Heidi is going to be ten next month and she is aging faster now. She has arthritis and I noticed that she wasn't getting up on the couches to sleep like she usually does. She's also been yipping at random times and looking at us like she's in pain, but she's not sure what caused the pain. She still loves going for walks, and still wrestles hard with Charlie in the back yard, but something is up with her. I bought her a new bed for the main floor of the house and she's using it, which is also unusual. She has been the best dog I've ever had, sweet and gentle.
I was out doing errands yesterday and when I walked into Home Depot the scent of flowers hit me hard. It was wonderful and then I saw these and needed a photo. I also went back to work to visit with everyone and get signatures for the petition to stop any new coal mining on the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Water Not Coal. It was nice to catch up and get the signatures. I'm too uncomfortable asking people I don't know to sign, so I go where everyone knows my name:)
Jack has his soccer orientation this afternoon, where he'll get his jersey and have a skills assessment. He is pumped!
I'm still thinking about generational trauma and how much if affects the world. Imagine if trump was loved properly as a child, or putin, or netanyahu, the world would be a different place. Why do some people turn out like Gandhi? And some like hitler? It's still a puzzle I'm working on for myself and my family.
I hope Heidi is OK. It's worrisome when pets begin acting differently. Maybe it's time for a checkup?
ReplyDeleteShe just had a checkup and she's good, but she is declining. Took her for a good walk this morning, not fast and lots of sniffing.
DeleteBelieve it or not, last night I dreamed I got a puppy. Now. Knowing my feelings about never, ever having another dog, I was a little shocked that I'd had this dream. And then I realized that my brain was just giving me one more child to care for. Instead of constant worrying about a baby or a child, I was worrying about this puppy.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Why, I ask you?
I often think that if the truly evil among us had had parents who showed them at least some small bit of affection and approval they might not have turned out the way they did. I'm not sure that's true but my god I surely wish Trump's parents had tried a little harder.
I wish his parents had tried harder too.
DeleteI seem to collect people to take care of too, Katie and Jack. I wonder why it happens to some people and not others.
It's a mystery about how people turn out. I've known loving parents have children who you'd think had never had that care. And kids with neglectful parents who were lovely adults.
ReplyDeletePeople are not that influenced by parents as we might think. I believe we need to be slower to blame for bad adults, likewise slower to take credit for children who become wonderful adults.
You're not wrong Liz. Personality is only 30%-60% genetic, but it feels like 100% some days:)
DeleteIt's a mystery about how people turn out. I've known loving parents have children who you'd think had never had that care. And kids with neglectful parents who were lovely adults.
ReplyDeletePeople are not that influenced by parents as we might think. I believe we need to be slower to blame for bad adults, likewise slower to take credit for children who become wonderful adults.
I'm so sorry about Heidi, especially the pain. That's always heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteAre there dog drugs for dog arthritis? I hate that she's suffering. That is a magnificent bed you bought.
ReplyDeleteThere are drugs for arthritis but it's when she's not moving that the sharp pains happen. She limps sometimes after a long walk, but this sharp pain is different. I'm keeping an eye on her.
DeleteWhat a nice comfy bed you bought for Heidi. I'm sure she appreciates it! Good for you for getting signatures on the Water Not Coal petition! I signed it awhile ago when it was at the Paint Spot art store. There was a steady stream of people coming in to sign it.
ReplyDeleteJack likes the new bed for the dog too:)
DeleteI don't like asking strangers for signatures, but I will ask friends. I'm glad you signed it. This government is not accountable to anyone it seems.
If it's just occasional pain and she's sleeping and eating fine, I would consider it normal aging. Wait, am I talking about myself too? That bed looks perfect and she's obviously comfortable on it. Sharky is also playing soccer; of the sports he's tried, it's his favorite so far although he loves swimming. T-ball is not his favorite--too much standing around.
ReplyDeleteJack got his soccer jersey and had a skills evaluation on Saturday. He's pumped and ready to go. He's also riding his bike a lot and doing very well.
DeleteHeidi is still eating and sleeping well, but the pain is making her very skittish and she's hiding a lot, which is how she got her name in the first place.
Our government just passed a bill allowing a giant, I think South American company to do copper mining in the boundary waters. The congressman from my district voted for it. People are not happy. I had to give dogs meds for arthritis as they aged. Heidi looks content on her new bed.
ReplyDeleteGovernments allowing the poisoning of water, forever, for profits today. You don't shit in your nest.
DeleteYou do if you are a shortsighted greedy billionaire bribing all the willing.
DeleteImagine if it all comes down to feeling well-enough loved. Hm.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some of us can never get enough love, or don't believe the love that is shown. Hm.
DeleteI get you about trying to get people to sign petitions - thank goodness you got the additional benefit of those beautiful flowers. Good luck with Jack's soccer and Heidi's health.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are so beautiful. I bought them one spring but they don't last long as they like cool weather and it gets hot here in the summer.
DeleteJack is sleeping better and getting outside more now that the snow has gone. He's excited about soccer.
Are we ever entirely responsible for our actions? All of us are connected via invisible wires to our forebears and there is a real sense in which we can never break away. Hitler's childhood development was greatly impaired by his father, Alois Hitler who was a harsh, domineering customs official who often beat Hitler. In contrast his mother was doting. Her death through cancer in 1907 had a big impact upon young Adolf and another key moment might have been his failed application to enrol at The Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna - "Sorry Adolf but your paintings are shite!"
ReplyDeleteI guess we inherit some things from our ancestors, and model some behaviors from our parents, who modeled their behavior on their parent's behaviors, and so on and so on. There is also the environment we live in and how we interact with our environment.
DeleteI know that for myself I have always struggled with impulsivity, feelings of rejection and instant rage. I felt like a horrible person for most of my life and it's only been in the last twenty years that I have started to have some compassion for myself.