Dogs Rule My Life

Changing Locations

2010-08-05T14:18:00.001-07:00

I've decided to create a new blog for Scott and I. This blog goes back for a few years to a different lifetime for me so I wanted to start fresh. All future family and health updates can be found at Our Journey.

Infusions = Success?

2010-07-12T14:51:00.001-07:00

The infusions actually made me feel better and didn't mess with my sleep so much that was unbearable. They caused some weird pain in my arms like brittle bone pain but I felt almost normal by Saturday and since my doctor took me out of work for another weekend I decided to take advantage and spend some quality time with Scott. He went with me to the hospital for my last infusion on Saturday.
Overall, I think the steroids did help and I will do them again if I need to.

Solu-Medrol Infusions

2010-07-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

I called my doctor Wednesday because I'm not feeling any better. She decided that I needed to go ahead with the infusions. I did my first Solu-Medrol infusion yesterday and have to go back today and tomorrow for more. Basically I sit with an IV of 1000mg of steroids pumping into my vein for 30 minutes. The only noticeable side effects were a horrible metallic taste in my mouth that made food taste awful and an increased appetite. I had slight heartburn but I'm not sure if I can blame that on the steroids or the fact that I had Taco Bell right after.
Can't wait to get the bill for this little adventure. I just hope that I don't get the insomnia that other patients complain about after their infusions. I can deal with some more heartburn and some increased hunger (which is welcomed since one of my MS symptoms is no appetite) and the gross taste in my mouth, but do NOT mess with my sleep!

Thank God For Netflix

2010-07-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I'm off work until next Wednesday due to my relapse...this is extremely frustrating. I'm so exhausted and there is nothing that I can do. Thank God for Netflix and my super amazing Scott who is picking up loads of slack these days. Just feeding the dogs completely wore me out. I've never wanted to do dishes more in my life because I can't! I'm looking forward to going down to the farm this weekend and doing some wedding preparations even though I will just be on the sidelines.

Still Exhausted

2010-06-29T15:20:00.000-07:00

I saw my Neurologist today. It's funny how seeing her makes me feel more normal and like I'm actually doing ok. My MS is not that bad in the big picture of MS but when compared to normal people, I'm a wreck. My doc made me feel pretty good and took me out of work for another week so I can rest and recoup. I'm frustrated that I can't work but working is extremely difficult right now. I really wish there was some way that I could work from home...but I think all those "stuffing envelope" jobs are a scam.....

OH! And people have been really curious about the meds I take so here you go:
Rebif: three 44mcg injections per week (yes, I give them to myself)
Baclofen: 30mg per day (for my legs...spasticity and spasms)
Oxybutynin: 5mg twice a day (for bladder control)

I am an open book if anyone ever has questions about MS. One doctor said that the true MS experts are the suffers.

Steroids. Fun.

2010-06-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got my steroids today. Luckily they were only $4. So far I feel a little more energized which is nice. The exhaustion was killing me....and so far no noticeable side effects!

Acute Relapse-UPDATE

2010-06-25T15:17:00.001-07:00

About 30 seconds after I published the last post my nurse called. Apparently the infusions are super expensive and my doctor wants to do pills instead since I don't have insurance. I pick up the steroid pills tomorrow.
I was sort of looking forward to the infusions since so many say that they feel better after. Hopefully the pills help too.....ugh. More time with Scott and the dogs at home I guess.

Acute Relapse

2010-06-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

I haven't been posting much lately, for a few reasons.... One, I'm madly in love with Scott and prefer to spend all of my free time with him. Reason two, planning a wedding takes a lot of time and energy! We finally got the invitations done and in the mail (with a few remaining to mail....). And the final reason is because I have been exhausted. My fatigue has been getting worse and just yesterday my fatigue was so bad that I had to hold onto something to stand up for any length of time. My bladder issues came back with a vengeance (which have been under control thanks to some fancy drugs) and my legs were all kinds of crazy spastic yesterday (which were also under control). I called my doctor today and the verdict is that I am in an Acute Relapse and she suggests that I do a steroid infusion three days in a row. This infusion means that I get an IV of corticosteroids, usually Solu-Medrol. The nurse that I spoke with says that it lasts an hour or two. My doctor says that it is only about 30 minutes. The worst side effect can be insomnia but a lot of people also complain about a weird metallic taste in their mouth. Some patients claim that they feel normal, like before they had MS, for up to a couple weeks after their infusions. The nurse wanted me to be able to do it my home but since I am uninsured that could be super expensive so I have to go to the hospital to get it done. I have to say that the UW MS Clinic is extremely expensive (my last visit was over $500) but I love my doctor and the staff there. I was able to speak to my doctor directly today and the nurse has been in touch with me all day trying to get everything straightened out for me. Soon enough I will have insurance and can then get my much needed MRI and hopefully be able to afford all of the medicines that I need. My goal is to entirely change my diet to help manage my discomfort but for now I am getting through one day at a time and working with what we have. At least I get a full weekend with Scott (since I can't work) even if a bulk of it is spent at the hospital in the infusion room.

And here are some shameless plugs:
Dempster Wedding Blog

Wedding Registry

Quick Update

2010-06-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Long story-short:

*Scott and I are engaged and getting married August 28th (!)
You can read our story here
*I've been on Rebif for about six weeks and I am tolerating it well
*I am only teaching obedience classes for Sound Animal Services for six more weeks :(

I think that's about all the big news for today....hopefully I will get better at keeping this blog updated! I'm keeping busy with wedding plans and trying to spend as much free time as I can with Scott.

UW MS Clinic

2010-04-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

I met my new doctor at the MS Clinic last week and saw her again yesterday. She showed me my MRI which I had never seen and clarified some things regarding my lesions. My previous doctor told me that I had no lesions on my brain...well, my MRI shows differently. I actually DO have lesions on my brain. They are small and since I am not having any symptoms directly related to brain function, my doctor is not too concerned with them at this point. She would like to do a full brain and spine MRI to get more information but since I am uninsured we are going to wait. The full MRI would cost around $5000.
I met with her yesterday to discuss treatment options. We decided on Rebif injections. These injections can cost over $20,000 a year without insurance. My doctor put me in contact with MS Lifelines and they were able to get me a years worth of free injections....PHEW! I already have over $5000 in medical bills just since November with more coming from my clinic visits. The injections are sort of a necessary evil that I am not looking forward to. I have to inject myself three times a week. Most people get flu-like symptoms after each injection that can last up to eight hours. The pain in my legs I can deal with. The bladder control issues I can deal with. What I CANNOT deal with is nausea and headaches...which are two of the side effects of Rebif injections. My doctor says that once my body gets used to the chemicals, the side effects may subside. I should be receiving my first round of injections by mail withing the next few weeks and Rebif will be sending a person out to our house to teach us how to do the injections.
My new doctor really drove home how smokers with MS are generally worse than non-smokers. My plan to quit was dependent upon when I started my injections. If I started my injections this week, I was going to quit smoking in about a month after I got accustomed to the stress of the injections. If I didn't start my injections this week, I was going to quit smoking now. Well, I've set my quit date for the 30th of this month and started taking Welbutrin (which helps me quit) yesterday.
I have a lot going on and prayers are always appreciated...for me and Scott. We are going to have so much to adjust to over the next few months. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing man in my life. I don't know how I would be coping with all of this without him.

Walk MS

2010-04-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today, Scott, Laura and I did the Walk for MS in Seattle. It was a four mile course that started at the Husky Stadium, went to Gas Works park along the Burke-Gilman trail and then back to the stadium. Scott's mom and brother and his brother's friend came up from Oregon to walk with us. When Scott first told me that his family was coming up to support me/us I was a little upset...even a little mad. I didn't want them to see just how weak I am and to be concerned for Scott's future with me. So many people assume that I am going to be a cripple by the time I am 40 and the last people that I want to see me in a weakened state is my future in-laws. I ended up feeling honored that they drove all the way up here to walk with a girl who they barely know to try and learn more about this disease that I am stuck with. I felt supported in a way that I had never experienced.

Today was a real test in my endurance and strength. All week my legs have been weak and I was a little nervous about the walk today. I managed to make it two miles from the stadium to the park (barely). Once we arrived at the park we found out that there was a shuttle taking people back to the stadium. Laura and I opted for the shuttle and the others walked back. This was the first time that I actually set out to walk more than a couple blocks. It was tough. Adjusting to my limitations is mostly a struggle of pride. I am a strong willed, stubborn chick. When I started to get tired, Scott offered his arm for me to lean on and we walked side by side, no one the wiser that I was using him instead of a cane.

Having MS means learning my limitations one day at a time. Scott reminds me everyday that the nice things he does for me is because he loves me and not because I have MS. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing partner in my life who is here to support me no matter what life brings.

Me, Scott, Laura
GO TEAM BLITZ!

Scott and his mom Karen

♥ ♥ ♥

Thank you to everyone who donated money to help me reach my fund raising goals. Donations are being accepted until May 14th just in case you would like to donate to help fund research so that maybe one day we will have a cure for this mysterious disease. Just because I acheived my goal of $250 doesn't mean that you shouldn't donate ;)

MS Clinic at the UW FINALLY!

2010-04-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

I got my appointment at the University of Washington MS Clinic finally! I go on April 12th and hopefully find out what my treatment options are and when we can get started. I've been excited to get started on my treatments for several reasons but the main one is so that I can quit smoking. Having MS means that I need to limit my stress as stress exacerbates symptoms. Quitting smoking is going to be stressful no matter how I do it. Starting treatments is also going to be stressful. I need to plan my stresses and keep them manageable so once I start treatments and get used to them, I can quit smoking!!
In other news, I am now living in Tacoma with Scott and our combined pack of seven dogs. Things are falling into place....and life is pretty darn good.

Me and two of the new kids, Rufus and Bruno

The rest of the crew

Why I'm Sober

2010-03-30T15:14:00.001-07:00

See what I look like all strung out and drunk? This is my mugshot from when I got arrested for my DUII....

Update

2010-03-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posting an update. There is nothing realy to tell right now (regarding my health). I went to see my Neurologist a couple weeks ago and he took some blood and said he is still trying to get me into the MS Clinic at the UW and wanted to cover all of his bases with the blood tests. Blah, blah, blah...more waiting.
In ther news, I have reconnected with an old friend who I went to high school with and dated back in 1999. We have been dating since the beginning of February and he is the single greatest thing that has happened to me in a VERY long time.
Despite all of the waiting with the MS stuff, life is good and I am happier than I have been, well, maybe ever.

One Benefit of MS

2010-01-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

Since my MS is affecting my lower spine, I have decreased sensitivity below my waist. What better way to take advantage of this than to get tattoos! I've gotten two tattoos since I've known about my MS and I could barely feel them. This could be dangerous......

This one was done by my friend Danny Warner from Classic Tattoo in Grass Valley, CA. There is a tattoo expo in town and he just happens to be there so I took advantage. I asked for a sugar skull and gave him total artistic license. The Day of the Dead is probably my favorite holiday and since I've lost a lot of loved ones over the last year, I thought this could be a tribute to all of them.

This one took close to five hours

It's still really swollen and will look MUCH better in a few days. All of the different colors colors will stand out once my skin isn't so hard, pink and irritated.

This one is in the middle of my low back (AKA Tramp Stamp). It was done by my amazing friend Megan. It is her artwork and it is a symbol for grief. I had her place it directly over the area of my spine that is being affected by the MS and giving me all of my grief. The cool thing about this one is that, if I want, I can have her fill in the cross and the symbol will then mean love.

If I had more money, I'd be covered in tattoos...especially now that I can barely feel them. Since I'm stuck with this disease and all of it's annoying side effects, I'm going to be taking advantage where I can so don't be mad Padre. I'm not ruining my body, just adorning it with things that make me happy.

Spinal Tap Results

2010-01-14T14:39:00.001-08:00

I saw my doctor today for the results from my spinal tap last week. There were no surprises. The proteins they expected to see were there which confirms the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I was sort of relieved because if they were not there, then we would have a hard road trying to figure out what was actually going on.
Dr. Copass said, "We are going to wrap you up and try to sell you to the University but if they won't take you then I'll keep you". He says that the University MS Clinic caters to money and not patients but he would like me to be treated there. If they won't treat me (since I have no sponsor and no insurance) then he will treat me himself. He is going to pull some strings and try to get me into the clinic. If anyone can accomplish this, it is Dr. Copass. He said it's going to take a couple weeks for him to get it all sorted out and that he would like to see me again in a month. In the meantime, I will be looking into Yoga for people with MS and continue taking my Baclofen, which seems to helping the pain and weakness in my legs.

Spinal Taps Suck

2010-01-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

I had my spinal tap yesterday and I hated it. Do you know the feeling at the dentist when they give you the Novocaine shot in your gums and they pull in and out and poke around? Well, imagine that in your spine. That's what it felt like. He hit a nerve and I sorta yelled but he immediately moved the giant needle and the weird pain went away. I had some pain in my left SI joint right after the whole thing was over but it went away by the time I went to bed. I can't believe how fast I fell asleep last given the amount of caffeine I took in. I guess the stress of the whole thing just knocked me out.
So far I've followed the doctor's orders (except for sitting at the computer right now) and drank tons of caffeine and stayed flat on my back all evening/night yesterday and have managed to avoid the headache. I have some back pain that feels like a bruise deep in my spinal column but it's manageable. I go to see the Neuro next Thursday for the test results.
Supposed to take it easy today too and stay horizontal and drink plenty of fluids so back to sofa I go......

First Prescription

2009-12-29T21:08:00.000-08:00

I got my first prescription today. I am now taking Baclofen for my legs. So far, no side effects which is nice. The paperwork that came with it says that it can take awhile for it to really start working so we'll see how it goes. After a week or so, if it's not helping a significant amount, I will start taking two a day and cross my fingers for still no side effects. My biggest fear with all these new meds/treatments is the possible horrible side effects.

My doctor has lots of experience with recovering alcoholics and is aware of my sobriety so he prescribed a "safe" medicine (rather than Oxycontin or something). I hit the jackpot with this doctor. He totally rocks. I might actually only get to see him one more time though, for my spinal tap. After that I will probably be handed off to the MS Clinic at the University of Washington where the real fun begins....

Frustrating.....

2009-12-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

My spinal tap was rescheduled for January 7th. Lame. Now I have to take time off of work to have it done. Oh well.

Merry Christmas!!!!

And the verdict is.....

2009-12-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

I have Multiple Sclerosis.

Luckily my brain is unaffected and it's only showing in my lower spine which is why my legs are shaky and I'm having bladder issues. Dr. Copass seems hopeful that we can contain and control it so it shouldn't get much worse than it is. He prescribed some medication for the spasticity in my legs which should also help my bladder. I start taking the meds on Thursday.

MS is a very mysterious disease and many people are affected differently. I'm reading as much as I can about it to make sure that I'm not surprised by any symptoms or treatments that may come up. I am having a spinal tap/lumbar puncture on Thursday morning and then I will know more. There is an MS Clinic at the University of Washington which is where I will be heading for treatments after the first of the year.

I still don't know much about what my future will look like but my spirits are high. All the research I've done shows that MS is a very manageable disease. I WILL however have to quit my dog walking business which is a little sad. It's good money and I get to play outside with dogs all day which, even in the rain and wind, is better than being stuck indoors. I did get a job at my favorite pet store in Fremont where I will be working part-time. I will be able to hand out my business cards and build up my training business which is ultimately what I wanted to do anyway....I just thought I had more time to do it. It will also give me flexibility while I figure out what kind of treatment schedule I will be on.

I've got some big changes coming up in the next few months but I am unafraid. I'm a Coatney, and we Coatneys are fighters ;)

Forgot to mention....

2009-12-04T22:44:00.000-08:00

that my mother is staying with me for awhile while I get all of this health stuff sorted out. She's helping me around the house and making sure that I eat enough....and sleep enough, and eat some more....she's going to put ten pounds on me in a week!
Thank you all for the emails/texts/calls/Facebook/etc support. It means a lot to me and makes me feel less alone in this battle.

MRI!!!!

2009-12-04T16:06:00.000-08:00

I just spoke with the Neurology Clinic and got my MRI scheduled for next Friday the 11th. After that, I go in to see a Neurologist on the 17th to go over my images.
I feel better just knowing that things are moving forward and I will soon know more about why my body is failing me. I hated the Neurologist I saw in the ER and they tried to schedule me with her but I asked for someone different. I told them exactly why I hated her and they scheduled me with Dr. Copass who is apparently some sort of badass legend at Harborview.
Everything is coming together.......

My Health

2009-12-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

This blog is going to be my way of keeping everyone updated on what's going on with my health. It's just easier than individually emailing everyone :)
I've been having some weird symptoms over the last about three years and in the last month they have gotten worse...a lot worse. The worst part is that my legs are not working properly and I am totally exhausted all the time. My legs are shaky and weak and I'm having trouble with my balance and with walking. Two nights ago I woke up at 4am to turn down my heater and when I tried to step out of bed, my legs buckled under me and I hit the ground. I had to crawl to my heater and back to bed. That was the last straw for me.
I've applied for health insurance and was going to wait until January to see a doctor but my stress and frustration level has been getting bad. I was advised that the fastest way to see a Neurologist without going through all the hoops of seeing my doctor, getting a referral, then waiting to see a Neurologist was to go to the ER at Harborview. They have a program for uninsured people and have a Neurologist on-call. I went to the ER Wednesday night and was there for seven hours. I was seen by an MD and a Neurologist. The MD drew a bunch of blood and ran a bunch of tests. All my blood work came back fine. The Neurologist did a bunch of reflex tests, made me walk on my tip toes, poked me and prodded me, pinched my toes..... Finally she said that I need to get an MRI of my brain and spine. YES!!!!!! That's all I really wanted in the first place so it was all worth it. I should be hearing from the Neuro Clinic soon to schedule my MRI. The main reason for the MRI is to try to rule out Multiple Sclerosis. MS causes lesions on the brain and the spinal cord that can be seen in the MRI. All of the symptoms I am having (and believe me, there are A LOT) coincide with MS. There are multiple other diseases that have similar symptoms so now it's just a matter of ruling out what it's NOT...which could take awhile.

Time Flies....

2009-04-03T17:57:00.000-07:00

Update in a nutshell:
Life is good. I am happy and single, I'm getting a roommate tomorrow, Roxy and Nigel are awesome, I am working four jobs right now, I'm having a consultation for my much awaited half-sleeve tattoo next week, I'm getting back to my "roots" in my spiritual and hippie beliefs, and I adopted a third dog in January named Enzo who you can read a little about in a previous blog post

That just about covers it I think.

I GOT AN APARTMENT!

2008-08-15T00:26:00.001-07:00

I got a super sweet apartment in Columbia City and I can't wait to move in on the 1st. I will be living alone (with Nigel and Roxy of course) in a two bedroom place with a huge fenced yard all to ourselves. I couldn't have asked for a better place to live. I am drawn to the South End of town and this place is perfect. It's not quite walking distance to the cutest part of Columbia City but it sure is biking distance :) I am also walking distance to a fabulous Dim Sum restaurant which I'm sure I will be visiting quite often. I might even check out the Buddhist Temple down the street. I am so excited to get into my own place and settle in. I haven't spent much of my life living alone so it will be a change but it is a change I look forward to. I will be able to set up my office and get organized so hopefully next year my business is a little better organized. Now all I need is a couch. Stephanie has given me a coffee table, TV, two DVD players, entertainment center, side table and sofa table which is SO generous of her and is saving me tons of money. I haven't seen them and have no idea what they look like but FREE is my favorite price so I really don't care what they look like. One trip to Target for some bean bags and I should be good to go until I can get a nice sofa and maybe a Starla (guest) bed for the office.

Things are looking up for me and hopefully I can afford life all on my own. I have two little AA buddies who I have been going to meetings with and that has been helping with my mental health SO much. These two guys are new in sobriety and are gung ho about going to meetings so I am tagging along enjoying the ride. My spiritual health is better than it has been in years and I have to say I am very happy right now being alone and focusing on my own personal goals. Dating sober is a whole new ballgame so I am kind of putting that on the back burner for the time being. I need to finish my Steps and finally get a sponsee or two.

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you...

2008-07-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

My life has gone through so many changes over the last couple of months that I don't even know where to begin...it all happened so fast. My four and a half year relationship has ended, my business is doing great, everything I own is in storage while I find a place to live, I met a nice young man with whom I am enjoying spending time, I started smoking again, my brother's dog was killed on the highway near his house, I am trying to decide if I want to re-locate to a city that is less saturated with dog trainers, I've lost about ten pounds, my Fremont house was broken into while I was no longer living there but hadn't totally moved out yet and all my jewelry was taken, I'm growing my hair out, Roxy turns six next week, Nigel has tape worms..... I am handling things pretty darn well though. It's almost like I hit "stimulation overload" and now nothing surprises me and I just take it in stride.
On the bright side, I have been taking lots of pictures, I have an amazing foster dog Daisy, my dogs have been sleeping in my bed with me at night, I spent two days with my family in Oregon, I get to see Megan on Friday, I am making more money than I have since I worked at Jaroslava Day Spa, I am re-connecting with some old friends...life has a funny way of helping you out.

The Day We Hoped Would Never Come--UPDATE

2008-06-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

So Adam failed his Marine Corp testing miserably!!! I have never been so happy that a family member was so unhealthy....it means I get to keep my brother. The Corp is done with him now and he is in the clear.

The Day We Hoped Would Never Come

2008-04-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged anything very important in quite awhile but I have a lot on my mind so I thought I would purge it all here within the safety of the World Wide Web.

I got a phone call from my Momma Faye today. Normally I get one missed call from her and then a few days go by, I call her back and she says,"KENDRA JANE!! I CALLED YOU TWO DAYS AGO!! WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN AN EMERGENCY?!?!?" Today was different. I had three missed calls from her on my phone by the time I had the chance to call her back. She said hello and how are you and blah blah blah and then said she had some news...I asked if it was good or bad and she said bad...

FedEx came to her door today with a letter for my brother Adam from the Marine Corp. She called Adam and they opened it together over the phone and she read it to him. He has been recalled to the Corp to do a 13 month tour in Iraq. We all knew that this day might come. Up until today we have had a couple of scares that he may go over seas but no official letter from the "Commander in Chief". I held it together until we hung up and then I lost it. I have been crying on and off all day since I spoke to her.

I sent my brother a text telling him Momma had called me and I asked him if he was going to be able to come home for a visit (he moved to the South a while ago to pursue a job but left his permanent address at our parents house) or if we all needed to fly to him. He called me a few minutes later. He is being very strong through all of this and is asking us not to freak out yet. He still has to go through his Marine Corp testing to see if he is "capable" to do a tour. He won't actually go overseas until October or so if he passes his physical and other tests. He wants us to just wait and see what happens before we go to see him. I think he is still in shock.

We had a pretty bad scare last year that he might have to go overseas and I gave him my bronze One Year sobriety coin telling him that it was one of my most prized possessions and it kept me alive through my most dangerous and scary year and I wanted him to take it with him so it could keep him safe too. I left the card with the coin in it on the kitchen counter for him to find after I left that day. My Momma tells me he cried when he read it.

A few months after that he called and joked that he had slipped through and wasn't going overseas after all and that he should give it back to me so he didn't lose it. I never got it back and he still has it with him.

It may seem silly to some that a little bronze coin could be so important to a person but in many ways, that coin did save my life and in a weird way it makes me feel better that he will take it with him where ever he ends up.

Don't Give Up on Me Kara!

2008-03-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

I suck at this whole blogging thing the last few months. I have been super busy but that's no excuse.
I officially gave notice at Bone-a-Fide Dog Ranch and my last day is March 27th. I will be fully self employed starting in April. Super scary but very exciting. I am kicking it off with a Dr. Dunbar seminar in Vancouver, B.C. to get me motivated.
Wish me luck and check out my website and/or Myspace page for updates on my exciting little life.

My Website is Up!

2007-09-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

www.evolution-dog-training.com

A Long Story, But Worth the Read

2007-06-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

*I teared up so it's ok if you do too*

My Dog Days

By ARTHUR PHILLIPS
Published: June 10, 2007
NY Times

MY little guy is growing up fast. He’s toilet-trained, he goes uncomplainingly to sleep and he no longer chews on his playmates’ faces until they bleed. He is 8 months old, and I know, years from now, that I will always remember this summer as the time he and I fell in love.

Between this summer and next, this latest beagle — the third of my adult life — will age from zero to 1 (or zero to 7), on a fast track to reduce me to mourning sometime in my early 50s.

But for now, Hamish is at my feet, on the terrace of a Brooklyn cafe, trying to sit still as a writer’s dog should while I work on this essay. I ponder the nature of memory; he chews a gnarled leathery stick that is, the sweet lady at the pet store promised me, 100 percent bull penis.

My girlfriend and I were living in Boston late last century when we bought Edgar, a lemon beagle, who, at 8 weeks old, still just tipped over when he was tired, asleep before he hit the floor.

The acquisition of a puppy implied vast confidence in our relationship; at least one of our parents asked if we’d really thought about our “commitment.” To each other? To the dog? We were already intertwined: that was summer 1995.

Some of my clearest memories of that Boston summer come from Edgar introducing me to the carnival known as “dog parks,” enclosed spaces where dogs are healthy and humans spectacularly neurotic.

The figures come back very sharply (maybe too sharply to be trusted): the man who pulled his healthy Labrador to the park in a shiny red Radio Flyer wagon; the woman who fretted that her female shepherd was made “uncomfortable” by the advances of male dogs; the bearded Viking giant who rolled his gigantic wolf hybrid on its back and growled in its face at the slightest sign of disobedience.

Summer meant watching my girlfriend walk Edgar on the banks of the Charles, where they illustrated the complex physics involved when spandex-clad skaters crossed the axis of a retractable leash. That was the summer of Edgar raiding picnics on the Boston Common, liberating hot dogs from blankets without breaking stride. It was the summer of long, idyllic mornings in the Public Garden, reading Thomas Mann and not quite figuring out my literary ambitions, Edgar always at my side.

But one memory above all gives that summer its place in my life story, and Edgar sits obediently at its center.

My girlfriend and I read in one of our many training books that dogs are happiest when playing games similar to the tasks they were bred for. Shepherds should herd; retrievers retrieve; hounds track. Dog-obsessed, we committed ourselves to this, lest the little fellow’s development be stunted by shabby parenting. Beagles are purported to be rabbit hunters, so we set to work providing our friend with a chance to self-actualize by honing his lagomorphocidal instincts.

In the rippling heat of a Boston July, we took Edgar to a green suburban meadow. He sat dutifully as we dragged a small canvas cylinder drenched in “rabbit scent” through the tall grass, making an aromatic path, then leaving the toy and a dog biscuit hidden at the trail’s end.

“Ready, boy? Get that rabbit!” I urged the stationary beagle, a small Ferdinand the Bull. “Kill the wabbit!”

I tapped his rear, and, as if I could almost hear him say, “I would prefer not to,” he stood up, put his nose to the ground, and walked off, in precisely the opposite direction of the imaginary bunny’s escape.

Edgar sat down again, some 20 feet away, where, I swear, an actual rabbit — aroused to lunacy by the field steaming with eau de lapin — leapt directly over him.

The beauty and strangeness of the sight — reckless prey taunting sleepy predator — led me to the most reckless moment of my life, and I suggested to my girlfriend that she might consider marrying me. She, equally inspired to leap over danger’s cute and furry head, thought the notion not unfeasible.

Six summers later, my wife and I took Edgar and our young son to live in Paris for two years. Its reputation as a dog-centric city is merited but not in a way most American dogs would appreciate. The French have so confounded canine pleasures with their own that they simply treat dogs as marginally furrier, shorter Frenchmen: le chien is welcome to sit on the banquette at the cafe, is warmly greeted when browsing the boutiques, is considered an old friend by the grocer, but is, like le français bipède, strictly forbidden from setting paw on green grass.
This reversal of Boston — no dog parks, just cafes — was disorienting to Edgar and me, both of us now in early middle age, our timelines crossing there in Paris. So we marched up and down the Seine, his leash hooked to the stroller, and we discovered that the beagle’s natural prey is not the rabbit, but the baguette.

I have no shortage of non-dog memories from Paris, but the chronology clarifies itself instantly when I remember this: whenever we came home, even in the hottest, most unconditioned air, Edgar still ran up the three flights of crimson-carpeted staircase to our door, his back legs propelling in unison, like a dwarf kangaroo. But, only a single summer later, when we had moved our growing family to the coast of South Carolina, Edgar walked upstairs one leg at a time.

He and I forged a new summer routine on the Atlantic Coast, more suited to a dog of later middle years and his suddenly younger human. The extreme heat allowed us outside only early in the morning and late in the evening, and then we walked on the beach.

Edgar, beach, sunset: and at once I have those summers in detail. We wandered the shore, confident without a leash, and I would occasionally slow down for my friend, now definitely older than I, while (and you’ll have to trust me) dolphins arched and leapt not 30 feet from our wet bare feet and paws. A pod of four to six would, on some fine nights, keep unlikely perfect pace with us, matching our step for a mile or two.

Because of new zoning laws that require all novelists to live in Brooklyn, we moved to the borough a few years back, my two children, my wife and our elderly dog, Edgar.

Despite all the evidence of passing time (my younger boy could talk, my older liked school, I was writing my third novel), nothing brings back that first New York summer any faster than the memory of Edgar not terribly interested in the dogs at the dog park near our home, and the summer after that, him slow with cancer, an old, old fellow with no interest in much of anything but trying to find a comfortable position on the couch.

That same pup who had, 11 summers before, blessed my betrothal in the tall grass of the Boston suburbs, I now carried in my arms the six blocks from our Brooklyn home to the veterinary hospital where the final kindness I could do my old friend at the end of our last walk was to give him the injection that made his tired body kick, then shudder, then sleep.

Will I — 40 years hence — distinguish between the summer my son was 8 and the one he was 9? I admit: maybe not. But, with a dog, for whom fewer than 15 summers is a lifetime, each new, accelerating summer memorably marks my slower life, too.

It seems like summer today. Brooklyn looks wonderful. The cherry and the white pear blossoms have fallen, but it’s not too hot yet. Ellis Island floats, sharply focused, an easy jump off the end of Atlantic Avenue. We have just come from the dog park where Hamish and a greyhound puppy have rolled down a hill wrapped in each other’s paws, each chewing on the other’s face.

At the cafe, his leash is binding my shins as I try and fail to find the words to express all this. He has made a gift of his half-consumed bull penis to the nice people at the table next to me. He is putting his paws up on my lap. I have reset the clock of my memory with this new puppy, staring up with floppy ears and brown eyes, asking when, oh when, can we leave this place and go for another unforgettable walk?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/opinion/10phillips.html

Puppies for Adoption

2007-05-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Cheyenne

All of these little cuties are available for adoption. Please contact Ellen Boyle for more information.
yogainspires@msn.com
206-295-5135

Keeva Went Home Today

2007-04-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

Keeva went to a wonderful home in Eatonville with five acres, three girls, mom, dad and a yellow lab named Pearl. This family has had Keeva's picture on their microwave for a week. When we arrived at their house, the four-year-old girl came running at us yelling, "KEEVA! KEEVA!" It was so cute. They are a really great family and have beautiful property for Keeva to grow up on. They agreed to send me at least one picture a year of Keeva forever and ever
I will miss her but it is nice to have the household back to just me and Devon and the "kids". Things were geting a little crazy around here.

Reminded

2007-04-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

I just got home from a meeting and it is the second one I have been to in about seven months. Bad. I should be going to AT LEAST one a week. I went to my homegroup because I received a phone call from Denise asking if I could chair the meeting. I am not "allowed" to say no to this (unless I have an engagement I can't miss) so I say thank you for calling and get ready to go to my eight o'clock meeting. In my sick mind I am thinking I am going to be given a million guilt trips for being gone for so long so I start to get anxious and nervous. Instead I was received with open arms. Literally. Hugs galore.

It was a moving meeting a friend of mine was there and she looked tired. Tired and strung out. She shared that in February she had relapsed. This hit me deep. That could have been me. I stopped going to meetings just like she did. I stopped calling people just like she did. I isolated just like she did. I made excuses just like she did.

If you've never overcome addiction it is hard to understand what a relapse would feel like. I have had so many relapse dreams over the last three years that I know exactly how I would feel when I took that first drink or line or hit. It would be euphoria, ecstacy, misery and self hate all at once hitting you like a nine pound hammer right in the stomach. She said she picked up right where she left off just before she hit bottom. You hear of this happening but never quite believe that after so much time you go right back to how you were when you quit. That was a horrible, unhappy place for me and I was reminded tonight how easily I could go back there.

Being in a group of people sharing their fears, hopes, dreams and confessing things that most people would have a coronary over, is a powerful thing. We all have one thing in common: we are all addicts. This is a higher power than anything else I have ever experienced.

We Got a Puppy

2007-04-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

She's our foster dog and I named her Keeva. She was a stray found by one of Devon's co-workers who contacted Devon through another co-worker because they knew what I do for a living. I picked her up today at 1pm and so far she is super energetic. SUPER energetic. The vet that saw her said she looks like a pitbull/cattle dog mix. She is so freakin cute but is going to need plenty of exercise. I am hoping to her poop tested tomorrow so I can take her to the ranch to play.

Roxy has been so playful with her. She is chasing her around and trying to get Keeva to play. I hope I get some sleep tonight. She is getting used to the crate but is a little whiny. She just realized that she has a frozen marrow bone in her crate so she is a finally chewing on that. If she is hard to foster and keeps Devon up at night, I may never get to have another foster ever again so lets hope she does well.

Jealous? Yes.

2007-04-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

Devon got himself a new ride today (please also notice our super awesome carport in the background).

All Dogs, All the Time

2007-04-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call this morning around 8:30 from Jeff (the trainer I work for nights and weekends). He asked if I could take over teaching ALL of the Kindergarten, Intermediate and Advanced classes because Fred needs a break. I gladly said yes! Jeff also mentioned an upcoming venture that could result in me working for him full time. No details yet, but we are meeting Monday to discuss things further. I love working at Bone-a-Fide but I would really like to train dogs full time if given the choice. This could be a very rewarding Summer for me. More training equals more money. For now, I am living one day at a time and have a pedicure scheduled for Sunday as an early celebration. Plus, the sun is out and that means sandal season!

2007-03-21T22:53:00.001-07:00

Dear Animal Lovers,

It will be almost a year since I have emailed you about the Longview Shelter
and the 13 healthy, adoptable dogs that were all put down in one day.

The shelter director Scott Chamberlain is no longer the director & now
the board is seeking a new solid replacement.

We would very much like to see them hire someone who can run the
shelter's administrative and business end, yet has a solid heart and
mind for the most effective way to rescue and rehome the many wonderful
animals that enter that shelter day in and day out.

Our rescue team have been very involved with the Humane Society of
Cowlitz County since the incident and and have saved well over 100
animals out of that shelter since last summer, and we continue our assistance daily.

We need a good shelter director that really cares about the animals,
believes in spaying and neutering, supports strong adoption and rescue programs, and more.

They are taking applications below.

If you know anyone who would qualify and would like to apply please let
them know. We want what is best for the animals welfare as every dog or
cat that enters there deserves that second chance.

Thanks, Ginger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is an ad in today's Longview Daily News for opening as ED at HSCC. Contact person is Wayne Lunday @ wlunday@comcast.net . Closes 326/2007

Just in case any of you is interested or knows someone that is interested. Now is the time.

My Foster Dog

2007-03-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

My foster dog stinks to high heaven.
I don't know for sure what breed he is.
His eyes are blank and hard.
He won't let me pet him and growls when I reach for him.

He has ragged scars and crusty sores on his skin.
His nails are long and his teeth, which he showed me, are stained.
I sigh. I drove two hours for this.

I carefully maneuver him so that I can stuff him in the crate.
Then I heft the crate and put it in the car.
I am going home with my new foster dog.

At home I leave him in the crate till all the other dogs are in the yard.
I get him out of the crate and ask him if he wants "outside."
As I lead him to the door he hikes his leg on the wall
and shows me his stained teeth again.

When we come in, he goes to the crate because that's
the only safe place he sees.
I offer him food but he won't eat it if I look at him, so I turn my back.
When I come back, the food is gone.

I ask again about "outside."
When we come back, I pat him before I let him in the crate,
he jerks away and runs into the crate to show me his teeth.

The next day I decide I can't stand the stink any longer.
I lead him into the bath with cheese in my hands.
His fear of me is not quite overcome by his longing for the cheese.
And well he should fear me, for I will give him a bath.

After an attempt or two to bail out he is defeated and stands there.
I have bathed four legged bath squirters for more years than he has been alive.
His only defense was a show of his stained teeth,
that did not hold up to a face full of water.

As I wash him, it is almost as if I wash not only the stink and dirt away
but also some of the hardness.
His eyes look full of sadness now.
And he looks completely pitiful as only a soap covered dog can.

I tell him that he will feel better when he is cleaned.
After the soap, the towels are not too bad, so he lets me rub him dry.

I take him outside. He runs for joy.
The joy of not being in the tub and the joy of being clean.

I, the bath giver, am allowed to share the joy.
He comes to me and lets me pet him.

One week later I have a vet bill.
His skin is healing. He likes for me to pet him. I think.
I know what color he will be when his hair grows in.

I have found out he is terrified of other dogs.
So I carefully introduce him to my mildest four legged brat.
It doesn't go well.

Two weeks later a new vet bill for an infection, that
was missed on the first visit.
He plays with the other dogs.

Three weeks later his coat shines, he has gained weight.
He shows his clean teeth when his tongue lolls out
after he plays chase in the yard with the gang.

His eyes are soft and filled with life.
He loves hugs and likes to show off his tricks, if you
have the cheese.

Someone called today and asked about him,
they saw the picture I took the first week.
They asked about his personality, his history, his breed.
They asked if he was pretty. I asked them lots of questions.

I checked up on them.
I prayed.
I said yes.

When they saw him the first time they said
he was the most beautiful dog they had ever seen.

Six months later, I got a call from his new family.
He is wonderful, smart, well behaved, and very loving.

How could someone not want him?
I told them I didn't know.
He is beautiful.
Aren't they all?

Arthur Unknown ~

Canadian Seal Slaughter

2007-03-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

Stop the Seal Hunt!

Need a Companion?

2007-03-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Look HERE

Portland Barbie

2007-03-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you familiar with Portland, this is funny.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Mattel recently announced the release of limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Portland and surrounding areas market:

....
...."Vancouver Barbie"
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

....
...."Hawthorne Barbie"
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow . She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Midtown Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.

....
...."Lake Oswego Barbie"
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of Rolls Royce convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.

....
...."Beaverton Barbie"
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

....
...."Stark St. Barbie"
This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the multiple snap-on parts.

....
...."Clackamas Barbie"
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) ..unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.

....
...."West Hills Barbie"
She's perfect in every way. We don't know where Ken is because he's always out a-'huntin'.

....
...."Pearl District Barbie"
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as warehouse conversion condo.

....
...."Forest Heights Barbie"
This princess Barbie is sold only at The Galleria. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade, Prada and LV Handbags, Rolex watch a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a 25,000 sq ft. patio home. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

....
...."Estacada Barbie"
This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.

....
...."Gresham, Hillsboro, and other outlying suburbs Barbie"
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Butler Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

..
.. ..

NO I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING CDL!

2007-02-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

(the famous last words before being read my rights)
As of yesterday, it has been three whole years since I went to jail for my DUI. Legally I can no longer be penalized. I will be back to normal car insurance rates and this makes me so happy. Luckily we have been getting Devon's employee discount rate through Safeco so our rates have been affordable but now we can switch to a better car insurance without fear of rejection.
I can't believe I made it through the last three years alive. It has been hell. If anyone tells you that getting a DUI is no big deal call them a liar. It is a huge stress. It caused me to be turned down for jobs, kicked off the car insurance I had been on since age 15 and generally be judged and looked down upon by so-called friends.
I am glad I got arrested that night. If I hadn't, who knows where I might be. Devon wouldn't have stuck around very long that is for sure. I probably wouldn't be as far along in my dog training career as I am today. I would probably still be wasting my nights at the bar or at parties.
I needed the wake up call that February night that I used the "f" word toward a cop several times before I got cuffed and shoved into the back of the cop car.
It has been a rough three years (to say the least) but I am sober and happy.
Here's to the rest of my life!

I Love Enzo

2007-02-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

I do some volunteer work for a small dog rescue and Enzo is one of the dogs that I temperment tested with Nigel and he did great so when Enzo needs some playtime, he comes over and romps with Nigel. This guy is such a goofball. The first time he came over he jumped up on the couch and started nuzzling and rolling all in the cushions.

He came over again today and after he pottied outside he came running into the house, pushed his way through the sliding doors into the guest room (knocking one of the doors off the track and onto the floor), jumped up on the bed and started his rolling and nuzzling moves on the guest bed.

All the blankets ended up on the floor so he moved to floor to continue his favorite manuevers.

All this excitement transferred to Nigel and the party started.

They were a few breaks to get some water and to catch their breath but it didn't take long before they were back at it.

I think I had just as much fun watching them as they did playing and wrestling. Enzo is up for adoption and if I could I would love to keep him but there are too many reasons why we can't have another dog :( If you know anyone looking for a giant goofball of a dog to have forever or to foster, have them contact me at evolutiondogtraining@gmail.com

To view Enzo's entire photo album of his adventures at our house, click on the photo below

Enzo the Wonder Dog

Innocent Katrina Dogs Shot to Death by Police

2007-01-28T16:10:00.001-08:00

Read here

My First Rescue

2007-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Bright and early this morning Carina and I drove to Pacific, WA to pick up a dog named Precious (who's name has now been changed to Honey). There had been complaints about her barking and someone contacted Pasado's Safe Haven and in a whirlwind of emails, Carina contacted me to help. When Carina first went to see Honey she began barking and her owner came out to quiet her by beating the crap out of her. Carina got serious about rescuing this poor girl. It took Carina several trips down to Pacific (including one with me at night trying to free Honey...on our own...long story) and finally today the owner surrendered her and signed her over. We had to get her out of the yard, off her chain (which is where she spent most of her time) and into my truck safely. The owner, Angela, put the muzzle on Honey but Honey hated it and immediately removed it. We had to wing it. Angela got Honey on a leash and she then pulled Angela to the ground. Not much control of the strong puller and not safe for us if she totally lost control. Once we got through the house, I took the leash and everything seemed just fine. She is a strong girl and pulled me as hard as she could and ended up wrapping her leash around my leg. She was reluctant to get into the truck so Angela lifted her and we were on our way to Rainier Vet where she would be examined and spayed and live for a few days. She did great in the truck but once we got to the vet she didn't want to get out of the truck. All the city noises and new people were freaking her out. She wouldn't let me get close enough to hook the leash to her collar so I made a "lasso" and tossed it around her neck. It took us about two hours to get her out of the truck (we eventually had to pull her out by the leash)and into the vets office. She hated the smooth linoleum floors and backed out with all her might several times. Once we finally got her to her kennel she was not too excited about getting in so we petted her and she laid her head on my lap and adored having some positive attention from humans. We finally had to push her into the kennel and she only growled a little (PHEW!). She seemed happy to be in the quiet and to be surrounded by bits of food and treats.
Things could have been so much worse. We knew nothing about this dog when we offered to help her. She turned out to be pretty sweet once she started to relax and let us give her some lovin'.

Dispicable

2007-01-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

American soldiers in Iraq throw rocks at a crippled, disabled dog.

Read more here.

My Crazy Weirdo

2007-01-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

Evolution Dog Training

2007-01-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

New Year Resolution

2007-01-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

As the year was coming to an end last night, I was reflecting on possible New Year Resolutions. I generally don't make resolutions because it normally just sets me up for failure. I really put some thought into it last night and am going to try to do my best:

1. More exercise. I have an active job but it's really just not enough.

2. Less junk food. I am turning 28 in February and think it's about time to start eating better.

3. More special time with my sexy man

4. Balance my checkbook

5. Get my business organized and up and moving

Enough is Enough

2006-12-31T16:31:00.000-08:00

When will it ever end?

15th Avenue South, Seattle

2006-12-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

About every two weeks Devon and I notice that a car on our street has been side swiped or hit during the night with no note for explanation. Yesterday we found that it had happened again only this time to my work van. Whoever hit my van is probably in pretty bad shape. There is coolant all over the street and tons of debris from the other car. I think my van is driveable, but have yet to try. I am waiting for a return phone call from my boss. My van was hit so hard, everything that was on my dashboard is on the floor.
Since we moved to this neighborhood I have thought that we live in the neighborhood with the worst (and most rude) drivers in the city. Cars fly down 15th and very rarely stop for pedestrians. When I emailed a complaint about this to the Seattle Department of Transportation, they replied by telling me to stand at the nearest intersection (15th and Atlantic) and drivers (by law) are supposed to stop for pedestrains. It doesn't matter where you stand on 15th. Drivers very rarely stop and sometimes they empty the puddle on the street all over your nice clean clothes. I must constantly remind myself that we only pay $700 for a two bedroom house with a huge backyard and this comes with a price.

Buy My Stuff

2006-12-29T20:24:00.000-08:00

Myspace

2006-12-12T20:05:00.000-08:00

So I have been trying to hate Myspace, but I just can't. One more time it has brought me joy in an old friend finding me.

San Francisco Trip

2006-12-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

We were in San Francisco this last weekend for my friend Starla's birthday. We took a lovely drive drive down Highway 1 to the Monteray Bay Aquarium, stopping in Santa Cruz for lunch, and I now am obsessed with jellyfish. They are so freaking amazing.
See all the pictures here.
We had so much fun I don't even know where to begin. One thing I know for sure after this weekend: I suck at iceskating. (see below how I iceskate...note the look of fear as I cling to the wall) Starla (looking cute and coy) and Lily also pictured.

A Real Haircut...sort of

2006-11-30T22:05:00.000-08:00

So Tuesday night I went over to my friend Shelley's house to help her with her Christmas tree. Angela, who is a hair stylist, also helped. I asked Angela for a quick trim in exchange for a shoulder rub. She's a sucker for massage and I hate spending money for a haircut since they have been practically free for almost six years (because I worked in a hair salon/spa and traded for haircuts). In Shelley's kitchen, Angela worked some magic. She cleaned up the mullet-about-to-form back of my hair and then made my bangs all cute. Since March I have only had one "real" haircut and that was five minutes and five bucks in the chair to clean up my neck-region. I shaved my head and that saved me a lot of money on haircuts but it was past time for me to get a real haircut (I had been trimming my own hair with paper-cutting scissors which infuriates Angela when I tell her).
I have made the decision to not color my hair (because I can't afford it), grow it out a little and pay Angela for "real" haircuts ($60) every 8 weeks or so. I love my hair short but I need the damaging effects of hair color to help with styling my short hair so since I can't afford color, I can't afford short hair.
Maybe one day I will go bald again...it was the epitome of low maintenance.

above photo March 8th, 2006

I was trying to get a new picture of my hair and asked Devon to help and this is what I got:

You can still get a little glimpse of my new cute cut. Devon is currently heckling me about my blog about my hair...boys just don't understand so I put silly pictures up of him to get even :)

My Other Blog

2006-11-28T23:19:00.000-08:00

Please look over my other blog. I do my best to help dogs in every way I can and there are a lot of adoptable dogs and dogs that need foster homes listed. Please pass along any information that you can.

Thank you!

Snowy Night

2006-11-27T18:25:00.000-08:00

This is the view from our front porch at 5:40pm tonight. If you look closely, you can see the I-90 is covered with snow too.
I was suppossed to teach Intermediate Obedience tonight, but that got cancelled. I have been in the house all day and by the looks of it, won't be working tomorrow either. I sure hope I get paid for snow days...

Devon hates me because no matter how bad the weather gets he still has to work. His commute involves rolling out of bed, going to the bathroom and then settling in at his desk in the "office" which is also our spare room (where he is currently slumbering with the dogs).

Time for pajamas, hot cider and a good movie since I've already lost Devon for the night.

SNOW DAY!!!

2006-11-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Every morning I call in to work to find out if my route/dog list has changed for the day before I set out to pick up all the doggies. This morning I called and got no answer so I headed toward my first dog's house. Just before my left turn onto 23rd from Yesler, the ranch called.
"Hey. How's it going?" says Gordon
"Pretty good" says me.
"Hey we cancelled daycare for the day. We don't want anyone getting in an accident and there is seven inches of snow up here" Gordon replies.
"OK. I'll turn around and go home then" I say and then smile big and do the happy dance on the inside. YAY!! I get to go home and go back to bed!!!
I thought snow days ended when I got out of school. I felt like a little girl when my mom would come in and tell me to go back to sleep, it's a snow day.

Post Thanksgiving Bloat

2006-11-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

It's over....thank goodness. I have consumed so much food over the last few days. I cooked my first turkey and we had some friends over and it was very nice. Last night my brother and sister-in-law came over to help finish off the left overs. There is still some cleaning to do but not much food left. Phee-you. Time to relax for a couple weeks (days?) and then Christmas Craziness will officially start. At least we have a mini vacation planned in two weeks to break up the holiday season.

I Love My Job

2006-11-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

The best job I have ever had!
My friend Laura has given her notice to Roscoe's Ranch to come to work with me! Laura was my manager at Roscoe's when I worked there last winter and the owner is a dick and she deserves better. My boss Gordon wanted to hire another daycare driver and told Laura about it and the rest is history! YAY!!

Stayed Home Sick Today

2006-10-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was washing my hands when I got home from work I felt like someone took pliers to my right kidney and began to twist. I doubled over in pain, hit the floor and starting bawling, gritting my teeth and wincing to bear the pain. This was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life and it lasted about 5 minutes.
This morning as I was getting ready for work, it happened again. I couldn't even stand up the pain was so bad. I called work and let them know what was going on.
I have a company van that is used to drive around and pick up dogs. It's not the easiest job to cover when someone is sick. Sonja had to drive from Snohomish to my house, get my van, drive around and pick up my dogs, take them to the ranch, play with them for three hours, drive them all home, then bring my van back to me (I live on Beacon Hill) and then drive home to Mill Creek. Sonja kicks ass for covering me today so I could rush to the doctor's office, sit for an hour while chugging water so I could pee into a cup so they could test it to see what was going on.
Diagnosis: UTI and Kidney infection to be treated with antibiotic Cipro. Worst pain I have ever experienced.
All this to kick off the weekend...fun times ahead.

My Favorite Painting

2006-10-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

I was reading Kara's blog about her time in Morocco and it reminded me of my favorite painting that I own. It cost me $10 at a garage sale in Hillsboro, OR about ten years ago.

If anyone happens to know anything about it (long shot, I know), let me know. It's unsigned and I would love to know who painted it.

A little freaked out...

2006-10-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

While I was writing the last post I heard gunshots outside my house. It's just me and the dogs here right now and I am a little shakey. I will have to rely on Roxy for safety until Devon returns.
I guess cheap rent comes with a price...

I'm a WINNER!

2006-10-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

Devon and I went to the music store today so he could get a bass drum beater and we were told they were having a raffle and we should stick around. The first drawing was for a Gibson t-shirt, and I won it. Pretty exciting! We were told we should come back at 3:00 for the drum kit raffle, so we did and didn't win. We waited in the parking lot in the truck until 3:30 for the raffle of the guitar. When we went back in they drew a number and it wasn't ours so I wasn't paying much attention when they drew the next number. I thought it was probably for a deck of cards or something. Well, they called MY number and I went to front and this guy puts this huge box in front of me with a big smile on his face. Turns out I won a complete guitar pack! Guitar, practice amp, guitar strap, picks, soft guitar case and a little sheet with beginning chords to learn! Can you believe it? Now I just need to learn how to play the damn thing!

TAGGED!!

2006-10-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

(Thanks Kara)
So I am supposed to pick 5 songs that I want played at my funeral...Devon is going to disown me after he reads this I'm sure. He has WAY better taste in music than me.

First and foremost my MOST favorite song in the whole wide world:
1. "It Could Be Sweet" by Portishead
Crank it up, close your eyes and get lost in Beth Gibbons' voice.

2. "Rockabye" by Ani DiFranco
Because I love this song

3. "Lie in Our Graves" by Dave Mathews

4. "The Walk" by Frank Outhet and Stephan ?
Because it's a great song and it reminds me of good times, good times...

5. "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers
Because it reminds me of my dad when I was a kid and it's some good advice for life.

DONE!!!

9th Step

2006-10-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

If you know nothing about or lack interest in 12 step programs, stop reading right HERE.

I officially started my 9th step about 3 minutes ago via email. If feels good. Now the ball is rolling...
If you are curious about the steps, here ya go:

The 12 Suggested Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol--that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

It's a tall order, but worth every tear that falls. This is how I keep my sanity.

Miles Needs a Home

2006-10-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

If you or someone you know wants a dog, please consider Miles. He is about five years old, great with kids, great with dogs and super sweet to boot! He is past all the craziness of puppyhood/adolescence and is in the prime of his life! His family has a two-year daughter and another baby on the way. They want to find a family that can give Miles the attention he deserves. Please email with any questions you may have. Thank you! roxys.mamaATgmail.com

My Adorable Nephew, Porter

2006-09-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

My brother is not actually a hick...I swear.

Bloggin' Away

2006-09-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

I am trying to find a cool webpage to steal cool templates from for my blog so if anyone knows of any, please enlighten me. I am finding that people take this blogging thing pretty seriously and get angry when you don't comment on their blogs so I am going to get serious and post and read and comment on all blogs that I come across. I need to make my blog more cool too so hook a sista up with some free templates and shit. Shooooot...

I NEED WATER!!!!!

2006-09-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

We have a leak somewhere in our plumbing and water has been filling our street for a few days. Our landlord is trying to fix it but in the meantime we have to have our water turned off!
Imagine being surrounded by dogs all day...three of the hours are outsdoors in the hot sun with about 50 dogs running around you poking their nose in your crotch and butt and drooling all over your legs and licking your arms while you pick up the tennis ball with a chuck it and throw it about a ba-zillion times to appease the barking, hyper hunting-type dogs...the other 5 hours are in a van full of them panting and barking and whining wanting to get the fuck out the stinking hot van and home to their mommies. Now imagine coming home after a day like this and NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE A SHOWER!!! Gross. I am going outside to turn on the fucking water for a few minutes so I can de-stink myself. My landlord did give us a key to the empty house next door so we can poop in a toilet that flushes. Sweet.

Bone-a-Fide Dog Ranch

2006-09-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

I survived the first two days as a doggie daycare taxi driver. I am being "trained" by the girl I am replacing. Her name is Jen. I'd like to kill her. She is treating me like an embicile and I am so glad tomorrow is her last day or I might actually kill her.
My job seems like it is going to be fun. I keep my van at my house and each morning I call in and get my list of dogs that need to be picked up. I plan my route and head out. After all the dogs are picked up I drive them to the ranch for playtime. Right after I get to the ranch I get an hour lunch break so I am actually playing eith the dogs for about two hours. There are two other vans that pick up dogs so we have anywhere from 30-50 dogs running rampant at the ranch that we watch over. At about 2:30 we herd the dogs into the area where the vans are. load them up, do a head count and take them home. The staff is cool and I hope this turns out to be a good deal because I am tired of changing jobs.

Life Stuff in a Nutshell

2006-09-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

I hate my job so I have decided to quit. I have been looking for a job for a couple of weeks now and had a really great interview this morning at a place called Bone-a-Fide Dog Ranch. I applied for the position of doggie chauffeur. I would drive the bus to pick up 10-17 dogs around North Seattle and take them to the ranch. I would then play with them and clean up after them for about 3 hours and then drive them home. I would park the bus at my house each night. The interview went very well and I really like the ranch. The best part is that it is a Monday thru Friday job so I will actually have weekends off!!!!!! I should find out tonight if I get the job. If they decide to hire me, I will start Monday! Not much notice for my current job, but they know I want to leave. My boss here is a psycho. I could build up a nice massage business here, but I cannot deal with working with the owner/manager.

Fred (my co-trainer at Sound Animals) and I went to Montana two weekends ago for a dog training seminar with Jean Donaldson. We drove 12 hours to get there on Friday and the seminar was Saturday and Sunday. We now know more about each other (Fred and I) than we ever though we would need to know. After the seminar on Sunday we drove to Missoula to sleep and then drove on home Monday morning. The seminar was fabulous and I learned a lot about dog behavior and training.

Last weekend I helped my Padre and Momma Faye move to their swanky new house that was just built on my brother's property. They are getting settled into retirement nicely and will be able to watch Porter (my nephew) grow up.

Other than these things, I have been keeping busy helping teach obedience classes, trying to spend time with Devon, going to job interviews and trying to manage to get enough sleep.

Keith in the Carport

2006-08-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Devon and I just moved to a house on Beacon Hill and we quickly learned that a man named Keith and his wife were living in our carport. Our carport is detached from the house and down at the sidewalk level. When I got home from work today and was walking up to the house, I saw a man prying his way through the broken carport roll-down door. I asked if he was Keith and he said yes. I introduced myself and he shook my hand and said hello. I could smell liquor on his breathe but he seemed nice. About an hour and a half later Roxy barks to let me know someone is at the door. I turn on the porch light and look through the peep hole and all I can see is that someone was holdng a food dish with foil wrapped over it. I slowly opened the door and there is a woman standing there. I say hello and she begins to tell me (with liquor on her breath, speaking very slowly) that her name is Jo Ellen and she has been living in the carport since November. It is her place and if Keith acts up she will tell him to leave because, see, she can get her own dinner. She said she is homeless and I said not really because she has the carport. She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me. As she was walking away I said, "Take it easy" and she says, "I love you too girl".

My First Blogger Blog

2006-08-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

So I am going to try out this blogging thing. I occassionally blog on Myspace and I think I have some MSN blog that I never use...Those who know me know that I like to talk and I am opinionated so this blog thing shouldn't be too hard. Stay tuned for exciting things on my new blog.