Bubba Recap

We officially survived Bubba's stay.  I have to admit that with less then two days left, I was ready to do bodily harm to him.  When my previous post had been almost positive.  I started to question whether or not I was a good person and how would I ever be able to be a foster parent.  Granted I didn't harm Bubba.  I didn't want to see him.  I sent him to his cage.  I raised my voice.  How was I so intolerant and unaccepting?  Was I to blame?

Here's what happened...Bubba had been out twice since 1:00a.m. with the most recent being 8a.m.  My allergies kicked in hard and I took an allergy pill and went back to sleep.  I woke to hear Bubba crunching.  I listened intently and realized that it wasn't the sound of him eating his dog food.  I got out of bed at 9:30a.m. and this is what I saw:

Bubba had helped himself to my blockbuster movies and mail pile that were stacked on the coffee table.  Did you notice the movie title?  The Dilemma.  How convenient.  And the other DVD was missing: The Mechanic.  I found The Mechanic under the rug in one piece but scratched up.  I had to purchase both movies from Blockbuster at $21.19 each.  I suppose it could have been worse.  I did eventually get over my anger and never did take it out on Bubba.  I guess I just had too high of expectations for a 14 month old puppy - especially since it wasn't anything that I had left on the floor for him.

I have to admit for a quick minute I missed him staring at me every morning watching me get ready in the bathroom.  Most of the time he was actually in the bathroom but sometimes I could feel a little less creeped out by him in the hallway.

We had a great reunion giving Bubba back to my mom.  We enjoyed him trying on our sunglasses and trying to get pictures.  We are looking forward to seeing him again, at his house!

Bubba & The Dog Wash

Tonight T and I took Bubba to the dog wash.  Of course, we went and checked it out post bowling, T's haircut, T's clothes shopping and shopping to pick up sundae toppings and beverages.  The dog wash looked easy enough: like a car wash, but an indoor enclosed wash room with everything imaginable to wash your dog/pet.  A minimum of $5 charge.  We headed home to make quick sundaes and grab Bubba for the drive and adventure of the dog wash.

Bubba must have known something was going on.  He wasn't heading in the direction of school for his morning field trip or to the ball fields.  Within a mile from our destination he began whining consistently.  We pulled up to the Dog Wash and parked in the Dog Wash Parking Spot. 

We took Bubba inside and he eagerly walked up the dog ramp and into the wash basin.  We connected him to the leash in the tub and put on our heavy duty (provided) aprons.  We purchased .50 of "cookies" for Bubba to give him while we washed him.  Our initial $5.00 allowed us to rinse, shampoo, condition and partially use the flea and tick rinse.  Since we didn't add the extra money in the allotted time, we had to put in another minimum of $5.00.  We added more flea and tick, rinsed and then used the cool blow dryer in addition to towel drying.  The whole event lasted about 15 minutes, if that.  Bubba was a real trooper and it was nice that the flooding of water happened on their floor, not my bathroom floor!  Definitely a great experience and one I would recommend for pet owners.



Bubba all clean!

He loved the cookie treats too!



Welcome...Freshman

As of today, I am officially the proud mother of a high school FRESHMAN!  T has graduated 8th grade with flying colors.  He continues to amaze me with his independence, academics, athletics and great sportsmanship. 

He decided that he is taking an Honors and an Advanced Placement class next year.  I love the possibility that he can test for college credits from the AP class, but more importantly that he will be challenged and more prepared for college than I felt I had been. 

So my baby boy, my growing son, at fourteen now stands at 5'7.5" and 133 pounds. If nothing else, I will always have age over him, unfortunately not intelligence or looks! 

Dog Sitting

I have officially survived, but more importantly, my parents "puppy" has survived eight days of me dog sitting.  Granted, the dog sitting isn't over, yet.   For the most part, we have all managed quite well, but I won't be getting a dog anytime soon.  Bubba, the 110#, black lab, 14.5 month puppy will be staying with us for another week.  Here are a few things I have learned to date:

1.  Dog sitting can be compared to foster care - taking care of someone else's loved one, adjusting to their behaviors and temperaments; attempting to teach, love and nurture while changing everything about your daily routine and lifestyle. 

2.  I confirm that I am not a morning person.  Waking at 6:30a.m. to let Bubba out after taking him out at 1:15a.m. is not a welcomed opportunity.

3.  Teaching a dog to not go outside without adult supervision/company is NOT a good idea.  I am sure my neighbors can vouch as they probably prefer not to see me standing in a night gown in the back yard.

4.  Watching a large dog mad hump his bed pillow is HYSTERICAL. 

5.  Putting the dog's leash under the bbq wheel is NOT a good idea when one is multi-tasking and the BF is standing by dumbfoundly watching said dog race to the neighbors.  Watching said BF watch the said dog spaz out and drag the bbq grill while trying to free self is NOT entertaining.

6.  Involving the dog in as much as possible is equally rewarding for the dog as almost everyone involved.  Dog loves going for morning field trips to take T to school.  He enjoys watching T's ball games and getting lots of attention from the crowd but gets easily frustrated that he hasn't figured out how to catch the balls hit on the field side of the fence.

7.  Bubba is a WUSS.  We had a trip to the local dog park on Sunday.  He cowered by me almost the entire two hours fearing every other dog, especially dogs that were smaller than his paw!  Oh what a BABY.

8.  Being homebound hasn't been as difficult as I imagined, but definitely has been an adjustment.  Of course having T around has been helpful, but when he is with his dad, that means it's just Bubba and Me.  And well, I have to admit that I am getting a little irritated (runny eyes and headaches) from the dog smell.  Looking forward to taking him to the dog wash soon, as long as I can be sure to not have to deal with the WET dog smell!

Sixty Five Years Old...

Last week was my father's birthday.  He turned SIXTY-FIVE.  SIXTY. FIVE.

I have to admit that as of November 1, 2010, I would have bet money on the fact that he would turn 65.  I would have bet money on the fact that he wouldn't live 65 days.  Obviously, I was wrong.  I am OK with being wrong, really I am.  I am just not sure if being wrong in this case is...right.

I called my father on his birthday and left him a message.  I purposely didn't wish him the usual "Happy Birthday" or "Hope you have a Happy Birthday".  I am not one to lie, not very well at least and never intentionally.  Happy is relative, and not in the related way as in wishing my father Happy any day.  It just isn't possible.  I can wish him a day better than the one before.  I can wish him happiness, but I know that he has far outgrown and surpassed the ability to BE HAPPY. 

He called me back.  Our phone call was breathy and shallow.  He gasped for breath.  He grasped for words.  He was failing at both.  He was discharged from the hospital after SEVEN weeks.  After TEN days home, he was taken back to the ER.  According to my brother, he was given three options: 1) Go home and get strong for the LVAD (Seriously?), 2) Go home with Hospice & no Primacor IV (die in two weeks) or 3) Be admitted to the hospital with IV and die in August.  Seems like a wide array of options, which is really feasible and realistic?  I have no idea.  The Social Worker never found the time or reason to return my calls. 

My father is home.  What does that mean?  I have no idea.  Each day is becoming more difficult.  The Primacor is no longer as effective.  The end is near.  How near? 

I wonder how I will feel when his end is here.  I wonder how long it will be before I am notified.  I wonder how I will be affected.  The reality, I try not to wonder.  When reality happens, I will no longer wonder.  I will know.