They can walk! Sort of.....

Chloe woke me up this morning at 7am, by letting me know that she REALLY needed to go outside. I got up to let her out, and noticed that the pups were really motivated and moving around. Grabbing the camera, I managed to catch a shot of a couple of them walking. They are so uncoordinated, but they are trying so hard!

It was actually nice to be up early, so I made an effort with my outfit, and let the truck warm up and de-ice while I got stuff ready. I even had enough time to drop by Tim Hortons for coffee and a bagel on the way to work. Of course, I went to bed at 8:30 last night and read til 9:45. That's a lot better than staying up til midnight and taking a Neo-citran to make me crash out. I haven't been feeling so great the last few days, so I hope this early night will help.

My aunt called me last night to ask about a game I play online, World of Warcraft. It would be funny if she started to play, as both my Dad and my brother play the game with me. I also managed to get the floor cleaned and as Molly Moppins advised, mopped with a terry cloth towel. It looks really nice.

Happy New Year!

Hello from the land of the eternally tired. Even after two weeks of Chloe looking after her pups, I still awake at the smallest squeak from downstairs. Yesterday I was headed to bed when one pup started screaming. I went to check and she was laying on it with her elbow fully across it's poor little stomach. I had to manually lift her up to get it out! I swear she'd leave her baby on the bus if she were a human.

They are doing great, roly-poly and attempting to stand on their back legs. They use their back paws to scratch themselves in a very clumsy and uncoordinated way. If you scratch under their collars, they wave their back legs in the air. Their eyes are opening, but it's a slow process.

I'm back to work after two weeks off and there are lots of emails to catch up on. I have conference calls booked, and lunch meetings to organize, catering and all.

We seem to be in the middle of yet another storm. I lost a good portion of my back fence when my neighbours two trees fell, one on her house and porch. I feel really bad for her, but it makes things really difficult to have a roaming dog with three yards to explore. I never know if she has found an open gate.

Boxing Day Excitement

Boxing Day came around with visits from all sorts of folks. First came my aunt Kathy, Holly and Abigail, then came my parents oldest friends, Charlotte and Ted. Chloe became quite agitated around 2pm, and we figured she was going into labour. By 8pm, no pups and she was grunting with contractions. I called the vet office and was advised to give it one more hour. At 9, no sign of pups and the vet asked me to bring her in. After 2 hours of waiting at the vet office, we decided to do a caesarean section at 11:30pm. By midnight there were 9 squirmy, screamy pups.

Chloe had a hard time with the anaesthetic, and was groggy and spastic for a few hours. I put the pups on her to nurse as often as possible, but as she regained consciousness I realized she wasn't going to accept the pups. By 5:45am, I was a complete mess and I called Holly to get some advice. She told me to have someone hold Chloe's head while I put the pups on her. They needed Mom's milk. I had to run the pups tummies to get them to pee. Kirsten and Shane woke up and helped me, and we rotated on puppy patrol for the rest of the day. By 7pm at night I was dead tired so Shane told me to go sleep and he and Kirsten would watch the pups. About 1/2 hour later he came up to tell me that Chloe was licking the pups. At nine when I came back downstairs, Chloe was being a good Mom, cleaning the pups and allowing them to nurse. She has gradually grown to be quite responsible with them, although she does get a bit sketchy when something startles her.

Today, a bit over a week later, I am still a bit tired because I get up in the night if one starts yowling. Sometimes they get onto the wrong side of her and can't figure out how to go around.

Progress

My new job has been both exciting and slow at the same time. I really believe it is an important concept.. culturally safe nursing practice in our First Nation communities. But, it's been looked at before, and I uncovered a complete manual which has already been completed. This leaves me wondering whether I should reinvent the wheel or work on the previous information.

A pile of meetings and information sharing sessions have been put off until the new year, which also leaves me in a hurry-up-and-wait kind of situation. What can I do to look busy at work when I know that January is going to be crazy, crazy busy?

We had snow like there was no tomorrow. I went to Ukee for a day and a half, and ended up stuck there. I tried coming back to Port on Thursday, and hit some black ice, sliding about 100 feet and barely missing 2 semi-trucks. So I went back to Ukee and stayed a few more days. I got some stuff done at my Mom's gallery, including some framing she was behind on.

Tonight I move my horse to her new home, and at 1:30 I get my dog's ultrasound done to check for puppies.

Could it be more wet?

It’s been a while.

I got my flu shot and then got a cold! When do they come up with cold shots?

I attended a CBT board meeting with the intention of joining as an alternate. Something interesting to put on my resume etc. etc. I have always had an interest in Canada’s Parks and the environment in general. The Clayoquot UNESCO Biosphere’s focus is on conservation AND sustainability, which is a pretty cool concept I think. I grew up in the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino, and while it would be great to maintain a pristine ecology, it’s easy to see that soon everyone would starve. My father has always worked in forestry, and in order to bring home a salary, he had to plan the chopping down of trees. These meetings take place monthly, so it appears that more travel is in my future.

We survived a nasty storm and series of rainy (understatement) weeks. I haven’t been able to visit my horse, and my dogs are quite ready to escape the house. Juno has been living with my parents, and seems to prefer living in Barkley Sound. Chloe hasn’t shown any signs of being pregnant, but it’s early yet and we’ll look at doing an ultrasound next week. My brother took a cool picture of Juno which I’ll upload.

RAIN RAIN RAIN AGAIN!

This is our local river. It would be more impressive if I had a before and after view.. (= But believe me, this is HIGH!









This is our boat launch. The tide at 12 noon was 12.5 feet, added to the crazy volume of water down the river and someone could drive their boat into the parking lot without the help of a boat trailer.

Wings over the Vancouver Island Coast

Seems that I am getting all my flying time in over a two week stretch. I was in Ahousaht two weeks ago, and we flew back out after boating in. Our boat lost a propellor half-way there which was a frightening experience in itself. The flight back was easy and fast, I think we landed within 10 minutes of takeoff.

Last week we flew to Hesquiaht, and that wasn't so fast and fun. The weather was coming in, and by the time we flew out we were 40' above the waves. The trees were taller than we were flying, and I even saw a whale come up and blow.

Wednesday is the kicker. We are flying in a cessna to Kyuquot from Gold River. It's a 45 minute flight, in November.... Here's hoping for a nice day. It's fun to visit these communities, and I love flying, but I do get nervous when the winds and fog pick up.

Ciao!

Tacia and the clinic.

We did a clinic Sunday morning with Marion Weisskopff. Tacia of course was a complete sweetheart, as she only demonstrates her stubborness when no-one is looking but me. I did learn a lot however, including a new way to lead her properly so that she doesn't crowd me and she has room to make mistakes in. I forgot my camera, but Shawna took a few pics, so I'll post them when they are mailed to me. The rest of the day was really cool, as I watched Marion work with 7 more horses and riders.

Sony, the wild thing.

When Sony is in the mood for love, he wants to be near anyone, even Midge... but Midge doesn't return the regard much. When Sony is in the mood for ripping around and tearing things up, he usually hits me at 60k, claws first, as I come unsuspecting around a corner.

My new job - Nursing Practicum Coordinator

Nursing Practicum Coordinator

Position Summary

Work with applicable departments in all aspects of planning and development of the Practicum and Preceptorship curriculum and training. The program objectives will be met by the end of the project. The position will start immediately and run until December 14, 2007.

Specific Responsibilities

To develop and coordinate committees for the project
To compile information for the development of a curriculum and training package
To develop practicum training for nurses
To provide training for nurses
To assist in the provision of student placements
Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary in the performance of the position

My horse has a Dad...

...and here he is:

I GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!

I am so happy. I interviewed Monday for a position and was informed today that I was selected.
Will post more later!

Des chats qui parlent? 喋る猫？

Oh my..... CUTE cat!

I am addicted to web video sites.

Newspaper Ads - cute

These are actual newspaper ads:

FREE Yorkshire Terrier: 8 yrs. old. Hateful little bitch. Bites.
FREE PUPPIES: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel - 1/2 Sneaky Neighbor's Dog.
FREE GERMAN SHEPHERD: 85lbs. Neutered. Speaks German.
COWS, CALVES: Never Bred....Also, 1 Gay Bull For Sale.
NORDIC TRACK: $300 - Hardly used, call Chubby.
GEORGIA PEACHES: California grown - 89 cents lb.
JOINING NUDIST COLONY!: Must sell Washer & Dryer $300.

Girls are like Apples!

Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree.

The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they get the rotten apples from the ground that arent as good, but easy. So the apples up top think something wrong with them when in reality they're amazing.

They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

Students need food too

October 12, 2006

Just got back from a road trip for work. Back in the office after two days out is always fun. Paperwork!

Saw The Guardian while I was gone as well as Lady in the Water. I loved The Guardian, but I could have missed the Lady movie easily. What a boring piece of drivel! I would have enjoyed it better if they had spent more time on the CGI or tried to make it even a bit more believable. The storyline was interesting.

I’m interviewing for a contract position on Monday. I am very nervous, but it is not a huge change. I would just be working for 15 months in another department in the same organization. After it was over I’d be safe and secure in my old job. So this weekend I will be brushing up on nursing practicum info…

This weekend will be the local dog show. I am in training to be a ring steward as my dog is still away being bred (hopefully). It should be pretty fun to see all the dogs, and I have to make 3 bean salad for 100 people on Friday night. Tacia has her feet looked at Saturday morning and we will work out a trimming schedule for her.

That’s my update for now.

PS – Sony is a ball of fur and claws now, he’s really trying out his different speeds and jumping abilities.

Ouchie back

Stupid flu made my back go out, so yet another run of days stuck on the couch. I did go and see Tacia and get some pics, but I couldn't work with her.

Thursday, Sony developed a fixation on my cichlids...

Tacia is looking good, but I only got to see her a short while on Friday. Saturday I went to Leann, Maudie, Veronica and Allison's housewarming party which was a very good time.

Happy Birthday to ME

October 3, 2006

Had a good birthday, despite being sick. Went for a long walk with my dog and my friend Maudie, and then out for pool and a drink at Karaoke with Leann.

The George Canyon concert was amazing. Kelley and I had so much fun, both at the concert, where I met Dave Gunning and got him to sign the cd I bought, and at The Roxy, where we boogied down until 3am. The fiddler from George Canyon's band came and partied with us as well.

Today I went and asked Shawna to help me desensitive Tacia to fly spray. I have been too sick to go out there for a while, so Tacia was pretty nervous about the attention. She did really well though, and I'm glad Shawna could help as I had no clue what to do.

I adopted a kitten 2 weeks ago. The poor thing was hanging out by my truck while I was doing an event, and at the end of the event we decided it would be better for me to just throw the dirty little thing into the canopy. He has definitely improved!

Sigh..

I went to work with my yearling yesterday and I don’t know what happened. She is afraid of the lead rope and halter, like actually shying away like she had been hit with it. She followed me around like a puppy last time I was out, and now she was looking at me like I was an alien. She stood nice and still in her stall, with the lead rope threaded through the loop but not tied, for me to groom her all over and attempt to pick up her feet, but she was really spooky the whole time. And then when it came time to use the fly spray, she was flinching and moving away like I was gonna kill her.

After that, I walked her to the ring for some exercise as I am not working her at all yet, but I am trying to develop her leading manners. She was a cow about it, tossing her head and crowding me, and when I did let her loose.. she trotted out about 20 feet and kicked her back feet toward me. It wasn’t near enough to me for me to be scared, but the message was clear. I forced her to move out and picked up a whip for safety. She trotted around for about 20 minutes, and then stood quiet for me to catch her again. Leading her back she was a goof again, stepping sideways into me as if the world was scaring her to death.

She’s such a different horse. I will head to my coach’s after work for some advice before going back to the barn to work on her manners again.