(I prefer Jon’s spelling of hospital. “ooney” refers to his surgeon’s first name, Unni.—L)
I saw doctor ooney. I like to take the wedge off. I like to have the new zimmers on. I like to go to the Hospittle in the car. When I get to the Hospittle I get out of the car and I get in the Hospittle. First I get on the elevator. I like to go to a room in the Hospittle. Tonight I’m going to watch Between the Lions two. Tomorrow I’m going to the cottage.
Jonathan
We have a ballsy little pup. During the recent big thunderstorm, the one that did this, Photon sat at the back screen door, relaxed, watching the rain pour and the lightning flash and looking up during massive thunderclaps to try and figure out where the speakers were mounted.
Well, today was the long, long awaited check-up day for Jon. Not unexpectedly, the x-rays look good, and Dr. Narayanan is very happy with how everything looks.
So Jon no longer has to wear the wedge during the day. But since we’ve done this before, we’ve been girding our loins for what were knew was coming—the announcement that he had weeks more of wearing it at night. Weeks more of heavily interrupted sleep for all.
Dr. Narayanan gave us the usual recommendation that he wear it as long as he can tolerate it, but then when he heard of the multiple wake-ups at night, he shook his head.
“We do these things to improve the quality of life. This kind of sleep deprivation is not improving quality of life for any of you.” We were able to counter-offer some wedge time during the day, for instance at video game or computer time, when Jon isn’t likely to notice much at all. So he’s wedge-free, tonight and all nights to come!
There is a lightness to the household that we haven’t felt in a while.
Now, at 10:55 in the evening, I can report that Jon is still awake, rolling around on his own in bed and cackling away, two hours after tuck-in. He’s still in his leg-length knee immoblizers, but they are nothing compared to the wedge, and he’s so happy—even full of a cold—that he just can’t sleep.
BEFORE
SURGERY
TODAY
Our bionic boy.
Jon has a bad head cold, and Laura was working at a client’s, so Photon got only one walk (run) today. She was at loose ends for the first part of the morning, desperate for exercise, but when she realized it wasn’t coming, she settled down and slept for much of the day. What a mature puppy!
When we got out, I was determined to give her a good run, so we headed to Riverdale West, where a number of dogs and owners were encamped near the top of the fairly-steep hill, and the dogs played on the slope itself. Photon was immediately challenged and chased by a larger Sheltie. Photon took off in sharp serpentine patterns up and down the hill with the Sheltie in hot pursuit, finally ditching her in a tight, 5-gee turn that left the Sheltie tumbling down the hill.
But the day wasn’t done: look who came to the party:
Photon and Cobalt. Picture courtesy of James Redekop.
We met Cobalt again! Both sisters were tired; Cobalt had spent the day at doggy daycare and Photon had been in the park about an hour. But off they went, first chasing toys, then wrestling with each other ferociously. And within ten minutes of wrestling, there was blood again—Photon’s other baby canine came out during the fight! Her sister knocked out both her top canine teeth!
Enjoy the excellent pictures on James’ blog; next time I’ll bring my camera!
Alarm clock featuring the dulcet tones of Stephen Fry doing his best Jeeves. The site helpfully informs you that a “Good morning, Madam” version arrives in July. (via BoingBoing)
(I wish! Alas, this is a creative writing piece only. —L)
I won a ticket to Floorda. I was really excited
I was feeling really brave on the airplane. I took a trip to Floorda. My plane flight was great. Do you like to go to Floorda? Yes I do! I like to visit my grandparents. I like to go out and eat a differant restourants. I would like to have some fun at Disney World. I would enjoy my trip.
Jon
So I was out taking Photon for her afternoon walk on Saturday. The afternoon walks been a little less energetic these days and I don’t know why. I heard several suggestions, ranging from the higher temperatures, maturing personality, growth spurt, or that Laura is wiping her out completely on her morning walks. (The first one is true: we are living by Cathy L’s motto that the only good puppy is a tired puppy.)
So there we are, in the leash-free Riverdale West Park, with other dog owners saying nice things about Photon, when suddenly one says, “Hey look there’s another one!”
I wandered over towards another little merle streaking down the hill, same size as Photon, and long story short, it’s Photon’s sister Cobalt (née Jolly, the little puppy who clucked like a chicken).
After that, pity the other dogs that wanted to join the fun! Once the two sisters got going, they ran and wrestled each other to the exclusion of pretty much everything else. Admittedly once, on break, they did a tag team of trying to herd a family in the park, but otherwise they were pretty darn focused on each other.
Her owner James has already blogged what happened next, blood and all, so I’ll send you over to his blog to get the skinny, and some gorgeous post-action photos of Cobalt with Photon’s blood on her.
Next time, we’re going to bring cameras to record the action!!