Monday, July 28, 2008

Things that Samson likes to eat

This afternoon we took Samson in to see our vet for an inocculation for Bordatella and a wellness exam. We are getting ready to introduce Samson to boarding and doggie day care, and the place where we want to board him required an updated inoculation and exam. Samson had been seen by Dr. Rick in November, soon after we brought him home. Samson was still borderline feral, and he was none too happy to be poked and prodded by Dr. Rick. Today was a completely different story. I went to Dr. Rick's office from my work, as Deirdre went home to get Mr. Handsome and took him in her car to his office. The last time Samson paid our vet a visit, he was barking and agitated. He was fearful of anyone touching him and was generally a pest. Today, Samson bounded out of Dee's car and he was eager to get inside and meet new friends. We were the last patient of the day so as soon as we got inside, we were taken to the exam room. However, before we went to the room, Samson was weighed. Today, his weight was 103lbs. In November, he weighed 76lbs. Yep, Samson has been living the good life with us. Truth be told, Dr. Rick told us last November Samson was "a little thin," but we were surprised to see that he had gained 27lbs!

Back to the exam. Dr. Rick's able bodied assistant Jen came in to speak to us and to say hello to Samson. The last time Jen saw him he wanted nothing to do with her, cowering in the corner of the exam room, trying to avoid all contact. Today, Samson immediately went to Jen, licking her face with his ears flat back on his head. As soon as Jen started to pet him, he rolled over on his back, a complete expression of his submission to her. Jen was so happy to see Samson and she said, "You guys have done great things with him." We discussed with Jen, in-between puppy kisses and licks, what we needed done. Jen left to brief Dr. Rick, and in a few minutes they both returned.

As soon as Dr. Rick and Jen returned, Samson had to go say hello to them both, as if re-acquainting himself with long lost friends. Samson was docile and loving, twice rolling on his back as if to say, "Please rub my belly. Please?" Dr. Rick gave Samson a quick once over and then prepared to give him the Bordatella inoculation. Samson was a good patient and in no time, Dr. Rick had given Samson his shot. Dr. Rick then
wanted to look at Samson's teeth, but he was a hesitant as at the last visit, Samson was not a very cooperative patient. This time, things were different. I told Samson to sit, he immediately complied and Dr. Rick was able to carefully and thoroughly examine his teeth. Checking a dog's teeth is not an easy task if the dog does not want it done. However, Samson was all to happy to comply. Dr. Rick was very happy with the change in Samson's deportment since our last visit, and he said to us, "Samson is a completely different dog. Frankly, I was worried about him and you when he was last here. You have done great things with him. His new temperment is a testament to you as great pet owners." Dr. Rick took care of our beloved Allie the last 6 years of her life and he knew how she communicated with us. Samson was a clean slate. He was also an almost feral slate when we got him. What a difference 8 months makes in changing a dog's habits.

We also spoke about Samson's weigh gain, as Dr. Rick thought that he could afford to lose a few pounds. Allie was one of those few dogs who are totally self regulating. We did not feed her twice or three times a day. We just kept food in her dish and she ate when she was hungry. Samson, however, is fed twice a day and the kibble and soft food in his dish is quickly eaten. Allie also suffered from terrible food allergies. We could only feed her a soy based dry food, and then only organic puppy treats. Allie would look at us with huge eyes whenever I cooked chicken or salmon of steak, hoping that we would share a few morsels with her. Unfortunately, we could not as her resultant allergic reaction might last for days. Thanfully, Samson does not suffer from any sort of food allergies. He can eat pretty much anything. In the course of the past eight months, here is a partial list of foods Samson likes to eat:

Beef, in any form
Chicken
Tuna fish
Apples
Strawberries
Zuchinni
Romaine lettuce
Iceberg lettuce
Red leaf lettuce
Boston leaf lettuce
Corn
Rice
Cous cous
Milk
Ice cream (especially ice cream)
Peanut butter
Carrots
Celery
Blue cheese dressing
Ceasar dressing
Beer
Diet Coke
Toast
Bread
Ice cubes
Tomatoes
Olives
Cheese

Again, this is a partial list. No doubt it will expand in time. Life agrees with Samson.


Monday, July 21, 2008

Blucher mocs and other tales...

OK, I have been a bit of a slacker this past week. I did not update my blog and I am catching heck for it.

I was busy at work and I have been taking care of Princess. She had a great post-op visit with her surgeon this past week and the date for the removal
of the Pin. I also received my new blucher mocs, and I am slowly breaking in the leather.

As for updates on Polly Pinfoot and Deb, here we go:

1) Polly Pinfoot: 3 days and a wake up and the pin comes out. To say that she is excited is an incredible understatement.

2) Deb: Deb goes under the knife on Monday, 28 July to have a screw removed from her leg. She continues to rehab and she is doing well, but the screw in her tibia needs to be removed. She will be under general anesthesia for an hour or so during the procedure.

I will endeavor to be more vigilant in updating my blog this week. Mea culpa.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The simple joy of blucher mocs

I am a 40-something year old male who essentially has two pairs of shoes: Blucher mocs and running shoes. OK, I do have some grown up shoes, which I wear for work. I also have to wear socks with these grown up shoes, but I do not have to wear socks with my blucher mocs. I do not like to wear socks, but since the General is paying me to dress the part and wear socks and shoes. However, as soon as I get home from work, I change into shorts, a t-shirt and I slip on my blucher mocs. These shoes have been my constant companion for over 25 years. When I was in high school and college, I tended to wear Sperry Topsiders. These were my shoes of choice as I spent a lot of time on boats and these shoes did were known for their non-marking soles. If you ever want to make a boat owner angry, wear shoes that leave a mark on the deck of their boat. You will never be asked to return. I went through a pair of Topsiders about every season as the soles woudl quickly wear down.

When I was in college, I purchased my first pair of LL Bean blucher mocs. I bought these shoes on a whim as they looked like the venerable Topsiders, but they were a little less expensive. As w
as customary during that time, I saw the shoes in an LL Bean catalogue, dialed an 800 number and placed my order for the shoes. A few days later the shoes were delivered by a UPS truck. I opened the box and immediately put the mocs on my sockless feet. They were immediately comfortable and required no "break in" period. The leather was soft and supple and the sole, though brown not white like my Topsiders, was equally flexible. These shoes were comfortable, wore like iron and rarely showed dirt. I found my shoe.

Thus began an uninterrupted period of over 24 years of me wearing blucher mocs. My first pair last a couple of years. The leather was fine, but the soles had worn out. I purchased another pair, not knowing that I could send the shoes back to LL Bean and have them replaced. Following the purchase of my second pair of mocs, I found myself as an officer in the Navy stationed in Guam. The mocs were perfect for island living. The shoes were virtually indestrucible, shed salt water like a duck's back and were perfect for my time there. When I was living in Guam I discovered the ability of LL Bean to re-sole my mocs. When my mocs were getting a little ragged, I ordered a replacement pair (by mail!) and as soon as the shoes arrived I sent my well worn shoes back to Maine to have the soles replaced. I repeated this process more times than I can remember, every year or two sending a pair of the mocs back to LL Bean for a make-over.

Over the years, I acquired more than two pairs of mocs. Sometimes, the leather would go, but only after years and years of wear. Those mocs would then be used when I painted or cut the grass or had to do, as my better half would say, "hot dirty man-work." Now that we have finally settled into a single residence (at one point we had three), I have been able to get all my mocs into one place. I have three pairs. However, all three pairs are in need of a make over. Yesterday, I went on line and ordered a new pair of blucher mocs from my friends at LL Bean. As soon as I receive the new mocs, I will use the box used to ship them and start sending back my remaining mocs for a make over. Look for updates as conditions warrant.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Samson had another kill today...

Well, it happened again. Samson, ever the hunter, found more prey this afternoon. When I returned home from work this afternoon, I let Samson out and I started to throw a nylon frisbee for him, which is one of his favorite pastimes. Samson enjoyed chasing, catching and returning the frisbee to me... for a while. In our neighbor's yard there is ring of pacasandra around one of their trees. Samson sensed something in this ground cover and he he was off. Samson poked around the pacasandra for a few moments and pounced. I moment later, a small, black furry mammal was in the grass in front of Samson. Samson toyed with this animal for a bit and I was able to pull him off long enough for this creature to get back into the pacasandra. Samson and I played with the aforementioned frisbee for a fe more minutes, than his predatory instincts took over. I hoped that Samson would be happy enough with just corning the animal, but I was wrong. In just a moment, Samson reacquired his target, but this time, he would kill it. Once again, I pulled Samson off of his quarry and scooted him back to our house. After he was inside, I went out to collect the remains of the animal, expecting to find a mouse. However, it was not a mouse. Thanks to some taxonomy help from our neighbor, I was able to identify the animal as a shrew. He sort of looked like a mouse, but with a much shorter tail. I picked up the little guy, put him into a plastic bag and put him into our trash can.

Yep, Samson might be domesticated, but he is still a predator at heart.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Water Smoker

I would be remiss in not writing an entry about the first use of our water smoker this weekend. For the 4th of July, I brought up our Char-Broil Water Smoker to cook up three sides of baby back ribs. I applied a dry rub to the ribs early in the morning, and a little after 1PM I lit the charcoals. The water smoker is quite simple in its operation. You fire up the coals until there is a light grey ash covering them, then put a pot of near boling water over the coals, then over the pot of water on a grill rack you put the piggies. Wait 4-5 hours and dinner is served. I put the ribs on at 1:30PM and waited. After about 2 1/2 hours, I added a little more charcoal to the smoker. Once you get the smoker up to temp, you really do not want to disturb it as any time you open it, you vent off heat and smoke and you add 15 or so minutes to your cooking time. Thus, I only added charcoal once during the cooking process.

At 6PM, I opened the top of the smoker and the ribs were clearly done. The rub, which consisted of brown sugar, pepper, paprika and garlic power, had carmelized and the ribs with a delightful deep brown coating. During the last hour of smoking, I cooked a home made BBQ sauced to apply on the ribs at the table. I am happy to report that my first smoking of the season went extremely well. The meat fell off the bones and the sauce was fantastic. If you like ribs and will be in the area soon, drop me a note and I will be happy to fire up the smoker and have you over for dinner.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Fourth of July!


Today we celebrate the 232nd birthday of the United States. This day in 1776, in a hot, humid hall in Philadelphia 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence from England. Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration and the last paragraph of the Declaration says it all:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

These men risked everything for the foundation of America. I like to think that they all would be pleased with how things turned out for what they started.

For me, this is the first Independence Day since 1985 when I have not been in uniform. Each 4th of July is special, but when I served in the Navy, the day had special meaning to me. Throughout my career, I served at the pleasure of the President, sworn to uphold the Constitution which was also written in large part by the same man who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Since the 4th of July is a Federal holiday, I would normally have the day off, but there were times I had duty or deployed. Reflecting on my career, here are some of the places I have spent the Fourth of July:

1) Naval Station Great Lakes, IL
2) Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI
3) Naval Station Agana, Guam
4) Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory
5) Naval Support Activity, Yokosuka, Japan
6) Underway in the Atlantic Ocean
7) Underway in the Indian Ocean
8) Underway in the Pacific Ocean

A rather eclectic geographic group, but in their own way, each day was special. Happy Birthday, America!


Samson 1, Field Mouse 0

Well, it happened again. Despite all the money we spend on providing Samson with Iams Dog Food, premium puppy treats and snitches from your table, his predatory instinct to hunt down, kill and eat his own food took over this afternoon. The second inning of the Tigers-Mariners game had just started, so Deirdre and I were enjoying an adult beverage and watching the game. Samson went to the back slider and started squeaking, as if he had to go potty. I let him out and followed him as he ran to the far back of our yard. He sensed something in the underbrush and ran towards an area in our neighbor's back yard. Samson was poised and fixated on spot on the ground and then he pounced on something. I could not tell what he was pawing at, so I walked towards him and he quickly shot me a glance as if to say, "See, Daddy! I got it!"

I slowly approached Samson and he spat out a small, dark object. I grabbed his collar and moved him away. I was then able to see what caught his interest: a dead field mouse. The little guy never had a chance. Samson had caught the mouse in-between his
powerful jaws and snapped the backbone of this mouse. Clearly, Samson wanted to eat the remains of this mouse but I had a different idea. I coaxed Samson back into the house, closed the door and went out to collect the body of the mouse. I put on my work gloves, located the mouse and picked it up. His body was still warm, so clearly, Samson had "done the dirty work" and killed the mouse. This little guy was not carrion. No, Samson stalked it, caught it and killed it fair and square. I took the remains to the front of our house, thought a few gentle thoughts about his soul and I carefully put its body into a plastic bag and placed the bag into our trash dumpster.

Despite the domestication of canis lupus familiaris, they have retained their predatory instincts. Samson clearly has not forgotten his roots.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

FMLA and other thoughts...

Frequent visitors of this blog know that I have been doing a bit of double duty the past few weeks. I have been doing my share of the chores around the house and I have been looking after my patient and doing her chores. While looking after Deirdre was certainly an act of love, doing the laundry was simple way out of my lane. Amongst her other great talents, Dee is also known as the Laundry Fairy. Need I say more?

Deirdre had the surgery two weeks ago to repair a torn tendon in her right foot and to say that it knocked her down would be the understatement of the decade. Sure, she was fine for a while immediately after the surgery, meaning that she was happy for the few minutes after they wheeled her out of the operatory. However, she was probably enjoying a post-Versed buzz and she seemed quite happy with her place in the world. Well, I got her home and then we were soon battling her post-operative pain. Following the use of a couple of pain meds which did nothing to alleviate her suffering, she was prescribed an opiate which relieved the short term pain. She also had to come to terms with a pin sticking out of the second toe of her right foot. And did I mention that she was on crutches as the post-surgical instruction was that she was to put no weight on her foot?

A week after her surgery, I took her back to see her surgeon, who removed the bandages from her foot and looked at how her incision was healing. Well, Dr. B. could not have been happier with how the incision was healing, and Dee was cleared to put weight on her foot, which meant that she could lose the crutches. Dr. B. told Dee to still "take it easy" and that he would remove the sutures next week. This was the first real opportunity for us to see the pin and I noticed that at the end of the pin was a small green plastic ball.

We left the doctor's office and Deirdre remained off her feet as much as possible the next few days. She continued to ice her ankle and walk only when necessary. We then began to wonder, what was the significance of the green ball was on the end of the pin. Was the pin color coded for its length? Its function? Perhaps the diameter of the pin? Or did the color mean nothing at all? We could only speculate until the next post-op visit.

Yesterday, I took Dee back to see Dr. B. to have the sutures removed. Once again, the bandages were removed and he was quite pleased with how the incision was healing. Dr. B. quietly and professionally removed the sutures and gave Dee some more instructions. She was to continue to take it easy and rest her foot, plus he said that he would fill out the Department of Labor Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork to document her absence from work, The document was faxed to her employer informing it that she was to remain away from work for six weeks from the date of her surgery. That would put her back at work no earlier than 30 July. Yes, the surgery was that debilitating.

Back to the green pin. After Dr. B. removed the last of the sutures, Dee asked him what was the significance of the green ball at the end of the pin. Dr. B in his normal deadpan delivery said, "Well, color does mean something. The pins come in a standard length that can be cut to a specific length for each patient. The color of the ball at the end of the pin has to do with the diameter of the pin. The green pin has the largest diameter of all the pins we use. The pin for your toe needed to be as large as possible for stability in your toe. Sometimes, the pins can bend if their diameter is not large enough. If the pin bends, then it becomes much more difficult to remove."

Really. It is not going to be pretty when the pin is removed in 3-4 weeks from her foot and Dee will be doing everything in her power to ensure that the pin does not bend. If you want to see the incision and the pin, click on this hotlink, read the section titled "Alternate Universe" and then click on the pictures link. Already there have been reports of people fainting at the sight of the images.