZvEXuGHemhdH6AvbmP9X7xS6PC_kJPlxyi-SobAWPJwiqgPvx6Ok6Xd9H42RgI9fB0PxmrthBCCa0x1HVa9KrxHVXrsEMqOBSGrk9XO0Pep9BDor-ac68/s320/11781837_10207278246543311_7158272947703134587_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, it was freaky. The park describes it as a, "heart-stopping cliff side journey through the rainforest vegetation on a series of unobtrusive cantilevered and suspended walkways jutting out from the granite cliff above the Capilano River." Heart stopping is an understatement. More like heart said, "Nope. Nope. Nope." and jumped right out of your chest to go enjoy a drink somewhere. The walkways are very narrow and sometimes glass so you can see the looooong drop. It took a while, but I did become comfortable enough to say, "Bring it on!" to the suspension bridge. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkCSWU9CcLDEjo09-gKW4rspnLMhgoAq9PIkImkvYIfkdj_pQJs0GLJThtaVRitwdT_TCr9NDC5hGzmzZDOOPKH16gAjYpkEbPRlKtW_2dV_5fA_tPodl1bxagKxsbftL6QAzFto0dgc/s1600/11811325_10207278247023323_4069934796523257264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkCSWU9CcLDEjo09-gKW4rspnLMhgoAq9PIkImkvYIfkdj_pQJs0GLJThtaVRitwdT_TCr9NDC5hGzmzZDOOPKH16gAjYpkEbPRlKtW_2dV_5fA_tPodl1bxagKxsbftL6QAzFto0dgc/s320/11811325_10207278247023323_4069934796523257264_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Capilano Suspension Bridge was built in 1889 and stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet high above the Capilano River. Did I mention it was a suspension bridge? Did you know that means IT MOVES?! <span style="text-align: center;">Can you see my fear? It's real. Every time it moved, I was convinced it was going to flip over and we were going to plummet 230 feet to the bottom of a canyon.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Rick had to give me some tough love to keep me moving and then talk me through walking the entire bridge so I wouldn't have a panic attack. The couple walking behind us were legitimately concerned. They high-fived me when I made it across. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ic7NKs9Dl7mv1uKq7lY-ve4IkAtcNmJrs46OnIwKcevFciWdcqEeARu_8VTJlBpFj60mqFvTdOHT9m69EwvNTZIA8rujgGSJbK267MKMDEtLQDS7A8XP-yt4JTfcYgfmbKdw_d4y7WA/s1600/received_m_mid_1439476816571_dd3e0458d281b19319_0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ic7NKs9Dl7mv1uKq7lY-ve4IkAtcNmJrs46OnIwKcevFciWdcqEeARu_8VTJlBpFj60mqFvTdOHT9m69EwvNTZIA8rujgGSJbK267MKMDEtLQDS7A8XP-yt4JTfcYgfmbKdw_d4y7WA/s400/received_m_mid_1439476816571_dd3e0458d281b19319_0.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>We did not plummet to our deaths! Should have seen the look on my face when I realized I would have to cross it again to get back. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPPC7fJcCeWQYTtwDg3apYsZV6B0ZRS4c0Ocrz9cn8zLMNWydR3oQU9kGq109k_kTJB2tSrIbeUedhsvIshqcpaMsiRsVsHVR5975Hdvao6_U507WzTAtXt2EHrET5T0Ar60wTBn8hVw/s1600/11825167_10207278248583362_1492216074898085710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPPC7fJcCeWQYTtwDg3apYsZV6B0ZRS4c0Ocrz9cn8zLMNWydR3oQU9kGq109k_kTJB2tSrIbeUedhsvIshqcpaMsiRsVsHVR5975Hdvao6_U507WzTAtXt2EHrET5T0Ar60wTBn8hVw/s320/11825167_10207278248583362_1492216074898085710_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Treetops Adventure was on the other side of the bridge. It was reminiscent of the Ewok village with 8 bridges between the trees and little tree forts. It was like being a squirrel in the 250 year old Douglas Firs 110 feet above the forest floor. According the to the park, the "Treetops Adventure was designed to accommodate the continuous growth of the trees. The viewing platforms are attached to an innovative tree collar system that is adjustable and move able and has no nails or bolts penetrating the Douglas-firs." There were great stations for kids on nature walks and an interpretive center with live bird of prey shows. It was a beautiful nature walk! Toward the end of the trail, there was an enormous downed tree that had fallen some years ago during a particularly bad snow and ice storm. It fell right onto the suspension bridge with the force of a 747 and broke in half. The bridge remained, virtually undamaged. With that thought in mind, I was able to cross the bridge again with Rick guiding me (walking backwards the whole way holding my hand, bless his heart) while I chanted, "I believe in science, I trust science, science says this bridge can hold a 747 falling on it." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Totally nailed it. </b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RZwSrOHjCC_XDzqDEJn3lljYoLnt8t_gv2OtA8zqCgqEWKy_B0JO9YCBU1Sbi_PlBMsyQWcjIJTJZGtpFdkDWv5xUOk-fVO7odofoFLR9jk1i8fvy5D6YWN01QL2V3cxLVGNXMu96fU/s1600/11873741_10207330406607280_2989503680921825360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RZwSrOHjCC_XDzqDEJn3lljYoLnt8t_gv2OtA8zqCgqEWKy_B0JO9YCBU1Sbi_PlBMsyQWcjIJTJZGtpFdkDWv5xUOk-fVO7odofoFLR9jk1i8fvy5D6YWN01QL2V3cxLVGNXMu96fU/s320/11873741_10207330406607280_2989503680921825360_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> We stayed closer to the ground for our next adventure after a lovely lunch at the Teahouse in Stanley Park, the largest park in Vancouver. We rented bicycles for the 7.5 mile bike loop along the Seawall. It was a gorgeous day! The ride was very relaxing with a beautiful view all around the waterfront park including beaches, playgrounds, and a water park. There is so much to do just in Stanley Park that we unfortunately did not have enough days for everything.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVXWwD4CkFldcx5zxA3KV3X92Ri7ohDg8xp-d-Vsm3ZrCVWe0VT0GbfKV1-HABTryI9e6GYyi8VC2ohJv5laMG-j0U3cQjiFGk2b1_OOODuxK5wwUTExeFBZkYY5YZD53YcvDPPpB1pg/s1600/11053921_10207278249983397_5050858519382631492_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVXWwD4CkFldcx5zxA3KV3X92Ri7ohDg8xp-d-Vsm3ZrCVWe0VT0GbfKV1-HABTryI9e6GYyi8VC2ohJv5laMG-j0U3cQjiFGk2b1_OOODuxK5wwUTExeFBZkYY5YZD53YcvDPPpB1pg/s400/11053921_10207278249983397_5050858519382631492_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><i>The bike ride was a perfect end to the day! </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our last day in Vancouver was all about becoming cultured by visiting museums. There are many in Vancouver, and I wish we could have spent several days visiting all of them. We narrowed it to two that we felt we could not miss our first visit here, and leaving others that would force us to return. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LX6RaTMQiDHFmTzPDGxHQaBrdt7Unr7NLGNQxkTTiW1tg22gw8UcJBlUolriSSneEP2v-eokh9iR2IXel3q3-fyOnWEh4IYGh8RMZNeSfCTjwcjxNoI0ThU_7XfzUZpOcP7pswhVgbQ/s1600/STA_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LX6RaTMQiDHFmTzPDGxHQaBrdt7Unr7NLGNQxkTTiW1tg22gw8UcJBlUolriSSneEP2v-eokh9iR2IXel3q3-fyOnWEh4IYGh8RMZNeSfCTjwcjxNoI0ThU_7XfzUZpOcP7pswhVgbQ/s320/STA_6931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Just have to give a shout out to the Vancouver Public Library where we heard had the cheapest parking garage. We went upstairs into the library to head out onto the street and I about died. There were more books then I'd ever seen in one place. It was breathtaking. I wanted to become a resident just so I could get a library card. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGwAm-ZmYBREczB9GZ9QwbKgMFkuX-3Acu_6zFE8Y5eXAWpevCITbnjexIJz21G6kCAlJUa03JAsDdchTXzJ7ighxd2aB_p5qMI_LFOoApG8dQWzze2lfe1tzqOvQmvx6RatIX2UgTKg/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGwAm-ZmYBREczB9GZ9QwbKgMFkuX-3Acu_6zFE8Y5eXAWpevCITbnjexIJz21G6kCAlJUa03JAsDdchTXzJ7ighxd2aB_p5qMI_LFOoApG8dQWzze2lfe1tzqOvQmvx6RatIX2UgTKg/s400/IMG_6933.JPG" width="400" /></a>After the shock of the enormity of the public library wore off, we wandered over to the Vancouver Art Gallery, which has a mix of classic art (the "Of Heaven and Earth: 500 years of Italian Paintings by Glasgow Museums," featuring works of art by Botticelli and Titian) and modern art (the kind I have a hard time understanding). </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBo4MhTNaQacbfcKLGJgPSY1ZC2b0MQmTefZqUp3tTWFYq978e5lcA1lg9nbYsFtLU5ewekOhGR9R4iEYy-tg-lDmOBxpXZwjmurxRQLkWlfbYCC_2DlrPsKBLJ_cOU-T9XUVpLQx23U/s1600/IMG_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBo4MhTNaQacbfcKLGJgPSY1ZC2b0MQmTefZqUp3tTWFYq978e5lcA1lg9nbYsFtLU5ewekOhGR9R4iEYy-tg-lDmOBxpXZwjmurxRQLkWlfbYCC_2DlrPsKBLJ_cOU-T9XUVpLQx23U/s320/IMG_6937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My favorite exhibit was the puppet gallery by an artist I cannot for the life of me remember and I can't find any information about it on the website! It was a series of puppets made from fabric and cut out pages from books, magazines, etc to make characters. I could have looked at those figuring out the symbolism and the artist's vision for hours. I also enjoyed an exhibit with cut-outs from a history book placed categorically, for example dictators and medical innovations together. Kinda of makes me want to tackle some book art myself!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkJAsWaqgxai_P7L5jOMhsZldCZj-RpxwOnUxxmBC9s8jhwAeflQU4PhNPJtYmKxDyOfgTmbc6wxeQC0PPuRWp3LU3E_R-veF8IhARJ1f-Z2e1d0zgQpZFuV3fKVgXt3yG63Ebn6UaZw/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkJAsWaqgxai_P7L5jOMhsZldCZj-RpxwOnUxxmBC9s8jhwAeflQU4PhNPJtYmKxDyOfgTmbc6wxeQC0PPuRWp3LU3E_R-veF8IhARJ1f-Z2e1d0zgQpZFuV3fKVgXt3yG63Ebn6UaZw/s400/IMG_6951.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaHlZQJyBx0a4qn33UOY_Kjcy4yJzJmtFd4vKu9r-EuAdtxQPg2ddYTSDruQA6KRsfJYv59-pGUpJoAB2YIbp4zAIwWF8Ae6yzKn5RawFmfbReh_SA9ZrUkpSU5od4MSKUtQD5C7lD_0/s1600/IMG_6948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaHlZQJyBx0a4qn33UOY_Kjcy4yJzJmtFd4vKu9r-EuAdtxQPg2ddYTSDruQA6KRsfJYv59-pGUpJoAB2YIbp4zAIwWF8Ae6yzKn5RawFmfbReh_SA9ZrUkpSU5od4MSKUtQD5C7lD_0/s320/IMG_6948.JPG" width="320" /></a>The absolutely stunning Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia featured thousands of pieces from every culture imaginable, including massive totems both inside and outside the museum. We were blown away by how much history was inside, and if the artifacts on display weren't enough, there were drawers and drawers of more pieces under the displays. We could have spent an entire day exploring this museum as well as others on the university grounds. One of my favorites were the Native American masks used in dance ceremonies. Some were massive and took years for a dancer to work up to due in part to the heavy weight. There were also exhibitions from popular world artists, the one we saw being from Portugal titled, "Heaven, Hell, and Somewhere in Between."<br />
Please, please, please if you're in Vancouver, do not miss this museum! We loved it and will go back again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We were sad to say goodbye to Vancouver and even plotted stealing the kids and living there indefinitely. The city is full of activity without feeling crowded and overbearing, the people were friendly, and sites were numerous, especially for nature and art lovers! I feel incredibly fortunate to have an amazing partner not only willing to whisk me away on adventures, but excited to enjoy and plan future ones! I'm not going to say I'm the luckiest woman in the world because that would be too cliche.<br />
<br />
But I am.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-88645895545319519742015-09-01T21:46:00.001-07:002015-09-01T21:46:20.947-07:00Stuff I did when you weren't looking part 2: Connecting with the kiddosOne of the main reasons, besides homework, I've been neglecting the blog is I've been trying to live a little bit of life, especially with my kids. Not only are they growing up before my eyes, but I only have them 3-4 nights out of the week. It makes me sad that I miss out on essentially half their lives, so I try to live as much life with them when we're together as possible. This may mean we're jetting off on adventures or sitting around watching movies and having craft time. Either way, when I'm not working, I'm super momming it as best as I can. Now that Roman is in karate and Evie has started soccer, the time we get to spend together is dwindling. I live in constant fear of feeling disconnected from my kids, especially my almost 7-year-old who seems determined to become a teenager in attitude and disposition WAAAAAY too fast! I'm hoping the struggles we have to work through mean I'm getting the drama out of the way for the actual teenage years and that it doesn't mean things'll *gulp* actually get worse once the hormones kick in. At least she isn't listening to Taylor Swift and wearing shorty-shorts and make-up. *gulp* yet.<br />
<br />
The summer is coming to a close. School starts next week and my drama queen daughter will be in the 1st grade, which she's really excited about I'm happy to say. My little man will be starting his second year of preschool. We had many adventures this summer, full of memories and sunshine. They fill my heart with joy and a little wisp of sadness because I know it may not always be so sunny. Eventually, the kids will want to do their own thing, go off to camp or trips with friends, maybe even Europe like I did. And I'll wish them well, but inside I'll be missing them terribly. So for now, I'll be selfish, and kindle those adventurous spirits where I can share the memories, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtWLRoBy6jFxQZBiQuGF1J2TJjA2_tJOqtNZ44qQbhbdLdVLZmmAd6Xt77vsD-lEE5TdoLFFyySqdPvp-R1hJP6c-BOC9vK86N-K5GNeUP481AjPNv674YppYqEepDaqgtEJC5FAVs0/s1600/10661969_10207019862563873_1523856066730030665_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdtWLRoBy6jFxQZBiQuGF1J2TJjA2_tJOqtNZ44qQbhbdLdVLZmmAd6Xt77vsD-lEE5TdoLFFyySqdPvp-R1hJP6c-BOC9vK86N-K5GNeUP481AjPNv674YppYqEepDaqgtEJC5FAVs0/s320/10661969_10207019862563873_1523856066730030665_o.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<b>JUNE</b><br />
"What are we doing today, Mommy?"<br />
"We're going back in time, kids."<br />
This is the conversation we had when I decided to take the kids to Fort Clatsop, the sight of the winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark expedition. They have a great museum there, trails, and a replica interactive fort. The kids had a blast pretending they were Lewis and Clark and discovery adventure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>JULY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ntHOwULvou9BRqA7Q3Op9W9InF0QXubNm_lZWqFZCGyhsJfvAoSETmbKVxztIfGCA-M9pdh3Z4EwisFQAtYINXGtyElkqsoPnsv3fyRIUmLWBGLop22hp7Xi7ILTJfnUzeHQK1KGzfo/s1600/11722420_10207129035213121_408140637189725505_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ntHOwULvou9BRqA7Q3Op9W9InF0QXubNm_lZWqFZCGyhsJfvAoSETmbKVxztIfGCA-M9pdh3Z4EwisFQAtYINXGtyElkqsoPnsv3fyRIUmLWBGLop22hp7Xi7ILTJfnUzeHQK1KGzfo/s320/11722420_10207129035213121_408140637189725505_o.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /></a>Coffenbury Lake, located in Fort Stevens State Park, a former military installation from the Civil War to World War II. The kids are little fish and they had a blast swimming in the sandy bottom lake. It brought back memories of my own lake experiences at Badger Lake in Cheney, WA. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PUuMODjB6nRbt_0Qxas6f4OvWYGv-ATS_J9DjQkRtGuSB72ot-8n_UJfTCzhpnbH-XuSbxORco6ZblTRuG0u87EOzDx5uaLVp1eZK1mSMqsGexoRJK40KeIQaLXu4DSnnwVx6WcMWZ8/s1600/11169199_10207191099164681_8526916359401328453_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PUuMODjB6nRbt_0Qxas6f4OvWYGv-ATS_J9DjQkRtGuSB72ot-8n_UJfTCzhpnbH-XuSbxORco6ZblTRuG0u87EOzDx5uaLVp1eZK1mSMqsGexoRJK40KeIQaLXu4DSnnwVx6WcMWZ8/s320/11169199_10207191099164681_8526916359401328453_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Willapa National Wildlife Refuge established in 1937 by FDR to protect migrating birds and their habitat. It provides habitat for over 200 bird species in addition to chum salmon, Roosevelt elk, and a dozen species of amphibian. Located off Highway 101, we pass the entrance to the refuge every time we head north to visit family in Seattle and never stopped in during the 9 years we've lived here. One day, the kids and I decided we should check it out. We all brought our sketchbooks and had a great hike! We even rescued a barn swallow the kids found trapped in netting under the eves of one of the buildings! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>AUGUST</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcl7Vdke03f0qgIHpJDbOzInwQImYvSfyQf7n4_WHLmEs3PB_LY46FK8V5Yf1PSnB_hhoGQXZyqUCr_IuFZhP2BjuOmiEnKKM6LZISY0BLCFHHion2YFdqVyCm9nM0Y13PCB0DS_mYjo/s1600/11873374_10207373866973762_126545769976905382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcl7Vdke03f0qgIHpJDbOzInwQImYvSfyQf7n4_WHLmEs3PB_LY46FK8V5Yf1PSnB_hhoGQXZyqUCr_IuFZhP2BjuOmiEnKKM6LZISY0BLCFHHion2YFdqVyCm9nM0Y13PCB0DS_mYjo/s320/11873374_10207373866973762_126545769976905382_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Fort Columbia Historical State Park located just before the Chinook tunnel was a military installation guarding the mouth of the Columbia River from 1896 to 1947. It was also home to the Chinook Indian Nation and was explored by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Many of the military buildings and batteries still remain in the park. We've explored the fort quite a bit, but one day we decided to check out the beach since the tide was out and had a great time beach combing, hiking, and using our imaginations!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcqpRb-1LThhgl9BgHw2sdRYoMfysL6pGHDCmrCRm6YuLk-F4ohRNdzMT5UTbf7pcz9oOrsrrd9JzbkjaHcAJKuGETY4QyL74h4-YXCO-F23d9jrUxkh4I3gseog-y6kzNhx6a4KDQfM/s1600/11870737_10207378633772929_8191865436378231024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcqpRb-1LThhgl9BgHw2sdRYoMfysL6pGHDCmrCRm6YuLk-F4ohRNdzMT5UTbf7pcz9oOrsrrd9JzbkjaHcAJKuGETY4QyL74h4-YXCO-F23d9jrUxkh4I3gseog-y6kzNhx6a4KDQfM/s320/11870737_10207378633772929_8191865436378231024_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>The kids run after adventure at Leadbetter Point State Park at the northern end of the Peninsula! Leadbetter was great for day hiking and beach combing. Evie found many shells and Roman claimed sticks he used to practice his <a href="https://video-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xpf1/v/t42.1790-2/11857114_10207378624092687_1098212003_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjM1NCwicmxhIjo1MTJ9&rl=354&vabr=197&oh=0b8fa9cc7b54f079fc1a2fb3d2bd7b57&oe=55E6A1D4" target="_blank">Jedi/Ninja skills</a>. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXDKmvw9yh-Qr-bwhDkK3MnA3kwZQJ1J1xy3BmH-g_Uvcyk_S9bSHgwF4Z_nzKgjmKKpXvUua_hSNhuse9NGDacJyHG78wb22PhPAmYmGqsrjVyX5MUmB7uhE0CwXoWKEUiTdXpsPn9Y/s1600/11921677_10207404892029369_1574786717502532917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXDKmvw9yh-Qr-bwhDkK3MnA3kwZQJ1J1xy3BmH-g_Uvcyk_S9bSHgwF4Z_nzKgjmKKpXvUua_hSNhuse9NGDacJyHG78wb22PhPAmYmGqsrjVyX5MUmB7uhE0CwXoWKEUiTdXpsPn9Y/s320/11921677_10207404892029369_1574786717502532917_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Another visit to Fort Clatsop for a hike turned into an unexpected canoe ride! How you may ask? We walked up past the trail head to see if there was a place we had to pay for parking and lo and behold, the National Parks Service was having a party! There was music, painting and other crafts, and canoe rides, which the kids were ecstatic about doing! Spontaneous adventure anyone? Evie took to it like a pro, but Roman took some convincing once he got into the boat because he was afraid it would tip over. Took some tough love and a lesson in science, but pretty soon the little man was paddling with the rest of us just like Lewis and Clark!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae3sfGGfWo2oFUXUwmI4sTpz-W8Oa8vPAY-QaGNWxnzbw4VSAnWs6juI_5XzCaSAMgaoNdFrdmJo3gFeBCACgTQIWpNfjamifMYKOBFamXdM8FTzhwtiWdtuEBMPUWTjdcc7RaZ5B8Mg/s1600/11904730_10207412862268620_4816608096954160891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgae3sfGGfWo2oFUXUwmI4sTpz-W8Oa8vPAY-QaGNWxnzbw4VSAnWs6juI_5XzCaSAMgaoNdFrdmJo3gFeBCACgTQIWpNfjamifMYKOBFamXdM8FTzhwtiWdtuEBMPUWTjdcc7RaZ5B8Mg/s320/11904730_10207412862268620_4816608096954160891_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>International Kite Festival in Long Beach. Every year, Long Beach plays host to kite fanatics and people who just enjoy a good festival with food, fun, and activities. These littles were a little too small for the activities, except for a pony ride! Also, sno-cones and elephant ears happened. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We had a wonderful summer and are excited about the upcoming school year. It has flown by fast, and we didn't do half the things I wanted, but there's always next year!Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-22192342199185282522015-08-10T10:07:00.000-07:002015-09-21T18:42:33.335-07:00Stuff I did when you weren't looking part 1: Work in progressHey! I've been very busy and important, so I have not been updating the blog, even though I had weekly journal uploads for school. Honestly, they wouldn't have been interesting to anyone other than my professor and not as humorous as the previous semester. My work practicum 2 prof did not appreciate my sense of humor as much as my work practicum 1 prof. Lame.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, the summer semester was crazy busy and I learned and practiced many skills. I have another week before fall semester starts, so I just want to share a few updates. This week is all about work. It's been busy! We are the busiest we've ever been in the history of Bayshore. One day we saw 68 patients. This means we all have to be on our A-game to ensure the best quality care for each patient that walks, crawls, or skitters in the door. It can be overwhelming and stressful, but at the end of the day, I still cannot imagine doing anything else. I've officially been a Bayshore employee for a little over a year and have received my first raise!<br />
<br />
I went through my weekly journals to find some highlights of the semester to share with you, and I found one story in particular that warms the heart with feels. So here it is!<br />
<br />
<b>Our clinic works with the local shelter to treat and care for impounded and surrendered animals
in order to prepare them for adoption. A few days ago, I cat came in that was possibly pregnant.
The doctor confirmed, and a spay was scheduled for Monday. It sounds grim to think of
performing an abortion, but unfortunately the number of unwanted pets is so high that
population control is often necessary. It also prevents overcrowding at the shelter. On Saturday,
the cat was extremely vocal and destroying her cage. At the end of the day, the technician
feeding her noticed a discharge coming from her vulva. We suspected that labor was imminent,
so I volunteered to take her home to monitor her. Before I left for the evening, we took an xray
to determine approximately how many kittens she had. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej0jGKSEcgEdFa5f0Iv6ft9xSLxsJJQFfcAMQTFNXZ3fVzHth9AjME-HOVqaihpxpW2RQffYNX5Lk7HH77U5j8B4oZfG11Syap74wOK1aL1yfMsgqJ7g9spIx7TPGirCTBcXB-aFnG0c/s1600/10854263_10206814410387697_3704668484724653265_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjej0jGKSEcgEdFa5f0Iv6ft9xSLxsJJQFfcAMQTFNXZ3fVzHth9AjME-HOVqaihpxpW2RQffYNX5Lk7HH77U5j8B4oZfG11Syap74wOK1aL1yfMsgqJ7g9spIx7TPGirCTBcXB-aFnG0c/s640/10854263_10206814410387697_3704668484724653265_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>We counted skulls and spines and
guessed there were five at the most.
I took her home and set up a quiet place with a blanket and box plus food, water, and litter.
Then I left her alone and periodically checked on her throughout the night. At 10pm, I noticed
she was restless, licking her vulva, and possibly having contractions. Thankfully, the queen was
comfortable enough to allow me to be present in case she needed assistance. The first kitten
was born at 10:12pm and did not appear to be moving. I took the kitten and wiped its face,
carefully tore the umbilical cord and ensured the whole placenta was present, and commenced
resuscitation. I rubbed the kitten gently yet vigorously, blew gently in its face, and turned it
upside down in an arc to try and clear the fluid from its mouth and lungs. Unfortunately, my
efforts were in vain. At 10:50 the second kitten was born alive and so I did not interfere. The
third kitten was also healthy, but the 4th and 5th were stillborn. Interestingly, they did not appear
to be fully developed, possibly due to the malnutrition of the mother? After the 5th kitten was
born, mom relaxed and was nursing the healthy two. Suddenly, she cried out and appeared to
be birthing another. Simultaneously, her kittens cried out. She appeared quite stressed by the
time the 6th kitten was born, but she cleaned it and it moved and cried out. I thought all was well
until I looked closer a few minutes later and noticed something off. I picked up the last kitten and
saw that it was eviscerated either due to the mother or a hernia. I contacted our on-call doctor
and brought the little family in on emergency. The 6th kitten was humanely euthanized and a
radiograph was taken of the mother to make sure she was finished giving birth. She was
thankfully, and I took her home to relax. It was an exhausting experience, but one I will learn
from the next time I bring a whelping animal home! Mom is doing great and is attentive to her
kittens, who are nursing well and seem to be stable.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZbFX1QalyWgaRRiQHZp2_YkNBoceHV4UomRAdCUqklIL-HB7hBf8Liti4YLSG8CG8i5FnEW_47df_V9kuxayL8mBt3WP7LWbyfnelIzd7wWq065AEQqEQFDFM_pjkYagz7SRvrcctg0/s1600/20150531_084412-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZbFX1QalyWgaRRiQHZp2_YkNBoceHV4UomRAdCUqklIL-HB7hBf8Liti4YLSG8CG8i5FnEW_47df_V9kuxayL8mBt3WP7LWbyfnelIzd7wWq065AEQqEQFDFM_pjkYagz7SRvrcctg0/s320/20150531_084412-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Two healthy kittens!</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk_h-kekZAEo61E7KSuXgVb-FgvgLkriKEYSOiiGsWPhiAv-1ZCfyt380wtHe9A2rACWOcqYn3NRIMQgQLR2kXuIZBTqag0bbC5zweCF2aaow360HOGWhOOXEBkMNXq5O-6B6A7RE14Y/s1600/20150531_084536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk_h-kekZAEo61E7KSuXgVb-FgvgLkriKEYSOiiGsWPhiAv-1ZCfyt380wtHe9A2rACWOcqYn3NRIMQgQLR2kXuIZBTqag0bbC5zweCF2aaow360HOGWhOOXEBkMNXq5O-6B6A7RE14Y/s320/20150531_084536.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Happy family. I called mom, "Tess," while she was with me. She was very sweet and I was sad to see her go back to the shelter to be placed in a foster home. </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Update: We recently saw both mom and the orange kitten at the shelter to be spayed in preparation for their adoptive home! It was wonderful to see them and to know they were being placed together. I hope to see the other kitten going to a new home soon!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<b><br /></b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-29765597852040114012015-05-24T14:38:00.001-07:002015-05-24T17:42:07.511-07:00This week I was pooped on twice but that isn't covered in this postThe summer semester is here and that means more weekly journal updates of life as a veterinary assistant! Who's excited to hear more about poop?!<br />
<br />
Also, just want to put a plug in for a new (to me) artist I've been listening to lately. Thank you, YouTube, for finally suggesting something good to listen to after months of poop:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zNpeK7sDLzE?list=RDc0fa5-LWHIM" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Week 1: May 18-24, 2015
</b><br />
<b>The clinic I work in is Bayshore Animal Hospital, a small animal clinic offering general exams,
surgery, and diagnostics including in house blood work, digital xray, and ultrasound. I am an
assistant who does everything from checking client to running lab work. In order to gain as
much experience as possible, I put my nose into everything, learning as much as I can
through asking questions, observation, and by handson practice. Sometimes I fail. I get
frustrated, I feel like I’m not cut out for this job, I fear I will never become a technician. Then I
try again, and when I succeed, it gives me the confidence to move forward. Everyone has a
bad day, and I’m learning that I can’t allow the failures to make me give up. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This week I’ve been jumping whenever possible to practice my blood draws, especially for
cephalic venipuncture. I feel fairly confident drawing from the jugular, but for some reason I
have trouble with the front leg. The technicians are really helpful at guiding me with proper
placement and don’t judge when I have to step away. I generally only give myself two tries
with a dog and one with a cat because I don’t want to hurt the animals with too many failed
attempts. One technician suggested I ask to practice on sedated patients so I can concentrate
on technique without worrying about the animal struggling. I am also practicing my catheter
placement. The other day, I was getting very frustrated because I could not place a catheter in
a cephalic vein. I tried on two different dogs and I was getting frustrated. We had a patient
that was having a vulvoplasty (a Great Dane), and even though the veins were large, I was
having trouble positioning the catheter. The doctor showed me that I needed to enter the skin
at a 30 degree angle and then level out into the vein. She said once I have a flash of blood,
advance a little more and then push in the catheter while withdrawing the needle. She had
watched me struggle and advised me to trust that I’m in the vein and not to second guess myself.
With this in mind, I chose a vein and placed the catheter on the first try. It felt great to finally
get it right and also to hear all the support and encouragement from my colleagues. I was a
non-scrubbed in assistant for the procedure in addition to the certified technician, which was
exciting not only because I wanted the experience but also because I had not observed this
surgery before. I try to observe any procedure I’m not familiar with so that I know how to
assist the doctor in the future. After she was sedated, I placed the ET tube and hooked her up
to the anesthesia machine. For the vulvoplasty, the patient was placed in sternal with her legs
almost off the end of the table. Her tail was taped up out of the surgical field while I attached
the leads, BP cuff, fluids, SpO2 monitor, and esophageal thermometer. A surgical laser was
used and I was in charge of suctioning the smoke without contaminating the sterile field. I also
retrieved anything the doctor needed while also monitoring the patient. It was a great
experience and I look forward to assisting more surgeries! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>One of the things I love most about the clinic I work at is the staff’s devotion to patients,
especially those that have been valued clients for years. Many of the staff members will go
out of their way to deliver meds and pick up or drop off patients. One of our clients have taken
their pets to us for years. As an elderly couple with a large dog, they pick him up and carry
him if he were to have a seizure. On Friday morning, he collapsed seizuring and the owners
called us for help. Without hesitation, a coworker and I climbed into my car and went to pick
the old dog up. Later that day, a client called about his sick cat. He was advised to bring the
cat in, but mentioned he would have to scrounge up enough money for a cab before he could.
The doctor, wanting to help both the cat and the owner, asked the manager if someone could
pick the cat up. So, my car became an ambulance again that day, and at the end of my shift, I
brought the cat back home. Going the extra mile for an animal and owner in need reflects the
best positive image on a clinic and its staff because it shows that our first priority are the
patients regardless of the owner’s financial circumstances.</b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-58022971289964175942015-05-12T18:29:00.001-07:002015-05-12T18:29:58.837-07:00Adventures in Cooking: Chicken HeartsToday Roman and I were at the store debating on what to cook for dinner. As a joke, I started grabbing weird items off the shelves and asking his opinion. In the meats section, I held up a package of chicken hearts and smilingly asked, "What do you think, bud? Chicken hearts?" After getting over the initial disbelief that yes, there in fact were real chicken hearts in the package, he emphatically affirmed that yes, he wanted to eat them for dinner. Thinking that he was playing along, I put them back. A few seconds later he looked in the cart, and seeing that they weren't there, asked where they were.<br />
"I thought we were playing, Roman. I'm not really making chicken hearts tonight."<br />
Tears. No bullshit. He was so upset that he cried.<br />
What could I do? As a mother I want my children to try new things, especially foods, and here was my 4 1/2 year old son begging me for chicken hearts. I couldn't quash his adventurous spirit.<br />
<br />
So, I bought a package.<br />
<br />
And the adventure began.<br />
<br />
I've never cooked chicken hearts before (shocking, I know), so I had no idea how to proceed. Thank goodness for Google. I browsed different cooking sights for suggestions, filing good tips away while disregarding those that would not apply today (namely, those that involved grilling. Not possible on a wet, May day at the beach). All the while I tried not to allow visions of giant chicken hearts beating ever closer, growing to enormous sizes, and waiting to devour us all, to invade my subconscious. Honestly, I feared <a href="https://youtu.be/fE0hHEtkkQA" target="_blank">Bill Cosby </a>had ruined the tiny organs for me indefinitely. Had I endangered my children? Was I adequately armed in case of attack? Thankfully, I remained calm enough to decide on a game plan for cooking the tiny, seemingly harmless, ex-blood-pumpers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuarNr1QlBqUP0MHnnhmJoRF8nPMNk5Ic9tNLnMWrvf93-u9nyjIa4wX2aTo9X9wiNu8ij6pgvdH3TReFF9O2skKEX5s_NV1BjAoaiaaEbt5EiSgoIRTfeWmH5hYU7PhXEF0NSbBaq-E/s1600/20150512_134947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuarNr1QlBqUP0MHnnhmJoRF8nPMNk5Ic9tNLnMWrvf93-u9nyjIa4wX2aTo9X9wiNu8ij6pgvdH3TReFF9O2skKEX5s_NV1BjAoaiaaEbt5EiSgoIRTfeWmH5hYU7PhXEF0NSbBaq-E/s400/20150512_134947.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Since I had time, I decided to marinate the hearts in olive oil and chopped garlic. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was a new food for the kiddos, and new foods are met with suspicion and fear, so I had to have a few back-up side dishes that I knew the kids would eat so they wouldn't starve. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8rn8tApehhfj3QFbbwsCzIeZv8_meOYZXg6MciPxrs6hCmv7wwvCpxgA2KJBARAWtxFKANjCEB9Vq1S4eN2ESdAsgxHdF21G1W3CPV7po01OskvNzbKO2LLdZzkvMXgCO6aAWAkDOcY/s1600/20150512_165813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8rn8tApehhfj3QFbbwsCzIeZv8_meOYZXg6MciPxrs6hCmv7wwvCpxgA2KJBARAWtxFKANjCEB9Vq1S4eN2ESdAsgxHdF21G1W3CPV7po01OskvNzbKO2LLdZzkvMXgCO6aAWAkDOcY/s400/20150512_165813.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The plan: sauteed chicken hearts with diced potatoes in bacon and couscous. And of course, wine for me!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started with cooking the bacon and potato together since they would take the longest. Since I only had two slices of bacon, I also added a little butter to help the potatoes cook. And because you can never have enough fat. I seasoned with pepper and a little bit of salt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnhUzH_hSomhjF1dplER1nbi7mCg8RxyVG3CTNDST4wKy5ydDCMv5ocXTzRSpEumZxUt6LbWLdovWBRSxt3-rZy7KulskNjZzUvNL6gp40iC0GDbtI1S7wSrLo4Fqgjsj0mtObVv-bc0/s1600/20150512_170802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnhUzH_hSomhjF1dplER1nbi7mCg8RxyVG3CTNDST4wKy5ydDCMv5ocXTzRSpEumZxUt6LbWLdovWBRSxt3-rZy7KulskNjZzUvNL6gp40iC0GDbtI1S7wSrLo4Fqgjsj0mtObVv-bc0/s400/20150512_170802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The different colored potatoes looked and smelled delicious!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, I prepared the couscous as directed. It would only take 8 minutes total. After the potatoes and bacon were cooked, I used the leftover butter and grease to cook the hearts in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy0nQBWzrM17QPt4CRUqjmQ25Nr8sx6ObqfAF1iBqcgn-zwOHUIh_LRev_ateYgVRtO6y8u8ux0BLlHXhocbeFvA2-G_WdMstzucu8mYPMR9yUjmKy174-_PqfnCeSggsHm2Xn6gEtz4/s1600/20150512_171709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPy0nQBWzrM17QPt4CRUqjmQ25Nr8sx6ObqfAF1iBqcgn-zwOHUIh_LRev_ateYgVRtO6y8u8ux0BLlHXhocbeFvA2-G_WdMstzucu8mYPMR9yUjmKy174-_PqfnCeSggsHm2Xn6gEtz4/s400/20150512_171709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Mmmm...I love mixing dinner with science. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only extra seasoning I used was fresh ground salt and pepper. They might look a little intimidating, but it actually smelled pretty good!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZCrTLITXj4b5TmVmQrarZ3ISaKPp3PN1R4M3YhQuAgnsE7S9mk-4xNOnCWoV07ILPbsibRH30V0jr2ULcWnVxMxCcYuAiiWs9gH8gw9jom5zE5oACjroM1h7J2NBkd270go9DIWjsD8/s1600/20150512_172641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZCrTLITXj4b5TmVmQrarZ3ISaKPp3PN1R4M3YhQuAgnsE7S9mk-4xNOnCWoV07ILPbsibRH30V0jr2ULcWnVxMxCcYuAiiWs9gH8gw9jom5zE5oACjroM1h7J2NBkd270go9DIWjsD8/s400/20150512_172641.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The big moment: tasting. Evie was pretty unprepared since she wasn't at the store with us, so she met the plate with a mixture of disgust and disbelief. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Roman was very excited to try, but Evie was less convinced. Still, she gave it a good bite, and declared, "YUCK!" Roman on the other hand...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBrLI_e-vdtOy8_EaRn6PWgJkM-4VtYR1xMBoV_WhFzSMh-aHAqA3YpJ8izLKIajFRqgjKBLAW23iCHeifBWtOXbEq_oK0r7qL_77eSybzImLhpEzbfFz31dwwBSLK00AIyl_ZnvQcY/s1600/20150512_174000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBrLI_e-vdtOy8_EaRn6PWgJkM-4VtYR1xMBoV_WhFzSMh-aHAqA3YpJ8izLKIajFRqgjKBLAW23iCHeifBWtOXbEq_oK0r7qL_77eSybzImLhpEzbfFz31dwwBSLK00AIyl_ZnvQcY/s400/20150512_174000.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>LOVED THEM!!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was very proud of my little minions for trying something new and weird. Honestly, they mostly tasted like dark meat chicken. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next time on adventures in cooking with the Metzgers: gizzards?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nah.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-17450088598319944972015-04-29T08:52:00.000-07:002015-04-29T08:52:01.420-07:00Here's the gross you've been missingHey, all! I've been crazy busy with work and school and life, so I haven't had a chance to update the weekly journal blogs. This is one from a few weeks ago that I thought was most interesting and not too depressing. Finals are here, so I'm burying myself in studying and homework until the semester is over. Then I get a couple weeks off before summer session. Yeah, step back because my life is CAH-RAY-ZEE interesting!<br />
<br />
<b>Week 12: April 13-19, 2015 </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This was the week of the largest tumor ever. We had a dog come in for an exploratory surgery
for a suspected splenic mass. My job was to assist the technician and doctor during surgery, retrieving anything they needed and setting up the room. It was the first time I set up for an
exploratory, so I had to learn which instruments were needed. I knew to grab a spay pack
(which we use for most surgeries as it contains the basic instruments), a large drape, a bowl
and handle, and a laser tip. The technician instructed me to also grab lap sponges, retractors,
a suction tip, and the suction machine, which I had never used. Once the surgery started,
everything seemed routine, and then the doctor opened the abdominal cavity. There was a lot
of fluid and the technician had to apply suction and I had to run for towels so the doctor
wouldn’t slip on the floor. My job was to watch the bucket on the suction machine and to
switch it out when it became full. I really had to hustle because there was a lot of fluid and
blood and the buckets filled fast. If they became over full, there was a risk the fluid would back
up into the filter. The technician told me I did a great job making sure the buckets didn’t get
too full, dumping the fluid, and then running back to switch them out again. Once the fluid was
clear, the doctor was shocked to see how large the tumor was in the abdomen. Oddly, the
spleen looked normal, but the liver and pancreas were enormous masses. There didn’t
appear to be any tissue that was not infiltrated by cancer. The owner was called and decided
to euthanize the dog on the table. It was a sad end to the case, but the instruction was not
over. The technician instructed me to watch the ECG while listening to the dog’s heart. Even
after the heart had stopped, the machine continued to register a heartbeat for several
minutes. It was a lesson in never fully trusting the machine, and to always listen to the heart
and lung sounds manually. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The newest skill I learned was how to perform the Schirmer Tear Test. The patient was a
cocker spaniel that had bilateral eye discharge. The eyes were also quite red. We brought the
animal back in treatment and I retrieved two test strips, one for each eye. While the strips
were still in the sterile packaging, I folded one end, carefully opened the package, and placed
the folded end between the lower eyelid and eye. The animal was restrained while the strip
remained in place for 60 seconds, then it was removed and the point where the wetness
stopped was noted as the basal and reflex tear production. The normal rate in dogs is 13-25
mm per min. The left eye was in the normal range, but the right eye produced less tears than
normal. The doctor theorized that the dog’s ablation surgery of the ear canals restricted the
dog’s ability to blink, a fact confirmed by the owner. The dog was prescribed an opthalmic
solution to treat the dry eyes. Learning new tasks such as the Schirmer Tear Test is not only
satisfying in regards to new experiences, but also in allowing the doctor to concentrate on
other things. Freeing up time for the doctor is one of the main aspects of my job, I’ve
discovered, so anything I can do to help can be very rewarding. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_lJPpsOyjRWBpwXA-B8tHrutK9J5ypslk58j0YieuKRBEbkft8halaGpnwF83ZcxOLbV4BNJfEQdGBr4kCVja-_fImo-TEXd4lkvgE-8UJMjO6M63Qp6EFpNMzHQia1XiraVHpie9ZA/s1600/1350281785Schirmer+Tear+Test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_lJPpsOyjRWBpwXA-B8tHrutK9J5ypslk58j0YieuKRBEbkft8halaGpnwF83ZcxOLbV4BNJfEQdGBr4kCVja-_fImo-TEXd4lkvgE-8UJMjO6M63Qp6EFpNMzHQia1XiraVHpie9ZA/s1600/1350281785Schirmer+Tear+Test.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The Schirmer Tear Test. The strip is placed between the eyelid and cornea and the dog is held still with eyes closed for 1 minute. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcG3Xj92RR3RWcRlMMbClhvjCTupdMzeY68i9b5aKyTYQh1Ae9YsaYvxNJ0kGocdjCW4ibQRUwFhw2SRybShUX38CrZ_9EGXR6DKyZiPsDWhMKmSDyn7rly_c7eKTqO4WaoakEiJwFe4/s1600/teartest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcG3Xj92RR3RWcRlMMbClhvjCTupdMzeY68i9b5aKyTYQh1Ae9YsaYvxNJ0kGocdjCW4ibQRUwFhw2SRybShUX38CrZ_9EGXR6DKyZiPsDWhMKmSDyn7rly_c7eKTqO4WaoakEiJwFe4/s1600/teartest2.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>After 1 minute, the strip is read. Inadequate tear production indicates dry eye. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>An interesting thing I witnessed this week involved a feral cat that was scheduled to be
neutered. We participate in a feral cat program that allows people to catch feral cats in their
area and bring them in to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated before being returned back into
the wild. The program helps reduce pet overpopulation, the spread of disease, and by putting
the cat back, prevents more feral cats from taking the cat’s place. The cat was brought in a
trap and sedated. Thankfully, it was a male, which meant a quick easy neuter. Or so we
thought. Once the cat was safely removed, it was discovered to be polydactyl. A few of the
claws on the front paws could not be worn down, and as a result, they had grown into the
pads of the feet. The doctor decided it would be best to declaw those toes to prevent further
injury as the cat obviously had no owner who could trim the nails. We were shocked to
discover the claw in between the two “feet” on the front left paw was so long, it had curled
over and over into the foot. Uncurled, it appeared to be at least an inch long! The cat was
declawed, neutered, and given injections for pain and antibiotics. It was gross and amazing!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0x6nQ-bMhhXwSJJqHI_ZURTfJloPLetqRN4HV23cg-ioMTVFE7GumH12dSYclGUpHaOyRVDercMOrgF79hrTS5dYdOzDdNITUZbo2xt93gx6f2xbKYOXJnbnFD7yJ7d0DcC_M7oLrWw4/s1600/525x525px-LL-80654905_vbattach14199.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0x6nQ-bMhhXwSJJqHI_ZURTfJloPLetqRN4HV23cg-ioMTVFE7GumH12dSYclGUpHaOyRVDercMOrgF79hrTS5dYdOzDdNITUZbo2xt93gx6f2xbKYOXJnbnFD7yJ7d0DcC_M7oLrWw4/s1600/525x525px-LL-80654905_vbattach14199.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This is a great photo indicating the problem often seen with polydactyl cats. The toe between the two "feet" (circled) cannot be worn down by the cat scratching posts, so it must be trimmed to prevent overgrowth. </i></div>
<b><br /></b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-71509379216737427992015-04-13T18:10:00.002-07:002015-04-13T18:10:57.755-07:00You know you love your job when...You get excited over fecal samples. Read about it in this week's journal entry!<br />
<br />
<b>Week 11: April 6-12, 2015</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> The highlight of this week is that I intubated my first patient! We were preparing a dog for spay
and the technician handed me the ET tube and said, “You place it.” I was so excited because
I have never done this before even though I had observed and assisted in the procedure
hundreds of times. The technician told me that I should learn how to do the one handed
technique because there might come a time when I either don’t have help or it’s an
emergency and I won’t have time to wait. She showed me how to pull the tongue out, “like
you’re going to rip it out of the dog’s head.” (Not really; it was a strong pull, but not enough to
injure the dog). I held the dog’s tongue in the last three fingers of my left hand and then
placed my index finger behind the canine tooth and used my hand as an elevator to pry open
the mouth. She showed me the epiglottis at the back of the throat and used the end of the
trach tube to gently lower it to reveal the larynx. She said, “ You see that V? You want to hold
the tube slightly on its side and place it between the V into the trachea.” I placed it on the first
try! She showed me the dog’s breath coming through the end of the ET tube and explained
that if I felt the throat, I should only feel one hard tube. If I felt two, the ET tube was most likely
in the esophagus. Since we determined the tube was placed correctly, I inflated the cuff and
tied the strings behind the dog’s head in a bow to help keep it in place before hooking up the
anesthesia machine. A technician told me never to hook an animal up to a dead machine, so I
turned on the oxygen first, hooked up the rebreather, and then turned on the iso anesthesia.
She later explained that cats sometimes are more difficult than dogs because their larynx is
easily reactive, so you oftentimes have to “spear” the larynx really quickly or use a tiny drop of
lidocaine to relax the throat. It was really exciting to learn a new technique that I can use to
assist the doctors and technicians on future procedures. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This has been another week in trying to work out the kinks of going paperless. One of the
doctor’s in particular is having trouble adjusting because she relies so much on writing things
down. She also admitted she’s not computer friendly in general, so having to work with the
computer system at work was frustrating. She dreaded seeing appointments because of the
stress, so my job became to hold her hand and make the process as easy as possible. The
hospital manager instructed the receptionist to schedule all her Saturday appointments for 30
min instead of her usual 15 so she wouldn’t fall so far behind trying to figure out a system that
worked for her. I had to channel my mom patience, but we made it through Saturday, and at
the end of the day, she was excited and on board with going paperless! There are a lot of
aspects I like about going paperless, namely that everything is recorded where anyone can
look up information without having to find a file. Every communication with the client is at
hand, every test, drug administered, and prescription can easily be accessed. The next step is
to get scanners for things that have to stay papered, such as consent forms. I hear there’s talk
of a new xray machine that will allows us to transfer radiographs into AviMark. I’m just
excited about the prospect of having an xray machine/program that won’t randomly decide to
die on us. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Thursday I had the most exciting fecal sample of my life. And I think its awesome I get to say
that in my line of work. We had a client drop off a fecal sample for a patient that kept having
horrible bloody diarrhea and they couldn’t find out the answer. The dog was on metronidazole
and the doctor suspected the food might be the culprit. I set up the fecal sample as usual,
took a sample and mixed it with Fecasol, spun it in the centrifuge for 5 minutes, then allowed
it to sit with a microscope cover slip over the top for 3 minutes. I placed the cover slip on a
slide and placed it under the microscope. I usually start on the lowest objective, but in the
interest of time I went straight for the 10x. Immediately I saw hookworm eggs, a heavy load of
hookworms, up to 15 in a field at least! Then I saw this strange critter that looked like a mite. I
pointed it out to the technician and she thought perhaps it was something that had crawled on
the pooped when it was on the ground. But there were several! I excitedly showed the doctor
and he theorized they were grain storage mites. We decided to send the rest of the fecal
sample to an outside lab to find out exactly what they are. I can’t wait for the results!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpygbVhAX3RnHh9P4oiS1ifym1QZoQ4R7SZ1AaqSUmqTgZ2MAY9buQm6wzNNWXSdvMi2OAaYYef89mvlRk68SZcMKL29R86LnS2eBJw8NSlhkvclCMdZ6qPRjUO3eTKubAzd2sFT3-q0/s1600/20150409_132658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpygbVhAX3RnHh9P4oiS1ifym1QZoQ4R7SZ1AaqSUmqTgZ2MAY9buQm6wzNNWXSdvMi2OAaYYef89mvlRk68SZcMKL29R86LnS2eBJw8NSlhkvclCMdZ6qPRjUO3eTKubAzd2sFT3-q0/s1600/20150409_132658.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The oval shape is a hookworm egg. The eight legged creepy thing? STAY TUNED!</i></div>
<b><br /></b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-23135751555047547032015-03-30T16:41:00.000-07:002015-03-30T16:41:51.927-07:00And then puppies happened. Hey! Been a crazy few weeks since I posted last. I had a "Spring Break" (in quotations since technically I didn't get a vacation and had one professor still assign homework *grumble*). Work and school have been busy. The kids are getting involved in activities, including karate and archery, so my schedule is full and the coffee is constantly flowing! Somewhere in there I have a date night with Rick so I don't forget what his face looks like. I periodically message him pictures of mine so when some random girl walks up and hugs him, he'll remember it's his girlfriend and not to be frightened.<br />
Anywho, here's what I was up to at work this week!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Week 9: March 23-29, 2015 </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Recently I’ve been preoccupied with learning as many new skills as possible that I didn’t stop
to make sure I was proficient at the ones I know. I decided to make an effort to slow down and
practice acquired skills and to allow the new ones to present themselves without stressing
about it. My main goal was to become better at venipuncture. There are certain veins I feel
less confident in, so when we had anesthetized patients, I would practice cephalic and lateral
saphenous venipuncture. In addition, I didn’t hesitate to jump in and do blood draws myself
instead of handing them off to someone with more experience because I was nervous. I figured if I
don’t hit the vein by the second poke, I can hand it off and still get the practice. I had many
opportunities to practice jugular and medial saphenous and hit the vein on the first try each
time, which has given me confidence to move forward with blood draws and eventually other
skills as well. I would really like to learn how to perform cystocentesis since it’s a procedure
we do very often. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsZC9J7RiiNFaqCZvrdAamhHbHr8EUkFpGi8GtwVhL0CBH5w_pSPPDedh-ZkTp-Y3fM18zaq5RaI35CyjN9rg58gLqcYbewzENfDqscWj0qvxfkF0YlOZztV28lGKTniFYZSn6eTU1NA/s1600/cat-urine-cystocentesis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsZC9J7RiiNFaqCZvrdAamhHbHr8EUkFpGi8GtwVhL0CBH5w_pSPPDedh-ZkTp-Y3fM18zaq5RaI35CyjN9rg58gLqcYbewzENfDqscWj0qvxfkF0YlOZztV28lGKTniFYZSn6eTU1NA/s1600/cat-urine-cystocentesis.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Cystocentesis is the introduction of a needle into the urinary bladder for the purpose of extracting urine. It's the best way to collect urine for sterile lab send outs. </i></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The best part about this week was puppies. Puppies make all the stress, anger, and
heartache just fade away into warm, cuddly fluff. We work closely with the local shelter and
they had a stray mother with four puppies they were trying to catch. They were able to
retrieve the pups, but the mother remained elusive. The four puppies estimated to be about
35 days old were brought into the hospital and put under my charge. I weighed, took TPR,
assessed mucous membrane color, and performed a PE to check for any obvious injuries or
abnormalities. I also obtained fecal samples from all four for microscopic examination. They
had fleas, but were otherwise in great condition: active, vocal, and chubby! They were given
names and numbers for the shelter and placed in a kennel with plenty of blankets. A fecal
flotation resulted in roundworms, which wasn’t a big surprise, so they were given 0.5ml
Strongid each with instructions to follow-up with 1ml each in 10 days. There was no way of
knowing when the puppies had last eaten, so I then prepared to feed them both with
replacement formula and canned food mixed with formula in a bowl since they were over 4
weeks old and able to begin solids. I offered each puppy a bottle with formula and when I had
them excitedly eating, I offered the canned/formula mixture. They were all eager to eat off my
fingers, so I then directed them into the bowl. Most of them ate great this way and settled in
well together for a nap. Later, we received a phone call that the mother had been trapped and
the shelter manager was bringing her over to reunite with her pups. She was scared and a
collar that she was wearing had slipped under her arm on one side had been digging into her
skin causing a wound. The puppies were very excited to see her and she seemed content to
have them back. They were set up in a run with plenty of soft bedding. Mom was given water
and plenty of food. Lactating mothers require a lot of calories and it was clear she wasn’t
receiving enough to maintain her own body weight though her pups were in great condition.
Puppy food is the best for lactating moms, so we gave her both dry and canned free feed. It
was really heartwarming to see the family reunited, happy, and on the road to healthy. The
next step is to see them go to forever homes!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgZEK0GSFWp9eAVyh7F26lArM4eqF-OHDzaOc6k8f3b6HlvgqyzRuy0CFHC7YSikBWzcbhQME886fOdp4pc0A-b2Vzb779o4kbebVT2SqgOXrWyvS6v4AtOeb7fZxBzZtU87-7oy3-J0/s1600/IMG_6760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgZEK0GSFWp9eAVyh7F26lArM4eqF-OHDzaOc6k8f3b6HlvgqyzRuy0CFHC7YSikBWzcbhQME886fOdp4pc0A-b2Vzb779o4kbebVT2SqgOXrWyvS6v4AtOeb7fZxBzZtU87-7oy3-J0/s1600/IMG_6760.JPG" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The feels! </i></div>
<b><br /></b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-41573906341061010362015-02-23T16:23:00.000-08:002015-02-23T16:23:53.740-08:00It's a dog. Feed it like one. <div class="MsoNormal">
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post reflect my opinion based on research. You do not necessarily need to agree with my opinion to read this post, however, I will judge you heavily if you do not. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Week 6: February 16-22, 2015</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It happens quite a bit that the topic I happen to be
studying applies itself to real life inexplicably. Or perhaps I’m more aware of
the issue and can recognize it? Regardless, nutrition was the topic of study
this week, and two cases presented itself that gave me an opportunity to
educate clients as well as learn first hand the importance of a balanced diet
in a pet’s life.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The first case was Hazel, an 8-week old German Shepherd
puppy much beloved by her worried owner. She had done her research before
purchasing Hazel, and had purchased her a week earlier from a reputable
breeder, who recommended a feeding schedule that included a raw diet.
Unfortunately, the owner was unable to find the particular raw food product the
breeder was feedings, so she attempted to make her own supplemented with dry
puppy food. Her owner had no interest in continuing the raw diet, but when her
puppy wouldn’t eat anything else, what could she do? The problem with raw diets
is often a lack of balanced nutrition and the risk of pathogens in undercooked,
raw, or contaminated meat. Hazel continually snubbed her nose at the puppy food
and would eat the meat, resulting in a BCS of 2/5 and bloody diarrhea. A fecal
sample was run, and the vet and technician suspected Giardia present, so we
kept Hazel in order to collect enough of a sample to send to Idexx for a
diarrhea panel. We theorized that the owner unintentionally fed Hazel
improperly prepared meat. Upon discharge, we sent Hazel home on a prescription i/d
diet for gastrointestinal problems, panacur, and amoxicillin. It will be
interesting to see what the results of the send out reveal next week! </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtJEh1JjUWkNbhw94rVpI0EJrQ2RC33zq1kMAQc0a2o8MdFrVMjTzlJ8CWiaqFrLYHRDBr3PnqdfB4bpD2tNGVigEihzJ2kGrISxt30W_2zfF1ZByo_H1w-TEdprbqI_YoFQD1OdCevQ/s1600/causes_of_dog_giardia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtJEh1JjUWkNbhw94rVpI0EJrQ2RC33zq1kMAQc0a2o8MdFrVMjTzlJ8CWiaqFrLYHRDBr3PnqdfB4bpD2tNGVigEihzJ2kGrISxt30W_2zfF1ZByo_H1w-TEdprbqI_YoFQD1OdCevQ/s1600/causes_of_dog_giardia.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Symptoms of giardia infection include vomiting, diarrhea, failure to gain weight, dehydration, and poor hair coat.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Another case involving improper nutrition involved Wiley, a
black lab who couldn’t poop. He had a history of anal gland resections and
constipation, but this time was worse. Poor Wiley had not had a proper BM in
weeks, though he tried valiantly. His owner worried he was in pain, and tried
to help him by feeding him coconut oil, which he immediately vomited up. She
also fed him pumpkin and tried giving him a prescription laxative, with no
relief. His usual diet consisted of pumpkin and limited ingredient, grain-free
dry dog food. The doctor who saw Wiley that day felt his diet should have been
evaluated when he started having the issues with his anal glands. Wiley clearly
needed a balanced diet that would not cause digestive upset and constipation.
For the immediate instance, Wiley’s suffering had to be relieved. The doctor
performed a rectal exam to check for tumors and to examine Wiley’s prostate. No
abnormalities were found, though we all agreed Wiley’s feces and gas smelled
oddly like livestock. He did appear to be eating quite a bit of grass…The next
step was an enema, much to Wiley’s shock, which yielded some success. He later
went home on the i/d diet and instructions to take him for a long walk! </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This week highlighted the importance of feeding pets a
balanced, nutritionally and medically appropriate diet. I’ve listened to many
owners spout the importance of “organic,” “limited ingredient,” “raw,”
“vegetarian,” and any number of fad diets. Applying human diets and
requirements can be detrimental to our pets’ health as they require specific
dietary requirements. In addition, animals with medical needs, such as kidney
disease, have different needs than an animal in maintenance. As a veterinary
professional, I learned that part of my job is educating clients and how to
read food labels and feed their pets appropriate diets. Even if an owner is
insistent in their beliefs and will not change, at least they can make the
decision as a well informed owner. </b></div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-45451763008982848152015-02-15T16:48:00.000-08:002015-02-15T16:48:39.212-08:00*FACEPALM*<div class="MsoNormal">
*SIGH* Just read and you'll understand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Week 5: February 9-15, 2014</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My animals are falling apart. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I pulled up to my house after work Thursday night, and in
the headlights I saw my dog in the backyard. When I saw the way he was holding
his leg, I yelled, “Noooooo!” in very dramatic fashion. After many months of
working at Bayshore and seeing dogs in a similar condition, I knew immediately
what was wrong. But of course, I chose to be in denial until one of the vets
could look at him. I took him to work with me the next day and explained that he
was let outside to potty, and ten minutes later when I pulled up, he was
limping on his left hind leg. No one saw what happened, but he does like to run
back and forth across the fence barking at the trees. The veterinarian examined
each joint starting at the digits, working up to the stifle. He did the “drawer
test” by holding the femur and moving the tibia to see if it protruded forward. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYzxkufhKXK8Zd3hxxIPF-NRVyqsdU6Si0GOiMlCBqbHbtW1AUsdRA0ANtk82_aN6_YGVjGLxJJE87X7zEQav9VQzanWR3jc_a4gNwoC3kQqf4dY9WhEz8CPiGEGFeWHHcQf0We_9jc0/s1600/drawersign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYzxkufhKXK8Zd3hxxIPF-NRVyqsdU6Si0GOiMlCBqbHbtW1AUsdRA0ANtk82_aN6_YGVjGLxJJE87X7zEQav9VQzanWR3jc_a4gNwoC3kQqf4dY9WhEz8CPiGEGFeWHHcQf0We_9jc0/s1600/drawersign.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>You just had to open the drawer!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>He gave me a look, and I knew: my dog had ruptured his CCL. The overall theme
lately is the care for aging pets. My dog and two of my cats are approaching 9,
and though I still consider that fairly young, I have to remember that their
bodies are aging rapidly, and that I must prepare myself for age related
illness. My dog has never had blood work run, so I decided to prepare a Senior
send-out to an outside lab for 25 chemistries, T4, UA, and CBC to make sure
he’s healthy enough for the next step: surgery. I also have a lateral ear
resection for my cat’s left ear to schedule. It’s been a week. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My patient of the week was Olive, a 6yr old Pug that came in
for hacking. She displayed the typical pug snort and raspy breathing, and her
owner mentioned that she occasionally had respiratory attacks that she had a
prescription of Valium for to use as needed. Olive was adorable, with a
brachycephalic face that was so smashed in that she resembled a Persian. She
was calm, unlike other pugs I’ve seen that are constantly panting and snorting.
The veterinarian recommended an x-ray to see if there was anything in her
throat. We took lateral and VD thoracic radiographs that included the trachea,
and the doctor felt that she should be sedated for a closer look. Once Olive
was asleep with doggy magic, a throat exam was performed, and it was discovered
that not only did Olive have an elongated soft palate, but that she also had
larygneal paralysis. She was reversed with Antisedan and given Dexamethasone
for inflammation. As she began to wake up, I noticed she was acting strange and
making an odd gurgling noise. I alerted the doctor and she took her heart rate
and felt that she was reacting to the Ketamine. She had me hold her in sternal
recumbancy while she recovered. I became concerned as the strange sounds
continued, so I checked to see what color her mucous membranes were, and saw
her tongue was turning blue. I grabbed my technician and we masked Olive with
oxygen, feeling that the procedure and her panic had resulted in her throat
swelling and cyanotic state. Thankfully, her color began to return to pink, and
I was instructed to keep the oxygen on her for a while. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Fifteen minutes later, she had a seizure. I was alone in
treatment, so I had to yell for help, and staff came running. It was amazing
how they jumped right into action. One technician shaved a forearm while
another started gathering catheter supplies and an ET tube and another
veterinarian drew up Valium while I held off the cephalic vein. When Olive was
settled enough, my technician intubated her so she would have an open airway
and we continued the oxygen. The hustle and teamwork was very impressive! A
catheter was placed and Olive was hooked up to EKG with me monitoring her for
the next 2 hours until her owner was able to take her to an emergency 24 hour
hospital for monitoring. Happily, Olive was starting to become more alert and
was breathing comfortably without the ET tube when she left, and her doctor
felt that she would be okay. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcrwdv5mixvgJ5XRkSmjCq02iajAReX9iY5lWUT-saCR7y6MDPNhsJ9gBDWjveWbD0uGJ7s8-Orbia7N7azrE3qunqV6_kH5HoCkop5BSb5pZBeavpsB4i39IkXh09Igane44JRBP1jE/s1600/4ef34e7b8f75023b7c5f41c447269f4e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcrwdv5mixvgJ5XRkSmjCq02iajAReX9iY5lWUT-saCR7y6MDPNhsJ9gBDWjveWbD0uGJ7s8-Orbia7N7azrE3qunqV6_kH5HoCkop5BSb5pZBeavpsB4i39IkXh09Igane44JRBP1jE/s1600/4ef34e7b8f75023b7c5f41c447269f4e.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Dogs with smashed in faces are super cute, but unfortunately, the abnormal shape of their skull leads to many health issues related to respiration, skin, and eyes.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[endif]--><b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Experiencing how well my team worked when a crisis happened
made me very proud to be a part of this hospital. Because everyone was on their
A-game, Olive was well on her way to recovery even though surgery is likely in
her future to correct her anatomical abnormalities. What made the situation
more stressful was that the owner was a new client, Olive was a new patient,
and this was the first time we’d seen both. The impression we made must have
been favorable because the owner said she would definitely be coming back!</b></div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-87117551363089834542015-02-08T15:41:00.002-08:002015-02-08T15:41:18.375-08:00What would Jane do?I had to channel some serious Jane Austen poise this week. Read about it in this week's journal entry.<br />
<br />
<b>Week 4: February 2-8, 2015</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>In my former life, I owned a coffee roasters and was a barista, so I am no stranger to angry </b><b>customers. That experience didn’t make this week any easier. This seemed to be the week of </b><b>angry clients, whether they were unhappy with their service or the price of said service. </b><b>Luckily, I’ve been able to avoid any serious encounters that ended in yelling and tears, but </b><b>even quiet anger can be tough to deal with. We had clients with a 16 week old Bulldog puppy </b><b>with a tear in the tibial growth cartilage that left her unable to use her leg properly. The doctor </b><b>sent xrays </b><b>to a specialist, but that apparently took too long for the owners because they took </b><b>their dog to another doctor and ended up making ours look bad by insinuating that she didn’t </b><b>know what she was looking at. They insisted at this other doctor’s suggestion that a Robert </b><b>Jones wrap be placed on the puppy despite warnings that it may not work. So, the leg was </b><b>cast, and I brought the puppy out to the owner. She was not pleased because the wrap was </b><b>large and the puppy was wearing a cone. I informed her of the doctor’s instructions to keep </b><b>the cone on to stop the puppy from bothering it, but she could have it off to eat with </b><b>supervision. I also told her the doctor wanted the puppy back for a bandage change in a week </b><b>unless it slipped or became very dirty. Here are a couple highlights of her response:</b><br />
<b>“Well, of course it will get dirty. It’s horrible outside,” said with great condescension.</b><br />
<b>“Does she HAVE to wear that cone?” very distressed.</b><br />
<b>“I just don’t know if this will work. It’s awfully big. Can she even lay down?”</b><br />
<b>“So, she has to have it changed once a week for three weeks? You mean you don’t know?”</b><br />
<b>Me, with as much patience as I can muster, “I’m just telling you what the doctor said. Please </b><b>bring her back if she slips her bandage.”</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY2KSvwBGNr5Up55AFZDx_w1Rp8ZnxTC1XfNZE-KtC2m6xlv_9ui_qIYkHrkkYo_BDN9xKKKvfYy4N5tUL6AhB07Dyaqn7iPOsHMggbHo7WIMJaw08mga9j0_QGL2jAo8T7-27j7_INg/s1600/mercedes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY2KSvwBGNr5Up55AFZDx_w1Rp8ZnxTC1XfNZE-KtC2m6xlv_9ui_qIYkHrkkYo_BDN9xKKKvfYy4N5tUL6AhB07Dyaqn7iPOsHMggbHo7WIMJaw08mga9j0_QGL2jAo8T7-27j7_INg/s1600/mercedes1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This dog is wearing a Robert Jones bandage. Now imagine this on a 16 wk old wiggly Bulldog puppy. </i></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Big surprise, she slipped her bandage. And mom wasn’t happy. We just wanted to yell, </b><b>“You’re the one who insisted she wear this thing! What did you think was going to happen?!” </b><b>Dad is a human doctor, which also added to the frustration because he tried to tell the tech </b><b>how HE would do it.</b><br />
<b>Later, I had to work with a client who insisted on telling me her life woes and why she was on </b><b>such a tight budget. I don’t have a problem with people setting a budget, but I don’t need to </b><b>know it’s because your husband of 30 years left you for a younger woman. While reviewing </b><b>the price of the procedures we wanted to perform on her dog, she cussed out the price, told </b><b>us how expensive we were and that she was going somewhere else next time, and that she </b><b>would pay for everything but we were taking out of her grocery money. I honestly didn’t know </b><b>how to respond, except to say we were willing to work with her and that our doctor’s were </b><b>excellent. Above all, I tried to stay patient and understanding. A glass of wine was warranted </b><b>that evening. Dealing with angry clients reminded me that it’s not just about the animals, but </b><b>also the people that bring them in. If you don’t have the trust of the client, you can’t treat their </b><b>animal, so no matter how frustrated or angry they make you, it’s best to remain calm and </b><b>noncombative. </b><b>Otherwise, you might risk the health of a pet who needs your help.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>The biggest part of the week was assisting in the surgery of my own cat, Brautigan. Braut had </b><b>horribly itchy ears, and it turned out they were full of bacteria, yeast, polyps, and inflammation. </b><b>My poor guy was miserable! The doctor recommended a lateral ear resection for both ears. </b><b>We did the right ear Thursday. I helped the technician place an IV catheter, intubate, and then </b><b>I shaved and cleaned around the ear for surgery. After we moved him into the surgery suite, </b><b>the tech showed me how to hook him up to the anesthesia machine and I placed the leads, </b><b>BP cuff, and esophageal thermometer. I then monitored his vitals throughout the surgery and </b><b>helped the tech assist the doctor. After the surgery was complete, I moved him into treatment, </b><b>performed therapeutic laser on the site, applied eye ointment, and monitored his recovery. </b><b>When I observed the swallow reflex, I removed the ET tube and placed him a cage with </b><b>blankets and hot water bottles to keep him warm. I checked on his progress to make sure he </b><b>was breathing well and waking up without difficulty. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPhVEwW3gbULbjvT5zHDqtZSwrYDpfS9idK1ka0h708fW4lB2z1JGMrz7y5RF-0tutHvSZF_qyN4jqDAtT6J-BEM3dzcCxzZx2Dbj7rtDCSL32XkXwNsMdlNqV79F9IlIVJ-Iegv5XlM/s1600/20150208_151924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPhVEwW3gbULbjvT5zHDqtZSwrYDpfS9idK1ka0h708fW4lB2z1JGMrz7y5RF-0tutHvSZF_qyN4jqDAtT6J-BEM3dzcCxzZx2Dbj7rtDCSL32XkXwNsMdlNqV79F9IlIVJ-Iegv5XlM/s1600/20150208_151924.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Franken-cat.</i></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>I’m happy to report that he did great and </b><b>is recovering well, though he doesn’t appreciate the comfy cone!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzkUv5Ri4IQlieTy2IxXjvermq34cONbN-d4XYynVxX1O1IEHQTJeTY_9JLhoYsNNrL2mIqcli0U7NrDOvQnUrj_oSQJuuIUsHKELoYxSuA9ekPjL5ozbFSO5gLcj6XQhGB4wuHXg4Vo/s1600/20150208_151459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzkUv5Ri4IQlieTy2IxXjvermq34cONbN-d4XYynVxX1O1IEHQTJeTY_9JLhoYsNNrL2mIqcli0U7NrDOvQnUrj_oSQJuuIUsHKELoYxSuA9ekPjL5ozbFSO5gLcj6XQhGB4wuHXg4Vo/s1600/20150208_151459.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"I believe you can go fuck yourself."</i></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b></b><br />
<br />
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-40464206932071214072015-02-01T18:47:00.000-08:002015-02-01T18:47:16.140-08:00What if it really is all about the bass?In writing these journals, I've noticed a startling trend: I spend way too much time in animals' rectal area...<br />
<br />
<b>Week 3: January 26-February 2, 2015</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>This week was a mixture of the routine, excitement, and disappointment. Basically, your </b><b>average week working in an animal hospital. The main skill I had opportunity to practice was </b><b>anal gland expression. From taking anatomy, I know the location of these malodorous glands, </b><b>but I’ve mainly been observing or restraining for the procedure. This week, I felt confident </b><b>enough to step up and try the technique myself. I started by expressing glands on </b><b>anesthetized patients so I would get the feel of where the glands are and what they feel like </b><b>full on an animal that wasn’t struggling. I then was able to practice applying the correct </b><b>amount of pressure and squeezing technique and feel the glands emptying and observing the </b><b>discharge, again at my leisure since the animal was asleep. I then moved on to patients that </b><b>were awake. I found I like to equate the procedure to milking a cow in that I start at the bottom </b><b>of the gland and “milk” the discharge out by applying pressure with my thumb against my </b><b>index finger on the inside of the rectum. I try to exert the least amount of pressure as possible </b><b>to prevent injury to the animal, but I’ve encountered a few glands that were “plugged” and </b><b>needed a little extra work. After those expressions, I like to wash the perianal region with cool </b><b>chlorhexidine to ease any discomfort. This procedure is the epitome of, “it’s a tough job, but </b><b>somebody has to do it.”</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1S1LYUzaKBnYoP9WKG0x_3nLpTS09jQESQMg6BHpCPWLRbDs69YAGTu0LLR-qNtXAuTwb48_90mkR74qVKcAZLKWp6zH0ltAyC9Do1EjZ7XWf4iuyPG-ZHKsRVDO8Hzm5NYtjzv2SeY/s1600/dog-scooting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1S1LYUzaKBnYoP9WKG0x_3nLpTS09jQESQMg6BHpCPWLRbDs69YAGTu0LLR-qNtXAuTwb48_90mkR74qVKcAZLKWp6zH0ltAyC9Do1EjZ7XWf4iuyPG-ZHKsRVDO8Hzm5NYtjzv2SeY/s1600/dog-scooting.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Hey, ya'll, you're lucky I didn't post a picture of a dog getting it's anal glands expressed. That's how much I care about you keeping down your lunch. For the rest of your life. Instead, here's a picture of a dog scooting, a common indication that it needs it's anal glands expressed. Should I say anal glands again? Anal. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>We perform quite a bit of blood work, and we’ve recently started using new machines for </b><b>CBCs and chemistries. Generally, we aren’t running more than one animal’s blood at a time, </b><b>but one day this week I was handed tubes for three animals that were ASAP. I got to work </b><b>putting the tests into the Avimark system, which then put an order into the lab machines. The </b><b>green tops were spinning and the lavender tops were rocking when an error message pops </b><b>up on the Catalyst screen. It was time for a crash course in troubleshooting the new machine. </b><b>Knowing similar problems have occurred in the past, my first step was to empty the waste </b><b>tray. It was full, which often results in the slides not being able to load into the machine </b><b>properly. The error message still appeared, so I then opened the front of the machine and </b><b>took all the slides out. It was terrible to waste them, but the number one priority was getting </b><b>the machine to run! After running an initializing process, I set the machine to run the blood </b><b>work again and crossed my fingers it would work. It did! I then worked efficiently to </b><b>systematically load the plasma and slides into the machine to run in succession. Even though </b><b>most of my job is working with animals, I learned it was also important to understand how the </b><b>equipment we use works so that we can fix it when it doesn’t. After all, without our lab </b><b>equipment, we can’t diagnose illnesses and maintain patient wellness. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P6tyjAaIfRupcmmT_p55oTLEHkL6myjTG3gPCWMn74ZOZEEn0k5tTARIqGY_aBqU0QJ08yzrdepgGRy6wOoBO2yaGMXmGiE4c41EABPnsRve_80IbSk7mTjZUypZAeqWcI_YxTZCTj4/s1600/idexx_bioresearch_analyzers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P6tyjAaIfRupcmmT_p55oTLEHkL6myjTG3gPCWMn74ZOZEEn0k5tTARIqGY_aBqU0QJ08yzrdepgGRy6wOoBO2yaGMXmGiE4c41EABPnsRve_80IbSk7mTjZUypZAeqWcI_YxTZCTj4/s1600/idexx_bioresearch_analyzers.png" height="131" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I love our lab equipment...when it works.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b>The hardest lesson I learned this week was that no matter how much you want to save the </b><b>world, oftentimes the world has other plans. One of our vets was in an extremely optimistic </b><b>mood when it came to two unanticipated exploratory surgeries. I had checked both patients in </b><b>as appointments, and the doctor determined both required immediate surgeries. One had a </b><b>hard mass on the right side of his abdomen, and we were hoping it was his spleen or </b><b>something equally operable. The doctor went into surgery with hope, and unfortunately </b><b>discovered that the dog’s entire right kidney was enveloped in a large, football shaped mass </b><b>that grew against the spine. His disappointment was furthered by the next patient that hadn’t </b><b>been eating and was vomiting. They were hoping for an obstruction, but what they found was </b><b>an abscessed mass which necessitated the dog be euthanized on the table. My heart goes </b><b>out to the owners when things like this happen, but I try to help them take comfort in the </b><b>knowledge that they did everything they could to make their animals well, and so did our </b><b>dedicated doctors. When sad outcomes occur in quick succession, it’s difficult to find the </b><b>silver lining and the mood in the hospital can become sour, and we have to remind ourselves </b><b>why we’re in this field. Our deep love for animals pulls us through and helps us come to work </b><b>everyday.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Puppies help, too.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobIm_PKe7Zcju0H62TeOcFviSiZrP0j78zlmJmQy32CTpUsHf5hn85k5pJKxJU-W28nwDqeFZfbiEacSNHTXI4UKZHK2dAspwHXljnDhxOhrBMQoVp2luxA-BL507BSDMxt4-5FMNk0g/s1600/bd49cf01eba692531d99a4b19cf42c0d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobIm_PKe7Zcju0H62TeOcFviSiZrP0j78zlmJmQy32CTpUsHf5hn85k5pJKxJU-W28nwDqeFZfbiEacSNHTXI4UKZHK2dAspwHXljnDhxOhrBMQoVp2luxA-BL507BSDMxt4-5FMNk0g/s1600/bd49cf01eba692531d99a4b19cf42c0d.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>IT'S SO FLUFFY I'M GONNA DIE!!</i></div>
<b><br /></b>Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-3171676528519689592015-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:002015-01-26T18:16:10.322-08:00Everybody poops. And pees. It's the end of another exciting week! Here's the exciting highlights! They're exciting! And gross!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b>Week 2 Journal Entry: January 19-25, 2015</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>This week at my clinic was all about bodily fluids. I have long since accepted that my job will </b><b>never make me rich or famous, it isn’t glamorous, and I often go home and my dog plays the, </b><b>“what’s that smell?” game. In my last entry, I talked about discussing parasites with clients, </b><b>namely heartworms. This week, I had ample opportunity to perfect my fecal flotation </b><b>technique.</b></div>
<div>
<b>Sometimes it’s easy: a client suspects they see worms so they bring in a sample. Other times, </b><b>it’s not so straightforward. A patient comes in with diarrhea and the doctors of course want a </b><b>fecal sample to analyze. Of course, no one has advised the client to bring one in, so we have </b><b>to get it ourselves. Enter the fecal loop. </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_UaTvd2EsHRI-qu93sNUCs6TJP8MUi59R3pvuYRmj4asEOHu-dEih6gvb-hRbF-dmJoXrWPq9OB3pSoqJT1Ci7w3d9T4I_6lj7uRoxbMMVqT7V32LyZ5WhI5Zx2HZJzSvlwsjSnPes4/s1600/WWtp8mSfd3ybUsELLFrqSQ_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_UaTvd2EsHRI-qu93sNUCs6TJP8MUi59R3pvuYRmj4asEOHu-dEih6gvb-hRbF-dmJoXrWPq9OB3pSoqJT1Ci7w3d9T4I_6lj7uRoxbMMVqT7V32LyZ5WhI5Zx2HZJzSvlwsjSnPes4/s1600/WWtp8mSfd3ybUsELLFrqSQ_m.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Bend over!</i></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>I enter the exam room or take the dog (or cat) back </b><b>into treatment with the fecal loop, a tool about twelve inches long with a tapered end with </b><b>keyholes in them, apply sterile lube, and insert it into the rectum. I twist the loop gently and </b><b>pull it out hoping to have enough sample to run a test. If I do, I then take the sample to the lab </b><b>and retrieve a Stat OvaTube. I put the sample in the tube and fill it halfway with Fecasol, stir it, </b><b>add the topper, and fill all the way with the Fecasol. I then place the tube in the centrifuge for </b><b>5 minutes, twist down the topper, place a microscope coverslip on top, and set a timer for 3 </b><b>minutes. I then examine the sample under the microscope for parasite eggs. When I first </b><b>started working, I had to consult the staff or books to identify anything unusual, but now I can </b><b>quickly identify roundworms, hookworms, and coccidia under the microscope and tapeworms </b><b>in fecal samples.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8O9UyoizzFFttC5wP-34yuM0dBt2eTqxu5nYDb3YAUSQgNjL48XqZhW37ob81H05KJqrTCfX_3u7CgPzJmozB2ZFGsyz99I9ZnO1Q3I1YWuTQZi5t1sdzK3WbcQWaQd18IjWg2SmQsg/s1600/worms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8O9UyoizzFFttC5wP-34yuM0dBt2eTqxu5nYDb3YAUSQgNjL48XqZhW37ob81H05KJqrTCfX_3u7CgPzJmozB2ZFGsyz99I9ZnO1Q3I1YWuTQZi5t1sdzK3WbcQWaQd18IjWg2SmQsg/s1600/worms.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>You can't imagine how sad it is to examine unexciting poop.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>I’m also learning what to look for in urinalysis. We collect urine in several ways: free catch, </b><b>cystocentesis, or urinary catheter. I then take the urine to the lab area and grab the </b><b>refractometer, a Stat Spin tube, and a urine dipstick. I put one drop onto the refractometer to </b><b>find the specific gravity and a drop on each square of the test strip. I then put the rest in a </b><b>tube and spin it in the centrifuge. I record the findings on a sticker noting the specific gravity, </b><b>pH, and the presence of bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrates, ketones, blood, glucose, leukocytes, </b><b>and protein. After the urine is spun, I pour off the urine and put a drop of stain into the tube </b><b>and mix it with the sediment before putting it on a microscope slide. The staff are teaching me </b><b>what to look for in the urine, such as WBCs, rods, bacteria, and the other day I found crystals! </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-YxRG1SvfMu-sWUA31YQHxDQI8QUY8CB3R4IXVw5XVhZEDBpwJ0wQjr5Hqw0pYQ7ndWJQYSWv8UqKtSuVfjimVflnkhfprUIGLI_7YH_fMf2QHmNUo_VrAQCin2UHuhfxEhO6wN-UE/s1600/73365553093+351.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-YxRG1SvfMu-sWUA31YQHxDQI8QUY8CB3R4IXVw5XVhZEDBpwJ0wQjr5Hqw0pYQ7ndWJQYSWv8UqKtSuVfjimVflnkhfprUIGLI_7YH_fMf2QHmNUo_VrAQCin2UHuhfxEhO6wN-UE/s1600/73365553093+351.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Refractometer and dipsticks: if not for a physician in 1797 saying, "I need an easier, faster way to test urine," we might not have these tools today.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>I’m very fortunate to work with doctors and staff that challenge me. The other day, the </b><b>veterinarian gave me a pop quiz, which she often does.</b></div>
<div>
<b>“Hey, Mandy. I have a 25lb dog that comes in having trouble breathing. It’s turning blue, but it </b><b>still has a pulse. What would you get for me?”</b></div>
<div>
<b>It’s a little scary being put on the spot, but I know she’s testing me not only to see what I </b><b>know, but to educate me on what I don’t. My first response was that I would get her an ET tube </b><b>and the oxygen machine. She agreed and then asked what drugs I would give her and where </b><b>they were. I said I didn’t know. She didn’t either! (Note: she’s a newer doctor at the clinic). The </b><b>technician showed us the Crash Kit in the surgery room and the doctor explained the drugs </b><b>inside and when and how I should give them. It was a great learning experience and it gave </b><b>me confidence if I was ever in a situation where the doctor had an emergency and I was the </b><b>only one available to help. It was applicable because we had a patient in the hospital having </b><b>trouble breathing, and I just learned about a medication I had never filled before that was a </b><b>bronchodilator.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>As always, I was reminded this week that no matter what happens, don’t forget to have fun. A </b><b>dog that was very dear to a staff member was brought in to be euthanized and the mood was </b><b>somewhat bleak. Then a shaggy border collie came in that had some mats that needed to be </b><b>brushed out and shaved. The technician shaved off a big mat off the dog’s tail, and she </b><b>observed that it looked like a troll doll. She ended up dressing it up and turning it into the clinic </b><b>mascot. If I can end every day at my job with a good laugh, I believe I can do this job forever!</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHJyBA1ZhGbNS4qehtd3naNiCNQNFL-YJ2WY8TWV1xWeaMbJlgE19tzFLrU7wGaYS3js8Kc2-NDo-r6EnPWVRHNSJ9Ug5cIKPo9D-ItDgsLW6jIKFjQhVeaJigEcEl6sONhUid46mDjQ/s1600/IMG953744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHJyBA1ZhGbNS4qehtd3naNiCNQNFL-YJ2WY8TWV1xWeaMbJlgE19tzFLrU7wGaYS3js8Kc2-NDo-r6EnPWVRHNSJ9Ug5cIKPo9D-ItDgsLW6jIKFjQhVeaJigEcEl6sONhUid46mDjQ/s1600/IMG953744.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I think we ended up naming it Troll Michaels. </i></div>
<br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-82129346877845013352015-01-18T11:25:00.000-08:002015-01-26T18:12:47.476-08:00It's gross and it's wonderful. My life, that is! Oh, man, I'm not even sure where to start. I'm entering my second semester of the Veterinary Technology program at St. Petersburg College and it's exciting and stressful while also amazing. I ended last semester with straight A's! Woot! No pressure...I'm so thankful for this period in my life. My kids are healthy and happy, and so am I. While I have seen sadness and had heartaches, every step of this journey has been worth it. I know this blog has been sadly neglected, but I am sure whoever is out there reading will forgive me the life I am living.<br />
Have I mentioned recently how much I love my job? It feels so wonderful to say that after so many years of dreading going to work. I love being a veterinary assistant at Bayshore Animal Hospital. The people and animals are awesome and I'm learning so much being there. It's really helpful working in an environment you're studying. Applying real life to my studies and vice versa has made an incredible difference in the ability to retain information and do well on exams in addition to allowing me to succeed in my job. Every day when I get up for work I go:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2xjPQxl1K0n1CuYljzXmjk9jU3PrnRgOiIaQdHYacNi2Toq3CS_yo675EbuDZR5OWJaK1Vwpx2XfknOWJS4CEwMxMSV7iQawXUuyYLNVsxbRXVReUvyO0ESLJDsyiXcWij2vg0oqkJs/s1600/WOOHOO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2xjPQxl1K0n1CuYljzXmjk9jU3PrnRgOiIaQdHYacNi2Toq3CS_yo675EbuDZR5OWJaK1Vwpx2XfknOWJS4CEwMxMSV7iQawXUuyYLNVsxbRXVReUvyO0ESLJDsyiXcWij2vg0oqkJs/s1600/WOOHOO.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of my classes is a work practicum class where I have to journal my work experience for that week. I thought, how awesome would that be for the blog? Two birds, one stone, boom! So, here is week 1, with illustrations for your visual pleasure and because I like to be as gross as possible. My job is so awesome :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Journal Entry #1: January 12-January 18, 2015</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>My time at work is busy, often stressful, and sometimes
events jumble so much I can’t </b><b>remember what happened when. I am a veterinary assistant
at Bayshore Animal Hospital </b><b>in NW Oregon. Our practice has three veterinarians, four
technicians, and three assistants </b><b>as well as three receptionists and a kennel technician
working with an average of 30 </b><b>clients daily, and this doesn’t include the work we do for
the local animal shelter. We </b><b>mainly see cats and dogs with the occasional pocket pet.
Our days begin with checking in </b><b>the drop offs, which are animals scheduled for surgical
procedures, sedation, or sick </b><b>patients needing in hospital exams and care. During
rounds, we explain and plan the day's </b><b>cases and establish teams, which consists of a doctor, a
technician, and an assistant. As an </b><b>assistant, my job is to check in rooms, fill
prescriptions, restrain for procedures, and the </b><b style="font-size: 12pt;">list goes on!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Our practice is currently working to go paperless, so even though we still have files, </b><b>much of what we do is centered around the computer system, Avimark. It took some time </b><b>for me to navigate this system having never worked with medical charts or programs </b><b>before. We can schedule, put in charges, make estimates and drug labels, follow-up with patients, </b><b>see </b><b>lab work, clock in, and I’m still learning all this program can do. The first thing I do </b><b>when I walk into an appointment is to login to Avimark and open up the patient file. I </b><b>then put in charges that I know will occur before the doctor even walks into the room. </b><b>Some things were easy, such as exams and scheduled vaccinations, but it took time and </b><b>intuition before I was able to predict what else I knew would be charged. For example, if </b><b>an animal was coming in to check the ears, I know the doctor will do an ear swab and </b><b>slide and will charge for that. I also know to take an ear swab and prepare a slide, which </b><b>makes less work for the doctor and saves time. After I enter charges, I go into the lobby </b><b>and call the client in. I like to introduce myself as the assistant and explain that I’ll be </b><b>taking vitals and a brief history because then the client doesn’t get confused as to why </b><b>I’m not performing a full exam. I’ve had clients think I’m the vet and then wonder why </b><b>I’m not going more in depth with the patient! I weigh the pet then TPR them, that is I </b><b>take the heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. I then take a brief history of the </b><b>complaint if there is one and ask general health questions such as if the pet is </b><b>eating/drinking, any vomiting/diarrhea, are they on any medications, and so on. I then </b><b>inform the vet of who is there, what room they are in, why they are here, and if I have </b><b>prepared any slides whether it’s an ear/skin swab, fecal, or urinalysis. I also draw up </b><b>vaccinations and place them in the room for the vet.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>As an assistant I am not authorized to dispense medical advice, but I can educate clients </b><b>on products and services we offer, vaccination protocols, and preventative care. One of </b><b>the main issues I educate clients about is flea and worming. We had a client bring her dog </b><b>in for an exam that she had adopted from the local shelter. We had previously treated the </b><b>dog for heartworms and it was having a recheck appointment. The owner had many </b><b>questions about heartworms, what to do if the test was again positive, and what she </b><b>should do to prevent her dog from getting heartworms again. I explained that heartworms </b><b>are transmitted by mosquitoes, which inject the larva into the host and the worms mature </b><b>in the heart and lungs. I explained that we recommend Heartgard as a preventative </b><b>against heartworms as well as roundworms and hookworms. I later explained to another </b><b>client that we often recommend worming cats and dogs who have fleas because they </b><b>often ingest the fleas while scratching and then develop tapeworms.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQikqauWR4-FLEbDAxIKuGU0DiBHn4CG7rWajncEpzMn_MBmSuRExp6WZYwbhvzbMATarhI7qhM5aafwp4HTsoKo5Y50ivn1Y9vKvvOaNZo798OoO8c0s6WsWyYQ2eZriS9Xc4g4bdC5U/s1600/heartworm_lifecycle_vp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQikqauWR4-FLEbDAxIKuGU0DiBHn4CG7rWajncEpzMn_MBmSuRExp6WZYwbhvzbMATarhI7qhM5aafwp4HTsoKo5Y50ivn1Y9vKvvOaNZo798OoO8c0s6WsWyYQ2eZriS9Xc4g4bdC5U/s1600/heartworm_lifecycle_vp.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Just be thankful I didn't post a picture of worms bursting out of an overloaded heart. This shiz is nasty, folks. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>One of the biggest challenges I face is venipuncture. I think I stress unnecessarily </b><b>because I want very much to excel. I feel I'm improving when drawing from a jugular, </b><b>but I struggle when drawing from the cephalic vein. We brought the above mentioned </b><b>dog back to treatment for her heartworm SNAP test, and the technician handed me the </b><b>needle. I have been lucky to work with people who have been really supportive in </b><b>helping me practice procedures and helping me learn, but I was nervous! I told her I had </b><b>trouble drawing from the leg, and she gave me a few pointers as far as needle position, </b><b>and I hit the vein on the first try! I got my sample, prepared the test, and set it in our lab </b><b>machine that runs CBCs, chemistries, and SNAP tests. Thankfully, the test was negative!</b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48voayQhX-1-DYYCUWlTS-csXoWtu7WndL2TyXjVjc2Z9-DPEMFI9K_vmyfDg4BoBtVoaON5KEIfrwefgOQTvfYzJn8aF_YjDDxQAZiIKW8W40SJ4CSerdUAHnKNq7f8el9ZNaYGWU7Q/s1600/L21CH03P01-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48voayQhX-1-DYYCUWlTS-csXoWtu7WndL2TyXjVjc2Z9-DPEMFI9K_vmyfDg4BoBtVoaON5KEIfrwefgOQTvfYzJn8aF_YjDDxQAZiIKW8W40SJ4CSerdUAHnKNq7f8el9ZNaYGWU7Q/s1600/L21CH03P01-02.jpg" height="320" width="241" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This sight terrifies me. Hit that vein, Mandy! No pressure!</i></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>One thing I do a lot of as an assistant is clean and treat ears. We use a product called </b><b>EpiOtic </b><b>to wash the ears and then use cotton to clean away any debris. We are careful </b><b>not to use cotton swabs except around the pinna so we don’t ulcerate the inner ear and </b><b>potentially puncture the eardrum. A medication we use often is the EKT ointment, which </b><b>is a thick ointment when warm and then solidifies in the ear. It releases medication over a </b><b>period of two weeks and treats a variety of ear infections. We use it quite frequently and </b><b>the clients like that they don’t have to do daily medications and weekly cleanings.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>I love that my job challenges me and that every day I learn and see something new. The </b><b>other day, the receptionist said we had a drop off coming in that was a cat with rapid, </b><b>shallow breathing. The other assistant, who is also going to school to be a technician, </b><b>and I decided to bet on the diagnosis. She quickly theorized a heart condition and I said it </b><b>was fluid in the thoracic cavity. The cat came in and it was clearly having difficulty </b><b>breathing. An x-ray </b><b>was taken, and sure enough, there was so much fluid in the chest you </b><b>couldn’t see the heart! I felt bad for the poor cat, but excited to have guessed the correct </b><b>diagnosis! I have learned that in working in a field that can oftentimes be incredibly </b><b>depressing, one has to find humor and joy anywhere you can, even if it seems callous. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiihb3h_B59oGoDbE4XezDmNu_Ba1aXx5FMUvisC-_irWoaJTrWnpbjnT5nU9eE3wueiw9hhyphenhyphenw_eawlcSrwpno-O7v71oItUInooQjFLfD7vT_qJNpaTtxDTqfwS2r8WAML347eJPI64/s1600/normal5100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiihb3h_B59oGoDbE4XezDmNu_Ba1aXx5FMUvisC-_irWoaJTrWnpbjnT5nU9eE3wueiw9hhyphenhyphenw_eawlcSrwpno-O7v71oItUInooQjFLfD7vT_qJNpaTtxDTqfwS2r8WAML347eJPI64/s1600/normal5100.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Normal cat chest x-ray. Notice you can see the organ structures.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSTzkLHVuuRPo-ADlALqGuKZ9e3Tq4UtfI8XOuoxPQnENAi_iRcCo6L-wuxcMzptPa5ZH9Uz_PHRwAeoMHK3FLWh7Wh2WwTCjMjfVP8vBVTlB6pqFwEB_FSOF2KmgRlJE9amEaOEBbhE/s1600/picture11329606322698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSTzkLHVuuRPo-ADlALqGuKZ9e3Tq4UtfI8XOuoxPQnENAi_iRcCo6L-wuxcMzptPa5ZH9Uz_PHRwAeoMHK3FLWh7Wh2WwTCjMjfVP8vBVTlB6pqFwEB_FSOF2KmgRlJE9amEaOEBbhE/s1600/picture11329606322698.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>X-ray of the cat with pleural effusion (fluid in the chest cavity). </i></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>I </b><b>helped the technician prep the cat for a thoracocentesis, which involved shaving a 4x4 </b><b>square on each side of the chest over the last few ribs. We then sterilized the area as if </b><b>preparing for surgery, and the doctor put a needle between the ribs and started drawing </b><b>off fluid with a 20cc syringe. </b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwRjmIoqL3-jCVh1YFPkxeIWnb46__0A72tGi-dwiCPoNT8KABl7eObG7m0Wwbi3_Om6ufRIkbHzAD8X4uuhqHIfNm5ZWXcP3il3BXg5wUCu2k7Rbwz5AETdGxg51DLanX3whhqxujKA/s1600/180px-Pyothorax03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwRjmIoqL3-jCVh1YFPkxeIWnb46__0A72tGi-dwiCPoNT8KABl7eObG7m0Wwbi3_Om6ufRIkbHzAD8X4uuhqHIfNm5ZWXcP3il3BXg5wUCu2k7Rbwz5AETdGxg51DLanX3whhqxujKA/s1600/180px-Pyothorax03.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This is how we do.</i></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The fluid was purulent, and the doctor said that was the best </b><b>scenario for treatment. If it was red or yellow, it could have signaled a big problem. </b><b>After drawing off more than 320ml of fluid, the cat was breathing much better. It was </b><b>incredible! The cat came in weighing 12lb 5oz and left weighing 11lb 5oz. It lost a pound </b><b>of fluid! The doctor had me take some of the fluid for analysis on our CBC machine, </b><b>which was fun because I had only run blood on the machine before. In fact, no one else had </b><b>run anything other than blood either, so I demonstrated in front of the other assistants </b><b>what settings to change and then we looked at the printed results together. Later, the </b><b>doctor wanted me to prepare fluid for a send out to an outside lab, and the other assistant </b><b>and never prepared pleural fluid before either or requested the specific tests, so we </b><b>learned together how to fill out the paperwork and she taught me how to put charges in </b><b>the computer for labs that weren’t listed. It was a very informative day!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>One of my favorite aspects of my job is being held solely responsible for the care and </b><b>treatment of cases. It makes me feel good that I am trusted enough not only to carry out </b><b>the tasks, but to ask questions and communicate concerns to the certified staff. This is </b><b>especially rewarding when I perform the discharge for that patient later as I know every </b><b>aspect of the care they received, can explain the medications they are going home with, </b><b>answer questions, and feel that I have established a personal relationship with the client </b><b>through their pet. It’s very rewarding when a client sees me and remembers my name and </b><b>smiles because of the care I gave to their pet and the help I gave them. I always said I </b><b>wanted to work with animals because I’m not very good with people, but I’ve learned </b><b>that the people skills are just as important because they own the pets and their pets are </b><b>their family. Building a trusting relationship with the owners means a great deal to me, </b><b>and I’m trying to do that through respect, care, and attentiveness. </b><b>Every day I go home and no matter what happened that day, I love my job!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-1335189177146869442014-08-24T17:07:00.002-07:002014-08-24T17:26:33.260-07:00It followed me home!It was a beautiful, sunny day perfect for a hike, so Rick and I took all the kids into Ilwaco at the base of the Discovery Trail and prepared to wear the little devils out. With a couple bags of snacks and healthy energies, we set out to enjoy nature and some exercise. Aside from a few minor incidents, the hike was uneventful, until all four kids stopped behind us and declared, "We hear meowing!" Rick and I looked at each other and said, "I hear it, too." So, I started calling out, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty," as I walked along the treeline and sure enough, two little faces poked out of the bushes. We crouched down so we wouldn't scare them and I tentatively reached out my hand to touch them. To my surprise, they were friendly, which is not typical feral cat behavior. We had to conclude that these kittens were used to people and were most likely dumped in the area. I looked up at Rick and said, "You know what I'm going to do, right?" and I picked the little ones up. We emptied the snacks into one bag and put them in the other. (Please note: this was a highly permeable cinching bag, so they were able to breath comfortably. In case you were worried about that.)<br />
So, what do you do if you find kittens in the woods? The obvious answer would be to take them to a local shelter where they can be cared for and re-homed. In our case, this was a Sunday, and the shelter would not be open until Tuesday. If you're faced with a similar dilemma, here are some tips for caring for stray kittens:<br />
<br />
1. Limit your contact. Since you don't know where they came from, you don't know what they were exposed to. Besides worms and fleas, there isn't anything they could give to people that would be worrisome so much as what they could give to your other pets. I have two cats at home, and I didn't want them to contract one of two highly contagious diseases: feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FIV is spread through bite wounds and prevents the body from fighting off infections leading to severe illnesses. An infected cat, with proper care and management, has the possibility to live for many months or years. FeLV is spread by saliva and nasal secretions and kittens can contract it in utero from their infected mother. The immunosuppression caused by the virus eventually leads to the virus infecting all body systems and predisposing them to a variety of infections. Less than 20% of cats diagnosed with FeLV live more than three years. There is no cure for either virus.<br />
There is a preventative vaccination for both FIV and FeLV as well as a simple blood test to determine if they're infected. I would have to wait until Monday morning when work opened, so for the evening we set them up with food and water and a heater in the shop.<br />
<br />
2. Check for hydration. This is done by a simple pinch test. Gently pinch the skin and release. If it springs back quickly, the cat is well hydrated. If it sinks back slowly or tents, the cat is dehydrated and will need fluids.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFhFb7gnMwoKVwksvXgQ9KUZFmrAKC3VF-QARmew5nANBICz76VGAaT8uBVPrcDVJcyaZOukiz_4O2tvxecjc_-N05HABOz8bYTg7gU6wQXv6IvkfSM1dChlLULwABqGZQybHxEIQXPQ/s1600/DSCF7117_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFhFb7gnMwoKVwksvXgQ9KUZFmrAKC3VF-QARmew5nANBICz76VGAaT8uBVPrcDVJcyaZOukiz_4O2tvxecjc_-N05HABOz8bYTg7gU6wQXv6IvkfSM1dChlLULwABqGZQybHxEIQXPQ/s1600/DSCF7117_11.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF5ciFQaGC1FCh3jiMU8e_Q6Ba5qn-0I6TIFz94SkOGkUCMXa9Yu10be0XAUgmhJe6Mc9A5MLThK8jr6XL7WonF9k8EBc920iJr4KHu7Q8n1smGlESu7ocovRDwou-yRUni_sbmGSO70/s1600/siamese-cat-dehydrated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF5ciFQaGC1FCh3jiMU8e_Q6Ba5qn-0I6TIFz94SkOGkUCMXa9Yu10be0XAUgmhJe6Mc9A5MLThK8jr6XL7WonF9k8EBc920iJr4KHu7Q8n1smGlESu7ocovRDwou-yRUni_sbmGSO70/s1600/siamese-cat-dehydrated.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Performing the pinch test.</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Notice how the skin on this cat has remained "tented" after letting go of the skin? This cat is dehydrated and should receive fluids immediately.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Luckily, our kittens were only mildly dehydrated, so in that case I purchased some Pedialyte for them to drink that night. I mixed it with a little bit of turkey baby food and they scarfed it up! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. Check the mucous membranes. Lift up the lips and check the color of the gums. Are they slick or sticky? The gums tell us a lot about the health of an animal, but the main concern you will have is anemia. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXNtgM0vFX-6vdWvBSvQDK2B9y6ZKbuC-au-8DuAX48a0yGOhP4N1abO8dsh8Wnwr-ybLLAFjH54c2cvxWgpVe4G9tXkBMe5Kl3zuIiUG0h6IEd5MMinH8VYjJht02dW9KaF1EA73qyQ/s1600/cat-gums-pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXNtgM0vFX-6vdWvBSvQDK2B9y6ZKbuC-au-8DuAX48a0yGOhP4N1abO8dsh8Wnwr-ybLLAFjH54c2cvxWgpVe4G9tXkBMe5Kl3zuIiUG0h6IEd5MMinH8VYjJht02dW9KaF1EA73qyQ/s1600/cat-gums-pink.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>These are healthy gums. They are pink and shiny. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm3kWb02Q7-hDtMq-bEQvMfa7JXyeEOnz0pZ21NIkLR5MBcMrIDf8XcqhlfJvwq0rdiX9ZZMTNNx22A5DbgxsAkzBbKpQUGhizbEnOLy_Bcb5PCwheDQla7Zv7rO0bj4UT-moH10NYVM/s1600/gums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm3kWb02Q7-hDtMq-bEQvMfa7JXyeEOnz0pZ21NIkLR5MBcMrIDf8XcqhlfJvwq0rdiX9ZZMTNNx22A5DbgxsAkzBbKpQUGhizbEnOLy_Bcb5PCwheDQla7Zv7rO0bj4UT-moH10NYVM/s1600/gums.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>These gums are pale, a sign that the cat has depleted blood cells. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our kittens' gums were a little pale, which wasn't surprising because they were covered in fleas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. Check for injuries including bite wounds and broken limbs. Thankfully, our kittens had neither. If you find an injured kitten, take them to the vet immediately! If your regular vet is closed, they will often have the number for an emergency hospital or a vet on call. Also, do you notice sneezing or weepy eyes? This is evidence of an upper respiratory infection common in cats and it requires medication. Our kittens, one in particular, unfortunately were sick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. Keep them warm and secure. Since there was no rush to get them to a vet that night, we made sure the kittens had food and water, towels to snuggle in, and a heater to keep them warm. I kept them in a large carrier. Remember to keep them away from your other cats to prevent the transmission of diseases and parasites! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
6. Does the kitten need to be bottle fed or can it eat solids? Definitely something to consider if you find an orphaned kitten. This is great guide to tell <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-How-Old-a-Kitten-Is" target="_blank">how old a kitten is</a>, but here's a quick version: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3wbcAYiBJyfKvmCTOT6MtGvP5CbNTtX8fDF9l-Mb-xpKu6bX2XD2gMiR-xRndgzPGIOT7vxmcQsfCyhpM5ML0VmcVw_d-E1DapmB-beMB8EuDRkBfA9IUG_7CWrBwZ5KB3Nq0gArHaE/s1600/newborn_kitten_sfw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3wbcAYiBJyfKvmCTOT6MtGvP5CbNTtX8fDF9l-Mb-xpKu6bX2XD2gMiR-xRndgzPGIOT7vxmcQsfCyhpM5ML0VmcVw_d-E1DapmB-beMB8EuDRkBfA9IUG_7CWrBwZ5KB3Nq0gArHaE/s1600/newborn_kitten_sfw.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Eyes closed until about 7-10 days old and cannot walk. This kitten is a newborn and needs a milk replacement such as KMR. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmuZ8hc4BWDdBFXM2SKn-wwzC9XT9f9BE2Pllz2WqfKSiJ6sAiEPQviOcN9qHUOJOE76xOWISZQtZF93XgUvqhLlYa8AAfMGTlLifFExe0yNFjK0Tuw6nTVfJ_VJkyCHL9JhTRUzAVhc/s1600/2+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmuZ8hc4BWDdBFXM2SKn-wwzC9XT9f9BE2Pllz2WqfKSiJ6sAiEPQviOcN9qHUOJOE76xOWISZQtZF93XgUvqhLlYa8AAfMGTlLifFExe0yNFjK0Tuw6nTVfJ_VJkyCHL9JhTRUzAVhc/s1600/2+weeks.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>At 2 weeks old, the eyes are open but the ears are floppy. Wobbly as she moves around and beginning to grow teeth. This kitten is still nursing.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDmsKjfu3ClN6yjIc4bmqKnb69uY1OaZwAxJffahNm1JfHk9zkJ42UQEVGXqd0Eo4HeyrKH732iA9y6yvk0Cj0Aie2S2teCoDo0KDTrzdOjFTmS-TmMTa9Td8zr-4kN3I5Khe4IAgr_E/s1600/3-week-old_kitten_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDmsKjfu3ClN6yjIc4bmqKnb69uY1OaZwAxJffahNm1JfHk9zkJ42UQEVGXqd0Eo4HeyrKH732iA9y6yvk0Cj0Aie2S2teCoDo0KDTrzdOjFTmS-TmMTa9Td8zr-4kN3I5Khe4IAgr_E/s1600/3-week-old_kitten_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>This 3 week old kitten is reacting to noises and beginning to explore. At this age, they still need milk, but at about 4 weeks when kittens are steadier on their feet, they can begin to try solid foods. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dkg1LfnFUU9sfrznAmzifXRRzhPEbxTNvFSynKEzqq8RcBECBsuhs83aUQTg-rVoUrL7fWniK6q6jAV10M5ZBot-9hRt5gBLIyDxisYfC1QE0JdoTuNIE0fm-CeIcB-BJep1oD9fymQ/s1600/5-week-old-kittens-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dkg1LfnFUU9sfrznAmzifXRRzhPEbxTNvFSynKEzqq8RcBECBsuhs83aUQTg-rVoUrL7fWniK6q6jAV10M5ZBot-9hRt5gBLIyDxisYfC1QE0JdoTuNIE0fm-CeIcB-BJep1oD9fymQ/s1600/5-week-old-kittens-013.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>At 5 weeks old, kittens are playful and have pre-molars. They will lap from a dish and learn to use a litter box by watching mom/other cats. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj2IV3jnGFpju9G1kncuq_YIPjtqdGK08xehRjBYpOZI8Ulw03nBE27LPJnSw0Nedu0S6BjbyUWMCWfIEuXIGJrCzMzZ8Fln0Nwh-qs8-zD8tt1-iJENiczgarX0Y36RC7bU9YdJwC3M/s1600/6-7+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj2IV3jnGFpju9G1kncuq_YIPjtqdGK08xehRjBYpOZI8Ulw03nBE27LPJnSw0Nedu0S6BjbyUWMCWfIEuXIGJrCzMzZ8Fln0Nwh-qs8-zD8tt1-iJENiczgarX0Y36RC7bU9YdJwC3M/s1600/6-7+weeks.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>At 6-7 weeks old, a kitten's eye color will change from its original blue (unless you have a blue-eyed kitten!). They will be very active and have all their baby teeth. They will weigh around 1.5-2lbs. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwRP8PNpQQEjs0SsJ0AZ2yUP5Nw7c2qCt238Gr21fBlTxxPDp-h_VyyCgTd3VgIFOGHCZ2S2VSrdX9O-nWTZX76as9UKfG8RAhzCs_dI4Z4iSN4TeBKsDrfEVwI88MLs1IC1pm3N2EG0/s1600/8+week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwRP8PNpQQEjs0SsJ0AZ2yUP5Nw7c2qCt238Gr21fBlTxxPDp-h_VyyCgTd3VgIFOGHCZ2S2VSrdX9O-nWTZX76as9UKfG8RAhzCs_dI4Z4iSN4TeBKsDrfEVwI88MLs1IC1pm3N2EG0/s1600/8+week.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Kittens are generally weaned around 6-8 weeks of age. If you find an active kitten weighing around 2 pounds with all its teeth, you're safe to feed it solids. Start with soft food to be sure. As I stated earlier, I mixed Pedialyte with turkey baby food, but if you have access to it, mix a little milk replacement with canned Science Diet a/d. Offer dry kitten food. I suggest free feeding them.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We determined that our kittens were around 6-7 weeks old, so it was okay to feed them solids. We also checked and discovered they were both girls! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOeWijhrEoJq10RNmHGTIG4umHKSQZLLJkhAEr6cbR3mFrCvyPzmCrHbxbZodS1f82ZkNhw6oHkP6uP4j9AYK5hrgpQqi2srDdKf7fqolEugYh7WQVj2YJmzZ-xQWj9dvAhiRpHYxecM/s1600/kitx1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOeWijhrEoJq10RNmHGTIG4umHKSQZLLJkhAEr6cbR3mFrCvyPzmCrHbxbZodS1f82ZkNhw6oHkP6uP4j9AYK5hrgpQqi2srDdKf7fqolEugYh7WQVj2YJmzZ-xQWj9dvAhiRpHYxecM/s1600/kitx1.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day, we took the kittens to the vet for their all important FeLV/FIV test!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvkux5eUmdNy_pc9dIDlDw5r5i71A7acN_J8GESEWjps6O3hVrWeC4MHbD_LVjOOfsKDIgnUjJHL0q6IKcA43-nK6vIxwAxO8Vup-qQKqCovn1wfn3IJxrZ1p9AzGzubs4NIJs818bNo/s1600/4615_19135_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvkux5eUmdNy_pc9dIDlDw5r5i71A7acN_J8GESEWjps6O3hVrWeC4MHbD_LVjOOfsKDIgnUjJHL0q6IKcA43-nK6vIxwAxO8Vup-qQKqCovn1wfn3IJxrZ1p9AzGzubs4NIJs818bNo/s1600/4615_19135_large.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>All it requires is 3 drops of blood and 10 minutes! </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob5iV2gY8oatzi_iymgqSQITzPIyVCBqbO5qe4sylDEIT6iRnWLkFr_h5geWR_Vtk84EGRfZUQ67duk1Ts8nWTkqXyw_1HKJ_rxqHrxlYSz06fkGbiD3yls5cq2rzhD7T6BLifnOicg8/s1600/combo-spots.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob5iV2gY8oatzi_iymgqSQITzPIyVCBqbO5qe4sylDEIT6iRnWLkFr_h5geWR_Vtk84EGRfZUQ67duk1Ts8nWTkqXyw_1HKJ_rxqHrxlYSz06fkGbiD3yls5cq2rzhD7T6BLifnOicg8/s1600/combo-spots.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The only dot you want to show up is the positive control. Even a smidgen of another dot indicates a positive result for FeLV or FIV. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU0RwJyI20JHxs6PQOsn2D0WlBkqOxJoWCv_tZGG5S6WzqxylsQHJtuCqNSi97SNpb1w6eFBSpbtSCr4_C-AhiRmVsIbp2WSBYxYM0HqBn9PLfYmx5B5qg4bu8zG387p7R6nzxzktJKM/s1600/snap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU0RwJyI20JHxs6PQOsn2D0WlBkqOxJoWCv_tZGG5S6WzqxylsQHJtuCqNSi97SNpb1w6eFBSpbtSCr4_C-AhiRmVsIbp2WSBYxYM0HqBn9PLfYmx5B5qg4bu8zG387p7R6nzxzktJKM/s1600/snap1.jpg" height="320" width="169" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The kittens were pretty good for their blood draw and after 10 minutes, their results looked like this! Negative! </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After we determined the kittens, named Sarah and Sparkles by the kids, were negative for FeLV and FIV, they were given topical flea medication and dewormed. They were also checked out by the vet and prescribed antibiotics for the URIs. Once we gave the flea treatment 24 hours to absorb into their bodies, we gave the kittens baths and trimmed their nails. A week later, they are happy, bounding kittens that are almost done with their meds and fully litter trained! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope this post helps if you find yourself in a similar situation! Remember, knowledge is power!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I know you're probably wondering if we'll keep the kittens. The answer is no. We're going to find homes for them. I swear...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCKlHQow2GrH70pG7Uet4uKzhkCPq-o_YTQ5G2g5WYhp-I16gA1a0bPpkRgyCzBcY5ZsqzEefqZC9tYNXjmB2wBx7Ousxao_J7cQxYq97XCKw54P_b3zLKLuW3eXTx1-VZQ_w7CR-x4M/s1600/IMG_6614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCKlHQow2GrH70pG7Uet4uKzhkCPq-o_YTQ5G2g5WYhp-I16gA1a0bPpkRgyCzBcY5ZsqzEefqZC9tYNXjmB2wBx7Ousxao_J7cQxYq97XCKw54P_b3zLKLuW3eXTx1-VZQ_w7CR-x4M/s1600/IMG_6614.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sarah (l) and Sparkles (r) spend all day (and night *grumble*) playing. The little darlings are sweet and affectionate and super fun to watch romp!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-vdAa0ZJzsd8%2FU_puV_UEdyI%2FAAAAAAAAALw%2Fwzr-mGRAoS4%2Fs1600%2Fsiamese-cat-dehydrated.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF5ciFQaGC1FCh3jiMU8e_Q6Ba5qn-0I6TIFz94SkOGkUCMXa9Yu10be0XAUgmhJe6Mc9A5MLThK8jr6XL7WonF9k8EBc920iJr4KHu7Q8n1smGlESu7ocovRDwou-yRUni_sbmGSO70/s1600/siamese-cat-dehydrated.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-OvMiFOj4hkI%2FU_puT8mT73I%2FAAAAAAAAALk%2FYFRsYGUPt8I%2Fs1600%2FDSCF7117_11.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFhFb7gnMwoKVwksvXgQ9KUZFmrAKC3VF-QARmew5nANBICz76VGAaT8uBVPrcDVJcyaZOukiz_4O2tvxecjc_-N05HABOz8bYTg7gU6wQXv6IvkfSM1dChlLULwABqGZQybHxEIQXPQ/s1600/DSCF7117_11.jpg" -->Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-4179743503209171962014-08-02T19:12:00.000-07:002014-08-02T19:12:10.236-07:00Look for me on the Evening NewsFor the past several months, Evie has been BEGGING me for a ferret to the point of tears, as if acquiring one is a life goal on par with the Holy Grail or the cure to cancer. The fuzzy cuteness of these weasels literally brings her to tears, and I mean that LITERALLY. They're so cute they make her cry. She's been trying to prove her worthiness of pet ownership by feeding Ranger and the cats as well as feeding and watering Cuddles the bunny. She's doing a great job and I appreciate her help, but at the end of every day (and sometimes about 100 times a day), she asks, "When can I get a ferret?" I tell her I don't know, that we need to wait until she's a little older, that we're busy, to enjoy the pets she has now, and any number of delaying tactics in the Mommy Arsenal of Excuses. Mind you, this is difficult for me because given the chance, my house could easily become this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1HVgNDcqgUdahWsEznm6kyFddmXL6yft1FqN1Bs_pwYw5yloeDN3OkxRe-7zEGVl0Vv4diiHO-euBcerqYcgZIhhbUrgPludNsEo7I0pj_wuZe2KIvire79CgpmAwIMQzTr9Nr2h3yU/s1600/France-Paris-Taxidermy-Deyrolle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1HVgNDcqgUdahWsEznm6kyFddmXL6yft1FqN1Bs_pwYw5yloeDN3OkxRe-7zEGVl0Vv4diiHO-euBcerqYcgZIhhbUrgPludNsEo7I0pj_wuZe2KIvire79CgpmAwIMQzTr9Nr2h3yU/s1600/France-Paris-Taxidermy-Deyrolle.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Except the animals would be alive and they would be sleeping in my bed.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No excuse will deter Evie, and now Roman has joined the "We want ferrets! When do we want them? Now!" team. So, in order to hold them off and buy some time, I made this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOT03wYI304gix623EJ4s5u4nRHbLU3xXxrg4N4VRhnI4yDMDX_WQO19rI7_ytTFD1WXdiNWMXtyfbS2_sRONoJX23a3s8UR7vzlPVKL0LM08MmHqfWd4RfUxi9I0wn0JA8rdH__UHH8/s1600/10542836_10204253136397448_1010148195_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOT03wYI304gix623EJ4s5u4nRHbLU3xXxrg4N4VRhnI4yDMDX_WQO19rI7_ytTFD1WXdiNWMXtyfbS2_sRONoJX23a3s8UR7vzlPVKL0LM08MmHqfWd4RfUxi9I0wn0JA8rdH__UHH8/s1600/10542836_10204253136397448_1010148195_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How this works is I have a bowl full of pretty stones and whenever Evie and Roman have a great day of helping, listening, and behaving, they put a stone in the jar. When all the stones are in the jar, a ferret has been earned. This doesn't mean we'll get one that day, but it's a guarantee that a ferret is coming. This scheme is almost as good as threatening no presents from Santa at Christmas. If the kids threaten to misbehave, all I have to do is remind them that their "ferret treasure" is on the line and they straighten out. I'm not gonna lie, when Roman entered the game, I added more stones to the bowl. The end result is a happy Mommy and two very excited kids full of anticipation. Honestly, I'd like to have a ferret, too, but I think the person most excited about the ferret jar is Rick. He's been a bit of an animal enabler because he's always wanted a ferret, too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think I'm in big trouble. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were at the county fair the other day and they had a petting zoo with the usual goats, alpacas, pony, and a mama guinea pig with babies (that Evie said I nearly pooped my pants over, which was true because they were SO CUTE!!), but they also had one of these:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQHBcrgQrbUkRruHSE9FRil5O8z_TtlgZ_vhadW6d7Z7VKdZ9i0ixuyz63ySjVR1gnje6Ma2Vd7YT2LeRbfkUgpt5pa2Rypao_09be64IgtjcFhfaUDyPuC8kcBkbL20RoEBwm4xIPqw/s1600/Patagonian_Cavy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQHBcrgQrbUkRruHSE9FRil5O8z_TtlgZ_vhadW6d7Z7VKdZ9i0ixuyz63ySjVR1gnje6Ma2Vd7YT2LeRbfkUgpt5pa2Rypao_09be64IgtjcFhfaUDyPuC8kcBkbL20RoEBwm4xIPqw/s1600/Patagonian_Cavy2.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Patagonian Cavy: a deer-like guinea pig cousin that's </i><i>18-35 lbs of soft adorbs. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was friendly and quiet and Rick declared he liked it and wanted one. My brain interprets that as, "If you love me, you will give me that rodent birthed from bunny fur and kitten smiles." Thank goodness my credit card is basically maxed out because I totally found an exotic breeder online and Rick almost came home to one. I did send him the link, though, which earned me a "You're the best girlfriend ever." I felt it my duty to warn him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
DO NOT GO DOWN THIS ROAD WITH ME!! If you say, "Hey, a guinea pig cage would fit here," one day you'll come home and there will be a murtherfurken guinea pig there. I'm very easily persuaded to bring pets home. I told him if I have free reign to acquire animals, one day I will have a petting zoo. It doesn't help that he sends me pictures of adorable baby animals every day...the man likes to play with fire. Inevitably, I'll end up in one of those exposes on animal hoarding. Except I actually take care of my animals, so it will more likely be a story about the crazy lady with a giraffe in her yard and a capybara watching t.v. on the coach next to the ferret while the dog and cats sleep in their beds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sounds awesome :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-3750971012548499032014-07-17T11:44:00.000-07:002014-07-20T10:51:17.118-07:00All good things come to those who GoogleThe onset of the Internet occurred during my early childhood and the concept was vague and faintly magical like your first kiss or unicorns. Only the extravagantly rich could afford an Internet capable computer and our eyes would light up in wonder if we heard of anyone we knew connecting to this mysterious network that somehow took a regular phone line and turned it into search engines, encyclopedias, and a treasure trove of cat pictures. The Internet was way out of my lower middle class sphere and was filed away into the realm of unattainable possessions next to that pony I kept begging Mom for. I never lamented my lack of dial-up as it wasn't crucial to my existence. If I needed a phone number, I had a phone book. If I needed a reference, I used books. The Internet in it's infancy was little more than a toy with the added bonus of being able to send innocuous letters via e-mail instead of waiting three days to hear Aunt Sophie's hip surgery went swimmingly.<br />
<br />
And suddenly, the Internet exploded into a superhighway of information. People began to realize how easy it was to send and receive news, research for study projects, and keep in touch with loved ones. Around the time dial-up took thirty seconds as opposed to three days to connect, my family was finally able to enjoy the soothing sounds of a computer reaching out through the phone lines to link up to the world, which was reminiscent of a fast paced game of pong being played under water projected through the speakers of a fast food drive-up. Even then, the Internet was relatively foreign to me. In school, we were encouraged to use it as a basic tool and to rely on books for facts as the information gleaned from the world wide web was generally untrustworthy. As I became a junior high and high school student, the Internet was a virtual cornucopia of knowledge, yet we were still dissuaded from using it as our only source. I recall researching papers and writing the bibliographies and being told that no more than two references were to be from online sources. Though it was blooming, the Internet was a secondary, if still unreliable, source, and I was still learning how to wade myself through it, to use it to it's full potential.<br />
<br />
By the time I entered my first year of college, everything had changed. The Internet was slowly becoming the sole source of information from news to scientific papers to reference materials. Almost 90% of the research for classes was done online. Though my school had a fantastic library, I am ashamed to admit I rarely visited. What was the point? Everything I needed was at my fingertips, and all within easy reach. That bibliography? Mostly Internet sources. Using the Internet intelligently, cross checking facts and ascertaining the sources were reliable, the information could be considered trustworthy. And let's not forget <i>everything </i>could be found on the Internet, and thanks to DSL and wireless, it could be found fast! From registering for classes, to checking grades, to submitting homework, the Internet was integral to my on campus college experience.<br />
<br />
Oh, how exciting! What happened next?!<br />
<br />
I graduated. And with the advent of social media, I was constantly reminded that I passed over continuing my education and pursuing my dreams in order to live the domestic life. The Internet became a source of "what might have been" and "look what such-in-such is doing with their life" and "oh, hey, look! Another friend going back to school." It was a depression only an endless stream of cat videos could cure.<br />
<br />
And then my world fell apart. My loveless marriage ended, and I had two small children and myself to support. I soon discovered a major drawback to living in a small town: no jobs. Or if there are jobs, you have to know someone. The Internet became my source of hope for finding an income. Nail biting day after day, I would search the want-ads, send resumes, go on interviews, and for months never get a call back. I was going gray trying to decide what to do, and I thought about my boyfriend going back to school and taking classes online. I was really excited for him, to the point where I wished it was me...and voila! Like the proverbial bolt of lightning, it struck me: GO BACK TO SCHOOL!<br />
<br />
Yay! School! But for what? That question took me back to my earliest passions. What made me happy? Working with animals. What did I originally go to school for? To pursue a career in veterinary medicine. That left me with a conundrum. I wanted to study the veterinary field, but there were no colleges in my area offering those programs and I couldn't move. My only option was an online degree. Off to the Internet with a cup of tea and precious block of time I went, researching schools, comparing curriculum, tuition, graduation rates, and reviews. At one time, I believe there were twelve tabs open across the screen. Eventually, the choice was made, and while I still had the courage, I applied to the Associate's in Veterinary Technology program at <a href="http://www.spcollege.edu/" target="_blank">St. Petersburg College</a>. The website for the school was constantly open for reference to be sure I satisfied all the requirements to be accepted into the program and to communicate any questions. One of the happiest moments of my life (second to the births of my children, graduating with a bachelor's degree, going to Europe...okay it wasn't necessarily THE happiest moment, but it ranks in the top ten) was receiving my acceptance letter via e-mail!<br />
<br />
That's when the work really began. It had been years, nine to be exact, that I had been in school, and I had never taken classes online. In order to adjust my schedule and brain to the student life, I enrolled in two classes on <a href="https://www.coursera.org/" target="_blank">Coursera</a>, a site of over 700 courses taught by accredited institutions and all for free! The classes were composed of video lectures, quizzes, and assignments all dependent on one's personal schedule and pace. Having to once again keep track of homework, "attending" lectures, and studying for tests was great practice for the real thing. Plus, I learned that my aging brain still has the capability of retaining information. Best of all, I remembered how big of a school nerd I am. It's true; I could be a professional student.<br />
<br />
The next big role the Internet has played has been a resource for finding scholarships. When I was fresh out of high school and preparing to attend my first year of college, I don't think I worked quite this hard. When you're young, everything magically falls into place for you. Now I'm a grown-up and I have to fend for myself. Thankfully, the Internet has offered numerous opportunities to find the right scholarship for me thanks to sites such as <a href="http://colleges.niche.com/" target="_blank">Niche</a>, <a href="http://www.fastweb.com/" target="_blank">FastWeb</a>, and <a href="http://www.scholarshippoints.com/scholarship-contests/" target="_blank">ScholarshipPoints</a>, all of which have made the task of narrowing searches and wading through the seemingly endless scholarship offerings more efficient. Though the process is arduous, I cannot imagine how difficult it would be without the Internet helping every step of the way. And those one-click and online applications? Convenience times a thousand and just what the busy single mama needs!<br />
<br />
As a distance learner studying a life science, hands-on experience is crucial. A major requirement for the distance veterinary technology degree is an internship during the program to gain that important first hand knowledge. Off to the Internet I went once again to find veterinarians in my area with which to intern with! Though my search didn't last long as there are only four clinics in my area, I was provided with information of the clinic, staff, and locations. I next researched writing a cover letter tailored to each clinic, attached a resume and letter of recommendation, and sent them off to my potential employers. The wait was agony, especially since my attendance hinged on being able to secure clinic hours. What if none responded? All my efforts would be futile. My stress level was at an ultimate high that no amount of <a href="http://icanhas.cheezburger.com/lolcats" target="_blank">Lolcats</a> begging for cheeseburgers could allay, and my fridge had a constant supply of soothing wine thanks to my considerate boyfriend, who frankly deserves a medal for talking me down from the frequent cry-fests and panic attacks I had due to the uncertainty. Relief was thankfully imminent, as I have since been contacted by two vets willing to work with me. Thank. goodness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa-nc8tgccKcALgPS3LeQEOo3HM-nH5GPjTmPUBfvoy7GIry_reat5pvtflFCNzox3VwBI1OD55VIKkpqP_gZbrbt8huFP0xtTN8QudCN55sjSX1AtyMkPZxnxphbmykepTt1YrEwMLc/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa-nc8tgccKcALgPS3LeQEOo3HM-nH5GPjTmPUBfvoy7GIry_reat5pvtflFCNzox3VwBI1OD55VIKkpqP_gZbrbt8huFP0xtTN8QudCN55sjSX1AtyMkPZxnxphbmykepTt1YrEwMLc/s1600/5.jpg" height="320" width="187" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"Yippee!" </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Without the incredible tool that is the Internet, I would not be able to finally follow my dreams. There would be no opportunity to continue my education, find funds to finance school, secure an internship, and, most importantly, take classes on my terms as a working single mother. Though there are downsides to the distance program including finding an internship for practical application and missing out on face time with professors, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. The Internet is changing the college education system, making certain programs available to those who might not otherwise be able to attend a brick and mortar campus. In addition, online degrees are less dubious to employers as they once were, being every bit as valuable as a degree earned from sitting in classes all day. It's an amazing time to live in, and I'm excited to be a part of online college life!</div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-9531995067885703992014-07-08T21:59:00.001-07:002014-07-08T21:59:02.647-07:00At the Dinner Table with the Minions: Height RestrictionsConversations at our dinner table are often a source of insight into the human condition, philosophies on life, and scientific queries. Tonight, Evie was interested in human growth patterns, mainly hers compared to mine.<br />
<br />
Evie: "Even though Roman is younger, could he get bigger than me?"<br />
Me: "It's possible. We'll have to see."<br />
Evie: "But we'll both probably be bigger than you because you're a tiny person."<br />
Roman: "Yeah, you're a tiny person, but you still have tattoos."<br />
Evie: "You have to be a grown-up to have tattoos because it's a big decision and they're permanent. And it hurts and they use needles."<br />
Me: ...<br />
Evie: "Do you [grow] when you're a kid?"<br />
Me: "Yes, of course. You're growing right now."<br />
Evie: "Do some kids get bigger than their moms?"<br />
Me: *sigh* "Yes, some do."<br />
Evie: "Will I get bigger than you?"<br />
Me: "Time will tell..."<br />
<br />
So, basically my kids see me like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaZAdV5nlFUuRiSXToDsL_1uhyVQa-u4tUs_KhfkKmBaRBPOAgf5dx22cpfO2-kgQm56uLYbQJUaRAOD0W1C1VilFA5P5VgzvKHzd1MW6OCmp4wv-DqyBaSKnaM6Ng9Kl9kP9TGLsjg/s1600/2005852_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmaZAdV5nlFUuRiSXToDsL_1uhyVQa-u4tUs_KhfkKmBaRBPOAgf5dx22cpfO2-kgQm56uLYbQJUaRAOD0W1C1VilFA5P5VgzvKHzd1MW6OCmp4wv-DqyBaSKnaM6Ng9Kl9kP9TGLsjg/s1600/2005852_f260.jpg" height="320" width="183" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.700000762939453px; text-align: left;">Betty Broadbent: the most famous tattooed attraction of all time. I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;">n 1927 at the age of 18, she joined the Ringling Brothers and Bailey circus as the youngest tattooed woman in the United States with 365 tattoos. Betty was one of the last working tattooed ladies in the U.S., retiring in 1967 from the Clyde Beatty circus after 40 years in show business. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;">In 1981 she became the first person honored in the tattoo hall of fame. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;">If you can't find me, I've run away to join the circus. Look for me in the side show.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.700000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-28147026379970483772014-06-21T21:40:00.000-07:002014-06-21T21:40:53.801-07:00Oh, the places you'll go<h4>
Oh, hey! Once again this blog has been neglected because of life. As so much has been happening, I almost feel I need an itemized list to play catch up. It always seems like I often turn to this blog when I have something particularly gravitas to say, and today is no exception. I pondered whether my next words were wise to share, am I revealing too much, am I treading on privacy, but I decided that one of the best legacies we can leave is a valuable lesson. This post is not going to be an amusing one, so if you'd rather have a laugh, go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JennaMarbles" target="_blank">here</a> instead because a lot of personal shit is about to go down. </h4>
As I've mentioned in a previous post and as many who know me personally are aware, I've recently finalized a divorce. It's been over a year since my ex and I separated officially, but honestly, the detachment goes farther back. All I wanted was to make him happy, and for a long time, I was happy, too. I had big plans for my life, and I thought that he was beside me as I was for him in pursuit of those dreams. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but little by little, I was chipped away. A suggestion here, a critical remark there, and I began to change. For him. I don't feel that it's as important to offer specifics as it is to focus on the outcome, the bigger picture that my life eventually became.<br />
<br />
My greatest dream was to become a veterinarian. I worked toward that future since I decided that was my goal at age eight. I worked in vet hospitals, volunteered, watched documentaries, read books, majored in zoology/pre-vet, did my internship at a wildlife rehabilitation center, you get the picture! By my junior year of college, I was getting burned out and the prospect of the cost was daunting, but nothing made that goal so wholly unattainable than this person I loved telling me, "You're crazy if you think you can handle vet school. You don't handle stress well at all." Direct quote, ya'll. Yes, I was stressing major at the time, but there is no excuse for the complete lack of support and encouragement. So, I graduated and followed him and our lives concentrated on his career, his goals. As I worked through processing my resentments after the end of our 11 year relationship, the fact that it was never my turn to follow my passions, that they were expected to be forever abandoned, that hurt me the most.<br />
<br />
So there I was in a small town working whatever I could, supporting his vision of our life together. Without realizing it, my opinions were influenced by his, my beliefs left behind, slowly my interests and hobbies were wasting away. The reality was that he wanted someone who would stay home and be only a wife and mother, and though I dearly loved both, I yearned for a career of my own. When two people are together with two very different ideas on the roles to be played in life, it really isn't fair to either. And when you try so hard to facilitate change and your cries fall on deaf ears time and again, it's easy to give up hope. No one should have to settle for an unhappy marriage, but the truth is, I had two wonderful kids that meant the world to me, and I was afraid to yell so loud as to compromise their little lives. And though my husband was a constant source of anger, stress, and pain, I did not want to hurt him. So, I remained locked in the box he forced me into, barely socializing with friends, never going on vacation, and losing my identity. I stopped enjoying simple things that I always loved because he was so critical. I restrained from having opinions that he didn't share. He dominated conversation while I shrank into myself. I felt unappreciated, taken for granted, and emotionally neglected. My friends could see how unhappy I was, but I had no idea that I was living as a reflection in a disturbed pond, a distorted version of myself waiting for a storm to pass so that I could be whole again.<br />
<br />
Ignorance is no excuse? I disagree. I had no idea what kind of life I was capable of. Having never experienced the sort of relationship that constituted a real partnership, how could I have known what I was missing? How I deserved to be treated? Sometimes it takes a glimpse of sunshine to realize how enveloped in darkness you've been. I had matured and changed; he had not. Our relationship had not. When I finally found the strength to face how miserable I was, I also came to the realization that it wasn't simply a matter of "too late." Rather, it was "too different." I wasn't the wife he wanted, and he wasn't the husband I needed. For years I had tried to be someone else, a reflection of this man that shared very little in common with me, and as I gained distance and perspective I felt pieces of myself coming back as if my very cells were swelling with renewed life. And when he finally moved out of the house, I felt free.<br />
<br />
I am happier now than I ever believed possible. Yes, I struggle. Yes, I've cried. Dealing with emotions buried for years have a nasty way of rushing in at you when you finally allow yourself to face them. Yes, my kids have had questions and tears. I answer them honestly, I dry those tears, I smile, and I hug them mightily. We're doing great, and for all the worry and stress that comes with separation and divorce, I would not trade it for one more day of comfortable misery. There is too much life to waste it, and I intend to live it all.<br />
<br />
My friends see much more of me now. I've reconnected with family. I travel more and visit old friends. I take my kids on spontaneous adventures. I read, I write, I ride, I watch scary movies, I talk about random pieces of oddness, and I plan trips that I might never take but damn it I have ambition! Above all, I am not ashamed or embarrassed about anything that makes me unique and ME. Never settle for a fragment of yourself. Never go through life with someone who holds you back. Never spend the rest of your life thinking there's something wrong with you. For all the thoughtless and oftentimes heartless words my ex said to me or about me, nothing was as awful as the things he never said: words of encouragement without contingencies, praise without criticisms, acquiescence without guilt, or simply, "I'm proud of you."<br />
<br />
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true." I have embraced my new beginning, my fresh start, as the catalyst for change, for the closing of a circle. I have parted ways in regards to the coffee shop, and I have decided to go back to school. I will be starting online courses in the fall at St. Petersburg College earning an Associate's degree in Veterinary Technology to become a Veterinary Technician. I'm writing again, albeit more scholarship essays than anything else these days :) I have no idea what lies ahead, but I face it without fear, and I know I'm not alone. I have my amazing kids whom I couldn't adore more, my incredibly supportive family, and a wonderful boyfriend that words cannot describe how lucky I feel to have in my life. I'm confident, I'm strong, I'm basically like,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv7kb1VF253gRnY7URuQOz22gMpl_Clar8ZlBTvd_Qs8hwu_RL9yzm4Advw6pkpWuAtniMjybrMU5xa_9ikIjrZfMCTezqYP5DgL4MYgCwvj5UvZfb_yhaSi9wpedx2-aK5AE3RBJyf4/s1600/WonderWoman4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv7kb1VF253gRnY7URuQOz22gMpl_Clar8ZlBTvd_Qs8hwu_RL9yzm4Advw6pkpWuAtniMjybrMU5xa_9ikIjrZfMCTezqYP5DgL4MYgCwvj5UvZfb_yhaSi9wpedx2-aK5AE3RBJyf4/s1600/WonderWoman4.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>"'Sup?"</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bring it on, universe. Been there, done that, and I'm ready for the next adventure!</div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-72600975325698762682013-09-29T13:16:00.001-07:002013-09-29T13:16:22.703-07:00You're judging me...for that?!Most people who have known me for a while, or at least 5 minutes, knows I've done/do much shit of a questionable nature that attracts the raised eyebrow of the socially pretentious. Usually I don't really care, because if they do judge, I don't actually have to hear about it. I'm surprised I haven't received a tongue lashing quite frankly. I think it's because I'm so sweet and nice. And pretty :)<br />
But at the coffee shop, I was judged hardcore. Lemme set the scene. This was on my tip jar:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c_a0SvuNRL6DBG56CSWeplz_gcgz6J2sgPEloZqizfxzKROYpaqL-XhHoT3BCwIIo_NSxEokKpH5JNMmmYld75ndUz6-QY2ji_iAsC2wzGaqqao1HBFl7ZpR3UCfdcXH8a8aVPhZ_ls/s1600/img-thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1c_a0SvuNRL6DBG56CSWeplz_gcgz6J2sgPEloZqizfxzKROYpaqL-XhHoT3BCwIIo_NSxEokKpH5JNMmmYld75ndUz6-QY2ji_iAsC2wzGaqqao1HBFl7ZpR3UCfdcXH8a8aVPhZ_ls/s1600/img-thing.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Like cocaine, once you get one of those babies under your skin, you always come back for more. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Got that little sign in your head? Ok, so here's how it went down:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, this older gentleman comes in and orders a Mexican mocha. He wants to know what is in it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me: "Chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg..." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judger: "Peppers?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me: "No." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judger with a look of grave disappointment: "Oh. Do you have peppers?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me: "No." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judger: *heavy sigh and eye roll* "Ok, that's fine." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I have already dashed his hopes and crushed his dreams. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judger, reading my sign, eyebrows raised in question. It's obviously a test: "You're not really getting a tattoo, are you?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me: "I already have seven." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Judger, with much judgement: "Okkkaaaay. I guess I'll support your tattoo fund..." *reluctantly tips me*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In his defense, he was a judgemental throwback to when only sailors, bikers, and prison inmates had tattoos. Apparently, he wasn't aware that pretty much every lawyer and their doctor mother has tattoos now. Can't blame him for that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I told my story to our beloved local artist, Don Nisbett, who has a place of honor at our couch every morning and I pointed out I just can't please everyone. He pondered if I actually try. Touche. So then he "tattooed" my arm:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU9n_0npZRfny3dYmmfgfcFwa1quEx_UIabaIc01rkbmhKjuvqVw1EJ5btP4wiwnyowvEM945auxA7alB56V6gqUP1VKH1A_vTJUYa-7pCg9zg12lfPWR5pZMVnAjkgFWdGCxc1z9zcU/s1600/999169_10201666216726073_836974000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU9n_0npZRfny3dYmmfgfcFwa1quEx_UIabaIc01rkbmhKjuvqVw1EJ5btP4wiwnyowvEM945auxA7alB56V6gqUP1VKH1A_vTJUYa-7pCg9zg12lfPWR5pZMVnAjkgFWdGCxc1z9zcU/s1600/999169_10201666216726073_836974000_n.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What exactly are you saying, Don?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Customer: "Is someone trying to talk you into getting a tattoo?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Seriously? Do people not notice I have two clearly visible on my forearm?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me: "No, there's really no 'talking' me into it. I already have seven."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Customer, obviously trying to recover: "Oh, but is someone trying to talk you into getting more?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me, with great understanding because obviously these are not tattoo people: "You can't really 'talk' me into something I already want to do. They're addicting."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I never thought I would be judged by having tattoos. Questionable morals? Sure. Drunk texting? Of course. Overuse of the word 'fuck'? Understandable. Using my cleavage to get more tips? Maybe. But tattoos? Perhaps it's a generational thing. Tattoos used to adorn persons of dubious character and I can understand how it might be difficult for some people to get over that stereotype. However, one would hope those passing the judgement might be polite enough to keep their opinions and raised eyebrows to themselves. Chalk it up to a new experience for me. I started thinking that this incident might be an introduction to an interesting social experiment where I put controversial signs on my tip jar and record people's reactions. Give me a sense on the people I'm dealing with here. I have a few ideas I'm tossing around:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Bail Money"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"We All Make Mistakes"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I Can Quit Anytime"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Almost Enough to Get Into Heaven!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Turns Out Abortions Aren't Cheap"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think there's a good chance I would have waaaaay too much fun with this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-54926163271446256882013-07-22T14:43:00.000-07:002013-07-22T14:43:32.314-07:00Random shit like this happens to me all the time.The other day I was in a horrendously foul mood at the coffee shop because, despite our continued reminders, everyone insisted on believing I am a mind reader and then getting pissed when I had to dump their drinks and start over. Here it is once again: we do not have special mind powers (Except for that one time Kelly and I are pretty convinced we predicted and/or effected the tide so that we could have a beach ride on hard packed sand). If you don't tell me what you want, I can't make it. Thinking it doesn't count.<br />
Anywho, on top of that I made pittance in tips and I was thinking drinking an entire bottle of wine was in order when the phone rang. It was a regular customer explaining that she had a question and felt that since we have animals, perhaps we could answer it. Because having animals=a fountain of knowledge about all creatures of the Animalia persuasion. Turns out, her beloved dog was attacked by a raccoon and she had some concerns about how to care for the poor thing. I was like: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEyNz6-yGhy1q-MCmqZoFXgpUXp3EeEXjES7FwPYt0YWglGa8oSnG3TJDw4U3sGPwuYAc8MnnBDlozIGpPjP4ukE4h7WS6PPMHskcYzVayPp1LkRoOmxkCQVyu7kj-zHhGO1oxHLN_t8/s1600/glenda-good-witch-of-the-north-meme-generator-everybody-chill-the-fuck-out-i-got-this-389af1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEyNz6-yGhy1q-MCmqZoFXgpUXp3EeEXjES7FwPYt0YWglGa8oSnG3TJDw4U3sGPwuYAc8MnnBDlozIGpPjP4ukE4h7WS6PPMHskcYzVayPp1LkRoOmxkCQVyu7kj-zHhGO1oxHLN_t8/s1600/glenda-good-witch-of-the-north-meme-generator-everybody-chill-the-fuck-out-i-got-this-389af1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Luckily, as I informed her, she had called the right person. Ever since I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. It was this dream that prompted me to call my first employer at 16, Sno-Wood Veterinary Hospital. I worked there for the next four and a half years, even during my summer's off from college. I attended Washington State University and majored in Zoology, Pre-Vet and conducted my internship at <a href="http://www.sarveywildlife.org/" target="_blank">Sarvey Wildlife Care Center</a> where I worked in the medical room and mammal room. Basically, I was about to drop some diamonds on this lady. <br />
After establishing that her dog's leg wasn't dangling precariously by a strand of tissue and there was no need for extensive stitching, I advised her on proper wound care and to keep the little dog hydrated until she could get in to see her vet in the morning. A wild animal attack, though perhaps not seriously damaging, requires a vet y'all. She hung up the phone a grateful and relieved woman and I felt I had made a difference. The day just got better from there. The conversation led me to think that perhaps this knowledge should be shared with others, so here are some fun facts everyone should know about raccoons:<br />
<br />
<strong>#1: most important fact about raccoons in Washington State: they DO NOT carry rabies here! But, you should still vaccinate your pets and watch for signs of infection in case you're dealing with one that snuck a ride from another state.</strong><br />
<strong>#2: you don't have to worry about rabies, but those dirty bastards do carry other nasty diseases they can pass on to your pet and you. Most notably, Raccoon Roundworm (I did a paper on this one; the worms like to make nice homes for themselves in your brain) and the bacteria Leptospirosis that can be fatal for both people and pets. Most nastiness is passed on in raccoon feces. Which brings me to a good piece of advice. </strong><br />
<strong>#3: do not attract wildlife to your house! If a raccoon finds cat food on your porch, he'll eat it and hang around getting fatter and fatter and pooping in your kids' sandbox. They also like to use roofs as latrines. And what's more? He'll tell all his raccoon buddies. Yes, raccoons like to share. Pretty soon, what was once one cute little bandit is now 50. And it's baby season. They teach that shit. Less raccoons=less poop=less chance of infections/attacks.</strong><br />
<strong>#4: raccoons fight dirty. Sure, they might look cute and their hands are adorbs, but raccoons are vicious fighters that will bite and claw like a frenzied tasmanian devil. Do not mess with them, especially during baby season (like right now). If you or your pet is attacked, wash the area with a mild soap and hot water and get to a doctor/vet. Antibiotics is essential in any wild animal attack. If you suspect rabies, the animal will need to be captured and tested.</strong><br />
<strong>#5: make sure they can't get under your house or in your attic. Raccoons don't pay rent and they smell. Don't encourage them to move in. </strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo233b7yQKL2QmiKOATiKTv1fbC4w0Qx8ulj_9vCl6FXCWNnAMacwir-bvAQcD9LCQAJ7hgI2D414WMuqFzxq3Lh5FZLsn-Xk-Pl9B31v9Mal55nCrXe-CNifqbzF7MoGOrEjO3eArHcU/s1600/Raccoons2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo233b7yQKL2QmiKOATiKTv1fbC4w0Qx8ulj_9vCl6FXCWNnAMacwir-bvAQcD9LCQAJ7hgI2D414WMuqFzxq3Lh5FZLsn-Xk-Pl9B31v9Mal55nCrXe-CNifqbzF7MoGOrEjO3eArHcU/s1600/Raccoons2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The raccoons LOVED me because I brought them blood biscotti and grapes (the equivilent of raccoon candy), but don't let those cute masks and chortles fool you: they will cut a bitch. Their hands are dexterous enough to handle knives.</span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>#6: don't let this rant fool you! I think raccoons are amazing creatures and have a special purpose on this planet. Did you know their hands are very sensitive and they can use them to detect edible material in low or no light? Sort of akin to a cat's whiskers. Water increases their sensitivity, thus the washing of food that we so frequently see. They aren't being cleanly. They are dirty rascals that will eat bread soaked in blood; trust me, they are not concerned about hygiene. This is just a reminder that they are called WILD for a reason! </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This has been a Mandy's wildlife public service announcement, and this is why I have a four year degree. Next time, why oppossums might be the best garbage disposals ever. </div>
Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-40701383625256332812013-06-05T14:55:00.002-07:002013-06-05T14:55:37.529-07:00No udders required for this bag balm Look, I'm alive! And no, I'm not going to channel some Twilight angst and follow that up with, "But I'm dead inside." Wrong number.<br />
<br />
As many of you might know, I've been going through some personal drama that has impeded my editing and reading time. For those of you who are unaware, I am currently going through a divorce. When people use the term "going through," they're not kidding. It's like trudging knee deep in a bog thick with weeds and disgusting sloppy muck that sucks you down with each step. And considering knee deep for most people is like waist deep for me, that's quite a bit of sludge to soldier through. Also, imagine you're being bombarded with razor sharp thorny vines and shrieking crows. Oh, and don't forget the ROUSes. I'm sure everyone will respect that I currently have no desire to share the private details leading to this outcome, especially in a public forum, but know that I am happy and my kids and I are doing great. The other upside is that this experience has led to inspiration that I can hopefully soon incorporate into my current work.<br />
<br />
Obviously, because of the overwhelming heaviness of my current situation, it has been difficult to submerge myself into any serious, though provoking books. My brain is already tired, and I only succeed in reading a few pages before it completely passes out. Thus, I have dedicated this time to cathartic works by amusing authors. I don't want to be depressed or challenged right now, I want to laugh so hard I fracture a rib, maybe even pee myself a little.<br />
<br />
Here are some titles that I've read/currently reading that have been like soothing bag balm for my soul:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgVt2PPEstgw9dzpWUCJDUblUcNU1TWdTDRZ0yZs6ZBIbchQZb8cqvKX3EgquKwvdP-kU88jPTf3EdNaGo3tJmr3qPkykv02YacFChWjrUCwfwTBl4ubnDqE6_9ZN4pm3QRIQ7cymmQaZwCtpara5_ClgQZ0hRkW86b2kSTplZXTphwR_U-TDJmlTqUK7HM9WkixMaIWcaRYhoWNW7aO5OHiXzSD4E77G_ZMRNSsZGzc5jaA8t1zvOtuWUk_eDUhC1sTRBTcXYnafY1ZfE-euQdvosApRoqfyFNPWQH=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00A6JI8J0&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chan007-20" /></a>You know and love him, and so do I. David Sedaris is one of the most touchingly hilarious writers I've come across. It's almost difficult to believe his stories of his dysfunctional family and antics are true. But it's like I tell people when I relate tales from the coffee shop: you just can't make this shit up. In this most recent collection of essays, Sedaris tells the story of his first colonoscopy, how his father terrified him out of doing pretty much everything, the time he almost bought a pygmy skeleton, and the heartbreaking story of the boy his father liked better than him. Pure observational humor that is intelligent, honest, and real. There are also a few fiction pieces that are fairly amusing, but it's the true tales that are as always the best Sedaris.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh-T3WiZcVNXV45urXcoY_Gd8tOR0ynDt_6Fq1W5C4u5bYYbMMR8pwqAY1En_6qnd-GeVfJqaA4ivGKWR4mpJhItZkTBzBYohxXq9mUB7GaBPFHN7KhzXLD-pAcrKe1V3be7UyOLFfr6Aqjkc_ECGPIxl2onTftSs3wmMD1O8C4pqz-Tu5pTQIgQia_DtTnlJV-I-D8Oc0Q990sJdr7xpxNMuiTSR7lnTdubf4v66r_Vc1EcjqKZtz6UbXjrvEdf49AMKYS09TeynP3i8Wpuif3iqo0460mGAa2M0Ht=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0026IUOH8&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chan007-20" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
Seriously, if you look in the dictionary under "hilarious," you'll find David Sedaris. My current read is "Naked," in which Sedaris travels the country hitchhiking with serial killers, makes clocks for a Child of God, and takes three hours to get home from school because of his obsessive tics. I'll let you know how it pans out. I may have wet myself a little when he went through a phase where he spoke in Shakespearean English for a period of time. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other books on my "give me belly laughs" to-do list include:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393334791/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0393334791&linkCode=as2&tag=chan007-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0393334791&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chan007-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=chan007-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0393334791" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />I read the first chapter and almost died. Great recommendation from a friend. From <i>The New Yorker: "</i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Roach points out, scientists studying sex are often treated with disdain, as though there is something inherently suspicious about the enterprise. Yet through understanding the anatomy, physiology, and psychology of sexual response, scientists can help us toward greater marital and nonmarital happiness. Such altruistic intentions, which the book shares, aren’t the wellspring of its appeal, however. That lies in the breezy tone in which Roach describes erectile dysfunction among polygamists, penis cameras, relative organ sizes and enhancement devices, and dozens of other titillating subjects. Not to be missed: the martial art of yin diao gung (“genitals hanging kung fu”), monkey sex athletes, and the licensing of porn stars’ genitals for blow-up reproductions. To stay on the ethical side of human-subjects experimentation, Roach offers herself as research subject several times, resulting in some of her best writing."</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006177975X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=006177975X&linkCode=as2&tag=chan007-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=006177975X&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chan007-20" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Another from the hilarious Christopher Moore: "<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moore’s <em>Sacré Bleu</em> is part mystery, part history (sort of), part love story, and wholly hilarious as it follows a young baker-painter as he joins the dapper Henri Toulouse-Lautrec on a quest to unravel the mystery behind the supposed “suicide” of Vincent van Gogh."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Any other recommendations? Please don't hesitate to share! And please excuse my break from writing to concentrate on life for a while. I will get back to it soon!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=chan007-20&l=as2&o=1&a=006177975X" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fws.assoc-amazon.com%2Fwidgets%2Fq%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26ASIN%3DB00A6JI8J0%26Format%3D_SL160_%26ID%3DAsinImage%26MarketPlace%3DUS%26ServiceVersion%3D20070822%26WS%3D1%26tag%3Dchan007-20&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgVt2PPEstgw9dzpWUCJDUblUcNU1TWdTDRZ0yZs6ZBIbchQZb8cqvKX3EgquKwvdP-kU88jPTf3EdNaGo3tJmr3qPkykv02YacFChWjrUCwfwTBl4ubnDqE6_9ZN4pm3QRIQ7cymmQaZwCtpara5_ClgQZ0hRkW86b2kSTplZXTphwR_U-TDJmlTqUK7HM9WkixMaIWcaRYhoWNW7aO5OHiXzSD4E77G_ZMRNSsZGzc5jaA8t1zvOtuWUk_eDUhC1sTRBTcXYnafY1ZfE-euQdvosApRoqfyFNPWQH=" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fws.assoc-amazon.com%2Fwidgets%2Fq%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26ASIN%3DB0026IUOH8%26Format%3D_SL160_%26ID%3DAsinImage%26MarketPlace%3DUS%26ServiceVersion%3D20070822%26WS%3D1%26tag%3Dchan007-20&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh-T3WiZcVNXV45urXcoY_Gd8tOR0ynDt_6Fq1W5C4u5bYYbMMR8pwqAY1En_6qnd-GeVfJqaA4ivGKWR4mpJhItZkTBzBYohxXq9mUB7GaBPFHN7KhzXLD-pAcrKe1V3be7UyOLFfr6Aqjkc_ECGPIxl2onTftSs3wmMD1O8C4pqz-Tu5pTQIgQia_DtTnlJV-I-D8Oc0Q990sJdr7xpxNMuiTSR7lnTdubf4v66r_Vc1EcjqKZtz6UbXjrvEdf49AMKYS09TeynP3i8Wpuif3iqo0460mGAa2M0Ht=" -->Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-68566218471277707502013-01-19T21:18:00.000-08:002013-01-19T21:18:07.175-08:00Unexpected attractionI find it really amazing what some people find attractive and others do not. Is it a pleasant cologne? Sideburns? A loquacious vocabulary? Maybe that's just me...Perhaps for you it's eye color or height. Maybe something more carnal? I'm not judging.<br />
I actually did a little bit of research on this and discovered the science of attraction is quite complicated (obviously) and quite interesting. If you want to break it down to it's basest form of what causes attraction, look no further than evolution and good ole hormones.<br />
<b><u>Evolution:</u></b><br />
Survival of the fittest: it's as simple as that. A female chooses the stronger, healthier, more attractive male in order to perpetuate the species. His phenotype is a direct reflection of his genetic fitness, and therefore alerts the female to his superiority that will thus be passed on to her offspring. Classic examples include larger antlers in deer and colorful plumage in birds. These are characteristics of a healthy individual, thus the female will be more attracted to these traits, as well as males that display housebuilding abilities, care giving qualities, and physical prowess. The evolution of attraction correlates with desirable genetic traits to be duplicated. <br />
<strong><u>Hormones:</u></strong><br />
We can't rule out these gems when discussing attraction. There are three stages of attraction dictated by hormones beginning with lust. Ah, lust, and it's wonderful friends testosterone and estrogen. Without lust, there would be no random, passionate encounters or loving trysts. And when these brief interludes continue, we move onto phase two: attraction. When you can think of no one else, you are on the dopamine express. Yes, that lovely hormone that gives us pleasant feelings, and it's buddy adrenaline that increases our heart rate and makes our mouths dry. That's when you know you're headed for the charm: attachment. The hormones associated with attachment include oxytocin (AKA the "love hormone) and it's partner in crime, vassopressin. Together these hormones will evoke feelings of contentment, lower anxiety, and increase calmness and security. This is the touchy-feely stage of attraction, leading to pair bonds, 2.5 kids, and a white picket fence. You know, the good stuff. <br />
<br />
That's the nitty gritty, but how does one get this far? Where does attraction all begin and why? Johns Hopkins sexologist (yes, it's a real job. I looked it up) John Money developed the concept of the "lovemap" to assist a discussion of why people prefer certain attributes. It is, "a developmental representation or template in the mind and in the brain depicting the idealized lover." Picture your perfect partner: height, weight, job, values, smell, etc. Got it? That's essentially what he's talking about. Money goes on to state that this is a nature and nurture trait; that we learn what we like as well as draw on our genetic background. What we prefer involves all five senses that are often linked to personal experiences. Grandpa smoked a pipe? You may be attracted to the smell of tobacco. Dad tall, dark, and brooding? Guess what! Live near a lake? Blue eyes may be your thing. All the pleasurable experiences spark what you may find attractive in another individual. But what about those random oddities that leave you wondering, "who knew that was so hot?"<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the point on this rambling diatribe. This all may seem nonsensical, but this is how my mind was working when I was trying to figure out why I suddenly found something so ordinary and maybe somewhat odd so freaking attractive. Here's what I'm talking about:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2q_CEl_GLNR5qOQLhceaLUAz48FlWjFj298K8l2iqDIwBVCKWJ-R-6z9AD4EUI97idQjr4saPHNZNAFeUqzogD5mAjlnFoUQvFJr4VCuYqrxCWN8aFBdkk-sKZv0-9rfyE70joOoknc/s1600/keep-calm-and-omg-i-can-t-even.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2q_CEl_GLNR5qOQLhceaLUAz48FlWjFj298K8l2iqDIwBVCKWJ-R-6z9AD4EUI97idQjr4saPHNZNAFeUqzogD5mAjlnFoUQvFJr4VCuYqrxCWN8aFBdkk-sKZv0-9rfyE70joOoknc/s400/keep-calm-and-omg-i-can-t-even.png" width="342" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sooo hot, right? RIGHT?!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A newsboy hat and bow tie? Who knew? I am not a huge fan of <i>Newsies, </i>my grandfather wore neither of these items, and I'm not into <i>Dr. Who</i>. Little help? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, I know! *slaps forehead* Maybe it's because they are being worn by Daniel Vincent Gordh, who is playing William Darcy on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and who also happens to be tall, dark, and handsome. With sideburns. And don't even get me started on those eyebrows...*drool* </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here is where a little nature comes into play. Maybe I was destined to find this combination strangely attractive. All I needed was a handsome man to show me the way. It also helps that he's so loquacious and stars in a modern adaptation of my favorite novel. Yes, all things come back to <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. And perhaps that is the core of why I find the newsboy hat/bow tie combo so attractive: I am a nerd.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The moral of this story? We all have our own "lovemap" to follow. Don't be afraid or ashamed of it (unless it's illegal), and for the love of God don't be like me and over analyze. Just get out there, buy your man a newsie hat and bow tie, and get on with your life! It will be a lot happier once you do ;) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-54667682619433109672013-01-06T09:08:00.000-08:002013-01-06T09:08:19.676-08:00My PreciousOk, everyone, guess who received a Kindle Fire for Christmas! THIS GIRL! Admittedly, I have been avidly opposed to e-readers of any sort because I love the feel of a real book. Yes, I am <i>that</i> girl; the one you catch in the rows of the library sniffing books with a look of pure ecstasy on her face. I am the girl who has stacks of books she hasn't read yet and keeps getting more because I absolutely love looking at full bookshelves and get excited thinking about all the adventures waiting for me there. So, with this in mind, I staunchly resisted getting a Kindle no matter what the other half said about how great they are. And then my Mom gave me one, and I discovered they are full of awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGXPDAMhKV2B8C3TgRqIgtp5OzBJkxeKPTa2XYqlN0C7ll-X36V9Cg2x_JSj4TLpPisLJklS0lPD5QXYa5RugKMkhGXnGxp8awLBZKB8NLjUFh1HX8BLTq23jrfDl5KW5TcmG8Bdgkek/s1600/383595_10200169471788385_306328250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGXPDAMhKV2B8C3TgRqIgtp5OzBJkxeKPTa2XYqlN0C7ll-X36V9Cg2x_JSj4TLpPisLJklS0lPD5QXYa5RugKMkhGXnGxp8awLBZKB8NLjUFh1HX8BLTq23jrfDl5KW5TcmG8Bdgkek/s320/383595_10200169471788385_306328250_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">My precious.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Let's discuss.<br />
I have a Kindle Fire, right? So, not only can I download books from Amazon and great ebooks from sites like <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, but I can also watch movies on Netflix, YouTube, surf the web, Music, yada yada yada. It's almost like having a tablet (or so I understand; I don't actually have one myself. I am way behind in the technology). Here are the pros and cons I have encountered:<br />
<br />
<b>Pros:</b><br />
You can watch movies with amazing clarity<br />
Quick e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook checks<br />
Look up that cah-razee YouTube video all the kids are talking about<br />
Lots of Apps to play with (which I really don't, but my kids do)<br />
Parental controls for kiddo play (seriously, my kids figured it out in about 2.5 seconds)<br />
Access to Amazon for a bazillion book titles<br />
Lots of storage for said books<br />
I have Prime, so I have free movie rentals and access to free books<br />
You can <i>accessorize</i>!<br />
Easy to use, even for me<br />
<br />
<b>Cons:</b><br />
Easy for quick browsing, but you are limited on the amount of internetting you can do (yes, I just made that word up). Really, a laptop is more convenient for cut/paste/sharing/multiple window usage.<br />
I am challenged when it comes to typing with a stylus. For in depth writing, a keyboard is the way to go.<br />
I am intimidated.<br />
It's not a real book.<br />
There could be more, but it's early and I need coffee.<br />
<br />
In the end, aside from the occasional ebook and fanfiction, I really haven't read much with my Kindle. I still prefer the real thing, but I can see the appeal of having hundreds of books at your disposal with just a click. I can foresee this coming in handy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My vote:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHEW46vTSoGmFvejteOO-mu6C8XrOepI5BH1tWQbdGqRImpRj9zjSk-UKTLh6SKxgAIQSJyEGfBBS9u24GWBiSwGvPQp7FJHwsKIx84LgAF3be2N5GRhbPimuC_FyKY8e7CB8vPK6KQg/s1600/keep-calm-and-kindle-on-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHEW46vTSoGmFvejteOO-mu6C8XrOepI5BH1tWQbdGqRImpRj9zjSk-UKTLh6SKxgAIQSJyEGfBBS9u24GWBiSwGvPQp7FJHwsKIx84LgAF3be2N5GRhbPimuC_FyKY8e7CB8vPK6KQg/s320/keep-calm-and-kindle-on-4.png" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4297126066887342834.post-48056492698236176952012-12-30T19:15:00.001-08:002012-12-30T19:15:59.264-08:00How I get new thingsMy bold and effective strategy revealed!<br />
<br />
Kelly (over the phone): "So, the little fridge stopped working for some reason. I came in this morning and there was water all over the floor and I had to throw the milk out."<br />
<br />
Me: "Suck." <i>Secretly hoping it wasn't my fault. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>Later, at the coffee shop.</b><br />
<br />
Kelly: "We need to make sure we put all the milk in the back fridge at night. Thankfully we use it up pretty fast, so we can store some in the little fridge while we work."<br />
<br />
Me (leaning into fridge): "Uh-huh." <i>Still hoping it wasn't my fault as I examine suspicious puncture wound. Crap. </i>"So, there is a chance this is my fault."<br />
<br />
Kelly: "What do you mean?"<br />
<br />
Me: "I was chipping off ice with a screwdriver in preparation for defrosting, and I may have accidentally punctured a hole in the fridge. I'm not saying 100% but that could have broken the fridge."<br />
<br />
Kelly: "You're fired."<br />
<br />
Me: "Well, now we can get a new one. This is how I get new things."<br />
<br />
I told a customer this story later and they thought it was a pretty clever strategy. I even mimicked telling Chase to straighten out because I could always stab him with a screwdriver and get a new husband. They laughed, but I was completely serious. Although that could have been the freon talking. Meanwhile, we got a beautiful new fridge from Costco.<br />
<br />
Here is a comic Kelly drew to commemorate the death of the old fridge:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxfxvBpOdDKxaikLrEaC4i0DeTX_GU90_Gk-TnZPWTIn5pK5jUt5nro0uCfL6HB484E4jweyMIg0w1S61MBELaFWCwN0eKcaJRFFk8qu4NgVMCEhmwT8gKp9SPOg6iYq0YiyYF6Ui-68/s1600/kellycomic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxfxvBpOdDKxaikLrEaC4i0DeTX_GU90_Gk-TnZPWTIn5pK5jUt5nro0uCfL6HB484E4jweyMIg0w1S61MBELaFWCwN0eKcaJRFFk8qu4NgVMCEhmwT8gKp9SPOg6iYq0YiyYF6Ui-68/s640/kellycomic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Oh, those toilet bowls? Apparently I infected the ENTIRE peninsula with the norovirus (allegedly) resulting in several people (including myself) spending lots of quality time in the bathroom. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />Emma Twohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11107154193337517799noreply@blogger.com3