Intoxicated nights followed by dark, lonely days. The kind of emptiness nothing could fill. For once she wasn’t hung-over. She had class the night before. She passed on going out with the group as she always did on Thursdays. A few glasses of wine later, she fell fast asleep. She woke with the aftertaste of wine and stale cigarettes.
Water cooler talk was Denny needed a heart transplant on Grey’s Anatomy. Her coffee still hot, yet she impatient, put the mug to her lips. The burning sensation hit and she spurted “FUCK.”
The murmuring of phones and mortgage officers blended the early morning through lunchtime. Her desk phone rang. She had never met him, this friend of the family. He called to tell her about the car accident that took the life the night before. The life she had cared so deeply for. The life that mothered a child and friended a friend.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
My Obsession with Vampires
Eclipse opens today. Well, it opened last night at 12:01 in select theatres but it truly opens today. This has me thinking, "what is it about Edward Cullen, vampires, immortality and a made-for-teens movie that has me so intrigued?" (ok, obsessed)
First of all, I am hardly the only thirty-something woman who has read and loved the entire Twilight series. I certainly won't be the last to get hooked.
Is it the knight-in-shining-armor appeal of Edward Cullen? Is it the fact the he constantly rescues the damsel-in-distress? Is it the fact that Stephenie Meyer has so thoughtfully created this charater, this character who falls in love with the mortal and refuses to turn her immortal? His love for her is so true and pure he would rather her live a "normal" life as a mortal than be with her forever?
The intense excitement of the "bad" vampires trying to kill the mortal girl and Edward doing everything he can to make sure that doesn't happen. The idea of this high-school age girl living this exciting science-fiction lifestyle. The fact that, while most of us deal with "mean girls" and fake friends, this book deals with issues such as mortality and loyalty.
Its often been said I am a highly passionate person. Yes, I am. When I find something I care about, someone I feel strongly about or a concept I agree with, I go for it. Whether it was coaching a competitive dance/cheer team, rescuing dogs or reading about vampire love, I without a doubt feel passionately for it.
First of all, I am hardly the only thirty-something woman who has read and loved the entire Twilight series. I certainly won't be the last to get hooked.
Is it the knight-in-shining-armor appeal of Edward Cullen? Is it the fact the he constantly rescues the damsel-in-distress? Is it the fact that Stephenie Meyer has so thoughtfully created this charater, this character who falls in love with the mortal and refuses to turn her immortal? His love for her is so true and pure he would rather her live a "normal" life as a mortal than be with her forever?
The intense excitement of the "bad" vampires trying to kill the mortal girl and Edward doing everything he can to make sure that doesn't happen. The idea of this high-school age girl living this exciting science-fiction lifestyle. The fact that, while most of us deal with "mean girls" and fake friends, this book deals with issues such as mortality and loyalty.
Its often been said I am a highly passionate person. Yes, I am. When I find something I care about, someone I feel strongly about or a concept I agree with, I go for it. Whether it was coaching a competitive dance/cheer team, rescuing dogs or reading about vampire love, I without a doubt feel passionately for it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Did you know Clair de Lune may soothe your dog while Halestorm will agitate her?
Have you considered playing music for your dog when you leave home? According to the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare, music is proven to have a positive effect on our dogs.
Listening to certain types of music may actually help with the welfare of dogs in animal shelters, as these types of music have soothing qualities. On the contrary, there are also certain types of music which agitate dogs and should not be played around dogs in kennels or the shelter environment.
Heavy Metal
Dogs become agitated and nervous when listening to heavy metal. The effects of heavy metal music on dogs can also make the dogs bark. In the same study, it was found that when exposed to heavy metal music, dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages became quite agitated.
Classical
Classical music soothes and calms dogs. In fact; the Arizona Animal Welfare League plays classical music in the shelter to calm their resident dogs. A study in Northern Ireland found music from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," among other classical pieces, calmed dogs to such a point that many of them lay down and slept. Classical music appears to be a great tool to use in an owner’s absence to help decrease the symptoms of separation anxiety for many dogs.
Listening to certain types of music may actually help with the welfare of dogs in animal shelters, as these types of music have soothing qualities. On the contrary, there are also certain types of music which agitate dogs and should not be played around dogs in kennels or the shelter environment.
Heavy Metal
Dogs become agitated and nervous when listening to heavy metal. The effects of heavy metal music on dogs can also make the dogs bark. In the same study, it was found that when exposed to heavy metal music, dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages became quite agitated.
Classical
Classical music soothes and calms dogs. In fact; the Arizona Animal Welfare League plays classical music in the shelter to calm their resident dogs. A study in Northern Ireland found music from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," among other classical pieces, calmed dogs to such a point that many of them lay down and slept. Classical music appears to be a great tool to use in an owner’s absence to help decrease the symptoms of separation anxiety for many dogs.
The Truth about Dogs and Seizures
May 5, 2010, we lost our beloved dog, Tyler. Tyler was approximately 13 years old but, as with every rescue dog we couldn’t be sure. Two days before his death Tyler had a seizure. Then, 15 hours after his first seizure, he had a second.
It started on Monday, May 3rd at 4 a.m. My husband and I were awakened by Stella, another rescue dog we have adopted, barking. Stella was standing over Tyler barking incessantly – her effort to let us know something was very wrong. Tyler was having a seizure. His first as far as we knew. He had his second seizure 15 hours later at 7 p.m. that evening. We lost him 48 hours after his first seizure. It turns out; Tyler had a brain tumor which is one of the most common underlying causes of a seizure.
Watching our beloved Tyler seize was unbearable. Through the research I conducted in an attempt to understand the situation, I found very valuable information for any dog owner.
Causes
There are two main causes of seizures in dogs: epilepsy and presence of a brain tumor. (Our Tyler, it turns out had the latter.) However these two – epilepsy and brain tumor – aren’t the only causes of seizures in dogs. Did you know that toxic chemicals and substances are also a large cause of seizures in dogs?
Lead based paint – which is found in nearly all homes built between 1960 and 1978 -is one of the biggest causes of seizures in dogs and yet, one of the most unknown causes. Does your dog scratch on the door when he hears your car in the drive? Or maybe you have a dog with anxiety issues that licks the walls? Whether he is scratching the door causing the paint to chip and fall to the floor or licking the walls, he is ingesting lead based paint and thus, exposing himself to lead poisoning.
It was actually my husband who brought this to my attention. We used to keep the dogs upstairs, in our loft area. We have a door to our upstairs loft that the dogs would scratch when they heard us come home. Granted it was never immediately obvious but over time the paint chips on the hardwood floor collected and the scratches on the door became much more obvious. Luckily we don’t think the dogs ingested any of this paint but had they, it may have proved fatal.
Other toxic substances that may harm and cause seizure activity in your dog are champagne bottle foil, golf ball coverings, batteries and linoleum.
Epilepsy is another cause of seizures in dogs and is most common in younger dogs; usually ages three and under. Tumors of the brain are more common in older dogs.
Treatment
The cause of the seizures in your dog will determine the treatment plan. If it is determined your dog has epilepsy your veterinarian may prescribe an anticonvulsant medication such as Phenobarbital. There are many others as well, yet Phenobarbital is popular. Other drugs used to treat seizures in dogs are Dilantin or Valium.
Your veterinarian may prescribe anticonvulsants to stop the seizures regardless of the cause of the seizure activity. It is important to keep in mind there are underlying causes. In the case that your elderly dog has a brain tumor, as our Tyler did, there is usually no course of treatment for the brain tumor itself. Therefore, keeping the seizures under control is the only treatment option and, after time, the brain tumor itself will cause problems, pain and a lesser quality of life for your dog.
During the Seizure
Watching your beloved dog have a seizure can be terrifying and heartbreaking. There is nothing you can do except try to keep calm. If you have other dogs in your home remember they may react in strange ways. One of our dogs, Stella, mothered Tyler and protected him during his seizures while our other dog Max, attacked Tyler. This, according to many veterinarians, is common. When the alpha dog is in a weakened state it may be common for a non-alpha to try to step up and take advantage of the weakened state.
Dogs may act more aggressively while seizing and immediately after a seizure. It is recommended by vets to keep your hands away from your dog’s mouth. They will not swallow their tongue however may become scared and bite you. Keep your hands away from the mouth. Dogs will foam at the mouth and a lot of saliva and liquids will be released as a result of the seizure.
You can hold your dog; lay over your dog, or anything you are comfortable doing to keep them comfortable and safe during the seizure.
During a seizure your dog may or may not have the following symptoms: twitching, muscle spasms, foaming at the mouth, kicking of their legs, barking, crying and involuntary bowel movements or urination.
After the Seizure
Expect odd behavior after your dog has a seizure. This period is heartbreaking as well because she will not be herself, she will be scared and feel confused. Some possible behaviors might be “wall pressing”, blindness, and loss of control of bowels, kidneys and legs.
“Wall pressing” occurs when she walks into a wall and will continue pressing her nose and head against the wall. There are many different reasons she might wall press including relieving pressure in her head, trying to make her way along the wall because she cannot see post-seizure and staying near something stable to feel secure.
It is common for dogs to experience temporary blindness after a seizure. Tyler lost his sight entirely for nearly an hour after his first seizure.
During and immediately after your dog has a seizure he may lose control of his bowels or kidney. This is hard to watch yet normal in these circumstances. Many dogs’ legs will buckle underneath them as well. Tyler stood next to me 30 minutes after his seizure and then one or more of his legs would buckle.
While having one seizure is not necessarily anything to be concerned about you should take your dog to the vet afterward. The cause of the seizure and potential underlying issues are important to discover and treat.
It started on Monday, May 3rd at 4 a.m. My husband and I were awakened by Stella, another rescue dog we have adopted, barking. Stella was standing over Tyler barking incessantly – her effort to let us know something was very wrong. Tyler was having a seizure. His first as far as we knew. He had his second seizure 15 hours later at 7 p.m. that evening. We lost him 48 hours after his first seizure. It turns out; Tyler had a brain tumor which is one of the most common underlying causes of a seizure.
Watching our beloved Tyler seize was unbearable. Through the research I conducted in an attempt to understand the situation, I found very valuable information for any dog owner.
Causes
There are two main causes of seizures in dogs: epilepsy and presence of a brain tumor. (Our Tyler, it turns out had the latter.) However these two – epilepsy and brain tumor – aren’t the only causes of seizures in dogs. Did you know that toxic chemicals and substances are also a large cause of seizures in dogs?
Lead based paint – which is found in nearly all homes built between 1960 and 1978 -is one of the biggest causes of seizures in dogs and yet, one of the most unknown causes. Does your dog scratch on the door when he hears your car in the drive? Or maybe you have a dog with anxiety issues that licks the walls? Whether he is scratching the door causing the paint to chip and fall to the floor or licking the walls, he is ingesting lead based paint and thus, exposing himself to lead poisoning.
It was actually my husband who brought this to my attention. We used to keep the dogs upstairs, in our loft area. We have a door to our upstairs loft that the dogs would scratch when they heard us come home. Granted it was never immediately obvious but over time the paint chips on the hardwood floor collected and the scratches on the door became much more obvious. Luckily we don’t think the dogs ingested any of this paint but had they, it may have proved fatal.
Other toxic substances that may harm and cause seizure activity in your dog are champagne bottle foil, golf ball coverings, batteries and linoleum.
Epilepsy is another cause of seizures in dogs and is most common in younger dogs; usually ages three and under. Tumors of the brain are more common in older dogs.
Treatment
The cause of the seizures in your dog will determine the treatment plan. If it is determined your dog has epilepsy your veterinarian may prescribe an anticonvulsant medication such as Phenobarbital. There are many others as well, yet Phenobarbital is popular. Other drugs used to treat seizures in dogs are Dilantin or Valium.
Your veterinarian may prescribe anticonvulsants to stop the seizures regardless of the cause of the seizure activity. It is important to keep in mind there are underlying causes. In the case that your elderly dog has a brain tumor, as our Tyler did, there is usually no course of treatment for the brain tumor itself. Therefore, keeping the seizures under control is the only treatment option and, after time, the brain tumor itself will cause problems, pain and a lesser quality of life for your dog.
During the Seizure
Watching your beloved dog have a seizure can be terrifying and heartbreaking. There is nothing you can do except try to keep calm. If you have other dogs in your home remember they may react in strange ways. One of our dogs, Stella, mothered Tyler and protected him during his seizures while our other dog Max, attacked Tyler. This, according to many veterinarians, is common. When the alpha dog is in a weakened state it may be common for a non-alpha to try to step up and take advantage of the weakened state.
Dogs may act more aggressively while seizing and immediately after a seizure. It is recommended by vets to keep your hands away from your dog’s mouth. They will not swallow their tongue however may become scared and bite you. Keep your hands away from the mouth. Dogs will foam at the mouth and a lot of saliva and liquids will be released as a result of the seizure.
You can hold your dog; lay over your dog, or anything you are comfortable doing to keep them comfortable and safe during the seizure.
During a seizure your dog may or may not have the following symptoms: twitching, muscle spasms, foaming at the mouth, kicking of their legs, barking, crying and involuntary bowel movements or urination.
After the Seizure
Expect odd behavior after your dog has a seizure. This period is heartbreaking as well because she will not be herself, she will be scared and feel confused. Some possible behaviors might be “wall pressing”, blindness, and loss of control of bowels, kidneys and legs.
“Wall pressing” occurs when she walks into a wall and will continue pressing her nose and head against the wall. There are many different reasons she might wall press including relieving pressure in her head, trying to make her way along the wall because she cannot see post-seizure and staying near something stable to feel secure.
It is common for dogs to experience temporary blindness after a seizure. Tyler lost his sight entirely for nearly an hour after his first seizure.
During and immediately after your dog has a seizure he may lose control of his bowels or kidney. This is hard to watch yet normal in these circumstances. Many dogs’ legs will buckle underneath them as well. Tyler stood next to me 30 minutes after his seizure and then one or more of his legs would buckle.
While having one seizure is not necessarily anything to be concerned about you should take your dog to the vet afterward. The cause of the seizure and potential underlying issues are important to discover and treat.
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