Dodger at the Vet

Well, Dodger went to the vets office today and got a clean bill of health. No intestinal worms. Clean teeth. Perfect weight. Sweet and wonderful to all employees at the office. While there they trimmed his nails for him--that was the hardest part. No he didn't finch when they took his temp. He didn't even seemed to notice when they did the fecal sample. Shots, no problem. Oh yeah, and he stood so still when the vet was checking his ears that she let me look into his ears (a little wax, but beautiful color). But nail trimming? He freaks out. They didn't even nick the quetical (spelling?), but he flips out. He started flipping out just when he saw the clippers. I think it is a mental thing. But at least no more of that annoying clicking as he wonders the floors.

PS, has anyone ever had their dog vaccinated for kennel cough? Dodger doesn't even get boarded and she insisted on the vaccination. Nose drops. I will confess, he wasn't so keen on that either. I think that as long as he can see what they are doing to him, he doesn't care.

I Love Air Conditioning

I did a home visit today with a sweet family. The visit went great. We talked, we laughed--all in all a good therapeutic visit. The problem--it was at 3:00 in the afternoon and they don't have air conditioning. The funny thing is, their dog kept wanting to sniff my armpits (although I am certain they should have been detectable from across the room).

Afterwards I went to a visit at the clinic and though I usually complain about the coldness. Not today.

Air Conditioning--what a great invention.

New Job

I have a new job. I have to temper my joy a little as I have several friends needing jobs right now, and this one just feel into my lap. What this means??? I will no longer be "stuck in school." Actually, my day job will not be doing therapy at all. I got a job as a receptionist, with opportunity to move up in a year or so to office manager. Sadly enough the receptionist job pays more than my current, Masters Degree required job.

I was approached with the possibility several months ago, but just wasn't ready. Also, I knew that I would be asking a lot (money above the base salary, extra vacation time). The job just seemed like a long shot. They gave me what I wanted and I took the job. I turned in my resignation today. In my current job, what a mess--they require that to leave in good standing you must give 4 weeks notice and you cannot take paid time off during that time and oh, yeah--you also don't get paid for holidays. What a load of doggie poopy! And I have two dogs, I recognize doggie poopy when I smell it.

So, I focus on the positive--with my new job I will leave it behind at 4:15--no worries will follow me home. I will have a lot of down time--more blogging??? And I am able to maintain my private practice (so I don't have to leave my therapy hat behind completely). With with job, I get to avoid the burnout that I was definately headed for.

The Big Easy

I just returned from a mission trip to New Orleans. I am happy to report that more and more houses are being built and more of the locals have returned, but I was astounished by the devastation that is still evident. I truly hope that we do not forget those from New Orleans.

A Tribute to Bob

So this is not the best picture, but it is the only one I have. Let me introduce you to Bob. Bob is a Betta fish. I call him Bob the Betta--kind of after Bob the Builder.

Last week, Bob died. This is not a sad time though, Bob lasted over two years. The funny part of the story is that this is actually Bob 2. Bob 1 also lasted about 2 years or a little more.

Earlier this week I took Dodger (my little dog) in to get his nails trimmed. Sometimes it is just easier to pay the 10 bucks. While at the pet store, I spotted the Betta display. After much deliberation, and tugging on Dodger's lease so he didn't bug the other customers in the store, I found him--Bob 3. So I take my dog, my nail clipping receit and Bob 3 to the cash register. Dodger, of course, being as cute as he is attracks the attention of all store the employees and gets so excited on seeing the male cashier that he pees on the floor. I get that cleaned up, start to check out. Well, Do I have a Petco card? Yes, I think so, just not with me. That's okay, we can look it up by your phone number--well it turns out that that is in my ex's name. Do I want to get my own? Sure, I guess so. Then as I am filling out the information card, Dodger takes it upon himself to walk into the cashiers station and become tangled around his legs. I finish the transaction and finally I am ready to leave--Dodger is not. I get him disentangled from the cashier and we go out the door.

It is only after I get home (oh about 20 minutes away) do I realize that although I paid for Bob 3, I did not make it home, or even out of the store with Bob 3. So, I call Petco, trying to think of the best way to reassure them that I do not normally neglect my pets or leave them places. A friend picked up Bob for me and he is now safely installed in the bowl on the mantel.

Upcomings!

It has occured to me that it is a while since I have blogged. The main reason for that, It's Summertime! and the livin' is easy. And this is another wonderful time when I blog about how much I love my job. Although I still work during the summer my hours are somewhere between 2-5 hours a day and most can be done from my computer at home. I do visits to this kids home during the summer, this can be challenging and sometimes scary, but it does give a great picture of what these kids are dealing with on a day to day basis.

So, I want to refrain from bragging, but I have been swimming--Love swimming. I have been golfing--Love golfing. I have been walking and bike riding and planting a tree and all sort of fun and exciting stuff. The only summer activity that I haven't gotten a chance to do would be camping. But I don't exactly have a camping buddy anymore and I am finding myself to be sufficiently independent, camping alone just seems boring.

Still I can't complain. Next week I will be in New Orleans on mission trip with my church's youth choir. We will be singing and working with Habitat for Humanity and running a Bible Camp, visiting the French Quarter. I am looking forward to a fun week, but I must confess, I am also a little intimidated. Yes, I know that I work with kids and teenagers every day of the week, but I have to say that is one on one. This is a massive group of kids. Pray for me.